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Having an anaesthetic
What is an anaesthetic?
An anaesthetic is a treatment that prevents you from feeling pain. Anaesthetics work by blocking the signals that pass along your nerves to your brain. There are three types of anaesthetic:
- Local anaesthetic
- Regional anaesthetic
- General anaesthetic
Local anaesthetic
A local anaesthetic numbs the part of your body immediately surrounding the site of your operation. This is achieved by injecting a drug directly into the surrounding skin. These anaesthetics are often used while you are awake. For example, local anaesthetics are used to numb your skin before you have a cut stitched. The local anaesthetic will gradually wear off after your operation.
Regional anaesthetic
A regional anaesthetic numbs the part of your body, which is being operated on i.e. your arm. This is achieved by injecting a drug around the larger nerves in that body part or region. These anaesthetics are often used while you are awake. The most common regional anaesthetics are spinal and epidural anaesthetics, which are used for operations in the lower half of your body. The regional anaesthetic will gradually wear off after your operation.
The type and place of your local or regional anaesthetic injection will depend on the operation you are having.
General anaesthetic
A general anaesthetic makes you unconscious and unaware, more commonly known as ‘sending you off to sleep’. This is achieved by injecting anaesthetic drugs into a vein in your arm or hand, by you breathing in anaesthetic gases or a combination of both. Your anaesthetist will let you know before he/she administers your general anaesthetic. Once started, you will quickly become light headed and then unconscious. Once you are unconscious, your anaesthetist will continue to administer anaesthetic drugs or gases so that you remain asleep and will carefully monitor you throughout the procedure. Once your operation is over, your general anaesthetic will be stopped and you will quickly regain consciousness.
Your anaesthetic
Each type of anaesthetic has its own advantages and disadvantages. Often combinations of local, regional and general anaesthetics are used to tailor your anaesthetic to your needs. Your anaesthetist will discuss with you which type and combinations of anaesthetic are best for you.
The role of your anaesthetist
Your anaesthetist is a doctor with specialist training in the use of anaesthetics, pain management and the care of patients.
Your anaesthetist is responsible for assessing that you are fit enough to be given an anaesthetic, planning which type of anaesthetic is best for you, giving you your anaesthetic, ensuring that you are safe throughout your operation and looking after you whilst you recover from your anaesthetic.
Along with your surgeon, your anaesthetist works closely with other hospital staff to look after you. These include the operating department staff who prepare and maintain equipment and assist in the operating theatre, and the recovery room staffwho will care for you after your operation until you are ready to go back to the ward.
Click on the links below or to the left to find out information:
- on the day of your operation