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Introduction to pharmacology in gynaecology and obstetric surgery

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A sound knowledge of pharmacology aids surgery and surgical outcomes in obstetrics and gynaecology. A number of agents are proposed for prophylaxis and optimisation of surgery. Some of these have been carefully assessed by working parties and consensus groups with good evidence for their use, while other agents have limited evidence to date and should only be used judiciously.

Areas covered

Prophylaxis and preparation for surgery, including:

  • antibiotic prophylaxis
  • thromboprophylaxis
  • prophylaxis against aspiration pneumonitis
  • anti-adhesion agents

Drugs to optimise surgery and reduce blood loss, including:

  • GnRH analogues
  • vasoconstrictors and local anaesthetic agents
  • cervical priming agents
  • oxytocics for management of pregnancy-related haemorrhage

Learning objectives:

When you have completed this tutorial you should be able to:

  • understand the role of drugs in preoperative preparation
  • understand use of drugs intraoperatively for prophylaxis, to optimise surgery and to reduce blood loss

Last updated: 09/09/10 (tutorial was revised and updated by Dr Wendy Noble, who added a new section on Antihypertensive management of patient peridelivery, 10 reflective tasks and two new assessment pages)

01/07/09 (WHO surgery checklist added in 'Preliminary reading')

19/11/08 (2008 NICE guideline 64 and a BJOG paper added in the 'Prophylaxis and preparation for surgery' section).

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