Anesthesia

To ensure that you do not feel any pain during the planned procedure, anesthesia (general anesthesia, in which the anesthesiologist suspends consciousness and pain sensation throughout the body) or targeted anesthesia of the affected area of the body (regional anesthesia) can be used. Both procedures can also be combined. The doctor will discuss with you which anesthesia procedure is best for you. Before anesthesia, an indwelling cannula is placed in a vein (for example, the vein in the hand or arm), through which the patient receives infusion solutions and, as needed, medications such as anesthetics, pain relievers, or antibiotics.

The anesthesia

To induce anesthesia, the doctor injects a fast-acting anesthetic through the indwelling cannula. He then administers additional anesthetic or pain medication (intravenous anesthesia) or administers anesthetic gases to the patient with the air he breathes (inhalation anesthesia). Often, both procedures are combined.

A breathing mask is placed over the mouth and nose so that the patient can breathe well or be ventilated with oxygen. If necessary, this can also be used to supply anesthetic gas. Alternatively, if the patient is already asleep, the anesthesiologist can insert a breathing tube through the mouth or nose into the trachea. The patient is given a muscle relaxant beforehand to gently insert the tube.

Another option is a laryngeal mask. The breathing tube with an inflatable bead at the tip is pushed through the mouth to the front of the laryngeal opening. This procedure is less likely to cause side effects such as hoarseness, difficulty swallowing or tooth damage.

Regional anesthesia

In regional anesthesia, the doctor injects a local anesthetic near pain-conducting nerves. This prevents the transmission of pain stimuli from the surgical area to the brain. The sensation of pain is usually switched off for several hours.

The anesthetic makes itself felt through a tingling and warm sensation. The affected areas of the body become heavy and numb. As long as the effect lasts, the patient can move the anesthetized body parts only slightly or not at all.

With regional anesthesia, the patient is awake, but can be given a sedative if necessary. This is also known as sedation. A separate explanation will be given for this. After sedation, the patient may have limited or no memory of the operation.

In some cases, it is advisable to use regional anesthesia in addition to anesthesia. The patient then requires less anesthetic, recovers more quickly after the operation, and has less pain after the operation, so that movement exercises can be started at an early stage.

Unless the doctor has ordered otherwise, you may eat and drink as usual until midnight on the day before the operation. After that, you are not allowed to eat anything.

On the morning of the operation, you can and should drink something until 6:00 a.m., for example one to two glasses or cups of clear liquid without solids, such as water or tea. Milk and alcohol are generally excluded. You are not allowed to drink anything from two hours before the anesthesia. If the instructions have not been followed, it is essential to inform the doctor.

In the run-up to the operation, the doctor will discuss with you which medications you are allowed to take or which are better discontinued or replaced around the time of the operation. Contact lenses, removable dentures, rings and other jewelry as well as piercings must be removed beforehand. Facial cream and cosmetics should also be avoided.

Immediately after the operation, we will care for you in the recovery room for some time until your most important bodily functions are stable again. Due to the risk of falling, you must not stand up on your own at first. Please protect any parts of your body that may still be anesthetized from pressure damage and injury. Please take medication only according to your doctor's instructions or after consultation. If necessary, the effect may be impaired - as is the case, for example, with the contraceptive pill.

Please notify a doctor immediately if you experience any symptoms such as breathing or circulatory problems, disturbances of consciousness, pain, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, sore throat or inflammation, movement disorders and signs of paralysis.

After an outpatient procedure, your ability to react is temporarily impaired due to anesthetics, painkillers as well as other medications. Therefore, you will usually need to have someone else pick you up and take care of you for the first 24 hours. You should also not make any important decisions during this time.