Anaesthesia

David Warwick's Anaesthetic service is provided by Dr Max Jonas MBBS FRCA, Consultant Anaesthetist and Intensivist.

Max was medically trained at St Thomas' Hospital in London and has been a Consultant in Intensive Care and Anaesthesia both in Oxford and Southampton. He has a special interest in upper limb and hand surgery and is currently working with David Warwick on better methods of postoperative pain control.

Anaesthesia is an integral part of any operative prodecure. When you have been scheduled for an operation you will be medically assessed and examined by The Hand Clinic anaesthetist and the most suitable anaesthetic technique explained.

The operation may involve a general anaesthetic, local anaesthetic or a combination of both.

General anaesthetic
For a general anaesthetic you will be given clear instructions before you come into the hospital about eating and drinking and what to do about your medicines if you are on any treatment. Max will then medically assess you and tell you exactly what is going to happen, what to expect and what we are going to do to make sure you are as painfree as possible after surgery.

Once you are in the theatre suite Max will be with you from the time you come in through the doors to the time when you wake up.

During the operation, you will be anaesthetised using the most up to date anaesthetic techniques, agents and equipment. Because of the close association between Max Jonas, David Warwick and the surgical team, your anaesthesia and pain relief will be tailored to ensure a rapid recovery from the anaesthetic and for many procedures this will enable you to go home the same day.

Local (regional) anaesthesia
It is possible by exact placement of special needles to anaesthetise with local anaesthetic just the nerves supplying various areas of the arm. Whether this method is used either with or without a general anaesthetic depends on various factors which will be discussed with you.

Final important point
If you have been seen in the clinic and scheduled for surgery and are worried by any aspects of the anaesthesia, no matter how unusual, you can always talk direct to Max via The Hand Clinic secretary.