Palliative surgery in the do-not-resuscitate patient: ethics and practical suggestions for management.

Palliative care in the United States has made tremendous strides in the last decade. One of the most perplexing issues arises when a palliative care patient presents to the operating room with an already existing do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order. This article describes the most common conflicting issues that may arise and provides guidance to surgeons, anesthesiologists, patients, and their primary physicians to reach satisfactory resolution and optimal care.

Anesthetic concerns in trauma victims requiring operative intervention: the patient too sick to anesthetize.

Trauma is the third leading cause of death in the U.S. Timely acute care anesthetic management of patients following traumatic injury may improve outcome.