Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

General Anesthesia: Overview01:24

General Anesthesia: Overview

Anesthesia is a medical procedure that uses drugs for CNS suppression to enable painless surgeries and procedures. The selection of anesthetics is influenced by their pharmacokinetic properties, side effects, and patient characteristics. Various types of anesthesia include general, local, regional, spinal, and inhalational.
General anesthesia induces unconsciousness in the whole body, while the others target specific areas or sensations. It is administered to minimize adverse effects, maintain...
Stages of General Anesthesia01:22

Stages of General Anesthesia

Various sedation levels offer significant advantages in facilitating procedural interventions for patients undergoing medical or invasive surgical procedures. These levels span from anxiolysis to general anesthesia, providing a spectrum of sedative effects to cater to specific patient needs. Anxiolysis reduces anxiety and is achieved through minimal sedation, enabling patients to remain awake and responsive while feeling more at ease during the procedure. This level can benefit minor...
Subconsciousness and No Awareness01:15

Subconsciousness and No Awareness

The concept of subconscious awareness refers to the processing of information below the level of conscious thought, which significantly influences both behaviors and decisions. It is also known as waking subconscious awareness. This complex level of cognition operates without the direct awareness of the individual, facilitating rapid and simultaneous handling of multiple information streams.
An illustrative example of subconscious processing is its role in problem-solving. Often, individuals...
Inhalational Anesthetics: Overview01:20

Inhalational Anesthetics: Overview

Inhalation anesthetics are drugs that induce general anesthesia upon inhalation. They work by increasing the sensitivity of GABAA receptors or inhibiting NMDA receptors, leading to a decrease in central nervous system activity. The depth of anesthesia can be rapidly adjusted by changing the concentration of the inhaled gas. Some common examples of inhalational anesthetics include volatile liquids like isoflurane, desflurane, sevoflurane and gases like xenon and nitrous oxide. Isoflurane, a...
Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview01:24

Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview

Intravenous anesthetics are drugs administered parenterally to induce anesthesia or sedation. Propofol is a widely used agent formulated as a 1% emulsion in soybean oil, glycerol, and egg phosphatide. It induces rapid anesthesia primarily due to its rapid distribution from the bloodstream to target tissues and is metabolized in the liver. However, it can cause significant pain on injection and hypertriglyceridemia. Fospropofol, a water-based prodrug of propofol, lacks these adverse effects.
Altered States of Awareness01:06

Altered States of Awareness

Altered states of consciousness represent significant deviations from one's normal mental state. These deviations can range from subtle changes in awareness to profound transformations in perception, thought processes, and sensory experiences. Altered states of consciousness can be triggered by various factors, including drug use, meditation, hypnosis, illness, or even intense fatigue.
The ingestion of substances like stimulants or hallucinogens leads to chemical alterations in the brain that...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Correction: Development of a core outcome set for paediatric upper limb spasticity; a structured review protocol for a systematic review of the literature and identification of a core outcome set using a Delphi survey.

Trials·2025
Same author

Pinch purpura; an acute presentation of systemic amyloidosis under general anaesthesia.

Anaesthesia reports·2023
Same author

Management of lateral abdominal hernias.

Hernia : the journal of hernias and abdominal wall surgery·2020
Same author

Salivary pH and flow rate in menopausal women.

European review for medical and pharmacological sciences·2019
Same author

Abstracts from Hydrocephalus 2016.

Fluids and barriers of the CNS·2017
Same author

The natural history of atrial fibrillation in patients with permanent pacemakers: is atrial fibrillation a progressive disease?

Journal of interventional cardiac electrophysiology : an international journal of arrhythmias and pacing·2015

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Recording Brain Electromagnetic Activity During the Administration of the Gaseous Anesthetic Agents Xenon and Nitrous Oxide in Healthy Volunteers
14:52

Recording Brain Electromagnetic Activity During the Administration of the Gaseous Anesthetic Agents Xenon and Nitrous Oxide in Healthy Volunteers

Published on: January 13, 2018

Awareness during anaesthesia.

K Sandhu1, Hh Dash

  • 1Senior Consultant, Max Institute of Neurosciences, Saket, New Delhi.

Indian Journal of Anaesthesia
|July 20, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

This article reviews the causes, prevention, and management of unintended patient recall during general surgery, highlighting strategies to improve patient safety and outcomes.

Keywords:
AnaesthesiaAwarenessIntraoperativesurgical recallanesthetic depth monitoringpost-traumatic stress disorderpatient safety protocols

Frequently Asked Questions

More Related Videos

Optogenetic Activation of Afferent Pathways in Brain Slices and Modulation of Responses by Volatile Anesthetics
08:16

Optogenetic Activation of Afferent Pathways in Brain Slices and Modulation of Responses by Volatile Anesthetics

Published on: July 23, 2020

Assessing Changes in Volatile General Anesthetic Sensitivity of Mice after Local or Systemic Pharmacological Intervention
08:49

Assessing Changes in Volatile General Anesthetic Sensitivity of Mice after Local or Systemic Pharmacological Intervention

Published on: October 16, 2013

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Recording Brain Electromagnetic Activity During the Administration of the Gaseous Anesthetic Agents Xenon and Nitrous Oxide in Healthy Volunteers
14:52

Recording Brain Electromagnetic Activity During the Administration of the Gaseous Anesthetic Agents Xenon and Nitrous Oxide in Healthy Volunteers

