What is Anaesthesia?
Anaesthesia refers to the administration of medications either by injection or by inhalation (breathing in) that block the feeling of pain and other sensations in all or part of your body. It allows the patient to have their surgery or procedure undertaken with minimal discomfort or stress.
Anaesthesia is tailored to the patient and their needs. It can be given in various ways, ranging from a simple injection of local anaesthetic to numb a small area of the body, such as a finger or a tooth, to the use of powerful drugs that cause unconsciousness. The type used depends on factors such as the nature of the surgery or procedure and your medical history. Your anaesthetist will discuss with you what may be appropriate for your particular circumstances.
Anaesthesia is only administered under the close supervision of an anaesthetist who has been trained to decide on the best type of anaesthesia while keeping you safe and well.
Australia is one of the safest places in the world to have an anaesthetic.
In general terms, anaesthesia may be divided into four categories. Click on the categories below to find out more.
General Anaesthesia
General anaesthesia is a drug-induced state of controlled unconsciousness during which you have no awareness and do not feel any sensations or pain.
A general anaesthetic is normally commenced intravenously via a needle placed in a vein in your arm by the anaesthetist, and is then maintained throughout surgery by intravenous drugs or by inhalation of anaesthetic gases.
It results in many changes to vital body functions such as breathing, heart function and blood pressure. Your anaesthetist will stay with you throughout the entire procedure, administering medication and constantly monitoring and ensuring your wellbeing and safety.
Australia is one of the safest places in the world to have a general anaesthetic.
Regional Anaesthesia
This involves an injection of a local anaesthetic to provide loss of sensation to a large region of your body. These are often described as "nerve blocks", as they involve the injection of local anaesthetic near major nerve bundles that supply an area of the body. Common examples include spinal and epidural blocks (where the lower half of the body is made temporarily numb), eye blocks, or arm and leg blocks. A mild sedative is often given to provide additional comfort.
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Regional anaesthetics are also useful for pain relief after an operation as the area will stay numb for a number of hours. Once the local anaesthetic wears off, sensation will return to normal.
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Regional anaesthesia may be used on its own or in combination with sedation or general anaesthesia.
Local Anaesthesia
Local anaesthesia is where a small area of the body is numbed with injection or topical application of local anaesthetic drugs. Surgery can then be performed pain free on the numb area while the patient is awake, thus avoiding the need to administer other drugs. Local anaesthesia is also commonly combined with light sedation. The removal of skin cancers and many other minor skin operations are frequently performed using the local anaesthetic technique.
Sedation
Sedation (or "twilight anaesthesia") is the use of small amounts of anaesthetic or similar drugs to produce an altered state of consciousness or a sleepy-like state. It is used to relieve anxiety, and make you feel relaxed, drowsy and comfortable during the procedure. You may have some awareness of events, but it is often associated with a lack of memory of the event.
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Sedation is often used in combination with other anaesthetic techniques such as regional or local anaesthesia.
Sedation is used for procedures where general anaesthesia is not required. Examples of procedures routinely performed with the patient under sedation are colonoscopy, gastroscopy or cataract surgery.