Drugs in General Anaesthesia (GA)
Induction agents:
- Depressants that act on GABA receptors.
- Increase chloride conductance.
- Lead to membrane hyperpolarization.
Intravenous GA Induction Agents
BARBITURATES:
- Good antiepileptic action (except methohexital).
- Mnemonic: Barbie
- 2 barbi
- methayil kidathi shock adipich seizure varuthunna barbi
- Thiyil idunna babri with gralicy smell. Touch neck head and sathym parayippikkum
- Thiopentone Sodium
- Highly lipid soluble.
- Very short acting due to Redistribution.
- Methohexital
Thiopentone Sodium:
- NEUROPROTECTIVE
- General properties:
- Yellow powder.
- pH 10.5 (most alkaline).
- With garlic/onion smell.
- Onset:
- 15 seconds (arm brain circulation time).
- Metabolism:
- Highly lipophilic.
- Termination of action by redistribution (brain => fat).
- Patient will have cycles of waking up and going to sleep
- Patient will have a hangover effect → do not remember anything
- Dose:
- 3-5 mg/kg.
- Use:
- AOC (Agent of choice):
- Neurosurgery (max. decrease in ICP).
- Hyperthyroidism
- Truth serum
- Contraindications of thiopentone
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Status asthmaticus
- Porphyria
- Without proper induction
- Alternative to thiopentone in cardiac disease for RIS:
- Etomidate (Most cardiostable)
- Complication:
- Accidental intraarterial administration:
- Pain.
- Pallor.
- Edema.
- Gangrene.
- Management:
- Retain cannula
- to prevent vasospasm
- Saline/heparin flush.
- Stellate ganglion block (2.5%)
- ⛔ lower cervical sympathetic ganglion
- ⛔ Sympathetic NS → Vasodilatation
Methohexital:
- Dose:
- 1-1.5 mg/kg (more potent than thiopentone).
- Disadvantage:
- Proconvulsant (avoided in neurosurgery).
- Indication:
- Electroconvulsive therapy.
NON BARBITURATES:
- Drugs summary
- Propofol
- Painful.
- DOC for day care Surgery.
- Avoided in patients with egg allergy.
- Ketamine
- Keettum ellam (↑ IOP, BP, PR), Nammada (NMDA ⛔) Kids (NMDA, Kids) Dissociative () and depressed (invivo depression) ayi → Cycle (Phencyclidine) vangathond
- Kunjungalde Sx use → like TOF, asthma (COPD), Pediatric Sx, burns, sick, depression
- Not kunjugalde Sx → like heart, htn, eye Sx → dont use
- ↑ IOP, HR, BP, Renal blood flow, RR, Liver Blood flow
- But Approved in Rx of chronic depression
- Etomidate
- AOC for CVS surgery.
- Most cardiostable
- Causes Adrenal Suppression.
ㅤ | Property |
K | • Agent of choice in kids |
E | • Emergence Reaction • (post operative delirium and hallucinations) • Cause Epilepsy → So avoid |
T | • Thalamo-Cortical junction (site of action) • Dissociative Anesthesia |
A | • Analgesic |
M | • Meals (can be given in full stomach) |
I | • ↑ BP/IOP/ICP • (Agent of choice in shock) |
N | • NMDA Blocker |
E | • Excellent bronchodilator |
Propofol:
- Form:
- White.
- Egg lecithin (used within 6 hours).
- Oily preparation (soya bean oil).
- Mixed with lignocaine to decrease pain.
- Properties:
- Antiemetic.
- Antipruritic.
- Dose:
- 1 - 2.5 mg/kg.
- Onset:
- 15 seconds.
- Duration:
- 8-10 minutes (without hangover).
- Agent of choice:
- day care/ liver/ kidney/ neuroSx/porphyria
- Total IV anesthesia
- Used in Malignant hyperthermia where Inhalational agents avoided
- Day care/ambulatory surgery.
- Monitored anesthesia care.
- Ambulatory Sx
- Office-based anesthesia.
- Ophthalmic surgery (max ↓↓ in IOP).
- LMA insertion.
- Resolution of laryngospasm (↓↓ reflexes).
- Endoscopy.
- Colonoscopy.
- Side effects:
- Propofol infusion syndrome (on prolonged infusion - 1 to 2 days):
- Green colour urine.
- Severe metabolic acidosis.
- Asystole.
- Addictive due to pleasant hallucinations.
