What will the procedure involve?

Adresse

Rue Gabrielle-Perret-Gentil 4
1205 Geneva
Switzerland

Professor
Martin Tramèr
Head of Division

You will be given custom-tailored anesthesia by specialized doctors and nurses. Before you are brought to the operating room, you may be offered medication to control anxiety.

Your anesthetic care will start by fitting devices to monitor your vital functions:

  • Heart: patches connected to a screen will be attached to your chest.
  • Blood pressure: a cuff will be wrapped around one of your arms.
  • Breathing: a sensor will be placed on the tip of one of your fingers.

An intravenous infusion (drip) will be placed to allow for the administration of medication during the operation if necessary.

The nerves will be located for placement of the catheter by ultrasound (echography) and/or a neurostimulator that delivers weak electrical pulses through the tip of a needle. A catheter is inserted through that needle. Your active participation is required to ensure it is properly placed: make sure you report any pain you experience. After injection of the local anesthetics, the zone to be operated on will feel "tingly", become heavy and then progressively go numb.

In addition to this localized anesthesia during the operation, you may be offered one of the following options during the procedure, depending on the operation or your own preference:

  • To remain alert and possibly to listen to music.
  • To doze spontaneously or with the help of medication.

Depending on the operation or if this technique fails, you may be given general anesthesia.

Note: the doctor responsible for anesthesia during your operation will not necessarily be the person you met during the consultation appointment. However, he/she will have all the information required for your care. He/she may suggest modifying the planned anesthesia technique if necessary.

For your safety, your identity, the type of operation scheduled and the surgical site (the part of the body to be operated on) will be verified several times during your stay. It is crucial that you cooperate actively with these checks.

Last update : 03/12/2019