Peri-operative Physicians are Architects of Recovery: Experts

Hyderabad, March 29, 2026: The Society of Perioperative Physician Anaesthesiologists (SOPPA) organised its 1st National Conclave at KIMS, Begumpet, Hyderabad on Sunday, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of anaesthesiology into perioperative medicine.
Anaesthesiology, once perceived narrowly, is undergoing a profound transformation. “Earlier, anaesthesiologists were seen as ‘sulaane wale doctors’—those who put patients to sleep. Today, they are the architects of recovery, managing patients before, during, and after surgery,” experts observed.
Summing up this evolution, speakers noted: from ‘Sulaane Wale’ to ‘Jaldi Uthane Wale’, anaesthesiologists are redefining recovery—standing by patients ‘surgery ke saath bhi aur surgery ke baad bhi’.”
From merely putting patients to sleep to getting them back on their feet faster, anaesthesiologists have come a long way, they observed
Dr. Manimala Rao, distinguished anaesthesiologist, intensivist, and academician, who inaugurated the conclave as Chief Guest, emphasized that anaesthesiologists have long been physicians in their own right.
“Monitors may have made modern practice simpler, but anaesthesiologists themselves are the real monitors. Ours is a unique specialty—we not only make patients sleep but also ensure they wake up safely and recover faster,” she said.
Dr. M. Chandrashekar, senior anaesthesiologist, reflected on the journey of the specialty, noting that anaesthesiologists were once under-recognized. “We have come a long way. Today, in any emergency, the first call is often to the anaesthesiologist. Our role is now pivotal,” he said.
Dr. Satyanarayana Nuthula, President of SOPPA, stated that anaesthesiologists are fully competent physicians with extensive training. “This first national conclave has received an overwhelming response with participation from over 300 delegates, reflecting the growing importance of perioperative medicine,” he said.
The inaugural session was attended by SOPPA office bearers including Dr. Rajanarsing Rao (Honorary Secretary) and Dr. Kalyani SDL (Treasurer), along with advisors Dr. M. Chandrashekar, Dr. R. Gopinath, Dr. P. Surendra, and other senior faculty.
Experts at the conclave emphasized that perioperative physicians now manage the entire surgical continuum—before, during, and after surgery—bridging the gap between surgery and medicine and significantly improving patient outcomes.
They noted that India is transitioning from a high-volume surgical nation to a value-driven perioperative care system. While global leadership is still evolving, India is emerging as a key contributor through clinical expertise, innovation, and scale.
Perioperative medicine is rapidly becoming a central pillar of modern healthcare, transforming surgical care into a continuous, patient-centered pathway. A key driver of this transformation is the adoption of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols, which emphasize minimal fasting, early feeding, early mobilization, and opioid-sparing analgesia—leading to shorter hospital stays, fewer complications, and improved patient experience.
The field is now gaining recognition as a distinct subspecialty, with rapid growth in areas such as geriatric surgery, onco-surgery, cardiac risk assessment, and ambulatory surgery.
Experts called upon policymakers to recognize, support, and integrate anaesthesiologists as leaders in perioperative care through policy reforms, improved infrastructure, advanced training, and stronger patient safety systems.
“Empowering anaesthesiologists as perioperative physicians is not just a professional need—it is a national imperative for safer and more efficient surgical care,” they emphasized.
SOPPA, a recently established and registered professional body, is committed to this vision. Over the past year, it has conducted several scientific programs in collaboration with multiple specialties and super-specialties, promoting interdisciplinary learning and improving patient care standards.
The conclave featured eminent experts from across the country and included panel discussions, interactive sessions, and academic deliberations, offering a rich platform for knowledge exchange.
Pre-conclave workshops held on Saturday included Trans Thoracic Echocardiography at Sindhu Hospital led by Dr. Venugopal Kulkarni, POCUS (Point-of-Care Ultrasound) at Osmania Medical College led by Dr. C.N. Chandrasekhar, and Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing (CPET) at AIG Hospitals led by Dr. Sunil Pandya.
The main conclave witnessed participation from over 300 delegates and was led by Dr. N. Satyanarayana (President, SOPPA) and Dr. Rajanarsing Rao (Honorary Secretary, SOPPA). Key organizing members included Dr. Manimala Rao (Organising Chairman), Dr. Aditya Vikram Kabra (Organising Secretary), Dr. Sailaja K (Joint Organising Secretary), and Dr. Kalyani SDL (Treasurer).
In a fitting conclusion, Dr. Aditya Vikram Kabra, Organising Secretary, remarked during the vote of thanks: “Like the famous line ‘Zindagi ke saath bhi, zindagi ke baad bhi’, anaesthesiologists stand by patients ‘surgery ke saath bhi aur surgery ke baad bhi’.”
The conclave has applied for TSMC credit hours, adding academic value for participants.