Etomidate:
- 2 drugs starting with E and one T→ Epileptogenic → Etomidate, Enflurane, methohexitate
- Ketamine → Remember Nammada children → Everything kerum → so used in shock
- Propofol → Remember day care Sx → Everything Fall
- Etomidate → Ettom cardiostable
- Succinyl choline → Remember Muscle → malignant hyperthermia, post op myalgia, hyperkalemia
- Sevfluorane → Everything saved except Kidney
- Resp: Sevfluorane > Halothane
- Cardio/ Neuro: Sevfluorane ≥ Isofluorane
- Halothane → HHH → Hepatotoxic, Hyperthermia
- Desfluorane → Everything bad except kidney
- All Inhalational causes ↓HR, ↓ BP, ↓ IOP and ↑ ICP
- Day care → (PRRS) → Propofol, Rocuronium, Remifentanil, Sevfluorane
- Cardiac and Neuro Sx → (SEV) → Sevfluorane (> Isofluorane), Etomidate, Vecuronium
- Kids → SaVe (Sevoflurane > Halothane, Vecuronium) Fucking (Fentanyl) Kids (Ketamine)
Side effects:
- Mnemonic: ETOMI date
- Emetic.
- Epileptogenic.
- Oily (Propylene Glycol)
- Tortures the hand → Painful
- Myoclonus.
- ⛔ adrenocortical synthesis.
- Date → Most Cardiostable
- AOC for
- Cardiac Sx
- Aneurysm Sx
- DC cardioversion
Dose:
- 0.2-0.3 mg/kg.
Ketamine:
- Keettum ellam (↑ IOP, BP, PR), Nammada (NMDA ⛔) Kids (NMDA, Kids) Dissociative () and depressed (invivo depression) ayi → Cycle (Phencyclidine) vangathond
- Kunjungalde Sx use → like TOF, asthma (COPD), Pediatric Sx, burns, sick, depression
- Not kunjugalde Sx → like heart, htn, eye Sx → dont use
- ↑ IOP, HR, BP, Renal blood flow, RR, Liver Blood flow
- But Approved in Rx of chronic depression
ㅤ | Property |
K | • Agent of choice in kids |
E | • Emergence Reaction • (post operative delirium and hallucinations) • Cause Epilepsy → So avoid |
T | • Thalamo-Cortical junction (site of action) • Dissociative Anesthesia |
A | • Analgesic |
M | • Meals (can be given in full stomach) |
I | • ↑ BP/IOP/ICP • (Agent of choice in shock) |
N | • NMDA Blocker |
E | • Excellent bronchodilator |
- Form:
- Phencyclidine derivative.
- Properties:
- Dissociative anesthesia.
- NMDA receptor antagonist
- ↓↓ catecholamine release
- Depressant
- In vivo → prolonged use → d/t chronic release of catecholamines → depletion of catecholamines → depressant action
- Dose:
- IV 1 - 2 mg/kg.
- IM 4 - 6 mg/kg.
- Duration:
- Intrathecally used with local anesthesia to increase duration.
- But should be preservative free
- Agent of choice:
- Shock (↑↑ HR, ↑↑ BP).
- Asthma/COPD
- good bronchodilator
- Tetralogy of Fallot.
- Paediatric surgery.
- Low resource settings
- burns, sick, depressed
- Very good analgesic → Mx of chronic pain
- Opioid tolerance
- Approved in Rx of chronic depression
- Contraindications (C/I):
- HTN and cardiac conditions.
- Ocular surgery (increase IOP).
- Side effects:
- ↑ oral secretions
- Rx: Atropine/Glycopyrrolate
- Unpleasant hallucinations/ emergence reaction
- Reduces with midazolam
Inhalational Induction Agents

- Characteristics:
- Maintain depth of anesthesia.
- Induce sleep (paediatric).
- Depressants.
- Enter and exit circulation via lungs.
