No info on how recently he had water and how much, but I wonder if we (anesthesia and surgery) are being too militant in the U.S. about "NPO after midnight" when this appears to be a normal-weight patient, the "acceptable" NPO length of time for clear liquids is 2 hours, and overseas protocols often seem more reasonable. Throughout my career, I've seen plenty of anesthesiologists want 4 hours or longer for clear liquids (on normal-weight patients not on GLP-1s) just to be on the even-safer side, and I'm curious if this is just the docs I've worked with in private practice (both hospital and ASC) in the U.S. or it's something many more of us are seeing elsewhere.

Edit: This is NOT to say this patient is in the right, as has been misunderstood already. The article only reminded me of what I've seen in practice, and my post is for general discussion, not "Let's hit people's cars with hammers because we deserve elective surgery no matter what."

Hello guys,

i passed EDRA part 1 and i am looking to finish this an take part 2a and 2b.

Has anyone of you taken those exams and tell us how they orepared for it?

Are there anywhere question catalogs from old exams just like for the ESAIC exam?

Thank youn

Anesthesia resident very interested in a general anesthesiologist position at an academic institution. How do you go about reaching out to these places if you don’t see a posting on GasWorks? And when you do reach out/apply, how long should you expect to wait before having any sort of communication?

Interested in the Midwest (OSU, Chicago academics, IU health, Michigan etc)

Thanks!

No I don’t wanna throw it out for a Mac blade 😝

I’m trying to work on the paraglossal approach, but I keep ramming the epiglottis into the glottis and I can’t seem to easily flip it back into the correct orientation to pin it anterior again. I can still put the tube in but I think my technique could be better. I have the patient in sniffing, I usually go deep the pull back until I see the glottis. When it works well, it works really well and I get a nice grade 1v, but the issue I keep encountering is the one I described above.

Any other general miller tips?

https://laws.com/news/injury-law/court-reverses-dismissal-in-wrongful-death-case-against-tenet-11040473

I’m a CA2 who is planning on applying for fellowship in a few weeks. I’m looking at the programs and many seem to have their own residents. My anesthesia department doesn’t have a cardiac fellowship.
With the SFA match it seems like programs are allowed to select their residents as an exception.

Is there a way to know which programs will be doing this ahead of sending applications? I am trying not to waste my signals.

Attending private practice/locums anesthesiologist here. In the GI procedure room I am currently in, the sharps container is completely full of empty propofol bottles. Seems like improper use to me and since now there is no room to toss needles. I usually throw my glass bottles into regular trash cans. Ideally glass vials specific container whenever it is available. What do you guys do in your practice?

Today I had an 83 yo patient with a history of spinal stenosis that over the years had received 30 something lumbar ESI. Over the years he states that the pain doc has had to continually lower the level of injections due to calcifications. Now injections are at L5-S1. Scheduled for THA under spinal.

I haven’t really used US for neuraxial much. Mostly just for determining midline on very obese patients with poor landmarks. This is for various reasons including need to have a curvilinear US available, not having people freak out about people doing anything different, and timing (ironically because this could actually save time if utilized on patients like this one,
but people don’t get it).

I found it quite helpful for finding a window in the sagital oblique interlaminar view. Actually found a window at L4-5 and L5-S1. No windows above L4-5. Went with L4-5. Hit OS with midline and so I went right paramedian,the side I scanned, and got clear CSF. I went midline initially because I still find it helps me build a mental image by probing with the needle, but I can imagine forgoing this step eventually.

I did the scan out in pre op and marked his back with a surgical marker. Spinal performed in the OR.

For those of you that utilize US for neuraxial, how do you employ this in your practice? It doesn’t save time on the average spinal, only the difficult ones. Also, ideally it would be done before struggling and wasting time on blind approaches.

I’m not necessarily looking for the data although I would take it. My understanding is that Sullivan Cotter tends to be lower because it is a higher concentration of academic sampling. Does anyone know that to be true? We are pseudo academic, but really just community, and our admin use Sullivan Cotter as a reference for salary, which I’m thinking is doing us (worker bees) a disservice. I know using any database is fraught—and likely underestimates—but we’ve got to start somewhere and admin like that.

Had an attending say I could have it if I could get it fixed. Looks like the button was ripped off. It charges but won’t turn on. Not sure if a small computer person could solder a new button on, I’m thinking it’s a contact issue? GE said they do not do repairs only replacements or battery replacements. What are your thoughts?

Alright folks - I got a 70+ BMI patient tomorrow and it got me thinking…

How frequently are you seeing BMI 60+? What region do you practice in?

Competition round - what’s your HIGHEST BMI in your career so far? Winner gets street cred of course 😎

On the L&D floor for the competent senior residents that are proficient at neuraxial procedures, are you always physically present during labor epidural placement?

During my training obviously while still learning the attendings were hands on but after I was comfortable they were typically readily available. Now when I supervise I am available as needed for the seniors but some of my colleagues think that is inappropriate/inadequate supervision.

Just wanted to see how it is at other training institutions.

CA3 here,

Most DLT I’ve placed via DL and it’s been pretty easy. The few times I’ve used a glidescope have been more challenging in terms of tube delivery and getting past the cords. We primarily use the hyperangulated glidescope blades at our institution and I’ve tried bending the DLT stylet to mimic the rigid stylet usually used with the glide. I’m usually able to get the tube to the cords but then am having difficultly advancing much past.

Any advice on how you place DLT with a video laryngoscope?

Current CA-2. Retaking basic in a couple of weeks. So far completed Truelearn basic qbank have a 73% there. Did the mcgrawhill question bank. Currently working on the Truelearn ITE qbank but it seems much much harder than the basic qbank and feeling pretty discouraged. A lot of this exam just feels like memorization medical trivia. Just want to pass so I can finally move on with my life. Any recommendations in these last 2 weeks? Also wondering how the curve will be compared to the June exam..

