Page 9 - Part 2 Anesthesiology Common Risk Issues

SVMIC Anesthesiology: Common Risk Issues

position physiologically. 1

Some examples of intraoperative positioning issues in the cases

reviewed that were alleged to have caused significant disability
to the patient include:

• Brachial plexus injury as a result of inadequate padding
during surgery

• Skin sloughing off after failure to monitor the contact

points of the patient’s face during a lengthy procedure

• Compartment syndrome in the arms as a result of

improper positioning and failure to monitor

Dental Issues

Tooth damage is one of the most common non-threatening

complications in anesthesia, and injuries to the teeth are often
associated with airway care during general anesthesia. Although

anesthesiologists consistently work in the mouth of patients,
they may not have been exposed to a comprehensive education

of teeth, surrounding tissues, and intraoral prostheses. A
thorough preoperative assessment of the patient’s dental status,

including the recognition of vulnerable teeth, soft tissues, and
associated anesthesia risk factors, are of importance in the

prevention of perioperative dental damage.

Healthy teeth are very strong and designed to withstand

the enormous pressures generated during mastication. The
insertion, manipulation, or removal of any airway or suction

device, however, may cause damage ranging from a chipped
tooth to a tooth loss.

1 https://www.uptodate.com/contents/patient-positioning-for-surgery-and-anesthesia-in-adults

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