Whether you are preparing for a planned surgery, undergoing an emergency procedure or need specialised pain and critical care support, anaesthesia plays an important role in keeping you safe and comfortable throughout treatment. At Graphic Era Hospital, Dehradun, experienced anaesthesiologists provide comprehensive anaesthesia and perioperative care for patients across a wide range of surgical and medical procedures. They work closely with surgeons, physicians, nurses and critical care teams to monitor patients throughout the procedure, manage pain and support a safe recovery afterwards. This coordinated approach helps ensure that patients receive attentive, individualised care at every stage of their treatment journey.
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Dr. Karkala Prashanth Kamalaksha
Consultant
Neuroanaesthesia and Neurocritical Care
Experience: 4+ Years
What is an Anaesthesiologist?
An anaesthesiologist is a medical specialist trained to provide anaesthesia and manage a patient’s vital functions before, during and after a surgical or diagnostic procedure. Their role is to help keep the patient comfortable, stable and closely monitored throughout the course of treatment. Anaesthesiologists consider factors such as the patient’s age, medical history, existing health conditions, allergies, medications and the type of procedure before deciding whether general, regional or local anaesthesia, or sedation, is most appropriate. At Graphic Era Hospital, anaesthesiologists are part of the wider perioperative care team and work closely with surgeons and other specialists to support safe and well-coordinated care throughout the patient journey.
What Does an Anaesthesiologist Do?
An anaesthesiologist is involved at several stages of a patient’s care, not just during the procedure itself. Their role begins before surgery and continues through monitoring, pain control and early recovery. Depending on the patient and the procedure, an anaesthesiologist may:
- Assess the patient before surgery: Review medical history, current medicines, allergies, previous anaesthesia experiences and relevant test results.
- Plan the type of anaesthesia: Decide whether general, regional, local anaesthesia or sedation is most appropriate based on the procedure and the patient’s health.
- Monitor vital functions during the procedure: Closely track breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen levels and other important parameters throughout surgery or treatment.
- Adjust anaesthesia when needed: Modify medicines and anaesthesia levels according to the patient’s response and the progress of the procedure.
- Manage pain: Plan pain relief during and after surgery to help support a more comfortable recovery.
- Support recovery after anaesthesia: Monitor the patient as the effects of anaesthesia wear off and manage concerns such as pain, nausea or dizziness.
For major, emergency or high-risk procedures, anaesthesiologists may also work closely with critical care and other specialist teams to provide advanced perioperative support.
When is Anaesthesia Care Needed?
You may need an anaesthesiologist whenever a procedure requires anaesthesia, sedation, pain control or close monitoring of vital functions. In many cases, the anaesthesiologist becomes part of the care team once surgery or another procedure has been planned. Anaesthesiology support may be required in situations such as:
- Planned surgery: Before procedures that require general, regional or local anaesthesia.
- Emergency surgery: When urgent anaesthesia and continuous monitoring are needed during an emergency procedure.
- Diagnostic or minimally invasive procedures: For procedures that may require sedation or anaesthesia to help keep the patient comfortable and still.
- Labour and Caesarean delivery: When regional or general anaesthesia is needed for pain relief or operative delivery.
- Patients with existing health conditions: When conditions affecting the heart, lungs, kidneys or other organs may influence anaesthesia planning and monitoring.
- Post-operative pain management: When specialised pain-relief strategies are needed after surgery.
- Major or high-risk procedures: When closer perioperative monitoring and coordination with critical care or other specialist teams may be required.
Before the procedure, the anaesthesiologist evaluates the patient’s overall health and discusses the most appropriate anaesthesia plan based on the treatment being performed and the individual clinical needs.
Anaesthesia Services and Speciality Support at Graphic Era Hospital
Anaesthesiologists at Graphic Era Hospital support patients across a wide range of planned and emergency procedures. The type of anaesthesia or sedation is selected after considering the procedure, the patient’s overall health, age, medical history and individual clinical needs.
Pre-Anaesthetic Assessment
Before a procedure, the anaesthesiologist reviews the patient’s medical history, current medicines, allergies, previous experiences with anaesthesia and relevant investigation reports. This helps identify potential risks and plan the most appropriate anaesthesia approach.
