Our clinic

ANAESTHESIA AT THE ETHIANUM – SAFE AND GENTLE ANAESTHESIA

The anaesthesia department at the ETHIANUM offers you state-of-the-art monitoring technology, high-quality medication and experienced specialists who will provide you with expert and individual advice and care.

Many clients sometimes have more questions about anaesthesia than about the actual operation. They are often afraid of what to expect during and after an anaesthetic. Especially if they have had bad experiences with anaesthesia in the past.

But at the ETHIANUM, our anaesthetists will make sure that you come through the anaesthetic gently and safely. This begins with a detailed consultation before your operation. You will get to know your anaesthetist, who will take the time to discuss the type of anaesthesia with you. Depending on the procedure, modern alternatives to a general or partial anaesthetic may also be considered. Your anaesthetist will also talk to you about possible risks and answer your questions competently.

As we only use very high-quality, well-tolerated anaesthetics at the ETHIANUM, you will not experience the unpleasant effect of vomiting after a general anaesthetic. As a rule, intravenous anaesthesia is used, which has significantly fewer side effects than gas anaesthesia. In addition, anti-nausea medication is administered with every anaesthetic at the ETHIANUM.

Thanks to an EEG monitor, which measures your brain waves during anaesthesia, our anaesthetists can also ensure that you do not wake up during an operation without being able to move or communicate. The depth of anaesthesia is displayed on the EEG monitor, recognisable by the “green D” in the image.

The yellow line on the image shows the anaesthetist the depth of anaesthesia. The anaesthetist can use this information to adjust the anaesthetic medication required at any time. In some operations, a so-called relaxometer is also used. This ensures that you can breathe easily when you wake up.

However, anaesthesia involves more than the induction and monitoring of anaesthesia and pain therapy. It also ensures that, if necessary, no or very little foreign blood is needed for a blood transfusion. The intraoperative re-transfusion of autologous blood ensures that wound and drainage blood is collected and purified during and after an operation. This returns the patient’s own red blood cells back into the body.

As a general rule at the ETHIANUM Clinic, however, at least one anaesthetist is on duty around the clock, even at night and at weekends. In addition, the ward team is available to you around the clock at the touch of a button on the call device at your bedside. We have compiled further compact information on the procedure after an operation and other possible anaesthetic procedures. Read about the alternatives and get to know our anaesthetists.

Our clinic

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE OPERATION?

After the operation, we will take you to the recovery room while you are still asleep. Of course, you will continue to be monitored by a doctor here as well. Your anaesthetist will be close by and at least one nurse will be in the room with you. It is normal to feel dizzy after waking up. Some people wake up thirsty. The good news is that anaesthesia is now so advanced that you can drink immediately after waking up. If you wish, you can even have a warm drink, which our service staff will be happy to bring you. You may feel cold due to the anaesthetic. You will be provided with blankets to keep you cosy and warm in a warming cabinet.

After the wake-up phase, you will spend a few moments in the intermediate care area. Here too, your condition will be monitored by a networked monitoring system with ECG. If all values are stable, you will be transferred back to your room. If necessary, the ward team will be available to you around the clock. There is also at least one anaesthetist on duty around the clock. If you would like to see a familiar face immediately after your operation, you are of course allowed to receive visitors. At the ETHIANUM, we also offer “rooming-in” so that your accompanying person can stay with you overnight if necessary.

Even after the operation, the anaesthesia will ensure that you do not feel any pain. Post-operative pain therapy is usually catheter-based, which you can control and regulate yourself as the patient. You can dose your medication yourself as required using pain pumps. But don’t worry: overdosing is not possible thanks to the latest technology. This means you can regulate your medication yourself without jeopardising your safety.

Our clinic

FORMS OF ANAESTHESIA AND ANAESTHESIOLOGICAL PROCEDURES

Complex operations lasting several hours can usually only be performed under general anaesthetic. However, there are operations where a local or regional anaesthetic is more appropriate. There are also operations where the client should remain active for an optimal result.

These alternatives are:

1) Wide-awake technique: the hand surgery department at the ETHIANUM is one of the first clinics in Germany to operate using the wide-awake method. With this gentle form of anaesthesia, only the area to be operated on is anaesthetised. You remain awake during the operation, can perform movements and thus improve the result. (Note NRT: Please link to Wide-Awake)

2) Twilight sleep: This form of anaesthesia is used on request for many aesthetic procedures and operations such as liposuction. Sedatives and local anaesthetic put you in a pleasant, pain-free twilight state. In contrast to general anaesthesia, you continue to breathe independently during twilight sleep and remain responsive at all times.

3) Spinal and peridural anaesthesia (epidural anaesthesia): Many people are familiar with epidural anaesthesia from the birth of a child. These spinal anaesthetics are also used for minor operations such as knee arthroscopy. The body is anaesthetised from around the navel downwards.

OUR DOCTORS

OUR ANAESTHETISTS

Our anaesthetists will guide you safely through the anaesthetic. The experts in their field will provide you with comprehensive advice. Find out more about the expertise and CVs of our anaesthetists.

Dr Uwe Janneck is our head anaesthetist. With over 30 years of medical experience, he ensures uncompromising safety with his anaesthesia. Consistency and reliability characterise the work of this specialist in dealing with his clients.

FURTHER

Dr Bernd Scholz is a specialist in anaesthesia and emergency medicine. With great empathy and a wealth of experience, the experienced doctor puts his clients under anaesthesia painlessly and lets them wake up gently.

FURTHER

YOUTUBE

VIDEO CONSULTATION