Aims

To teach future doctors who are candidates for specialisation in anaesthesiology some notions of physics, physiology, pharmacology and clinical anaesthesia, essential before they start their training. These lectures are intended to be practical, and aimed at integrating the practical and theoretical aspects of clinical anaesthesia.

Main themes

Physics of gases and fluids. Electricity and electrical safety. Statistics. Respirators, oxygen cylinders and vapours. Modifications during surgery to respiratory, cardiovascular and renal physiology. Sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of halogenated substances. Inducing agents. Curare and the motor end-plate. Opiates. Acid-base equilibrium. Blood transfusion. Water and ions. Oxygen transport. Pre-operative visit and premedication. Endotracheal intubation and anatomy of the upper airways. Monitoring apparatus. Arterial and central venous catheters, Swan-Ganz catheter. Positioning and nerve compressions. Regaining consciousness and extubation. The recovery room. Locoregional anaesthesia. Postoperative analgesia.

Content and teaching methods

Physiology, pharmacology and physiopathology of systemic, regional and local anesthesia.

Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Evaluation: examination which serves as an entry examination into the specialisation, its score being included in the competitive examination on anaesthesiology. Prerequisites, links with other courses: good knowledge of major systems and their diseases. Course intended for students in the second cycle, as from the 3rd year of doctorate, who are seeking training in anaesthesiology. Methodology: lectures with slides. Option course of 22.5 hours spread over 12 sessions of 2 x 50 minutes. Syllabus: a reference book is recommended. " Stoelting & Miller: Basics in Anaesthesia, Churchill-Livingstone 1994 (3rd Edition) "