D.

John Doyle MD PhD FRCPC

[email protected]
Revision 1.5
April 2006

ABBREVIATIONS USED

ASA American Society of Anesthesiologists

BID twice daily
BP blood pressure
CNS central nervous system
CO cardiac output
COPD chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
CO2 carbon dioxide
CPR cardiopulmonary resuscitation
CVS cardiovascular system
ECG- electrocardiogram
EEG electroencephalogram
EMLA eutectic mixture of local anesthetics
ETT endotracheal tube
FIO2 fraction of inspired oxygen
HR heart rate
ICP intracranial pressure
ICU intensive care unit
IVC inferior vena cava
kg kilogram
LA local anesthetic
MAC minimum alveolar concentration
mcg - micrograms
mg milligrams
ml milliliter (1 ml = 1 cc = 1/1000 liter)
N2O nitrous oxide
NPO nothing by mouth (nil per os)
OR operating room
PA pulmonary artery
PCA patient controlled analgesia
PCO2 - carbon dioxide partial pressure
PEEP positive end-expiratory pressure
PRN as needed
SVC - superior vena cava
TEE transesophageal echocardiogram
VT/VF ventricular tachycardia / ventricular fibrillation

This document can be freely downloaded from anesthesiamicrotext.homestead.com

I am grateful to Mr. Paul Blakely, CRNA, for carefully reviewing this manuscript.

A Minimalist
Introduction to
Anesthesiology

Kinds of Anesthesia Surgery can be carried out using a

variety of anesthetic methods:

General Anesthesia
- using inhaled agents (e.g., isoflurane, desflurane)
- using intravenous agents (e.g., propofol, thiopental)
- combinations of inhaled and intravenous agents

Regional Anesthesia
-

using epidurally administered drugs (epidural)

using spinally administered drugs (intrathecal)
using nerve plexus blocks (e.g. brachial plexus block)
blocking individual nerves (e.g. femoral nerve block)

Local Anesthesia

- by needle infiltration of local anesthetic agents

- application of local anesthesia to mucous membranes (topical)
- application of EMLA cream to regular skin

Regional Anesthesia

involves the selective application of local

anesthetics such as lidocaine, bupivacaine or ropivacaine to appropriate
neural structures. It offers many potential advantages over general
anesthesia: good postoperative analgesia, blunting of surgically induced
endocrine and metabolic changes, fewer cardiovascular alterations, and
(sometimes) reduced intraoperative blood loss. On the down side, however,
regional anesthesia has a higher failure rate compared to general
anesthesia, and few patients enjoy having needles inserted into them.

FIGURE 1. Patient receiving an epidural in preparation for childbirth. In

obstetrics, the epidural needle is frequently inserted between the L3 and L4
lumbar vertebrae. Thoracic epidurals are commonly used for thoracic and
upper abdominal surgery (e.g. with a catheter placed near the T8 level).

General Anesthesia usually aims to achieve six distinct

conditions despite powerful noxious stimuli:
Class 1. A healthy patient.

Loss of consciousness (hypnosis)

Class 2. A patient with mild systemic disease.

Analgesia - loss of pain

Class 3. A patient with severe systemic disease that limits activity

Amnesia - loss of memory

but is not incapacitating.

Motionlessness may involve muscle relaxation

Class 4. A patient with an incapacitating systemic disease that is a

Obtundation / attenuation of autonomic reflexes

constant threat to life.
(tachycardia, hypertension, gag reflex, etc.).
Class 5. A moribund patient not expected to survive 24 hours with

Homeostasis (otherwise normal physiological state)

or without operation.
Class 6. Brain dead patient for organ harvesting

ASA Physical Status Classification

Note: An "E" is assigned if the surgery is done under emergent

conditions. For example, an emergency cholecystectomy on an
otherwise healthy patient would be Class 1E. If the patient were
hypertensive, he would be assigned a 2E classification.

Minimum Alveolar Concentration (MAC)

(MAC=alveolar concentration needed to prevent movement in
50% of patients getting a surgical cut). Use 1.3 MAC or more to
ensure better patient protection against movement from painful
stimuli.
Halothane
Isoflurane
Sevoflurane
Desflurane
Nitrous oxide

DISCLAIMER These notes are very abbreviated and

by their nature are incomplete. Consult standard
references (e.g., Millers Anesthesia, 6th Ed) for
complete information, especially for drug doses.
These notes have not yet been peer-reviewed.

0.8 %
1.3 %
2.3 %
7%
105 %

MANAGEMENT OF LA TOXICITY

ANESTHESIA MACHINE CHECK

(HIGHLIGHTS ONLY SEE FULL CHECKLIST)

Oxygen Line Pressure
Oxygen Flowmeter
Nitrous Line Pressure
Nitrous Flowmeter
Oxygen Tank Check
Check for Leaks
Vaporizer Check
Check Ventilator

(a) Prevention (e.g. pretreatment with benzodiazepines

[when appropriate], aspirate before injection)
(b) Early recognition (converse with patient)
(c) Prevent progression (e.g., thiopental 50-75mg IV or diazepam
5-10 mg IV)
(d) Airway management (may need succinylcholine, cricoid
pressure and ETT). Must provide oxygen and ensure ventilation.
(e) Remember the fetus in the pregnant patient. (Fetal monitoring.
Stat Cesarean section if CPR needed.)

AIRWAY & EMERGENCY STUFF

Suction

Resuscitator Bag

Oxygen

Defibrillator

Laryngoscope

Crash Cart

Endotracheal Tube (ETT)

Emergency Drugs

Stylette (in ETT)

Fire Extinguisher

Sample Emergency Drugs

Atropine
1 ml syringe
Ephedrine
10 ml syringe
Phenylephrine
20 ml syringe
Nitroglycerine
10 ml syringe
Esmolol
10 ml syringe

Mnemonic - SOLES

COMMON ANESTHETIC DRUGS

DRUG

USUAL CONC

Thiopental
Propofol
Fentanyl
Morphine
Midazolam
Succinylcholine
Rocuronium
Dolacetron

25 mg/ml
10 mg/ml
50 mcg/ml
varies
1 mg/ml
20 mg/ml
10 mg/ml
25 mg/ml

USE

Induction
Induction
Analgesia
Analgesia
Hypnosis
Intubation
Musc Relax
Antiemetic

DOSE / kg

3 5 mg
1.5 3 mg
2-5 mcg
20-60 mcg
20 mcg
1 2 mg
0.5 1 mg
0.2 0.4 mg

TABLE 1: Intravenous drugs frequently used in general

anesthesia (adults). Note that some drugs are often given by
infusion, such as propofol 50-150 mcg/kg/min or remifentanil
(0.1 0.2 mcg/kg/min), often with 70% N20 used in addition.
MAXIMUM DOSES OF SOME LOCAL ANESTHETICS
AMIDES
Lidocaine with epi
Lidocaine plain
Bupivacaine with epi

ESTERS
Cocaine (topical)
5mg/kg Procaine
3mg/kg Chloroprocaine
7mg/kg

Bupivacaine plain

2mg/kg

Mepivacaine

7mg/kg

Ropivacaine

3mg/kg

50 mcg / ml

Raise BP

0.2 mg / ml

Lower BP / treat
heart ischemia
Lower HR (and BP)

10 mg /ml

All drugs undergo distribution and elimination following their administration

(pharmacokinetics - "What the body does to the drug"). Related to this is
the field of pharmacodynamics ("What the drug does to the body") a
science often based on understanding how drug molecules bind to (occupy)
receptors at various sites in the body.

