Synopsis Surgery requires orchestration of numerous components, including requirements for satisfactory operating space; a clean, safe environment; working sterile equipment; and qualified anesthesia, nursing, and theater personnel. Also essential are factors outside of direct perioperative control. Guaranteeing that all of…
Synopsis The use of ultrasound (US) has revolutionized regional anesthesia and become an important component of surgical anesthesia and acute pain management. Its relative safety and ease of performance make it a perfect option for surgeries in resource-poor settings. Specifically,…
Synopsis Delivery of general anesthesia requires a trained anesthesia provider; the availability of functioning, safe anesthetic equipment and patient monitors; and the essential anesthetic and resuscitative medications. Anesthesia is an essential component of surgery, and when anesthesia services are inadequate,…
Synopsis The purpose of this chapter is to help experienced perioperative registered nurses prepare for their first international surgical trip by familiarizing them with the process of establishing and running a successful operating room (OR) in an unfamiliar facility in…
Synopsis Elective surgery in resource-limited countries is often performed by mobile surgical teams, either as an outreach within the country itself, or as a volunteer group from another country. These teams provide a needed service; however, they are often operating…
Introduction Peripheral nerve injuries are common and can be functionally devastating. Improved understanding of nerve topography, injury, and regeneration has led to advances in peripheral nerve surgery and increased treatment options for our patients. Traditionally, when a tensionless repair cannot…
Introduction More than 89 upper extremities and 30 face transplants have been performed worldwide since 1998, proving that vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA) is technically feasible and guarantees long-term survival under currently available immunosuppressive regimens. VCA is not a lifesaving procedure,…
Introduction Composite tissue allotransplantation (CTA) involves transplantation of various complex tissues embryologically derived from different layers that can include musculoskeletal structures (nerve, bone, muscle, etc.), skin and mucosa, and their adnexal extensions. These differ from well-known solid organ allotransplantations, which…
Introduction Hand and upper extremity transplantation is the most common form of vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA) or reconstructive transplantation and has evolved from a procedure only performed at the distal forearm level to a procedure now being performed above the…
Introduction The notion of drastically improving the treatment of catastrophic facial injuries, regardless of the cause, has motivated surgeons to pursue the development of facial transplantation in addition to other types of vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA) over the past few…