Inhalation (gas) Induction This module covers inhalation or gas induction. Although it is routine to induce general anaesthesia by the intravenous (IV) route, the inhalational…
BIS: fact or fiction BIS or Bispectral monitoring is a relatively new but controversial technology to monitor depth of anaesthesia. This module covers how it…
Necrotising Fasciitis This module describes the diagnosis and common management of NF. Patients need integrated, interdisciplinary management involving surgeons, intensive care physicians and microbiologists. Close monitoring…
Never events: an anaesthetic perspective The term ‘Never event’ is a recent term in healthcare, but one is here to stay. This module covers the…
Enhanced Recovery From Surgery (ERAS) Enhanced recovery is a modern evidence-based approach that helps people recover more quickly after having major surgery. Many hospitals – although…
Difficult and failed intubation in obstetrics Obstetric general anaesthesia is associated with a number of deleterious effects and it has long been recognised that airway…
Predicting difficult airways Proper airway assessment is essential and takes less than 2 minutes. This can give an indication of a potential difficult airway. This…
Air Embolism & anaesthesia There is significant morbidity and mortality associated with air embolism. It is therefore important to have an awareness of its risk…
Post dural puncture headache Post dural puncture headache is unpleasant, it may interfere with a new mother’s ability to care for her newborn and it…
Muscle Relaxants: the fundamentals The introduction of neuromuscular blocking drugs revolutionised the practice of anaesthesia. Before the advent of muscle relaxants, anaesthesia was induced and…
Anaesthetic machine safety features This module covers the safety features built into the modern anaesthetic machine. With more theatres moving to electronic self-checking machines this…
Awareness under Anaesthesia Awareness during anaesthesia can be very distressing for a patient, particularly if accompanied by recall of the painful nature of surgery. This…
Sickle cell disease Sickle cell disease is a disorder of the blood caused by an inherited abnormal haemoglobin. The abnormal haemoglobin causes distorted (sickled) red…
The fundamentals of arterial lines This module covers the basic principles behind setting up, inserting and monitoring intra-arterial blood pressure lines that an anaesthetic assistant…
Diathermy: the basics Electrosurgery or diathermy has allowed faster operating, reduced blood loss and new surgical techniques. It does have its dangers and its safe…
Latex Allergies Latex allergies can be present in both staff and patients. Perioperative workers have to be aware of the causes and consequences of latex products…
Tracheostomy fundamentals Tracheostomies are becoming more common and the consequences of a misplaced tube can be serious so a good understanding of them is essential.…
Arterial Blood Pressure Measurement – The physics and principles. Intra-arterial blood pressure measurement is often considered to be the gold standard of blood pressure measurement.…
Suxamethonium Apnoea This module describes the action of suxamethonium, the inheritance of suxamethonium apnoea, and the non-inherited conditions that can also cause it. The presentation…
Burn patients: the anaesthetic considerations of This group of patients can be challenging with profound hypermetabolism, pain management issues, potential airway problems, etc. These are…
An urgent call to the labour ward Emergencies on the labour ward may have obstetric, anaesthetic, or general medical causes. This module covers the most…
Surgical smoke: is it safe? Surgical smoke is now recognised as a hazard that is encountered in all operating theatres. Unfortunately, the dangers and health…
Civil war medicine From 1861 to 1865, the American Civil War would cause almost 10 million soldiers to need medical assistance. At the beginning…
Latex free equipment/cosumables checklist Ever wondered that little red bung in an R-lock is rubber and might not be latex free. Well it isn’t latex.…
James Young Simpson & the early testing of anaesthetics (on oneself) When Simpson came to on the floor he noted that Dr Keith was under…
Royal Hospital for Sick Children A guide to some paediatric sizes and doses used in anaesthesia and resuscitation
Anaesthetic revision cards for students. Thanks to Richard Purchon.
Anaesthetic Drug Crib Sheet
Robert Liston Robert Lister performed the only operation with a 300% mortality rate.
Anaesthesia for the patient with a cardiac transplant For patients who have previously received a cardiac transplant, coming to theatre for non-related surgery is no…
Cardiac Tamponade Cardiac tamponade is a life-threatening emergency that impairs the ability of the heart to fill and to pump. Although not strictly a perioperative…
Peri-operative Management of Patients on Strong Opioids It is very common to encounter patients on strong opioid medication. These patients present particularly challenging pain management…
Understanding local anaesthetics This module discusses the pharmacology of local anaesthetic agents and then briefly describes the various additives that can be used with these…
Rapid Sequence Induction Rapid sequence induction (RSI) is a method of achieving rapid control of the airway whilst minimising the risk of regurgitation and aspiration…
Changes in Pregnancy Relevant to Anaesthesia Pregnancy causes major physiological changes to the mother’s body. An understanding of these changes is the key to safe…
Pre-eclampsia and Anaesthetics Pre-eclampsia is a pregnancy complication characterised by high blood pressure and signs of damage to another organ system, often the kidneys. Left…
Arterial Blood Gas Analysis This module explains how to do a simple easy to understand arterial blood gas analysis. How to use the 5-step approach…
COPD and Anaesthesia Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a commonly encountered respiratory disorder. Patients with COPD pose a challenge to the anaesthetist because intraoperative…
Blood Component Therapy Blood products are any therapeutic substances that are prepared from human blood. These can be classified into blood components (red cell concentrates,…
Diabetes & Anaesthetic Management This module covers the affect of diabetes on the surgical patient and why intraoperative blood glucose control and frequent measurement of…
The Difficult Paediatric Airway There are anatomical and physiological differences between the infant, child and adult that make even the normal paediatric airway difficult for…
Jehovah’s Witnesses and Blood Issues Jehovah’s Witnesses are well known for their refusal of blood transfusions. But how much do you really know? What can…
Apnoea & Pre-oxygenation Pre-oxygenation is used in anaesthesia to prolong the time to desaturation during a period of apnoea, such as frequently happens upon induction.…
Paediatric Anaesthetic Emergencies: Pt I Paediatric anaesthetic emergencies can happen faster and leave less time to react then in adults. They present complex, potentially life-threatening…
Surgical treatment of burns This module covers the comprehensive assessment of burns, the steps and considerations involved in surgically treating these injuries. Length of Study:…
Paediatric Anaesthetic Emergencies: Pt 2 Paediatric anaesthetic emergencies can happen faster and leave less time to react the in adults. They present complex, potentially life-threatening…
Postoperative Nausea & Vomiting PONV can be common after surgery, although some patient groups are more prone to this than others. This module discusses this and…
Understanding your ECG: a review Health professionals use the electrocardiograph (ECG) rhythm strip to systematically analyse the cardiac rhythm. Before the systematic process of ECG…
Oxygen Saturations & Pulse Oximetery The pulse oximeter provides an indication of oxygen status in the body. However, the link between a pulse oximeter reading…
Malignant hyperthermia Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a rare life-threatening condition that is usually triggered by exposure to certain drugs used for general anesthesia. This module…