Surgery
Thyroidectomy Under Acupuncture Anesthesia
Surgery
under acupuncture anesthesia has been intriguing American doctors since the
early '70s when President Nixon allowed American doctors, mostly
anesthesiologists, to visit China. They returned with stories of this amazing
technique. Even the most skeptical doctors had to accept what they were seeing.
Some 20 years later, I had the opportunity to be at the operating table during
surgery.
Patient Operating Team
(Top)
The patient is awake and talking during the surgery.
(Bottom
left) The anesthesiologist monitors the patient. (Bottom right) The acupuncture
machine generates the electrical stimulation.
On
my way to surgery.
I
was ready but was not called on for surgery. I must admit, thyroidectomy
(removal of the thyroid) is out of my field.
Immediately
after the dressings were applied, the patient is alert and sips tea. (Right) She
removes her hospital gown and gets ready to walk to her bed.
The
smiling patient thanks her surgeon, who is proud of her. He shows us how
successful acupuncture anesthesia is in surgery. But we could see the
results immediately. Acupuncture anesthesia is a powerful technique, yet gentle
to the patient.
Surgery
goes better with excellent nurses and a strong support team, regardless of the
culture.
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