Anaesthesia

Anaesthesia is a field within medicine that specializes in inducing a state of unconsciousness and enhancing patient care during surgical and medical procedures. Anaesthesiologists manage a complex array of physiological parameters and their fluctuations in surgical patients. 

Anaesthesiologists are highly trained medical professionals who specialize in administering anaesthesia and monitoring patients during medical procedures. They work closely with other healthcare professionals to ensure the patient's comfort and safety during the procedure. They are equipped with the knowledge and skills to handle any adverse reactions or emergencies that may arise during the procedure.

Anaesthesia plays a vital role in modern medicine, making surgical and medical procedures safer, more efficient, and less painful. With the help of highly trained anaesthesiologists, patients can undergo procedures with peace of mind, knowing that their comfort and safety are in good hands.

There are several types of anesthesia:

• Local anesthesia: It is a type of anesthesia that numbs a specific part of the body to relieve pain during a medical procedure. It is achieved by injecting a local anesthetic drug, such as lidocaine, into the tissue or applying it topically. This type of anesthesia is used for procedures such as dental work, minor skin procedures, and some types of surgeries. Unlike general anesthesia, which affects the entire body and puts the patient to sleep, local anesthesia only numbs the specific area being treated, allowing the patient to remain awake during the procedure.

• Regional anesthesia: Numbs a larger area of the body, such as an arm or leg.

• General anesthesia: It is a type of medical procedure in which a patient is put into a state of unconsciousness so that they cannot feel pain or have any awareness during a surgical or diagnostic procedure. The goal of general anesthesia is to achieve complete muscle relaxation and loss of consciousness, allowing the patient to undergo a procedure without discomfort or distress. General anesthesia is usually administered through an intravenous (IV) line or by inhaling a mixture of gases through a mask or an endotracheal tube. The exact drugs and dosages used will depend on several factors, including the patient's age, weight, and overall health, as well as the type of procedure being performed. The administration of general anesthesia is typically managed by an anesthesiologist, who is a medical doctor with specialized training in anesthesia. The anesthesiologist will closely monitor the patient's vital signs and adjust the level of anesthesia as needed throughout the procedure to ensure the patient's safety and comfort. After the procedure, the patient will gradually awaken from the general anesthesia, and the effects will typically wear off within a few hours. The patient may experience some grogginess, nausea, and confusion, but these side effects are usually temporary and will resolve as the anesthesia wears off.

• Conscious sedation: A mild to moderate level of sedation that allows the patient to remain conscious but relaxed.

• Monitored anesthesia care (MAC): A type of sedation in which the patient remains conscious but is relaxed and pain-free.

• Epidural anesthesia: A type of regional anesthesia that numbs the lower part of the body, such as the pelvic region or lower extremities.

• Spinal anesthesia: Also known as spinal block, is a type of regional anesthesia that numbs the lower part of the body by injecting a local anesthetic into the spinal fluid. The medicine acts on the nerve fibers in the spinal cord to provide pain relief to the lower extremities, abdomen, or pelvic region. Spinal anesthesia is commonly used for procedures such as cesarean section (C-section), lower abdominal surgery, or orthopedic procedures on the lower extremities. The effects of spinal anesthesia are usually quicker and more intense than epidural anesthesia and generally last for a shorter period of time.

• Intravenous (IV) sedation: Delivers sedative drugs directly into a vein to help the patient relax or sleep during a procedure.

We also subspecialize and focus on unique areas within the perioperative domain, including but not limited to cardiac, neurosurgical, regional, obstetric, paediatric, critical care, and pain management anaesthesia.

We are committed to improving the future of this field through innovative research and the development of future leaders through our educational programmes.

We are committed to the delivery of excellent, compassionate clinical care, the development of outstanding future clinicians, thinkers, leaders, and the advancement of knowledge through scientific and clinical discovery.   

Book an online appointment with the expert anaesthesia doctors at Artemis Hospitals, specializing in spinal and local anaesthesia by experienced anaesthesiologists.