While we're listing differences between modern medicine and medieval torture, in addition to anesthesia, let's list the following important differences:

-Pre-operation consultation
-Free-will
-Sterilization
-Post-operation care
-Nurses
-Waiting rooms for family
-Visiting hours
-Philosophy
-Hippocratic Oath
-Medical schools
-Etc.

Saying "the only big difference is anesthetics" is an oversimplification and fundamentally inaccurate. It's also a slight toward doctors who have dedicated their lives to helping heal people.