Question 1

What is anaesthesia?

Accepted Answer

It is the procedures and medications given to you before, during and after surgery to make you unaware of pain, consciousness and other unpleasant feeling happening during your surgery. During this period your anaesthesiologist takes control of your breathing, blood circulation and other functions of your body to keep you alive and healthy during and after the surgery.

Question 2

Do I need to see an anaesthesiologist before surgery?

Accepted Answer

Yes, he may assess you with certain questions and clinical check up. Also he may see you few days before surgery (in the PAC clinic), after admission or just before surgery (in preoperative ward). He may also give you certain questionnaire to fill or have a telephonic conversation regarding your health status and fitness for undergoing surgery. He may ask you to stop certain medicines like antiplatelet medicines and replace your BP medications with other alternatives. Also he will ask you to see other specialists like heart and kidney specialists as deemed necessary.

Question 3

Do I have to go to sleep during surgery?

Accepted Answer

Not in every type of anaesthesia but only for general anaesthesia you will be sleeping during surgery. Other types of anaesthesia called regional blocks, spinal or epidural anaesthesia you will be awake and only your lower half of body will be numb.

Question 4

Will I have backpain after spinal anaesthesia?

Accepted Answer

It is a myth that spinal anaesthesia results in increased curving of spine and pain in back. The needles used in modern anaesthesia are very thin and do not result is backpain or increased curvature of spine. This is a very very rare side effect.

Question 5

Will I be having pain after surgery?

Accepted Answer

You will be given adequate dose of pain killers both through an iv line and through tablet form. So, your chances of having pain after surgery are very less. And in many situations in day care surgery, you can go home same day by evening.

Question 6

What is a consent form for anaesthesia?

Accepted Answer

It is document explaining the risks of anaesthesia and the need for giving anaesthesia which will be explained to you and you need to sign it before surgery.

Question 7

What are the risks due to anaesthesia?

Accepted Answer

The complications of modern anaesthesia are very less. It is a very safe procedure. The chance of anyone having serious complications due to anaesthesia is very less probably 1 in 4,00,000 which is less than compared to a person dying in air travel which is 1 in 45,000. Though usually mild complications can happen like temporary soreness in throat etc.

Question 8

What are the common side effects of anaesthesia?

Accepted Answer

Most commonside effects are these
     (a) Nausea and vomiting (also called post operative nausea and vomiting)- it occurs in abot 25-30% of patients and usually withih 24 hours of your operation. This can be controlled with antiemetic medications.
     (b) Sore throat- this happens in general anaesthesia and may result in some sorenees in back of your mouth. It happens in about 40% of general anaesthesia cases. But this is temporary and well controlled by gargling and medications.
     (c) Shivering and chills- as surgery can lower your body temperature you may experience chills. This happens in about 25 % of patients but can be easily controlled by medications and blankets warming.
    (d) Teeth injury- It is not so common being about 0.002 % and anaesthesiologist take care not to let any injury happen to the teeth.

Question 9

Will I be saying things during anaesthesia which I should not be saying?

Accepted Answer

No, this is only when a special type of anaesthesia is given in presence of police at orders of court.

Question 10

Do I need to fast before surgery?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it is mandatory to fast before surgery as per the number of hours told by anaesthesiologist. It is to protect you from the side effects of your stomach contents going in your lungs during surgery.

Question 11

I am a diabetic, do I also need to fast before surgery?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but your diabetic medicines will be changed or stopped when you are fasting as per your anaesthesiologist and your blood sugars will be optimized before surgery.

Question 12

How long will I need to fast?

Accepted Answer

It will depend on your anaesthesiologist but usually it is 6 hours of fasting for solid food. It depends if you are pregnant or child or type of surgery.

Question 13

I have some medications to be taken in the morning. How can I take if I am fasting?

Accepted Answer

The medications allowed by your anaesthesiologist can be taken with just a sip of water in early morning.

Question 14

Do I need an iv line and when can the iv line be removed?

Accepted Answer

Yes, iv line is mandatory for all types of anaesthesia. It is for giving you anaesthetic medications and fluids and emergency drugs. It can be removed when you are getting discharged from the hospital.

Question 15

What is general anaesthesia?

Accepted Answer

It is a type of anaesthesia in which you will be made to sleep with iv anaesthetic medications and anaesthetic gases.

Question 16

What is spinal anaesthesia?

Accepted Answer

In this type of anaesthesia a very thin needle is inserted in your back and anaesthetic drug given which will temperoraly make you half of body numb and motionless. You will be awake through out the anaesthesia and regain you leg power after 3- 5 hours.

Question 17

What is epidural anaesthesia?

Accepted Answer

In this type of anaesthesia you a thin catheter will be inserted in your back and continuously small doses of anaesthetic medication given through this catheter. This will reduce your pain for longer duration of time. It is usually used in pregnant ladies to reduce their labour pain.

Question 18

When will I be able to do my regular activities?

Accepted Answer

Effect of all the anaesthetic drugs is usually over after few hours of discontinuation but it is advisable to do your usual activities after 24 hours of anaesthesia.

Question 19

I am a heart patient, will it affect my anaesthesia?

Accepted Answer

Yes, heart disease affects your capacity to undergo anaesthetic medications and your heart condition needs to be evaluated and medications optimized. It is same for other diseases like kidney disease, paralysis, asthma etc.

Question 20

What will happen when I am posted for surgery and get admitted?

Accepted Answer

You will be told what precautions to take and few of your medications will be changed or added. You may also be given calming medication for good sleep in the night before. You will be fasting in morning and when your number on surgical list comes you will be taken inside the operation theater. Here anaesthesiologist will put an iv line and connect monitoring machines like BP cuff, ecg leads and pulse oximeter. He will be with you and make you sleep with anaesthetic gases and iv medications. You will wake up after surgery and will be taken to post anesthesia care unit after you are fully awake. Here you can meet your relatives for some time. Depending on your surgery you will be either shifted to ward or discharged to home by evening.

Question 21

When can I start eating?

Accepted Answer

It is usually after 4 hours of your anaesthesia administration. This will also depend on the type of anaesthesia and surgery.

Question 22

My child is having a cough and cold, will it affect his anesthesia?

Accepted Answer

Yes, for all pediatric patients with cough or cold (also called as upper respiratory tract infection) anesthesia has to be temporarily cancelled till cough treatment is taken.

Frequently asked questions