Dr P. Rajanna started the Department of Anesthesiology more than two decades back in 1988, at a small operating room at the outpatient complex of PSG Hospitals that functioned on Avinashi road. This is the branch of medicine that enables pain free surgical procedures. In 1989, this small but key department, that had to work in tandem with other surgical departments, shifted to the new hospital premises. Initially it had just a single operating room and two tables. In 1990, it was upgraded with the addition of ultra-modern anaesthesia machines and ventilators and had six operating rooms.

Dr. Ganesan C Head of the Department of Anaesthesiology

Another decade passed and the department grew exponentially to meet the ever increasing number of patients and the introduction of speciality branches in the hospital. By 2005, it was functioning from the new hospital block equipped with state of the art anaesthesia work stations. An Intensive Care Unit and recovery rooms were also added. It also had a trauma ward, and the number of operating rooms had doubled to 12.

The department also uses ultrasound guided modern equipment for various procedures. It has adequate expertise to assist in Ex-utero Intra-partum Treatment (EXIT), or cases in which surgeons have to access the baby while still in the womb. It also has an excellent track record for its services for high-risk pregnant women who are critically ill.

The team is also adept in dealing with procedures in relation to kidney transplantation, surgical procedures on elderly patients and on morbidly obese patients. Open heart surgeries and complex neurosurgical cases are also done. A separate day care service is provided for patients who will return home on the day of surgery.

Epidural analgesia, the technique of administering pain relief during child birth, as well as patient-controlled analgesia, or PCA, which allows the patients to determine the quantum of pain relief medication with the aid of a pump, are also available. The giant leaps in numbers reflects the excellent services provided with minimal morbidity. This brilliant safety record was possible only through commitment to quality.

Research

Projects

• A randomized, controlled, double blind study on the effects of 2L infusion of 0.9% saline and sterofundin on serum electrolytes
• Clinical evaluation of rocuronium requirement for intubation and maintenance in ASA 1 and 2 patients – A prospective multicentric study.
• Comparative efficacy of 0.125% bupivacaine with 0.2% ropivacaine along with fentanyl for epidural labor analgesia – retrospective study.
• Comparison of IV clonidine and IV dexmedetomidine in attenuation of hemodynamic stress response to laryngoscopy and intubation.
• Comparison of two different doses of dexmedetomidine used as adjuvants to 0.25% bupivacaine for paediatric caudal analgesia.

Miscellaneous

Distinction of being the first medical center in south India to possess the latest generation of high fidelity mannequin Simman 3G and full fledged simulation lab for teaching medical and paramedical students real life scenarios and clinical findings without compromising patient safety. It also helps the faculty to refine and update their skills and protocols in emergency management.