Anesthesiology

Department of Anesthesiology

Welcome to the Department of Anesthesiology at Care Hospital, where our anesthesiologists deliver advanced, safe medical care to ensure patients’ comfort and safety throughout surgical procedures and other interventions.

We provide comprehensive, state-of-the-art anesthesia services guided by the latest international protocols and modern equipment, with a strong focus on meticulous pre-anesthesia evaluation, continuous intraoperative monitoring, and attentive post-anesthesia care to support a smooth and safe recovery for patients of all ages.

Our team covers the full spectrum of anesthesia—from general and local anesthesia for minor and major operations to advanced pain management techniques and critical care for high-risk cases.

Conditions and Procedures We Cover

• Anesthesia for major and minor surgical procedures
• Cardiothoracic anesthesia
• Neurosurgical and spine anesthesia
• Obstetric and gynecologic anesthesia, including cesarean delivery
• Pediatric and neonatal anesthesia
• Anesthesia for patients with special or chronic conditions
• Geriatric and complex-case anesthesia
• Emergency and trauma anesthesia
• Acute and chronic pain management
• Postoperative critical care following major surgeries

Services and Technologies

• Pre-anesthesia evaluation and medical consultations
• Modern general anesthesia techniques
• Neuraxial anesthesia (epidural and spinal)
• Local and regional anesthesia
• Advanced intraoperative monitoring
• Airway management and mechanical ventilation
• Perioperative and postoperative analgesia
• A fully equipped Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)
• A dedicated Chronic Pain Clinic
• Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) programs

Our Patient Pathway

• Pre-anesthesia consultations
• Clear explanation of anesthesia types and options
• Guidance on preoperative preparation
• Post-anesthesia recovery instructions
• Education on postoperative pain control
• Ongoing support for patients and families

Bringing together the highest international standards and a culture of safety, our department believes that safe anesthesia requires a comprehensive approach—careful preoperative assessment, vigilant intraoperative monitoring, and superior care in the recovery phase. We tailor anesthesia plans to the procedure and each patient’s health status, select the most suitable technique, monitor vital signs in real time, and apply effective pain-control strategies to promote comfort and a faster recovery.

Book your consultation today with our anesthesiology team and move forward with confidence on your treatment journey.

Why patients trust our anesthesia team?

We provide all anesthesia and critical-care services under one roof, led by a multidisciplinary team that combines experience with integrated care. The department includes:

• Senior consultants in anesthesia and resuscitation
• Specialists in general, regional, and neuraxial anesthesia
• Airway management and mechanical ventilation experts
• A round-the-clock intensive care team
• Acute and chronic pain specialists
• Nursing staff trained in the care of critically ill patients

What is anesthesia and what are its types?
Anesthesia is a temporary loss of sensation used to perform procedures without pain. Types include:

• General anesthesia: complete loss of consciousness
• Neuraxial (spinal/epidural): numbs the lower half of the body
• Local anesthesia: numbs a small, specific area
• Regional anesthesia: targets a specific nerve or nerve plexus to numb a limb or region
  The appropriate technique is chosen based on the procedure and the patient’s condition.

What’s the difference between general and neuraxial (spinal/epidural) anesthesia?

General anesthesia induces full unconsciousness via IV medications and/or inhaled agents and typically requires airway protection and mechanical ventilation. It’s suitable for major operations.

Neuraxial anesthesia (spinal/epidural) is administered in the lower back, numbing the lower half of the body while the patient remains awake. It’s commonly used for cesarean deliveries, pelvic procedures, and lower-limb surgeries.

Is anesthesia safe?
Yes. Modern anesthesia is very safe under specialist supervision with advanced monitoring. Serious complications are extremely rare. Mild, temporary effects—such as nausea, sore throat, or headache—are more common. Thorough pre-anesthesia assessment and continuous monitoring maximize safety.

What is a pre-anesthesia assessment?
It reviews medical and surgical history, current medications, allergies, physical exam, blood tests, ECG, and chest imaging when indicated. Cardiac, respiratory, and renal status are evaluated to select the safest technique and medications and to reduce risk.

How should I prepare before anesthesia?

