Frequently AskedQuestions

Anaesthesia is a speciality branch in medical science. This branch is mainly involved in smooth conduct of all types of surgeries/operations & various procedures being performed by making individuals comfortable, pain-free and unconscious as needed.

Whenever an individual undergoes any type of procedure or surgery that person is likely to feel pain or discomfort. Anaesthesia is needed to abolish the pain, minimise the discomfort and relieve the anxiety.

No anaesthesia is minor. Though rare, all techniques of anaesthesia can have serious and life threatening complications.

Three main types exist: General Anaesthesia (full unconsciousness), Regional Anaesthesia (numbing a larger body area, such as the lower half of the body or a limb) and Local Anaesthesia (numbing a small area).

Local anaesthesia involves injection of local anaesthetic into the tissues of a small area near the surgical site. It is commonly used for minor surgeries and suturing.

When a larger area or part of the body — like the lower half of the body, a thigh or one limb — is anaesthetised by injecting local anaesthetic drug around a large nerve or bundle of nerves, it is called regional anaesthesia.

Inhalation of chloroform for anaesthesia is not used now-a-days. Presently, various safer anaesthetic drugs — administered by an anaesthesiologist — are available.

In India, only clinicians who are legally trained in the various aspects of anaesthesia required for that particular procedure can administer the anaesthesia.

In India, anaesthesiology is a speciality post-graduate training programme — M.D., diploma (D.A.) or D.N.B. — requiring 2-3+ years of dedicated training. Advanced sub-specialities such as cardiac anaesthesia and neuroanaesthesia are also available.

Yes. A pre-anaesthesia check-up optimises the patient’s clinical status before the procedure, minimising complications and reducing the risk of morbidity and mortality.

The role of an anaesthesiologist starts before the surgical procedure begins and ends only after the procedure is completed, with continuous monitoring of the patient’s vital parameters throughout.

During all anaesthesia procedures, the person’s vital parameters are monitored using sophisticated computerised electronic monitors. Minimum monitoring includes electrocardiogram, oxygen saturation and blood pressure.

Solid food (including biscuits, cookies and chocolates) and milk are not allowed for a minimum of six hours before anaesthesia, since there is a risk of aspiration if vomiting occurs. Clear liquids are usually permitted up to three hours beforehand.

This varies by procedure duration. Short procedures use intravenous or inhaled agents; longer procedures require endotracheal intubation with controlled respiration and muscular paralysis.

Spinal and epidural techniques involve injecting anaesthetic through the spaces between vertebrae at different depths, and are used for a variety of surgical procedures as well as for pain relief.

Oral intake timing depends on the type of anaesthesia and the surgery performed, ranging from about two hours up to 24+ hours following abdominal procedures.

Some post-operative pain is expected due to the surgical incision. It is managed with supplementary pain-killer injections, and regional techniques can also delay the onset of sensation for continued relief.

Basic Life Support (BLS) is a level of medical care used for patients with pre-existing health disorders, or healthy victims of trauma and emergencies, during life-threatening situations until full medical care can be given at a hospital.