Patient memories of anesthesia--historical perspective
Wright, A.J.; Aldrete, A.
Middle East Journal of Anaesthesiology 9(3): 233-254
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0544-0440 PMID: 3323866 Document Number: 287021
Since the introduction of anesthetic agents for surgical pain relief in 1846, a number of clinical, experimental and anecdotal reports have been published concerning those patients having memories of their anesthesia. These reports can be divided into three broad categories: awareness of the surgical procedure or other intraoperative events; hallucinations, dreams or illusions; and transcendental experience. The history of each of these groups of experiences is reviewed.