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INTRODUCTION: The use of neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) is common during general anaesthesia. Neuromuscular monitoring with a peripheral nerve stimulator (PNS) is essential to prevent postoperative residual neuromuscular block (PRNB), defined as a train-of-four (TOF) ratio < 0.9. PRNB remains a common complication and may contribute to morbidity in the postoperative anaesthetic care unit (PACU). METHODS: An online survey was sent to anaesthesiologists in our department to assess their knowledge and clinical practices related to neuromuscular blockade. Next, a study was conducted on adult patients scheduled for elective surgery under general anaesthesia requiring NMBAs. Upon admission to the PACU, TOF monitoring was performed. RESULTS: A large proportion of anaesthesiologists showed a lack of knowledge of neuromuscular blockade or non-adherence to the best clinical practices associated with it. The majority (98.7%) stated that they did not routinely use PNS monitoring. In the clinical study, TOF monitoring was only used in 17.9% of the 335 patients who were assessed. The prevalence of PRNB was 33.4% and was associated with the elderly (age ≥ 65 years), a higher dose of NMBA used, a shorter duration of surgery, and a shorter duration between the last dose of NMBA and measurement of PRNB in the PACU. The incidence of adverse symptoms in the PACU was observed to be higher in patients with PRNB. CONCLUSION: PRNB remains a clinically significant problem, but routine PNS monitoring is rare in our institution. This is compounded by inadequate knowledge and poor adherence to best clinical guidelines related to neuromuscular blockade.

BackgroundBurnout is a serious issue plaguing the medical profession with potential negative consequences on patient care. Burnout symptoms are observed as early as medical school. Based on a Job Demands-Resources model, this study aims to assess associations between specific job resources measured at the beginning of the first year of medical school with burnout symptoms occurring later in the first year.MethodsThe specific job resources of grit, tolerance for ambiguity, social support and gender were measured in Duke-NUS Medical School students at the start of Year 1. Students were then surveyed for burnout symptoms at approximately quarterly intervals throughout the year. Using high ratings of cynicism and exhaustion as the definition of burnout, we investigated the associations of the occurrence of burnout with student job resources using multivariable logistic regression analysis.ResultsOut of 59 students, 19 (32.2%) indicated evidence of burnout at some point across the first year of medical school. Stepwise multivariable logistic regression analysis identified grit as having a significant protective effect against experiencing burnout (Odds Ratio, 0.84; 95%CI 0.74 to 0.96). Using grit as a single predictor of burnout, area under the ROC curve was 0.76 (95%CI: 0.62 to 0.89).ConclusionsGrit was identified as a protective factor against later burnout, suggesting that less gritty students are more susceptible to burnout. The results indicate that grit is a robust character trait which can prognosticate burnout in medical students. These students would potentially benefit from enhanced efforts to develop grit as a personal job resource.

Evidence has emerged that pregnant women who contract coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) are at increased risk of certain forms of severe illness as well as complications requiring intensive care unit admission and resultant mortality. Teleconsultations can facilitate continuing care for obstetric patients during the Covid-19 pandemic while reducing their risk of exposure to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). In this short report, we share our experience in the provision of teleconsultations for ambulatory obstetric anaesthesia patients in our high-risk obstetric anaesthesia clinic during the Covid-19 pandemic. Appropriate labour analgesia or anaesthesia plans were able to be formulated and communicated to the patients by teleconsultation, resulting in no delay or compromise in their peripartum care. Both patients and clinicians reported satisfaction with the teleconsultation process and outcome. The considerations and challenges in setting up a teleconsultation service as well as the factors in favour of teleconsultation are also explored.

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is rapidly evolving and remains a major health challenge worldwide. With an increase in pregnant women with COVID-19 infection, we recognized an urgent need to set up a multidisciplinary taskforce to provide safe and holistic care for this group of women. In this review of practice in a tertiary hospital in Singapore, we discuss the key considerations in setting up an isolation maternity unit and our strategies for peripartum and postpartum care. Through teleconsultation, we involve these women and their families in the discussion of timing and mode of birth, disposition of babies after birth and safety of breastfeeding to enable them to make informed decisions and individualize their care.

Lumbar epidurals are frequently inserted for women in labour as they provide excellent analgesia. One of the more common procedural complications is post-dural puncture headache which can be associated with auditory symptoms such as hearing loss and tinnitus and can be treated with an epidural blood patch. Sphenopalatine ganglion blocks have also been used to treat post-dural puncture headache but have not been previously shown to resolve the associated tinnitus. We report a case where postural neck pain and tinnitus from an accidental dural puncture during lumbar epidural insertion for labour analgesia was treated successfully with a sphenopalatine ganglion block. Further, we explore the literature on the cause of tinnitus in post-dural puncture headache and the possible mechanism by which a sphenopalatine ganglion block relieves both post-dural puncture headache and the associated tinnitus.