Ventilators

are used in operating rooms and intensive care

units (ICU) for respiratory support of patients who cannot breathe
on their own. ICU ventilators are more complicated and more
flexible than OR ventilators. There are 5 main ventilator
parameters.

Table 2

CNS toxicity

5 mg /ml

Raise heart rate

(HR)
Raise BP (and HR)

PHARMACOKINETICS AND PHARMACODYNAMICS

3mg/kg
14mg/kg
14mg/kg

LOCAL ANESTHETIC (LA) TOXICITY

0.6 mg /ml

Tidal Volume (e.g. 700 ml) [Volume of gas injected into

trachea with each breath]
Respiratory Rate (e.g. 12 breaths / minute)
FiO2 (Fraction of Inspired Oxygen) (e.g. 60% oxygen)
PEEP (Positive End Expiratory Pressure) (e.g. 5 cm H2O)
I:E ratio (e.g. 1:3) Time for inspiration in relation to
time for expiration

When ventilating a patient, aim for an arterial PCO2 around 35 40 mmHg in normal cases, and 28-32 mmHg in patients with
increased ICP. Ensure that all ventilation-related alarms (apnea,
high airway pressure, etc.) are enabled.

a) Excitation Phase: tinnitus, confusion, restlessness,

Perioperative Fluid management
perioral numbness or tingling, metallic taste, lightheadedness,
sense of dread and impending doom.
Ensure adequate hematocrit, coagulation, intravascular volume
b) Convulsive Phase: grand-mal clonic-tonic seizure
and urine output by giving adequate IV fluids and blood products.
c) Depression Phase: CNS depression with drowsiness and
For most cases run an IV of normal saline (NS) or Ringers (RL) at
unconsciousness.
250 ml/hr to start, then adjust to meet the following goals:
d) Respiratory depression and apnea.
[1] In first two hours of case, replace any preoperative fluid deficit

CVS Toxicity
a)
b)

c)

Excitation Phase:
(i) hypertension, tachycardia (with convulsions)
Depression Phase:
(i) Negative inotropic effect with decreased blood
pressure, cardiac output and stroke volume.
(ii) Peripheral vasodilation with further hypotension.
Cardiovascular Collapse

BE SURE TO CALL FOR HELP!

(e.g. NPO for 8 hours x 125 ml maintenance fluid needed per hour
kept NPO = 1000 ml to give in first 2 hrs)
[2] Meanwhile, for entirety of case replace third space surgical
losses at 2 - 10 ml/kg/hr (e.g., 2 for carpal tunnel repair, 5 for
laparoscopic cholecystectomy, 10 for bowel surgery.)
[3] Maintain urine output over 50 ml / hr or 0.5 to 1.0 ml/kg/hr
[4] Replace blood loses 4-to-1 with crystalloid (e.g., RL or NS) or
1-to-1 with colloid (e.g., hespan, hextend, albumin 5%, FFP)
[5] Maintain hematocrit in safe range (above 0.24 in everyone; at
or above 0.3 in selected patients at risk e.g. patients with
coronary artery disease) by transfusing packed cells as needed.
[6] Monitor indices of coagulation (PT, PTT, INR, ACT, platelets).

useless in assessing the CO2 in patients at risk of developing

hypercarbic respiratory failure. Units are now available for well
under $1000.

Perioperative Oxygen Delivery

Oxygen may be given by one of five routes: face mask (of which
there are a variety of types), nasal prongs, endotracheal tube,
oxygen tent, and transtracheal catheter. The last two methods are
Bag and Mask Ventilation Bag and mask ventilation is an
used only occasionally. For more information visit
important clinical skill to master. In most resuscitation settings a
http://www.lhsc.on.ca/resptherapy /rtequip/oxygen/index.htm
self-reinflating bag with nonrebreathing valves (such as that
(source of images below)
shown below) is used to provide positive pressure ventilation,
usually using 100% oxygen. This bag fills spontaneously after
SIMPLE FACE MASK
NASAL PRONGS
being squeezed and can be used even when oxygen is unavailable.
Ventilation is often made much easier when the jaw thrust
maneuver is carried out. Oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal
airways can also be helpful. During prolonged bag and mask
ventilation, a nasogastric tube may be used to vent air forced into
the stomach.

Patient Monitors

Noninvasive Blood Pressure

(manual or automatic)
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Pulse Oximeter
Airway Gas Monitor
(CO2 = capnography, N2O, agents)
Airway Pressure Monitor
Airway Gas Flows (Spirometry)
Airway Disconnect Alarm
Nerve Stimulator
Urometer (urine output)
Body Temperature
Special Cardiac Monitors
(CVP, PA line, CO, TEE)
Special Neurological Monitors
(ICP, EEG, evoked potentials )

Oropharyngeal Airways

Nasopharyngeal Airway

Difficult mask ventilation is said to occur when it is not

possible for the unassisted anesthesiologist to maintain the
oxygen saturation above 90 percent using 100 percent oxygen
and positive pressure mask ventilation in a patient whose oxygen
saturation was above 90 percent before anesthetic intervention
or when it is not possible for the unassisted anesthesiologist to
prevent or reverse signs of inadequate ventilation during positive
pressure mask ventilation (ASA definitions).

In addition: visually monitor breathing pattern,

signs of distress, patient color, etc.