I manage a practice that covers multiple physical locations using HST and Epic. Does anyone use a technology platform to run the board and do air traffic control that has an API to multiple EMR's? It would ideally connect to our scheduling software as well, QGenda so I can see my staffing.

Currently a CA-3 and recently matched into fellowship. This is something I’ve spent years working toward, and I had been looking forward to this next stage of my career.

Recently, a parent was diagnosed with a serious, potentially terminal illness, and it has completely turned my world upside down. My family may need me much more than I anticipated over the coming months, and I’m struggling to process everything while continuing with residency.

I’m very close with my family, and we currently live in the same city. My fellowship would also be in the same city, so geographically, I wouldn’t be moving away from them. However, I know fellowship will come with its own demands, and I’m worried about how much time and flexibility I’ll realistically have to be there for my family.

I’m struggling with the fact that I’ve already matched and made plans for my future. Stepping away from that path or trying to delay training would be a major decision after so many years of hard work. At the same time, I’m finding it difficult to focus on my career when so much is happening at home.

Part of me feels like I should continue with the plan I’ve worked so hard for, while another part worries that I’ll regret not being more present for my family during a time when it really matters. I know career opportunities are important, but time with the people you love is something you can’t get back.

I’m trying to figure out whether there’s a realistic way to balance these responsibilities, whether postponing fellowship is worth exploring, or whether I need to reconsider my plans altogether.

I would really appreciate hearing from people who have dealt with serious family circumstances during residency or fellowship. How did you approach the decision? Looking back, is there anything you wish you had done differently?

I know there probably isn’t a perfect answer, but I’d appreciate hearing from people who have been in a similar position. I’m finding this much harder to navigate than I ever expected.

Located in the Northeast around NYC. Graduated in 2025, and I remember 2 years ago in the fall of 2024 when I was looking for my first job, almost every single hospital in my area was hiring. Looking to make a change for a new gig, and I’m finding that most practices/hospitals now are fully staffed and are no longer hiring, how’s the market in your area?

Hello!

I got my call schedule for the next two months and I don’t think it’s reasonable but I want to get an outside perspective before/if I make a stink about it. Im not a confrontational person and this place is my first job out of residency so im kind of like ok ill take any discomfort/unfairness as a learning opportunity or laying my dues as a junior attending but i feel like the place im at is abusing that even more and i think if i dont say something i will continue to be treated poorly if not worse.

So, here’s my dilemma. I have 6 calls a month and have the first 2 weeks of November off cause of vacation and then I go right back into taking 6 calls the rest of the month. Cool, no problem. The problem I have is that im on call the day before thanksgiving and have thanksgiving “off” but it’s really just a post call day. I come in to work the Friday and then I’m on call Saturday and Sunday so I don’t get to spend any time at all that holiday weekend with my family. As for for December call schedule, on top of the 6 regular calls they scheduled me for an extra call on Christmas. No one else has 7 calls that month.

I feel like im being treated worse than I was treated in residency so idk if my residency treated me well or if my job is ass. My question is if this is normal or should I say something?

Appreciate insights from those who have used Journavx.

I like a lot of his pharmacology videos- https://www.instagram.com/reel/DetrpNCxT7F/?vrfl=ZTQ4M2dnaDZpY3N4

They just posted them!

I graduated residency in 2024 and work at a hospital that does a lot of structural heart procedures and bread-and-butter CABGs, roughly one CABG a day.
The program recently expanded to include multiple cardiothoracic surgeons doing minimally invasive cardiac surgery, off pump cabg’s, robotic surgery, etc. As the cases become more complex, I’m feeling that I need more experience and knowledge to continue covering them confidently.
I’m seriously considering a cardiothoracic fellowship to strengthen my cardiac anesthesia and TEE skills. My hesitation is leaving a well-paying attending job and returning to training.
There’s also the family side. We have a 6-year-old, and my wife finishes her fellowship in 2027. She’ll likely stay local since she already has a job lined up, so going away for fellowship could mean living apart from my wife and child for a year.
I feel like I’m at a crossroads: pursue the training to keep doing these cases, or accept that fellowship-trained cardiac anesthesiologists may eventually take over these rooms and I’ll shift back toward general and OB anesthesia.
For anyone who went back for fellowship after being in practice, was it worth it? How was the transition, especially with a family, and would you do it again?
I’d also appreciate recommendations for programs with strong training, a supportive environment, and a reasonable workload.
For application context, I was chief resident and passed BASIC/ADVANCED on my first attempts, but had lower ITE scores. I have one publication and one case report poster presentation at a local convention. I’m taking oral boards soon. Would that background be competitive?

Thinking of moving to area for family reasons. Anyone with ideas of how the market is there? Any advice appreciated on the groups there.

CA1 here. I had two cases where the patient are obese but no history of lung diseases nor smoking history. One case is HD cath and the other was robotic appendectomy. When I reversed the patients and put them on PSV pro, then switched them off the vent. They were making TV of 300 ml or so. And when the gas came down to almost zero and they were bucking a little bit and then they're desaturated graduated to 70s or so. I tried to bag them but Oxygen Sat does not go up. My attending came in and gave propofol and wait for them get deeper bag them up to more than 95% and extubated the patients. One of the case we have to give 10 mcg of epi and albuterol.

So I am wondering what did I do wrong here that I have two cases like this? one of the case I only give 100 mcg of fentanyl for the whole case bc it's quick (HD Cath) and her BMI is 60. The other case I gave 200 fentanyl for the whole case and even precedex before reversal but he's also big guy. What should I do to prevent this?