British journal of anaesthesia
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Documenting videolaryngoscopy and tracheal intubation: time to blend old ways with the new?

Mar 18, 2026

The authors aim to address how the documentation of videolaryngoscopy and tracheal intubation can be improved, particularly in light of the increasing use of videolaryngoscopy over traditional methods. They highlight the challenges in accurately describing laryngeal views and their implications for intubation success, suggesting a need to reconcile traditional documentation practices with modern techniques.

Prediction and risk evaluation of delirium after surgery in older patients: development and internal validation of an algorithm from the prospective BioCog cohort study

Mar 18, 2026

The authors aimed to identify key risk factors for postoperative delirium (POD) in older surgical patients and to develop a multivariate algorithm for predicting individual risk in the early postoperative period. Utilizing data from the BioCog cohort study, they found that a gradient-boosted trees algorithm incorporating preoperative, surgical, and postoperative variables achieved a high accuracy in predicting POD, suggesting its potential utility in clinical decision-making.

Validation status of definitive airway management simulators: a systematic review

Mar 13, 2026

This systematic review aimed to evaluate the validation status of definitive airway management simulators used in anaesthesia training. The authors found that while these simulators are widely utilized, they often lack robust validation, with most studies assessing only a limited number of validity domains. The review underscores the need for a unified validation framework to ensure that simulators accurately reflect clinical realities, which is essential for effective training and competency development.

Responsibility cannot be abdicated: a mandate for Patient-Centred Precision Care in perioperative brain health

Mar 11, 2026

The authors examine the challenge of preventing postoperative delirium, which affects a significant percentage of vulnerable surgical patients, and highlight the need for a shift from reactive treatments to proactive, evidence-based preventive strategies. They argue that the current healthcare system's reliance on costly reactive measures, despite weaker evidence, creates economic inefficiencies and patient harm. The paper advocates for the implementation of Patient-Centred Precision Care to enhance perioperative brain health and ensure sustainable healthcare practices.

When optimising the operating theatre compromises anaesthetic safety: ambient lighting, human performance, and medication error risk

Mar 7, 2026

The authors investigate how the use of blue- or green-dominant ambient lighting in hybrid operating theatres, while beneficial for surgical visibility, may compromise anaesthetic safety by impairing colour discrimination and recognition of medication labels. They highlight the need for mitigation strategies and a systematic re-evaluation of theatre design to ensure that innovations do not negatively impact the safety of the perioperative team.

Lung-protective mechanical ventilation is not sex neutral

Mar 6, 2026

The authors investigate whether lung-protective mechanical ventilation strategies are equally effective for males and females, particularly in the context of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). They highlight that females face barriers to receiving appropriate ventilation due to anatomical and physiological differences, which may contribute to higher mortality rates in this population. The study underscores the need to consider sex-specific factors in the management of ARDS to improve outcomes for female patients.

The triple burden of sex disparities in critical care mechanical ventilation

Mar 5, 2026

The authors investigate the sex disparities in critical care mechanical ventilation, particularly for females with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), who face unique challenges due to biological and systemic biases. They highlight the need for sex-specific approaches in treatment and research, as well as the importance of addressing algorithmic biases and underrepresentation of females in clinical studies. The paper calls for refined clinical protocols and sex-stratified analyses to improve outcomes and reduce disparities in critical care.

The impact of neuraxial labour analgesia on neurodevelopmental disorders in offspring: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Mar 4, 2026

The authors aimed to determine whether neuraxial labour analgesia affects the neurodevelopmental outcomes of offspring, particularly focusing on conditions like autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Their systematic review and meta-analysis, which included 19 studies, found no convincing evidence linking neuraxial analgesia during labour to an increased risk of these disorders, especially when accounting for familial confounding factors. Overall, the study suggests that neuraxial labour analgesia does not pose a significant risk for neurodevelopmental disorders in children.

Psychological factors associated with postoperative cognitive outcomes in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Feb 28, 2026

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the associations between preoperative psychological factors and postoperative cognitive outcomes in older adults. The study identified depression as the most consistently reported psychological risk factor for postoperative delirium, while evidence for anxiety, personality traits, and stress-related factors was limited. The authors emphasize the need for standardized cognitive assessments and further research on interventions to mitigate cognitive risks post-surgery.

Managing postinduction hypotension: the jury is still out

Feb 28, 2026

The authors investigate whether preventive continuous norepinephrine infusion is more effective than reactive ephedrine bolus injections in managing postinduction hypotension during cardiac surgery. The EPITUBE trial found no significant difference in severe hypotension or postoperative outcomes between the two approaches, but design limitations hindered the ability to detect a treatment effect. The study concludes that while preventive norepinephrine infusion is safe and feasible, further research is necessary to assess its potential benefits in specific surgical populations.