What is the principle of anesthesia?

Nov 03, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Wang Lei

Introduction

Under normal circumstances, anesthesia works by using drugs or physical methods to act on the nervous system, blocking the transmission of pain signals, suppressing central nervous system functions, or inhibiting local nerve responses. This renders the body insensible to pain, consciousness, or localized sensation during medical procedures such as surgery, while maintaining stable vital signs. In addition, parameters such as heart rate, blood pressure, and blood oxygen saturation must be closely monitored throughout the anesthesia process.

Generally, anesthesia works by using drugs or physical methods to act on the nervous system, blocking the transmission of pain signals, suppressing central nervous system functions, or inhibiting local nerve responses. This renders the body insensitive to pain, unconscious, or locally numb during medical procedures such as surgery, while maintaining stable vital signs. A detailed analysis is as follows:

From the perspective of mechanism, different types of anesthesia work in distinct ways. General anesthesia involves intravenous injection or inhalation of anesthetic agents that act on the central nervous system, suppressing cerebral cortical activity. This causes loss of consciousness, sensation of pain, and memory formation. It also suppresses the respiratory center, necessitating mechanical ventilation to ensure the patient feels no pain and retains no memory during the procedure.

Local anesthesia, on the other hand, involves injecting local anesthetic agents into specific areas of the body to block signal transmission in nerve endings or trunks within that region, thereby eliminating pain sensation locally while preserving the patient's consciousness. It is commonly used in minor surgeries or localized procedures, such as tooth extraction or wound suturing.

In addition, during anesthesia, vital parameters such as heart rate, blood pressure, and blood oxygen saturation must be closely monitored. The dosage of anesthetic drugs should be adjusted according to the patient’s condition to achieve optimal anesthetic effect while avoiding excessive suppression of the respiratory and circulatory systems.

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Is intubation required for appendectomy surgery?

In general, whether intubation is required for appendectomy depends on the surgical approach and type of anesthesia used. If any discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek timely medical evaluation and treatment at a正规 hospital. Prior to surgery, patients should complete the necessary examinations as instructed by their doctor to determine the appropriate anesthetic and surgical plan. If intubation is performed, temporary sore throat may occur after surgery, which can be relieved by drinking warm water appropriately.

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What are the methods of general anesthesia?

In general, general anesthesia is a method of anesthesia that uses medications to induce loss of consciousness and eliminate pain sensation throughout the body. Common techniques include intravenous anesthesia, inhalation anesthesia, combined intravenous-inhalation anesthesia, basal anesthesia, and target-controlled infusion anesthesia. In clinical practice, the appropriate general anesthesia technique should be selected based on factors such as the type of surgery and the patient's physical condition.

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Is surgery for acute appendicitis painful?

In general, the level of pain associated with surgery for acute appendicitis depends on the surgical approach, type of anesthesia, and stage of postoperative recovery. If you experience discomfort or have concerns, it is recommended to communicate promptly with your doctor. After surgery, pay close attention to changes in pain; if pain suddenly worsens or persists without improvement, or if accompanied by fever, wound bleeding, or discharge, you should inform your doctor immediately.

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What needs to be monitored during anesthesia?

Vital signs, respiratory function, circulatory function, oxygen saturation, and depth of anesthesia need to be monitored during anesthesia. Comprehensive monitoring allows timely detection of abnormalities and early intervention, thereby reducing anesthetic risks. In case of sudden hypotension, respiratory depression, or abnormal heart rate during anesthesia, immediate emergency management by an anesthesiologist is required. Vital signs include body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure.