The word “anaesthesia” is derived from two Greek words “an” meaning “without” and “aesthesis” meaning “sensation”. Anaesthesia is a pharmacologically induced and reversible state of amnesia, analgesia and loss of responsiveness. It is achieved using a combination of drugs like analgesics, hypnotics, sedatives and paralytics.
Any qualified medical doctor can administer an anaesthetic – this is where the term anaesthetist comes from. An anaesthesiologist is a medical doctor who has spent at least 4 years after completing medical school specialising in giving anaesthetics. This means that an anaesthesiologist has had far more training and has passed a series of examinations to improve their skills and abilities when performing an anaesthetic.
All types of anaesthesia can be used individually or in combination to achieve the best and safest anaesthetic for each individual patient.
This is often called a “GA”. You will be put into a state of controlled unconsciousness so that you are not aware of your procedure. This is done using drugs injected into a vein, gases that you inhale or a combination thereof. These agents inhibit feeling, movement and nerve transmission at the level of the brain.
Often called “Local”. Using either drops, spray, ointment or an injection of local anaesthetic a small part of the body is numbed so that you do not feel anything in that area, but remain conscious but unable to feel.
Local anaesthetic drugs are injected near the bundles of nerves which carry signals from that part of the body to the brain. Whole body parts are made numb. You remain conscious but pain free. These are divided into spinals, epidurals and specific limb blocks.
Injections into the lower back are used to temporarily paralyse the nerves of the spinal cord producing numbness of the lower half of the body.
Local anaesthetic is injected around a nerve or group of nerves making a single limb numb.
Injected drugs or gases are used to keep you calm and slightly sleepy but rousable. This is usually combined with local or regional block for a procedure. Eye surgery (cataracts), hand surgery, gastroscopies and colonoscopies are often done under sedation.
You will be required to complete a medical questionnaire to highlight potential problems while you are undergoing surgery and anaesthesia. Try and do this in peace and quiet at home before you come to the hospital. A medical questionnaire can be printed here.Please bring information on any medical conditions you may have to the hospital with you when you are admitted for your operation.
YOU NEED TO BE STARVED FOR ALL ANAESTHETICS AND SEDATION. All patients including children must have no food or milk products from 6 hours before admission, but may have clear fluids (water, black tea, clear apple juice or clear energy drinks) up to 2 hours before you report to the hospital on the day of your operation. Failure to adhere to these guidelines significantly increases the risks of aspirating and suffocating during the procedure which can have dire consequences.
Although an operating list is scheduled to start at a particular time, only one patient can be anaesthetised and operated on at a time. This means that your surgery may be hours after the scheduled start time of the list. You will be given a rough estimate of the start time for your procedure. If the surgeon offers you an admission time after the start time of a list, you may only see the anaesthesiologist in the theatre waiting area. If you have a medical condition or anything else to discuss with the anaesthesiologist please either make contact before the day of surgery (this is highly recommended – please obtain contact details from your surgeon’s rooms or via the specific associate’s page) or ensure you are admitted to the ward at least one hour before the start time of the list.
The anaesthesiologist will conduct a preoperative visit on the morning of your planned surgery to ensure that you are fit to undergo surgery based on your history, examination and results of any investigations. At this time the anaesthesiologist will also decide on and discuss the type of anaesthesia that is optimal for your surgery and medical history. This is the best time to discuss concerns about the anaesthetic and other techniques that may be employed with your anaesthesiologist.
