General anesthesia is a reversible, drug-induced state of unconsciousness in which a patient loses awareness, sensation, and the ability to respond to surgical stimulation. It is defined by the simultaneous achievement of several pharmacological end points: hypnosis (loss of consciousness), analgesia (suppression of…
General anesthesia is a reversible, drug-induced state of unconsciousness in which a patient loses awareness, sensation, and the ability to respond to surgical stimulation. It is defined by the simultaneous achievement of several pharmacological end points: hypnosis (loss of consciousness), analgesia (suppression of pain), amnesia (absence of recall), and, where required, immobility and attenuation of autonomic reflexes. These effects are produced by inhalational agents such as the halogenated ethers and nitrous oxide, and by intravenous agents including propofol, ketamine, etomidate, and opioids, frequently combined with neuromuscular blocking drugs to facilitate tracheal intubation and provide surgical relaxation. Anesthetic agents act predominantly on central nervous system ion channels, potentiating inhibitory GABA-A receptor signaling and modulating NMDA and other excitatory pathways. Safe conduct demands continuous monitoring of oxygenation, ventilation, hemodynamics, and depth, together with airway management and titration of agents to the procedure and the patient's physiological reserve. General anesthesia is integral to most major surgical interventions, including obstetric, abdominal, and reconstructive procedures, and its perioperative management influences recovery, fluid balance, and outcomes such as postoperative cognitive dysfunction in vulnerable populations. The journal publishes peer-reviewed research spanning perioperative care, surgical management, and related clinical outcomes.
12 peer-reviewed articles, ranked by relevance. Each links to its DOI.
The 12 articles above have been cited 28 times in the scholarly literature. Citation data via OpenAlex and Crossref, updated Jun 2026.
A sample of recent works citing this journal's research on General Anesthesia, linking to each citing work.