Operations to Music

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 24, 27 December 1929, Page 8

Operations to Music

Patients Listen-in ATIBNTS may. now listen-in to wireless broadcast while they are undergoing a surgical operation. This striking innovation in modern surgery, which was described at the. recént Pan-Pacific Surgical Congress in Honolulu, was commented on by Sir W. Arbuthnot Lane, the distinguished surgeon. In certain major operations spinal anaesthesia is given to the patient. A hypodermic needle on the spine renders the trunk of the body insensible. The patient is fully conscious, but quite free from pain during the operation. He can, however, see what is happening, and hear the surgical sounds, and the usual method of saving him from the upsetting effects of this consciousness is to give him sufficient gas to send him to sleep, or, if that wouid be dangerous, to put a silk handkerehief over his' eyes, and let the anaesthetist distract his attention by talking. ‘The new method is described as be‘ing "much preferable to the talking anaesthetist." Headphones are placed over the patient’s ears, and he is able to listen-in until the operation is finished, He thus not-only has his mind distracted completely and pleasantly from the operation, but in addition his ears are closed to the sounds of the operating theatre.