Experience
At Atlas, we can provide anesthesia for a range of surgical needs. Some of the medical specialties we serve include:
Dental/ Oral and Maxillofacial Anesthesia
Dental anesthesia involves the use of anesthetics to prevent pain and ensure patient comfort during dental procedures, ranging from local numbing to full sedation.
Anesthesia means a lack or loss of sensation. This can be with or without consciousness. Dental procedures always involve administration of local anesthesia (numbing a specific or entire area of the mouth), intravenous sedation (calming or inducing sleepiness) – also called twilight anesthesia; or general anesthesia (inducing the patient into a deep sleep). The type of anesthesia chosen by your anesthesia provider depends on the complexity of the procedure, length of the procedure, patient’s medical history and patient ‘s preference and past experiences.
General anesthesia is typically used for longer procedures or if patients have a lot of anxiety that might interfere with their treatment. General anesthesia can be induced either through administration of medications intravenously (IV) or via inhalation of anesthesia gases. Both, the administration of IV medications and inhalation of anesthesia gases lead to a completely unconscious state - patients feel no pain, the muscles are relaxed, all contributing to complete amnesia from the procedure.
Anesthetics have been around for over 175 years! In fact, the first recorded procedure with an anesthetic was done in 1846 using ether. We’ve come a long way since then, and anesthetics are an important tool in helping patients feel comfortable during dental procedures. Around 10 to 30 percent of people have anxiety and concerns about pain associated with dental procedures. Anxiety can delay getting treatment and that can make the problem worse.
Dental anesthesia ensures patients feel minimal or most of the time zero pain during procedures like wisdom teeth extractions, root canals, or placement of dental implants, making the experience more comfortable and less anxiety-inducing.
Today there are many options available for dental anesthetics. Conscious Sedation is the most popular type of anesthesia in dental world. It involves administration of medications that can be used alone or combined for a better effect. The sedation plan is individualized for a safe and successful procedure. The type of anesthetics used also depends on the age, health conditions, length and type of the dental procedure, and any negative reactions to anesthetics in the past.
Conscious sedation keeps the patient awake but relaxed and less aware of the procedure; most of the time patients cannot remember undergoing the procedure itself, helping reduce anxiety without the need for full unconsciousness induced by general anesthesia.
Either type of anesthesia chosen by the patients and their anesthesia provider is generally safe, especially when administered by experienced and well-trained professionals. All our patients are continuously monitored during the procedure using guidelines established by the American Society of Anesthesiologists. Our anesthesia providers use modern equipment to monitor patients intra-operatively, have access to all types of medications needed for delivering anesthesia and/or taking care of emergencies that may arise during delivery of anesthesia.
Some reported side effects with sedation and general anesthesia
medications/ anesthetic gases include:
- nausea or vomiting
- headache
- sweating or shivering
- hallucinations, delirium, or confusion
- slurred speech
- dry mouth or sore throat
- pain at the site of injection
- dizziness
- tiredness
- numbness
- lockjaw (trismus) caused by trauma from surgery; the jaw opening is
temporarily reduced - blood pressure fluctuation due to injection of vasoconstrictors, such
as epinephrine
ENT Anesthesia
ENT anesthesia involves specialized anesthetic care to ensure patient safety and comfort during ear, nose, and throat procedures, from minor surgeries to more complex interventions.
Most of the ear, nose, and throat (ENT) procedures are very delicate and require general anesthesia because it is critical for patient to be immobile. However, when general anesthesia is not an option due to patient’s medical history and inability to go under general anesthesia, some ENT surgeons will perform the procedure under local anesthesia. The patient is completely awake, and the pain is controlled by injecting local anesthetic into the nose and the area around it.
If general anesthesia is warranted, the anesthesia provider will place an artificial airway after you are induced into a deep sleep. Most commonly, the artificial airway device is used with ENT procedures, such as an endotracheal tube (ETT) or laryngeal mask (LMA). The use of the laryngeal mask is the most common type of airway used for ENT procedures.
The artificial airway serves an important purpose in these types if surgeries, it protects patient’s airway from secretions and blood that may drain from the surgical site into your lungs. It is worth mentioning that the use of artificial airway is the gold standard in general anesthesia and it is the safest way to administer general anesthetics.