TABLE 3 - Predictors of Difficult Mask Ventilation

Pulse Oximetry
Pulse oximetry is a simple non-invasive method of monitoring
arterial oxygen saturation, the percentage of hemoglobin (Hb)
with oxygen molecules
attached. The pulse oximeter
consists of a probe attached
to the patient's finger, toe or
ear lobe which is in turn
attached to the main unit. In
some units an audible tone
occurs with each heart beat
and changes pitch with the
saturation reading. A pulse
oximeter detects hypoxia well
before the patient becomes
clinically cyanosed and is
required in ALL patients
undergoing anesthesia. Note
that pulse oximeters give no
information about the level of
arterial CO2 and are therefore

Age over 55 years

Body mass index exceeding 26 kg/m2

Presence of a beard

Lack of teeth (edentulous)

History of snoring
Source: Anesthesiology 2000; 92: 1229
AVAILABLE FREE ONLINE AT www.anesthesiology.org

TABLE 4 - Factors Leading to Increased Risk of

Pulmonary Aspiration with General Anesthesia

Recent food or fluid ingestion

Severe obesity
Symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux
Advanced pregnancy
Severe ascites
Opioid administration or other condition resulting in delayed
gastric emptying (but OK to give for premedication)
History of gastroparesis or other motility disorder
Bowel ileus or bowel obstruction

TABLE 5 - Steps in a Rapid Sequence Induction

Performed in patients at risk of regurgitation / aspiration

Ensure that drugs, equipment and assistants are ready and
that all patient monitors are operational.
Remember that a rapid sequence induction is inappropriate in
patients suspected to be difficult to intubate - awake
intubation is preferable.
Generously preoxygenate the patient.
Give induction (e.g. thiopental / succinylcholine) in
predetermined dose (do not titrate to clinical effect). At the
same time have your assistant apply cricoid pressure to
compress the esophagus (44 Newtons force, 10 lbs) [This is
known as the Sellick maneuver]. See Figure 2, below.
Do not ventilate while waiting for the drugs to work. (Note:
many authorities advocate gentle mask positive pressure
ventilation to reduce the chance of hypoxemia.)
Intubate when conditions are correct; inflate ETT cuff.
Ensure ETT is in correct position (clinically, capnograph).
Have assistant relieve cricoid pressure.
Continue with the remainder of the anesthetic.

Source: http://www.nda.ox.ac.uk/wfsa/html/u02/u02_b03.htm

Doses of Some Popular Intermediate

Duration Relaxants (40-50min)

vecuronium
atracurium
cisatracurium
rocuronium

0.1-0.2 mg/kg
0.5-0.6 mg/kg
0.15-0.2 mg/kg
0.5-1.0 mg/kg

SUCCINYLCHOLINE Succinylcholine is the only depolarizing

muscle relaxant in clinical use. The usual dose for intubation is 12 mg/kg. It is cheap, fast acting and usually wears off quickly (5
minutes or so). It is still in common use for intubation (especially
for rapid sequence inductions) or as an infusion for short
procedures (e.g. laparoscopy). However, succinylcholine suffers
from important limitations that have led many clinicians to
abandon its use completely. First, the action of succinylcholine
cannot be reversed; one must wait for its breakdown by plasma
cholinesterase. Second, it triggers malignant hyperthermia in
susceptible individuals. Third, it can produce a deadly
hyperkalemic response in susceptible individuals, typically patients
with burns, massive trauma, stroke, prolonged immobilization or
spinal cord injury. (A common factor here may be either massive
tissue destruction or CNS injury with muscle wasting.)

Figure 3. Neuromuscular blockade monitoring usually involves

electrode placement at the ulnar nerve (left) or the facial nerve
(right), with use of a high-voltage nerve stimulator (below).

MUSCLE RELAXANTS Muscle relaxants are not anesthetics, (http://www.postgradmed.com/issues/2002/02_02/blanchard1.gif)

they simply paralyze skeletal muscle (not cardiac muscle, for
obvious reasons!) Relaxants should only be used with the patient
Did you know ...
asleep (general anesthesia) since it would be horrible to be awake
and unable to move even your eyelids. Of course, all patients
Curare was the first muscle
receiving relaxants must be ventilated, and should have their
relaxant used clinically. Known
degree of relaxation monitored with a "blockade monitor".
scientifically as
Nondepolarizing muscle relaxants work by competing with
Chondrodendron tomentosum,
acetylcholine at the myoneural junction - "COMPETITIVE
it is a South American vine
INHIBITION". Most muscle relaxants are of the nondepolarizing
native to the Amazon Basin.
type and can be reversed; the exception is succinylcholine, which
The main alkaloid responsible
is a depolarizing muscle relaxant.
for the muscle relaxant actions
(and why it works as an arrow
Reversal of nondepolarizing muscle relaxants is commonly done in
poison) is d-tubocurarine. It
adults using neostigmine 3-5 mg IV with glycopyrrolate 0.6 1.0
was first isolated in 1897 and
mg IV (Neostigmine inhibits the hydrolysis (breakdown) of
obtained in drug form in 1935.
acetylcholine by competing with acetylcholine for attachment to
The first clinical use was in
acetylcholinesterase at sites of cholinergic transmission.; the
Montreal, Canada in 1942, by
glycopyrrolate prevents the neostigmine from slowing down the
Dr. Harold Griffith.
heart rate to dangerous levels). Atropine 1.2 mg can be given
instead of glycopyrrolate.
Food for thought General anesthesia is neither general nor is it anesthesia (the absence of sensation). Under general anesthesia, the nervous
system continues to be bombarded by nociceptive input. Although central transmission may be diminished, the body is not rendered senseless.
Nociceptive afferent stimuli reach the spinal cord and higher centers, and the nervous system responds - with reflex movement, autonomic response,
and neurohumoral response, and by establishing a hyperexcitable state (wind-up). This is not anesthesia, the lack of feeling, because the nervous
system is responding to pain. There is nothing general about it; it is rather limited. So what is general anesthesia if it is not the insensibility to pain?
The truth is that we do not know exactly what we mean when we speak of general anesthesia. It is ambiguous. We have a much better idea what
general anesthesia is not. Bruce Ben-David et al. A trap of our own making. Anesthesia and Analgesia. 82:1083, April 1995.

View of the larynx at laryngoscopy (below)

http://www.4um.com/tutorial/anaesth/rsi.htm

FIGURE 1 Two Important Airway Classifications

[Source: www.pdh-odp.co.uk/ intubation_grades.htm]

A Cormack and Lehane classification of the view at laryngoscopy.

