Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are medications that relieve or reduce pain. Their actions are analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic. Perioperatively, using NSAIDs…
An introduction to the autonomic nervous system As many procedures and drugs used in anaesthetic practice have a direct influence on the autonomic nervous system,…
Anaesthetics for obese patients The prevalence of obesity has tripled over the past 40 yrs and there are now more than 650 million obese adults…
Safe tracheal extubation This article covers complications occurring during emergence, extubation and later in recovery. It details the DAS guidelines on safe extubation and explains…
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…
Understanding Central Venous Lines This module discusses various types of central lines and central venous catheters (CVC). They are often needed in critically ill patients…
Muscle Relaxants; reversal and the use of peripheral nerve stimulators. This module discusses residual block, why, when and how muscle relaxants are reversed, and the…
Deep Brain Stimulators Deep brain stimulation is an increasingly common treatment for Parkinson’s disease (PD), other movement disorders, certain psychiatric conditions, and chronic pain syndromes.…
Understanding capnography This module explains the basic principles of capnography, discusses EtCO2 waveforms, and how to interpret them in the ventilated patient. Length of Study:…
Understanding vaporisers This updated module explains how modern anaesthetic vaporisers work and the principles behind them. It includes electronic and direct injection vaporisers. Length of…
Paediatric Trauma Anatomical and physiological differences in children require special consideration and most seriously injured children have multiple injuries. This module is mainly for those…
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…
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…
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…
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.…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Diabetes & Anaesthetic Management This module covers the affect of diabetes on the surgical patient and why intraoperative blood glucose control and frequent measurement of…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Management of Major Obstetric Haemorrhage Major obstetric haemorrhage is a common cause of maternal morbidity and mortality and the recognition of major obstetric haemorrhage can…
I.V. Induction Agents I.V. induction agents are some of the most commonly used drugs in anaesthetics. This modules shows how and where they work. It…
Perioperative anaphylaxis Perioperative anaphylaxis is not uncommon and several commonly used anaesthetic drugs can cause anaphylaxis. This modules covers latest guidelines to identifying and treating…
Physiological effects of transfer for critically ill patients Critically ill patients can be exposed to significant physiological changes during transfer that can lead to significant instability…
The effects of anaesthesia on respiratory function. This tutorial will explain how anaesthesia affects the respiratory system and how these effects can be managed. Length…
Spinal Anaesthesia Spinal anaesthetic, also known as a spinal block, is administered by injecting local anaesthetic, into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) just below the end…
Paediatric Pain Good quality, effective management of pain in paediatric patients is an essential component of paediatric anaesthesia. However, achieving this can be difficult for…