Anaesthesia

An anaesthesiologist is a specialist doctor who is responsible for managing a patient's anaesthesia, vital functions and pain during surgery and around the perioperative period. Their role may include: 

• Assessing the patient before surgery

• Selecting the appropriate anaesthesia technique

• Administering and monitoring anaesthesia

• Monitoring breathing, blood pressure, heart rate and other vital functions

• Managing pain during and after surgery

• Responding to changes in the patient's condition

• Supporting emergency and trauma surgery

• Providing critical care when appropriately trained and involved

Anaesthesiologists work closely with the surgical team to maintain patient safety throughout the procedure.

The main types of anaesthesia include:

General anaesthesia: The patient is unconscious and does not feel or respond to the surgical procedure.

Regional anaesthesia: Anaesthesia is used to numb a larger area of the body, such as with spinal or epidural techniques.

Local anaesthesia: A specific small area is numbed while the patient remains conscious.

Sedation: Medication is used to make the patient relaxed and drowsy, with the level of sedation depending on the procedure and clinical requirement.

The anaesthesiologist determines the most appropriate technique based on the procedure and the patient's medical condition.

Modern anaesthesia is generally safe when administered and monitored by a qualified anaesthesiologist, but like any medical treatment, it carries potential risks.

The level of risk depends on factors such as age, underlying medical conditions, medications, allergies, type of surgery and whether the procedure is planned or an emergency.

Before surgery, the anaesthesia team assesses these factors and develops an appropriate plan to minimise risks.

A pre-anaesthesia assessment helps the anaesthesiologist understand your medical condition and identify factors that may affect anaesthesia or surgery.

The assessment may include:

• Medical and surgical history

• Current medications

• Allergies

• Previous experiences with anaesthesia

• Blood pressure and other vital signs

• Relevant physical examination

• Blood tests or other investigations when required

You should provide accurate information about your medical history and medications so the anaesthesia team can plan your care appropriately.

The purpose of anaesthesia is to prevent or significantly reduce pain and awareness during the procedure, depending on the type of anaesthesia used.

After surgery, some discomfort may occur as the anaesthesia wears off. The anaesthesia and surgical teams can use appropriate postoperative pain management strategies to help control pain during recovery.

Regional anaesthesia numbs a specific region of the body while allowing the patient to remain conscious, although sedation may sometimes be provided.

Examples include spinal, epidural and peripheral nerve block techniques.

Regional anaesthesia may be suitable for selected orthopaedic, lower limb, abdominal or other procedures. The appropriate technique depends on the surgery and patient's medical condition.

Patients are commonly given fasting instructions before planned procedures to reduce the risk of complications associated with stomach contents entering the lungs during anaesthesia.

The exact fasting requirements depend on the type of procedure, anaesthesia and individual circumstances.

Always follow the specific fasting instructions provided by your surgical and anaesthesia team rather than relying on general advice.

Emergency trauma patients may arrive with serious injuries, blood loss, breathing problems or other conditions that require immediate stabilisation.

In such situations, the anaesthesia team works alongside the trauma and surgical teams to support airway management, breathing, circulation, pain control, haemodynamic stability and anaesthesia during emergency procedures.

At TTCH, anaesthesia support forms an important part of multidisciplinary care for patients with serious trauma.

After surgery, patients are monitored while the effects of anaesthesia wear off.

Depending on the type of procedure and the patient's condition, monitoring may include breathing, blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen levels, pain, nausea and level of alertness.

Some patients may require recovery-room observation, while patients undergoing major surgery or experiencing serious illness may require closer monitoring or critical care.

Anaesthesiology is an essential part of TTCH's surgical and trauma care system.

The anaesthesia team supports patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery, trauma surgery, neurosurgery, plastic and reconstructive surgery, general surgery and emergency procedures.

As a trauma-focused hospital, TTCH requires anaesthesia expertise not only for planned operations but also for patients who need urgent surgery following road traffic accidents, fractures, head injuries, spinal trauma, burns and other serious injuries.

The department works as part of a multidisciplinary team with surgeons, trauma specialists, intensivists and other healthcare professionals to support safe surgery, effective pain management, continuous monitoring and appropriate postoperative recovery.