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Anesthesia doctor reveals 3 ‘scariest’ surgeries that always make him nervous
Most surgeries are safe, with the risk of complications very minimal, but some are more dangerous than others.
An anesthesiologist has shared the three surgeries that he thinks are the most ‘scary’ and make him nervous every time.
Anesthesia doctor reveals 3 ‘scariest’ surgeries
“Here are the top three most exciting, most scary, most anxiety provoking surgeries for an anesthesiologist,” Dr. Zain Hasan said. “This is strictly strictly strictly based on the surgery itself.”
3. Lead Extraction
Third on the list is lead extraction, which is when a pacemaker lead needs to be removed because it has stopped working properly. The leads are attached to the outer surface of the heart through a cut in the abdomen and�deliver small electrical pulses to regulate the heart’s rhythm and rate, the NHS explains.
“The reason why this is so nerve-wracking is because the lead itself can be stuck and when they pull it, it can theoretically rupture ventricle [a chamber in the heart which pumps blood to the rest of the body] and that can be life-ending,” he said.
2. Burn Debridement Surgery
Next up is any kind of burn debridement surgery which removes damaged tissue from a burn wound as it is delaying healing. Dead tissue can harbor bacteria that can cause infections, WebMD reports, so removing it helps the burn heal better.
“Whenever you see this on the schedule, the day of or the day before you know it’s gonna be a very involved and risky surgery because a lot of patients end up bleeding a lot whenever you have burn tissue,” the anesthesia doctor explained.
1. Tracheal Stenosis Surgery
The surgery that is most anxiety-inducing for the anesthesiologist is a tracheal stenosis surgery, where surgeons go inside the trachea and use a laser to burn any growths that are making breathing difficult by narrowing the airway.
“Because they burn it we cannot use 100% oxygen so you have a lot less oxygen, and because there is no airway there, there’s no secure way of ventilating,” Hasan revealed.
All surgeries carry some risk of complications
All surgeries carry a risk of complications, such as infection, too much bleeding, a bad reaction to�the anesthesia or accidental injury, MedlinePlus explains. However, this risk is usually outweighed by the reason you need the surgery.
There are many reasons for surgery, including relieving or preventing pain, reducing a symptom of a problem or improving a body function. Some surgeries are also done to find a problem, while others, like heart surgery, can save your life.
Anxiety before having an operation is normal, but speak to your healthcare provider if you are particularly worried about an upcoming surgery and the risks involved. They will be able to provide further guidance and settle your mind.
Dr. Zain Hasan is an anesthesiologist affiliated with Cedars-Sinai, a world-class hospital in Los Angeles, California. He graduated from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine and did his anesthesiology residency at The University at Buffalo.