Classification:
- 2 drugs starting with E and one T→ Epileptogenic → Etomidate, Enflurane, methohexitate
- Ketamine → Remember Nammada children → Everything kerum → so used in shock
- Propofol → Remember day care Sx → Everything Fall
- Etomidate → Ettom cardiostable
- Succinyl choline → Remember Muscle → malignant hyperthermia, post op myalgia, hyperkalemia
- Sevfluorane → Everything saved except Kidney
- Resp: Sevfluorane > Halothane
- Cardio/ Neuro: Sevfluorane ≥ Isofluorane
- Halothane → HHH → Hepatotoxic, Hyperthermia
- Desfluorane → Everything bad except kidney
- All Inhalational causes ↓HR, ↓ BP, ↓ IOP and ↑ ICP
- Day care → (PRRS) → Propofol, Rocuronium, Remifentanil, Sevfluorane
- Cardiac and Neuro Sx → (SEV) → Sevfluorane (> Isofluorane), Etomidate, Vecuronium
- Kids → SaVe (Sevoflurane > Halothane, Vecuronium) Fucking (Fentanyl) Kids (Ketamine)
Anasthetic Agent | Key Characteristic |
N2O (Nitrous Oxide) | • Highest MAC (104%) |
Halothane | • Causes hepatitis • causes malignant hyperthermia • H-H-H |
Enflurane | • Seizures (Maximum risk) • E → Epilepsy |
Isoflurane | • 2nd choice for cardiovascular and neurosurgery |
Sevoflurane | • DOC for children • DOC for Cardio Sx / Neurosurgery > Isofluorane • Sev → Sweet → children |
Methoxyflurane | • Nephrotoxic |
Desflurane | • Maximum irritation to respiratory pathway • Produce maximum CO with dry CO2 • Desi people → irritating |
Xenon | • Ideal anaesthetic agent |

- Newer agents (Non flammable):
- Desflurane.
- Isoflurane.
- Sevoflurane.
- Halothane.
- Older agents (Flammable):
- Ether.
- Chloroform.
- Trilene.
- Cyclopropane.
- Meyer Overton Rule:
- Potency is proportional to lipid solubility.
Minimum Alveolar Concentration (MAC):
- Minimum amount of drug required to in alveoli produce immobility to painful stimulus in 50% of subjects
- MAC ∝ 1 / Potency
Order of Potency
- Least MAC → most potent
- MAC Is potent
- Methoxyflurane > Halothane > Isoflurane > Sevoflurane > Desflurane > N2O
MAC | Drug | Potency |
Maximum | N₂O (104%) | Least |
Minimum | Methoxyflurane | Most |
- Pottan () BJ () cheyymbo → Me HIS Don’t Know
- Order of Potency () and B/G ratio ()
Order of Speed
- Least B/G ratio → fastest induction, ideal agent → Xenon
- BJ speed
- Xenon (ideal anaesthetic agent) > Desflurane > N2O > Sevoflurane > Isoflurane > Halothane > Methoxyflurane (slowest induction).
BGPC | Drug | Onset |
Lowest | Xenon | Fastest |
Highest | Methoxyflurane | Slowest |
MAC vs Age
- Infant > Neonate > Adult

FACTORS AFFECTING UPTAKE:
Machine to Alveoli:

- Concentration effect:
- Higher inspired concentration leads to quicker induction.
- Second gas effect (Augmented in flow effect):
- In presence of N2O,
- concentration of IA increases.
- Reason:
- Rapid diffusion of N2O from alveoli to pulmonary circulation.
- Both effects seen simultaneously at start of surgery.
Diffusion hypoxia / Fink effect
- At End of surgery
- Rapid diffusion of N2O from pulmonary circulation to alveoli→ dilution of O2 in alveoli→ Hypoxia
- Management:
- O2 supplementation.
Alveoli To Pulmonary Circulation:
Blood gas partition coefficient (B/G ratio):
- Concentration of agent in blood / concentration of agent in alveoli
- Measure of Blood Solubility
- BPGC ∝ 1 / speed of onset
Increased B/G ratio :
- Increased concentration in blood.
- Increased solubility in blood.
- Delayed induction.
Order of Speed
- Least B/G ratio → fastest induction, ideal agent → Xenon
- BJ speed
- Xenon (ideal anaesthetic agent) > Desflurane > N2O > Sevoflurane > Isoflurane > Halothane > Methoxyflurane (slowest induction).
