Prior to the 1800s, pain and surgery went hand in hand. It wasn’t until 1842 that Dr. Crawford Long of Georgia performed the first painless surgery using ether. Two years later, Dr. Horace Wells demonstrated painless dentistry using nitrous oxide. The techniques used in anesthesia 40 years ago were very different from those of today. Back then, there were only two methods of anesthesia delivery available: through a mask and through an intravenous (IV) infusion. The primary monitoring tools were a stethoscope and a blood pressure cuff. Today, there are several anesthetics available that target specific body functions and numerous devices that can monitor a patient at various levels.

Anesthesiology has played a crucial role in modern medicine by paving the way for many of today’s medical advances. Relatively little surgery could be performed before the discovery of anesthesia. Today, more than 25 million surgical procedures are performed each year in the United States. Over the years, medical advancements in surgery and anesthesia have made remarkable improvements in the overall care of patients.

The role of anesthesia has evolved from focusing on the relief of pain to the holistic care of patients before, during, and after surgery. At Duke, we continue to broaden our core capabilities by defining the issues associated with anesthesia. We use our research to prevent anesthesia-related problems and provide our patients with the best possible care.

The Duke DREAM Team bases its research initiative on the premise of patient care. We believe that research is the platform upon which medical innovation is built. A pioneer in brain protection research, the Duke DREAM Team has always directed its research findings to open new avenues of medical and surgical care. Our respect for patient care is reflected in our close association and follow-up with our patients.