From Hypnos to Ephialtes: Waking Up to the Consequences of Accidental Awareness During Obstetric General Anaesthesia

Abstract

(Anaesthesia. 2021;76:736–739. [Epub February 9, 2021]) This editorial discusses accidental awareness during general anesthesia (AAGA). A recent study on AAGA by Odor et al is not only praised for its thorough investigation of AAGS using a large sample size, but its findings are emphasized: AAGA occurrence was 3 times higher than self-reported rates have indicated. The study of interest also found posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in one third of AAGA patients (42 times more likely than non-AAGA patients). The authors point out that future studies could include a larger-sample, international trial, however, the study investment may not be worth the study outcomes. Instead, a focus should be placed on changing health care management patterns associated with AAGA.