Anesthesia is broken down into three main categories: general, regional, and local, all of which affect the nervous system in some way and can be

administered using various methods and different medications.

Think of the brain as a central computer that controls all the body's functions and the nervous system as a network that relays messages back and forth from the brain to different parts of the body.

It does this via the spinal cord, which runs from the brain down through the backbone and contains threadlike nerves that branch out to every organ and body part.

What is the Anesthesia face masks?

Anesthesia face masks are rubber or silicone masks that cover both the mouth and nose of the patient.

Face masks are used to deliver O2, N2O-O2, and/or other inhalation anesthetics before, during, and after the anesthetic procedure.

Can anesthesia be given through mask?

General anesthesia can be given through an IV (which requires a needle stick into a vein, usually in the arm) or

by inhaling gases or vapors delivered by a mask or breathing tube.

How do you inflate an anesthesia mask?

If the air cushion does not appear to have the optimal amount of inflation,

use a needle-less syringe with a Luer lock tip to inflate and deflate the cushion through the mask valve.

The types of Anesthesia face masks

Air Cushion Mask

• Colored Removable Hook rings for easy size identification

and fixation.

• Soft inflated cushion for good sealing and patient comfort.

Economy Anaesthesia Mask

• Soft anatomical cushion for good seal and patient comfort.

If your child is having surgery or a procedure, it can help to understand how the various types of anesthesia make the experience more comfortable.

General Anesthesia

The goal is to make and keep a person completely unconscious (or "asleep") during the operation, with no awareness or memory of the surgery. General

anesthesia can be given through an IV (which requires a needle stick into a vein, usually in the arm) or by inhaling gases or vapors delivered by a mask or

breathing tube.

If your child is having general anesthesia, the anesthesiologist will be there before, during, and after the operation to monitor the anesthetic medications and

ensure your child is constantly receiving the right dose.

With general anesthesia, the anesthesiologist uses a combination of various medications to:

1.relieve anxiety

2.keep your child asleep

3.minimize pain during surgery and relieve pain afterward (using drugs called analgesics)

4.relax the muscles, which helps to keep your child still

5.block out the memory of the surgery

After surgery, the anesthesiologist reverses the anesthesia process to help your child "wake up." It usually takes about 45 minutes to an hour for kids to

recover from general anesthesia. This recovery period is monitored by specially trained nurses in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) or recovery room.

During recovery, your child is still under the care of the anesthesiologist.

Regional Anesthesia

An anesthetic drug is injected near a cluster of nerves, numbing a larger area of the body (such as below the waist).

Most children who receive regional anesthesia are deeply sedated or asleep for the procedure. Rarely, older kids or those who might be at risk by being asleep may be awake or lightly sedated for this type of anesthesia.

In kids, regional and general anesthesia are often combined, except in very special circumstances. Regional anesthesia is generally used to make someone more comfortable during and after the surgical procedure.

If regional anesthesia is appropriate for your child, you'll discuss this with the anesthesiologist. The time required to recover from the numbing effect will vary depending on the type of regional anesthetic used.