Anaesthetic complications requiring intensive care. A five year review

In a five-year period 110 patients were admitted to the intensive therapy unit (ITU) as a result of 'a complication related to anaesthesia'. The nature of the complication and its outcome are analysed. The most common reasons for admission were cardiopulmonary arrest (32), failure to reverse after muscle relaxants (25), airway problems, and various drug reactions. Twelve deaths occurred in the 110 cases studied.