At what stage of anesthesia can surgery typically be performed?

Surgery is typically performed at stage 3 of anesthesia, which is characterized by a level of unconsciousness where the patient's vital functions such as breathing and circulation are stable, and there is adequate muscle relaxation. At this stage, the patient does not respond to surgical stimuli, which is crucial for patient safety and comfort during procedures.

In stage 3, there are three planes of anesthesia that further define the depth of anesthesia, allowing the anesthesiologist to select an appropriate level for the specific requirements of the surgical procedure. This ensures that the patient remains still and free of consciousness while surgical interventions are carried out effectively.

In contrast, in the earlier stages, the patient may not be fully unconscious or may still have muscle tone that could impede surgical access. Therefore, stage 3 is the appropriate phase for surgeries to ensure both safety and efficacy during the operation.