A Lousy Reason for Surgery Cancellations.

Cancellation of surgery has significant adverse impact on patients, health care providers, and their associated facilities. Although head lice infestation has not been shown to be associated with adverse surgical outcomes, it often prompts case cancellation by surgical and anesthesia personnel. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the extent and impact of surgery cancellations due to head lice infestation. In our study, a total of 9 patients were cancelled over a 3-year period. Although there is no direct evidence to show that head lice infestation poses a risk to surgical outcomes, the possibility of underlying secondary bacterial infection at the skin excoriation site is often the concern in these patients. This study offers the first investigation into the impact of head lice infections on operating room cancellations, which may prove to be a potential source of intervention to prevent cancellations.

Anesthetic considerations for robotic prostatectomy: a review of the literature.

Since the first robotic prostatectomy in 2000, the number of prostatectomies performed using robot-assisted laparoscopy has been increasing. As of 2009, 90,000 robotic radical prostatectomies were performed worldwide, and 80% of all radical prostatectomies performed in the United States were performed robotically. Robotic prostatectomy is becoming more common globally because of the many advantages offered to patients, primarily due to the minimally invasive nature of the procedure. Several new perioperative concerns and challenges for anesthesiologists and are described.