(Cormack RS, Lehane J: Difficult tracheal intubation in obstetrics.
Anaesthesia 39:1105, 1984)
Grade
Grade
Grade
Grade

I: most of the glottis is seen

II: only posterior portion of glottis can be seen
III: only epiglottis seen (none of glottis seen)
IV: neither epiglottis nor glottis can be seen

View of Glottis at Laryngoscopy

http://www.uniklinikum-giessen.de/anaesthesie/jpg/glottis.jpg

B Mallampati classification of the oropharyngeal view. (Mallampati

SR, Gatti SP, Gugino LD: A clinical sign to predict difficult
intubation: a prospective study. Can Anaesth Soc J 32:429-434,
1985) Do with patient sitting, the head in the neutral position, the
mouth wide open, and the tongue protruding to the maximum.
The patient should not be phonating. The Mallampati classification
is then assigned based upon the visible pharyngeal structures.
Class I: visualization of the soft palate, fauces, uvula, anterior
and posterior pillars.
Class II: visualization of the soft palate, fauces and uvula.
Class III: visualization of the soft palate and base of uvula.
Class IV: soft palate is not visible.
Endotracheal
Tubes (ETTs)

THE "CLINICAL CRISIS PROTOCOL is an approach to

dealing with urgent problems when a patient's life is in danger and

there is limited time to act. Thus, diagnosis of the problem must
be accompanied by initial empirical treatment, i.e. diagnosis and
treatment must be carried out concurrently, even when it's far
from clear what is going on. For example, severe bradycardia
(heart rate < 40) may or may not be associated with symptoms
such as syncope and can be due to many different causes, (e.g.
third degree heart block, beta blocker overdose, use of an anticholinesterase without sufficient anticholinergic (e.g. neostigmine
without glycopyrrolate or atropine), increased ICP, etc.
An approach to rapidly assess the patient the trouble is needed.
LOOK: Color (cyanosis, erythema, pallor), respirations (rate,
pattern), diaphoresis, bleeding/dressings/drains, neck (jugular
venous distenstion, tracheal deviation), restlessness, discomfort
LISTEN: breath sounds (?equal), wheezes, crackles, stridor, heart
sounds, patients complaints, observations of bystanders
FEEL: pulse (rate, intensity, pattern), grip strength (esp. after
muscle relaxants given), forehead (temperature, diaphoresis)
GET: help, vital signs, old chart, crash cart, labs, chest x-ray...
Again, we emphasize that initial empirical treatment is essential
while we are finding out what is going on. For example, in the
case of symptomatic severe bradycardia, intravenous atropine
(0.6 - 1 mg) should be given (among other things).

Some Forms of Initial Empirical Treatment

1.
Dx:
Symptomatic bradycardia
Rx:
IV atropine 0.6 - 1 mg
2.
Dx:
Sustained apnea
Rx:
Positive pressure ventilation
3.
Dx:
Pulseless ventriculat tachycardia (VT)
Rx:
CPR; cardioversion; drugs
4.
Dx:
Severe hypoxemia
Rx:
100% oxygen

Urgent Clinical Problems Requiring Immediate Intervention

1. Ventricular tachycardia / ventricular fibrillation
2. Cyanosis / hypoxemia in recovery room
3. Grand-mal seizures / unresponsive patient / coma
4. Severe bradycardia or other rhythm disturbance
5. Stridor (noisy inspiration from partial upper airway obstruction)
6. Loss of pulse in an extremity (esp. following vascular surgery)
7. Severe hypotension or hypertension
8. Myocardial ischemia (with or without angina or ECG changes)

The sniffing position

facilitates intubation by
optimally lining up the
anatomical structures.

Capnography is the continuous analysis and recording of

carbon dioxide CO2 concentrations in respiratory gases. A
capnograph uses one of two types of analyzers: mainstream
or sidestream. Mainstream units insert a sampling window into
the breathing circuit for gas measurement while sidestream
units aspirate gas from the circuit and the analysis occurs
away from the circuit. Capnographs may utilize infrared
techniques (most common), mass spectroscopy, Raman
scattering, or photoacoustic technology. Capnography is
especially useful to monitor for a number of important clinical
situations:

Verification of endotracheal intubation (a normal

capnogram is not obtained when the endotracheal
ends up in the esophagus.)
Oxygentube
Delivery

Monitoring CO2 elimination during cardiac arrest and

Oxygen CPR
may(the
be capnogram
given by one
of five routes: face mask
improves as pulmonary blood
(of which
there
are awith
variety
of types),
nasal prongs,
flow
improves
adequate
circulation).

Detecting
hypoventilation
and
hyperventilation
endotracheal
tube, oxygen tent, and transtracheal

Detecting rebreathing of CO2 (in which case the

catheter.inspiratory
The last CO2
two level
methods
are used only
is nonzero).

COPD
patients
(abnormal
phase
capnogram)
occasionally. For more information III
visit

Inadequate seal of the endotracheal tube

http://www.4um.com/tutorial/anaesth/rsi.htm

http://www.lhsc.on.ca/resptherapy
Note: A sudden severe decrease
in end-tidal
CO2below)
is often
/rtequip/oxygen/index.htm
(source
of images
due to a potentially catastrophic cardiorespiratory event:
Circulatory
embolus.
Hypotension from
SIMPLEarrest.
FACE Pulmonary
MASK NASAL
PRONGS
severe blood loss. Compression of the IVC or SVC.

Additional information at http://www.capnography.com

Macintosh (curved) type

laryngoscope with tip inserted
into the vallecula, lifting the
epiglottis out of the way

Normal Capnogram
Abnormal capnogram in a patient with severe COPD

Top side view of intubation. Bottom view of

intubation from the perspective of the intubator.
Notice that the laryngoscope is held with the left
hand, while the endotracheal tube is passed using the
right hand.

The capnogram has 4 segments that correspond to phases of

the respiratory cycle. The first phase is a flat part, due to
exhalation of dead space. The second is the ascending segment,
from exhalation of mixed dead space and alveolar air. The third
is the plateau portion that represents exhaled CO2 from the
alveoli. The fourth phase represents the beginning of
inspiration.
www.rcjournal.com/contents/10.99/ 10991207fig3.jpg

Did you know The word anesthesia is unusual because we

know exactly when the term was formulated. Following a
public demonstration of general anesthesia using ether by Dr.
Morton at Massachusetts General Hospital, on October 16,
1846, Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes was asked by him to name
this valuable new process. Holmes (1809-1894) was a Boston
doctor, an anatomist and an important poet. (Of interest, his
son, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., became be one of America's
most important Supreme Court justices.).
BELOW: Morton delivering anesthesia via a special glass
inhaler containing an ether-soaked sponge.
http://www.childrensmemorial.org/depts/anesthesia/images/intro2.jpg
Young patient receiving an inhalation induction (mask induction) for
general anesthesia. An alternate method would be to give intravenous
medications (IV induction), but many children are reluctant to receive
needles. Many centers allow parents to be present at the induction of
anesthesia; many others do not.

http://www.datex-ohmeda.com/products/anelifesupport_aestiva_B.htm
A typical modern anesthesia machine with patient monitoring accessories.

