Submitted by admin on Thu, 09/30/2010 - 15:25

PAS physicians provide general anesthesia, regional anesthesia, sedation anesthesia and local anesthesia in various forms for various uses.

All of our anesthesiologists are trained in the provision of all types of anesthesia and in the delivery of intensive care medicine. In addition, all of our physicians are continually engaged in continuing medical education programs.

General Anesthesia

In general anesthesia, the patient is unconscious and has no awareness or other sensations. There are a number of general anesthetic drugs - some are gases or vapors inhaled through a breathing mask or tube and others are medications introduced through a vein. The anesthesiologist is present at all times to ensure that the patient is safe, pain free, and without recollection of the surgical procedure.

Read our General Anesthesia FAQ

Regional Anesthesia

In regional anesthesia, the anesthesiologist makes an injection near a cluster of nerves to numb the area of the patient’s body that requires surgery. The patient may remain awake, or may be given a sedative; either way the patient does not see or feel the actual surgery taking place. Common regional anesthesia techniques include spinal blocks, epidural blocks, caudal blocks, shoulder blocks, ankle blocks and eye blocks.

Local Anesthesia

In local anesthesia, the anesthetic drug is usually injected into the tissue to numb just the specific location of the body requiring minor surgery. Some, but not all surgeries can be performed under a local anesthetic. An anesthesiologist is not present for this particular type of anesthetic and no intravenous sedation is administered.

Sedation Analgesia

The term “conscious sedation” (formerly “twilight sleep”) is used to describe a semi-conscious state that allows patients to be comfortable during certain surgical or medical procedures.

Find out more about Sedation Analgesia.

Monitored Anesthesia (MAC)

Surgeries that are too extensive for just local anesthesia, but do not require a general anesthetic, may be performed under MAC. An anesthesiologist is present and supplements the surgeon’s local infiltration with intravenous sedation. Many patients sleep right through the procedure and are unaware of their surroundings.

Regional and Sedation

This anesthetic is well suited for those less adventurous types who do not want a general, but prefer not to be awake during surgery. IV sedation can be given prior to the nerve block and throughout surgery to provide a light plane of sleep.

Be prepared with these helpful resources:

For these and other FAQs on related topics, check out our Patient FAQ and Resources section.