Rhinoplasty - General vs. Local Anesthesia

As an elective surgery, rhinoplasty gives patients an opportunity to make several decisions for themselves. They can choose the surgeon that handles the operation. They can choose when and where it is done. Even if the health insurance is going to pay for part or all of the procedure, patients still retain some control over the process. When it comes to anesthesia, surgeons often allow individuals to choose which option suits them best. General Anesthesia During a rhinoplasty, general anesthesia puts a patient completely under. This means that he or she is completely sedated and is not aware of what is going on. In fact, the recipient is also given a breathing tube that is inserted in the throat. While this helps with breathing, it also makes sure that the airway is not affected by any blood or mucus from the nasal passages or the area of the operation. On the positive side, patients are not awake and listening to what is going on. They are not lying on a table worried about what is happening or wondering whether or not they are going to be able to feel what is going on. It can be tough to listen and feel while the surgeon chisels away a part of the bone to remove a lump while being awake, even with some type of sedation. Relaxing during a rhinoplasty is tough. Unfortunately, there is a downside to general anesthesia. Once the person wakes up, he or she is very groggy and may remain sleepy for part or even the rest of the day. It takes time to get out of the fog and even then, the body needs to recover. Aside from the operation, the body now must deal with the affects of the anesthesia. In most cases, recovery tends to take longer. Local Anesthesia With local anesthesia, the area is completely numb. During this time, the patient remains awake and can hear and follow instructions given by the surgeon. If a person still has nerves, it is possible to take medication that will offer some type of sedation. However, at no time is a person non-responsive or unable to understand what is going on. Many people describe it as being completely relaxed despite what is going on. This is a popular option for many men and women looking for a rhinoplasty because of the cost. It is considerably less than general anesthesia. For those that have a real fear of going under, this is a much better choice. Once the anesthetic has worn off and the sedatives have dissipated, a person is ready to move on with the day. While he or she may be groggy, it does not last anywhere near as long as it does with general anesthesia. On a negative note, the thought of being aware during a rhinoplasty is more than some people can take. They don't want to be aware of all that a surgeon is doing during the operation.