BY DR. UMESH RAMTANI 

 

“DOCTOR Saheb its just about going to sleep, am I right”? A relative asked me this question about anaesthesia one day prior to his surgery. A similar kind of questions are frequently asked to me by random acquaintances, for eg. What do you do after administering anaesthesia? Why are you supposed to stay till the surgery lasts? I cringe upon lack of awareness about my field which actually an established branch of Medicine. I wonder that whether the readers know that Anaesthesiology is a postgraduate course with 3 year degree achieved after completing MBBS. The speciality which has witnessed ebb and flow of diversities and variations since its advent, in every nook and corner, has flourished to staggering stature due to innumerable milestones. An ancient era of scientific revolution, strategically characterised by remarkable inventions and evolution in field of Medicine has shaped up the subspeciality to the present form. On 16th October, 1846, when first successful public demonstration of Ether Anaesthesia was accomplished, the milestone event was looked upon as freedom from agony, pain and misery. While the use of opium poppy and other herbal remedies as anaesthetics date back to early civilisation, the first public demonstration of modern anesthesia was on October 16, 1846 (“Ether Day”).

 

Dentist William T. G. Morton made anesthesia history at Massachusetts General Hospital ,Boston, USA with the successful use of diethyl ether “anaesthesia” to prevent pain during surgery. Since this historic milestone, advancements in anesthesia administration and newer anesthetics led to the medical specialty of anesthesiology in the early 20th century. Hence We celebrate this important day as World Anaesthesia ( ETHER) Day every year. This landmark event opened gates to Pandora box which paved the path towards advancements not only in technique but also in technology and methodology. The speciality is neither too raw, nor a naïve invention, rather an eternal science. In last one and half century, the branch has witnessed tremendous research and scientific progress. The present anaesthesiologist is a thorough clinician with wide spectrum of expertise, command and proficiency. The modern anaesthesiologist is physician par excellence, rendering services, not only in surgical areas , but also, out of four walls of operation theatre viz. Casualty, trauma center, emergency medicine, critical care, pain medicine, radiology suites, off-site locations, rehabilitation, hospice and palliative care, disaster management , etc., with comprehensive COVID care, a recently added arena.

 

The modern anaesthesiologists have emerged as dynamic intensivists, critical care physicians , disaster team leaders, administrators, policy makers and controllers. In present era, the subject of Anaesthesia is redefined. The modern Anaesthesia practice revolves around quality patient “care beyond boundaries” of subject, knowledge and spectrum and upgraded upto supranormal standards par excellence. The life of anaesthesiologist bristles with challenges in day to day clinical practice The combating obstacles are endless. In today’s era, the anaesthesiologists are, not only, expected to serve the society judiciously but also strive towards creating awareness about the branch with a goal directed approach intending to clear myths and facts, and to eradicate associated prejudices. The modern Anaesthesiologist is a multitasker playing various roles not any more confined to four walls of operation theatre with a goal of comprehensive patient care and compassionate quality health services with an aim of ‘Safety, Quality & Acclivity.’