Dear colleagues,

The editorial board of the Greek e-journal of Perioperative Medicine would like to emphasize that our goal is ensure free-access, high quality, published medical articles.

Our first issue of the Greek e-journal of Perioperative Medicine for 2026 covers a variety of articles concerning perioperative medicine.

The editorial by our Assistant Editor Aslanidis Th focuses on Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), a rapidly expanding bedside diagnostic tool that enables quick clinical decision-making, particularly in emergency and critical care settings. The author notes that its widespread adoption has outpaced regulatory frameworks, leading to variability in training, certification, and legal policies—especially in countries like Greece. Although no legal cases have been linked to performing POCUS, failure to use it when indicated has been implicated. A growing number of protocols exist, varying in complexity and application. Finally, in order to ensure safe and effective use, the author emphasizes on the need for standardized governance, training, and quality assurance systems.

In the systematic review study of Tsapara V et al, the authors investigated the efficacy of lower limb peripheral nerve blocks (PNBs) that are used in the Emergency Department for pain management, particularly in hip and femoral fractures. They noted that those blocks provide analgesia comparable to systemic medications, while reducing opioid use, delirium risk, and hospital stay. The authors concluded that although generally safe and effective, further research is needed to support their broader implementation in emergency practice.

Next, there is a retrospective analysis of Aslanidis Th et al concerning the activity of the ICU of “Agios Pavlos” General Hospital of Thessaloniki for the period 2002–2026. A total of 3,768 patients were admitted, with a mean age of 66 years, mean length of stay of 12.05 days, and overall mortality of 29.05%. An increase in patient age and a shift toward medical (non-trauma) cases were observed over time. Thirty percent of patients were transferred from other hospitals, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study highlights temporal changes in ICU function and the need for improved quality indicator monitoring.

The final article of Gülin Köseoğlu et al, the authors described the case of a 40-year-old woman with severe hypertension and refractory hypokalemia secondary to primary hyperaldosteronism (Conn syndrome caused by a left adrenal adenoma) who underwent successful laparoscopic adrenalectomy under general anesthesia. Preoperative management emphasized aggressive correction of electrolyte disturbances, strict arterial blood pressure control, and thorough cardiovascular evaluation. Despite these interventions, hypokalemia remained partially resistant to treatment. They also highlighted the significant anesthetic implications of Conn syndrome, noting that persistent hypokalemia increases the risk of perioperative arrhythmias and enhances the effects of non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents, while longstanding hypertension predisposes patients to hemodynamic instability during induction of anesthesia and surgical manipulation.

With regards

Editors in chief

Mouloudi Eleni
Papagiannopoulou Pinelopi