Driving anaesthetic care and pain management for women

“Cherish every day. My family is an inspiration to me to be a better person.”

A family man and music enthusiast, Associate Professor Sng Ban Leong, Head of Women's #Anaesthesia at KKH, adds a symphonic touch to his profession as an #anaesthetist and clinician scientist. Not surprising, he is one of the key drivers behind introducing #music to reduce anxiety in women undergoing #Caesarean section.

With a special interest in obstetric anaesthesia, it also led him to initiate improvements to pain management for women patients during labour and delivery. This includes being co-founder of uSINE®, the world’s first artificial intelligence-powered (AI) ultrasound guided automated spinal landmark identification system. Read on to find out how Assoc Prof Sng balances his commitment to patients and his dedication to his family.

Q: Tell us about yourself!

At work, I am an anaesthetist who provides anaesthetic care and pain management to our women patients during labour and delivery. My job is to ensure that our patients stay safe and comfortable throughout the procedure and until they recover from the effects.

I am also a clinician scientist, who constantly seeks to create innovations to improve patient care and pain management.

Not many people in the office know, but I am also passionate about music. I play the piano and during my school days, I also played the French Horn in the symphonic band. That was many years ago. But till today, I firmly believe in the benefits that music can bring to people, and in some ways, it has inspired some of the work I do today.

Q: Why did you choose this specialty?

Since young, I have always been fascinated by human physiology and how medications work. As an anaesthetist, we are required to have a keen understanding of the human body and knowledge of the effects of medication on our body. Each dosage requires precise calculations and each needle insertion requires exact identification of the location. I enjoy the challenge behind the precision and technicalities required and it was a natural choice for me to specialise in this area.

Q: What is your favourite story about KKH (e.g. patients, colleagues; touching or inspirational moments)?

I remember meeting a very anxious lady who was undergoing a Caesarean section. She was terrified of the impending surgery and started hyperventilating. At that moment, I happened to have an instrumental music collection on my mobile, so I asked her what music she enjoyed listening to. I then played the music of her choice from my mobile to help comfort and calm her.

She eventually settled down and delivered a healthy baby. This experience also inspired me to introduce music to reduce anxiety for women undergoing Caesarean section.

Q: What inspires you to do better in your job?

Being able to make a difference to our patient’s health and experience, through our own little ways and individual interactions, keeps me going at work.

Q: What do you do during your free time/family time? Any hobbies or activities that you participate in to de-stress?

Family bonding time is invaluable to me. With my three kids growing up so quickly, I try to spend as much time with my family as possible, sharing my passion in music with them and enjoying various activities together. We recently picked up badminton, to stay active and healthy as a family. I play poorly, but to me, it is the time spent together and memories made that truly matter.

Q: Tell us more about uSINE. What drove/inspired you to pursue this innovation?

A doctor typically uses his hands to manually identify the location for spinal needle insertion. This requires good knowledge of the anatomy, skills, and experience. For patients who are obese, have an abnormal spine or had a previous spine surgery, this insertion becomes much more challenging. This was what drove us to find ways to improve anaesthesia care during spinal anaesthesia.

uSINE® leverages artificial intelligence (AI) to guide identification of the spinal insertion location and improve the success rate of achieving precise needle insertion at the first attempt. We implemented uSINE® in May, to benefit all women going through childbirth, particularly those who have challenging spinal anaesthesia landmarks. We hope to introduce the system to other hospitals in Singapore, and there are plans to conduct similar trials overseas.

#PeopleofKKH #kkhsg #shapingthefutureofwomenandchildren #kkhcelebrates165 #obstetricanaesthesia #anaesthesia