Patients Awake During Surgery

Studies show that as many as 40,000 patients a year are mistakenly left awake during surgery, but paralyzed and unable to let anyone know. Sherman Sizemore a former coal miner and a Baptist minister killed himself in February 2006, two weeks after undergoing surgery to his abdomen. His two daughters have filed suit claiming that this experience is what caused their father to commit suicide. According to the complaint which was filed, Mr. Sizemore was awake for almost 30 minutes during his surgery. The family of Mr. Sizemore stated that this experience had their father so upset that he took his own life.

Experts say people who have suffered from “anesthesia awareness” often suffer post-traumatic stress syndrome.