October 16 is celebrated all over the world as World Anaesthesia Day. It was on this day, in 1846, that William T.G. Morton made history by being the first in the world to publicly and successfully demonstrate surgery being performed without pain by using Ether anaesthesia at Ether Dome Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA. This Discovery of Anaesthesia led to completely advance the medical science especially in the field of surgery and till now is considered as among the top 10 Important Medical discoveries in the world.
The Renaissance saw significant advances in Anatomy and Surgical Technique. However, despite all this progress, surgery remained a treatment of last resort. Many patients with surgical disorders chose certain death rather than undergo surgery because of the associated pain. It was after the discovery of anaesthesia that Surgery could be performed without the agony of pain associated with surgery. Two major advances occurred in the late 19th century which allowed the development of modern surgery, first being the discovery of Anaesthesia and secondly the application of antiseptic techniques in surgery.
A doctor who administers anaesthesia is called an Anaesthetist or Anaesthesiologist. They are qualified doctors who have done their MBBS plus 2 to 3 years of Post Graduate degree or diploma in Anesthesia. They are highly trained and qualified in providing anaesthesia during surgery procedures and also responsible after looking after patients in the ICU. Nagaland also is not lacking in the field of Anaesthesia with a total of 28 qualified Anesthetist Doctors till date. We are present in almost all the District Civil Hospitals and Private Hospitals and are providing anaesthesia care service to the people of Nagaland.
In my 20 years of anaesthesia practice in Nagaland and interaction with patients, I have found out that majority of our people are highly aware of anaesthesia but a small percentage of patients have not heard about what anaesthesia is all about. On this day, The World Anaesthesia Day, I take this privilege to create some awareness for the public who are not aware of anaesthesia, as safe anaesthesia ensure safe surgery and safe patient. Today, I would like to highlight some important points of what we do and also would like to educate patients about certain responsibilities that have to be followed before any operation, as that will ensure a very safe surgery without any complications. A good and smooth surgical recovery depends not only on the treating doctor, nurses and the hospital but also on the patients’ responsibility to follow certain instructions.
It is my observation that our people are very shy and hardly ask questions to the treating doctor thinking that it will hurt the sentiments of the doctors but as a patient you have every right to know about your illness and the procedure that your treating doctor is to perform on you. On the contrary, as doctors, we will be highly obliged to answer all your problems and your questions, as your comfort and safety is of utmost importance to us.
Question you must ask your Doctor and the Hospital before any operation:
- Will a qualified Anaesthetist provide me anaesthesia?
- Will the Anaesthetist do a pre-anaesthesia check up before the operation?
- Will the Anaesthetist look after me during the operation and after the operation till I recover fully?
- Does the hospital have all necessary machines and monitoring devices to provide safe anaesthesia?
- What different options does the hospital provide for anaesthesia and pain relief for the operation?
- What facilities does the hospital have to provide Safe After Care if I develop any complications?
Some important instruction you should follow before any operation
- Your Anaesthetist will advise you to stop taking food and liquid 6-8 hours before surgery. Follow this instruction strictly.
- Bring your old medical record with you, including investigation reports.
- Bring your regular medicines with you and continue/stop it accordingly as per the advice of your Anaesthetist.
- If you have any medical diseases like high B.P, Diabetes, Heart disease, Thyroid problem etc, let the Anaesthetist know during the Pre anaesthesia check up.
- Stop smoking/chewing tobacco or alcohol consumption before surgery and as advised by your doctor.
- Any allergy/drug reaction should be informed to the Anaesthetist
Important instruction after the operation:
- We will look after you till you recover fully from anaesthesia.
- Don’t take any liquids or food unless and until advised by your doctor.
- Nausea, vomiting, shivering are common problems after surgery. We will take care of it.
- We will take care of your post operative pain, we can reduce it but may not be able to eliminate it completely.
Anyone can contact me for any queries concerning anaesthesia. Me and my anaesthetist colleagues in Nagaland will be happy to help you in any possible way.
My contact whatsapp no. is 9485200234.
Safe Anaesthesia, Safe Surgery, Safe Patient.
Dr. Imsu Jamir
Dimapur, Nagaland
