About Anaesthesia

Anaesthesia overview
Common concerns
FAQs


Anaesthesia overview
Anaesthesia refers to a state of no sensation and can be general, regional or local. General anaesthesia involves drugs which induce a deep sleep; regional anaesthesia (epidural / spinal) involves injecting drugs around the spine to numb the legs and abdomen; local anaesthesia involves injecting drugs into the skin to numb a small area. Sedation involves drugs that produce sleepiness or a light sleep but stop short of general anaesthesia.
All of these techniques can be used alone or in combination depending on the specific procedure. The decision as to which is best for your situation will be made by your consultant anaesthetist after discussion with you.

Common concerns

In our experience there are three issues that patients commonly have concerns about regarding their anaesthetic.

1. Nausea

Nausea (feeling and being sick) has been reported to occur in up to 20% of patients following anaesthesia – however this is not our experience. We treat nausea very seriously because it is so unpleasant and is high on our patients’ list of concerns. We use a combination of medications and other techniques to reduce the incidence of nausea.

2. Post-operative pain

It is our aim to optimise pain relief while minimising the side effects of the painkillers. A variety of oral medications are used – often in combination – for minor surgery. Intermediate surgery often requires the addition of stronger pain killers which may be required as injections. Major surgery usually requires either strong painkillers in a drip or the use of an epidural. Every patient feels pain in a slightly different way and we aim to tailor your pain control to your requirements starting with the framework above. In specific circumstances we are able to offer specific local anaesthetic injections (performed during your general anaesthetic) to numb the surgical site for a number of hours after the operation.

3. Awareness under general anaesthesia

Awareness under general anaesthesia is rare, but is more likely when muscle relaxants are required. If insufficient anaesthetic reaches the patient while the muscle relaxant is still effective then the early warning signs of a light anaesthetic will be masked which if left unchecked may progress to awareness. General anaesthesia for caesarean section delivery and emergency surgery have a higher incidence of awareness. We recognise that awareness is a very serious event often with long term sequelae and our techniques seek to minimise its occurrence.

FAQs

Are anaesthetics safe ?

Anaesthetic techniques and drugs have advanced considerably over the past 10 years and as a result anaesthesia is generally very safe. For most people there is a greater risk of dying in a car crash on the way to hospital than during an anaesthetic. However, in common with all medical interventions, anaesthesia has an element of risk which varies according to the circumstances. We aim to minimise the risks associated with your anaesthetic and pain medications.

Will I get a Pre-med ?

The term pre-med is used to describe any medicine given to prepare you for the anaesthetic. It is not necessarily medicine to make you feel sleepy. In the past pre-meds were often given as injections and made patients very sleepy before and after the anaesthetic. Nowadays sedative premeds are not routinely given because it is safer to have you wide awake and comfortable as soon as possible after the procedure.

Why can’t I eat before my anaesthetic ?

If you presented for your anaesthetic with food in your stomach there is a chance that it might passively come up your gullet and pass down into your lungs resulting in lung damage. Please see our starvation guidelines.

Can I accompany my child in the anaesthetic room ?

One parent can usually accompany their child into the anaesthetic room and may assist with some distraction therapy during the start of the anaesthetic! However very occasionally the anaesthetist will prefer no parent to be present, but this will always be discussed with and explained to you at the pre-operative visit.

Will anyone be with me while I’m asleep ?

Yes ! Your consultant anaesthetist will be present for the complete duration of your anaesthetic until you reach the recovery bay. They will constantly monitor your condition making sure you receive the right balance of oxygen and anaesthetic.

Why do I have to remove my false teeth / tongue stud ?

It is usually safer if anything that has the potential to move is removed from your mouth. Metal instruments may be passed over you tongue while you are asleep and tongue studs catch and get in the way. False teeth and tongue studs can be reinserted in recovery.

How and where will I go to sleep ?

Anaesthetics are usually given in an anaesthetic room adjacent to the operating theatre. Occasionally the anaesthetic will be given in the operating theatre itself.

Where will I wake up ?

Most patients wake up in the recovery bay adjacent to the operating theatres. However if your procedure is very short you may remember waking up in theatre after its completion, as the anaesthetic will wear off very quickly. You will still go to the recovery bay for a while to make sure your condition is stable before returning to your room.

Will I get a sore throat after my anaesthetic ?

A sore throat is relatively common after a general anaesthetic. This is because a tube is placed in your throat to allow you to breath oxygen and anaesthetic gases. Any discomfort usually settles within hours, especially after starting drinking again, although it occasionally remains sore for a couple of days.

How soon after my anaesthetic can I eat and drink ?

This depends on the type of surgery. For most surgery that requires either a day or overnight stay in hospital it is usual that you will able to have a light meal in the evening afterwards if you would like. Eating and drinking too soon after an anaesthetic may increase the chances of you feeling sick.

How soon after my anaesthetic can I drive ?

We advise that you wait at least 48 hours before driving a car, operating machinery or making important decisions. If you require strong painkillers or have had intermediate or major surgery this period may be longer.