top of page

Modes Of Anaesthesia

1_edited_edited.png

PATIENT EDUCATION

Understanding Different Modes of Anaesthesia and Their Associated Benefits and Risks

Introduction

This segment aims to provide you with essential information about the different modes of anaesthesia and the potential risks involved. Anaesthesia plays a crucial role in ensuring your comfort and safety during surgical procedures. Your anaesthesiologist will carefully evaluate your medical history and the specific requirements of your surgery to determine the most suitable anaesthesia option for you. It's important to understand the available options and associated risks to make informed decisions and alleviate any concerns you may have.

14_edited.png

General Anaesthesia

  • General anaesthesia involves the administration of medications that induce a state of controlled unconsciousness. Under general anaesthesia, you will be completely asleep and unaware during the surgery. The medications used can be inhaled gases or intravenous drugs. Additionally, a breathing tube is typically inserted into your trachea or throat to assist with breathing while you are unconscious. General anaesthesia is commonly used for complex surgeries or when the surgical site is extensive.

 

  • Risks and Complications: Although general anaesthesia is generally safe, there are some risks involved, including:

    • Adverse reactions to medications: Rarely, some individuals may have an allergic reaction or other adverse reactions to the anaesthesia medications used.

    • Breathing difficulties: General anaesthesia affects your ability to breathe independently, so a breathing tube is typically inserted into your trachea or throat to assist with breathing. In rare cases, this can cause complications such as damage to the teeth, lips, throat, or vocal cords.

    • Awareness during surgery: While extremely rare, there is a small possibility of being partially aware during the surgery. Your anaesthesiologist will take precautions to minimize this risk.

    • Pneumonia or lung infection: After surgery, there is a slight risk of developing pneumonia or other lung infections due to decreased lung function in the perioperative period.

Regional Anaesthesia

Regional anaesthesia involves numbing only a specific region of your body where the surgical procedure will take place. There are two common types:

  • Spinal or epidural anaesthesia: In this technique, medication is injected into your back to numb the nerves emerging from your spinal cord. It is often used for surgeries involving the lower abdomen, pelvis, or lower extremities.

  • Targeted nerve blocks: Injections are administered to numb specific nerves around the site of the surgery. This is commonly used for surgeries involving the arms, hands, legs, or feet.

 

Risks and Complications: While regional anaesthesia is generally considered safe, there are some potential risks, including:

  • Nerve damage: In rare cases, nerve damage may occur, resulting in temporary or, rarely, permanent changes in sensation or movement.

  • Infection or bleeding: There is a small risk of infection or bleeding at the injection site.

  • Allergic reactions: Although uncommon, some individuals may have allergic reactions to the anaesthesia medications used.

  • Partial, or incomplete blockade – may require a conversion to General Anaesthesia in order to proceed with surgery.

Sedation

Sedation involves administering medications to induce a state of relaxation and calmness during the procedure. You will be drowsy and may fall asleep, but you can be easily awakened.

​​

Risks and Complications: Sedation is generally safe, but there are some risks, including:

  • Adverse reactions to medications: Some individuals may experience allergic reactions or other adverse effects from the sedation medications used.

  • Breathing difficulties: Sedation can affect your breathing, so careful monitoring is essential to ensure proper oxygenation.

15_edited_edited.png

Multimodal Anaesthesia

Multimodal anaesthesia, refers to the administration of different medications and incorporating specific anaesthesia techniques to provide optimal pain control and minimize the risks associated with anaesthesia. It involves using a combination of drugs from different classes, each targeting specific aspects of the pain pathway, to achieve better overall pain management and reduce the reliance on any single medication.

 

The key goals of multimodal anaesthesia are:

 

1. Enhanced pain relief: By combining medications that work through different mechanisms, multimodal anaesthesia aims to provide more effective pain control before, during, and after surgery. This approach can help minimize the need for high doses of any single medication, thereby reducing the risk of adverse effects.

 

2. Reduced opioid use: Opioids, while effective in managing pain, come with potential side effects such as respiratory depression, sedation, constipation, and the risk of dependence. Multimodal anaesthesia aims to decrease the reliance on opioids by utilizing alternative medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), local anaesthetics, and other adjuncts, to provide effective pain relief while minimizing opioid requirements.

 

3. Faster recovery and reduced side effects: By utilizing a combination of medications, multimodal anaesthesia aims to provide better post-operative recovery and decrease the incidence of side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and sedation. This approach helps patients return to their normal activities sooner and improves overall satisfaction with the surgical experience.

 

Components of multimodal anaesthesia may include:

 

- Local anaesthetics: These are used to numb specific areas of the body and provide targeted pain relief. They can be administered as local injections, nerve blocks, or through epidural or spinal techniques.

 

- NSAIDs: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are effective in reducing inflammation and providing pain relief. They are often used in combination with other medications to manage surgical pain.

 

- Acetaminophen, aka Paracetamol/Panadol: This medication helps reduce pain and fever. It is often included in multimodal anaesthesia protocols to enhance pain control and decrease reliance on opioids.

 

- Opioids: While the goal of multimodal anaesthesia is to reduce opioid use, they may still be used when necessary, especially for more extensive surgeries or cases where other methods of pain control are insufficient.

 

Multimodal anaesthesia is tailored to each patient's specific needs and the nature of the surgery. The anaesthesiologist will consider factors such as the patient's medical history, pain tolerance, and potential risks to develop an individualized plan. By combining multiple medications and techniques, multimodal anaesthesia aims to provide effective pain relief, minimize the risks associated with anaesthesia, and promote faster recovery.

 

Example: A patient presenting for a Total Knee Replacement surgery might receive a General Anaesthesia technique, combined with a Regional Anaesthesia technique employing a nerve block using local anaesthesia for supplemental pain relief. Pain control post-operatively is further supplemented with a balanced cocktail of pain-relievers from the various classes.

 

Conclusion

Your anaesthesiologist will carefully assess your health condition, the type of surgery, and other factors to determine the most appropriate anaesthesia option for you. They will explain the risks and benefits of each option and answer any questions you may have. It's important to provide accurate information about your medical history and any allergies to ensure your safety. By understanding the different modes of anaesthesia and associated risks, you can make informed decisions and feel more confident about your surgical experience.

bottom of page