Basics of Anesthesia 7th edition – Manuel C. Pardo, Ronald D. Miller

Basics of Anesthesia

The specialty of anesthesiology has evolved dramatically since the first public demonstration of ether use in the 19th century. Originally, the emphasis was completely on providing surgical anesthesia. As surgical procedures became more diverse and complex, other associated skills were developed. For example, airway management, including endotracheal intubation, was required to provide controlled ventilation to patients who had respiratory depression and paralysis from neuromuscular blocking drugs. These practices required the development of a “recovery room,” which was later termed a postoperative or postanesthesia care unit (PACU) (Chapter 39). The skills that anesthesiologists used in the recovery room evolved and progressed into intensive care units (ICUs) and the specialty of critical care medicine (Chapter 41). The development of regional anesthesia created opportunities for treatment of some chronic pain syndromes (Chapters 40 and 44). Anesthesiology also evolved into a recognized medical specialty (as affirmed by the American Medical Association and the American Board of Medical Specialties), providing continuous improvement in patient care based on the introduction of new drugs and techniques made possible in large part by research in the basic and clinical sciences.