Episode 48 hosts Dr Adam Perczuk (Consultant Anaesthetist from Sydney, Australia)

Adam who works at The Prince Of Wales Hospital and his main scope of practice includes anaesthesing and caring for patients in plastic surgery, colorectal, orthopaedic and opthalmic procedures.

We discuss what anaesthetists do, how and why general anaesthesia is used and the spectrum of other anaesthetics down to the use of local anaesthetic creams.

0:00 Introduction 1:03 Meet Dr Adam Perczuk 3:19 Training Path to Becoming an Anaesthetist 5:16 Anaesthesia Specialties and Career Choices 9:44 Typical Workweek and Surgical Coverage 11:56 What Is General Anaesthesia Explained 14:01 Triad of Anaesthesia Sleep Pain and Muscle Relaxation 16:30 Awareness During Surgery Risks and Monitoring 18:16 Drug and Alcohol Tolerance Effects on Anaesthesia 23:53 How Anaesthesia Works in the Brain 27:02 History and Importance of Anaesthesia in Surgery 30:22 Preoperative Assessment and Risk Factors 33:44 Cardiovascular and Respiratory Monitoring 37:39 Day of Surgery Patient Preparation 41:39 Cannula Placement and Safety Importance 45:36 Medications Used to Induce Anaesthesia 48:05 Airway Management and Ventilation Support 51:43 Monitoring During Surgery and Pain Control 57:32 Recovery and Delayed Awakening Causes 1:01:04 Fasting Guidelines and Aspiration Risks 1:03:30 Updated Fasting Rules and Hydration Benefits 1:07:48 Drug Clearance After Surgery 1:12:19 Opioid Use and Addiction Risks 1:16:00 Safe Prescribing and Pain Management Strategies 1:19:56 Twilight Sedation Versus General Anaesthesia 1:22:22 Regional Blocks and When They Are Used 1:25:07 How Local Anaesthetic Blocks Nerve Signals 1:27:43 Spinal Versus Epidural Anaesthesia Differences 1:30:37 Local Anaesthetic Safety and Toxicity Risks 1:33:59 Calculating Safe Dosage Guidelines 1:36:53 Risks of Topical Anaesthetic Overuse 1:39:25 Pain Definition and Psychological Factors 1:42:10 Distraction Techniques for Pain Reduction 1:44:30 Emotional Reactions After Anaesthesia 1:48:40 Nitrous Oxide and Pain Relief Options 1:53:30 Using Painkillers Before Procedures 1:55:45 Lip Nerve Blocks Risks and Considerations 2:00:30 Practical Tips for Safe Local Anaesthetic Use 2:03:05 Final Questions and Closing Remarks

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