American Pain Society Guidelines

Mild pain - use non-prescription analgesics (note 1)
Moderate pain - use non-narcotic analgesics

(eg. Ketorolac (Torodol) and

other NSAIDS) (note 2 )

Moderately severe pain - use non-narcotic analgesics with codeine or

other weak opioid (note 3 )

Severe pain - use non-narcotic analgesics with morphine or other strong

opioid (note 4 )

NOTE 1 NSAID = NonSteroidal AntiInflammatory Drug. NSAIDS and

actominophen are popular non-narcotic analgesics; many are available without
prescription and work well for mild to moderate pain.
NOTE 2 Ketorolac is an NSAID available in both oral and parenteral forms ( eg.
10 mg po Q8h or 30 mg IM q8h [ for limited periods only; be especially cautious
in the frail and elderly]). In patients that are NPO, indomethacin 100 mg BID
may be administered rectally alone or as an adjunct to opiates in patients
meeting suitability criteria (see note 5 below).
NOTE 3 A sample script: Tylenol # 3 1 to 2 tabs q3h prn
(Tylenol #3 tablet contains acetaminophen 325 mg with codeine 30 mg )
http://www.datex-ohmeda.com/products/monitoring_cam_B.htm
Typical compact patient monitor with ability to display a large variety of
clinical parameters, such as heart rate (green), oxygen saturation (yellow),
blood pressure (red) and airway gas parameters (white). The three
waveforms shown are ECG (top), pulse oximeter plethysmograph waveform
(middle) and capnogram (bottom). Waveforms and numbers are
configurable as to position and color according to clinician preference and
clinical circumstances.

NOTE 4 Patient controlled analgesia (PCA) is often used for this purpose.
NOTE 5 REMEMBER: Many patients are potentially unsuitable for routine NSAID
administration. These include the elderly, patients with a bleeding diathesis,
patients with impaired renal performance and patients at increased risk of
gastroduodenal ulcers.

Visit the American Pain Society at www.ampainsoc.org

More on Drugs and General Anesthesia

General anesthesia is generally achieved using either inhaled agents or

intravenous agents (with the occasional use of intramuscular drugs).
Inhaled drugs include nitrous oxide (too weak to use on its own) and
potent volatile agents such as halothane, enflurane, isoflurane,
sevoflurane, desflurane, and even old-fashioned ether (still used in the
third world). Inhaled agents are used primarily for maintenance of
anesthesia, although they can also be used to induce general anesthesia
("inhalation induction"). Intravenous agents are used primarily for the
induction of anesthesia but in some cases (e.g., propofol) can be given
by infusion for the maintenance of unconsciousness (for example, for
airway procedures such as rigid bronchoscopy or tracheal
reconstruction). Intravenous agents include thiopental, propofol,
ketamine, benzodiazepines such as diazepam and midazolam and
narcotic (opiate) analgesics such as fentanyl, sufentanil, remifentanil,
alfentanil, morphine and meperidine (Demerol).
Some forms of regional and peripheral nerve anesthesia

Single-shot spinal anesthesia

Continuous spinal anesthesia (no longer in common use)

Caudal anesthesia

Single-shot epidural anesthesia (no longer in common use)

Continuous epidural anesthesia

Combined spinal / epidural techniques

Brachial plexus anesthesia (several forms)

Bier block (forearm)

Intercostal nerve blocks

Lower extremity blocks

FACTORS INFLUENCING LOCAL ANESTHETIC BLOOD LEVELS

(i) Drug dose: Obviously, blood levels are proportional to the amount
given. Increasing the dose also increases the extent of the block and
increases the risk of local anesthetic toxicity.
(ii) Drug type: Some drugs such as prilocaine are so rapidly
metabolized (by plasma cholinesterase in this instance) that high blood
levels are harder to achieve.
(iii) Pattern of absorption (Pharmacokinetics): Drugs injected
intravascularly achieve a high peak level shortly after injection,
while those injected into a peripheral compartment (e.g. infiltration
into tissues) take a longer time to achieve a peak level.
(iv) Site of administration: Administration of local anesthetics in
highly vascular areas increases the likelihood of encountering high drug
levels.
The Geriatric Patient Geriatric patients have decreased reserve in all

systems and are thus less forgiving of errors in clinical decision making.
Many have lung disease, coronary artery disease, hypertension and may be
on numerous medications. Decreases in muscle mass, renal function and
hepatic function influence drug distribution and metabolism. Many
geriatric patients are edentulous and it may thus be difficult to get a good
seal when using a face mask in these patients. Increases in lung closing
capacity with age leads to increases in alveolar-arterial oxygen tension
difference and a need for higher inspired oxygen levels to maintain
adequate oxygenation. Disorientation and confusion often follows general
anesthesia in the elderly. Finally, spinal calcifications may make spinal or
epidural methods difficult.

Trauma Patients Trauma patients often require immediate anesthesia

and surgery with resuscitation, and assessment often occurring
PRACTICAL POINTS IN USING LOCAL ANESTHETICS
concurrently out of necessity. Practitioners of trauma anesthesia and
1. Added epinephrine (e.g., 1:200,000 to 1:100,000) can be particularly
surgery should be familiar with the Advanced Trauma Life Support
helpful both to increase the duration of local anesthetic effect and to
(ATLS) protocol (see www.trauma.org). Here are some of the key issues:
reduce bleeding. For example, epinephrine added to lidocaine used in

Limited time for patient assessment (e.g. allergies, medications)

the repair of a scalp wound can help reduce blood loss in this highly

Patients have a "full stomach"

vascular area. There is, however, a downside to using epinephrine.

May be hypovolemic from blood loss

First, when absorbed systematically it can cause hypertension,

May have pulmonary and/or cardiac injuries from blunt or

tachycardia and even arrhythmias, and this is obviously a potential
penetrating chest trauma
concern in hypertensive patients or patients with coronary artery disease.

Trauma
to the face or airway may make intubation difficult
Secondly, using epinephrine may disguise bleeding sites that later

May have closed head injuring resulting in increased ICP

become apparent once the epinephrine wears off and the patient has left
or C-spine injury, putting the brain and spinal cord at risk
the emergency room (e.g., scalp lacerations). Finally, epinephrine

Patients
are frequently combative and uncooperative,
should not be used on digits, toes or on the penis because of concerns
particularly if intoxicated from alcohol or street drugs
that ischemia may occur from the resulting vasoconstriction.

