Anaesthesia and Reanimation

What Is Anesthesiology and Reanimation?

Anesthesiology is a medical specialty that aims to ensure patients do not feel pain during surgical and invasive procedures, while maintaining patient safety and preserving vital functions. In addition to anesthesia practices, this field covers many critical responsibilities such as pain management, intensive care services, and reanimation in emergency situations.

Anesthesiology and Reanimation specialists manage the entire process from preoperative to postoperative care, closely monitoring the patient’s consciousness, respiration, circulation, and overall condition in a safe and controlled manner.

What Is Anesthesiology?

Anesthesiology focuses on evaluating patients before surgical procedures, selecting the appropriate anesthesia method, and monitoring vital functions throughout the procedure.

Anesthesiologists:

• Review the patient’s medical history
• Determine the most suitable type of anesthesia
• Administer anesthesia
• Monitor respiration, heart rhythm, and oxygen levels during surgery
• Provide postoperative pain control

Management of intensive care patients is also an important part of this specialty.

What Conditions Does Anesthesiology and Reanimation Address?

The Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation is actively involved not only during surgery but also in the management of critically ill patients and emergency situations.

Main areas of responsibility include:

• Administration of anesthesia during surgical procedures
• Preoperative and postoperative patient evaluation
• Critical care management in the intensive care unit
• Respiratory and circulatory support after trauma
• Sudden cardiac arrest and respiratory failure
• Chronic pain management
• Epidural/spinal anesthesia during childbirth
• Cancer pain management
• Postoperative pain control

What Is Anesthesia?

Anesthesia is a medical method administered with medications to prevent pain during surgical or medical procedures.

Anesthesia may:

• Completely eliminate consciousness (general anesthesia)
• Numb a specific part of the body (regional or local anesthesia)
• Reduce anxiety and pain perception (sedation)

All anesthesia applications are planned and managed by an anesthesiologist.

Types of Anesthesia

Anesthesia is classified into four main categories based on the type and duration of the procedure and the patient’s health status.

1. General Anesthesia

General anesthesia completely suppresses consciousness and eliminates pain sensation.

It is commonly used in:

• Major surgeries
• Long-lasting operations
• Procedures requiring loss of consciousness

During surgery, breathing is often supported by a ventilator.

2. Regional Anesthesia

Regional anesthesia numbs a specific part of the body while the patient remains conscious.

Common techniques include:

• Spinal anesthesia: Complete numbness below the waist
• Epidural anesthesia: Frequently used during labor and orthopedic procedures
• Nerve blocks: Preferred for arm or leg surgeries

It is a safe alternative when general anesthesia poses higher risks.

3. Local Anesthesia

Local anesthesia is applied to numb a small, specific area.

Common uses include:

• Dental treatments
• Skin biopsies
• Minor surgical procedures
• Eye surgeries (e.g., cataract surgery)

4. Sedation

Sedation helps the patient relax, reduces anxiety, and may prevent recall of the procedure.

Levels of sedation include:

• Mild sedation
• Moderate sedation
• Deep sedation

It is commonly used in endoscopy, colonoscopy, minor surgical, and aesthetic procedures.

Anesthesia and Reanimation Techniques

Anesthesia techniques vary depending on the patient’s level of consciousness, the procedure, and pain intensity.

Techniques Affecting Consciousness

• General anesthesia
• Deep sedation

Regional Anesthesia Techniques

• Spinal anesthesia
• Epidural anesthesia
• Peripheral nerve blocks

Local Anesthesia Techniques

• Local injections
• Topical (surface) anesthesia

Sedation Techniques

• Minimal sedation
• Moderate sedation

Reanimation Practices

Reanimation refers to medical interventions performed to restore life in critical situations such as cardiac or respiratory arrest.

Basic Life Support (BLS)

• Chest compressions
• Artificial respiration

Advanced Life Support (ALS)

• Defibrillation
• Emergency medication administration
• Intubation and airway management

Intensive Care Monitoring

• Mechanical ventilation
• Continuous monitoring
• Fluid and nutritional support

Risks and Side Effects of Anesthesia

Anesthesia is very safe in modern medicine. However, as with all medical procedures, some side effects and rare complications may occur.

Common and Mild Side Effects

• Nausea and vomiting
• Sore throat
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Shivering
• Muscle pain

Moderate Risks

• Drowsiness
• Temporary memory problems
• Allergic reactions
• Difficulty urinating

Serious and Rare Risks

• Anaphylaxis
• Breathing problems
• Cardiac rhythm disturbances
• Malignant hyperthermia
• Nerve damage
• Very rarely, death

Pre-Anesthesia Preparation

Preoperative anesthesia evaluation is one of the most critical steps for patient safety.

The following are carefully reviewed:

• Medical history
• Current medications
• Allergies
• Previous anesthesia experiences

Fasting for 6–8 hours is usually required. Smoking increases anesthesia-related risks and is strongly discouraged before surgery.

Post-Anesthesia Care

After anesthesia, patients are closely monitored in the recovery unit until they stabilize:

• Respiration
• Heart rhythm
• Oxygen levels
• Blood pressure
• Level of consciousness

What Is Reanimation?

Reanimation is the process of restoring life in life-threatening conditions such as cardiac or respiratory arrest. Early intervention significantly increases survival rates.

What Is Intensive Care?

Intensive care is a specialized hospital unit equipped with advanced medical technology where patients with life-threatening conditions are monitored and treated 24/7.

Conditions commonly managed in intensive care include:

• Respiratory failure
• Heart attack or stroke
• Severe trauma
• Postoperative complications after major surgery
• Sepsis
• Organ failure