Anesthesiologists at the Jeroen Bosch Hospital provide some of their patients
a new form of anesthesia where the risk of after-effects such as
nausea and confusion is close to zero. Also prevents the new mix of
anesthetics addiction to opiates or other pain killers. The Bossche
hospital now treats approximately 15 patients per week with the opioid-free anesthesia.
The desire is to use the new anesthetic form in more patients.
The new approach uses anesthetics that block pain signals in
the spinal cord and in the brain stem. As a result, pain stimuli reach the brain of the
the operated patient and the patient does not experience pain. Big difference with
regular anesthesia is the omission of opioids. Opioids are chemical
simulated opiates (morphine-like painkillers) that are also used during anesthesia
the brain is active.
The initiator and advocate for the new approach is a JHA anesthetist
Aarnoud Teune. ‘The opioid-free anesthesia has great advantages and is a full-fledged one
alternative to the current standard mix of anesthetics. All patients who
being healthy in terms of heart and blood vessels are eligible for the new approach. The
approach is now applied in 25 countries. In the Netherlands, the JHA is one of them
the few hospitals that apply the new anesthetic form.
Nausea and delirium
With regular anesthesia, about a quarter of all patients are after awakening
nauseous. ‘The seriousness of this varies, but it is never pleasant,’ says Aarnoud
Teune. Research has shown that the new drug mix does not cause nausea
causes. We now also notice this in practice. Patients can go home earlier
because they are not or hardly nauseous. In addition, it has been shown that the new
form of anesthesia is much less likely to lead to delirium (confusion). Especially with
elderly and vulnerable patients, it promotes their recovery and helps fall and other
prevent incidents. ‘ Also, opioid-free anesthesia could reduce the risk of spreading
shrink tumor cells during oncological operations. However, this claim is still
insufficiently scientifically substantiated.
Research into results in JHA
In 2020, anesthesiologists and surgeons will also be one at the Jeroen Bosch Hospital
investigation started on the results. The results are at the end of this year, early 2022
known. Incidentally, research is also being carried out at the Martini Hospital in Groningen
done this new form of anesthesia.
Source: JHA
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