Patients should be placed in a cervical collar (Philadelphia

collar) if a C-spine injury is suspected clinically or
2. When using local anesthesia in large amounts, always ensure that the
radiologically.
patient has an intravenous line in place in case of local anesthetic
toxicity. Drugs to treat convulsions should be readily available (e.g., IV
Patients with Coronary Artery Disease may require anesthesia for
thiopental, midazolam or diazepam) as well as equipment and drugs for
bypass surgery or for noncardiac operations. Preoperatively these patients
airway management.
should be assessed to ensure that they are "optimized" with nitrates, beta
blockers and/or calcium channel blockers. Ventricular performance can
3. Know the relationship between drug concentration in percent and
be determined clinically (signs/symptoms of CHF, exercise tolerance) and
concentration in mg/ml. Remember that a 1% solution has a
by specialized testing (e.g. echocardiography). Persantine-thallium testing
concentration of 10 mg/ml. In a 70 kg person, for example, the
maximum dose of lidocaine without epinephrine is 5 mg/kg = 350 mg = (or related tests) will help identify myocardium at risk of infarction
(reversible defects) or myocardium that is already scarred from infarction
35 ml of 1% lidocaine.
(fixed defects).
The electrocardiogram may demonstrate previous
infarction, ongoing ischemia, rhythm disturbances and more. Tachycardia
4. Poor anesthesia is frequently obtained when local anesthetics are
injected into infected or inflamed areas (e.g., abscessed tooth). This has is especially bad in these patients as it increases myocardial oxygen
demand and reduces diastolic time (during which myocardial blood flow
to do with the fact that although a normal tissue is around 7.4, it may
drop to 5 or 6 with inflammation, rendering most of the anesthetic in the occurs). Many of these patients will need arterial lines (even for
noncardiac surgery) so that vasodilators, vasopressors and/or inotropes can
ionized form (which crosses cell membranes poorly), thereby reducing
be given as needed. Pulmonary artery catheterization or CVP line
its effectiveness.
placement may be needed to monitor left and right sided cardiac filling
pressures as well as for other purposes. Careful attention to cardiac rate
Did you know nitrous oxide, N2O, is a colorless, odorless gas that
and other hemodynamic issues is essential, as is monitoring for ischemia
was discovered in 1793 by the English scientist Joseph Priestley. It is
in the ECG (ST segment depression).
sometimes known as laughing gas for its disinhibiting effects. It
is often used clinically because of its analgesic effects.

30 Steps to Administering
General Anesthesia

DRUG DOSAGE NOTE

Ensure that the consent for the surgery has been obtained and that it is
correctly signed and dated. Patients unable to give regular consent
require special consideration: comatose patients, children, psychiatric
patients etc. Some centers require separate consents for anesthesia
and for blood transfusions. Central to proper consent is that the patient
understands his or her options and their respective benefits and risks. It
is not sufficient that the patient has merely and agreeably signed all
papers placed before him.

Doses and volumes discussed here apply to normal adult patients.

Adjustments for pediatric patients, frail patients, and patients with
impaired renal, hepatic, respiratory or cardiac status will be needed.
Drug interactions may also influence dosing needs. Remember that
clinical drug dosing (and timing) is as much an art as a science.

Identify Clinical Considerations

Consent

Blood Product Planning

Review the history, physical examination and laboratory results to

identify the principal clinical considerations for the patient (e.g. limited Ensure that any needed blood products (packed red cells, platelets,
mouth opening, hypertension, angina, asthma, anemia, etc.). Assign an stored plasma, fresh frozen plasma, cryoprecipitate - depending on
clinical circumstances) are available. Most smaller surgical cases have
ASA physical status to the patient.
blood drawn for group and screen determination of ABO / Rh blood
grouping and screening for antibodies that might make crossmatching
Sometimes just one or two sentences will do the job: Mr. Desai is an
difficult. Cross and Type: Larger surgical cases often have a number
otherwise healthy ASA II 81 kg 46 year old man with chronic anemia
of blood units (usually packed cells) specifically tested for the patient
(hematocrit = 0.29) and controlled hypertension (atenolol 25 mg BID)
who is scheduled for a partial colectomy under general anesthesia. He and more or less immediately available (e.g., 4 units of packed cells for
cardiac bypass patients in the operating room refrigerator)
has no allergies and his functional enquiry is negative.

Consultations

Aspiration Prevention

Ensure that the patient has been NPO ("nil per os" - nothing by mouth)
Ensure that all required consultations have been done (e.g. diabetic
patients may need an endocrinology consult; patients with myasthenia for an appropriate length of time, i.e. ensure that the patient has an
empty stomach.
gravis will need a neurology consult). Here are some more random
situations where formal or informal consultation may be appropriate:
(Patients without an empty stomach may need a rapid sequence
induction, awake intubation, or management with local or regional
Recent myocardial infarction
anesthesia to reduce the chance of regurgitation and aspiration).
Poor left ventricular function (reduced ejection fraction)
Pulmonary hypertension
Metabolic derangements such as severe hyperkalemia
Uncontrolled severe hypertension
Mitral or aortic stenosis
Pheochromocytoma
Patients with coagulopathies
Patients with a suspected difficult airway

Pharmacologic means to reduce gastric volume and/or acidity may be

appropriate preoperatively, such as a particulate-free oral antacid
(sodium citrate 0.3 molar 30 ml po prior to induction of anesthesia) or
agents such as cimetidine, ranitidine or famotidine (Pepcid).

All patients undergoing surgery get the following routine monitors:

Airway Assessment

Assess the patient's airway using the Mallampati system and

examining the patients oropharynx. Consider also other criteria
(degree of mouth opening, head flexion /extension, jaw size,
mandibular space). Take a good look for any loose, false or capped
teeth. Warn patients with poor dentition that intubation carries a risk of
chipped or loosened teeth. Determine if special airway management
techniques (such as use of the GlideScope video larygnoscope,
Bullard laryngoscope or awake intubation using a fiberoptic
bronchoscope) are needed.

Identify Routine Monitoring Needs

Noninvasive Blood Pressure (manual or automatic)
Airway Pressure Monitor / Disconnect Alarm
Electrocardiogram
Nerve Stimulator
Pulse Oximeter
Urometer (if a Foley catheter is placed)
Airway Gas Monitor (incl. oxygen analyzer and capnogram)
Body Temperature

In addition, spirometry (tidal volume / minute volume) and agent

analyzers (% isoflurane % nitrous oxide etc.) are highly desirable. Body
temperature may be measured in the axilla, the nasopharynx, the
esophagus or the rectum.