General Anaesthesia
General anaesthesia may be used for procedures in which the patient needs to remain unconscious and free from pain throughout surgery. During the procedure, the anaesthesiologist continuously monitors vital functions and adjusts anaesthesia as required.
Regional Anaesthesia
Regional anaesthesia is used to numb a larger part of the body while the patient may remain awake or receive sedation. Depending on the procedure, this may include techniques such as spinal, epidural or nerve block anaesthesia.
Local Anaesthesia and Sedation
For selected procedures, local anaesthesia may be used to numb a specific area, while sedation can help the patient remain relaxed and comfortable. The choice depends on the nature and duration of the procedure.
Perioperative Monitoring and Pain Management
Anaesthesiologists monitor important parameters such as heart rate, blood pressure, breathing and oxygen levels during procedures. They also help plan pain relief during and after surgery to support a more comfortable recovery.
Anaesthesia Support Across Specialities
The anaesthesiology team works closely with different medical and surgical departments to support procedures across areas such as general surgery, orthopaedics, neurosurgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatric surgery, emergency care and other procedural specialities.
For patients undergoing major, complex or emergency procedures, anaesthesiologists may also coordinate with critical care teams when closer monitoring and post-operative support are required.
Chronic Pain Management Procedures
Persistent or recurring pain can affect movement, sleep, work and everyday activities. When pain does not improve adequately with medicines, physiotherapy or other conservative approaches, certain interventional procedures may be considered. At Graphic Era Hospital, the recommended approach is based on the possible source of pain, its severity, the patient’s medical history and their response to previous treatments.
Depending on the diagnosis and individual clinical needs, chronic pain management procedures may include:
Nerve Blocks
A nerve block involves injecting anaesthetic or anti-inflammatory medicine near a specific nerve or group of nerves. It may be used to temporarily relieve pain or help identify the nerve responsible for the symptoms.
Epidural Steroid Injections
Epidural steroid injections deliver anti-inflammatory medicine into the space surrounding the spinal nerves. They may be considered for selected patients experiencing pain caused by irritated or inflamed nerve roots, including pain that travels from the spine to the arms or legs.
Facet Joint and Medial Branch Blocks
These injections target the small joints of the spine or the nerves that transmit pain signals from them. They may provide temporary relief and can also help determine whether the facet joints are contributing to persistent neck or back pain.
Radiofrequency Ablation
Radiofrequency ablation uses controlled radiofrequency energy to reduce the ability of selected nerves to transmit pain signals. It may be considered for certain patients who experience meaningful but temporary relief after a diagnostic nerve block.
Joint Injections
Medicines may be injected directly into an affected joint to help reduce inflammation and manage pain. The suitability of a joint injection depends on the joint involved, the underlying condition and the patient’s overall health.
Trigger Point Injections
Trigger point injections may be used for painful, tight areas within the muscles. A small amount of medicine is injected into the affected area to help relieve muscle-related pain and improve movement.
Not every patient with chronic pain requires an interventional procedure. The most appropriate treatment is selected after a detailed evaluation and may be combined with medication, physiotherapy & rehabilitation and lifestyle modifications as part of a comprehensive pain management plan.
Why Choose Graphic Era Hospital for Anaesthesia Support?
Experienced Anaesthesia Team : At Graphic Era Hospital, anaesthesiologists are involved throughout the perioperative journey, from pre-anaesthetic assessment and planning to intraoperative monitoring and post-operative recovery. The team evaluates each patient’s medical history, age, existing health conditions and procedure requirements to plan an appropriate anaesthesia approach and support safe, individualised care.
Advanced Monitoring and Technology : Anaesthesia care is supported by modern operation theatre facilities, anaesthesia equipment and continuous monitoring systems that help the team closely track vital parameters during surgery and other procedures. This enables anaesthesiologists to respond promptly to changes in the patient’s condition and maintain close clinical supervision throughout the procedure.
Patient-Centred and Coordinated Care : Clear communication and coordination are an important part of the anaesthesia experience. Anaesthesiologists explain the planned approach, preparation requirements and what patients can expect before and after the procedure. They also work closely with surgeons, physicians, nurses and critical care teams to support smooth transitions from preparation and surgery to recovery, pain management and follow-up.
