Thanks for the welcome, K_Z. Long time listener, first time caller ... this discussion is too compelling for me to simply lurk anymore.
The information you have shared is fascinating, thank you. I wonder if the family themselves even know what today's surgeries entailed, considering they have had their heads firmly in the sand as far as medical advice heretofore. This will be one hell of a case study in a year (or 2, or 5 ...) when all of the facts come out, if they ever do. You know someone is going to be writing a book or three on this.
The information you have shared is fascinating, thank you. I wonder if the family themselves even know what today's surgeries entailed, considering they have had their heads firmly in the sand as far as medical advice heretofore. This will be one hell of a case study in a year (or 2, or 5 ...) when all of the facts come out, if they ever do. You know someone is going to be writing a book or three on this.
Welcome to Websleths! :fence:
BBM. Donors for organ procurement do receive anesthesia, to optimize organs to give recipients the best chance at recovery. Spinal reflexes are still present in brain dead donors, and release of endogenous catecholamines in response to pull/ stretch surgical stimulation can produce deleterious effects on BP, MAP, and organ function (like heart arrhythmias). So, donors are typically given titrated doses of anesthetic agents (gas), as well as sometimes small doses of narcotics, and paralytics.
Those who do anesthesia for procurement are really experts at balancing all of the physiological issues to optimize the organs, and work closely with the procurement surgeon and team (who come from OUTSIDE the hospital and are not affiliated with the hospital or care of the donor before the diagnosis of brain death.)
Here is a very personal look into the thoughts of an organ procurement surgeon. I think it's a fascinating glimpse into their world.
"Dead Enough?" Dr. Pauline Chen
http://www.vqronline.org/articles/2005/fall/chen-dead-enough/
Added: We have no idea if Jahi's body was given any anesthesia for the trach and g-tube. Her family didn't tweet one way or the other, just that it was done.