Who Is Your Anesthesiologist
And What Does He or She Do For You?
Your anesthesiologist is a physician who has had extensive training in the fields of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care Medicine, and Pain Management. This physician will determine the best anesthetic plan for your surgery based upon your physical condition and the specifics or your surgery. He will take into consideration your preferences when possible.
In addition, your anesthesiologist will be supervising a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), as they will also
participate in your care as a member of your anesthesia care team. Your physician anesthesiologist and CRNA are dedicated to providing state-of-the-art care during this important time in your life.
Prior to surgery, your anesthesiologist will obtain a complete medical history. At that time, it is important for you to ask any questions you may have regarding anesthesia. The anesthetic plan formulated will provide you the safest care available to ensure your comfort and well-being.
What is General Anesthesia?
A general anesthetic renders a patient unconscious (asleep) and pain free. This is accomplished by giving a patient a combination of medications through his/her IV and often by allowing him/her to breathe anesthetic gases.
The effects of these medications and anesthetic gases wear off shortly after surgery. During that time the patient is closely observed in the recovery room to ensure a safe and comfortable awakening.
What is an Epidural?
Epidural analgesia (pain reduction) is accomplished by first placing a needle between two bones in the back. A small catheter (tube) is then guided through the needle and into the epidural space. Local anesthetic medications are then infused through the catheter to bathe the surrounding nerves and significantly reduce a patient’s pain. Epidural analgesia is commonly used to make a patient more comfortable during childbirth.
Epidural analgesia can also be utilized to reduce the pain of major surgical procedures of the chest and abdominal cavities.
What is Spinal Anesthesia?
A spinal anesthetic involves a small injection of local anesthetic medication into the back. The local anesthetic gently mixes with the spinal fluid in the back and significantly reduces a patient’s pain during surgical procedures from the waist down. This is an excellent technique for many orthopedic and urologic procedures as well as in the case of Cesarean
sections.
What are Nerve Blocks (Interscalene, Axillary, Femoral, Popliteal, Ankle, Wrist, etc.)?
Peripheral nerve blocks involve injecting local anesthetics and sometimes placing catheters around a very specific group of nerves to make a patient comfortable for surgery in the particular region of the body served by that group of nerves. These injections are common prior to many orthopedic procedures on the hands, feet, knees, and shoulders. Peripheral nerve blocks are exceptionally good for post-operative pain control.
For more information on Anesthesia, you can visit the website for:
The American Society of Anesthesiologists
