Anesthesia Clinic – Preoperative Assessment

The Preoperative Anesthesia Consultation takes place in a specialized outpatient clinic within our department – either as part of your hospital stay or as an outpatient appointment.

​This consultation includes both a physical examination and a detailed discussion with an anesthesiologist. The goal is to get to know you personally and to assess your current state of health so that your anesthesia risk for the upcoming surgery can be evaluated in accordance with the guidelines of medical societies.

A key component is the medical history (anamnesis). For this purpose, you will receive an information and consent form, whose individual points will be discussed with you. During the personal consultation, the focus is not only on existing medical conditions and current medications but especially on your physical fitness, as this is essential for assessing your anesthesia risk. Any medical records or reports you bring with you will be reviewed in order to obtain as complete a picture of you as a patient before anesthesia.

The physical examination typically includes listening to your heart and lungs, assessing your mouth opening, checking the mobility of your cervical spine, and evaluating your dental status. Depending on the type of surgery planned and your overall health, additional diagnostic tests such as a chest X-ray, electrocardiogram (ECG), blood tests, or in some cases a cardiac ultrasound or other specialized examinations may be necessary.

During the consent discussion, which ideally takes place after you have read the consent form, the anesthesiologist will explain the planned anesthesia procedures and any necessary interventions. This includes a detailed explanation of the available anesthesia methods and their potential risks or complications. Ample time is provided to address your questions and concerns, helping to reduce any anxiety and ensure that you are well-prepared.

In case of thoracic surgery – that is, operations involving the lungs or esophagus – the examination at the Preoperative Anesthesia Consultation is extended to include pulmonary function tests (such as spirometry and diffusion testing) to assess the performance of your lungs and airways.

During these tests, you will be asked to breathe through a mouthpiece connected to a device via tubing. You will need to inhale and exhale slowly or forcefully, or temporarily hold your breath, as instructed. The accuracy of the results depends heavily on your cooperation.

In some cases, an additional test called cardiopulmonary exercise testing may be necessary. This is performed on a stationary bike (ergometer), where the resistance is gradually increased to test your physical capacity. At the same time, an ECG is recorded, blood pressure is monitored, oxygen saturation is measured, and a face mask is used to assess your oxygen uptake under physical stress.

These examinations are essential to evaluate how well your body can tolerate major surgery and what your physical condition is likely to be postoperatively. Based on the findings, the most suitable surgical approach can then be planned in close coordination with your surgeon.

If a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) has been scheduled for you, please wear comfortable clothing and ideally arrive after having had a good breakfast.

During the administration of anesthesia (general and/or regional), our professional anesthesia team– consisting of a physician anesthesiologist and a specialized nurse– provides continuous care and close monitoring using advanced medical technology. This ensures the highest level of safety throughout your anesthesia.

General Anesthesia
General anesthesia induces a sleep-like state in which consciousness and pain perception are completely suspended. It is achieved using a combination of medications: sedatives, painkillers, anti-nausea drugs, and muscle relaxants. These are administered either intravenously or through inhalation.
Once you are asleep, your airway is secured using a breathing device, and your respiration is supported or fully taken over by a ventilator.
Thanks to the continuous care provided by our expert team and state-of-the-art monitoring equipment, your safety is always our top priority.

Regional Anesthesia
​Regional anesthesia involves a temporary nerve block using local anesthetics, which stops pain perception in specific parts of the body. The effects typically wear off within a few hours after surgery, without lasting consequences. The main advantage of regional anesthesia is that it allows targeted pain relief with less strain on the body, making it particularly suitable for patients with existing health conditions.
You may be lightly sedated during the procedure or listen to music through headphones for distraction. Common forms of regional anesthesia include:

• Spinal Anesthesia (“Spinal Block”)
  A local anesthetic is injected into the cerebrospinal fluid around the lower spinal cord. The medication spreads based on your body position and dosage, numbing the nerves. You may feel warmth in your pelvis, buttocks, or legs shortly after, followed by numbness and temporary immobility. The effect typically lasts 1 to 8 hours, depending on the dosage.
• Epidural Anesthesia (“Epidural” or “PDA”)
  Primarily used for pain management during thoracic (chest) surgery, an epidural involves placing a catheter near the spinal cord to administer continuous pain relief.
• Peripheral Nerve Blocks (“Nerve Block”)
  Used for surgeries on the shoulders, arms, or legs, this technique targets nerve clusters (plexuses) using electrical stimulation and/or ultrasound. A local anesthetic is injected with precision, minimizing the drug dose while maximizing the effect.
• Conscious Sedation (Analgosedation)
  This is a light, sleep-like sedation during which you remain pain-free but breathe independently. In lighter forms of sedation, you can respond to verbal cues if necessary– useful for certain minor procedures.

Recovery Room
Immediately after your surgical procedure, you will be cared for in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) to ensure your safety and comfort. Our attentive nursing staff will provide optimal care during this initial recovery phase.
We place great importance on effective pain management here as well. Right after the procedure, the pain management team will administer your personalized pain therapy to ensure you remain as comfortable as possible.
Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
Following certain procedures– or if required for your individual safety– you will be transferred to the intensive care unit.
There, a highly skilled and compassionate team– consisting of intensive care physicians, specialized nurses, and additional support staff– will provide round-the-clock monitoring and care to support your recovery.

An advance directive allows you to communicate your wishes and decisions about medical treatments in writing and in advance—for situations in which you may no longer be able to decide for yourself.

A healthcare power of attorney allows you to appoint a trusted person in advance to make medical decisions on your behalf if you are no longer able to communicate your wishes.

Under current legal regulations, there are three types of adult representation in Austria: elected, statutory, and court-appointed representation (the latter replacing the former “guardianship” model).
This system allows you to appoint a trusted person to represent your decisions in situations where you did not make arrangements in advance and can no longer act or decide for yourself