General Anesthesia

The type of anesthesia applied to completely suppress the patient's consciousness during surgery, ensure no pain is felt, relax the muscles and control vital functions (heartbeat, respiration, blood pressure)

Areas of Use:

• Abdominal surgery: Stomach, intestinal, gallbladder operations
• Orthopedic surgeries: Knee/hip replacement, spinal surgery
• Brain and neurosurgery: Brain tumor, herniated disc
• Chest surgery: Lung operations
• General surgery: Appendicitis, hernia, breast cancer surgery

Epidural Anesthesia

It is the method of numbing only the abdomen and leg area while consciousness remains. It is the most commonly used pain relief method during childbirth.

Areas of Use:

• Epidural during childbirth: Reducing normal delivery pain
• Lower extremity surgeries: Knee/hip replacement, fracture repair
• Abdominal surgeries: Appendicitis, hernia, gallbladder
• Prostate surgeries: TURP and other lower abdominal procedures

Advantages:

• Conscious (mother sees the baby, can accompany the birth)
• Effective pain relief
• Medication dosage can be adjusted
• Postoperative pain control (catheter may be left in place)

Local and Regional Anesthesia

It is the method of numbing only a specific area. It is used for minor surgical procedures.

• Regional block: Anesthesia along the nerve pathway (hand, foot and arm surgeries)
• Regional blocking: Anesthesia along the nerve pathway (hand, foot, and arm surgeries)

Chronic Pain Treatment

It is the diagnosis and treatment of pain lasting 3 months or longer.

Symptoms:

• Chronic lower back and neck pain: Disc herniation, spinal spondylosis
• Neuropathic pain: Burning and stinging sensation due to nerve damage
• Arthritis and osteoarthritis pain
• Post-amputation neuroma pain

Treatment Methods:

• Injection treatments: Epidural steroid injection, nerve blocks
• Radiofrequency ablation: Pain relief by heating nerve endings
• Spinal cord stimulation: Pain reduction through electrical stimulation
• Intrathecal pumps: Medication directly into the spinal fluid

Intensive Care (Reanimation)

It ensures the treatment of life-threatening patients in intensive care and the support of basic bodily functions such as respiration and circulation.

• Adult Intensive Care Unit (AICU): Postoperative critical condition, trauma, heart attack, stroke
• Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU): Premature and critically ill babies

When Should You See an Anesthesiologist?

• Preoperative anesthesia examination (all surgery patients)
• Chronic pain (lower back/neck pain lasting longer than 3 months)
• Requesting an epidural during childbirth
• Sedation during endoscopy (painless stomach/bowel screening)
• Sleep apnea (preoperative anesthesia evaluation)

Preoperative Anesthesia Evaluation

Before every surgery, the anesthesiologist evaluates the patient:

1. Detailed medical history: Past illnesses, current medications, allergies
2. Physical examination: Respiratory system, heart, mouth and throat examination
3. Laboratory tests: Blood tests, ECG
4. ASA classification: Surgical risk grade (1-5)
5. Fasting period: 6–8 hours (solid food), 2 hours (clear liquids) for general anesthesia
6. Anesthesia plan: Which anesthesia method, risks, alternatives

Why Özel Trakya Hospital Anesthesia

• Comprehensive service with 2 specialist anesthesiologists
• General, epidural, local and regional anesthesia options
• Advanced surgery with 2 operating rooms
• Adult and Neonatal Intensive Care support
• Chronic pain treatment (nerve blocks, radiofrequency, spinal cord stimulation)
• Epidural option during childbirth
• 24/7 emergency service with emergency resuscitation