Dear colleagues,

The third issue of the Greek e-journal of Perioperative Medicine for 2020 covers a wide range of interest in perioperative scientific articles.

The first article of this issue is a narrative review of Staikou Ch. et al, which identifies, in the existing literature, the providing information about the development of chronic pain after ICU stay. This article discusses the epidemiology, the risk factors, the pathophysiology and the treatment of chronic pain in intensive care survivors. The authors conclude that chronic pain after ICU stay demands vigilance, care and an individualized multimodal analgesic regimen, in order to improve the quality of surviving patient’s lives.

The next article of Panteleou K. et al presents the updated evidence concerning the pathophysiology, epidemiology, risk factors, and the treatment of postdural puncture headache (PDPH). Authors note that PDPH is associated with increased risks of major neurologic and other complications and underline the importance of early recognition, follow up and treatment particularly in obstetrics. Also they report alternative therapies that have been reported to be efficacious, easy to administer and with less risk.

The clinical study of Qyli Z. aims to overview the microbial contamination of environments at the Surgery and Maternity Departments of the Regional Hospital of Korca, Albania. The study reveals a higher risk for developing nosocomial infections at the Maternity Department compared to the Surgery unit and concludes that human sources and inanimate surfaces contamination are considered to play an important role in cross-transmission of the microorganisms in hospitals and that each hospital must establish its own surveillance and bacterial resistance rate.

Next, Pezikoglou I. et al present a case report of cardiac arrest caused by tension pneumothorax after video-assisted mesothoracoscopy. Authors note that the recognition of cardiac arrest, the immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation and early diagnosis and treatment of tension pneumothorax contributed to short return of spontaneous circulation time and to the survival of the patient without any neurological impairment.

The final article of Papachristou D. et al describes a case of West Nile Virus encephalitis with concomitant acute flaccid paralysis.

 

And finally as a lot of countries worldwide are experiencing a second wave in COVID-19 cases do not forget to CONTINUE TO KEEP YOURSELVES AND YOUR COLLEAGUES SAFE.

 

With regards

Editors in chief

Mouloudi Eleni
Papagiannopoulou Pinelopi