The otolaryngologic anesthesia often uses specialized tools, such as endotracheal tubes or laryngeal masks, to maintain airway control in surgeries involving the throat or vocal cords. The ultimate goal of the anesthesiologist is to protect patient’s airway while the surgeon is performing the procedure. During the entire procedure, the anesthesiologist monitors patient’s electrical activity of the hear, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and other vital parameters to ensure utmost safety.
Anesthesia for ENT procedures requires close coordination and collaboration with the surgical team to ensure optimal visibility and access to the airway while keeping the patient stable.
Patients may experience swelling, pain, or breathing difficulties after any surgery, especially ENT procedure. Thus, anesthesia care includes strategies for pain management and monitoring breathing effort and regularity post-procedure. The ENT clinic will provide additional detailed guidelines for activity level (such as, avoiding exercising, jogging, and lifting heavy weights for 2 weeks) and other necessary instructions following an ENT procedure (keep dressing dry, take antibiotics and pain medications as instructed, avoid aspirin, ibuprofen and other medications that could potentiate bleeding, etc.).
Patients are discouraged to drive for 24 hours after receiving general anesthesia and typically allowed to resume normal diet immediately.
Plastic Surgery Anesthesia
Plastic surgery anesthesia involves customized pain management and sedation techniques, ranging from local anesthesia to general anesthesia, to ensure patient comfort and safety during both minor and major cosmetic and reconstructive procedures.
Plastic surgery can involve a range of anesthesia options, including local anesthesia, conscious sedation/ twilight anesthesia, or general anesthesia, depending on the complexity and extent of the cosmetic procedure.
Extensive plastic surgeries like abdominoplasties (tummy tucks), breast and buttocks implants, rhinoplasties, facelifts are done under general anesthesia. It is used to ensure complete patient comfort and immobility throughout the procedure.
Less invasive procedures, such as minor skin treatments, blepharoplasties, or small cosmetic enhancements, may use local anesthesia to target specific areas while the patient remains awake.
Effective anesthesia in plastic surgery is crucial for managing postoperative pain and minimizing discomfort, contributing to a smoother recovery process and better outcomes.
Anesthesia in plastic surgery is customized to meet individual patient needs and surgical requirements, ensuring both safety and optimal results. A highly trained anesthesia provider will consult you on the types of anesthesia and taking into consideration your medical history and past experiences, will offer you the most optimal anesthesia plan.
Podiatry Anesthesia
Podiatry anesthesia provides pain relief and ensures patient comfort during foot and ankle surgeries, using techniques ranging from local anesthesia to regional blocks or general anesthesia based on the procedure’s complexity.
Podiatry procedures typically use local anesthesia, regional blocks (such as ankle blocks), or general anesthesia depending on the complexity of the surgery.
Commonly used for foot and ankle surgeries, regional anesthesia blocks sensation in specific areas, allowing patients to remain awake but pain-free.
Effective pain control is critical in podiatry procedures, as the foot and ankle are sensitive areas; anesthesia helps minimize postoperative discomfort and promote quicker recovery.
Anesthesia in podiatry often focuses on ensuring patients can safely regain mobility post-surgery, with minimal side effects that could affect walking or balance.
Many podiatry procedures are minimally invasive, often allowing for the use of lighter sedation or local anesthetics, which reduces recovery time and lowers the risks associated with general anesthesia.
Gastroenterology Anesthesia
Gastroenterology anesthesia involves the administration of sedation or general anesthesia to ensure patient comfort and safety during diagnostic and therapeutic procedures like endoscopies, colonoscopies, and gastrointestinal surgeries.
Many gastroenterology procedures, such as colonoscopies and endoscopies, typically use conscious sedation to relax patients while keeping them responsive.
For more invasive or prolonged procedures, such as gastrointestinal surgeries or complex endoscopies, general anesthesia may be required to ensure complete patient immobility and comfort.
Anesthesia in gastroenterology requires close monitoring of breathing and heart function, particularly in procedures involving the digestive tract, to avoid complications like aspiration.
Sedation used in gastroenterology is often short-acting, allowing patients to recover quickly after the procedure with minimal lingering effects, such as grogginess or nausea.
Gastroenterology anesthesia ensures patients do not experience discomfort during procedures that may otherwise be painful or uncomfortable, like biopsies or polyp removals.
Gynecology Anesthesia
Gynecology anesthesia provides tailored pain management and comfort during reproductive health procedures, using techniques ranging from local and regional anesthesia to general anesthesia for more complex surgeries.
