Anesthesia Updates

Two patients may both be 85 years old, but one sails through surgery while the other struggles to recover. What's the difference? In this episode, we explore a 2026 paper on frailty in anesthesia and discuss why physiological reserve, not chronological age, may be the most important predictor of perioperative outcomes.  Read more about this topic HERE . ====================================== W...

Can an AI-powered virtual patient teach anesthesiology residents how to perform a preoperative assessment? In this episode, we discuss a 2026 Anesthesiology study by Barra and colleagues that tested AI-driven avatars as a tool for preanesthesia assessment training. The results suggest that virtual patients may improve learner confidence while dramatically reducing the cost and logistical burden of...

Every fifth patient you anesthetize has diabetes, and the medications they're on are no longer just a pre-op checkbox. In this podcast, we dissect the latest evidence: why GLP-1 agonists may be safer to continue than to stop, what the SGLT-2 data is really telling us, and the shift toward highly personalized, evidence-based risk assessments.. Read more about this topic HERE . =================...

In pediatric regional anesthesia, the margin for error is razor-thin, and some of our longest-held assumptions are starting to crack. In this podcast, we dissect the latest controversies: neonatal dosing limits, the adjuvant debate, compartment syndrome fear, and whether awake blocks in children are ready for prime time.  Read more about this topic HERE . ====================================== Whe...

In this episode, we unpack a massive 2026 systematic review and network meta-analysis covering nearly 15,000 patients and 166 clinical trials on intrathecal adjuvants used during cesarean delivery. From morphine and dexmedetomidine to fentanyl combinations and off-label spinal agents, we explore which medications truly extend pain relief, reduce opioid use, and improve recovery, without increasing...

In this episode, we explore a 2026 New England Journal of Medicine article that asks a deceptively simple question: Can AI say "I don't know"? From the Hippocratic oath to the “Pikachu problem”, we examine why calibrated uncertainty is a safety mechanism, not a weakness, and what clinicians should demand from AI tools at the point of care. ====================================== Where...

Why would amniotic fluid embolism achieve higher ROSC rates than hemorrhage in maternal cardiac arrest? In this episode, we discuss the main findings from a landmark 2026 Anesthesiology study analyzing nearly 780,000 delivery hospitalizations and uncover what really drives survival in peripartum cardiac arrest. From hemorrhage physiology and AFE to high neuraxial blocks, failed epidural conversion...

When blood pressure drops after induction, the reflex is often fluids, but that’s usually the wrong move. This episode discusses the real driver: vasodilation. Based on a 2026 Anesthesiology review, we explore how to choose the right vasopressor, avoid common pitfalls, and apply physiology, not habit, at the bedside.  For more information on this topic, click HERE . ===============================...

A 2026 Anesthesiology study suggests that peripheral nerve blocks may reduce myocardial injury after hip fracture surgery. Is this real cardioprotection or just good pain control? We discuss the data, the physiology, and where to be cautious.  Read more about this study HERE .  ====================================== Where else to find us: Web - https://www.nysora.com/ Instagram- ⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/n...

A wrong-side nerve block is a “never event”, yet it still happens. In this episode, we focus on one critical safeguard: Stop Before You Block . Why does this simple step fail in practice, and how can we make it work where it matters most, at the bedside? --------------------------------------------------------- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Where else to find us: Web - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LINK Instagram - LINK LinkedIn -...

 Postoperative fatigue and muscle weakness affect most surgical patients, but they’re often overlooked. In this episode, we discuss the biology behind POF and POAW, and what anesthesia and perioperative care can do to reduce their impact. Read more about this topic on NYSORA.com. =========================================== Where else to find us: Web - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠LINK⁠⁠ Instagram - ⁠⁠LINK⁠⁠ LinkedI...

Why do both traditional and diaphragm-sparing shoulder blocks fall short? This episode explores the role of articular branches, mechanoreceptors, and capsular targeting in achieving true joint analgesia. Based on Chong et al., 2026 , examining the functional anatomy of the axillary nerve. Read more about this on NYSORA.com . =========================================== Where else to find us: Web -...

