Maine Anesthesia Services

02/17/2026

Modern surgery relies on many medications to ensure patient safety, control bleeding, prevent infection, and support healing. Medications may be synthetic, extracted from bacteria, developed from plants, or derived from animals.

One of the most common animal-derived medications used in the OR is heparin, an anticoagulant that prevents blood from...

01/14/2026

For opioid-naive patients (patients who have not taken opioids before), careful pain management strategies are particularly important because first exposure to opioids during surgery or in the postoperative period may increase the risk of adverse events, prolonged use, and long-term dependence.

Multimodal analgesia is now widely regarded as the preferred framework for postoperative pain management. This approach combines multiple...

12/15/2025

The fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO₂) represents the proportion of oxygen breather in among the other atomic and chemical components of regular inspiration (e.g., nitrogen, xenon, and other less contributory components).

The fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO₂) represents the proportion of oxygen breather in among the other atomic and chemical...

07/07/2025

Anesthesia closed claim reviews are retrospective analyses of malpractice claims that have been resolved, either through compensation or dismissal. These reviews are a critical tool across healthcare systems to help understand the causes of anesthesia-related adverse events, to identify patterns of error, and to implement strategies to improve patient safety.

Anesthesia closed claim reviews are retrospective analyses of malpractice claims that have been resolved, either through compensation or dismissal. These reviews are a critical tool across healthcare systems to help understand the causes of anesthesia-related adverse events, to identify patterns of....

06/04/2025

As the No Surprises Act continues to evolve in its implementation, the Independent Dispute Resolution (IDR) process has become a central mechanism in resolving payment disagreements between healthcare providers and insurance companies. In 2025, the structure of IDR and the fees to participate have undergone notable changes, with implications for providers—particularly in specialties like emergency medicine and anesthesiology, where out-of-network billing is more common.

The IDR process has become a central mechanism in resolving payment disagreements between healthcare providers and insurance companies.

12/17/2024

Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness worldwide, affecting nearly 65 million people. Cataracts form when proteins in the lens are damaged and clump together, reducing the amount of light that is passed from the lens to the retina and thereby causing loss of sight. The primary risk factors for cataract development are age, steroid use, family history, and trauma. To date, the most effective course of treatment for cataracts is phacoemulsification, a surgical technique involving the removal of the opaque lens and replacing it with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL).

Cataracts are when proteins in the lens are damaged, reducing the light that is passed from the lens to the retina and causing loss of sight.

11/22/2024

Airway management is one of the most critical skills in medicine, particularly in emergency and anesthesia settings. In cases of a difficult airway, the ability to secure it safely and efficiently can mean the difference between life and death. Clinicians with specialized difficult airway skills are essential in managing these high-stakes situations, ensuring patient safety, and preventing complications like hypoxia, aspiration, or even cardiac arrest.

Clinicians with difficult airway management skills are essential in ensuring patient safety and preventing complications.

10/03/2024

Awake anesthesia represents a ground-breaking shift in surgical care and comprises an increasing share of anesthesia procedures.

06/03/2024

Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are a class of oral medications initially developed and FDA-approved as antidiabetic drugs to lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes.

Patients taking SGLT2 inhibitors are associated with a different risk profile and clinical context for anesthesia and surgery.

04/01/2024

Local anesthetics play an important role in medicine by providing pain relief during surgical procedures, dental interventions, and various diagnostic tests.

Each of these agents has unique pharmacological characteristics that make them suitable for different clinical scenarios.

03/05/2024

Understanding pain mechanisms is essential for developing effective pain management strategies tailored to individual needs.

Understanding different mechanisms of pain relief is essential for developing effective management strategies tailored to individual needs.

02/16/2024

Prophylactic medications play a pivotal role in modern surgery and anesthesia, aiming to prevent complications and improve patient outcomes.

Prophylactic medications play a pivotal role in modern surgery and anesthesia, aiming to prevent complications and improve patient outcomes.