Korean J Anesthesiol.  1979 Jun;12(2):169-172.

Evaluation of Operation Schedule

• Kim WS
• Chon SU

Abstract

Central to the question of anesthetic risk is the definition of an anesthetic death. This has yet to be defined within any reasonable limits. A number of factual and philosophical considerations have complicated attempts to derive a precise definition. Anesthetic risk is largely confused with surgical risk, involving a second set of persons and procedures. Only events between induction of anesthesia and onset of operation clearly relate the risk of anesthesia to patient diseases and the causes of deaths during and after operation are usually speculative. Among those factors which relate to anesthetic risk; age, physical status, surgical area, anesthetic method, selection of anesthetic agent, inadequate preoperative preparation, improper decision and skill of anesthesiologist himself, and elective vs emergency operations are most important in minimizing the anesthetic risk. Furthermore, elective vs emergency operations relate more to anesthetic mortality than to other factors. Many emergency operations were practiced in our hospital, more than in other institutions. Thus, our anesthesiologists are faced with a higher incidence of anesthetic risks. Evaluated results were as follows; 1) The percentage of emergency operations was 57.4% of the total performed operations. 2) The mortality rate is significantly higher in emergency surgical procedures than in elective surgical procedures, 3) Frequent changing of the operation schedule may cause confusion in the anesthesiologist's decision on preparation and selection of the anesthetic agent and technique, and may also cause an increased workload.

MeSH Terms

Anesthesia
Appointments and Schedules*
Cause of Death
Elective Surgical Procedures
Emergencies
Humans
Incidence
Methods
Mortality