Anesthetic Concerns of Spaceflight

The Martian chronicles: remotely guided diagnosis and treatment in the arctic circle

“…However, many surgical procedures can be performed with the patient under local anesthesia and sedation [37]. Spinal anesthesia techniques could be performed under reduced gravitational conditions with appropriate training and precautions.…”

Emergency medicine in space

“…one emergency during a flight to Mars) [10,16]. Management of severe trauma and surgical conditions will be of the highest concern, which implies the capability to provide anaesthesia [17,18].…”

“…The crew will need to rely solely on itself for the management of severe incidents and urgent medical events. The main concerns involve the management of severe medical conditions [17,18], radiation exposure [19], cardiovascular deconditioning [8], demineralisation and infections [20], as well as the psychological effect of isolation and chronic stress.…”

The anaesthetic management of microgravity-exposed individuals

“…5 Researchers at the Boston Massachusetts General Hospital have successfully induced suspended animation in pigs with a successful revival rate of 80%. 20 The extra time bought with such an intervention may allow for a virtual-reality rehearsal of a procedure prior to onboard repair in a bloodless field.…”