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Patient Information 

GENERAL ANAESTHESIA

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General anesthesia offers the highest level of patient sedation. The patient under general anesthesia experiences the elimination of all sensation and motor functions to ensure a smooth and flawless procedure

 

WHEN SHOULD I STOP EATING & DRINKING?

  • To keep you safe, there are special rules about when to stop eating and drinking. Your care team will advise you on when to stop eating or drinking before a procedure to ensure a safe procedure and prevent nausea

 

HOW IS GENERAL ANAESTHESIA ADMINISTERED?

  • For adults and older children, general anesthesia is given through an intravenous (IV) line. Young children can inhale anesthesia through a mask or tube, getting an IV after becoming unconscious.

 

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR ANAESTHESIA TO KICK IN?

  • General anesthesia usually puts you to sleep in less than 30 seconds.

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IS GENERAL ANAESTHESIA SAFE?

  • Better monitoring technology and improved anesthetic drugs make general anesthesia safe for healthy patients. You'll have an increased risk from surgery and anesthesia if you have significant health conditions, such as heart or kidney problems. Your surgeon and anesthesia team will perform a thorough medical history and physical exam before surgery to assess your risk.

 

CAN I HAVE AN ALLERGIC REACTION TO ANAESTHESIA?

  • Sometimes people can have an allergic reaction to anesthetic drugs. Symptoms are similar to any other allergic reaction. If you’ve experienced a reaction before, let your anesthesiologist know.

 

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO RECOVER FROM ANAESTHESIA?

  • It varies depending on the type of surgery you’ve had. Be sure to ask your doctor for more information based on your individual situation.

 

WHEN CAN I RESUME NORMAL ACTIVITIES?

  • Your surgeon will advise you accordingly, as this is based on your surgical procedure. The anesthetic drugs are largely gone from your body within hours of your operation, though we advise against performing fine procedures such as driving, operating machinery or signing legal papers for the first 24 hours after any anesthetic.

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SPINAL ANAESTHESIA​

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Spinal anaesthesia, also called subarachnoid anaesthesia is a type of regional neuraxial blockade. It is the application of local anesthetic to subarachnoid space

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WHY IS SPINAL ANAESTHESIA PREFERRED OVER GENERAL ANAESTHESIA?

  • Spinal and epidural anaesthesia is usually preferred because of it’s fewer side effects post-surgery, and a greater recovery time

 

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER A SPINAL ANAESTHETIC?

  • After a period of time the effect of the spinal anaesthetic will wear off. You will gradually start to be able to feel and move your legs. You may experience tingling or pins and needles in your legs as the spinal anaesthetic wears off.

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SIDE-EFFECTS AND COMPLICATIONS OF SPINAL AESTHESIA

  • The spinal anaesthetic can cause your blood pressure to drop. If this happens, your anaesthetist will give fluid into your drip and medicine to increase your blood pressure.

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WILL I FEEL ANY PAIN DURING THE SURGERY?

  • No. You will not feel any paint whatsoever below the level of injection, as a anaesthesiologist will regularly check the level of anaesthesia and its effectiveness before any surgical incision is made.

 

WHEN WILL I BE ABLE TO GO HOME?

  • Due to greater and more effective recovery time, you may be discharged on the very same day if no complications are anticipated. Patients are usually advised not to drive themselves home.

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REGIONAL ANAESTHESIA​

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Regional anesthesia is used to numb a large part of your body before, during, and after surgical and some nonsurgical procedures. Regional anesthesia can significantly reduce your discomfort and is a useful option for procedures involving minimal incisions in your chest or abdomen, or for orthopedic procedures.

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BENEFITS OF REGIONAL ANAESTHESIA

  • Regional anesthesia is considered to be part of an Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) protocol because of the advantages it has over general anesthesia, including fewer side effects, quicker recovery, earlier mobility, and minimized opioid use.

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RISKS OF REGIONAL ANAESTHESIA

  • For regional anesthesia, an anesthetic is injected close to a nerve, a bundle of nerves, or the spinal cord. In rare cases, nerve damage can cause persistent numbness, weakness, or pain.

 

WILL I HAVE PAIN AFTER REGIONAL ANAESTHESIA?

  • Doctors will make every effort to minimize and treat your pain during and after the operation. Their goal is to keep you comfortable as you will be given the appropriate pain medication before, during and after your surgery.

ICU​ INFORMATION

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