Navigating challenges in anesthesia for robotic urological surgery: a comprehensive guide.

Robotic surgery has emerged as a cornerstone in urological interventions, offering effectiveness and safety for patients. For anesthesiologists, this technological advancement presents a myriad of new challenges, spanning from patient selection and assessment to intraoperative dynamics and post-surgical pain management. This article aims to elucidate these challenges and provide guidance for anesthesiologists in navigating the complexities of anesthesia administration in robotic urological procedures. Through a detailed exploration of patient optimization, team coordination, intraoperative adjustments, and post-surgical care, this article serves as a valuable resource for ensuring the success of such interventions.

Pain Management in Patients with Severe Pemphigus Vulgaris.

To describe the pain management and clinical course of patients with severe Pemphigus Vulgaris (PV) admitted to a third-level Intensive Care Unit (ICU). This was a retrospective cohort study conducted in the Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán over the period 2013-2020. Study population comprised patients with severe PV admitted to the ICU. Eleven patients with severe PV were included. Mean age of presentation was 43.6 years. Percentage of the total body surface area affected ranged from 70 to 85% (mean: 80%). Visual Analogue Scale was used for pain assessment upon admission. Nine patients (72%) reported a 10/10 pain. The median Morphine Equivalent Daily Dose was 200 mg (range: 90-518 mg). Mortality was 27% during the ICU stay. One patient (9%) continued to experience severe pain and consume opioids after discharge. PV is a life-threatening disease characterized by painful, persistent erosions and ulcers. Integrated and multidisciplinary approach is often required. Opioids remain the mainstay for acute pain control in patients with severe PV. Biological, psychological, and social factors influence patients' daily opioid requirements and dose escalation. Successful pain management contributes to improving the quality of life, and the suppression and remission of PV.