Tag: Breathing during surgery

Fact: Under general anesthesia, the muscles that control breathing are temporarily paralyzed by powerful medications. So, while the immediate answer to "Are you still breathing during surgery?" is no, it's quickly followed by a resounding yes, as a highly-trained team takes over this vital process with sophisticated equipment.

Over 90% of patients undergoing general anesthesia develop lung atelectasis, or partial lung collapse, during surgery. This highlights a key pharmacological effect that raises a common question: does anesthesia stop lungs from working? The answer is more complex than a simple 'yes' or 'no', involving muscle paralysis and central nervous system depression, all carefully managed by an anesthesiologist.