Anaesthetic Information

General Anaesthesia

General Anaesthesia is a drug-induced lack of consciousness where the patient will not respond to the pain of the procedure.  A General Anaesthetic (GA) is usually given by an injection into a vein and is maintained throughout the procedure by the inhalation of an anaesthetic gas mixture.  The Anaesthesiologist monitors the patient’s vital signs throughout the procedure and stays with them through to the recovery ward.

Regional Anaesthesia

This is where a specific area of your body, for example your leg, is ‘blocked’ or numbed. A nerve or a group of nerves are anaesthetised using an injection of local anaesthesia. When used in conjunction with a general anaesthesia, it can help with post-operative pain by leaving a region of the body numb for many hours after a procedure.

Spinal Anaesthesia

A Spinal Anaesthetic both numbs and paralyses the lower half of the body for up to four hours. It is injected between bones in the lower back and is commonly used for hip and knee replacement surgery. While a patient is generally awake for surgery, sedation can be also provided.

For a more detailed information on anaesthesia including preparing for anaesthesia and the risk involved please see this link :  https://www.criticalcarepartners.ie/anaesthetic-info