Anaesthetic

Anaesthesia and your Surgery

Every year, around 250,000 surgical procedures in Aotearoa New Zealand are performed using anaesthesia. Anaesthesia is what keeps you comfortable and pain-free during your operation.

Modern anaesthesia is very safe, and surgery today would not be possible without it.

What does ‘anaesthetic’ mean?

The term anaesthetic refers to the medications that create anaesthesia. It can also describe the whole process you experience before, during, and after your procedure.

People often say anaesthesia means being “put to sleep.” In reality, under general anaesthesia, you are placed in a state of carefully controlled unconsciousness, so you won’t feel pain or be aware of the surgery.

Who provides anaesthesia?

Anaesthesia is given by Anaesthetists – specialist doctors trained in this field. In some countries, they are called Anaesthesiologists. Your anaesthetist will monitor you closely throughout your procedure to keep you safe and comfortable.

Are there different types of anaesthetic?

There are four main types of anaesthetic, and the choice depends on your surgery and your individual needs:

• General anaesthetic: You are fully unconscious throughout the operation and will not feel or remember anything.
• Local anaesthetic: Only the area being operated on is numbed. You stay awake but feel no pain in that spot.
• Regional anaesthetic: A larger area of your body is numbed by blocking major nerve pathways. For example, this is often used for procedures on the legs or lower body.
• Monitored sedation: Medications help you feel relaxed and drowsy. Sedation can range from light to deep, but you will usually breathe on your own and may be able to respond to questions.

How safe is anaesthesia?

Anaesthesia today is considered very safe. It is one of the safest medical interventions, and modern surgery would not be possible without it.

However, like any medical procedure, there are risks. Major complications are extremely rare, but they can happen. These include serious problems such as heart attack, stroke, severe allergic reaction, organ failure, or very rarely waking up during surgery.

The most serious risk is death, but this is extremely uncommon. For a healthy patient under 60 years old, the chance of dying due to an anaesthetic complication is about 1 in 1,000,000. Risks increase with age, certain health conditions, obesity, and smoking.

What do anaesthetists do to keep you safe?

Your anaesthetist is a highly trained specialist who:

• Reviews your medical history and plans the safest approach for you
• Uses advanced monitoring equipment throughout your procedure
• Adjusts medications in real time to keep you stable and comfortable
• Is prepared to respond immediately to any unexpected changes.

Their goal is to ensure your anaesthesia is as safe as possible.

For more patient information about anaesthesia, please click here to be directed to the New Zealand Society of Anaesthetists.