Overview of the Pathophysiology of Extravasation of Anesthetic Drugs

Abstract

Intravenous administration of drugs is frequently employed to achieve rapid and effective systemic effects. However, it is undesirable to administer drugs into the tissue as a result of extravasation of the intravenous cannula. Both the closed extremities to which the IV route is applied due to the surgical method to be applied make it difficult to access the vascular access during surgery and the use of pressurised instruments in the administration of drugs through the IV route makes the work of the anaesthetist difficult. In addition, patients cannot report their pain due to unconsciousness. In the operating theater and intensive care unit for anesthesia practice, induction, fluid therapy, nutrition, etc., although rare, difficulty in vascular access maintenance and drug extravasation cause serious complications in many procedures. This study aimed to emphasize the importance of perioperative anesthetic drug extravasation and its physiopathology by presenting current information.