Anaesthesia at the Bronovo Hospital

ANAESTHESIAAnaesthesia is the collective name for all types of anaesthetics for surgery orexaminations. It means ‘numbness.’ In practice, however, anaesthesia is morethan just numbing. The objective of anaesthesia is to keep you in the bestpossible condition during the surgery.An anaesthesiologist is a medical doctor who has specialized in the variousforms of anaesthesia, pain control and other medical care concerned withthe operation.FORMS OF ANAESTHESIAThere are two forms of anaesthesia that are used in surgery, namely:• General anaesthesia• Regional anaesthesia (extensive localized numbness).A combination of both forms of anaesthesia is also often used, specifically formajor surgery. Which form of anaesthesia is the most suitable for you will bedetermined by your anaesthesiologist in consultation with you. This dependson various factors such as your age, your physical condition and the kind ofsurgery that you are having.General anaesthesiaWith general anaesthesia, your entire body is made numb. Because you aretemporarily unconscious, you will not be aware of anything during the surgeryand will also not remember anything about the operation. The drugs are generallyadministered via an intravenous line. In some cases, you will be given the medicationthrough a mask over your nose and mouth. This is generally the case withchildren.If necessary, a tube will be inserted into your throat for breathing as soon as youare under general anaesthesia.5