Waking up in the OR

[Kidrn911]

When my daughter was 5 years old, she had a T&A. From the time of her surgery to now (8 years later) she insists she woke up during the procedure. I always tried to pass it off as nothing. I would tell her it was probably the very beginning of the surgery when they would roll you in the OR and then start sedation.

Now that she is older she adamantly insists that she was asleep and when she woke up she seen them in their garb and scalpels in hand, They told her it was okay and to go back to sleep.

They never told me after the surgery she woke up. I never asked, really thinking my daughter was confused. It doesn't appear she suffered any mental anguish or anything. She just states it as fact. I believe her now, because she has been so consistent with her story for such a long time.

However, if she did wake up, shouldn't they had said something? I know that getting the right med combination can be tricky, I have done conscience sedation in pediatrics alot in the ER. However, for any future surgery this would be good to know and report off, so that it can be handled better in a more invasive case.

[Biffbradford]

I was given a bedside transesophogeal echo once ... they said they gave me 10mg of Versed and I was still fighting them (I am a big guy so no surprise there). Luckily I don't remember a thing. Had to go to the cath lab with an anesthesiologist and have it done with Propofol. I remember seeing the white line enter my arm and light's out! :)

[Rhi007]

Hmm, I honestly love propofol!!! Although having a drug resistance due to the nature of my condition it still takes about 20-30mins to knock me out!!!

[mongo73]

I too have woke up more than once during an endoscopic procedure, I rember feeling pain and groaning. The real problem I had with the procedure was that the provider tried to force the procedure when she met resistance. The pain after the procedure was much worse than waking during the procedure itself. Thanks Doc. Kudos to the CRNA who made the correction.

[manusko]

These can be the most difficult types of cases. We walk a fine line calling them monitored anesthesia cases (MAC) when they are usually a general anesthetic. With a MAC, you should be responsive and be able to protect your airway. We usually perform them under general and jaw thrust to allow the pt to breath. With this delicate handling of giving anesthesia and allowing the pt to breath, there is a high likely hood of arousal and recall. Some of my pts may have awoke for a few seconds but I thought it was more important for them to exchange air.

[mlbluvr]

I woke up during my nasal septal reconstruction/polyp removal in 1987, kicking and roaring like a creature from another planet, and knocked trays and tables all over the place. The doctor yelled out the 's' word. The pain was like I had just been hit in the face by a truck- he must have just broken my nose with his chisel before it happened. I looked over at the nurse, who did not bat an eye, but as smoothly as silk shoved a needle into the IV, and bye bye- I was awake for less than 10 seconds, but I'll never forget that pain. Even so, it was the first time in 30 years I was able to breathe through my nose, so I'd do it again, no questions asked.

[AspiringToRN]

I woke up during surgery. I was having my impacted wisdom teeth removed. I remember hearing the suction and a commotion and someone saying "she's awake, she's awake!"

All they said to me when I asked was that it happens sometimes.

I've also felt pain when they made the incision during my first cesarean section. The anesthesiologist adjusted the epidural accordingly.

Now, I insist on a consultation with the anesthesiologist to discuss his/her plan before any procedures.

[manusko]

The majority of wisdom tooth removal is not done with anesthesia. They are removed under IV sedation with pain medication and versed. You "woke up" because the drugs wore off enough for you to be more alert but truthfully you were never asleep. Most of the PTs I had when I assisted the oral surgeon would lay still but still follow commands.

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

The majority of wisdom tooth removal is not done with anesthesia. They are removed under IV sedation with pain medication and versed. You "woke up" because the drugs wore off enough for you to be more alert but truthfully you were never asleep. Most of the PTs I had when I assisted the oral surgeon would lay still but still follow commands.

I "woke up" during my D & C (under sedation not general anesthesia), and the anesthesiologist made the exact point you did. While my impression was that I "woke up," it was not anesthesia, but sedation. Didn't really alter my perception of the event, but you are correct. I think a lot of stories about "waking up" during a procedure are actually stories about IV sedation vs. technically being under general anesthesia. The OP's daughter might well have a memory of being in the OR under sedation but BEFORE anesthesia was initiated.