Synopsis

The present Yearbook of Anesthesiology is the seventh in the series brought out under the auspices of the Indian College of Anaesthesiologists—the academic wing of the Indian Society of Anaesthesiologists. Year after year, every new edition has met with an unanticipated response. The popularity of the book is evident from the increasing number of the titles published every year. The feedback received from different parts of the country has made us realize that the volumes of the yearbook are more popular between two distinct groups; postgraduate students who are studying for their exams and practicing anesthesiologists, especially in non-metro cities who look forward to this annual update. Keeping these in mind we choose   Yearbook of Anesthesiology-7 has topics in all the three subspecialties of anesthesiology—regional and general anesthesia, intensive care and pain. In addition, on popular demand we have added a chapter on statistics and made a beginning by discussing ethical issues related to conflict of interest in anesthesiology.  In this book few chapters have been revisited including anesthesia, pre-oxygenation, clinical applications of pulmonary function tests, management of local anesthetic systemic toxicity, anesthesia for liver transplantation and causes and management of perioperative atrial fibrillation. The information given by the authors is a mix of classical concepts and the present knowledge and practice. Another chapter highlights the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and use of remifentanil for alleviation of labor pains. This ultrashort acting opioid is likely to be available in India in the near future and both students and the practicing anesthesiologists would find this chapter very useful. Also of interest is the chapter on perioperative medication errors which is an important cause of perioperative morbidity and mortality. Video laryngoscope is gaining immense popularity in the country and is likely to be standard airway management device in the future. A chapter on this device highlights its advantages and its usefulness in management of difficult airway.  Amongst the specialty anesthesia, there are chapters on anesthetic management of congenital tracheoesophageal fistula and extremely premature infant; intracranial pressure and brain relaxation; laryngotracheal stenosis and prognostication after cardiac arrest and myocardial protection during cardiac surgery, all penned by experts in their respective field. Two chapters are related to the process of hemostasis and perioperative fibrinogen supplementation. While ICU management of patients with sepsis is discussed often, author has devoted one chapter to the anesthetic management of such patients.  In the field of intensive care, the readers are likely to find the chapters on extra- corporeal membrane oxygenation; pain, delirium and agitation very informative with updated information on these topics. The chapters on neuropathic pain and management of chronic back pain highlight the present treatment modalities as per the latest evidence-based practice guidelines.  Similar to the earlier two volumes the section on the ‘Journal Scan’ carries experts’ opinion on certain landmark articles published during the last year, which are likely to change clinical practice.