Thanks to contamination by endotoxin or particulate matter, or Michael Jackson's overuse, or whatever, we are in the midst of an international shortage of the one anesthetic induction agent we use most. Propofol.Most of us are doing mask inductions. The old folks we anesthetize are pros at this and are just thankful its not ether they're breathing. And we're substituting intravenous induction drugs that are clearly not as good when patients can't go to sleep with a mask. Patients are suffering more nausea and hemodynamic instablity. Luckily, we can deal with these side effects. But things are messier in the OR these days. It feels sort of like trying to write with your left hand.
Dear Propofol Manufacturers,
Please hurry!
Sincerely,
Anesthesiologists of the World
ICU nurses trying to keep their patients sedated on the vent are missing that wonderful potion too =)
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