Anaesthesia Tutorial of the Week

Timely recognition and prompt management of acutely unwell surgical patients can have a significant impact on their outcome. The following tutorial suggests a systematic approach to deal with this group of patients.Recognition and management of the acutely ill surgical patient (170) - February 15, 2010

A practical guide to intubating sick children for the adult anaesthetist or intensive care specialist.Intubation of sick children (169) - February 8, 2010

This tutorial is intended as a basic overview of antibiotics with particular reference to critical care practice. It is not intended to be exhaustive but to serve as a “meet the drugs” introduction to 16 common drugs or drug classes. It is the first of three tutorials on the topic of intensive care microbiology; the second focuses on the detailed use, indications and side-effects of these drugs and the third looks at common ICU infections and their treatment- “meet the bugs”.Antibiotics in Critical Care – An introduction (168) - February 1, 2010

Serotonin syndrome is a rare but potentially fatal disorder. Many drugs administered by anesthetists alter serotonin physiology. Hence it is important anesthetists remain cognisant of this disorder when administering relevant drugsSerotonin syndrome (166) - January 18, 2010

Depression is a common condition and many surgical patients will be taking medication for this. This tutorial discusses the pharmacology of antidepressants with particular reference to the potential interactions with anaesthesia.Anaesthesia & psychiatric drugs part 1 – antidepressants (164) - December 14, 2009

This tutorial presents some of the more common thyroid pathologies that may be encountered, reviews the anaesthetic management of thyroid surgery plus looks at some of the common postoperative complications.Anaesthesia for thyroid surgery (162) - November 30, 2009

In this tutorial a brief summary of anaesthesia for TURP is followed by a more detailed description of one of it's specific complications, TURP syndrome.Anaesthesia for Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP) (155) - October 12, 2009

This tutorial deals with the pathophysiology, diagnosis, clinical manifestations and anaesthetic management of sickle cell disease in children.Sickle cell disease in children (153) - September 28, 2009

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is increasing in prevalence and poses a significant anaesthetic risk. This tutorial describes assessment and peri-operative management of patients with this condition.Obstructive sleep apnoea and anaesthesia (152) - September 21, 2009

Phaeochromocytoma is a rare but important tumour which produces great anaesthetic challenges. This tutorial discusses it's pathology, clinical features and diagnosis. Medical and anaesthetic management are also discussed.Phaeochromocytoma: Perioperative management (151) - September 14, 2009

How to avoid, recognise and manage intraoperative hypotension, and a review of the main causes.Intra-operative hypotension (148) - August 24, 2009

This tutorial covers: Pre-operative assessment for OLV Indications for and methods of providing OLV Physiological changes during OLV Troubleshooting problems encountered during OLVOne lung ventilation (145) - August 3, 2009

This tutorial discusses the indications for central venous access, looks at the relevant anatomy and explains the practical techniques involved in cannulation.Central Venous Access (138) - June 15, 2009

136 Major haemorrhage part 1 Management of major haemorrhage, initial response (136) - June 1, 2009

Download the pdf: 135 Ophthalmic anaesthesia – part 1 Anaesthesia For Ophthalmic Surgery Part 1 – Anatomy & Physiology – Regional Techniques Anaesthesia Tutorial of the Week 135 25th May 2009 Dr. Kim Chishti, Specialist Registrar – Torbay Hospital, UK Dr. Andrey Varvinskiy, Consultant -Torbay Hospital, UK Correspondence to kimchishti@hotmail.com Questions Before continuing, try to answer the following questions. The answers can [...]Ophthalmic Surgery Part 1 (135) - May 25, 2009

Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is an uncommon pharmacogenetic disorder of muscle induced by exposure to suxamethonium and all the volatile anaesthetic agents. This tutorial covers the pathophysiology, identification, management and investigation of MH.Malignant Hyperthermia (131) - April 27, 2009

  23RD MARCH 2009 Dr. Nicola Ross, Leeds General Infirmary, UK Dr. Sarah Marsh, Leeds General Infirmary, UK Correspondence to nickiross@mac.com   INTRODUCTION The neuromuscular disorders are a heterogeneous group of diseases effecting skeletal muscle via abnormalities of the motor nerves, neuromuscular junction, cellular matrix, ion channels and metabolic derangements.  They are often grouped together in relation to anaesthesia due to common [...]Neuromuscular disorders and anaesthesia (126) - March 23, 2009

9th March 2009   Dr. Iain Wilson Royal Devon & Exeter hospital UK Contact: iainhwilson@mac.com   The WFSA has been working on information about pulse oximery and the following tutorial is part of the material.  Feedback would be very useful and should be sent to iain.wilson@rdeft.nhs.uk The first part of this tutorial (last week) can be found here PULSE OXIMETER QUIZ The causes of [...]Pulse Oximetry – part 2 (124) - March 9, 2009

2nd March 2009 Dr. Iain Wilson Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital, UK Correspondence to iain.wilson@rdeft.nhs.uk Please note this is a two part tutorial.  The second part can be found here   INTRODUCTION   The WFSA has been working on information about pulse oximetry and the following tutorial is part of the material.  Feedback would be very useful and should be sent to iain.wilson@rdeft.nhs.uk Pulse [...]Pulse Oximetry – part 1 (123) - March 3, 2009

15th December 2008 Dr  Arnab Banerjee Hospital  Luton & Dunstable Hospital NHS Trust, UK Dr. Iain Wilson, Royal Devon & Exeter NHS trust, UK Correspondence to abanerjeeuk@doctors.org.uk Introduction Myasthenia Gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease characterized by weakness and fatigability of skeletal muscles, with improvement following rest.  It may be localized to specific muscle groups or more generalized.  MG is caused by [...]Anaesthesia and Myasthenia Gravis (122) - December 14, 2008

20TH OCTOBER 2008 Dr.K.K.Ramaswamy, Wexham Park Hospital, UK. Editor: Dr. Iain Wilson, Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital, UK Correspondence:  kramaswamy@doctors.org.uk The aim of this tutorial is to discuss the causes and management of hypothermia under anaesthesia. Please answer the following questions before reading the article. 1)    What are the problems with hypothermia in theatre? 2)    What are the mechanisms of heat [...]Perioperative hypothermia, prevention and management (117) - October 20, 2008

This tutorial covers some of the risks and physiological changes associated with anaesthesia in the prone position, and how to manage them.Anaesthesia in the prone position (112) - September 15, 2008

108 Awareness under anaesthesia Awareness under anaesthesia (108) - August 11, 2008

This tutorial discusses the perioperative issues surrounding patients with severe COPDAnaesthesia in patients with COPD (106) - July 28, 2008

Anaesthesia for shoulder surgery. Includes pre-operative assessment, postitioning and details on interscalene blocks.Anaesthesia for shoulder surgery (89) - April 21, 2008

This tutorial outlines the anaesthetic and critical care management of head injuries. Management of head injuries (46) - March 12, 2007