BGPC | Drug | Onset |
Lowest | Xenon | Fastest |
Highest | Methoxyflurane | Slowest |
Systemic Effects Of Inhalational Agents:
- 2 drugs starting with E and one T→ Epileptogenic → Etomidate, Enflurane, methohexitate
- Ketamine → Remember Nammada children → Everything kerum → so used in shock
- Propofol → Remember day care Sx → Everything Fall
- Etomidate → Ettom cardiostable
- Succinyl choline → Remember Muscle → malignant hyperthermia, post op myalgia, hyperkalemia
- Sevfluorane → Everything saved except Kidney
- Resp: Sevfluorane > Halothane
- Cardio/ Neuro: Sevfluorane ≥ Isofluorane
- Halothane → HHH → Hepatotoxic, Hyperthermia
- Desfluorane → Everything bad except kidney
- All Inhalational causes ↓HR, ↓ BP, ↓ IOP and ↑ ICP
- Day care → (PRRS) → Propofol, Rocuronium, Remifentanil, Sevfluorane
- Cardiac and Neuro Sx → (SEV) → Sevfluorane (> Isofluorane), Etomidate, Vecuronium
- Kids → SaVe (Sevoflurane > Halothane, Vecuronium) Fucking (Fentanyl) Kids (Ketamine)


Effects of N₂O
- Proven teratogen
- Disrupts Vit B₁₂ metabolism
- Megaloblastic anemia
- Subacute combined degeneration of spinal cord
- Contraindicated in
- Pneumothorax / Pneumomediastinum
- Middle ear surgery
- Pregnancy
- Retinal surgery
- Mnemonic: No (NO) PEEPing (Pregnancy, Pnumo, Ear, Eye, Pneumo)
Muscle Relaxants
- Aids in intubation/surgical relaxation.
- NEUROMUSCULAR BLOCKERS:
- May be
- depolarizing or
- non-depolarizing skeletal muscle relaxants.
Depolarizing Muscle Relaxants (DMR):
- Acts by stimulating NM receptors.
- Example is Succinylcholine (SCh).
Order of Anaphylaxis in Immediate Post Op period:
- (most → least)
- Antibiotics > Latex > Muscle relaxants (Atracurium, Sugammadex) > Local anaesthetics.
Succinylcholine (2 molecules of ACh)
- NOTE (similar to statins)
- Shortest acting MR [< 5 min]
- C/I in nerve and muscle injuries
- [Can cause severe hyperkalemia]
- malignant hyperthermia
- Fasciculations: Responsible for post operative muscle pain
- Dosage
- 1 – 2 mg/kg
- Duration
- < 10 min
- Onset of action
- 30 sec
- AOC
- Difficult intubation
- Rapid sequence intubation
Mechanism of Action

- Non-competitive blockade:
- ACh receptor
- Succinyl choline (2 molecules of ACh) → bind with 2 alpha units in post synaptic membrane → Receptor wide open → Rapid influx of sodium + efflux through voltage and time gated Na channel → Fasciculations
- After 30 sec → time gate closes while voltage gate is open → Sodium ions remains inside → non competitive blockade
- Metabolised by pseudocholinesterase (produced by liver)
Systemic Effects
- Bradyarrhythmia
- Rx: Atropine / Glycopyrrolate
- Atropine premedication is must for patients receiving Succinylcholine
- Muscle fasciculations
- Post-op myalgia
- ↑ ICP, ↑ IOP, ↑ Intragastric pressure (but paradoxically ↓ aspiration risk)
- Anaphylaxis
Contraindications
- Family h/o malignant hyperthermia & muscular dystrophies
- Pre-existing hyperkalemia
- Burns
- Acute liver failure
- Sepsis
- Hemiplegia / Paraplegia
Reasons for Prolonged Duration
- ↓ PCE concentration
- Maximum 20 mins
- Causes
- Acute liver failure
- Neonates, pregnancy
- Drugs: Pyridostigmine
- ↓ PCE activity
- Atypical pseudocholinesterase
- Dibucaine number (↑ affinity to normal pseudocholinesterase)
- Qualitative analysis of enzyme activity
- Rx: Continue mechanical ventilation + Fresh frozen plasma
Type | Dibucaine No. | Duration |
Normal | 80:20 | <10 min |
Heterozygous | 50:50 | 45 min – 1 hr |
Homozygous | 20:80 | 6–8 hr |
- Phase II block
- Succinylcholine >5 mg/kg → receptor damage
- Causes prolonged duration of action
- Rx: Continue Mechanical ventilation
- Resembles NDMR block → Fade present → but Do not give Neostigmine
Butyrylcholinesterase/Pseudocholinesterase
- Metabolise Succinylcholine and Mivacurium
Train of four

Purpose:
- Assess relaxation recovery.
Method:
- Train of Four (TOF).
- Stimulate by 4 supramaximal currents.
