Cardiac Resuscitation in the Lateral Position and the Potential Role of Intraoperative Simulation: A Case Repor

Yasutaka Konishi^1,2* and Vaughan Bertram²

¹Department of Anesthesia, Teikyo University, School of Medicine, 2-11-1 kaga, itabashi-ku, Tokyo, Japan

²Department of Anaesthesia and Acute Pain Medicine, St. Vincent’s Hospital, 41 Victoria Parade, Fitzroy VIC 3065, Melbourne, Australia

*Corresponding Author: Yasutaka Konishi
Department of Anesthesia, Teikyo University
School of Medicine, 2-11-1 kaga
itabashi-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Tel: +(813) 3964 1211 E-mail: y.konishi.0920@gmail.com

Received: December 11, 2018 Accepted: December 21, 2018 Published:December 12, 2019

Citation: Konishi Y, Bertram V (2019) Cardiac Resuscitation in the Lateral Position and the Potential Role of Intraoperative Simulation: A Case Report. Analg Resusc: Curr Res 8:1.

Background

Intraoperative resuscitation of patients in positions other than supine is inherently difficult. Rapidly returning patients supine requires a coordinated effort and is seldom rehearsed by theatre teams.

Case presentation

A 77-year-old female with severe pulmonary hypertension was scheduled to undergo a hemiarthroplasty repair for a fractured neck of femur. Under general anesthesia in the left lateral decubitus position, a massive embolus provoked during cement pressurization of the femur caused cardiovascular collapse and irretrievable right heart failure. Cardiac compressions were performed in the lateral position for approximately 8 minutes before the patient was turned supine. Intraoperative death was declared after 25 minutes of ACLS.

Conclusions

We suggest there is a role for developing an in situ intraoperative simulation program inclusive of all operating room team members that focuses on the resuscitation of patients positioned other than supine.