The equipment - the gas delivery system
Should you not be too drowsy when you are transferred into the theatre, you will see the anaesthetic machine at one end of the operating table. |
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The equipment - the anaesthetic circuit
This contains a series of corrugated tubes, a valve through which gas can escape from the circuit, and a bag that the anaesthesiologist uses to manually ventilate the patient’s lungs when necessary. |
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The equipment - the ventilator
Because anaesthetic agents depress breathing and muscle relaxants paralyse breathing, it is often necessary to use a ventilator to take over breathing for the patient. |
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The equipment - the monitor screen
On top of the anaesthetic machine or built into it is the anaesthetic monitor. This is like a computer screen, and the most up-to-date models have a colour display. |
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Other equipment
Your anaesthesiologist will have a number of other pieces of equipment set out on the tray on the anaesthetic machine. |
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The anaesthetic record
Even though all the readings of the patient’s vital signs are displayed on the monitor, your anaesthesiologist will keep make written record of these at 5-minute intervals. |