- TOF ratio > 0.9
- Ratio of 4th stimulus to 1st stimulus
- safe extubation (Fully recovered from muscle relaxant)
Response:

- DMR
- constant diminution.
- NDMR or Phase II of DMR
- gradual fade.
Phase 2 block
- Succinylcholine >5 mg/kg → receptor damage
- Causes prolonged duration of action
- Rx: Continue Mechanical ventilation
- Resembles NDMR block → Fade present → but Do not give Neostigmine
Muscle Relaxants: NDMR
Feature | Depolarizing Phase I | Depolarizing Phase II | Non-Depolarizing |
End-plate status | Depolarizing block, cannot repolarize | Repolarized but Desensitization block | Competitive antagonists at NMDR → Normal, but ACh blocked |
Type of block | Non competitive Ach block | Non competitive Ach block | Competitive |
Fasciculations | Present | Absent | Absent |
TOF/tetanus fade | Absent | Present | Present |
Post-tetanic potentiation | Absent | Present | Present |
Anticholinesterases (Neostigmine) | Potentiate block | Potentiate block | Reverse block |
Causes | Succinylcholine | Prolonged/ repeated succinylcholine infusion. | vecuronium, rocuronium |
- Act by blocking NM receptors competitively.
- Example is d-Tubocurarine (Curare).
- Does not cause post operative muscle pain.
- Reversal Agents:
- Used to reverse action of NDMR after surgery.
- Neostigmine: Can cause cholinergic adverse effects.
- Suggamadex: No cholinergic side effects.

- Types:
- Steroidal compounds (green box).
- Curonium
- No histamine released
- Curonium - steroid
- Benzylisoquinoline compounds (pink box).
- Curium
- Release histamine
- Cis-atracurium releases less histamine than atracurium,
- so preferred
- Mivacurium [Shortest acting]
- 2 drugs starting with E and one T→ Epileptogenic → Etomidate, Enflurane, methohexitate
- Ketamine → Remember Nammada children → Everything kerum → so used in shock
- Propofol → Remember day care Sx → Everything Fall
- Etomidate → Ettom cardiostable
- Succinyl choline → Remember Muscle → malignant hyperthermia, post op myalgia, hyperkalemia
- Sevfluorane → Everything saved except Kidney
- Resp: Sevfluorane > Halothane
- Cardio/ Neuro: Sevfluorane ≥ Isofluorane
- Halothane → HHH → Hepatotoxic, Hyperthermia
- Desfluorane → Everything bad except kidney
- All Inhalational causes ↓HR, ↓ BP, ↓ IOP and ↑ ICP
- Day care → (PRRS) → Propofol, Rocuronium, Remifentanil, Sevfluorane
- Cardiac and Neuro Sx → (SEV) → Sevfluorane (> Isofluorane), Etomidate, Vecuronium
- Kids → SaVe (Sevoflurane > Halothane, Vecuronium) Fucking (Fentanyl) Kids (Ketamine)
Drug | Properties | Advantages | Note / Contraindications |
Pancuronium | Excretion: Kidney | AOC: Shock Mnemonic: Chuudu Pan eduth vachal BP kuudum | Avoid in day-care surgery; C/I: HTN & cardiac patients (↑HR & BP) |
Vecuronium | Excretion: Bile | AOC: Cardiac & neuro surgery | Avoid in hepatic insufficiency |
Rocuronium | Onset: 30 sec Duration: 30 min Dose: 0.6 – 1.2 mg/kg | AOC: Rapid sequence intubation; Day-care surgery | Vecuronium and Rocuronium reversal → Sugammadex |
Atracurium | Metabolism: Hoffman’s degradation (non-enzymatic, non-organ dependent clearance) Metabolised by change in pH and Temp in body | AOC: Liver & renal transplant/ failure patients Atracurium adipoli elimination hoff but become red (Histamine release) | Anaphylaxis (histamine release); Seizures (laudanosine release on prolonged infusion) |
Cisatracurium | Preferred over atracurium (↓S/E) | Isomer to atracurium; | No histamine & minimal laudanosine release |
Mivacurium | Onset: 2–3 sec Duration: 10 min (shortest) Metabolism: Plasma esterases | Day-care surgery; 2nd preferred AOC | – |

Reversal Of Block
- Sugammadex (New reversal agent):
- Cyclodextrin molecule
- Bind covalently
- Can be given at any time
- Used for reversal of Vecuronium/Rocuronium (in day care surgery)
- Side effects:
- Anaphylaxis
- Contraceptive failure
- Neostigmine:
- Administered on spontaneous breathing
- etCO2: Curare cleft
- Indirect reversal agent → Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitor
- Dose:
- 0.05 - 0.07 mg/kg
- Muscarinic Side effect:
- Bradycardia.
