Brain Monitor's Questioned - Medical Malpractice Attorney Source

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Brain Monitor's Questioned

A recent study conducted at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis questions the effectiveness of brain monitors used to prevent anesthesia awareness.

Anesthesia awareness is a rare condition where patient remain awake and feel pain while in surgery.

Devices Analyzed

According to the study, the devices, which are reportedly used in about 60 percent of U.S. operating rooms, are no more effective than the more simplistic and cheaper techniques that doctors can also rely on.

“This technology has been adopted without what we felt is sufficient scientific evidence,” explains Michael Avidan, who led the study.

Study Conducted

The study supposedly compared 967 surgery patients who were connected to brain monitors, with 974 patients whose aesthetic state was monitored through exhaled gas.

Researchers claim that anesthesia awareness occurred in two patients from each of the groups, which means that the monitors provided no extra benefit over an alternative method.

When doctors are able to measure the level of the patient’s consciousness, they are enabled to adjust the aesthetic dose, and give more to those who need it.

(Source: Wall Street Journal)

Do you suffer from anesthesia awareness? If so, please contact an attorney who specializes in medmal cases today to receive the legal support and guidance you need.