Annual Report 2017
Department of Anesthesiology
Hiroyuki Yamamoto, Aiko Ohshita, Reiko Sato, Kazuaki Hiraga
Introduction
In 2017 the Center for Developing Next-generation Endoscopic-surgical Treatment (NEXT) was completed to expand surgical and endoscopic activities. The new operating theater has moved to the fourth floor in the NEXT building, which has twelve operating rooms and is designed for laparoscopic, thoracoscopic and other minimal invasive surgeries. Recently complex procedures are increasing on more seriously ill patients with coronary disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), neurological disorders, and so on. In postanesthesia care for such patients the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) plays an important role. Therefore we manage the operating theater in close cooperation with the Department of Intensive Care Medicine. The goal of the Department of Anesthesiology is to provide anesthetic care to patients with their safety being the highest priority.
Our team and what we do
The Department of Anesthesiology consists of four staff members (three Fellows of the Japanese Society of Anethesiologists [JSA] and one JSA Board Certified Anesthesiologist). We perform clinical work with two or three rotating residents and 12 part-time anesthesiologists. A preanesthesia case presentation is held every morning to examine cases of the day and discuss anesthesia problems and strategy for patients with various complications. Each year, we provided more than 2,700 anesthesia services in eight operating rooms (Table 1). With increase in the number of operating rooms, around 3,500 anesthesia services are expected to be provided in FY2018. A large number of operations in the Department of Head and Neck Surgery and procedures involving thoracotomy for lung and esophageal cancer surgeries are one of the features of this hospital. Accordingly a special anesthesia induction method for difficult airways and the one-lung ventilation technique for thoracotomy are often necessary.
Table 1. Number of Anesthesia Cases
Education
Our department has no resident. For rotating residents from other surgical departments, we provide opportunities of epidural anesthesia, one-lung ventilation technique for thoracotomy, and difficult airway management including fiberoptic intubation. We are convinced that these experiences are useful for the management of postoperative patients in the ward or the ICU. A Journal club is also held once a week in addition to the everyday morning conference. We support residents who hope to obtain the qualification of Registered Anesthesiologist or JSA Qualified Anesthesiologist during their rotation period.
Future prospects
We are planning to increase the number of anesthesia cases more than 15%, but for the further operations the increase of regular staff members is essential. Next year a staff anesthesiologist (a Fellow of JSA) and an anesthesia resident who belongs to the anesthesia resident program of Teikyo University are going to join our department. With these additional two members this goal is expected to be achieved.