The Indispensable Companion of Surgery:
Anesthesia encompasses medical practices that eliminate a person’s sense of pain and, depending on the situation, consciousness during surgical procedures or diagnostic interventions, ensuring the safety of the surgical procedure by prioritizing the patient’s vital functions.
Advancements in the field of surgery are among the most significant developments in the medical world today. Many procedures that were once considered daring can now be easily performed, thanks to advancements in technological infrastructure and scientific knowledge. Yet, there is a hidden but essential player in this game: Anesthesia! It is widely accepted that without anesthesia, surgery as we know it today would not be possible.
The development of general anesthesia began in the late 197s worldwide. Prior to this time, mortality rates under general anesthesia were high. This was due to the inadequacy of drugs and technical equipment used for anesthesia at that time. Additionally, there were no advanced devices to monitor all vital functions of the patient during the anesthesia process. Today, with the diversity in anesthesia methods, the increase in the number of specialist doctors trained in anesthesia, and the regulations introduced concerning its application, error and mortality rates have been minimized.
As training for anesthesiologists and technological advancements have increased, a variety of surgeries pushing boundaries have become possible. As surgical challenges are overcome, expectations from anesthesia have increased, prompting anesthesia to continuously evolve.