- Increased oral secretions.
- S/E avoided with co administration of
- Atropine/Glycopyrrolate.
Signs of adequate reversal:
- Regular respiration and adequate tidal volume.
- Spontaneous eye opening.
- Spontaneous limb movement.
- Able to protrude tongue, cough (no cyanosis).
- Able to lift head >5 sec (most reliable bedside test).
- Able to hold tongue depressor between central incisors.
- Train of four ratio > 0.9:
- Guaranteed recovery.
Paediatric Surgeries
- Preoperative Preparation:
- To decrease anxiety:
- Benzodiazepine syrup (midazolam).
- Ketamine IM 4-6 mg/kg (children >6 months age).
- Dissociative
- Parental accompaniment in OT.
- Fasting guidelines:
- 2 hours: Clear liquids.
- 4 hours: Breast milk.
- 6 hours: Solids , Non human milk
- 8 hours: Heavy fatty meal.
- Note:
- EMLA Cream = Eutectic mixture
- Lignocaine (2.5%) + Prilocaine (2.5%)
- Used for superficial procedures (IV cannulation).

Intraoperative Considerations:
- 2 drugs starting with E and one T→ Epileptogenic → Etomidate, Enflurane, methohexitate
- Ketamine → Remember Nammada children → Everything kerum → so used in shock
- Propofol → Remember day care Sx → Everything Fall
- Etomidate → Ettom cardiostable
- Succinyl choline → Remember Muscle → malignant hyperthermia, post op myalgia, hyperkalemia
- Sevfluorane → Everything saved except Kidney
- Resp: Sevfluorane > Halothane
- Cardio/ Neuro: Sevfluorane ≥ Isofluorane
- Halothane → HHH → Hepatotoxic, Hyperthermia
- Desfluorane → Everything bad except kidney
- All Inhalational causes ↓HR, ↓ BP, ↓ IOP and ↑ ICP
- Day care → (PRRS) → Propofol, Rocuronium, Remifentanil, Sevfluorane
- Cardiac and Neuro Sx → (SEV) → Sevfluorane (> Isofluorane), Etomidate, Vecuronium
- Kids → SaVe (Sevoflurane > Halothane, Vecuronium) Fucking (Fentanyl) Kids (Ketamine)
- Induction of anaesthesia:
- Inhalational
- AOC: Sevoflurane (Sweet smelling) > Halothane (Inhalational agents)
- Muscle relaxant:
- AOC: Vecuronium/Atracurium.
- Avoid Succinylcholine in < 1 year → due to undiagnosed myopathies.
- Laryngoscope: Miller's blade.
- ET: Microcuffed > Uncuffed
- Prevention of hypothermia:
- OT temperature: 27-28°C.
- Warm fluids and heating devices.
- Hypothermia can lead to a decrease in brain activity
- EEG → slowing of the frequency and amplitude.
- Analgesic :
- Fentanyl 1-2 mcg/kg (Short acting agent)
Post-Operative Analgesia:
- Caudal anaesthesia:
- Type of epidural anasthesia
- Insertion at S4-S5 vertebral junction
- directed towards S2 segment.
- No risk of spinal cord injury.
- USG guidance can be used
- Administered only in postoperative phase in children > adults
- Increase risk of infection (due to bowel and bladder immaturity).

- Note:
- Duramater may extend upto S2
- Spinal cord → Upper end of L3
Day Care Anaesthesia / Surgery
Definitions
- Daycare /Same-day surgery → Admitted + discharged within 12 hours.
- Overnight stay → 23-hour admission + early morning discharge.
- Short stay surgery → Admission up to 72 hours.
Advantages
- Same day admission, operation and discharge.
- Decrease risk of hospital infection.
- All regional anesthesia procedures can be done in day care setting.
Selection Criteria
Medical
- Physiological > Chronological age.
- ASA status > 2:
- Requires careful review (involve anaesthetist).
- 1 and 2: Stand-alone day care unit.
- 3: Integrated day care surgery centre.
- Other Criteria
- BP < 180/100 mmHg.
- Diabetic: HbA1c < 8.5 → Skip morning dose of OHA.
