Research Updates & Journal Watch
New research in anaesthesia and perioperative medicine, alongside my own commentary, always clearly labelled.
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Beyond difficult: matching airway risk to intervention
Commentary on Rani Chahal's editorial in Anaesthesia: a five-domain framework that replaces 'easy or difficult' with what may fail, why, and what will be done about it, how it resolves a long-running debate about airway prediction, and why it sits within Australian airway practice.
On: Chahal R. Beyond difficult: matching airway risk to intervention. Anaesthesia 2026.
Read the commentary -
Measuring mask ventilation: capnography first, effort second
Commentary on Wünsch et al.'s MASCAN score for difficult facemask ventilation in Anaesthesia and the Concord–Hamburg correspondence that followed: why the capnograph, graded visually, should be the foundation of how we define and document facemask ventilation.
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Classifying videolaryngoscopy: standardise it, but describe the failure
Commentary on Grün et al.'s systematic review of videolaryngoscopy classification tools in Anaesthesia, read alongside the new Spanish multicentre VCI study and the debate about POGO: why a standardised structure needs a proper description when intubation is difficult.
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Planning the exit: the PUMA extubation guidelines
Commentary on the Project for Universal Management of Airways extubation guidelines and Ahmad and Cook's editorial in Anaesthesia, with lessons from cervical spine surgery and a case for extubating on positive pressure.
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Awake tracheal intubation: a core skill we are quietly losing
Commentary on Cortese et al.'s international survey of awake tracheal intubation in the era of videolaryngoscopy, with the accompanying editorial and correspondence in Anaesthesia: training, sedation, strategy and why we must measure what we want to keep.
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Saving minutes in theatre: moving the risk, not removing it
Commentary on Godet et al.'s study in Anaesthesia of where tracheal extubation happens, what it costs in theatre time, and why moving emergence to recovery shifts the work rather than saving it.
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Rapid sequence induction: evidence, opinion and the cricoid question
Commentary on Cook et al.'s narrative review of rapid sequence induction in Anaesthesia: what is well supported, what remains controversial, what is expert opinion, and why cricoid pressure persists.
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From the journals
New research
Updated twice a day from PubMed, the British Journal of Anaesthesia and Anaesthesia. Each entry links to the original article.
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Biomarkers in Patients With Acute Ischaemic Stroke Undergoing Thrombectomy Compared With Controls: A Pilot Study
Neuroanaesthesia doi:10.1111/aas.70391
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Endoscopist-directed propofol versus monitored anesthesia care in outpatient endoscopy: Quality and safety metrics
Patient Safety doi:10.4103/sjg.sjg_303_26
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Videolaryngoscopy vs. direct laryngoscopy for tracheal intubation by anaesthesia resident doctors (VILARE): a pragmatic multicentre randomised trial
Airway Management doi:10.1111/anae.70456
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Complications in neonates with difficult tracheal intubation: an analysis of the Pediatric Difficult Intubation Registry
Airway Management doi:10.1111/anae.70448
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Evaluation of deep learning for the modified Cormack-Lehane classification in videolaryngoscopic images: a prospective observational study
Airway Management doi:10.1007/s12630-026-03227-y
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Clinical performance of i-gel and classic laryngeal mask airway in different head positions in patients aged ≥75 years: A prospective randomized study
Airway Management doi:10.1177/03000605261505180
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Haemodynamic responses to tracheal intubation are context-dependent rather than patient-specific: risk is patient-derived but sympathetic tone-dependent. Comment on Br J Anaesth 2026; 137: 872–4
Airway Management
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Classification of difficult direct laryngoscopy using the VIDIAC score: a prospective external validation study
Airway Management doi:10.1111/anae.70382
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Peri‐operative pulmonary aspiration of gastric contents: a review of NHS Resolution claims
Airway Management doi:10.1111/anae.70383
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Non‐operating theatre emergency tracheal intubation: a UK multicentre prospective observational study of rapid sequence induction drugs and adverse events
Airway ManagementPatient Safety doi:10.1111/anae.70312
