PSYCHOGENIC COMA AFTER USE OF GENERAL-ANESTHESIA FOR ETHMOIDECTOMY

Failure of a patient to awaken promptly after use of general anesthesi a may be due to various causes, including medication-related effects, neurologic insults, or metabolic disturbances, Herein are describe a 4 9-year-old woman with a history of depression, for which she was recei ving treatment, who did not awaken promptly after use of general anest hesia for ethmoidectomy, Results of neurologic examinations were norma l, as were laboratory tests and radiologic studies, Six hours after co mpletion of the operation, the patient spontaneously awakened, We hypo thesize that she underwent a transient, self-limited period of dissoci ation related to unresolved grief due to the recent death of a family member.