- Eligible BMI ( kg/m ²):
- < 40: Surface procedures.
- < 38: Laparoscopic procedures.
- Well-controlled epilepsy cases are eligible.
Social
- Responsible adult carer available for 1st 24 hrs.
- Stays near the hospital
- Ability to contact hospital in emergency.
Surgical
- Laparoscopic surgery.
- Operations up to 2 hrs
Anaesthetic factors:
- Short acting drugs without residual effect
- PRRS (Propofol, Rocuronium, Remifentanyl, Sevoflurane)
- IV induction:
- Propofol.
- Inhalational:
- Sevoflurane (sweet smelling) > Desflurane (irritant).
- Despite more B/G ratio of Sevoflurane
- Muscle relaxant:
- Rocuronium and Sugammadex > Mivacurium.
- Opioid:
- Remifentanyl (shortest).
- Fentanyl (India).
- Preferred over Morphine and Oxycodone
- As Rescue analgesic
- (Less adverse effects & ↓↓ PONV)
- Local anaesthesia:
- Chlorprocaine (shortest acting).
Red Flags for Daycare Surgery Selection
- Avoid extreme ages:
- Premature babies
- >85 years.
- Procedures
- anticipating post-op complications
- duration >90 minutes.
Red Flag | Details / Indicators |
Poor functional capacity | Inability to perform basic physical activity |
Abnormal ECG | Any new or unexplained ECG changes |
Uncontrolled cardiovascular issues | Uncontrolled BP, CHF, or IHD |
Low oxygen saturation | SpO₂ <94% on room air |
Elevated bicarbonate | >27 mEq/L → suggests obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) |
History of thromboembolism | Previous DVT/PE |
STOP-Bang score | >4 → high risk for obstructive sleep apnea Stop banging and get some sleep you fat ass (OSA) ”STOP, BANG” → 4 letters |
OS-MRS score | >3 → Obesity Surgery Mortality Risk Score ”MRS” → 3 letters |
High ACS NSQIP risk | Increased risk per American College of Surgeons risk calculator |
OS-MRS (Obesity Surgery - Mortality Risk Score) Factors
- Male gender.
- Age >45.
- BMI >50kg/m².
- Arterial hypertension.
- Risk for pulmonary thromboembolism.
- Diabetes mellitus is not part of criteria.
Anaesthesia and Analgesia Used
- Total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) → Propofol (↓ Post-op nausea + vomiting).
- Post-op analgesia → Infiltration with bupivacaine (long acting, most cardiotoxic).
Post-operative Complications
- Post-day care Sx m/c complication:
- Nausea + vomiting
- Apfel score used
- Mnemonic: Appu Fell → Got Pain, N & V
- M/C complication requiring readmission:
- Hemorrhage
- Pain
Discharge Criteria
- Modified Aldrette Scoring System if >9.
- Fit for discharge
- BP ALR8 & Ok ?
- BP - BP
- A - Activity
- L - LOC
- R - Respiration
- 8 - if ≤8 don’t discharge
- O - O2 saturation
- Vital signs stable (≥ 1 hour).
- Patient oriented.
- Adequate pain control (oral analgesia); Patient understands use.
- Taken oral fluids.
- Passed urine (if appropriate).
- Minimal wound discharge/bleeding.
- Able to dress + walk (appropriate).
- Responsible adult to take home.
- 2 drugs starting with E and one T→ Epileptogenic → Etomidate, Enflurane, methohexitate
- Ketamine → Remember Nammada children → Everything kerum → so used in shock
- Propofol → Remember day care Sx → Everything Fall
- Etomidate → Ettom cardiostable
- Succinyl choline → Remember Muscle → malignant hyperthermia, post op myalgia, hyperkalemia
- Sevfluorane → Everything saved except Kidney
- Resp: Sevfluorane > Halothane
- Cardio/ Neuro: Sevfluorane ≥ Isofluorane
- Halothane → HHH → Hepatotoxic, Hyperthermia
- Desfluorane → Everything bad except kidney
- All Inhalational causes ↓HR, ↓ BP, ↓ IOP and ↑ ICP
- Day care → (PRRS) → Propofol, Rocuronium, Remifentanil, Sevfluorane
- Cardiac and Neuro Sx → (SEV) → Sevfluorane (> Isofluorane), Etomidate, Vecuronium
- Kids → SaVe (Sevoflurane > Halothane, Vecuronium) Fucking (Fentanyl) Kids (Ketamine)