The environmental impact of healthcare has become an increasing focus of policy and research, with anesthetic gases identified as a measurable contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Among volatile anesthetics, desflurane has emerged as a particular concern because of its exceptionally high global warming potential. In response to growing evidence and international climate commitments, the European… Continue reading New Desflurane Regulation in EU

Fasting for a set period of time before an operation, also known as “nothing by mouth” or NPO, is a requirement to prevent patients from aspirating stomach contents during surgery.1 When under anesthesia, patients’ gag and cough reflexes are suppressed, preventing them from vomiting normally. Additionally, some anesthetic agents also relax the muscle that prevents… Continue reading Are Patients Always Required to Fast Before a Procedure?

General anesthesia induces sedation, analgesia, immobility, and amnesia and is an essential component of many surgeries. However, if managed poorly, anesthetic delivery carries risks, including intraoperative awareness, delayed recovery, organ damage, and increased mortality. Anesthesiologists monitor anesthesia through a variety of physiological indicators, but novel brain-state monitoring techniques are being increasingly used to enhance safety.… Continue reading Anesthesia Monitoring Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS)

As perioperative care grows more complex, anesthesiologists are increasingly expected to interpret medical imaging at the point of care. Familiarity with chest radiographs, point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography (TTE/TEE), and ultrasound-guided regional anatomy has transitioned from a desirable skill to an essential competency. Training programs for anesthesiologists must therefore integrate structured curricula, assessment,… Continue reading Anesthesiologist Training to Read Medical Imaging Scans

Anticholinesterases, also known as cholinesterase inhibitors, are a class of drugs that inhibit acetylcholinesterase, the enzyme responsible for degrading the neurotransmitter acetylcholine at the junctions between neurons. By preventing the breakdown of acetylcholine, anticholinesterases prolong the neurotransmitter’s activity at nerve cell receptors. They are used to treat a range of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s and… Continue reading Anticholinesterases in Anesthesia

The perioperative period presents a critical window in which nutrition influences surgical outcomes, recovery trajectories, and overall patient survival. Malnutrition, whether overt or subclinical, is a prevalent and often underestimated risk factor among surgical patients. Numerous studies have demonstrated that inadequate nutritional status prior to surgery increases the likelihood of postoperative complications, including infections, delayed… Continue reading The Importance of Nutrition in the Perioperative Setting

Pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive interstitial lung disease that leads to architectural distortion of the lungs. It is characterized by fibrosis, honeycombing, and reduced lung volume. Ventilation of patients with pulmonary fibrosis under general anesthesia presents significant challenges due to impaired lung compliance, diffusion abnormalities, and the risk of ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI). The cornerstone… Continue reading Ventilation for Patients with Pulmonary Fibrosis During Anesthesia

In 2025, the pharmaceutical industry has witnessed a series of significant drug recalls, underscoring the ongoing challenges in ensuring medication safety and quality.

Urinary catheters are commonly used in the operating room (OR) to facilitate urine drainage, maintain bladder decompression, and ensure accurate monitoring of urine output during surgical procedures. Their use is particularly important during prolonged surgery and procedures involving significant fluid shifts, as patients are unable to void naturally when under anesthesia. Accurate measurement of urine… Continue reading Use of Urinary Catheters in the OR