Anaesthesia Tutorial of the Week

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 addresses the management of spontaneous aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhageManagement of subarachnoid haemorrhage (163) - December 7, 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

This tutorial completes the two-part series on respiratory physiology.  It covers the following aspects: Perfusion of the lung, pulmonary vascular resistance, and Gas exchange. Full pdf (852Kb): 160 Respiratory physiology – part 2 Or download the compressed version (393Kb) if your bandwidth is limited (some illustrations may be of inferior quality): 160 Respiratory physiology – part 2 compressed Respiratory physiology part 2 (160) - November 16, 2009

This tutorial discusses the definition of sleep disordered breathing (SDB) in children, the aetiology, diagnosis, pathophysiology and clinical features, and the anaesthetic management of a child with OSA.Anaesthesia for children with obstructive sleep apnoea (159) - November 9, 2009

This is the first of a series of obstetric anaesthetic case based discussions. The clinical cases presented include a number of challenges that require consideration of different management strategies. We hope the cases represent ‘real life’ clinical situations. Throughout the progress of each case, guidance and good practice is discussed. We hope these case discussions will complement the understanding of specific areas of obstetric anaesthesia. As in all clinical cases there are often a number of approaches that can be taken and the way each case is ultimately managed, does not necessarily represent the only management strategy.Severe pre-eclampsia, a case based discussion (158) - November 2, 2009

A variation of the interscalene approach to blocking the brachial plexus.Subclavian perivascular brachial plexus block (156) - October 19, 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

The final tutorial in this three part series looks further at common abnormalities seen on the intensive care unit.Interpretation of the chest radiograph – part 3 (154) - October 5, 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

Part two in this three part series looks at common CXR abnormalities seen on the intensive care unit.Interpretation of the chest radiograph – part 2 (150) - September 7, 2009

Discusses the history, electrophysiology and practical use of the electronic peripheral nerve stimulator in assisting peripheral nerve blockade.Nerve stimulators for peripheral nerve blockade (149) - August 31, 2009

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

This is the first of a two part series on respiratory physiology. Part 1 covers functional anatomy, lung volumes, ventilation and respiratory mechanics.Respiratory physiology – part 1 (147) - August 17, 2009

Introduction to the interpretation of chest radiography in critical care. The first in a three part series, this tutorial covers technical aspects and common abnormalities of the chest radiograph.Interpretation of the chest radiograph – part 1 (146) - August 10, 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 general principles of anaesthesia for eye surgery in children as well as considerations for specific ophthalmic procedures.Anaesthesia for paediatric eye surgery (144) - July 27, 2009

This tutorial describes the physiology and pharmacology of anti-coagulants with particular relevance to anaesthesia. It includes sections on anti-platelet drugs, the heparins, warfarin & newer drugs.Anti-coagulation, an overview (143) - July 20, 2009

Reviews the normal physiology of the parathyroid gland, parathyroid dysfunction and the anaesthetic management of patients presenting for parathyroid surgeryAnaesthesia and the parathyroid gland (142) - July 13, 2009

This tutorial examines the problems obesity presents in pregnancy, labour and delivery and the associated challenges of anaesthesia.Obstetric anaesthesia and obesity (141) - July 6, 2009

Test your knowledge on the following past tutorials: Pulse oximetry, Neuromuscular disorders and Anaesthesia, Diabetic ketoacidosis, Malignant hyperthermia, Ophthalmic anaesthesia, Lessons learned from the Confidential Enquiry for Maternal and Child Health, Preparation of Children for surgery, Paediatric Head Injury, Right heart physiology, Activated Protein C in Sepsis, Peripheral nerve blocks: Getting startedQuiz – June 2009 (140) - June 29, 2009

Down’s syndrome is the commonest chromosomal abnormality and affects many organ systems. This tutorial outlines the abnormalities and their significance for the anaesthetist.Anaesthesia for children with Down’s Syndrome (139) - June 22, 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

Invasive arterial blood pressure measurement is an extremely useful clinical tool, offering beat-to-beat blood pressure measurement and a visible waveform, allowing a detailed analysis of the patient’s cardiovascular status to be made. This tutorial explores the physical principles underlying this measurement and gives the reader an awareness and understanding of the common sources of error.Physical Principals of Intra-arterial Blood Pressure Measurement (137) - June 8, 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

18th May 2009 Dr Kim Russon, Consultant Anaesthetist Dr Helen Findley, ST3 Anaesthetics Dr Zoe Harclerode, ST3 Anaesthetics Rotherham General Hospital, UK Correspondence to russonkim@doctors.org.uk    QUESTIONS Before continuing, try to answer the following questions.  The answers can be found at the end of the article, together with an explanation. 1.    TRUE or FALSE: On injection of local anaesthetic a.    It safe to inject the [...]Peripheral nerve blocks – Getting started (134) - May 18, 2009

  11TH MAY 2009 Dr Richard Eve, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Cornwall, UK Dr Mike Duffy, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, UK Correspondence to: richardlloydeve@gmail.com   QUESTIONS Before continuing, try to answer the following questions.  The answers can be found at the end of the article, together with an explanation. 1.    Severe Sepsis a.    Is associated with disordered response of innate immunity. b.    Has a mortality of between [...]Activated protein C in the treatment of severe sepsis (133) - May 11, 2009