Consciousness Awareness and Anesthesia

Description

Consciousness Awareness and Anesthesia

Consciousness, Awareness, and Anesthesia offers a unique, multidisciplinary exploration of the scientific and clinical challenges related to consciousness and awareness during general anesthesia. This book tackles one of the most unsettling complications in anesthesia—patients experiencing consciousness and memory formation during surgery, despite being under general anesthesia. Although hypnosis, amnesia, and immobility are the expected therapeutic endpoints of anesthesia, in rare cases (about one or two out of a thousand), these are not fully achieved, leaving patients awake but unable to move or communicate.

This book provides an in-depth look into both the scientific basis of consciousness and the clinical phenomena of intraoperative awareness, drawing on the expertise of an international group of authors from fields such as anesthesiology, neurobiology, and philosophy. This diverse perspective ensures a well-rounded approach to understanding the complexities of anesthesia and consciousness, from a neuroscience standpoint to the ethical and practical implications in the clinical setting.

The text covers a range of topics, including the neurological mechanisms of consciousness, the detection and prevention of intraoperative awareness, and current debates surrounding the concept of consciousness itself. It delves into unresolved questions that continue to challenge clinicians and researchers, while also offering cutting-edge perspectives on how these issues may be addressed in the future.

Key Features:

• Multidisciplinary approach: Combines insights from anesthesiology, neurobiology, and philosophy to offer a comprehensive understanding of both the science of consciousness and the clinical issues surrounding awareness during anesthesia.
• Scientific and clinical perspectives: Explores the underlying neuroscientific theories of consciousness and the practical challenges clinicians face in detecting and preventing intraoperative awareness.
• International authorship: The book brings together a global team of experts, providing diverse viewpoints and a depth of knowledge not typically found in other resources on the subject.
• Ethical and practical considerations: Discusses the ethical challenges of dealing with intraoperative awareness, including the impact on patient well-being and the potential for psychological trauma.
• Current debates and unresolved questions: Engages with the ongoing discussions in both the scientific and clinical communities, addressing the complexities and unresolved issues surrounding anesthesia awareness.

Consciousness, Awareness, and Anesthesia is an essential resource for anesthesiologists, neuroscientists, and anyone involved in the clinical management of anesthesia, providing both a deep dive into the science behind consciousness and a practical guide to improving patient care and safety in the operating room. It is a must-read for those interested in understanding one of the most perplexing challenges in modern anesthesia practice.

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