Ancillary Drugs Used in Surgery
Ancillary drugs used in surgery
Ancillary drugs are drugs that are used in conjunction with general anaesthetics. Although termed as ancillary drugs, these drugs play an integral role in every surgical operation. Ancillary drugs serve multiple functions in surgery and can enhance the surgical procedure and patient safety.
To most patients, the prospect of an impending surgical operation leads to preoperative anxiety, especially given that the outcome of the surgery is unpredictable (Valenzuela Millan et al. 2010). Therefore, in order to reduce anxiety, benzodiazepines such as diazepam and lorazepam are commonly used (Fragen et al. 1976). Benzodiazepines can be given orally or intramuscularly to the patients a few hours before the operation in order to relieve anxiety, promote sedation and amnesia. Benzodiazepines act on a positive regulatory site on the GABAA receptor, a ligand-gated ion channel, enhancing the activity of GABA neurotransmitter when it binds to the GABAA receptor. Subsequently, this leads to greater influx of chloride ions into the nerve cell, lowering the electrical potential of the cell and therefore having an overall inhibitory effect on the central nervous system, leading to anxiolysis, amnesia and sedation (Rang et al. 2011). In addition to benzodiazepines, opioids can be administered to enhance sedation and relief pain. With respect to the case study, benzodiazepines might have minor side effects on pregnant mothers. Some research studies found an increase in risk of malformation and cleft palate in newborns due to benzodiazepines (Dolovich et al. 1998). If used shortly before delivery, newborns might suffer from floppy infant syndrome, where the infant experiences lethargy (ACOG 2008).
Ancillary drugs are also used to reduce the risk of aspiration during surgery. Because of the inhibitory actions of general anaesthetics and drugs used to induce short-term paralysis for intubation, many of our protective reflexes such as the swallowing
Ancillary drugs are drugs that are used in conjunction with general anaesthetics. Although termed as ancillary drugs, these drugs play an integral role in every surgical operation. Ancillary drugs serve multiple functions in surgery and can enhance the surgical procedure and patient safety.
To most patients, the prospect of an impending surgical operation leads to preoperative anxiety, especially given that the outcome of the surgery is unpredictable (Valenzuela Millan et al. 2010). Therefore, in order to reduce anxiety, benzodiazepines such as diazepam and lorazepam are commonly used (Fragen et al. 1976). Benzodiazepines can be given orally or intramuscularly to the patients a few hours before the operation in order to relieve anxiety, promote sedation and amnesia. Benzodiazepines act on a positive regulatory site on the GABAA receptor, a ligand-gated ion channel, enhancing the activity of GABA neurotransmitter when it binds to the GABAA receptor. Subsequently, this leads to greater influx of chloride ions into the nerve cell, lowering the electrical potential of the cell and therefore having an overall inhibitory effect on the central nervous system, leading to anxiolysis, amnesia and sedation (Rang et al. 2011). In addition to benzodiazepines, opioids can be administered to enhance sedation and relief pain. With respect to the case study, benzodiazepines might have minor side effects on pregnant mothers. Some research studies found an increase in risk of malformation and cleft palate in newborns due to benzodiazepines (Dolovich et al. 1998). If used shortly before delivery, newborns might suffer from floppy infant syndrome, where the infant experiences lethargy (ACOG 2008).
Ancillary drugs are also used to reduce the risk of aspiration during surgery. Because of the inhibitory actions of general anaesthetics and drugs used to induce short-term paralysis for intubation, many of our protective reflexes such as the swallowing