Anesthesia for General Surgery Flashcards
What are CRNAs responsible for during the preoperative evaluation?
- determination of the medical status of the patient
- develop a plan of anesthesia care
- review with patient the proposed plan of care
pertinent information to review with patient/from preop eval
- PMHx
- lab/test results
- physical exam
- NPO status
qualities of an ideal anesthetic
- optimal patient safety and satisfaction
- excellent operating conditions for surgeon
- rapid recovery
- avoid post-operative side effects
- low in cost
- allow early discharge from PACU
- optimize pain control
- allow for optimal OR efficiency
Advantages of using general anesthesia for general surgery
- rapid onset of unconsciousness
- controlled ventilation
- allows for paralysis
- more safely allows for positioning extremes
- lower failure rate
Disadvantages of using general anesthesia for general surgery
- increased stress response
- full stomach - risk for aspiration
- PONV
- postoperative sedation
what BIS value is considered adequate GA
40-60
Advantages of using regional anesthesia for general surgery
- maintenance of consciousness
- skeletal muscle relaxation
- contraction of GI tract
- lower insufflation pressure
- decreased stress response
- faster recovery
advantages of spinal anesthesia
- less time to perform
- rapid onset sensory/motor anesthesia
- less pain
advantages of epidural anesthesia
- less risk of PDPH (post-dural puncture HA)
- less hypotension
- catheter
- post-operative analgesia
Disadvantages of using regional anesthesia for general surgery
- occasional failure to produce adequate levels of sensory anesthesia
- hypotension due to SNS blockade (worse with hypovolemia)
advantages of peripheral nerve block
- good option for superficial operations of extremities
- consciousness
- protective upper airway reflexes
- isolated anesthetic effect (pulmonary/CV disease)
disadvantages of peripheral nerve block
- unpredictable sensory and motor anesthesia
- success rate related to experience of provider
- patient cooperation
CV considerations for positioning
- central, regional and local mechanisms can blunt the effects of position changes to maintain perfusion to vital organs
- erect to supine –> increased VR –> preload, SV, CO augmented
- increased arterial BP –> baroreceptors activated –> decreased SNS outflow –> increased PSNS impulse to SA node –> decreased HR, SV, CO
- mechanoreceptors –> decreased SNS outflow
- atrial reflexes activated to regulate renal sympathetic activity
- GA, muscle relaxation, PPV, and neuraxial blockade interfere with VR, arterial tone, and autoregulation
- spinal/epidural - significant sympathectomy
- PPV - increases intrathoracic pressure, decreases VR
- PEEP - also increases mean intrathoracic pressure
- art BP labile immediately following induction + positioning
Pulmonary considerations for positioning
- anesthetized with spontaneous ventilation = reduced Vt and FRC
- anesthetized with PPV = adequate MV, some atelectasis [abnormal diaphragm shape, decreased V/Q matching, decreased PaO2]
- neuraxial = loss of abdominal/thoracic muscle function, retained diaphragmatic function
- any position that limits movement of diaphragm, chest wall or abdomen may increase atelectasis or intrapulmonary shunt
supine position
- most common
- arms either abducted or adducted (tucked)
- if abducted, ensure less than 90 degrees to minimized brachial plexus injury by caudad pressure in axilla from head of humerus
- supinated hand/forearm to protect ulnar nerve
- pad elbows, IV lines, and stopcocks
lawn chair position
- modified supine
- hips/knees slightly flexed
frog-leg position
- modified supine
- hips/knees flexed and hips externally rotated
supine position complications
- pressure alopecia
- backache (prevent by padding spine or flex hip/knee)
- soft tissue ischemia (bony prominences)
- peripheral nerve injury (ulnar most common)
- OR table weight limit
what is the usual OR table weight limit?
200 kg
trendelenburg position
- non-sliding mattress
- shoulder braces not recommended (can cause brachial plexus injury)
- significant CV/Resp effects
trendelenburg position complications
- increased CVP, ICP, and IOP
- swelling of face, conjunctiva, larynx and tongue
- potential postop airway obstruction (ensure decreased swelling before extubation)
- decreased FRC and pulmonary compliance
- increased work of breathing in spontaneous vent
- in MV, higher airway pressure needed
- ETT preferred to protect airway from aspiration and atelectasis
reverse trendelenburg position
- supine, head tilted upward
- facilitates upper abdominal surgery by shifting contents caudad
- detect hypotension due to decreased VR
- reduced perfusion pressure to brain
lithotomy position
- gyno, rectal, urologic surgeries
- hips flexed 80-100 degrees
- legs abducted 30-45 degrees from midline
- legs held by stirrups (candy cane, knee crutch, or calf support)
- avoid crush injury to fingers when putting foot board down
- both legs raised and lowered together to prevent injury to hips
- increased preload, reduced lung compliance, decreased Vt, increased abdominal pressure
- common = peroneal nerve injury (lateral head of fibula)
- lower extremity compartment syndrome
lateral decubitus position
- thorax, retroperitoneal, or hip procedures
- balanced with anterior and posterior support, flexed dependent leg, arms positioned in front of patient
- prevent lateral rotation of neck and stretch of brachial plexus
- check ears, eyes, all pressure points
- axillary roll to avoid compression injury to dependent brachial plexus
- kidney rest - dependent iliac crest (IVC compression)
- can compromise pulm function, favors ventilation of nondependent lung and blood flow to underventilated dependent lung