A Simple Study of Awareness and Dreaming During Anaesthesia

Abstract

An investigation is described into the problems of recall and dreaming under light anaesthesia with nitrous oxide, muscle relaxation being provided by tubocurarine, and the anaesthetic technique being, as far as possible, standardized. Tape-recorded music of two types was used to test the patient's ability to hear and, in addition, the nature and quality of dreams was investigated. There was no evidence that patients were able to hear the tape-recordings and there was no evidence of "awareness" during the operative procedure. Dreaming occurred in 44 per cent of the patients and details of the dreams were recalled in some two-thirds of these. Hypocapnia did not protect against dreaming. Patients who showed marked movement during the operative procedure were more liable to dream than those who did not; the significance of this movement is discussed. In this (unpremedicated) group of patients nearly half described waiting for surgery as the most unpleasant feature of their surgical experience, and postoperative pain was the major complaint in a further 20 per cent. The third commonest of the major complaints was related to requests to lift the head, etc., when unable to do so in the time immediately after operation, and this finding would seem to have some minor practical significance. Unpleasant dreams were the fourth commonest major complaint.

Prospective Randomized Trial of Bispectral Index Monitoring of Sedation Depth during Flexible Bronchoscopy

“…If it lasted more than few seconds, a nasal/oropharyngeal tube was inserted or supplemental oxygen was delivered via face mask (100% O 2 at 10 l/min. In case of hypercapnia (defined as Tc CO 2 >55 mm Hg), Ambu mask ventilation [17] was used [18]. Hypotension (defined as systolic blood pressure <90 mm Hg) was treated with a 500-ml bolus of normal saline solution.…”

“…To assess patients' awareness during the procedure, the structured Brice interview [18] was conducted following recovery and prior to discharge. Briefly, it consists of a set of 5 questions assessing the patients' level of consciousness during sedation and throughout the procedure and unpleasant memories that might have occurred.…”

Apneic Oxygenation during simulated prolonged difficult laryngoscopy: Comparison of nasal prongs versus nasopharyngeal catheter: A prospective randomized controlled study

“…Postoperatively patients were assessed for awareness using Modified Brice Interview, once patient was fully awake, conscious and well oriented. [6]…”

An unexpected increase of entropy in a sleepwalking disorder patient during propofol and remifentanil anesthesia: a case report

“…The patient was questioned about awareness during the operation at three times points (immediately after surgery, prior to discharge at 72 h post-surgery, and 1 month post-surgery) using the modified Brice questionnaire (Table 1) [7,8]. Answers were consistent across all three time points.…”