• Fasting: No food or fluids for 6–8 hours before surgery (as instructed)
• Medications: Stop or adjust certain drugs per your anesthesiologist’s guidance
• Hygiene: Shower with antiseptic soap
• Personal items: Remove makeup and jewelry; wear comfortable clothing
  Not following fasting instructions increases the risk of aspiration, which can be very dangerous.

What happens during general anesthesia?
Medications are given intravenously to induce sleep within seconds. A breathing tube or laryngeal mask is placed to protect the airway, and a ventilator supports breathing. Inhaled anesthetics maintain the appropriate level of anesthesia. Vital signs—heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and respiration—are continuously monitored.

How do patients wake up from anesthesia?
When surgery ends, anesthetic medications are stopped and consciousness returns over minutes. The breathing tube is removed once normal breathing resumes. Patients are transferred to the PACU for close observation—typically for an hour or more. Temporary drowsiness, mild confusion, or nausea can occur.

What are the common side effects of anesthesia?
Short-lived effects may include: nausea and vomiting (about 20–30%), throat soreness or dryness, hoarseness, dizziness, headache, muscle aches, and mild confusion—particularly in older adults. Most resolve within hours to days, and targeted medications help prevent and treat nausea and pain.

What are spinal and epidural anesthesia?

• Spinal: a single injection into the cerebrospinal fluid; rapid onset (minutes) lasting 2–4 hours.
• Epidural: a small catheter placed in the epidural space for continuous or adjustable dosing; gradual onset and can be prolonged as needed.
  Both numb the lower body and are widely used for childbirth, pelvic, and lower-limb surgery.

What are the advantages and drawbacks of neuraxial anesthesia?

Advantages: Patient remains awake; avoids general anesthetics and their risks; provides excellent postoperative pain relief; often allows faster recovery.
Drawbacks: Possible pressure sensations without pain; temporary drop in blood pressure; rare spinal headache (about 1–2%); technically challenging in some cases; not suitable for patients on certain blood thinners.

When is local anesthesia used?
For minor, superficial procedures—such as wound suturing, removal of skin lesions, dental work, biopsies, and diagnostic interventions. The drug is injected directly into the operative area, providing numbness for an hour or more. Patients remain fully awake and usually do not need fasting or special preparation.

What is regional anesthesia?
It numbs a specific nerve or nerve group—for example, a brachial plexus block for the arm or a femoral nerve block for the leg—often under ultrasound guidance for precision. It can be used for surgery and for postoperative pain control, typically lasting several hours with excellent analgesia.

What is the PACU and why am I taken there?
The Post-Anesthesia Care Unit is adjacent to the operating rooms. Immediately after surgery, patients are monitored for vital signs, breathing, pain control, and level of consciousness. They remain until fully awake and stable, then either transfer to the ward or are discharged for same-day procedures.

What is mechanical ventilation and when is it used?
A ventilator assists or replaces natural breathing via a tube in the windpipe. It’s used in respiratory failure, coma, major operations, or whenever a patient can’t breathe adequately. Ventilation is typically temporary, supported by light sedation as needed, until normal breathing resumes.

What is a Pain Clinic and what does it offer?
Our Chronic Pain Clinic treats pain persisting longer than three months, including back and neck pain, neuropathic pain, headache, cancer-related pain, and post-surgical pain. Treatments include medications, therapeutic injections and nerve blocks, neuromodulation, and physical therapy—with the goal of improving daily function and quality of life.

How is pain managed after surgery?

We use multimodal strategies: regular analgesics (paracetamol and anti-inflammatories), stronger pain relievers when necessary, continuous local anesthesia, nerve blocks, or epidurals for major procedures. Effective pain control speeds recovery, reduces complications, and improves comfort.

Could a patient wake up during general anesthesia?

Intraoperative awareness is very rare with modern techniques. We use advanced monitors to ensure adequate depth of anesthesia. In exceptional high-risk scenarios (for example, emergency cesarean or severe trauma), lighter anesthesia may be necessary for safety, but this is carefully managed.

How can I prepare for a faster recovery after anesthesia?

Follow fasting instructions, disclose all medications, stop smoking weeks before surgery, maintain a healthy weight, and optimize chronic conditions. After anesthesia, begin early mobilization when cleared, practice deep-breathing exercises, reintroduce fluids gradually, adhere to prescribed medications, and ask for assistance when moving.