Patient Information

Types Of Anaesthesia

Anaesthesia is an essential component of modern medicine, allowing for safe and pain-free surgical procedures and medical interventions. Anaesthesia refers to the use of drugs and/ or other techniques to block nerve impulses in the body, which results in a loss of pain, sensation and consciousness depending on what is required for surgery.

There are four different types of anaesthesia, each with its own unique features and advantages. The types of anaesthesia are; general, regional and local anaesthesia as well as sedation. Your anaesthetist will determine the most appropriate type of anaesthesia based on a number of factors, such as:

The type and duration of the surgery
Urgency of surgery
Desired level of sedation
Patient's medical history and condition (including age, allergies, health status, smoker/non-smoker, medications etc.)
Patient's past experience with anaesthesia

General Anaesthesia:

General anaesthesia is used for more complex surgical procedures and involves putting the patient into a deep sleep where they are completely unconscious. General anaesthesia is usually administered through intravenous injection with or without the inhalation of anaesthetic gases. During the course of general anaesthesia, your major bodily functions (such as breathing, heart rate, blood pressure) are constantly and carefully monitored by your anaesthetist. When surgery has been completed, you will be transferred to recovery, where your vital signs will continue to be monitored.

Regional Anaesthesia:

Regional anaesthesia, also known as a nerve block, is a type of anaesthesia that numbs a specific region of the body, such as an arm, leg, or the lower half of the body. Regional anaesthesia involves injecting a local anaesthetic medication near the nerves that supply sensation to the targeted region of the body. This results in a loss of sensation and pain relief in that specific area. Regional anaesthesia can be used for a variety of surgical procedures, including orthopaedic, gynaecological, and urological surgeries, as well as for pain management during labour and delivery including Caesarean deliveries.

Local Anaesthesia:

Local Anaesthesia is a type of anaesthesia used to numb a small and specific part of the body and is used to prevent pain during a variety of medical procedures, including dental work, minor surgeries, as well as diagnostic procedures such skin biopsies. Local anaesthesia is administered to the surgical site via injection, topical application or a combination of both.

Local anaesthesia allows the patient to be awake and alert during the procedure as it does not induce unconsciousness and typically wears off within a few hours. Local anaesthesia is generally considered to be safe and effective, with minimal side effects and a quick recovery time.

Sedation Anaesthesia:

Sedation anaesthesia involves the administering of medication in order to create a feeling of calm, relaxation and drowsiness. The medication is administered via intravenous injection or inhalation and can be adjusted from mild to deep sedation, depending on the needs of the patient or the procedure being performed.

Unlike general anaesthesia, the patient remains conscious and can breathe on their own during the procedure. Sedation anaesthesia is often used for minor procedures such as endoscopies/colonoscopies, or biopsies but it can also be used in conjunction with other types of anaesthesia for more complex surgeries such as joint replacements surgery. Additionally, sedation anaesthesia can be used for certain diagnostic procedures, such as MRI scans and CT scans.

Potential Risks and Complications of General Anaesthesia

Patient safety has always been a priority for Anaesthetist's and in recent years there have been many advances in Anaesthesia which will continue to lessen the rates of risk and complications. It is important to remember that modern anaesthesia is very safe and Australia has some of the highest standards of practice in the world. However, although safety is always a priority, complications do happen - all be it, very rarely. Click below for information and additional resources regarding some of the potential risks and complications associated with general anaesthesia.

Additional Information

Click here to go to our Additional Resources page for more information.