Der Anaesthesist
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Even small degrees of residual neuromuscular blockade, i. e. a train-of-four (TOF) ratio >0.6, may lead to clinically relevant consequences for the patient. Especially upper airway integrity and the ability to swallow may still be markedly impaired. ⋯ The incidence of these small degrees of residual blockade is relatively high and may persist for more than 90 min after a single intubating dose of an intermediately acting neuromuscular blocking agent, such as rocuronium and atracurium. Both neuromuscular monitoring and pharmacological reversal are key elements for the prevention of postoperative residual blockade.
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One of the aims of the Scientific Working Group Neuroanesthesia (WAKNA) of the German Society of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine is to disseminate new findings in the field of neuroscience and neuroanesthesia and to propagate novel therapeutic and diagnostic options into clinical practice. Once a year, the WAKNA displays and discusses recent noteworthy publications from the past 12 months at the German Anesthesia Meeting. In 2016, a new pharmacologic strategy with dexmedetomidine to prevent postoperative pain after craniotomy, the impact of the widely used anesthetic drug propofol on GABA receptor surface expression, a study highlighting the ultrasound-guided detection of increased intracranial pressure, and an article showing the interactions of neuromuscular blocking drugs on the BIS neuromonitoring were presented.
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Evaluation of the patient's medical history and a physical examination are the cornerstones of risk assessment prior to elective surgery and may help to optimize the patient's preoperative medical condition and to guide perioperative management. Whether the performance of additional technical tests (e. g. blood chemistry, ECG, spirometry, chest x‑ray) can contribute to a reduction of perioperative risk is often not very well known or is controversial. Similarly, there is considerable uncertainty among anesthesiologists, internists and surgeons with respect to the perioperative management of the patient's long-term medication. ⋯ These recommendations aim to ensure that surgical patients undergo a rational preoperative assessment and at the same time to avoid unnecessary, costly and potentially dangerous testing. The joint recommendations reflect the current state-of-the-art knowledge as well as expert opinions because scientific-based evidence is not always available. These recommendations will be subject to regular re-evaluation and updating when new validated evidence becomes available.
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Clear and consistent communication is pivotal for well-functioning teamwork, in operating theatres as well as intensive care units. However, patient handovers significantly vary between specialties and locations. If communication is not well structured, it might increase the risk for mishaps and malpractice. ⋯ These are pivotal for an effective teamwork and for ensuing patient safety. Furthermore, we will focus on possibilities to implement structured approaches but also on potential barriers of implementation. Communication failure among different health care providers can be identified more easily and hopefully can be eliminated.
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Terrorist attacks have become reality in Germany. The aim of this work was, after the Würzburg terrorist attack, to define quality indicators and application characteristics for rescue missions in life-threatening situations. The results can be used to record data from future missions using this template in order to make them comparable with each other. ⋯ There is an important need to systematically evaluate rescue missions after mass killing incidents. In this study we report a template of parameters and quality indicators in order to systematically evaluate mass violence events. The presented template is the result of an expert consensus process and may serve as a basis for further development and research.