European journal of anaesthesiology
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Acute hypersensitivity reactions (AHRs) occurring in present-day anaesthesia can have severe, sometimes fatal, consequences and their incidence is increasing. The most frequent allergens responsible for AHR during anaesthesia are neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) (70% of the cases) followed by antibiotics (18%), patent blue dye and methylene blue dye (5%), and latex (5%). Following an AHR, strategies for subsequent anaesthetic procedures (especially the choice of an NMBA) may be difficult to formulate due to inconclusive diagnostic analysis in up to 30% of AHRs. ⋯ The different mechanisms (endotypes) involved in peri-operative AHR may contribute to the inconclusive diagnostic work-up and this generates uncertainty concerning the culpable drug and strategy for subsequent anaesthetic procedures. This review provides details on the IgE endotype; an update on non-IgE related endotypes and the novel diagnostic tools that could characterise them. This detailed update is intended to provide explicit clinical reasoning tools to the anaesthesiologist faced with an incomplete AHR diagnostic work-up and to facilitate the decision-making process regarding anaesthetic procedures following an AHR to NMBAs.
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Neuraxial access is necessary for an array of procedures in anaesthesia, interventional pain medicine and neurosurgery. The commonly used anatomical landmark technique is challenging and requires practical experience. ⋯ Augmented reality guidance significantly improved the accuracy and success in an experimental phantom model of epidural puncture. With further technical development, augmented reality guidance might prove helpful in anatomically challenging neuraxial procedures.
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Current regulations of anaesthesiology training programmes may affect gender equity, female representation and leadership. ⋯ European countries have a wide variety of regulations. On paper, numerous countries have various paid maternal, paternal and parental leave; however, it remains to be determined if such leave takes place in practice. The practical consequences of these regulations on female trainees during the child-rearing period need to be explored further.
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Anaesthesiologists and intensive care doctors have become progressively more mobile across Europe. The standardisation of training systems has been recommended by the European Union of Medical Specialist (UEMS) to facilitate the mutual recognition of professionals. ⋯ This survey highlighted the diversity in the training in anaesthesiology and intensive care medicine in Europe despite the recommendations advocated by the EBA-UEMS. The findings on the duration of training demonstrated that the target of 5 years has not been universally achieved yet with a substantial difference between EU and non-EU countries. The presented evidence suggests the need for initiatives dedicated to implement compliance with the advocated duration and competence requirements reported in the European Training Requirement for anaesthesiology and intensive care by UEMS.