Head & Neck Surgery

Head and neck anaesthesia is a specialised form of anaesthesia that is used for the surgical treatment of conditions affecting the structures and organs located in the head and neck region. This area includes the face, nose, throat, larynx, sinuses, mouth, salivary glands, thyroid gland, and lymph nodes. Due to the proximity of the airway being frequently near the surgical site, anaesthesia for head and neck procedures requires specialised techniques and equipment to ensure the patient's safety and comfort. Head and neck anaesthesia is used for a wide range of procedures, from minor diagnostic tests to complex multi-phase reconstructive surgeries.

Due to the nature and frequent complexity of head and neck surgery, most surgery will be performed under general anaesthesia. However some minor procedures such as dental extractions and skin lesion removal may be performed under regional anaesthesia or local anaesthesia with sedation, this determination will be made by your anaesthetist in consultation with your surgeon and will depend on the type, duration, and complexity of the procedure to be performed, as well as the patient's medical history and overall health.

Some common types of head and neck surgery include: