The Natural Caesarean section technique is associated with increased breastfeeding rates and improved patient experience. It allows parents to be actively involved in the birth process, promoting bonding opportunities between mother and baby.
The European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care proposes new guidelines for in-flight cardiac arrest, highlighting the importance of emergency equipment and crew training. The guidelines aim to improve treatment recommendations and reduce fatalities in such cases.
The European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care debates physician-assisted suicide, with advocates arguing for respect for autonomy and compassion. The opposition emphasizes the importance of preserving dignity and the value of human life, regardless of suffering or burden to others.
New research suggests that breastfeeding for over 2 months reduces the risk of chronic post-C-section pain. Mothers who breastfed longer had lower rates of persistent pain compared to those who breastfed for less time. The study also found a significant association between anxiety during breastfeeding and increased risk of chronic pain.
A recent study found that frail patients are almost twice as likely to die in the year following critical care admission, with nearly 40% dying within one year. Additionally, frail patients were more than twice as likely to need institutional care and become increasingly dependent after discharge from hospital.
New research finds that older patients can tolerate more post-operative pain, despite reduced functional impairment. However, age may influence how much pain is reported due to social reasons or increased pain perception.
Experts say international variation in brain death definition must be cleared up to improve management of patients at end-of-life and increase successful organ donation. A universal definition and procedure are needed to reduce confusion and restore professional and public trust.
A study found that ICU noise levels significantly exceeded recommended limits, with average sound levels above 45 dBA and peaks exceeding 52 dBA. The authors recommend measures to reduce sound levels, including earplugs for patients and smart alarm systems.
A study by Dr. Sarah Saxena found that breast cancer patients need fewer painkillers after non-opiate anesthesia, which may reduce side effects like nausea and vomiting. Non-opiate anesthesia could also potentially lower cancer recurrence rates, but further research is needed to confirm these findings.
A study by Dr. Subhamay Ghosh and colleagues found that only 24% of pregnant women were tested for pregnancy before undergoing surgery, highlighting a significant gap in care. The researchers recommend increasing awareness and implementing standardized testing protocols to improve safety for mothers and babies.
A study found that patients who listened to relaxing music before cataracts surgery experienced significantly reduced anxiety and required less sedation. Music-induced relaxation lasts for approximately 60 minutes after the music stops, making it a potential non-pharmacological method to reduce pre-operative anxiety.
A new meta-analysis shows that ketamine is half as likely to experience persistent post-surgical pain compared to placebo, offering a cheap and safe treatment option. This could lead to significant cost savings globally if widely adopted.
A new study at a UK hospital found that refusing access to the recovery room unless the full WHO Safe Surgery Checklist is complete improves its use. The checklist has been proven to improve safety standards and reduce surgical complications.
A meta-analysis of existing data found that the Safe Surgery Checklist (SSCL) improves outcomes worldwide, reducing mortality by 21% in high-income countries and 35% in low-middle income countries. The checklist also significantly reduces surgical site infections and postoperative complications.
Research shows that public access defibrillation on people suffering cardiac arrest is associated with a large increase in chances of survival. However, despite the great potential, publicly accessible Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are not being used enough.
The European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care concludes that there is no clinically relevant evidence to withdraw nitrous oxide from clinical practice or procedural sedation. The debate focuses on the decline of its use over the last 15 years due to new, well-tolerated anaesthetic drugs and modern machines.
A study of US and international orthopaedic surgery patients found that despite receiving more pain medication, American patients reported higher worst pain scores than international patients. This suggests that the relationship between pain medication and pain perception may be complex.
Research found that preoperative statin use significantly reduces the risk of death after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. The study, published recently, evaluated data from over 16,000 patients and showed a protective effect of statins on perioperative mortality.
A study found that perioperative hypothermia affects patient experience and post-operative outcomes. The study revealed that most heat loss occurs from induction to recovery and that warming measures are often not applied enough.
A study by Dr Erdogan Ozturk and colleagues found that smokers need more anaesthetic and painkillers compared to non-smokers, while passive smokers also require higher doses. The researchers suggest that nicotine may affect anaesthetic metabolism or desensitize pain-sensing nerve cells.
