Canterbury Anaesthetic Services

Canterbury Anaesthetic Services
Category: Physicians & Surgeons

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  Types of AnaestheticGeneralA general anaesthetic is a mixture of drugs to keep you unconscious and pain free during an operation. During the operation different drugs will be given at particular times for a specific purpose.Drugs are injected into the bloodstream via a vein and / or breathed in as gases or vapours into the lungs. A breathing tube may be put into your throat or windpipe to help you breathe while under the anaesthetic. The tube is removed as you wake up after surgery.LocalYou may be able to stay awake during a major operation under local anaesthetic. Sedation can be given if you wish. Local anaesthetic includes epidural and spinal anaesthetic. This is the injection of local anaesthetic drugs, sometimes a pain killer, into the back to numb a large part of the body. These techniques are used to relieve pain during the operation, and / or for pain relief afterwards. Local anaesthetic can also be used to numb small areas such as the site of the operation, or as nerve blocks to numb a larger area for surgery such as the chest, abdomen, legs and eyes. Local anaesthetic may also be combined with general anaesthesia. Risks from the AnaestheticModern anaesthesia is generally very safe. The risk of a healthy person dying unexpectedly during anaesthesia is less than the risk of dying in a car accident. However, risks do exist. Whilst these events are usually temporary, some of them may cause long term problems.Increased RisksRisks are increased in elderly patients and by:a bad cold or flu, asthma or other chest diseaseSmokingBeing overweightDiabetes Heart diseaseKidney diseaseHigh blood pressureOther serious medical conditionsRisks of a Local AnaestheticNerve damage, due to bleeding, infection or other causes, is an additional specific risk with local anaesthesia. This may cause weakness and/ or numbness of the body part that the nerve goes to. This is usually mild and temporary.Additional specific risks with spinal and epidural anaesthesia are:Rarely, nerve damage, which may be transient or may be severe and permanent (eg: legs weakness).Rarely, damage to surrounding structures (eg blood vessels, lungs).Headache. Usually temporary but may be severe and can last many days.Backache. This is usually temporary due to bruising around the injection site. Rarely it can be long-term.<b