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Background: In the face of climate change the health sector will need to tackle both the increasing consequences for health worldwide and to reduce its own carbon footprint, which is estimated at 4.4% of global emissions. Raising the voice of health professionals has been identified as paramount to achieving the wide-scale and urgent response required to limit the consequences of climate change for health. Among health professionals, anesthetic practitioners are ideally placed to lead the way given that they make daily decisions regarding anesthetic gasses with a considerable footprint on climate and the environment. Methods: Here, we describe a cross-sectional nationwide survey among 3,300 anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists in Norway, focusing on climate change, health, and sustainable anesthetic care. Responses were tabulated and characterized using descriptive statistics. Results: A large majority of the responding anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists (n = 697, response rate 21.1%) agreed or strongly agreed that the world is facing a climate crisis; that nurses and doctors have a particular responsibility to warn about health threats; and that health organizations should limit their impact on climate and the environment. We found that desflurane is still widely used in Norway, despite its high climate footprint. We also identified several barriers to development of sustainable anesthetic care, including a lack of easy access to waste management systems, an absence of guidelines which promote sustainable care, and inadequate means for disposal of drug residues. Conclusions: Alongside other surveys, the present survey identifies safe and feasible adjustments to anesthetic practice which can give substantial emission reductions, pave the way for a wider health sector response, and yield considerable benefits to planetary health.

Background: During major orthopedic procedures, such as posterior spinal fusion (PSF), isotonic fluids, colloids, starches, or gelatins are commonly used to replace the preoperative fluid deficit and provide ongoing fluid resuscitation. Given recent concerns regarding the potential adverse physiologic effects of albumin solutions, we have modified our intraoperative practice to include the use of a novel 2% buffered hypertonic saline solution during major orthopedic procedures. We present our preliminary clinical experience with this novel fluid for intraoperative resuscitation and its impact on limiting the use of 5% albumin., Methods: A retrospective review was performed to identify patients who received 2% buffered hypertonic saline during PSF. The intraoperative course of these patients was compared to case-matched control patients who received standard care with isotonic fluids plus 5% albumin as an adjunct for intravascular resuscitation., Results: The study cohort included 23 patients who received 2% buffered hypertonic saline and 25 in the case-matched control group. There was no difference in the volume of intraoperative isotonic crystalloid fluids, estimated blood loss, and urine output between the two groups. In the control cohort, 19 of 25 patients (76%) received 5% albumin compared to only six of 23 patients (26%, P = 0.0005) in the 2% buffered hypertonic saline group. The final pH was higher in the patients that received 2% buffered hypertonic saline than in the control group (7.40 ± 0.03 versus 7.36 ± 0.06, P = 0.0131). Additionally, the starting and final serum sodium values were higher in the patients that received 2% buffered hypertonic saline, although no difference was noted in the mean change from the starting value (average increase of 2 mEq/L in both groups)., Conclusion: Use of a novel 2% buffered hypertonic saline solution for intraoperative resuscitation during major orthopedic procedures decreases the need for 5% albumin while avoiding the development of hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis which may occur with standard sodium chloride solutions., Competing Interests: None to declare., (Copyright 2024, Lysandrou et al.)

