Canadian Journal of Anesthesia, Vol 9, 331-341, Copyright © 1962 by Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society

The Role of the Anaesthetist in the Postanaesthetic Period

¹ Department of Anaesthesia, Vancouver General Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia

The anaesthetist's responsibility and interests are broadening. The role of the anaesthetist in the postanaesthetic period and his role in the management of special care patients in the postanaesthetic recovery room at Vancouver General Hospital is reviewed. The most common recovery room calls that may be associated with any surgical patient in the postanaesthetic period are for acute respiratory difficulty, hypotension, pain, nausea, and vomiting. There are special problems associated with the surgical patient after cardiac arrest and open-heart procedures. Problems of respiratory insufficiency may arise in the postanaesthetic period with patients having pre-existing chronic respiratory pathology associated with post-poliomyelitis, advanced emphysema, myasthenia gravis, and tetanus. In addition, intensive care by the anaesthetist may be required in the management of respiratory insufficiency in patients with a crushed chest, chronic asthmatics with acute exacerbations, and in advanced pulmonary emphysema.

The anaesthetist with his special training in the management of respiratory failure and inadequacy, along with his knowledge of pharmacology, has a great deal to contribute as a useful and often indispensable member of the therapeutic team.

Note:

Modified from an address to the Manitoba Division Meeting, Canadian Anaesthetists' Society, Winnipeg, October 10th, 1961.