Iowa Anesthesia Services
Clinical perspectives, industry updates, and educational resources from the Iowa Anesthesia Services team.
The articles below are provided for general educational purposes only and are not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please read our full medical disclaimer before relying on any information found here.
August 3, 2026
Anesthesia alters a patient's consciousness, awareness, memory, and perception of pain. Decades of research suggest that the recovery of cognition afterward is more gradual and complex than a simple on/off switch.
Read MoreMay 27, 2026
Cataract surgery is one of the most frequently performed operations in the world. For decades, the retrobulbar block was the dominant anesthetic technique, delivering local anesthetic into the intraconal space.
Read MoreApril 27, 2026
The management of patients with obesity during surgery requires additional planning and a thorough understanding of their altered physiology and anatomy, particularly when prone positioning is indicated.
Read MoreMarch 16, 2026
Total shoulder arthroplasty has evolved significantly over the past two decades, driven by advances in implant design, anesthesia techniques, and perioperative care protocols.
Read MoreFebruary 9, 2026
Chronic pain, typically defined as pain persisting for longer than three months, affects millions of individuals worldwide and represents a significant clinical and public health challenge.
Read MoreJanuary 5, 2026
Regional anesthesia for breast surgery has evolved substantially over the past decade, driven by the goals of reducing perioperative opioid use and improving postoperative analgesia.
Read MoreNovember 17, 2025
Biological aging is a complex, multifaceted process characterized by the gradual decline of physiological and cognitive functions over time, with direct implications for perioperative care.
Read MoreOctober 6, 2025
The practice of anesthesia requires clinicians to interpret subtle patient responses while managing complex pharmacology. AI-driven EEG analysis is opening new frontiers in individualized sedation management.
Read MoreAugust 11, 2025
A smooth postoperative recovery can help reduce complications, shorten hospital stays, and support long-term health — whether following a minor outpatient procedure or a major surgery.
Read MoreJuly 7, 2025
Cerebrospinal fluid is a clear, colorless fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Understanding CSF dynamics is fundamental to safe and effective neuraxial anesthesia practice.
Read MoreJune 2, 2025
In the United States, the employment structure of physicians, including anesthesiologists, varies significantly across states due to differences in legal and regulatory frameworks.
Read MoreApril 28, 2025
Pulmonary aspiration under anesthesia is a potentially catastrophic event characterized by the entry of gastric contents into the tracheobronchial tree, leading to chemical pneumonitis and obstruction.
Read MoreMarch 25, 2025
Sleep apnea syndrome refers to a constellation of findings deriving from frequent episodes of apnea and hypopnea during sleep, with wide-ranging implications for perioperative risk assessment.
Read MoreFebruary 3, 2025
Skin tags, medically known as acrochordons, are small, benign growths of skin that commonly appear in areas where skin folds, such as the neck and armpits.
Read MoreDecember 23, 2024
The perioperative period may involve transferring patients between different areas or changing their position, as patients are often prepared in a different location than where the procedure is performed.
Read MoreNovember 21, 2024
The immune system, a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs, is the body's primary line of defense against pathogens and disease. Various perioperative medications can significantly influence immune function.
Read MoreOctober 14, 2024
Propofol is a widely used intravenous anesthetic agent known for its rapid onset and short duration of action. It is commonly used for induction and maintenance of anesthesia and procedural sedation.
Read MoreAugust 22, 2024
Desflurane, once hailed as a revolutionary volatile anesthetic for its rapid onset and recovery times, is increasingly falling out of favor in modern anesthetic practice.
Read MoreJuly 18, 2024
Epidural anesthesia is an important technique widely used in a variety of medical procedures, particularly in obstetrics for labor pain management and during major surgical interventions.
Read MoreJune 17, 2024
Unintentional endobronchial, or "main stem," intubation is a complication that can occur during the administration of general anesthesia, particularly in emergency situations or when anatomical challenges arise.
Read MoreMay 20, 2024
First synthesized in 1962 as an offshoot of phencyclidine, ketamine quickly became a staple in both veterinary and human medicine due to its unique dissociative and analgesic properties.
Read MoreApril 22, 2024
In the realm of anesthesia and surgery, the choice between using a laryngeal mask airway (LMA) or endotracheal intubation has been an ongoing subject of clinical discussion and research.
Read MoreMarch 25, 2024
Preparing for surgery is not just about following your doctor's instructions, but also about setting yourself up for the best outcome. Smoking is a critical factor in perioperative risk.
Read MoreFebruary 25, 2024
A tonsillectomy is the surgical removal of the tonsil and its capsule, which requires dissecting the peritonsillar space between the tonsil capsule and the muscular pharyngeal wall.
Read MoreFebruary 20, 2024
The administration of anesthesia for neurosurgical cases presents unique challenges and considerations, distinguishing it from anesthesia for surgeries involving other systems of the body.
Read MoreJanuary 29, 2024
Drug diversion is a critical issue that affects the general population of the United States, as well as the healthcare industry, involving the misuse or theft of controlled substances intended for patient care.
Read More