Movement of the Patient and the Concept of Minimum Alveolar Concentration (MAC)

Abstract

I am certain that you have been there. There is a hush as the surgery proceeds; the quiet interrupted only occasionally by the words “artery forceps†and “diathermy, pleaseâ€. You’re resting, perched on your stool and listening to the reassuring sound of bleeps from the ECG monitor. Then suddenly the patient moves and the bellow of “the patient is awake†resounds from beyond the green drapes.