What to Expect Before, During and After Anaesthesia
Knowing what to expect can make the anaesthesia process feel less uncertain. At Graphic Era Hospital, anaesthesiologists guide patients through each stage of care, from pre-procedure assessment to monitoring during the procedure and early recovery afterwards.
Before Anaesthesia
Before the procedure, the anaesthesiologist reviews the patient’s medical history, current medicines, allergies, previous experiences with anaesthesia and relevant test results. Patients may also receive instructions about fasting, medicines and other preparations that need to be followed before the procedure.
This assessment helps the anaesthesiologist identify possible risks and decide on the most appropriate type of anaesthesia or sedation.
During the Procedure
Once anaesthesia is administered, the anaesthesiologist remains involved throughout the procedure. Vital parameters such as heart rate, blood pressure, breathing and oxygen levels are monitored continuously, and anaesthesia is adjusted as needed based on the patient’s response and the progress of the procedure.
After Anaesthesia
After the procedure, the patient is monitored as the effects of anaesthesia gradually wear off. Our care team assesses recovery, pain levels and any immediate concerns such as nausea, dizziness or discomfort.
Depending on the type of procedure and the patient’s condition, they may then be transferred to a ward, critical care area or prepared for discharge. Instructions regarding food, medicines, activity and follow-up are provided before the patient leaves the recovery area or hospital.
Top Anaesthesia and Pain Management Procedures
- General Anaesthesia
- Spinal Anaesthesia
- Epidural Anaesthesia
- Peripheral Nerve Blocks
- Local Anaesthesia
- Procedural Sedation
- Monitored Anaesthesia Care
- Epidural Steroid Injections
- Facet Joint Injections
- Medial Branch Blocks
- Radiofrequency Ablation
- Trigger Point Injections
- Joint Injections
Other Specialities
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the role of an anaesthesiologist during surgery?
An anaesthesiologist plans and administers anaesthesia, monitors vital functions throughout the procedure and adjusts medicines as needed. They also support pain management and early recovery after surgery.
What are the different types of anaesthesia?
The main types include general anaesthesia, regional anaesthesia, local anaesthesia and sedation. The most suitable option depends on the procedure, the patient’s health and individual clinical requirements.
Is general anaesthesia safe?
General anaesthesia is widely used and is considered safe for most patients when it is carefully planned and administered by trained anaesthesia professionals. The anaesthesiologist assesses the patient beforehand to identify potential risks and monitors them closely throughout the procedure.
Will I be awake during anaesthesia?
It depends on the type of anaesthesia used. With general anaesthesia, the patient remains unconscious. With regional or local anaesthesia, the patient may remain awake, although sedation may sometimes be given to help them stay relaxed.
How should I prepare before receiving anaesthesia?
Patients are generally advised to follow fasting instructions, share details of all current medicines and allergies, and inform the anaesthesiologist about any previous reactions to anaesthesia. Specific preparation instructions may vary depending on the procedure and the patient’s health.
What are the common side effects of anaesthesia?
Some patients may experience temporary effects such as nausea, dizziness, sore throat, drowsiness or discomfort after anaesthesia. The type and likelihood of side effects can vary depending on the anaesthesia used and the individual patient.
How long does it take to recover from anaesthesia?
Recovery time varies depending on the type and duration of anaesthesia, the procedure performed and the patient’s overall health. Some effects may wear off within a few hours, while patients undergoing major procedures may require longer monitoring.
Is anaesthesia safe for children and older adults?
Anaesthesia can be given to patients across different age groups, including children and older adults. The anaesthesia plan is adapted according to age, medical history, existing health conditions and the type of procedure to help minimise risks and support safe care.
Where can I find the best anaesthesiologist near me in Dehradun?
If you are undergoing surgery, having an experienced anaesthesiologist as part of your care team is important for anaesthesia planning, monitoring and recovery. At Graphic Era Hospital, Dehradun, experienced anaesthesiologists work closely with surgical and critical care teams to provide coordinated perioperative support for planned and emergency procedures.
