Review
Anaesthetic implications during the COVID-19 pandemic: an appraisal of the literature
Authors:
Ravindri Jayasinghe,
University of Colombo, LK
About Ravindri
Department of Surgery and Department of Anaesthesiology & Critical Care, Faculty of Medicine
Nadeeshya Welikala,
National Hospital Colombo, LK
About Nadeeshya
Department of Anaesthesiology & Critical Care
Ravindi Gunaratne,
National Hospital of Sri Lanka, LK
About Ravindi
Department of Anaesthesiology & Critical Care
Umesh Jayarajah ,
University of Colombo, LK
About Umesh
Department of Surgery and Department of Anaesthesiology & Critical Care, Faculty of Medicine
Vihara Dassanayake,
University of Colombo, LK
About Vihara
Department of Surgery and Department of Anaesthesiology & Critical Care, Faculty of Medicine
Sanjeewa Seneviratne
University of Colombo, LK
About Sanjeewa
Department of Surgery and Department of Anaesthesiology & Critical Care, Faculty of Medicine
Abstract
The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has raised many concerns regarding the safety of patients and healthcare workers. Anaesthetic implications and the impact of this pandemic on anaesthesiologists have been discussed widely in the recent past. Operating theatres are high-risk areas where anaesthesiologists perform various aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs).
Prolong patient contact predisposes them to the risk of exposure. Scarcity of resources and limitations in testing pose an additional risk to the anesthesiologist. Although guidance from various professional bodies is in abundance, there is a general lack of consensus. This review summarises current evidence and guidelines related to anaesthesiology during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ensuring the provision of unhindered care, ensuring patient safety and protecting oneself with optimum utilization of available resources remain a challenge to the anesthesiologist.
How to Cite:
Jayasinghe R, Welikala N, Gunaratne R, Jayarajah U, Dassanayake V, Seneviratne S. Anaesthetic implications during the COVID-19 pandemic: an appraisal of the literature. Sri Lanka Journal of Surgery. 2021;39(1):48–52. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/sljs.v39i1.8814
Published on
31 Mar 2021.
Peer Reviewed
Downloads