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Classification of videolaryngoscopy: a systematic review
Airway Management doi:10.1111/anae.70358
Read Pierre's commentary → -
Development and Validation of an Interpretable Preoperative Difficult Airway Risk Prediction Model Based on Multiple Machine Learning Algorithms
Airway Management doi:10.2147/jmdh.s641372
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The illusion of precision: reliability and measurement error of the percentage of glottic opening score
Patient Safety doi:10.1111/anae.70404
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Video double-lumen tube intubation in a modified lateral position for unilateral video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery: a randomized controlled trial
Airway Management doi:10.1007/s12630-026-03223-2
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Awake Craniotomy for Eloquent and Near-Eloquent Brain Tumors Without MRI or Intraoperative Neuromonitoring During the Gaza War: A Six-Patient Case Series
Neuroanaesthesia doi:10.1016/j.wneu.2026.125491
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Effect of pneumatic leg compression on post-induction hypotension in adult patients with isolated traumatic brain injury undergoing decompressive craniotomy: a randomised, double-blind, controlled trial
Neuroanaesthesia doi:10.1016/j.jocn.2026.112375
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Perioperative respiratory adverse events in children undergoing adenotonsillectomy with laryngeal mask airway versus endotracheal tube ventilation: multicentre, randomised controlled trial
Airway ManagementPatient Safety doi:10.1136/bmj-2026-101019
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Patient safety competence in orthopaedic care: The interplay of education, orientation, and workplace learning
Patient Safety doi:10.1016/j.ijotn.2026.101334
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Perioperative Liposomal Bupivacaine for Postoperative Pain Control in Cranial Neurosurgery: A Systematic Review
Neuroanaesthesia doi:10.1155/anrp/6822812
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Hypermobility spectrum disorder/hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, mast cell activation syndrome, and dysautonomia as risk factors for adverse events and complications
Patient Safety doi:10.1080/1744666x.2026.2754045
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Rapid sequence induction: a narrative review
Airway ManagementPatient Safety doi:10.1111/anae.70449
Read Pierre's commentary → -
Identification of difficult airways in critical care units (ID-ACCT): surgical context contributes to defining risk. Comment on Br J Anaesth 2026; 136: 705–15
Airway Management
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Cognitive and experiential drivers of safety planning in tracheal intubation: a single centre focus group analysis
Airway ManagementPatient Safety
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Liberal liquid fasting and aspiration: a mandate for patient-centred precision care in perioperative fasting
Airway Management
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Impact of liberal preoperative clear-fluid fasting regimens on the risk of pulmonary aspiration in children (EUROFAST): institutional fasting policy is not individual sip-til-send exposure. Comment on Br J Anaesth 2025; 135: 141–7
Airway Management
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Beyond difficult: matching airway risk to intervention
Airway Management doi:10.1111/anae.70455
Read Pierre's commentary → -
Double-lumen tube insertion and one-lung ventilation in Coffin-Siris syndrome: navigating airway challenges in severe scoliosis surgery
Airway Management doi:10.1002/anr3.70117
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Cerebral autoregulation–guided blood pressure management to reduce delirium in adults: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Neuroanaesthesia
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Human brain assembloids as a model of anaesthetic-induced neural dynamics in vitro
Neuroanaesthesia
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Effects of lidocaine bolus and infusion on neuromonitoring by bispectral index (BIS®), electroencephalogram periodic and aperiodic activity, and Surgical Pleth Index® during propofol–remifentanil anaesthesia: a single-centre prospective observational study
Neuroanaesthesia
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Social deprivation and morbidity and mortality after surgery: derivation of deprivation quintiles. Response to Br J Anaesth 2026; 136: 1017–8
Patient Safety
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Medication errors in the operating room: a 12-year analysis of the French National Pharmacovigilance Database
Patient Safety
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Comparison of Sevoflurane and Propofol-Fentanyl for Laryngeal Mask Airway Insertion in Pediatric cases
Airway Management doi:10.7417/ct.2026.2178
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Inter-Rater Reliability in Pre-Anaesthetic Airway Assessment: A Protocol for a Systematic Review
