Introduction The use of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), performed by the anesthesiologist, has become commonplace in cardiac surgery operating rooms in recent years. This has been especially prominent as the use of Swan-Ganz catheters has diminished at the same time. Outside…
Introduction Lung ultrasound (LUS) has become standard of care in many clinical settings and has proven feasible at the bedside for detecting life-threatening conditions, such as pneumothorax, with a sensibility and specificity often superior to standard chest radiography. For some…
Introduction Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) refers to a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to patient-centered care in the perioperative period. The primary goals of enhanced recovery are an efficient return to baseline functional status and an avoidance of complications. Enhanced recovery…
Introduction Robots have become increasingly present in contemporary reality. One can find them working in places where humans cannot reach because of biologic limitations, and helping people in different fields, as in the area of health care. In this regard,…
Introduction An airway stent is a prosthesis inserted to maintain intraluminal integrity of a compromised conducting airway, which can consist of either relief from airway obstruction or restoration of patency of the airway, such as in the case of fistulas…
Clinical Case A 17-year-old male with cystic fibrosis (CF), pancreatic insufficiency and steatorrhea and severely compromised respiratory function was evaluated for lung transplantation. An episode of bowel obstruction when he was 15 years old required a laparotomy. During the months…
Introduction Over the past 3 decades, the world has experienced an obesity epidemic. Obesity is increasing rapidly in almost every part of the world; overweight and obesity rates are higher in the United States than in any other developed country.…
Hemoptysis Key Points Severe hemoptysis is a life-threatening medical emergency. Careful systematic workup is needed to identify the origin and reason for hemoptysis. The anesthesiologist should play an important role in identifying the severity and origin of hemoptysis, initiation first-aid…
Introduction Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disorder affecting the neuromuscular junction for which patients commonly undergo surgical thymectomy as definitive treatment. It is therefore of great significance to the thoracic anesthesiologist. It is a chronic disorder characterized by fluctuating…
Introduction Thoracic spine surgery can be performed from anterior, posterior, or combined approaches. Selection of the appropriate surgical approach depends on the optimal surgical procedure for the patient, the complexity of intervention to be performed, the location and extent of…