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Postoperative Considerations
| Introduction |
| The Post Anesthesia Care Unite (PACU) is where patients transition between their anesthetized state toward their normal state. They may have been rendered unconscious, had their breathing and blood pressure controlled, or had major neural conduction block with a spinal or epidural local anesthetic. Postooperative course is considered in the pre-op and intra-op period in a variety of way. Should a nerve block be placed for post-op pain control? Has the patient had significant nausea after prior anesthetics and should they receive prophylactic medication in the operating room? Will invasive monitoring be useful to assess postoperative course (e.g. a Swan Ganz catheter). |
| Despite our best efforts, a number of complications are possible in the recovery period and must be watched for and sought out. Complications which sometimes occur and will be discussed here include: |
| failure to awaken |
| cannot or will not breath |
| hypertension or hypotension |
| abnormal cardiac rhythm |
| renal dysfunction |
| metabolic derangements |
| co-existing disease |
| temperature derangements |
| the dread post-operative nausea and vomitting |
| and, of course, airway obstruction |
| If you're ready to continue, let's start |
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