Anaesthesiology

INTRODUCTION

The Department of Anaesthesiology and Peri-operative Medicine at Basavatarakam Indoamerican Cancer Hospital and Research Center is a state-of-the-art department with all modern equipments and facilities. Our department is committed to the wholesome peri-operative care of the patients coming to our hospital for their surgery.

SERVICES OFFERED BY THE DEPARTMENT

1 Pre-anaesthesia check up (PAC): All patients scheduled for surgery undergo evaluation of their surgical and associated medical conditions and their fitness for surgery is determined. Patients and their attenders are counseled and explained the relevant risks.

2 Surgical Anaesthesia: All patients coming for surgical procedures are given anaesthesia after the pre-anaesthesia check up. We run 4 major and 1 minor operation theatre daily in the Operation theatre complex. These theatres cater to the inpatient and outpatients undergoing procedures under local or general anaesthesia. All care is taken to ensure the safety of the patient. The department has anaesthesia workstations and high end monitoring to cater to high risk surgical patients.

3 Intensive Care: All patients undergoing surgery under anaesthesia would postoperatively stay in SICU (Surgical Intensive Care Unit) or HDU (High Dependency Unit) under the care of our department till they are safe to be sent to their ward/rooms. Critically ill patients are managed in the SICU by our team of Anaesthesiologists with appropriate inputs from the respective surgical units.

4 Sedation for short procedures: Anaesthesia services are also provided for patients, particularly kids who are uncooperative for procedures like MRI, CT scan, Biopsy, Lumbar puncture, Radiation therapy, Endoscopy, etc.

SAFETY MEASURES IN THE DEPARTMENT

· Minimum anesthesia standards of monitoring are followed for all the patients. Further depending upon the comorbidities and invasiveness of surgery, advanced monitoring like invasive blood pressure monitoring, central venous pressure monitoring, agent monitoring, MAC monitoring, gas analysis, peripheral nerve stimulator, etc are used.

· Structural safety features, as dual oxygen supply with backup system and dual power supply.

· Disposable consumables are used for every patient to minimize the risk of cross infections.

· Instruments for difficult intubation as flexible fiberoptic laryngoscope, Supralaryngeal airways, Gum elastic bougie and Frovas ventilating bougie.

· Instruments for emergency airway like tracheostomy and mini tracheostomy kits.

· Medications like 20% Intralipid for managing local anesthetic toxicity is available at a known location.

PATIENT INFORMATION

Types of Anaesthesia

Anaesthesia provides freedom from pain and is a very important part of your operation. Anaesthesia not only relieves pain, but can also make the operation safer for you. There are several types of anaesthesia.

General Anaesthesia is the most common type of anaesthesia for surgery. You will be in a sleep state during the surgery. You will have no pain. You will remember little about the surgery or recovery period. There are several methods of giving general anaesthesia. Many anaesthetic drugs are now available, and they help make your anaesthesia safer than ever before. The selection of which drugs are used depends on your physical condition and the type of surgery you are having. Usually general anaesthesia is administered by injecting medicines into a vein, or having you breathe a gas from the anaesthesia machine.

Regional Anaesthesia is used to numb only a specific part of the body. A local anaesthetic (numbing medicine) is injected into the area, where it blocks pain sensations. There are many types of regional anaesthesia. The most common are: spinal, epidural, and blocks.

Monitored Anaesthesia means your surgeon will use a local anaesthetic (numbing medicine) in the area of your surgery. We provide continuous monitoring to assure your safety, and may give you medicines to help you rest comfortably while your surgeon works.

Regardless of which type of anaesthesia you receive, all anaesthesia given by theDepartment of Anaesthesiology is administered by or under the medical direction of our Anaesthesiologists. (Anaesthesiologist is a medical doctor specially trained in the administration of anaesthetics.)

Frequently asked questions

Q. What are the risks of anesthesia?

A. All operations and all anesthesia have some risks, and they are dependent upon many factors including the type of surgery and the medical condition of the patient. Fortunately, adverse events are very rare. Your anesthesiologist takes precautions to prevent an accident from occurring just as you do when driving a car or crossing the street. The specific risks of anesthesia vary with the particular procedure and the condition of the patient. You should ask your anesthesiologist about any risks that may be associated with your anesthesia.

Q. What about eating or drinking before my anesthesia?

A. As a general rule, you should not eat or drink anything after midnight before your surgery. Under some circumstances, you may be given permission by your anesthesiologist to drink clear liquids up to a few hours before your anesthesia.

Q. Should I take my usual medicines?

A. Some medications should be taken and others should not. It is important to discuss this with your anesthesiologists. Do not interrupt medications unless your anesthesiologist or surgeon recommends it.

Q. Would I have pain after surgery?

A. . All surgical procedures are associated with certain degree of pain and discomfort depending on the nature of the procedures. Also patients have varying thresholds to pain. All measures are taken by us to alleviate pain using a multimodal approach.

Q. What else should I know about anesthesia?

A. Many people are apprehensive about surgery or anesthesia. If you are well informed and know what to expect, you will be better prepared and more relaxed. Talk with your anesthesiologist. Ask questions. Discuss any concerns you might have about your planned anesthetic care. Your anesthesiologist is not only your advocate but also the physician uniquely qualified and experienced to make your surgery and recovery as safe and comfortable as possible.