A Cross-Sectional Study on Intraoperative Awareness during General Anaesthesia

Sharma S; Chaudhary N; Raman R; Singh T

Volume : IX, Issue : V, May - 2020

A Cross-Sectional Study on Intraoperative Awareness during General Anaesthesia

Sharma S, Chaudhary N, Raman R, Singh T

Abstract :

Background: Intraoperative awareness is a distressing event for a patient undergoing surgery. It affects 1-2 per 1000 patients who undergo surgery under general anaesthesia. There is a dearth of studies carried out in India on intraoperative awareness. The present study was undertaken with the aim to determine the incidence of intraoperative awareness in patients undergoing general anaesthesia. Methods: A hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted among adult patients admitted to hospital for surgery. An interview in their local language with the help of a pre-structured and pre-tested questionnaire was carried out over 9 months. Anaesthesia depth was monitored clinically using measurements of end tidal concentration of volatile anaesthetic agents. After anaesthesia, accounts of patients regarding possible intraoperative awareness were analysed. Results: 238 patients were included in the study. None of the patients experienced awareness during general anaesthesia (Category A), possible intraoperative awareness was observed in 2 patients (0.8%) (Category B), and 11 patients (4.6%) experienced intraoperative dreaming. Conclusion: Our study suggests intraoperative awareness is an uncommon phenomenon.