Patient Information for Urologic and Gynecologic Anesthesia

The Division of Urologic and Gynecologic Anesthesia is a specialized team of anesthesiologists who take care of patients undergoing urologic or gynecologic surgery. We work with your surgeon to provide you safe, excellent and compassionate care. The following information should answer most of the questions you may have regarding anesthesia. If you have any further questions, feel free to contact the Department of Anesthesiology at 631-444-2975 and leave your contact information. One of our team members will contact you.

Our Preoperative Services Team helps prepare patients for a successful and safe hospital experience. The Preoperative Team works with patients to identify and modify risk factors to ensure the best possible outcome and to prevent last-minute delays and cancellation of surgery. Details about scheduling a preoperative visit and what to expect during the visit can be seen on the Preoperative Services website.

There are four main categories of anesthesia; general, regional, monitored anesthesia care and local anesthesia. Regardless of the category of anesthesia, special anesthetic agents and techniques will be used to provide a safe and speedy recovery.

General Anesthesia. During general anesthesia, the patient is not conscious and has complete loss of sensation. This technique involves inducing sleep for the whole body including the brain. One drawback is that it may produce nausea and vomiting after surgery, and most patients may feel drowsy or weak for several days after the anesthesia. A breathing tube is placed after the patient is "asleep" and it is removed before awakening. Generally, the patient does not remember the tube, but may have soreness in the throat because of the tube.

Regional Anesthesia. For regional anesthesia, the anesthesiologist injects a local anesthetic to provide numbness and loss of sensation in a region of the body. The injection could be made into the spinal cord, the area around the spinal cord or into a specific nerve in the body. The patient remains awake, but additional intravenous medication may be given to make the patient comfortable and drowsy.

Monitored Anesthesia Care. With monitored care, the surgeon uses a local anesthetic to cause numbness and loss of sensation at the site of surgery. The anesthesiologist supplements this with intravenous medication to make the patient comfortable.

Combination of Techniques. Sometimes, we may use a combination of the three types of anesthesia.

During the preoperative visit, the anesthesiologist may discuss with you the possible choices available for your particular surgery. The final decision about the type of anesthesia will be made by your anesthesiologist on the day of your surgery.

In order to provide you with the best care, all of the healthcare providers involved in your care will greet you and review your medical history.

Please be sure to mention any allergies that you are aware of.

Your surgical site will be marked by the surgeon.

After surgery, the anesthesiology team will accompany you to the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), and a full report of your operating room care will be given to the PACU Nurse and PACU Anesthsiology team. Your anesthesiologist will be available during your postoperative stay to answer any questions. For more information about postoperative care, including postoperative pain relief and family visiting hours, consult the Post Anesthesia Care Unit page.