What would cause a person to stop breathing during surgery?

Question

Too much anesthesia? This person is normally healthy. So what could cause this?

Answer 1

Lung Failure

Choking

Absence of air to breathe

What does the operating table have to do with it?

Answer 2

Too much of the medication can suppress respiratory function. Or they could have a reaction to the meds, or some underlying health issue.

Answer 3

Lung and/or Heart failure are the main culprits.

Answer 4

Heart failure is a possibility.  When this happens they bring in many anesthesiologists who work with the patient, to revive him or her.

Answer 5

Several things could be a factor. I'd need much more detail. It can be anesthesia, but not necessarily "too much". People react differently to various types of anesthetic and even if the person had the same amount another time, they could still have an adverse reaction.

What type of procedure were they having?

You say they are normally healthy..well if they are having a surgical procedure with anaesthetic, I'd be willing to say their system is compromised in some manner.  

Answer 6

Blocked airway passages e.g. vomiting. The patient might have ingested food less than 8 hours before surgery. Be specific. What type of surgery?

Answer 7

During surgery? What kind of surgery? Was the patient intubated ? Paralyzed pharmacologically? We need MORE info to answer this question ...

Answer 8

Their lungs fail.  

Answer 9

Where as medicine is highly advanced in many aspects, preop questions for anesthesia are a shot in the dark basing use on past histories for age, size weight, health, gender, allergic reactions and so on.  It does not always work because there are unknown factors.

Answer 10

Sleep apnea and too much anesthesia? There are many reasons, what type of surgery?