Current opinion in anaesthesiology
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Simulation is frequently cited as the ideal method to improve the training of health care professionals. Studies from specialties such as anesthesia and intensive care report that life-sized mannequins reliably measure acute care skills. Task trainers, such as laparoscopic simulators, effectively improve participants' ability to perform minimally invasive surgery. This review will chart the progress made in defining the role of simulation training in medical education. ⋯ Task trainers are recommended for training physicians for a number of minimally invasive procedures. Life-sized mannequins can be used to train residents to manage a range of critical events in a simulated setting. These exercises train residents to conduct a sequential, logical examination, perform various tasks, interpret clinical findings and use clinical reasoning to resolve the simulated crisis.
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In this review, the most recent and relevant developments in the field of emergence agitation in children, as related to its assessment, etiology, and management, are discussed. ⋯ It is recommended that children at high risk are identified in order to decrease their level of preoperative anxiety, to supplement low-solubility inhalational agents with adjuvant drugs, to prevent postoperative pain and to allow parents to be with their children during recovery from anesthesia.
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This article reviews recent advances in multimodality monitoring of patients following severe head injury during the period of 2004-2005. ⋯ Multimodality neuromonitoring plays an important role in managing patients with severe head injury. It helps guide treatment, provides prognostic information and explores the pathophysiology of evolving brain injury.
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In past years, important advances have been made in the treatment of idiopathic headache disorders. New controlled trials have been published for the acute and the prophylactic drug and non-drug therapies. Furthermore, new headache entities have been described by the International Headache Society for which treatment recommendations can be given. ⋯ Recent advances in headache treatment comprise growing evidence for an appropriate drug administration and for differential drug therapy rather than the development of new drugs or procedures. Surgical and other non-drug treatment procedures are under discussion and might be an additional tool for headache treatment in future years.