This question highlights an obscure but fascinating aspect of medicine. “What is anesthesia?” As we travel back in time, starting from the question “How is anesthesia performed?” We will satisfy your curiosity. When we talk about the history of medicine, it is like sailing into a vast world. invented anesthesia The answers we give to the question of how surgeries were performed if no surgery was performed may surprise you a little.

From prehistory, the Middle Ages and the Renaissance types of anesthesia After its implementation you can say, “I’m happy” that these challenging processes have evolved into modern surgery. This journey shows how far medicine has come and what modern medicine we have today. anesthesia techniques It will help us better understand its value.

Let’s start with the basics: what exactly is anesthesia?

“What is anesthesia?” Everyone has an answer to the question and it’s probably the same, but let’s explain the concept of anesthesia anyway. Anesthesia is a medical term used with anesthetics to prevent and reduce pain during certain medical procedures and surgical procedures.

meaning feeling “aesthesia” which also has a negative meaning “moment” Anesthesia consisting of the suffix is ​​actually “numb” It means. In other words, anesthesia and desensitization are performed in the area that will cause pain.

Types of anesthesia used today:

• anesthesia
• Regional anesthesia
• Local anesthesia

General, local and regional types of anesthesiaIt prevents the patient from feeling pain, making medical intervention more comfortable and reliable. Regional anesthesiameans that the patient becomes numb from the waist down or a certain part of the body. local anesthesia It numbs a very narrow area.

Anesthesia, It is considered one of the most important developments in modern medicine and is applied in a wide range of areas.

Let’s not confuse anesthesia with fainting.

Although the concept of fainting is on everyone’s mind when it comes to anesthesia, general anesthesia is a type of sleep. In this sense, anesthesia can be compared to night sleep. So all the functions continue consciousness is suppressed for pain relief.

So, how is anesthesia done, how is it applied?

Especially those who will undergo surgery or even minor surgery “How is anesthesia done?” he wonders. Since the answers to this question are quite technical, let’s not explain all the details so as not to deviate from our topic, but we can understand the topic by summarizing it.

By type anesthesia techniques Differs. anesthesiaIt is performed with anesthetics administered intravenously, in mask or gas form. It can be any of these or applied together. Regional anesthesia is performed by injecting medication into the area near the nerve roots in the spine.

Let’s get to our main topic. How were operations performed when anesthesia did not yet exist?

In prehistoric times, surgery was a necessary part of survival. People used it to treat war injuries, repair fractures and even… brain surgery They had to perform surprisingly complex operations, such as

One of the best-known examples of surgical procedures from this period was the operation to drill a hole in the skull. trepanation was the process. This was an ancient practice intended to relieve pain or treat mental illness.

In ancient Egypt surgicalIt was considered an advanced profession. The papyri contain detailed descriptions of various surgical techniques, such as treating fractures, suturing wounds, and even extracting teeth. The Egyptians also developed a variety of tools that can be considered precursors to surgical instruments.

Hippocrates, father of modern surgical instruments

Hippocrates

During ancient Greek and Roman times, surgery became increasingly sophisticated. Hippocrates is considered the father of surgery and was the surgical instrumentscan be seen as ancestors of modern instruments. Next to the tools pain managementwas usually achieved with alcohol-based solutions such as wine and herbal mixtures.

During these periods, surgeons also learned to work quickly and effectively, as long operations were both increases the risk of infection It also caused excruciating pain for patients.

During the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, some developments took place and today’s steps were taken.

Andreas Vesalius

In medieval Europe, monasteries and clergy often took on the task of maintaining medical knowledge and treating the sick. Surgical practices during this period were generally simple and often limited to the treatment of obvious injuries. In the absence of anesthesia, The ways to reduce suffering were also limited. Therefore, surgeons had to be adept at speed and efficiency.

During the Renaissance there was a major revival in the field of surgery. Increasing anatomical knowledge and detailed studies about the human body, surgical techniques helped its development. Special, Andreas Vesalius His studies of human anatomy have greatly increased surgeons’ understanding of the human body.

What was used as an anesthetic in ancient times?

Renaissance surgeons to reduce patients’ pain during operations alcohol, opium and mandrake They used substances like (a type of hallucinogenic plant). However, these articles are modern anesthesia It couldn’t achieve the level of deep and manageable numbness it offered. Therefore, surgeons had to be fast and effective and began to improve their surgical skills.

Physical restraint was the most common of these methods. Patients are advised not to move during the operation. was tied tightly. This made the surgeon’s work easier and prevented the patient from injuring himself due to sudden movements.

In addition to substances such as opium herbal and alcohol-based painkillers It was also used extensively. Wine was a common method of relieving pain during and after surgery.

Hypnosis and psychological methods sometimes also played a role in pain management. Surgeons and healers use various techniques to calm patients. psychological techniques They could implement it. However, the effectiveness of these methods was quite limited compared to modern anesthesia techniques.

In this period pain management methods, It shows how difficult and dangerous surgical procedures are. Anesthesia techniques In the absence of this, operations posed a huge challenge for both surgeons and patients.

And now anesthesia has been invented.

invention of anesthesia, It was a turning point in medical history and opened the doors to modern surgery. in 1846 William Thomas Green Morton The successful use of ether anesthesia during tooth extraction revolutionized the field of surgery. Anesthesia has pushed the boundaries of surgical practice, allowing surgeons to perform more complex and longer operations.

Anesthesia significantly reduced the pain patients felt during and after surgery. This means that patients fear of surgery reduced and enabled more people to accept necessary surgical procedures. Moreover thanks to anesthesia Surgeons would be able to work more carefully and precisely, which would increase the success rate of operations.

Advantages of modern anesthesia techniques

With the development of modern surgery, anesthesia not only reduced pain but also contributed to the development of surgical techniques and devices. For example, very complex operations such as heart and brain surgery, effective anesthesia techniques Without it it would be unthinkable. Anesthesia has pushed the boundaries of medicine by allowing such surgeries to be performed safely.

Anesthesia has also led to significant advances in postoperative care and pain management. Controlling postoperative pain accelerated the patient’s recovery process and reduced the risk of complications. Modern anesthesia techniques, made it possible to manage this process more effectively.

Anesthesia, modern medicine Considered one of his greatest achievements, it revolutionized the field of surgery, creating a profound and lasting impact on human health. This invention pushed the boundaries of medicine and opened new ways to improve human life.

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