Ready to Save a Life? - Marion General Hospital

continued from page 6 help you sleep pain-freethrough surgery and awaken you afterwardto make sure you are doing well. What they doin between those two tasks is most important.Anesthesiologists are truly “guardians of life.”Without them and their life-sustaining skillsand anesthesia, today’s surgeries would notbe possible.Today, anesthesiologists practiceone of the most complex disciplinesof all medical specialization.To understand how far the profession hascome, we must first look into the interestinghistory of anesthesia, which was discovered byaccident more than 165 years ago. Before then,even simple surgeries, by today’s standards,could not be performed.❋ Looking BackInitially, traveling shows used the intoxicatingside effects of inhaling nitrous oxide, or “laughinggas,” for financial gain. Audience memberswould come up on stage, inhale the gas andamuse the crowd with their comic behavior andinsensitivity to pain.It wasn’t long before some bright physiciansmade the connection between nitrous oxide’suse for amusement and medicine. With thistransition, the new science of anesthesiologybegan to spread around the world and open thepossibilities of previously unthinkable surgeries.Current healthcare has benefited greatly fromthis discovery.❋ Before, During and AfterAnesthesiologists are perioperative physicians(“peri-” meaning “all-around”). They providemedical care to you before, during and afteryour surgical procedure.Prior to surgery, they complete your medicalevaluation and provide consultation to helpplan the surgery with the entire surgical team.During surgery, they are responsible for administeringanesthesia, sedatives, muscle relaxantsand a host of other drugs to relieve your pain aswell as manage your breathing, heart rhythm,blood pressure, and brain and kidney functions.Like trained conductors of world-renownedorchestras, they must skillfully and personallyblend these very delicate “instruments” of anesthesiato ensure your well-being and safety.Then, like talented magicians—but with muchmore than just sleight of hand—they must reversethe effects of anesthesia and return you to consciousnessafter surgery.❋ A Complex DisciplineAs you can see, modern-day anesthesiology hascome a long way since its humble beginning asentertainment for profit in the 19th century. Today,anesthesiologists practice one of the most complexdisciplines of all medical specialization.8vim & vigor · spring 2010