Overview of anesthesia

Question 1

Approach to anesthesia

Answer 1

Pre-operative

1. Pre-operative assessment
2. Patient optimization

Pre-operative/peri-operative
3. Plan anesthetic 
various types of anesthesia
pre-medication
airway management 
monitors 
induction 
maintenance 
emergence 
extubation 

Post-operative
4. Post-operative care

Question 2

6 A’s of general anesthesia

Answer 2

Anesthesia 
Anxiolysis 
Amnesia 
Areflexia (muscle relaxation - not always required) 
Autonomic stability 
Analgesia

Question 3

Types of anesthesia

Answer 3

General

• General anesthesia
• Total IV anesthesia (TIVA)

Regional

• Spinal, epidural
• Peripheral nerve block
• IV regional

Local

• Local infiltration
• Topical

Note that different types of anesthesia can be combined (general + regional)