Current opinion in anaesthesiology
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Aug 2024
ReviewProgress in the validation of nociception monitoring in guiding intraoperative analgesic therapy.
This article summarizes the current level of validation for several nociception monitors using a categorized validation process to facilitate the comparison of performance. ⋯ This review proposes a stepwise structure for validation of new monitoring technology, which facilitates comparison between the level of validation of different devices and identifies the need for future research questions.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Aug 2024
ReviewThe way towards ethical anesthesia care: no aim - no game - no fame or blame?
This review explores the intricacies of ethical anesthesia, exploring the necessity for precision anesthesia and its impact on patient-reported outcomes. The primary objective is to advocate for a defined aim, promoting the implementation of rules and feedback systems. The ultimate goal is to enhance precision anesthesia care, ensuring patient safety through the implementation of a teamwork and the integration of feedback mechanisms. ⋯ Anesthesia is a multifaceted discipline that involves various stakeholders. The primary focus is delivering personalized precision care. This review underscores the importance of establishing clear aims, defined rules, and fostering effective and well tolerated teamwork with accurate feedback for improving patient-reported outcomes. The Safe Brain Initiative approach, emphasizing algorithmic monitoring and systematic follow-up, is crucial in implementing a fundamental and standardized reporting approach within patient-centered anesthesia care practice.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Aug 2024
ReviewOpioid-free general anesthesia: considerations, techniques, and limitations.
To discuss the role of opioids during general anesthesia and examine their advantages and risks in the context of clinical practice. We define opioid-free anesthesia (OFA) as the absolute avoidance of intraoperative opioids. ⋯ Complete avoidance of intraoperative opioids remains questionable, as it does not necessarily ensure avoidance of postoperative opioids. Multimodal analgesia including local/regional anesthesia may allow OFA for selected, minimally invasive surgeries, but further research is necessary in surgeries with high postoperative opioid requirements. Until there is definitive evidence regarding procedure and patient-specific combinations as well as the dose and duration of administration of adjunct agents, it is imperative to practice opioid-sparing approach in the intraoperative period.
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The environmental impact of anesthesia far exceeds that of other medical specialties due to our use of inhaled anesthetic agents (which are potent greenhouse gases) and many intravenous medications. ⋯ The environmental impact of anesthesia care should factor into our clinical decisions. The onus is on clinicians to safely care for our patients in ways that contribute the least harm to the environment. Intravenous anesthesia and regional techniques have less environmental impact than the use of inhaled agents; efforts to reduce and properly dispose of pharmaceutical waste are central to reducing environmental burden; desflurane should not be used; nitrous oxide should be avoided except where clinically necessary; central nitrous pipelines should be abandoned; low fresh gas flows should be utilized whenever inhaled agents are used.
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This review article explores the evidence regarding sugammadex (MSD Australia) and its potential interaction with hormonal contraceptives. The impact of recent clinical trials and review articles is examined. ⋯ Strong clinical evidence to support or refute claims of a significant impact of sugammadex on contraceptive efficacy in women on contraception is lacking. The existing evidence does not suggest a basis for concern regarding the impact of sugammadex on contraception in the perioperative setting.