Canadian journal of anaesthesia = Journal canadien d'anesthésie
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Review Meta Analysis
Techniques for blood loss estimation in major non-cardiac surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Estimated blood loss (EBL) is an important tool in clinical decision-making and surgical outcomes research. It guides perioperative transfusion practice and serves as a key predictor of short-term perioperative risks and long-term oncologic outcomes. Despite its widespread clinical and research use, there is no gold standard for blood loss estimation. We sought to systematically review and compare techniques for intraoperative blood loss estimation in major non-cardiac surgery with the objective of informing clinical estimation and research standards. ⋯ We found that significant case-by-case variation exists for all methods of blood loss evaluation and that there is significant disagreement between techniques. Given the importance placed on EBL, particularly for perioperative prognostication models, clinicians should consider the universal adoption of a practical and reproducible method for blood loss evaluation.
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We analyzed closed civil legal cases in 2007-2016 from the Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA) involving specialist anesthesiologists where airway management was the central concern. ⋯ Severe patient harm is common when airway management is the focus of a CMPA medicolegal complaint involving anesthesiologists. Patients were otherwise typically low risk cases presenting for elective surgery. Failure to assess or to change management based on the airway exam or encountered difficulty were the most common errors. Our findings support the continued need for adoption, adherence, and practice of guidelines for anticipated and unanticipated difficult airway management for every patient encounter.