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Preparing for Surgery: cataract surgery

A cataract forms when the natural lens in your eye becomes cloudy. Modern surgery allows the damaged lens to be removed and replaced with an artificial lens.

There should be a designated lead anaesthetist for this service with specific programmed activities for this role within their job plan. The lead anaesthetist is responsible for: the training and support of nursing, ODPs and other staff the mai...

There should be a designated lead anaesthetist for this service with specific programmed activities for this role within their job plan. The lead anaesthetist is responsible for:

  • the training and support of nursing, ODPs and other staff
  • the maintenance of close two-way links with primary care clinicians facilitating agreed evidence based ‘fitness for surgery’ protocols between primary and secondary care...

Preparing for Surgery: knee replacement

A knee replacement is an operation in which your knee joint is replaced with an artificial joint. Most people stay in hospital for three to five days after knee replacement surgery.

Opioids and Surgery MOOC

This article looks at an innovative approach to improve the understanding and implementation of perioperative opioid stewardship and transform practice.
  • Dr Dermot McGuckin, ST7 Anaesthesia & Pain Medicine, University College London Hospitals
    Email Dr McGuckin
  • Dr Fausto Morell-Ducos, Consultant in Anaesthesia & Pain Medicine, University College London Hospitals
  • Dr Jamie Smart, Consultant in Anaesthesia & Pain Management, University College London Hospitals
  • Dr Brigitta Brandner, Consultant in Anaesthesia & Pain Management, University College London Hospitals

Opioids play an important role in facilitating recovery and return to function after surgery. 

However, it is now well-established that surgery is a risk factor for persistent postoperative opioid use,1 and preoperative opioid use is associated with an increased risk of perioperative complications.2

Perioperative opioid stewardship is a practical approach providing a systemic, multi-layered framework aimed at minimising the risks associated with opioid use around the time of surgery, while allowing their safe administration to those patients most likely to benefit from them. It is increasingly regarded as a solution to the problem of prescription opioid-related harm but there is a lack of structured curricula to develop healthcare professionals’ skills in competent opioid management.