Description

The “Handbook of Ambulatory Anesthesia, 2nd Edition” is a valuable resource that focuses on the practice of anesthesia for patients undergoing ambulatory or same-day surgery. Ambulatory anesthesia, also known as outpatient or day surgery, is a specialized field that addresses the unique considerations of providing anesthesia for patients who return home on the same day as their surgical procedures. This handbook is designed to provide practical guidance for anesthesia providers, including anesthesiologists, nurse anesthetists, and anesthesiology residents, who care for ambulatory surgery patients. Here’s an overview of the key topics typically covered in this edition:

1. Preoperative Assessment:
   • Comprehensive preoperative assessment of ambulatory surgery patients, encompassing their medical history, physical examination, and relevant diagnostic tests.
2. Anesthesia Techniques:
   • Guidance on anesthesia techniques and agents suitable for ambulatory surgery, emphasizing rapid onset and offset, minimization of postoperative nausea and vomiting, and the use of regional anesthesia when appropriate.
3. Patient Selection:
   • Criteria for patient selection in ambulatory surgery, including assessment of medical fitness, assessment of the surgical procedure, and patient readiness for discharge.
4. Outpatient Pain Management:
   • Strategies for effective postoperative pain management in ambulatory surgery patients, including multimodal analgesia and minimizing opioid use.
5. Anesthetic Monitoring and Safety:
   • Emphasis on continuous monitoring during ambulatory anesthesia, including vital signs, end-tidal carbon dioxide, and pulse oximetry, to ensure patient safety.