Narcotic analgesics play an important role in the treatment of pain. If the drug is not standardized, it is easy cause tolerance and addiction, so scientific management and rational application is very important. In this article v analyzed the use of narcotic analgesics in a tertiary hospital in 2015-2017. The results showed that the top 3 drugs DDDs (defined daily doses) were fentanyl transdermal patch (4.2 mg), fentanyl transdermal patch (8.4 mg) ai morphine sulfate sustained-release tablets (30 mg). Because of its strong analgesic activity and dosage form, fentanyl 1 become one of the first choices for severe and moderate pain in clinical practice. Morphine sulfate sustained-rele; tablets (30 mg) DDDs ranked third in 2015-2017, and the B/A value was 1.75. At the same time, morphine suit, sustained-release tablets' DDDs declined in 2017 because of the analgesic advantage of bucinnazine hydrochlor injection in emergency treatment. The dosage of pethidine hydrochloride injection is declining year by year, because analgesic action time is very short and easy to be addicted to, and the long-term application of its metabol normethidine, will accumulate in the body, causing neurotoxic symptoms. The price of oxycodone hydrochlori prolonged-release tablets is relatively high, which limits its use to a certain extent. Therefore, recommend rational use narcotic analgesics in hospitals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Abstract: There has been a substantial increase in ambulatory day‐case breast surgery in recent decades. This has been largely due to improvements in anesthetic procedures and pre‐emptive analgesia. Thoracic paravertebral blockade (TPVB) is increasing in popularity, though concerns over iatrogenic injury remain, especially pneumothorax. The purpose of this study was to conduct a review of the incidence of pneumothorax following TPVB prior to breast surgery. Data from of a consecutive series of patients having TPVB prior to breast surgery between 2009 and 2014 were reviewed. TPVB were used prior to unilateral and bilateral procedures. Medical records were retrospectively assessed for any complication including pleural punctures, pneumothorax, hypotension, bradycardia as well as signs and symptoms of local anesthetic toxicity. 1152 patients underwent a total of 1322 TPVB injections (982 unilateral and 340 bilateral). Clinically significant hypotension and/or bradycardia occurred in 26 patients (2.2%). Two patients (0.17%) had a suspected toxicity from the local anesthetic. Incidence of pleural puncture was 0.6% (n=9) and pneumothorax 0.26% (n=3). All pneumothoraxes were managed conservatively. There was no statistical difference in complication rates in those that had unilateral vs bilateral TPVB or those that had ultrasound guidance (P=.09). Good pre‐emptive analgesia is pertinent to prevent acute postoperative pain. TPVB have been shown to be successful in reducing rescue analgesia. This study shows TPVB is a well‐tolerated procedure, with a low associated incidence of iatrogenic injury and complication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of long- and short-term mechanical circulatory support in the form of ventricular assist device (VAD) has increased over the last decade. Although cardiothoracic anesthesiologists care for these patients during device placement, increasingly higher numbers of general anesthesiologists are involved in the management of VAD patients during noncardiac surgery and procedures. An understanding of devices, their indications, and complications is essential to the anesthesiologists caring for these patients. We review the anesthetic considerations for the implantation of these devices and concerns when caring for patients with durable and short-term devices already in place. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of short-term mechanical circulatory support in the form of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in adult patients has increased over the last decade. Cardiothoracic anesthesiologists may care for these patients during ECMO placement and for procedures while ECMO support is in place. An understanding of ECMO capabilities, indications, and complications is essential to the anesthesiologist caring for these patients. Below we review the anesthetic considerations for the implantation of ECMO and concerns when caring for patients on ECMO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is recommended for patients with psychotic disorders that do not respond to medication. Usually, many psychotropic medications have teratogenic effects on the fetus. ECT seems to be a relatively safe and effective treatment during pregnancy. We report here on a 33-year-old primigravida patient in her third trimester receiving ECT.

Introduction  Patient satisfaction is one of the most crucial quality assessment and improvement indicators in anesthesia. Different factors reflect satisfaction such as postoperative pain, procedure duration, patient-physician relationship, inpatient services, and waiting time. A high level of satisfaction can lead to better outcomes in many ways, such as decreasing future surgeries fear and strengthening the healthcare system trust among the population. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the satisfaction level and its predictors with perioperative anesthesia care among patients subjected to different surgeries in two general hospitals in southwestern Saudi Arabia. Methodology  A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients admitted to different surgical specialties at two general hospitals in Al-Qunfudhah governorate in October 2022. Data were collected through interviews with postoperative patients and checking their medical data from the patient's medical reports. However, all surgical patients aged more than 18 consider as inclusion. In contrast, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, local anesthesia, refusal to participate, and cognitive and communication impairment are the exclusion. Perioperative patient satisfaction was assessed using the Leiden Perioperative Care Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (LPPSq). Results Eighty-three of 201 patients were included in the final analysis. The overall level of patient satisfaction concerning perioperative anesthetic care was calculated to be 73.5%. Hospital setting, admission type, BMI, and smoking were statistically associated with perioperative anesthesia patient satisfaction. Additionally, the most frequently reported unpleasant anesthetic side effect was shivering, followed by postoperative pain at a frequency of 42 (50.6%) and 37 (44.6%), respectively. Conclusion A moderate level of patient satisfaction concerning perioperative anesthetic care was detected. Smoking, BMI, admission type, and hospital setting were significantly associated predictors for patients' satisfaction. In order to present a complete picture, we recommend that future research concentrate on additional elements of patient satisfaction, particularly operating room turnover and standards for discharge. Additionally, we propose a routine evaluation before patients' discharge when patients are altering and oriented. Periodic evaluation and enhancement of patient satisfaction with perioperative anesthetic care should be employed and promoted., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2023, Alnashri et al.)

