Headache is common in the perioperative period (up to 54% patients). Predisposing factors include a history of regular headache and high caffeine intake. Preoperative headache is a strong predictor for postoperative headache. Headache is reported more frequently by females.Perioperative Headache - December 1, 2000

Antiplatelet drugs, such as aspirin and clopidogrel, are widely used in primary and secondary care and are very commonly encountered in the perioperative setting. In this article we explore the specific uses of antiplatelet drugs, their mechanisms of action and possible consequences of their discontinuation. Perioperative Management of Antiplatelet Drugs - December 1, 2010

This article offers a guide to the cardiovascular medications you may encounter and provides advice on how they may be used in the perioperative period.Perioperative Management of Cardiovascular Drugs - June 1, 2007

This article gives advice on perioperative steroid replacement for patients taking long-term steroids.Perioperative Steroids - June 1, 2003

Perioperative neuropathies, vision loss, and positioning-related problems have received increasing attention from the lay press, plaintiffs’ lawyers, the anesthesiology community, and clinical researchers in recent years. This review will provide an update of current findings and discuss possible mechanisms of injury for these potentially devastating problems.Peripheral Neuropathies, Blindness and Positioning Problems - June 1, 2007

This article describes different types of cannula, troubleshooting common problems with cannula insertion and considers how and when to use local anaesthetic drugs in adults. Peripheral venous cannulation - October 28, 2011

Positioning patients is an important daily routine for anaesthetists to facilitate surgical access for a number of procedures. Different positions produce a range of physiological stresses. Particular care is needed for positioning anaesthetised patients to avoid passive movements that would not normally be tolerated. Nerve damage and pressure necrosis commonly result from poor positioning, the incidence is increased by hypotension and hypothermia.Positioning on the Operating Table - December 1, 2002

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) are among the most common adverse events following surgery, anaesthesia and opioid analgesia. Although usually of minor medical impact, they can cause a lot of distress, lead to delayed hospital discharge and increased use of resources. The aetiology of PONV is multifactorial, involving physiological, pathological and pharmacological factors. Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting - December 1, 2003

Clinically significant pulmonary aspiration during general anaesthesia is rare in healthy patients having elective surgery. The majority of serious cases of pulmonary aspiration occur in emergency cases, particularly trauma, obstetrics and abdominal surgery in which delayed gastric emptying may be further prolonged by administration of opioid narcotic analgesics.Preoperative Fasting Guidelines - December 1, 2000

The preoperative preparation and assessment is a vital part of the anaesthetic care given to patients scheduled for both routine and emergency surgery. All patients should be seen and assessed by the anaesthetist who is responsible for the administration of their anaesthetic. This practice not only avoids the chance of mistakes during “hand overs” but ensures continuity and rapport for both the anaesthetist and the patient.Preoperative Preparation - June 1, 1997

This article describes the basic science of pressure, its relevance to anaesthesia and critical care, and its measurement. Adequate blood pressure is essential to maintain the blood supply and function of vital organs. Measurement of blood pressure is therefore a key part of the monitoring of patients during anaesthesia and critical care.Pressure and Blood Pressure Measurement - December 1, 2008

Aspiration is a relatively rare, but potentially fatal complication of general anaesthesia occurring most commonly in emergency patients, those at light level of anaesthesia or with intra-abdominal pathology.Pulmonary Aspiration of Gastric Contents - December 1, 2010

Pulse oximetry is a simple non-invasive method of monitoring patients which can be used in a wide variety of circumstances, and in the face of limited resources. The pulse oximeter represents a wise choice of monitor since, with appropriate training, it allows assessment of several different patient parameters. The basic science principles, pitfalls and clinical use of pulse oximeters are discussed.Pulse Oximetry – Practical Applications - December 1, 2008

This article discusses the fcators to consider when assessing a patient with respieratory disease.Respiratory Disease and Anaesthesia - December 1, 2000

Resuscitation from Cardiac Arrest in Update 10 (1999) described the pathophysiology, aetiology and treatment of cardiac arrest, guided by the Resuscitation Council’s in 2005 by a consensus meeting of the American Heart Association and the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation. The updates have led to some important changes in patient management.Resuscitation From Cardiac Arrest – Updated Guidelines - June 1, 2000

Rheumatoid arthritis is a multi-system chronic inflammatory disorder disorder that presents multiple management problems for the anaesthetist. These are discussed in detail in this article. Rheumatoid Arthritis and Anaesthesia - June 1, 2006

The anaesthetic implications of sicle cell anaemia are dicussed.Sickle Cell Disease and Anaesthesia - June 1, 1994

Regional anaesthesia, although popular in certain centres in developing countries, is generally poorly accepted in these areas as a reliable, economical means for providing operative anaesthesia. Failure of single-injection spinal anaesthetic techniques to achieve richly deserved popularity is difficult to understand given the obvious advantages with which such simple, straightforward, effective, safe and even inexpensive techniques are associated.Spinal Anaesthesia in Developing Countries - December 1, 1993

Rectus sheath analgesia is a safe and reliable alternative to other techniques such as epidural catheters. Where the equipment or technical expertise is not available for ultrasound placed catheters, the surgeon can site bilateral catheters at the beginning or end of a laparotomy. Surgically Placed Rectus Sheath Catheters - December 1, 2010

Suxamethonium (succinylcholine) apnoea occurs when a patient has been given the muscle relaxant suxamethonium, but does not have the enzymes to metabolise it. Thus they remain paralysed for an increased length of time and cannot breathe adequately at the end of an anaesthetic.Suxamethonium Apnoea - December 1, 2003

Using an endotracheal tube to secure a patient’s airway is still the gold standard. Most routine orotracheal or nasotracheal intubations are performed with the help of a laryngoscope that has a curved or straight blade. Other adjuncts such as external laryngeal pressure, a bougie, a stylet or a pair of Magill’s forceps may also be used.Tracheal Intubation Aids - December 1, 2003

Regional anaesthesia techniques are evolving rapidly, with ultrasound technology allowing improvements in reliability and efficacy. Over recent years there has been growing interest in abdominal plane blocks, with promising data emerging on the therapeutic benefits of these techniques. The rectus sheath block is a very useful regional technique which allows sensory blockade of the abdominal wall.Ultrasound Guided Rectus Sheath Block - December 1, 2010

This article outlines the roles of facemasks in anaesthesia and provides advice on overcoming pitfalls in their everyday use. Using a facemask during anaesthesia - October 28, 2011

There are a variety of anaesthetic techniques available and various clinical situations demand different techniques of anaesthesia. A trained anaesthetist should be able to decide the most appropriate method for each case as an anaesthetic decision (not a surgical decision) and have the necessary skills to use the technique of choice.Volatile Anaesthetic Agents - June 1, 1995

One of the prominent features of anaesthetic practice in developing countries is the widespread use of volatile anaesthetic agents. This is surprising, as they are relatively expensive. Even modest supplies of halothane, for example, can cost several times more than the salary of the person using it but despite this burden on limited budgets, in most government hospitals cases are done using general anaesthesia with halothane and no other drug. Volatile Anaesthetic Agents (Update 11) - June 1, 2000

This article is based on WHO information regarding the Haemoglobin Colour Scale which is a simple, reliable and inexpensive tool developed by the WHO to screen for anaemia in the absence of laboratory-based haemoglobin measurement.WHO Haemoglobin Colour Scale - December 1, 2002

This article is reproduction of the WHO Safe Surgery Checklist with its explanatory notes.WHO Safe Surgery Checklist - June 1, 2008