A study of over 250,000 patients suggests that low blood pressure is a greater risk factor for death after surgery than high blood pressure. The research found that patients with low systolic or diastolic pressure had significantly increased odds of perioperative mortality.
A recent study of over 10,000 patients found that men tend to feel more pain after undergoing major surgery, while women experience higher levels of pain after minor procedures. The research suggests that the type and severity of surgery play a significant role in shaping pain perception.
Bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation increases survival by 2-3 times but is delivered in only 1 in 5 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests across Europe. Improving education for schoolchildren and dispatchers could save thousands of lives.
The study found that children's anxiety scores were lower in the presence of a parent during induction, with higher rates of good compliance (83% vs. 50%) and improved overall quality ratings (9.3/10). Parents who experienced this procedure also reported high satisfaction and willingness to repeat it.
Research at Euroanaesthesia meeting found that children exposed to indoor coal-burning stoves and/or second-hand tobacco smoke experience higher postoperative complications and excessive pain after tonsillectomies. Elevated carboxyhaemoglobin concentrations were linked to increased pain sensitivity and more frequent use of painkillers.
Research reveals that hospital mortality rates are highest following surgery during afternoon hours, on weekends, and in February. A study of 218,758 patients found a significant increase in risk of death during these times.
The European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care invites speakers to challenge common assumptions about end-of-life care. Raanan Gillon presents a case for weighing individual patient circumstances over age when deciding on life-prolonging therapies.
A study of 55 million people worldwide adds evidence that weekend hospital admissions have a higher mortality rate compared to weekdays. The analysis found patients admitted on weekends had an increased risk of death, with subgroup analysis revealing this trend in nearly all categories.
Experts urge for clear and unequivocal criteria to diagnose death, citing variability in brain death diagnosis and lack of global consensus. A proposed operational definition states death occurs when there is permanent loss of capacity for consciousness and loss of all brainstem functions.
Resuscitation efforts should be guided by expert advice, taking into account scenarios where CPR may not be beneficial. Key considerations include witness status, time elapsed since cardiac arrest, patient wishes expressed through living wills or proxies, and potential risks to medical personnel.
In the UK, healthcare staff cannot test unconscious patients for HIV without consent, despite the risk of infection and potential psychological impact. Experts argue that changing the law would protect both patients and healthcare workers.
A new study found that exposure to general anaesthesia may increase the risk of dementia in elderly patients by 35%. The research analyzed data from a prospective population-based cohort and found that participants who received general anaesthetics were more likely to develop dementia. This increased risk was significant even after adj...
Researchers have developed a simple blood test that can identify patients who will not respond to the painkiller tramadol. The test measures the ratio of tramadol's metabolite O-demethyltramadol (ODT) to tramadol itself, allowing doctors to switch non-responding patients to alternative painkillers like morphine.
Researchers found that pre-operative aspirin therapy can halve the risk of post-operative acute kidney failure. The study involved 3,219 patients and showed a significant decrease in incidence of acute renal failure with aspirin use.
Researchers found that sleep-deprived medical staff have difficulty controlling speed and maintaining a straight line while driving, particularly in monotonous conditions. The study suggests providing rest opportunities for staff before driving home and implementing safety measures such as taxis and electronic systems to alert drivers.
A survey of European and US anaesthesiologists found that only 35% monitor cardiac output during high-risk surgery, leading to postoperative complications. The authors call for increased awareness and implementation of guidelines for cardiac output monitoring.
A combination of hypnosis and local anaesthesia during surgery has been found to reduce hospital stays and opioid drug use, improving patient comfort and aid healing. The technique has been successfully used in breast cancer and thyroidectomy procedures, with benefits extending to healthcare systems.
Researchers have created a 3-D movie of brain activity while an individual loses consciousness, revealing a change in electrical activity and communication between brain cells. The findings support a hypothesis that consciousness is formed by neural assemblies, which work efficiently together or not, depending on sensory stimulations.