Purpose: To determine the incidence of and factors associated with perioperative cardiac arrest within 24 hours of receiving anesthesia for emergency surgery. Patients and methods: This retrospective cohort study was approved by the ethical committee of Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, Thailand. We reviewed the data of 44,339 patients receiving anesthesia for emergency surgery during the period from January 1, 2003 to March 31, 2011. The data included patient characteristics, surgical procedures, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification, anesthesia information, location of anesthesia performed, and outcomes. Data of patients who had received topical anesthesia or monitoring anesthesia care were excluded. Factors associated with cardiac arrest were identified by univariate analyses. Multiple regressions for the risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to determine the strength of factors associated with cardiac arrest. A forward stepwise algorithm was chosen at a P-value <0.05. Results: The incidence (within 24 hours) of perioperative cardiac arrest in patients receiving anesthesia for emergency surgery was 163 per 10,000. Factors associated with 24-hour perioperative cardiac arrest in emergency surgery were age of 2 years or younger (RR =1.46, CI =1.03-2.08, P=0.036), ASA physical status classification of 3-4 (RR =5.84, CI =4.20-8.12, P<0.001) and 5-6 (RR =33.98, CI =23.09-49.98, P<0.001), the anatomic site of surgery (upper intra-abdominal, RR =2.67, CI =2.14-3.33, P<0.001; intracranial, RR =1.74, CI =1.35-2.25, P<0.001; intrathoracic, RR =2.35, CI =1.70-3.24, P<0.001; cardiac, RR =3.61, CI =2.60-4.99, P<0.001; and major vascular; RR =3.05, CI =2.22-4.18, P<0.001), respiratory or cardiovascular comorbidities (RR =1.95, CI =1.60-2.38, P<0.001 and RR =1.38, CI =1.11-1.72, P=0.004, respectively), and patients in shock prior to receiving anesthesia (RR =2.62, CI =2.07-3.33, P<0.001). Conclusion: The perioperative incidence of cardiac arrest within 24 hours of anesthesia for emergency surgery was high and associated with multiple factors such as young age (≤2 years old), cardiovascular and respiratory comorbidities, increasing ASA physical status classification, preoperative shock, and surgery site. Perioperative care providers, including surgeons, anesthesiologists, and nurses, should be prepared to manage promptly this high risk group of surgical patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of illegal drugs in Taiwan is on the rise. Drug addicts often have complex physical, psychological, and social problems. In addition, they often avoid disclosing their illicit drug use by deceit, concealment, or under-reporting. Building and maintaining relationships of trust with drug-addict patients has become a critical issue in achieving better care quality. In this case report, we report on an anesthesia care process for a heroin addict who was admitted for open reduction and internal fixation surgery for the femur and patella fractures after a car accident. During the six-hour perioperative care period, starting from 11pm on November 30th to 5am on December 1st, 2015, the patient was not willing to disclose his illicit drug use before the surgery. However, the nurse anesthetist noticed signs and symptoms of drug use. The nurse empathized with the patient's worries, provided him with a safe communication environment, and gained trust from the patient in a timely manner, which then enabled the patient to fully disclose his illicit drug use with the nurse anesthetist. The anesthesia-care strategy was then modified according to client's condition. The nurse anesthetist played an important role of bridging communications between the patient and medical care staffs and of modifying the care strategies in a timely manner. During the care period, the blood-borne disease contamination was successfully prevented, the client received uneventful pain management, there was a lack of withdrawal symptoms, and the staffs and patient safety was maintained. The literature on the anesthetic care of heroin patients undergoing surgery is relatively limited in Taiwan. The findings in the current case report add information on providing anesthetic care to patients with drug addiction. Publishing additional case reports, research, and clinical recommendations is essential for improving care quality for this vulnerable population.

Purpose: To determine the incidence of and factors associated with perioperative cardiac arrest within 24 hours of receiving anesthesia for emergency surgery., Patients and Methods: This retrospective cohort study was approved by the ethical committee of Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, Thailand. We reviewed the data of 44,339 patients receiving anesthesia for emergency surgery during the period from January 1, 2003 to March 31, 2011. The data included patient characteristics, surgical procedures, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification, anesthesia information, location of anesthesia performed, and outcomes. Data of patients who had received topical anesthesia or monitoring anesthesia care were excluded. Factors associated with cardiac arrest were identified by univariate analyses. Multiple regressions for the risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to determine the strength of factors associated with cardiac arrest. A forward stepwise algorithm was chosen at a P-value <0.05., Results: The incidence (within 24 hours) of perioperative cardiac arrest in patients receiving anesthesia for emergency surgery was 163 per 10,000. Factors associated with 24-hour perioperative cardiac arrest in emergency surgery were age of 2 years or younger (RR =1.46, CI =1.03-2.08, P=0.036), ASA physical status classification of 3-4 (RR =5.84, CI =4.20-8.12, P<0.001) and 5-6 (RR =33.98, CI =23.09-49.98, P<0.001), the anatomic site of surgery (upper intra-abdominal, RR =2.67, CI =2.14-3.33, P<0.001; intracranial, RR =1.74, CI =1.35-2.25, P<0.001; intrathoracic, RR =2.35, CI =1.70-3.24, P<0.001; cardiac, RR =3.61, CI =2.60-4.99, P<0.001; and major vascular; RR =3.05, CI =2.22-4.18, P<0.001), respiratory or cardiovascular comorbidities (RR =1.95, CI =1.60-2.38, P<0.001 and RR =1.38, CI =1.11-1.72, P=0.004, respectively), and patients in shock prior to receiving anesthesia (RR =2.62, CI =2.07-3.33, P<0.001)., Conclusion: The perioperative incidence of cardiac arrest within 24 hours of anesthesia for emergency surgery was high and associated with multiple factors such as young age (≤2 years old), cardiovascular and respiratory comorbidities, increasing ASA physical status classification, preoperative shock, and surgery site. Perioperative care providers, including surgeons, anesthesiologists, and nurses, should be prepared to manage promptly this high risk group of surgical patients.