Mixing lidocaine, ropivacaine, and bicarbonate is routine in many hospitals, but is it actually safe? In this episode, we discuss the main findings from a 2026 article by Gasteiger et al. (Anesthesiology), which questions the stability, efficacy, and safety of common local anesthetic mixtures. From crystal formation to reduced block performance, we explore why combining drugs may do more harm than...

A new 2025 international guideline is pushing for videolaryngoscopy to become the universal standard for tracheal intubation. In this podcast, we explore how a simple camera and screen are transforming airway management, improving team coordination, and increasing first-pass success in critical situations. We also discuss the surprising barriers to adoption, from the “paradox of expertise” to cost...

In this episode, we discuss a 2026 randomized trial comparing the PENG block and lateral quadratus lumborum block for total hip arthroplasty. Both techniques preserve mobility and perform well in the PACU, but differences emerge after discharge. We explore which block provides better pain control, reduces opioid use, and what this means for real-world recovery. Read more about this topic on NYSORA...

A new BJA trial compares paravertebral block (PVB) and PEFB for rib fracture pain. While PEFB matches early pain control, it fails in durability, leading to more rescue interventions. PVB, though more complex, better restores cough and respiratory function. The key shift: stop focusing on pain at rest and start treating for function. =========================================== Where else to find u...

One in three births in the U.S. occurs by cesarean delivery. But when it comes to neonatal outcomes, does the anesthetic technique matter? A new meta-analysis of 36 randomized trials involving more than 3,400 neonates compared regional and general anesthesia. This episode reviews the key findings and explores their implications for daily clinical practice. =========================================...

Airway management in thoracic anesthesia is evolving rapidly. New guidelines from the EACTAIC Thoracic Group highlight a shift toward structured risk stratification, advanced imaging, video-assisted devices, and emerging digital technologies. In this episode, we explore what’s changed, what’s coming next, and what thoracic anesthesiologists should be doing today. ==================================...

Neuraxial anesthesia has long been associated with better outcomes in total hip and knee arthroplasty—but does that advantage still hold in modern practice? In this episode, we discuss the main findings from new large-scale data showing that neuraxial anesthesia continues to reduce perioperative complications, even as anesthesia techniques and patient populations evolve. Where else to find us: Web...

Motor-sparing regional anesthesia is the backbone of modern total knee arthroplasty analgesia. But posterior knee pain remains a blind spot. In this episode, we discuss the main findings from  new randomized trial data on whether adding a popliteal plexus block to a femoral triangle block actually moves the needle, on opioids, pain, and mobility. Where else to find us: Web- ⁠⁠http://www.nysora.com...

Opioid-free anesthesia sounds appealing, but does it actually improve outcomes? In this episode, we discuss the main findings from a clinical focus review in Anesthesiology by Shanthanna et al. and discuss why avoiding opioids altogether may add complexity without clear benefit. The real win isn’t “opioid-free,” it’s opioid-sparing, procedure-specific, and regional-first anesthesia. Evidence over...

Chronic widespread pain isn’t just a quality-of-life issue; it may be an early warning sign for cognitive decline. In this episode, we discuss the main findings from new longitudinal evidence linking widespread pain to mild cognitive impairment, dementia risk, brain structural changes, and inflammation, and what this means for clinicians today. Where else to find us: Web- ⁠⁠http://www.nysora.com⁠⁠...

In this episode of  NYSORA Updates in Anesthesiology , Dr. Hadzic reveals why the stellate ganglion block (SGB) has re-emerged as a hot topic in perioperative medicine. Drawing on a landmark 2025 narrative review from MD Anderson published in the  British Journal of Anaesthesia , we explore what SGB can—and cannot—realistically offer today. From arrhythmia control and postoperative recovery to imm...

In this episode, we review the 2026 American Society of Anesthesiologists Practice Guideline on perioperative pain management using local and regional analgesia, based on evidence from more than 600 randomized trials. The guideline delivers a clear message: fascial plane blocks are a core component of modern multimodal analgesia , not an optional add-on. We discuss where the evidence is strongest,...

In this episode, we’re discussing a 2025 randomized controlled trial by Turunc and colleagues published in Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine . The study asks a practical, ERAS-focused question: Does adding a bilateral anterior subcostal quadratus lumborum block actually improve analgesia in laparoscopic colorectal surgery? And more importantly, does it meaningfully reduce opioids? Where else...