By Monique Findlay, Zheng Cheng Zhu Key reference: Sidhu, N. S., & Pozaroszczyk, A. J. (2023). “Do you feel hungry?”: Using gastric ultrasound to eliminate guesswork in perioperative airway management. Australasian Anaesthesia, 115–121. https://search.informit.org/doi/10.3316/informit.298917404141486 Key Points Gastric ultrasound is emerging as a valuable tool in the pre-operative assessment setting It can be used to evaluate […]
Erecting the Pillars of Anaesthesia- Bringing Pain Free Surgery Into Reality By Fawaz Prem Navaz, Zheng Cheng Zhu Key reference: Robinson D, Toledo A. Historical development of modern anesthesia. Journal of Investigative Surgery. 2012 May 14;25(3):141–9. doi:10.3109/08941939.2012.690328 Quick Summary From having to perform surgery on an awake patient to now being able to safely operate […]
By Nicola Wevling, Zheng Cheng Zhu Key reference: Verret, P et al (2024). Intraoperative pharmacological opioid minimization strategies and patient-centred outcomes after surgery: A scoping review. British Journal of Anaesthesia, 132(4), 758-770. https://www.bjanaesthesia.org/article/S0007-0912(24)00009-6/fulltext Quick summary: Intraoperative opioid minimisation forms part of the broader multidisciplinary effort to reduce opioid-related complications, misuse, and overuse at patient, community, […]
By Anei Ochan-Thou, Zheng Cheng Zhu, Lahiru Amaratunge The brachial plexus. The harbinger of nightmares for all medical students (and junior doctors alike) For me, I found it hard to conceptualise this phenomenally difficult yet important part of upper limb anatomy. Like many things in anatomy, the more practice and revision that is done, the […]
By Zheng Cheng Zhu Key reference: Uppal V, Russell R, Sondekoppam R, et al. Consensus Practice Guidelines on Postdural Puncture Headache From a Multisociety, International Working Group: A Summary Report. JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(8):e2325387. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.25387 Quick Summary Postdural puncture headache (PDPH) develops within 5 days of a neuroaxial intervention. PDPH often postural with improvement on […]
Dr Wendell Zhang Disclaimer This is an educational piece and is not intended to provide medical advice. Please refer to your local guidelines for specific details regarding this topic. Key points Acquired disorders of coagulation present several challenges in the perioperative space; patients with these disorders require optimisation before their operation In this patient group, […]
Dr Wendell Zhang Disclaimer This is an educational piece and is not intended to provide advice in this complicated field. Please refer to your local guidelines and treating team for specific details regarding perioperative management strategies for patients. Key points Disorders of coagulation are uncommon but can have a significant impact on perioperative optimisation for […]
By Victor Li Key reference: Savic, L., Stannard, N. and Farooque, S. (2020). Allergy and anaesthesia: managing the risk. BJA Education, 20(9), pp.298–304. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjae.2020.04.005. Key Takeaways Anaesthetists have an important role in identifying and reducing the risk of allergic reactions in the peri-operative period Careful history-taking and appropriate investigations during pre-operative assessment can greatly reduce […]
By Dr Wendell Zhang Key Takeaways Laparoscopic surgeries improve patient outcomes Anaesthetists should be aware of and plan for common physiological changes associated with laparoscopic surgeries, particularly those during position changes and abdominal cavity insufflation A comprehensive preoperative assessment may be necessary for those with reduced physiological reserve from cardiorespiratory comorbidities Preamble You are a […]
By Adam George Definition Hypocalcaemia indicates a total serum calcium (Ca) concentration corrected for albumin of <2.1 mmol/L (normal range 2.1-2.6mmol/L). Hypocalcaemia can loosely be stratified as follows: Mild/moderate (<2.1-1.9 mmol/L) Severe (<1.9 mmol/L) Approximately 99% of calcium in vivo is stored in […]