What type of anaesthesia is used?
Where possible patients receive epidural anaesthesia, the anaesthetist will discuss the type of anaesthesia used prior to surgery if you have a preference please state this to the anaesthetists or surgeon. If this method is appropriate for you, you will first be sedated through the IV in the pre-op area. This relaxes you and minimizes the discomfort of the initial epidural procedure. With epidural anaesthesia, a narrow catheter is placed between two bones of your spine. A controlled flow of anaesthetic goes through the narrow catheter, anaesthetising your body from the abdomen down so you will not feel anything during surgery. If you are undergoing general anaesthesia, you will first be put to sleep by IV medication. A mask or a breathing tube then gives an anaesthetic gas with is monitored by the anaesthetist.