Published on: January 13, 2018

Optogenetic Activation of Afferent Pathways in Brain Slices and Modulation of Responses by Volatile Anesthetics
08:16

Optogenetic Activation of Afferent Pathways in Brain Slices and Modulation of Responses by Volatile Anesthetics

Published on: July 23, 2020

Assessing Changes in Volatile General Anesthetic Sensitivity of Mice after Local or Systemic Pharmacological Intervention
08:49

Assessing Changes in Volatile General Anesthetic Sensitivity of Mice after Local or Systemic Pharmacological Intervention

Published on: October 16, 2013

Area of Science:

  • Clinical anesthesiology and perioperative medicine
  • Patient safety research regarding awareness during anaesthesia

Background:

Unintended patient recall during surgical procedures remains a significant clinical challenge for medical professionals. Prior research has shown that this rare phenomenon occurs in approximately one to two per thousand surgical cases. That uncertainty drove clinicians to seek better methods for monitoring patient consciousness levels. It was already known that such events often cause severe psychological distress for affected individuals. No prior work had fully resolved the complex interplay between patient physiology and anesthetic delivery. This gap motivated a comprehensive review of the factors contributing to unintended sensory perception. Previous studies have highlighted the potential for long-term mental health consequences following these experiences. The current literature aims to synthesize existing knowledge to improve clinical practice and patient care standards.

Purpose Of The Study:

The aim of this article is to examine the various factors that contribute to unintended sensory perception during general surgery. This work addresses the significant challenge posed by rare but distressing instances of patient recall. The authors seek to clarify why these events occur despite seemingly appropriate anesthetic management. By investigating predisposing factors, the study provides a foundation for improved clinical practice. The researchers intend to outline effective preventive measures for both pre-induction and intraoperative periods. They also explore the role of modern monitoring technologies in enhancing patient safety during procedures. Furthermore, the article provides guidance on remedial steps for clinicians to follow when such complications arise. This comprehensive review serves to inform practitioners about managing both the clinical and medicolegal aspects of this serious adverse event.

Main Methods:

The review approach involves a systematic examination of current literature regarding unintended sensory perception during surgery. Researchers synthesized findings from clinical reports to identify common predisposing factors for this rare event. The analysis focused on evaluating preventive strategies implemented during both pre-induction and intraoperative phases. Reviewers assessed the utility of various monitoring technologies designed to track brain activity levels. The methodology prioritized evidence-based practices for managing anesthetic delivery to minimize patient risk. Authors examined existing guidelines for responding to reports of intraoperative recall. The study design incorporated a broad survey of clinical management protocols to provide comprehensive recommendations. This approach ensures that the synthesized information reflects current best practices in the field of anesthesiology.

Main Results:

Key findings from the literature indicate that the incidence of unintended recall is approximately one to two per one thousand patients. The evidence suggests that while most events are not painful, a subset of patients reports excruciating sensations. The analysis confirms that these experiences can lead to significant long-term neuropsychiatric sequelae, including post-traumatic stress disorder. The literature highlights that such events occur even when management appears sound, indicating the complexity of the phenomenon. Findings show that depth of anesthesia monitors serve as a key component in modern preventive strategies. The review identifies that medicolegal implications represent a serious concern for practitioners following an event. Data suggest that systematic pre-induction assessments are vital for identifying high-risk individuals. The synthesis demonstrates that established remedial steps are necessary to support patients who experience this distressing complication.

Conclusions:

The authors synthesize evidence suggesting that vigilance remains the primary defense against unintended intraoperative recall. They propose that clinicians prioritize thorough pre-anesthetic assessments to identify high-risk individuals before surgery begins. The review indicates that depth of anesthesia monitoring provides a valuable tool for managing anesthetic delivery. Synthesis and implications suggest that clear communication protocols are necessary when addressing suspected cases of patient awareness. The researchers emphasize that prompt psychological support can mitigate long-term neuropsychiatric sequelae for affected patients. They conclude that systematic documentation of anesthetic management is vital for addressing potential medicolegal concerns. The findings suggest that preventive strategies should be integrated into standard operating room workflows. Finally, the authors advocate for ongoing education to ensure that anesthesia providers remain prepared for these rare events.

The researchers propose that this condition arises from complex interactions between patient physiology and anesthetic delivery. While usually painless, some individuals experience intense discomfort, potentially leading to long-term post-traumatic stress disorder. Unlike routine recovery, this event involves explicit memory formation during the surgical procedure.

The authors discuss depth of anesthesia monitors as a technical aid for tracking patient consciousness. These devices assist providers in maintaining appropriate sedation levels throughout the procedure, contrasting with traditional clinical observation methods that may lack objective data on brain activity.

The researchers note that pre-anesthetic evaluation is necessary to identify individuals at higher risk. This assessment allows for tailored management plans, distinguishing these patients from those who may tolerate standard protocols without incident. Proper preparation helps mitigate the risk of unexpected sensory perception.

The authors highlight that clinical data, including patient history and anesthetic records, play a role in identifying risk factors. These records are essential for both preventing future occurrences and addressing potential medicolegal inquiries, providing a factual basis for evaluating the quality of care provided.

The incidence is measured at one to two cases per one thousand patients. This frequency highlights the rarity of the phenomenon, contrasting with the high severity of the psychological impact reported by those who experience it during their surgical care.

The researchers propose that establishing clear remedial steps is vital for managing the aftermath of an event. They suggest that proactive communication and psychological support are essential, contrasting with passive approaches that might exacerbate the patient's long-term distress and legal concerns.