Airway Management doi:10.1111/aas.70354
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Distance Hands-On Training Versus Video Instruction for Flexible Laryngeal Mask Airway Management: A Protocol for a Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial
Airway Management doi:10.1111/aas.70348
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Universal videolaryngoscopy and intubation outcomes in anaesthesia trainees: A subanalysis of the multicentre VIDEOLAR-SURGERY trial
Airway Management doi:10.1177/0310057x261499704
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Visual rigid laryngoscope versus Macintosh laryngoscope using low-dose relaxants in thyroid surgery
Airway Management doi:10.7717/peerj.21893
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Effect of remimazolam versus propofol anaesthesia on postoperative delirium in neurovascular surgery: a randomised noninferiority trial
Neuroanaesthesia doi:10.1016/j.bja.2026.09.021
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Dexmedetomidine produces more sleep-like brain activity compared with propofol in human participants. Response to Br J Anaesth 2026; 137: 1217–8
Neuroanaesthesia
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Videolaryngoscopy versus direct laryngoscopy for nasotracheal intubation in infants undergoing cardiac procedures (NasoVISI): a multicentre, randomised controlled trial
Airway Management doi:10.1016/s2352-4642(26)00239-7
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Airway management and anaesthetic interventions for children with cleft lip and/or palate undergoing general anaesthesia: Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Airway Management doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0361327
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Intraoperative neuromonitoring findings after erector spinae plane block during posterior thoracolumbar fusion surgery
Neuroanaesthesia doi:10.1007/s00590-026-05004-5
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Safety in electroconvulsive therapy: a narrative review of cardiopulmonary complications
Patient Safety doi:10.1097/aco.0000000000001630
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Sustainable anesthesia and environmental stewardship: balancing ecological responsibility with patient safety
Patient Safety doi:10.1097/aco.0000000000001709
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Comparison of upper limb muscle activity and workload during intubation with the Macintosh direct laryngoscope versus C-MAC® and King Vision® videolaryngoscopes in simulated difficult airway scenarios: a randomized crossover trial
Airway Management doi:10.1007/s12630-026-03204-5
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Endoscope-Assisted Evacuation of Acute Subdural Hematoma Through a Mini-Craniotomy in Selected Elderly, Medically Fragile Patients: Operative Technique and Illustrative Cases
Neuroanaesthesia doi:10.1016/j.wneu.2026.125440
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Comparison of Classic Laryngeal Mask Airway and Endotracheal Intubation for Airway Management During Short Urologic Procedures in the Prone Position: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Airway Management doi:10.1155/anrp/1390565
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Awake tracheal intubation: the default technique?
Airway Management doi:10.1111/anae.70429
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Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy-Guided Bronchial Blocker Placement in Lateral Versus Supine Positions in Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery: A Comparative Study
Airway Management doi:10.3791/72941
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Optimum timing of cerebral computed tomography angiography for determination of death using neurological criteria: a retrospective sensitivity cohort study
Neuroanaesthesia doi:10.1111/anae.70438
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Environmental and systems-based safety in the obstetric operating room: A narrative review
Patient Safety doi:10.1002/pmf2.70488
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Brain-derived tau in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid after surgery: a prospective cohort substudy
Neuroanaesthesia
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5-Aminolevulinic Acid-Guided Glioma Resection During Awake Craniotomy: Systematic Review of Functional Safety and Surgical Benefit
NeuroanaesthesiaPatient Safety doi:10.3390/cancers18203365
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Hybrid Airway Management for Neuromonitoring-guided Selective Phrenic Nerve Surgery in Intractable Hiccups: A Case Report
Airway ManagementNeuroanaesthesia doi:10.4274/tjar.2026.262496
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Disentangling the Effects of Craniotomy and Traumatic Brain Injury in Experimental Models: A Narrative Review
Neuroanaesthesia doi:10.3390/ijms27209186
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Brain-Protective Perioperative Care for Reducing Postoperative Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults: A Scoping Review
