1. A LOOK AT
ANAESTHESIA
Max, Jennifer, Rebecca, Samira

2. WHAT IS
ANAESTHESIA?
Drugs that cause reversible loss of
sensation
Used during surgery, and other
medical procedures to negate pain
Contrast with painkillers to
eliminate pain
Different types of anaesthetics

3. HISTORY
When surgery was on the rise, there was a complete lack of
anaesthesia
It was an excruciatingly painful process, and people in need
would avoid it at all costs
Dr. Crawford Long discovered ether to numb the pain of
surgery

4. BEFORE ANAESTHESIA
Doctors would attempt to get patients drunk, or use drugs such as
cocaine
Doctors would need to operate as quickly as possible (5 minutes
max)
Surgery was a form of entertainment for the general public, freak
shows.
Amputations were gruesome, performed with large knives, limbs
hacked off
Death or infection was inevitable

5. MODERN ANAESTHESIA
Technology is very advanced, and
extensive education is required
Anaesthesia extremely effective
Mortality rate less than 1 out of
100,000
Because of modern anaesthesia,
surgeries such as brain surgery,
cosmetic surgery, amputation, etc.

6. THE PROCESS
Step 1 Induction: Losing
consciousness
Step 2 Maintenance: Ensuring that
the anaesthesia is still active
Step 3 Emergence: Anaesthesia is
stopped and different drugs are
administered so that the patient
regains consciousnes

7. TYPES
Local: Numbs a specific part of the body. Usually an injection
Used for pain relief and reducing blood loss
Over the counter local anaesthetics are also available
Epidural: Numbs the trunk or torso
Used primarily for childbirth and major surgeries
General: Used to put the patient to sleep during surgery

8. ADVANTAGES
Reduces patient awareness and recall, making the experience more relaxed and
painless
Allows muscle relaxation for long periods of time
Facilitates complete control of patients breathing an circulation
Can control the duration of how long the patient is unconcious

9. DISADVANTAGES
Increases complexity of care, and cost
Requires preparation before hand
Causes many side effects
Advantages outweigh the disadvantages!

10. SIDE EFFECTS
Pain and discomfort: Usually a feeling of pain after surgery, can be corrected with
painkillers.
Drowsiness: Patients feel tired or drowsy upon waking up
Nausea and vomiting: Patients may feel sick and vomit after waking up from
anaesthetics

11. CONCLUSION
Anaesthesia is an effective method of numbing pain during
surgery
Before it, patients would die or refuse the procedures
Many different types used for different operations
Many advantages to being sedated

12. THANK YOU
!