Medical Anesthesia – The Foundation of Surgical Procedures
Medical anesthesia is an essential part of surgical procedures, involving the use of special medications and drugs to prevent the patient from feeling pain during medical procedures. Anesthesia helps facilitate surgical operations, whether minor or major, by inducing total or localized loss of sensation in specific areas of the body.
Types of Medical Anesthesia
- General Anesthesia
In this type, the patient loses consciousness entirely and does not feel any sensations during the operation.
It is used for major surgeries that require the patient to be fully anesthetized. - Partial and Local Anesthesia
In this case, the patient does not lose full consciousness, but the sensation of pain is eliminated in the area being anesthetized.
Partial anesthesia covers a larger area of the body, while local anesthesia is used for a specific organ where the surgery will take place.
Examples of local anesthesia include dental anesthesia or minor surgical procedures.
Important Guidelines Before Anesthesia and Surgery
To ensure the success of anesthesia and the safety of the patient, the following guidelines should be followed:
- Fasting Before Surgery: The patient must fast to avoid complications related to anesthesia.
- Avoiding Blood Thinners: The patient should stop taking blood-thinning medications at least two weeks before surgery.
- Smoking Cessation: It is recommended to quit smoking before the surgery to improve anesthesia results and enhance recovery after surgery.
- Informing the Doctor: It is crucial to inform the doctor about any medications the patient is taking and any past medical conditions.
The Role of the Anesthesia Team
The anesthesia team plays a vital role in evaluating the patient’s condition before surgery:
- The patient’s condition is assessed either through direct communication or with the help of their companions if the patient cannot speak.
- Anesthesia procedures are carried out in the anesthesia room, where the team performs a complete evaluation of the patient’s health to ensure their safety.
- Thanks to modern anesthesia techniques, some patients can return home shortly after the surgery, reducing the need for long hospital stays.
Why Do We Use Advanced Anesthesia?
- To provide complete comfort to the patient during the operation.
- To shorten the hospital stay after surgery.
- To effectively reduce pain, speeding up the recovery process.
- To enhance the patient experience with modern techniques that offer a greater sense of safety.