Current opinion in anaesthesiology
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This review outlines the challenges in looking after pregnant women with thromboembolism and sepsis who either become or are at risk of becoming critically ill during pregnancy. ⋯ In this review, we discuss the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of thromboembolism and sepsis, two very important conditions with high mortality requiring admission to intensive care.
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Early warning scores, early warning systems and rapid response systems, were established in 1999. In the UK, a National Early Warning Score was launched in 2013 and is now used throughout the National Health Service. In 2007, a firm recommendation was made by the maternal confidential death enquiry that maternity units should incorporate a modified early obstetric warning score chart into clinical practice. Although there was enthusiastic uptake of this recommendation, local recording systems vary throughout the country and there is now a need to revisit revise and standardize an obstetric early warning system (ObsEWS). ⋯ A greater focus and study on the management of maternal morbidity (in addition to mortality data) and the development of better systems within and across the multidisciplinary team to detect early deterioration should improve management of serious illness in obstetrics. It is imperative that we undertake robust ObsEWS and data collection, including electronic systems with research and evidence-based recommendations to underpin this system. This should improve patient safety and result in more efficient, cost-effective management of sicker patients in our complex modern healthcare systems.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Jun 2016
ReviewDoes major surgery induce immune suppression and increase the risk of postoperative infection?
Infection is the commonest cause of a postoperative complication. Following major surgery alterations in immune function are commonplace and these may contribute to an enhanced susceptibility to acquire nosocomial infections. This review will discuss postoperative infections in the context of an altered perioperative immune response and the factors influencing this response. ⋯ Point of care tests are emerging that allow monitoring of the perioperative immune response. These could be further developed to introduce personalised care pathways. Consideration must also be given to anaesthesia techniques and perioperative treatments that may be associated with poor outcomes through immune modulation.
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Nonobstetric anesthesia during pregnancy is challenging - not only for the anesthetist. Owing to the difficulties of ethical consent for randomized studies in this special patient group, the available evidence is quite low. Nevertheless, recently several guidelines for the management of pregnant patients undergoing nonobstetric anesthesia have been published. We review the current guidelines developed under the auspices of the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons, guidelines for the management of difficult and failed tracheal intubation in obstetrics, as well as guidelines for the management of a pregnant trauma patient. ⋯ Several guidelines with high relevance for the care of pregnant women undergoing nonobstetric surgery have been published. Although the level of evidence may be low they can probably contribute to an improvement in the care and outcome of this patient group.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Jun 2016
ReviewSurgical treatment of craniosynostosis in infants: open vs closed repair.
Correction of craniosynostosis may require extensive surgical interventions with related intra and postoperative complications especially hemorrhage. To reduce the intervention's impact and associated complications, less invasive surgical alternatives have evolved. The present review comprehensively summarizes surgical techniques, perioperative anesthesia management, success rates, complications, the results of outcome evaluations, and predictors of intra and postoperative complications. ⋯ Neuroendoscopic techniques, designed to minimize surgical incision, dissection, and blood loss, are becoming efficacious and valuable alternative therapeutic options reducing the need for fluid replacement and invasive hemodynamic monitoring. Since hemorrhage represents the most important complication in open craniosynostosis repair, prevention strategies such as the use of tranexamic acid should be considered. Sufficient correction of entailed coagulopathies is crucial.