Anaesthesiology Hospital/Department in Mysore

Anaesthesia is the process of administration of substances to the body in order to prevent pain during surgery or some other practice. In regards to its types, there are several types of anaesthesia administered depending on the type of surgery to be conducted or the patient’s condition. Here’s an overview of the primary types of anaesthesia provided at Manipal Hospitals Mysuru:

General Anaesthesia

General anaesthesia entails the rendering of the patient unconscious during surgery or any other surgical procedure. It is employed in surgeries where the patient has to be unconscious and super immobile throughout the process. General anaesthesia can inhibit pain, sensation and memory in the process. The anesthesiologist monitors the patient’s conditions, such as heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen saturation levels and then regulates the anaesthetic as required. They keep vigil constantly, which minimises a patient's risk to harm during the surgery at the same time offering comfort.

Regional Anaesthesia

This technique is also called ‘block anaesthesia’, in which only a particular part of the body is made insensitive while the patient remains conscious or semi-conscious. This type of anaesthesia is rather helpful when the action targets the lower extremities, arms or abdominal region.

Epidural and Spinal Anaesthesia

Epidural and spinal anaesthesia are some examples of regional anaesthesia that help patients experience pain relief during lower limb and lower trunk surgical procedures, including childbirth, hip replacement operations, and other related surgeries of the lower abdomen. Such techniques include the administration of anaesthetic agents in closely located regions of the spinal cord to minimise the perception of pain signals by the brain. Epidural can also be used during labour and delivery; spinal anaesthesia is, however, used in shorter surgical procedures.

Peripheral Nerve Blocks

Peripheral nerve blocks are a form of regional anaesthesia applied to either part of the human body, for instance, arm or leg. This technique is generally applied where the operation is performed on the limbs such as knee or shoulder surgery.

Local Anaesthesia

Local anaesthesia entails the blocking of a small part of the body which requires a minor operation such as dental surgery, a skin excision or stitching. Local anaesthesia does not interfere with the awareness or the level of consciousness that the patient has at any one time, unlike most other forms of anaesthesia. Local anaesthesia could be either injected or applied topically at the site of the surgery. It performs fast interventions, and the patient is able to stay conscious throughout the entire procedure. Recovery is fast and people can easily engage in daily activities soon after the treatment is done.

Monitored Anaesthesia Care (MAC)

The term "Monitored Anesthesia Care (MAC)" refers to a type of anaesthesia where an anesthesiologist provides varying levels of sedation, but the patient typically remains conscious and able to follow instructions. MAC entails the administration of sedatives and pain relievers, among other drugs, through the use of the intravenous process. The anesthesiologist observes the patient, especially their vital signs, throughout the procedure to manage sedation. MAC makes rapid recovery possible with relatively fewer complications when compared to general anaesthesia.

Treatments and Procedures

• Preoperative Evaluation

Pre-operative assessment is an all-encompassing assessment that is done before surgery with a view to evaluating the fitness of a patient for anaesthesia and surgery. From this evaluation, the possibility of any medical condition or any risk factor that is likely to influence the result of the surgery and the anaesthetic plan is determined. In addition, the preoperative assessment enables the anaesthesiologist to explain the anaesthetic management and any issues of concern or fear the patient has as well as consent.

• Intraoperative Anaesthesia Management

Intraoperative anaesthesia management is defined as a process of anaesthesia care and supervision whilst the patient is undergoing surgery. This relates to the process of titrating the doses of anaesthetics according to how the patient is responding physiologically as well as the surgical needs. This management also includes averting factors such as hypotension, hypoxia or anaphylactic reaction to anaesthetic agents. They help to respond to any complications as they occur reducing risks that may be boundaries to creating surgical benefits.

• Postoperative Pain Management

Patient Controlled Analgesia is an important element in the postoperative process of a patient, and it entails the administration of drugs to relieve pain after an operation in order to boost patient satisfaction. This, therefore, entails employing several multimodal analgesic approaches together with drugs appropriate to the clinical condition of the patient. Specifically, the management of acute postoperative pain is important for several reasons. Apart from falling under the category of patient comfort in continuously moving around, it helps the patients to regain mobility early enough, greatly decreases chances of contraction of diseases such as deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, and finally enhances shortened hospital stay.

• Chronic Pain Management

Chronic pain management is one of the targeted services offered to treat pain that lasts for more than six weeks beyond the typical recovery time. This type of management is essential in patients with conditions such as arthritis, neuropathy, back pain and even cancer pain.

Apart from medications, the anaesthesiologist may employ other treatment procedures, including antidepressants, anticonvulsants, opioids, and muscle relaxants. Nerve blocks and epidural injections are also used to manage pain based on the origin of the pain, while radiofrequency ablation is used to remove nerves that cause pain.

