Does breast cyst surgery require general anesthesia?

Whether general anesthesia is required for breast cyst surgery depends on the size and location of the cyst and the specific method of surgery. If you are preparing for surgery, it is recommended to communicate fully with the doctor in advance to determine the most suitable anesthesia plan.

Breast cysts are small sacs containing fluid that appear in the breast tissue. They are generally divided into single and multiple. If the cyst is small, asymptomatic, or has no obvious tendency to worsen, it can usually be observed regularly and no surgery is required. However, if the cyst is large or accompanied by discomfort, it may need to be removed surgically. For the surgical method, the doctor will choose local anesthesia or general anesthesia according to the specific situation.

Local anesthesia is usually suitable for smaller cyst removal surgeries. In this case, the patient remains awake during the operation and anesthetic drugs are injected only in the surgical area. General anesthesia is generally used for cases where the cyst is larger, the location is complex, or more breast tissue is removed. The operation is larger and lasts longer, and the patient will complete the operation while asleep. The doctor will fully consider safety and patient experience when making the decision, and general anesthesia is not the only option.

Before surgery, you need to discuss the anesthesia method in detail with your doctor to understand how you may feel during surgery and how you will recover after surgery. If you have any underlying diseases or are allergic to anesthetics, you should tell your doctor. After surgery, you should follow the doctor's instructions to care for the surgical site and keep the wound clean. If you find any abnormalities such as persistent pain or signs of infection, you should seek medical attention immediately.