General anaesthetic

A drug or combination of drugs that induces reversible unconsciousness and loss of sensation for surgery or other procedures.

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GABA receptor: A neurotransmitter receptor family that mediates much of the brain’s inhibitory signaling. Many intravenous anaesthetics enhance GABA-mediated inhibition to suppress brain activity.
Propofol: An intravenous sedative-hypnotic drug used to induce and maintain general anaesthesia. Its rapid onset and recovery make it a common choice for induction and maintenance.
Procedural sedation: Medication-induced reduction in awareness and responsiveness for a procedure, usually without intended unconsciousness. Sedation generally preserves more responsiveness than general anaesthesia.
Postoperative nausea and vomiting: Nausea or vomiting occurring after surgery, often associated with anaesthesia and other perioperative factors. It is a common adverse effect after general anaesthesia.
NMDA receptor: A glutamate-gated ion channel involved in excitatory signaling, synaptic plasticity, and memory. Ketamine produces anaesthesia partly by blocking this receptor.
Sevoflurane: A volatile inhaled anaesthetic used to induce or maintain general anaesthesia. Its low airway irritation supports inhalational induction, especially in children.
Local anaesthesia: Temporary loss of sensation in a limited body region without loss of consciousness. It blocks pain locally rather than inducing whole-body unconsciousness.
Emergence delirium: A transient state of agitation, confusion, or disorientation during recovery from anaesthesia. It can occur as consciousness returns, particularly in children.
Minimum alveolar concentration: The alveolar concentration of an inhaled anaesthetic that prevents movement in half of patients exposed to a surgical stimulus. This measure compares the potency of inhaled general anaesthetics.
Ketamine: A dissociative anaesthetic that produces analgesia and altered awareness through NMDA-receptor blockade. Its pain relief and relative preservation of breathing suit selected procedures.