For years, the administration of anesthesia was hazardous and risky. Because of this, the surgeon and anesthesiologist had to balance the risks and benefits for each patient before proceeding with surgery. In the last two decades, surgical patient care has changed dramatically. New equipment, monitors, and pharmacologic agents have improved surgical techniques and outcomes. Patients once deemed “too sick” for the operating room are frequently found on operating room schedules nationwide.
Today, anesthesiology for healthy patients in most developed countries is highly safe. However, perioperative complications still occur. These events can be catastrophic for patients and have profound implications for residents, surgical and anesthesiology staff, and nurses. Prompt recognition and management of these incidents may reduce or negate complications. This is based on a fundamental knowledge base acquired through several avenues and practiced with other team members to maximize outcomes. Engagement of all caregivers impacts outcomes. Many organizations do not have the structural components or education to recognize or manage these catastrophic events.
This textbook will provide educational material for the many students, nurses, residents or attending physicians who participate in perioperative medicine. It will focus on the most severe perioperative complications and discuss the pathophysiologic and pharmacologic implications unique to each. Additionally, it will provide medicolegal information pertinent to those providing care to these patients. All chapters will be written with the most current and relevant information by experts in each field. The layout and format are designed to be purposeful, logical, and visually compelling. Other features include review questions and answers, chapter summaries, and shaded call-out boxes to facilitate learning.
Catastrophic Perioperative Complications and Management will greatly benefit medical and nursing students, anesthesiology residents, student nurse anesthetists, surgical residents, nurses involved in perioperative medicine, and surgical and anesthesiology attending physicians.