Identify Special Monitoring Needs

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Equipment Preparation

CVP=central venous pressure PA=pulmonary artery

Determine whether special monitors (arterial line, CVP line, PA line etc.) ANESTHESIA MACHINE CHECK
are needed. Arterial lines allow beat-by-beat blood pressure monitoring, (HIGHLIGHTS ONLY SEE FULL CHECKLIST)
arterial blood gas monitoring and easy access to blood for tests. A CVP Oxygen Line Pressure
line is helpful to assess right-sided cardiac filling pressures. PA-lines are Oxygen Flowmeter
EMERGENCY STUFF
Nitrous Line Pressure
helpful when cardiac output must be measured or when right-sided
Nitrous Flowmeter
cardiac pressure data would not be expected to reflect what is
Airway Equipment
Oxygen Tank Check
happening on the left side. PA catheters measure:
Check for Leaks
Resuscitator Bag
Vaporizer Check
(1) CVP waveform
Check Ventilator
(2) PA waveform
Defibrillator
(3) PCWP (wedge pressure)
AIRWAY EQUIPMENT
Crash Cart
(4) Cardiac Output
Suction
Oxygen
(5) Right-sided resistance (PVR pulmonary vascular resistance)
Emergency Drugs
Laryngoscope
(6) Left-sided resistance (SVR system vascular resistance)
Endotracheal Tube
(7) PA temperature
Fire Extinguisher
Stylet (in ETT)
SOLES
Evoked potential studies sometimes are useful to monitor the brain and
spinal cord during neurosurgical and orthopedic procedures.

Premedication

Order preoperative sedation, drying agents, antacids, H2 blockers, or

other drugs as appropriate. SAMPLE PREMEDICATION ORDERS:
Preoperative sedation
Diazepam 10 mg po with sip water 90 min preop
Midazolam 1 mg IV in holding area if requested by patient
Morphine 10 mg / Trilaphon 2.5 mg IM one hr preop (heavier)
Drying agent (e.g., prior to awake intubation)
Glycopyrrolate 0.4 mg IM one hr preop
Reduce gastric acidity (e.g., patients at aspiration risk)
Ranitidine 150 mg po evening before surgery and again in am
Cardiac prophylaxis (e.g., mitral stenosis)
Antibiotics as per AHA protocol

10

Intravenous Access

Start an intravenous (IV) of appropriate size in the hand or forearm

(first using local anesthesia for larger IV sizes.)

12

Drug Preparation

Prepare drugs in labeled syringes. Examples:

Drug

Concentration

Use

Syringe

Thiopental

25 mg/ml

Induction

20 ml

Propofol

10 mg/ml

Induction

20 ml

Fentanyl

50 mcg/ml

Analgesia

5 ml

Midazolam

1 mg/ml

Amnesia / Hypnosis

5 ml

Succinylcholine

20 mg/ml

Intubation

10 ml

Curare

3 mg/ml

Muscle Relaxation

5 ml

Vecuronium

1 mg/ml

Muscle Relaxation

5 ml

Pancuronium

2 mg/ml

Muscle Relaxation

5 ml

Not all these drugs will be drawn up at one in any one case (e.g.
usually need only one induction agent). Most patients will not need the
full amount of any of these syringes at any one time.

13

Emergency Drug Preparation

Prepare emergency drugs for the case. Low risk cases may not need
any of these drugs to be instantly ready. High risk cases may also
In most cases, a size 20, 18 or 16 gauge IV catheter is hooked up to a require dopamine, epinephrine, norepinephrine and other agents.
bag of Normal Saline (0.9%) or Lactated Ringers solution is usually
used.
Atropine 3 ml syringe 0.6 mg /ml Used to raise heart rate (HR)
Ephedrine 10 ml syringe 5 mg /ml
Used to raise BP (and HR)
A large size 14 is often used in cardiac cases and other large cases, or
Phenylephrine 20 ml syringe 50 mcg / ml Used to raise BP
where the patient is feared to be hypovolemic.
Nitroglycerine 10 ml syringe 0.2 mg / ml Used to lower BP / treat
Some cases (e.g., trauma cases) will require more than one IV or will heart ischemia
require a fluid warmer to avoid hypothermia. In other cases IV access Esmolol 10 ml syringe 10 mg /ml Used to lower HR (and BP)
will be via a central line, as in a line placed in the internal jugular vein,
an external jugular vein or a subclavian vein.

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18

Attach Patient Monitors

Prior to induction of general anesthesia the electrocardiogram, blood

pressure cuff and pulse oximeter should be attached and baseline vital
signs taken. The IV should also be rechecked before the induction
drugs are given. After induction / intubation the capnograph, airway
pressure monitor, neuromuscular blockade monitor and temperature
probe should be attached. Special monitors (CVP, arterial line, evoked
potentials, precordial Doppler) may also be needed.

15

Give Preinduction Drugs

Rocuronium 3 to 5 mg IV may be given to prevent fasciculation (with

resulting myalgia) from succinylcholine (a rapid onset ultrashort
acting intravenous depolarizing muscle relaxant used primarily for
intubation). Small doses of midazolam (e.g. 1 - 2 mg IV) and/or
fentanyl (e.g. 50 - 100 mcg IV) may be given to "smooth out" induction.
Larger doses may be appropriate where less than usual doses of
thiopental or propofol are planned (e.g. in cardiac patients).
Preinduction hemodynamic tuning using nitroglycerine or esmolol
may be needed in hypertensive patients or patients with coronary
artery disease.

16

Using your gloved left hand insert a laryngoscope to visualize the

epiglottis and cords and then pass an endotracheal tube (ETT) through
the abducted vocal cords with your right hand. Ordinarily the ETT
should be positioned with lips around 21 cm for women, 23 cm for men.
Inflate the ETT cuff to 25 cm H2O pressure to establish a seal (about 5
ml air will usually suffice), then hook up ETT to patient breathing circuit.
Check for equal air entry with stethoscope and check for correctappearing capnogram. (If an LMA is used, it is inserted without a
laryngoscope).

19

Tell the patient he / she will be going to sleep.

Get baseline vital signs.

Ventilate the Patient

Although many cases can be done with the patient breathing on their
own breathing spontaneously, all cases using muscle relaxants need
mechanical ventilation for a period. USUAL VENTILATOR SETTINGS:
Tidal volume 10-12 ml/kg.
Respiratory rate 8-12/min.
Oxygen concentration 30%
NOTE Aim for a PCO2 of 35 - 40 mm Hg in normal cases, and 28-32
mm Hg in patients with increased intracranial pressure. Ensure that all
ventilation-related alarms (apnea, high airway pressure, etc.) are
enabled and appropriately set.

20

Induce General Anesthesia

Intubate the Patient (Secure the Airway)

Look at Oxygenation

Room air is 21% oxygen. Under anesthesia patients are given a

Using thiopental (e.g. 3-5 mg / kg), propofol (e.g. 2-3 mg / kg) minimum 30 percent oxygen (Exception: cancer patients who have
or other IV drugs, render the patient unconscious.
taken bleomycin get only 21% oxygen to reduce the chance of oxygen
toxicity). 100 percent oxygen with aggressive PEEP (Positive End
Consider using etomidate or ketamine for hypovolemic
Expiratory Pressure) may be required in patients with severe
patients.
respiratory failure (e.g., as in ARDS). Aim for a pulse oximeter reading
(arterial oxygen saturation) above 95%. Drops in arterial oxygenation
Consider using fentanyl or sufentanil as the main induction
are often due to endotracheal tube displacement into the right bronchus
agent for cardiac cases.
check for equal air entry in all such cases.
Use of an inhalation induction with a potent agent such as
sevoflurane would also work, but is far less popular in adults.

