Epidurals deliver nerve-blocking drugs into the back for pain relief during labour and after surgeries. Epidural kits are currently in short supply, with their use prioritised for obstetric patients.
Gasless laparoscopic surgery performed by Dr Biju Islary using the RAIS system.
Dr. Hampher Kynjing, Nazareth Hospital, Shillong
Scientists still still don’t fully understand how general anaesthesia affects the brain and body. A molecule found in bioluminescent stony coral may shed some light.
There are many ways to control pain.
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A trip to the emergency room can turn expensive fast if the providers are not in your network. That is happening more often, as some doctors choose to opt out of insurance plans. Here’s why.
Ketamine is effective for those who do not respond to traditional anti-depressants. It also shows promise for the treatment of PTSD and bipolar disorder.
(Unsplash/Kal Visuals)
Most medical historians agree that one of the most important advances in medicine was the use of ether to numb pain during surgery. Just who deserves credit for this has been another story.
Tools like the WHO checklist can lead to better surgical outcomes in countries with limited resources.
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How do anesthetics work, and what makes for an ideal anesthetic? It’s not as mysterious as once believed, and there’s a gas that ticks all the boxes for a perfect anesthetic: xenon.
A new book explores consciousness, awareness and memory when under the knife.
from www.shutterstock.com.au
Author Kate Cole-Adams delves into fascinating questions about consciousness and self.
Feeling tired or being unable to concentrate is common even days after surgery. But there are simple ways to help speed up your recovery.
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Some people can feel drowsy or can’t concentrate days after an operation. While it’s easy to blame the anaesthetics, the real picture is usually more complicated.
General anaesthesia has come a long way since its first public demonstration in the 19th century, depicted here.
Wellcome Library, London/Wikimedia
Terrifying accounts of surgery 200 years ago remind us how far general anaesthesia has come. Yet we still know little about how anaesthetics alter consciousness.
Visiting Professor in Biomedical Ethics, Murdoch Children's Research Institute; Distinguished Visiting Professor in Law, University of Melbourne; Uehiro Chair in Practical Ethics, University of Oxford