Anesthesiology is the area of medicine that studies the pain and control of patient care before, during and after surgery.
What does the anesthesiologist do?
The anesthesiologist is a specialist who makes medical decisions when anesthesia is required during surgery or a nonsurgical procedure such as colonoscopy . In addition, the anesthesiologist:
- visits the patient before surgery, evaluates the most suitable type of anesthesia and informs the patient about the characteristics and potential risks of the anesthesia to which he will be subjected
- takes care of the patient’s well-being and safety before, after and during surgery
- performs anesthesia
- may be involved in the management of postoperative pain, cardiac and pulmonary resuscitation, transfusions and in case assisted breathing is necessary.
What are the pathologies treated by the anesthesiologist?
If a surgical or non-surgical operation, such as a colonoscopy, is necessary and involves the use of anesthesia, the anesthesiologist is involved. Then he participates in the treatment of any pathology or condition for which an anesthesiological intervention is required.
What are the procedures most used by the anesthesiologist?
Before the operation, the anesthesiologist visits the patient and analyzes his medical history , which consists of diseases, allergies, previous operations and other anamnestic data useful for obtaining a complete picture of the patient’s state of health.
At the time of surgery, he can administer:
- general anesthesia
- regional anesthesia
- an epidural anesthesia
- spinal anesthesia
- a sedation (deep)
When to ask for an appointment with the anesthesiologist?
Whenever it is necessary to undergo surgery or non-surgery, such as an endoscopy or colonoscopy that requires the administration of an anesthetic, a visit to the anesthesiologist is necessary.