17

21

Dial in Inhaled Anesthetic

Provide maintenance anesthesia with nitrous oxide (N2O) 70%, oxygen

30% and a potent inhaled agent such as isoflurane (e.g. 1%). Using
blood pressure, heart rate and other indices of anesthetic depth, adjust
After the patient is unconscious, as evidenced by loss of a lid reflex, use the inhaled agent concentration as needed (or give increments of IV
a depolarizing muscle relaxant such as succinylcholine or a
agents such as fentanyl or propofol). Other volatile agents used in
nondepolarizing agent such as rocuronium or vecuronium to paralyze general anesthesia include sevoflurane, desflurane or halothane. Ether
the patient in order facilitate endotracheal intubation.
is still used in some parts of the world.

Provide Muscle Relaxation

Succinylcholine is popular in this setting because of its rapid onset and

offset (short duration of effect), but many clinicians never use
succinylcholine routinely because of its occasionally lethal side effects
related to hyperkalemia and because it is a trigger of malignant
hyperthermia in susceptible individuals.
The effects of muscle relaxant drugs can be monitored using a nerve
stimulator (twitch monitor) as well as by observing the patient for
unwanted movements.
(This step is not needed if a face mask or Laryngeal Mask Airway is
used, or if the patient is intubated awake).

22

Add Intravenous Anesthetics

Add fentanyl, midazolam, propofol or other anesthetic agents as

needed according to your clinical assessment of the anesthetic depth.
Increments of fentanyl (50 100 mcg) will help maintain analgesia.
Some clinicians prefer an all IV technique - Total Intravenous
Anesthesia, or TIVA. This can be useful in patients with susceptibility to
Malignant Hyperthermia (who cannot receive succinylcholine or potent
inhaled agents such as desflurane, sevoflurane or isoflurane).

11

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27

Add Muscle Relaxants

Emergence

Muscle relaxation is needed for abdominal surgery and many other

clinical situations. Using a neuromuscular blockade monitor add muscle
relaxants as needed. (The degree of neuromuscular blockade is
estimated by examining the finger movement patterns when the ulnar
nerve is stimulated electrically with a series of four high-voltage shocks
spaced 500 milliseconds apart.) Remember that not all cases require
muscle relaxation and that all patients getting muscle relaxants must be
ventilated mechanically.

When the surgery is nearing completion, discontinue the anesthetic

agents and reverse any neuromuscular blockade (e.g. neostigmine
2.5 - 5 mg IV with atropine 1.2 mg or glycopyrrolate 0.4 mg IV).
Neostigmine is never given alone (or your patient will get severe
bradycardia or cardiac arrest). Use a neuromuscular blockade monitor
(nerve stimulator) to ensure that any muscle relaxation has been wellreversed. Allow spontaneous ventilation to resume. Check respiratory
pattern visually and via capnograph. Wait for consciousness to return.

24

28

Fluid Management

Extubation

Ensure adequate hematocrit, coagulation, intravascular volume and

urine output by giving adequate IV fluids and blood products. For most
cases run an IV of Normal Saline or Ringers solution at 250 ml/hr to
start, then adjust to meet the following goals:

Once the patient is awake and obeying commands, suction out the
oropharynx with a large-bore mouth sucker, remove air from the ETT
cuff with a 10 ml syringe, and pull out the ETT. Apply 100% oxygen by
face mask after extubation. Supply jaw-thrust, oral airway, nasal airway
or other airway interventions as needed to maintain good spontaneous
[1] In first two hours of case, replace any preoperative fluid deficit (e.g. breathing. Keep a close eye on the patients breathing and on the pulse
NPO for 8 hours x 125 ml maintenance fluid needed per hour kept NPO oximeter (keep above 95%).
= 1000 ml to give in first 2 hrs)
[2] Meanwhile, for entirety of case replace third space surgical losses
at 2 - 10 ml/kg/hr (e.g., 2 for carpal tunnel repair, 5 for lap chole, 10 for
bowel surgery.)
[3] Maintain urine output over 50 ml / hr or 0.5 to 1.0 ml/kg/hr
[4] Maintain hematocrit in safe range (above 0.24 in everyone; at or
above 0.3 in selected patients at risk).

25

29

Transport to PACU

(Recovery Room)
When the case is over and the paperwork done, bring the stretcher into
the OR and put the patient on it without pulling out lines and
disconnecting monitors.
Don't forget the oxygen tank and oxygen mask.

Monitor Depth of Anesthesia

Monitor patients breathing visually. Keep a finger on a pulse while

moving the patient (in appropriate cases), but use a transport monitor
for sick patients or for big surgical cases (eg, cardiac surgery).

Unintended intraoperative awareness during surgery, while rare, is a

monumental tragedy to the patient and can trigger post-traumatic stress
disorder. It may happen when a vaporizer inadvertently empties or other Give report to RNs in PACU as well as to the anesthesiologist
problem (e.g. infusion pump failure).occurs. Remember that awake
managing the PACU (complex cases).
surgical patients cannot signal their distress if they are paralyzed with
muscle relaxants. Using clinical assessment, ensure that the patient is
PACU = Post Anesthetic Care Unit
unconscious. This is more of an art than a science, but takes into
account autonomic findings such as BP and HR and the amounts of
drugs given to date. Use of a potent inhaled agent like isoflurane is
especially likely to ensure unconsciousness. A BIS monitor (Bispectral
Index Monitor) is frequently advocated as a monitor of anesthetic depth.

26

30

Prevent Hypothermia

Arrange Postoperative Care

Before leaving, take care of any remaining paperwork. This includes

analgesic orders (e.g. morphine 2 - 4mg IV prn), oxygen orders (e.g.
Perioperative hypothermia can be a serious problem for some patients. nasal prongs 4 liters/min or face mask 35% oxygen), antibiotics,
feeding orders, fluid orders and post-operative tests such as
For example, patients who shiver in the recovery room after surgery
electrolytes and hematocrit.
use excessive oxygen and may put a strain on the heart (induce
myocardial ischemia in patients with coronary artery disease). Keep
core temperature above 35 Celsius using fluid warmers, forced air
Be sure to identify any special concerns you have about the patient.
heaters or just keeping the room warm. Measure axillary, rectal or
oropharyngeal temperature to ascertain the degree of hypothermia.
Where appropriate, discuss current clinical situation with patients
Temperature monitoring also helps detect the occurrence of an
family.
episode of Malignant Hyperthermia (a hypermetabolic syndrome).

12