Our previous post regarding awareness under anesthesia received enormous numbers of comments. Some were vacuous and vitriolic and so lacking in educational value that they were simply deleted.

We also heard simple heartfelt stories from those who had suffered. To each of you we offer our sincerest apology. As you will see from my final comment to the previous post no one should be awake unnecessarily. I say “unnecessarily” since there are time when the patient’s survival requires that low doses of anesthesia be used to avoid death or severe physical injury.

As a follow-up we sincerely hope that there may be a way to eliminate the possibility of awareness associated with accidental unesthetic underdoses. Currently however there continues to be growing evidence that the consciousness monitors are ineffective- in fact they may increase the risk of awareness under anesthesia. An abstract of the most recent study can be found HERE. As I have asserted previously the current monitors fail the first criterion for cost-effectiveness- they are not effective. (See comments associated with THIS post.)

We appreciate the willingness of individuals to bear the cost of monitoring but who would pay extra for additional risk? Would everyone like value for the cost? Doesn’t each patient deserve better care for more cost? As I have noted previously I would not let someone use the current monitors on me.

Until there is reliable monitoring you must rely on your anesthesiologist. Check him out- thoroughly. Don’t hesitate to fire him/her. He/she has your life and future in his/her hands.

It’s your health, take charge and take it seriously.