There are three major types of anaesthesia: local, general and regional. They can be used individually or in combination as required to provide sedation and pain relief. The type of anaesthesia used during your procedure will be determined according to your procedure and your health status.
Your anaesthesia team will meet you in the anaesthetic bay prior to your procedure. They will connect equipment to monitor your vital statistics and may administer prophylactic antibiotics, sedatives and any neccessary fluids or medications intravenously.
Local anaesthetic is delivered via injection at the surgical site, and can provide effective relief for surgeries involving simple fractures, digital dislocation or minor lacerations.
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
General anaesthetic is administered intravenously and by inhalation, working directly on the brain and providing heavy general sedation.
General anaesthetic is administered by a trained anaesthetist who will also closely observe your condition. If delivered by inhalation, you will be asked to breath through a mask and will quickly fall unconcious. Once compolete, you will be intubated and connected to a ventilator. Specialised monitoring systems deliver data on the depth of your anesthesia throughout your surgery.
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Regional anaesthesia involves injecting local anaesthetic into the major nerve bundles serving a particular bodypart (e.g., leg, forearm, shoulder or abdomen).
Common types of regional anaesthetic include spinal and epidural, which are commonly used for knee and hip replacement surgery, and plexus block, which is typically used for upper limb procedures. The patient may be concious throughout, or they may choose to receive sedation and enter into semi-consciousness.
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
For further inquiries or to arrange a consultation, please contact Professor Al Muderis’ office at +61 2 88829011 or book an appointment online.
Need an urgent appointment? No problem.
Need X-rays? X-ray facilities available at all clinic locations
Professor Dr Munjed Al Muderis is an orthopaedic surgeon specialising in osseointegration, hip, knee and trauma surgery. He is a clinical professor at Macquarie University and The Australian School Of Advanced Medicine, a fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and Chairman of the Osseointegration Group.