“Perchance to Dream”: The Paradox of Awareness during General Anaesthesia¹

Abstract

Awareness during surgery is still an unsolved problem. Cases are sporadic, and often occur seemingly without cause, and without the patient having shown any untoward signs during the conduct of the anesthesia. Recently it has been shown that many patients may be demonstrated to have retained their sense of hearing during anœsthesia, but at a subconscious level. This paper discusses the possible implication of this finding on the phenomenon of awareness during surgery.

Awareness During General Anaesthesia for Bronchoscopy and Laryngoscopy Using the Apnoeic Oxygenation Technique

“…The possibility of awareness during general anaesthesia has been well documented, notably by Hutchinson (1960). Factors involved in awareness were reviewed by Waters (1968) and Holmes (1970).…”

Supplementation of General Anaesthesia With Narcotic Analgesics

“…It might be argued that if there were no awareness or dreams, the depth of anaesthesia was satisfactory. However, there is no reliable index of awareness (Holmes, 1970).…”