• Sedation for Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures

Sedation for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures involves administering sedative medications to relax and calm the patient during minimally invasive or diagnostic interventions, such as colonoscopies, endoscopies, or minor surgeries. Sedation is used to enhance patient comfort, reduce anxiety, and ensure cooperation during procedures that do not require full anaesthesia. It helps minimise movement and discomfort, allowing the physician to perform the procedure more effectively. Sedation is particularly beneficial for anxious patients who have a low pain threshold or require a prolonged or uncomfortable procedure.

Obstetric Anaesthesia

Obstetric anaesthesia is a specialised field of anaesthesia focused on managing pain and providing safe anaesthesia care during labour, delivery, and postpartum procedures. It includes techniques like epidural anaesthesia, spinal anaesthesia, and general anaesthesia, tailored to suit the needs of the mother and the baby. The primary goal of obstetric anaesthesia is to ensure the comfort and safety of the mother and baby during childbirth. Pain management during labour is crucial not only for the physical comfort of the mother but also for reducing stress, which can impact labour progression and the well-being of the baby. Obstetric anaesthesia is also vital in emergencies such as C-sections, where rapid and effective anaesthesia is needed to deliver the baby safely. Effective pain control can also help reduce the risk of postpartum complications, such as hypertension and stress-related issues, thereby promoting a smoother recovery.

Paediatric Anaesthesia

Paediatric anaesthesia is the administration of anaesthesia tailored specifically for infants, children, and adolescents undergoing surgical or diagnostic procedures. It is essential to reduce anxiety, minimise pain, and ensure the safety of young patients during medical procedures. It helps maintain stable vital signs, supports respiratory function, and provides a pain-free experience during and after surgery. This approach also addresses the emotional aspects of care, employing techniques that minimise fear and help children feel safe and secure, thereby improving overall outcomes.

Cardiac Anaesthesia

Cardiac anaesthesia is a highly specialised area of anaesthesia focused on managing patients undergoing heart-related surgeries such as coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), valve replacements, and congenital heart defect repairs. Cardiac anaesthesia ensures that patients are stable during surgery, with optimal blood flow and oxygenation to vital organs. It is essential for managing the effects of cardiopulmonary bypass, controlling blood pressure, and preventing complications such as arrhythmias and ischemia. Effective cardiac anaesthesia helps enhance surgical outcomes, minimise postoperative complications, and support the patient’s recovery process.

The anesthesiologist works closely with the cardiac surgical team, managing the patient’s blood pressure, heart rate, and blood gases meticulously. During surgeries requiring cardiopulmonary bypass, the anaesthesiologist coordinates with the perfusionist to maintain the patient’s circulation and oxygenation while the heart is stopped. Post-surgery, patients are transferred to a cardiac ICU, where anaesthetic management continues with pain control, ventilation support, and stabilisation of heart function.

Neuro-anaesthesia

Neuro-anaesthesia is a subspecialty focused on providing anaesthesia for neurosurgical procedures, including brain and spinal surgeries. It involves managing anaesthetic depth, cerebral perfusion, and intracranial pressure to optimise outcomes for patients undergoing delicate neurological operations.

Neuro-anaesthesia is crucial for maintaining stable brain function, preventing fluctuations in blood pressure, and managing intracranial pressure during surgery. Precise anaesthetic management helps reduce the risk of neurological complications, such as brain swelling or ischemia and improves surgical visibility by controlling bleeding. The goal is to protect the brain and spinal cord while providing a smooth and safe anaesthetic experience.

Throughout the procedure, the anaesthesiologist uses advanced monitoring tools such as intracranial pressure monitors, cerebral oximetry, and EEGs to assess brain activity and perfusion continuously. In spinal surgeries, the anaesthesiologist may also use neuromuscular monitoring to ensure that motor pathways remain intact.

Critical Care Anaesthesia

Critical care anaesthesia encompasses the management of critically ill patients in intensive care units (ICUs) who require advanced life support and anaesthetic interventions for ongoing treatment or during complex procedures. Patients in critical care often have life-threatening conditions that necessitate constant monitoring, support, and intervention. Critical care anaesthesia is essential in stabilising these patients, providing sedation and pain management, and performing life-saving procedures such as intubation, ventilation, and invasive monitoring. The expertise of an anaesthesiologist in managing respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological support is invaluable in the ICU setting, where rapid changes in patient status are common.

Emergency and Trauma Anaesthesia

Emergency and trauma anaesthesia is the provision of rapid and effective anaesthetic care for patients who require immediate surgical or medical intervention due to traumatic injuries or acute medical emergencies. In emergency and trauma situations, timely anaesthetic management is crucial to stabilise the patient, control pain, and facilitate life-saving interventions. Anaesthesiologists are often the first responders in the operating room or trauma bay, providing airway management, resuscitation, and haemodynamic support.

The anaesthesiologist continually adjusts anaesthetic depth and provides blood transfusions or fluid resuscitation as needed to maintain stable blood pressure and perfusion to critical organs. In cases of severe trauma, advanced techniques such as damage control resuscitation may be employed to prevent coagulopathy and organ failure. Postoperatively, the patient is often transferred to the ICU, where anaesthetic management continues with sedation, pain control, and ongoing monitoring to support recovery.