Anesthesiology

At UT Southwestern Medical Center, our anesthesiologists and pain management specialists have the expertise to provide the highest level of safe, effective care for patients before, during, and after surgery and childbirth. 

All of our specialized anesthesiologists have fellowship training, which involves at least an additional year of honing in one of the subspecialties.

Experienced Physicians for Surgical Management

Anesthesiology provides patient care for surgery, childbirth, and other procedures.   Anesthesia is defined as a temporary loss of sensation with or without the loss of consciousness, induced by medication.

At UT Southwestern, physicians in the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Management also treat patients who are critically ill, as well as those with acute and chronic pain. 

All anesthesiologists at UT Southwestern are board-certified and have fellowship training in subspecialties such as:

• Cardiac anesthesiology
  
• Critical care medicine
  
• Neuroanesthesiology
  
• Obstetric anesthesiology
  
• Pain management
  
• Pediatric anesthesiology

Our physicians provide the latest, most advanced therapies to treat chronic pain. We work to alleviate pain as well as improve patients’ physical functioning and relieve psychological distress that can result from chronic pain.

Anesthesiology Services We Provide

UT Southwestern anesthesiologists are responsible for our patients’ well-being before, during, and after surgery and other procedures. Services our anesthesiologists perform include:

• Working with the patient before surgery to determine an anesthetic plan, which can include general, sedation, or regional anesthesia such as a spinal, epidural, or nerve block. This comprehensive plan might also include pain management techniques extending well into the postoperative period.
• Monitoring and managing vital signs, such as breathing, pulse, blood pressure, and temperature
• Identifying and treating problems that might develop before, during, or after surgery, such as an unexpected reaction to a medication or an unexpected change in vital signs
• Controlling pain after surgery with medications or techniques
• Providing ongoing care during recovery after surgery

For patients having a baby, our anesthesiologists manage the care of both mother and baby, including providing pain relief for the mother and managing the well-being of both.

What to Expect

Once the decision for surgery (or another invasive procedure) has been made, patients should expect to have their records reviewed by an anesthesiologist. If a patient has significant health-related risks, he/she might be asked to see one of our specialists prior to the day of the procedure.

Patients will be provided instructions about what they may eat and drink and which of their regular medicines to take on the day of the procedure.

Clinical Trials

The Department of Anesthesiology is active in research on new anesthetic drugs and devices to better ensure patient safety.  Patients might be asked about participation in one of these studies, but there is no obligation to take part and either way will receive the best care possible.