Authors: Monica Lupei, MD et al  ASA Monitor April 2022, Vol. 86, 34–35. As anesthesiologists, intensivists, and surgeons in a quaternary academic medical center, we often find ourselves in situations where life-altering decisions need to be made in a complex environment with incomplete and rapidly changing information. In our estimation, this has never been truer than […]

ASA Monitor April 2022, Vol. 86, 16. An anesthesia incident reporter writes: “Patient arrives and was administered a slew of sedatives and anesthesia, dropping their heart rate to the point where a new device has to be placed because the original one is now broken, and now there is no way to extract it.” This reporter […]

ASA Monitor April 2022, Vol. 86, 12. A 60-year-old man with chronic back pain presents for spine surgery. According to a recent study comparing the use of conditioned open-label placebo with treatment as usual after spine surgery, which of the following outcomes is MOST likely in the conditioned open-label placebo group? □ (A) Lower postoperative […]

Author: Samuel H. Wald, MD, MBA, FASA ASA Monitor April 2022, Vol. 86, 27–28. Stanford Clinical Assistant Professor Praveen Kalra, MD (left), and Resident Alexandra Klein, MD (right), work with PPE trainer Dane Marin from Performance Medical Group to learn how to correctly don PPE back in 2020. The idea of crisis resource management in anesthesiology […]

Author: Karen Veazey MedicalNewsToday Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a type of rash that occurs due to the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). Although shingles usually resolve after a few weeks, complications can develop that affect the nerves, ears, eyes, or organ systems. VZV is the virus that causes chickenpox. After chickenpox resolves, the virus […]

ASA Monitor April 2022, Vol. 86, 14. A patient experiences a seizure 12 hours after tumescent liposuction of the abdomen and thighs. What is the MOST likely reason for the delay in this complication? □ (A) Third-space crystalloid redistribution □ (B) Epinephrine added to the tumescent solution □ (C) Postprocedure blood loss The tumescent liposuction technique uses large volumes […]

Author: Karen S. Sibert, MD, FASA ASA Monitor April 2022, Vol. 86, 15. I found myself on the wrong side of the ether screen last week, having surgery on my left hand to release Dupuytren’s contracture, a genetic gift from my father and generations of our Viking forebears (asamonitor.pub/33BeNvR). Wondering how long it will take to […]

Authors: Stacey Watt, MD, MBA, MHPE, FASA et al  ASA Monitor April 2022, Vol. 86, 25–28. “Is there anyone so wise as to learn from the experience of others?” – Voltaire For years, wildfires along the west coast of the United States have threatened public safety and led to loss of life, property, and natural resources. […]

This is for our readers who treat pain pts. Author: Zawn Villines MedicalNewsToday A headache is a common symptom of COVID-19, particularly when the disease is due to the Omicron variant of the coronavirus. Headaches may occur as a primary symptom of COVID-19 or as a secondary symptom due to factors such as dehydration, sleep […]

Authors: Kyle P. Nester, MD, FASA; Katherine S. Cox, MD, FASA ASA Monitor April 2022, Vol. 86, 29. Living in Louisiana is great: the food, the people, the vibrant culture. But there are six months out of the year that give many of us pause. Hurricane season can lead to unpredictable events that present unique challenges […]