Different procedures place different demands on the body. A brain operation, a hip replacement and a colonoscopy each call for a different anaesthetic approach, different monitoring and a different plan for recovery. Your own health, your previous experiences and your preferences matter just as much as the procedure itself.
Each page below describes the procedures involved in plain language, the role of your specialist anaesthetist, the anaesthetic approaches commonly used, and what to expect before, during and after. The approaches described are the ones most often used. Not every technique suits every patient or every procedure, and the plan for your anaesthetic is always made with you, after an individual assessment.