Balanced Anesthesia: The Modern Standard of Care

Balanced Anesthesia is not a specific drug but rather a technique or philosophy that involves the careful combination of multiple anesthetic agents—each with a different primary function—to achieve the optimal state for surgery. The goal is to create a “balanced” state where the patient is safely anesthetized with minimal physiological disruption and side effects.

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Inhalational Induction of Anesthesia

Inhalational induction of anesthesia is the process of transitioning a patient from a state of consciousness to unconsciousness solely by having them inhale a volatile anesthetic agent. This method stands in contrast to the more common intravenous (IV) induction, where anesthetic drugs are injected directly into the bloodstream.

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A Resident’s Guide to Spinal Anesthesia: From Theory to Practice

Section 1: The Anatomical and Physiological Foundation Spinal anesthesia, or subarachnoid block (SAB), is one of the most fundamental and valuable skills in our armamentarium. It provides excellent, rapid-onset anesthesia for a wide variety of surgical procedures. Mastering it requires a deep understanding of the underlying anatomy, pharmacology, and a…

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Intravenous Induction of Anesthesia

IV induction rapidly induces unconsciousness (15–60 sec) via intravenous drugs, enabling airway management. Preferred for speed, predictability, and patient comfort, it avoids inhalational agents’ irritancy. Key advantages include precise titration, hemodynamic control, and suitability for rapid sequence intubation (RSI). It remains the standard for adult anesthesia induction.

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Epidural Anesthesia

Master epidural anesthesia fundamentals with our comprehensive guide covering anatomy, physiology, indications, contraindications, and pharmacology. Essential knowledge for anesthesia residents to understand this versatile regional technique used in obstetrics, surgery, and pain management. Perfect for exam preparation and clinical practice.

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Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) is frequently encountered in today’s clinical practice. This colorless, non-flammable gas has a fascinating history and remains one of the oldest anesthetic agents still in use today. It was first synthesized by English chemist Joseph Priestley in 1772, though he didn’t recognize its potential medical applications.

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Endotracheal Tube

Endotracheal Tube

The endotracheal tube has evolved from a simple metal cannula to a sophisticated, highly specialized medical device. Its development has paralleled and enabled the advancement of surgery, critical care, and emergency medicine.

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Propofol

If there’s one drug you need to know inside and out, it’s this one – Propofol. It’s in every OR, every GI lab, and every ICU. It’s elegant, fast, and powerful. But with great power comes great responsibility (and significant hypotension).

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