Gynecology procedures can involve local anesthesia, regional blocks (such as epidurals or spinal anesthesia), or general anesthesia, depending on the complexity of the surgery.
Many gynecological procedures, such as hysteroscopies or laparoscopies, use conscious sedation or light general anesthesia to ensure patient comfort while enabling faster recovery.
For childbirth-related procedures like C-sections, regional anesthesia (spinal or epidural) is commonly used, allowing patients to remain awake while blocking pain from the lower body.
Effective anesthesia techniques in gynecology are essential to manage postoperative pain, particularly in major surgeries like hysterectomies or pelvic reconstructive procedures.
Anesthesia care in gynecology often requires special attention to factors like hormonal changes, pregnancy, or fertility preservation, ensuring safe outcomes for reproductive health.
Ophthalmology Anesthesia
Ophthalmology anesthesia ensures patient comfort and immobility during eye surgeries, utilizing local anesthesia, sedation, or general anesthesia based on the procedure's complexity and patient needs.
Most eye surgeries, like cataract removal, use local anesthesia (often in the form of eye drops or injections) to numb the eye while keeping the patient awake and comfortable.
Light sedation is frequently used alongside local anesthesia to help patients relax during procedures, minimizing anxiety without requiring full general anesthesia.
General anesthesia is typically reserved for more complex or lengthy eye surgeries, such as retinal repairs, or for patients unable to remain still or calm.
Anesthesia in ophthalmology requires careful precision, as the delicate nature of eye surgeries demands absolute stillness from the patient to avoid any movement during the procedure.
Local and sedation anesthesia used in eye surgeries allows for rapid recovery, with most patients regaining full consciousness and mobility soon after the procedure is complete.
Urology Anesthesia
Urology anesthesia provides tailored pain management and sedation for procedures involving the urinary tract and male reproductive organs, using techniques from local anesthesia to general anesthesia based on the complexity and duration of the surgery.
Urological procedures can involve local anesthesia, regional blocks (such as spinal or epidural anesthesia), or general anesthesia, depending on the type and complexity of the surgery.
Many urological procedures, such as cystoscopies or vasectomies, often use local anesthesia or sedation to provide comfort while minimizing recovery time.
For surgeries like prostatectomy or kidney stone removal, regional anesthesia may be used to block sensation in the lower abdomen and pelvic area while keeping the patient sedated.
More complex urological surgeries, such as major reconstructive procedures or extensive cancer treatments, typically require general anesthesia to ensure complete immobility and comfort.
Effective anesthesia in urology focuses on managing pain and discomfort after surgery, with options for both oral and injectable pain relief to facilitate a smoother recovery.
Radiology Anesthesia
Radiology anesthesia provides tailored sedation and pain management to ensure patient comfort and stillness during imaging procedures and interventional treatments, using techniques from light sedation to general anesthesia based on the procedure's needs.
Radiology procedures that require patient immobility, such as MRI or CT scans, often use light sedation or conscious sedation to ensure the patient remains still and comfortable.
For certain procedures, such as interventional radiology treatments or imaging in very young children, general anesthesia may be used to ensure complete stillness and cooperation.
Anesthesia in radiology helps manage pain and anxiety associated with procedures that may be uncomfortable or lengthy, improving the overall patient experience.
Radiology procedures are often minimally invasive, and anesthesia is tailored to ensure comfort while avoiding unnecessary risks associated with more extensive anesthesia methods.
Sedation used in radiology is typically short-acting, allowing patients to recover quickly and return to their daily activities without prolonged effects.
Oral Surgery Anesthesia
Oral surgery anesthesia ensures patient comfort and pain relief during dental and oral surgical procedures, using techniques ranging from local anesthesia to sedation or general anesthesia based on the complexity of the surgery.
Commonly used for less invasive oral procedures like tooth extractions or fillings, local anesthesia numbs the specific area being treated while the patient remains awake.
For more complex oral surgeries, such as wisdom tooth removal or periodontal treatments, sedation is used to help the patient relax and remain comfortable during the procedure.
In cases of extensive oral surgery, such as jaw reconstruction or multiple extractions, general anesthesia may be employed to ensure the patient is fully unconscious and immobile.
Effective anesthesia is crucial for managing pain and discomfort during and after oral surgery, with options for both immediate and ongoing pain relief as needed.
Anesthesia used in oral surgery is carefully managed to facilitate a smooth recovery, with attention to minimizing side effects and ensuring the patient can resume normal activities as quickly as possible.