Contemporary anesthesia practice
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Anesthesiologists may encounter particularly challenging airway management problems and anesthetic requirements for any surgical procedure. However, this is frequently the case with ENT surgery and its patient population. ⋯ Special ENT procedures require special skills. Anesthesiologists may be required to secure an airway in an unconventional manner in these patients, as well as use special ventilation methodology and challenging anesthesia techniques.
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The problem of waste anesthetic gases must be addressed because of potential health hazards. However, solutions must be considered within a larger context than that of the operating room or dental suite. The impact of shifting wastes from the hospital into the atmosphere must be examined for both ecologic and ethical implications. ⋯ Are waste anesthetic gases an atmospheric pollutant with impact sufficient to cause concern? If not, do the economic considerations of recycling exhausted anesthetic and respiratory gases warrant implementation? Anesthesiologists need to consider these issues within the constraints of the environments in which they practice. The problem will exist as long as inhalation anesthesia is in use. Solution should not create new problems.