BACKGROUND The normal prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level in patients with urethral catheterization is a controversy. We designed this study to investigate the effect of nontraumatic urethral catheterization without urinary retention on serum PSA. MATERIALS AND METHODS Seventy patients scheduled for urethral catheterization before elective surgeries were randomly selected and included in th...

The prevalence of anemia in elective surgical patients may be as frequent as 75% in certain populations. A national audit demonstrated that 35% of patients scheduled for joint replacement therapy have a hemoglobin <13 g/dL on preadmission testing. Standard practice currently consists of preadmission testing 3 to 7 days before an elective operative procedure, precluding the opportunity to effect...

OBJECTIVE To evaluate our unit's theatre throughput efficiency, to identify where inefficiencies existed and consequently where the greatest improvement might be made.To identify the causes of day of surgery cancellations and how they might be avoided.  PATIENTS AND METHODS A prospective audit of theatre utilisation was undertaken over a 6 month period between 05/02//2013 and 02/08/2013 at Ip...

Patient education is a major concern for perioperative nurses in an ambulatory surgery setting. It has proven difficult to develop formal preoperative teaching programs in this environment, but research has shown that preoperative education can improve patient outcomes and satisfaction with the surgical experience. Typical patient education consists of pamphlets that are given to the patient be...

OBJECTIVES The incidence of fentanyl-induced cough (FIC) during induction of general anesthesia varies around 40% and is undesirable. It increases intracranial, intraocular, and intra-abdominal pressures. This prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluated the effect of dexmedetomidine (DEX) pretreatment on the incidence and severity of FIC. METHODS Altogether 300 p...

The aim of this descriptive study was to compare preoperative and post-operative sleep/wake cycle (SWC) patterns of 22 women undergoing elective surgery, with up to one day of hospitalization. The study was approved by the local Review Board. Voluntary women (average age 39 +/- 9) filled out a Sleep Journal for 23 consecutive days, before and after the surgery (46 days total). Data were analyze...

BACKGROUND Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, is a popular choice amongst anaesthesiologists in the operating room. Pre induction intravenous fentanyl bolus is associated with coughing in 28-65% of patients. Fentanyl induced cough is not always benign and can be remarkably troublesome at the most critical moment of anaesthesia when airway reflex is lost. OBJECTIVES To study the effect of pre empti...

A recent study at the Prince of Wales Hospital (PoW) compared health outcomes and user satisfaction for conventional clinical pathways with a shortened pathway incorporating day of surgery admission (DOSA), early discharge and post acute care domiciliary visits for two high volume, elective surgical procedures (herniorrhaphy and laparoscopic cholecystectomy). This paper quantifies cost differen...

Introduction Given the recent advances in anesthesia, surgery, and monitoring technology, day surgery (DS) offers potential advantages for elderly patients undergoing elective surgery. Epidemiological data show a continuous expansion of elderly population, associated with an increased demand for surgical treatments by older patients. This review summarizes current selection criteria, anaesthesi...

In children pre-anaesthetic medications are frequently administered as pharmacological adjunctions to help alleviate the stress and fear of surgery as well as to ease child parental separation and promote a smooth induction. Oral, rectal, intravenous and intramuscular route has been used; however each route has its disadvantage. Pre-anaesthetic medication administered intranasal for avoidance o...