Practical procedures
This chapter assesses the practical procedures in surgery. It begins with airway procedures, including the anaesthesia face mask, laryngeal mask airway (LMA), and endotracheal intubation. It also looks at percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) and cricothyroidotomy, before differentiating between non-invasive and invasive ventilation. The chapter then turns to circulation procedures, including venepuncture and intravenous cannulation; interosseous access; central venous cannulation; arterial puncture and arterial cannulation; cardioversion; and defibrillation. It also considers the insertion and management of chest drain, which is used to drain pneumothoraces or pleural effusions. Finally, the chapter deals with pericardiocentesis; nasogastric tube insertion; urethral and suprapubic catheterisation; abdominal paracentesis; rigid sigmoidoscopy; and local and regional anaesthesia.