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Department of Anaesthesiology

As a part of theCentre for Cancer and Organ Diseases, the Department of Anaesthesiology provides anaesthesia and surgical assistance as well as post-operative care for patients undergoing major vascular surgery, major gastrointestinal and urological surgery.

About us

The department provides opportunities to develop professional as well as personal skills within clinical work, research, quality control, teaching, and organizational development, in a peri-operative context.

The Post Operative Care Unit (PACU) is the largest recovery unit at Rigshospitalet, and delivers post anaesthesia recovery service to adults and children from 13 surgical specialties throughout the Rigshospital.

The department consists of

Anaesthesia service
Surgical assistance
Post operative recovery service
Cardiovascular Research Lab

Our major responsibilities

Preoperatively to assess and inform the patient with regard to anaesthesia choices, post-operative pain management and the immediate post-operative course of care
Intra-operatively to manage anaesthesia during surgery and for diagnostic procedures
Peri-operatively to contribute to safe, efficient and complication-free treatment

Management

Birgitte Ruhnau
Head of Department
E-mail: Birgitte.Ruhnau@regionh.dk

Mette Marie Thomsen
Head Nurse
E-mail: mette.marie.thomsen@regionh.dk

Eske Kvanner Aasvang
Head of Research Department
Professor
Tel.: +45 35450802
E-mail: eske.kvanner.aasvang.01@regionh.dk

Research

Publications in the Department of Anaesthesiology

Contact

The Department of Anaesthesiology

Dept. 2043
Blegdamsvej 9,
2100 Copenhagen
Denmark

Tel.: +45 3545 2043

AnaestesiOperation.rigshospitalet@regionh.dk

News from Rigshospitalet

Rigshospitalet recognized among the world’s best hospitals in 2026

The 2026 edition of World’s Best Hospitals, published annually by Newsweek, places two Nordic hospitals among the global top fifteen, with Rigshospitalet – Copenhagen University Hospital at 15th place and Karolinska University Hospital at 4th place worldwide. It is an acknowledgement of the strong tradition for high‑quality, publicly funded healthcare in the Nordic region.

Innovation District Copenhagen appoints new CEO

Innovation District Copenhagen (IDC) has appointed Annemarie Munk Riis as its new Chief Executive Officer, taking up the position on June 1st 2026. She arrives directly from a position as CEO at Green Building Council and holds a degree in economics from the University of Copenhagen and a PhD from Copenhagen Business School.

CollaborationSkåneRH

New Danish–Swedish hospital collaboration to boost research and patient treatment

Conducting large clinical studies and sharing research data between Sweden and Denmark is about to become easier. Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital and Skåne University Hospital have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to facilitate cross-border collaboration and strengthen health innovation in the Öresund Region.

Sensory play installations will create a safer hospital experience for children across the country

New play installations at Mary Elizabeths Hospital, Aalborg University Hospital, and Sygehus Lillebælt will help children feel calmer and more confident before medical examinations. Nordea-fonden is funding the project with DKK 12.25 million.

13. January 2026

2025 Highlights from the Phase 1 Unit at Rigshospitalet

In 2025, the Phase 1 Unit at Rigshospitalet continued to strengthen its position as a leading Nordic site for early-phase clinical research, supporting partners and sponsors in the efficient and safe development of innovative therapies.

17. December 2025

Building Europe’s Future Through Collaboration

Explore the report Recommendations for the implementation of the EU Life Science Strategy

3. December 2025

The “Improvement Engine” for the Sickest Patients

After years of preparation, intensive care units across Denmark have begun enrolling patients in the INCEPT platform trial, which tests multiple treatments at once to improve care for the most critically ill.

24. November 2025

ProTarget results presented at ESMO, 2025

ProTarget participated in this year’s ESMO Congress with a poster presentation, sharing results from the first 301 patients enrolled in the trial.

10. November 2025

Comprehensive genomic profiling of CNS tumors reveals rare SETD2 alterations with-out increased mutational burden

SETD2 loss does not confer the same mutational signature in CNS tumors as observed in other tumor types – results presented at AACR-NCI-EORT Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapies congress 2025.

5. November 2025

International award for pioneer in rare diseases

This year’s international research award from Rigshospitalet goes to German professor Heymut Omran. His research has, among other things, paved the way for new treatments and improved diagnostics for patients with a rare respiratory disease.