Gaining consciousness

Anaesthesiology, a poorly understood speciality, has been gaining recognition for its critical role in and outside the operating theatre

The introduction of anaesthesia in 1846 revolutionised surgery and pain management. The doctors you often see rushing to emergencies on television shows are likely anaesthetists. Yet, anaesthesiology is a poorly understood speciality, with many people believing that an anaesthetist simply leaves the operating theatre after administering anaesthesia. In reality, the anaesthetist is with the patient before, during and after surgery. And, contrary to cinematic depictions, one cannot sedate a person by placing a chloroform-soaked rag over her nose.

Dr Mamta Harjai, assistant professor in the department of anaesthesia at Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, completed her master’s at King George’s Medical University, Lucknow. When she is not in the operating theatre, she enjoys reading crime thrillers and practising yoga.

A customised expertise: Different patients require different types of anaesthesia, broadly categorised as general, local, regional and spinal. (Local anaesthesia impacts only a small part of the body, while regional anaesthesia covers a larger area, such as an arm. Spinal and epidural anaesthesia are types of regional anaesthesia.) There are further classifications, such as block anaesthesia, which numbs a block of nerves.