Singap Med J
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The immediate post-operative period in the recovery room is a known period of high risk for anaesthetic complications to occur. ⋯ Our recovery room complication rate is acceptably low. Knowing the type and frequency of problems (in this case, mainly pain and nausea and vomiting) can further improve the figure. The role of anaesthesiologists has expanded as they are not only expected to ascertain the safety but also the comfort of patients post-operatively.
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The first anaesthesia-based acute pain service in Singapore is described. The benefits, risks and resource implications of such a service during its first two years are reviewed. ⋯ There were no reports of respiratory depression in the patient-controlled analgesia group. The authors conclude that the provision of an acute pain service in the local context was safe and resulted in excellent post-operative patient satisfaction.
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A 91-year-old Chinese man developed bilateral lower limb oedema due to venous obstruction resulting from a distended urinary bladder. After the bladder was decompressed by urethral catheterisation, the bilateral lower limb oedema promptly subsided. Although a distended urinary bladder is a rare cause of bilateral lower limb oedema, it can be easily recognised by palpation of the lower abdomen and the relief of symptoms by urethral catheterisation is most rewarding.