World’s first transcontinental anesthesia
۲ݮƵ-۲ݮƵ University Health Centre researchers
pioneer anesthetics via videoconferencing
Videoconferences may be known for putting people to sleep, but
never like this. Dr. Thomas Hemmerling and his team of ۲ݮƵ’s
Department of Anesthesia achieved a world first on August 30, 2010,
when they treated patients undergoing thyroid gland surgery in
Italy remotely from Montreal. The approach is part of new
technological advancements, known as ‘Teleanesthesia’, and it
involves a team of engineers, researchers and anesthesiologists who
will ultimately apply the drugs intravenously which are then
controlled remotely through an automated system.
This achievement is a product of an on-going scientific
collaboration between Dr. Hemmerling’s team and the Italian team of
Dr. Zaouter of the Department of Anesthesia of Pisa University
(Chairman Prof. Giunta).
“The practice has obvious applications in countries with a
significant number of people living in remote areas, like Canada,
where specialists may not be available on site,” Hemmerling said.
“It could also be used for teaching purposes, allowing the resident
to perform tasks without the physical presence of a tutor, thus
increasing his or her confidence level.”
Four strategically placed video cameras monitored every aspect of
patient care in Pisa, Italy, in real time. Ventilation parameters
(such as the patient’s breathing rate), vital signs (ECG, heart
rate, oxygen saturation) and live images of the surgery are
monitored by each camera, with the fourth used for special
purposes. A remote computer station (‘anesthesia cockpit’) is
required, as is a workstation that handles the audio-video link
between the two centres. “Obviously, local anesthesiologists can
override the process at any time,” Hemmerling explained. Prior to
the operation, an assessment of the patient’s airway and medical
history is also performed via video-conferencing.
The researchers are also looking at the possibility of preoperative
assessment of patients at home. It used to be that invasive blood
tests or other tests were required in preparation for many
surgeries, but that’s no longer the case. Many patients take very
long journeys and often wait hours to see an anesthesiologist who
will ask them specific questions, but video-conferencing could
eliminate these logistical problems and probably reduce the
preoperative stress of the patients coming into the hospital before
surgery. “The next steps will be to confirm the results of this
pilot experience with further studies,” Hemmerling said.
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Print resolution photos available on request.