The Maslach Burnout Inventory for healthcare professionals (MBI-HSS) and its abbreviated version (aMBI), are the most common tools to detect burnout in clinicians. A wide range in burnout prevalence is reported in anesthesiology, so this study aimed to ascertain which of these two tools most accurately detected burnout in our anesthesiology residents. The MBI-HSS and aMBI were distributed amongst 86 residents across three hospitals, with a total of 58 residents completing the survey (67.4% response rate, 17 male and 41 female). Maslach-recommended cut-offs for the MBI-HSS and the aMBI with standard cut-offs were used to estimate burnout prevalence, and actual prevalence was established clinically by a thorough review of multiple data sources. Burnout proportions reported by the MBI-HSS and aMBI were found to be significantly different, 22.4% vs. 62.1% respectively (p &lt, 0.0001). Compared to the actual prevalence of burnout in our cohort, the MBI-HSS detected burnout most accurately, area under receiver operating characteristic of 0.99 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.92&ndash, 1.0). Although there was a good correlation between the MBI-HSS and aMBI subscale scores, the positive predictive value of the aMBI was poor, 33.3% (95% CI:27.5&ndash, 39.8%), therefore caution and clinical correlation are advised when using the aMBI tool because of the high rates of false-positives.

Relapsing polychondritis is a rare multisystem autoimmune disorder characterized by recurrent, progressive inflammation and destruction of cartilaginous tissue. Respiratory involvement is the major cause of morbidity and mortality. Airway management during anaesthesia in these patients can be challenging and may result in failed oxygenation and death. Increased physiological demand during pregnancy further complicates anaesthesia planning. Collaborative management under a multidisciplinary team of obstetricians, obstetric anaesthetists, rheumatologist, and pulmonologist is essential. We report a case of a parturient with relapsing polychondritis and severe respiratory involvement for caesarean section under combined epidural-spinal anaesthesia and discuss the anaesthetic management based on current literature.

The acutely obstructed airway is a medical emergency that can potentially result in serious morbidity and mortality. Apart from the latest advancements in anaesthetic techniques, equipment and drugs, publications relevant to our topic, including the United Kingdom's 4th National Audit Project on major airway complications in 2011 and the updated American Society of Anesthesiologists' difficult airway algorithm of 2013, have recently been published. The former contained many reports of adverse events associated with the management of acute airway obstruction. By analysing the data and concepts from these two publications, this review article provides an update on management techniques for the acutely obstructed airway. We discuss the principles and factors relevant to the decision-making process in formulating a logical management plan.

Anaesthesia practice for caesarean section (CS) has evolved in the past 20 years. This article aims to update occasional obstetric anaesthesiologists, obstetricians and clinicians involved in the management of pregnant women on the latest guidelines and recommendations for anaesthesia management, including pre-operative evaluation, informed consent, intra-operative and postoperative management for CS. In addition, this article will also summarise the management of CS associated emergencies such as difficult intubation, obstetric major postpartum haemorrhage, local anaesthetic toxicity and (pre-) eclampsia. At the end of the article, a charted summary will be provided as an aide memoire.

Placenta praevia in the presence of a previous uterine scar is associated with increased risk of placenta accreta, which could lead to major haemorrhage at delivery. Major haemorrhage is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality in the UK. Interventional radiology with trans-catheter balloon occlusion or arterial embolisation is a recognised technique for the management of intractable obstetric haemorrhage. Between December 2002 and May 2007 thirteen women in our institution with sonographic findings of anterior placenta praevia and suspected placenta accreta or percreta underwent caesarean sections with peri-operative bilateral internal iliac artery catheterization with or without balloon occlusion or embolisation. This case series describes our experience of anaesthetic and radiological techniques, surgical procedures and outcomes. The obstetricians and anaesthetists in our institution are of the impression that the use of peri-operative, preferably pre-operative, internal iliac artery catheterization with or without balloon occlusion or embolisation, in women with placenta accreta or percreta, improves the operative field and potentially reduces blood loss and transfusion requirements. We were unable to find evidence that this technique reduces the need for caesarean hysterectomy. Through our experience, we have developed a unit protocol for the management of women with suspected placenta accreta undergoing caesarean section.

Aortic stenosis (AS) in young women is often the result of a congenital bicuspid aortic valve, occurring in 1–2% of the population. Although the anaesthetic management of parturients with AS remains controversial, the high rate of caesarean delivery is consistent among studies. A 30-year-old primi gravida with severe AS presented for elective caesarean section at 36 weeks gestation (twins). She had a failed balloon valvuloplasty 15 years ago and declined further intervention. Prior to induction, invasive lines and prophylactic extracorporeal membrane oxygenation cannulas were placed. A modified rapid sequence intubation technique with propofol/remifentanil target-controlled infusion and suxamethonium was performed. Anaesthesia was maintained using total intravenous anaesthesia. Both twins were delivered uneventfully and oxytocin infusion was commenced. Gradual desaturation to 95% occurred intraoperatively and a focused lung ultrasound and transthoracic echocardiogram were performed. Intravenous frusemide 20 mg was administered empirically. Post-operatively, the patient was extubated and transferred to the Intensive Care Unit for monitoring.Severe AS is associated with high risk of maternal morbidity and mortality. In our case, due to the twin gestation, cardiac output and metabolic demands rise exponentially leading to increased risks. A multidisciplinary approach with appropriate monitoring and point-of-care testing are key to such complex cases to achieve favourable maternal and foetal outcomes.

Cerebral arteriovenous malformation (AVM) or aneurysm in pregnancy is a complex situation and there is no definite recommendation regarding mode of anesthesia for patient with this type of intracranial pathology. We present a case series on the anesthetic management in two pregnant patients with either cerebral AVM or aneurysm presenting for elective cesarean section. Our case series highlights the following: (1) team working and collaboration with neurosurgeon and obstetrician to improve patient outcome; (2) crucial role of anesthetic management in reducing perioperative complications; (3) anesthetic management goals so as to minimize the risk of hemorrhage from an AVM or aneurysm.