Anaesthesia for common emergency cases

Anaesthesia runs smoothly when it is pre-planned, carefully thought out and all potential risks are considered and communicated. However, emergency case presentation is unpredictable and often occurs in addition to an already busy shift. Nonetheless, emergency case management requires quick thinking, dynamic action and rapid intervention. Identification and treatment of homeostatic abnormalities can be lifesaving. Some emergency presentations exhibit a significant physiological impact on the patient, altering their fitness for anaesthesia and potentially increasing their anaesthetic risk. This article discusses some of the many considerations relating to emergency anaesthesia in a selection of cases. Case examples to be discussed include caesarean section, gastric dilatation and volvulus, haemabdomen/acute haemorrhage and more.