All posts by Vishal Dhokia

Erector spinae plane (ESP) block

regional, , ,

For abdominal e.g laparotomy or thoracic dermatomes e.g. thoracotomy, rib fractures

Alternative to epidural

Patient awake – sitting or prone

Identify midline (in transverse plane)

Block at level of:

  • T7 level for abdominal cover, even rooftop
  • T5 for thoracic cover (T2 – T9)

Scan laterally so transverse process (TP) in in middle of screen.

Rotate probe vertically to para-sagital plane

Identify layers of subcutaneous tissue, trapezius, (+/- rhomboid), erector spinae (ES)- with articulates with transverse processes

Local anaesthetic at superior entry point. Deep infiltration to level of muscle.

Use Tuohy needle or regional catheter pack needle, in plane approach

Access ESP below ES muscle, adjacent to TP. Can hit it (original description) but more painful. Create space with saline.

Then threat catheter. Leave at least 10cm in the space. Load with 20ml of 0.375% l-bupivicaine to each side.

Then run infusion 0.25% l-bupivicaine at 10ml per hour (split between both sides).

–  NG @ LGH

Links:

 

Liver resection

Uncategorized

Principles:

Keep dry – almost no fluid prior to resection

Then catch up

A-line, CVC, +/- swan sheath

Consider iVC compression by surgeons if hypotensive

Muscle relaxant (consider infusion)

Analgesia: spinal diamorphine, wound infusion catheter (2.5mg/ml levo-bupivicaine @ 10ml/hr). If using morphine PCA – caution (with liver impairment)

 

Anaesthetic considerations for robotic surgery

recipes, ,

Key points:

Maintain muscle paralysis while robot is docked – consider infusion of relaxant

Meticulous positioning with pressure point protection

Difficult to access patient intra-op

Have enough slack on lines

If steep trendelunburg e.g. prostatectomy caution with fluids, raised ICP and IOP, airway oedema.

Recipe for radical prostatectomy:

GA, ETT, 2x IVI, a-line

O2/air/desflurane. MAC 0.8-1.0

Remifentanil (0.1-0.2mcg/kg/min) and atracurium infusion

<500ml prior to anastomosis, max 2000ml in total (if no significant blood loss).

NHS Consultant productivity

health policy, management, , , ,

A very interesting article and comments, arguing that although Consultant numbers have increased,  Consultant productivity has decreased due many systemic factors including workforce planning (including lack in increase in nurses), social and community care capacity limiting patient flow, and capital e.g. lack of ICU beds, IT infrastructure.

Many questions are raised though, such as how can ‘productivity’ be a accurately and meaningfully measured in a useful and comparable way in such a complex system. Also, how does one account and value ofter features such as quality and safety? It’s complex!

Link: http://www.bmj.com/content/356/bmj.j1520

 

The Art of Being Brilliant

art, Conferences, philosophy, random, relationships, study day, The Big Picture, , , , , ,

Take home messages:

  • Make a TO BE list rather than a TO DO list
  • how would the best version of oneself go in to work? – energetic, creative, resilient, positive, confident, upbeat, happy
  • Zig Ziggler
  • Vipassana Vendatta
  • Can choose to be positive vs be a mood hoover
  • Do not moan. ‘get over it’ choose to be positive, be grateful
  • If you did know the answer what would it be? If we were the best team, how would we act?
  • ratio of good/praise to bad/negativity:
    • 1:1 high risk
    • 2:1 at risk
    • 3:1 – minimum for good relationship
    • 6:1 – high performing team
    • 8:1 – children
  • 1st FOUR MINUTES = be the best self.
  • Reframing positively e.g. ‘was it good, great or amazing?’
  • Appreciative enquiry – meeting and discussing what went WELL

Andrew Cope

The Art of Being Brilliant – mentoring update

@beingbrillaint