Neuroanaesthesia doi:10.3791/73404
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Awake craniotomy as a routine pathway for supratentorial tumor surgery: A 500-case awake-craniotomy experience with institutional resource and charge benchmarking
Neuroanaesthesia doi:10.25259/sni_854_2026
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Immediate Perioperative Hypersensitivity and Anaphylaxis in Neuroanesthesia Practice: A Focused Review
Neuroanaesthesia doi:10.1097/ana.0000000000001174
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Syndrome of the trephined following burr hole surgery, decompressive craniectomy/cranioplasty, or craniotomy: contemporary vision from a military neurosurgery department
Neuroanaesthesia doi:10.1007/s10143-026-04536-y
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Development and internal validation of a clinical prediction model for postoperative venous thromboembolism after neurosurgical intervention in patients with traumatic brain injury
Neuroanaesthesia doi:10.3389/fneur.2026.1953953
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Density Spectral Array Patterns During Total Intravenous Anesthesia with Intravenous Lidocaine for Craniotomy: An Illustrative Two-Case Series
Neuroanaesthesia doi:10.2147/imcrj.s645855
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Awake craniotomy with functional mapping for recurrent high-grade IDH-mutant glioma during pregnancy: illustrative case
Neuroanaesthesia doi:10.3171/case2696
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Association between supraglottic airway device use and respiratory adverse events during airway management in children with airway hyperresponsiveness: a report from the Japan Paediatric Difficult Airway in Anaesthesia (J-PEDIA) registry
Airway ManagementPatient Safety doi:10.1016/j.bja.2026.07.046
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Preoperative serum miR-431-5p as a predictive biomarker for perioperative respiratory adverse events in children undergoing general anesthesia
Patient Safety doi:10.1016/j.taap.2026.118066
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Clinical Improvement, No Improvement, and Worsening at 24 Hours Following Reperfusion in Patients With Stroke due to Large-Vessel Occlusion
Neuroanaesthesia doi:10.1161/svin.126.002411
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Persistent Postcraniotomy Headache Following Adult Craniotomy: A Propensity Score-Weighted Analysis of Scalp Block and Surgical Risk Factors
Neuroanaesthesia doi:10.1016/j.wneu.2026.125338
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Feasibility and Safety Profile of Non-anesthesiologist-administered Propofol During Colorectal Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection: A Single-center Study of 454 Procedures
Patient Safety doi:10.1002/deo2.70435
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Effect of Thermal Softening of Endotracheal Tubes on Perioperative Respiratory Adverse Events in Children Undergoing Adenotonsillectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Airway ManagementPatient Safety doi:10.1002/pan.70312
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Comparison of subanaesthetic ketamine and lidocaine as adjuvants to propofol-based total intravenous anesthesia on propofol requirement during emergency decompressive craniectomy for traumatic brain injury: a prospective, double-blind, three-arm randomized controlled trial
Neuroanaesthesia doi:10.1016/j.jocn.2026.112284
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Surgery in the Semi-Sitting Position: A Worldwide Survey among Neurosurgeons
Neuroanaesthesia doi:10.1055/a-2930-4165
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Psychometric Evaluation of the Turkish Version of the Induction Compliance Checklist in Children Undergoing Mask Anesthesia
Patient Safety doi:10.1002/pan.70290
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The Safety and Feasibility of Laryngeal Mask Airway Management in Nonintubated Subxiphoid-Subcostal Thoracoscopic Thymectomy: Preliminary Results
Airway ManagementPatient Safety doi:10.1016/j.jss.2026.07.028
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Prevalence and Risk Factors of Adverse Events in Procedural Sedation Outside the Operating Room for Pediatric Dental Procedures
Patient Safety doi:10.1097/pcc.0000000000004026
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Perioperative management of GLP-1 receptor agonists: a structured narrative review with considerations relevant to neurosurgical patients
Neuroanaesthesia doi:10.1007/s40618-026-03004-0
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Mapping System Vulnerabilities in Anaesthesia Safety: A Role-Based Inquiry in Response to Fatal Fungal Meningitis Outbreaks in Mexico
Patient Safety doi:10.1002/hpm.70125
Last updated 12 November 2026 at 12:26 pm. Titles, authors and dates come from the publishers' and PubMed's records. Inclusion is not an endorsement.
General information only. This page does not replace individual medical advice. In an emergency, call 000.
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