Surgical Anesthesia

Anesthesia is medication used to relieve pain and reduce sensation. It’s administered by a specially trained doctor called an anesthesiologist whose job is to effectively control your pain and manage vital life functions during your procedure. Whether this is your first experience with surgery or you’ve had other operations, you may have questions about how anesthesia works to keep you comfortable.

Types of anesthesia

There are three basic kinds of anesthesia:

• Local – Numbs a particular area of the body where the procedure is being performed. You will remain conscious throughout the procedure, and the anesthetic is usually delivered by an injection. Local anesthesia is typically used in minor procedures.
• Regional – Numbs a larger portion of the body, such as the abdominal area, legs or chest. The two most common forms of regional anesthetics are spinal, which is used in certain orthopedic surgeries, and epidural, often used during labor and delivery.
• General – Induces unconsciousness during surgery. Medication is typically inhaled through a breathing mask or tube, or administered by an intravenous (IV) line. A breathing tube may be used during general anesthesia, and your anesthesiologist will carefully monitor your vital signs and other indicators during the operation.

What to expect

Your anesthesiologist will meet with you before your procedure to evaluate your medical condition and formulate a plan. Your medical history, medications, pre-existing conditions and other pertinent health information will factor into your anesthesia plan.

During surgery, your anesthesiologist will monitor you carefully, using sophisticated technology to make sure you’re safe and free of pain. Anesthesia will end when your surgery is over, and you’ll be moved to a different room for recovery and further monitoring.

Learn more about preparing for surgery.