Returning for its fifth edition, the Oxford Handbook of Anaesthesia has been re-energized by new editors and a specialist contributor team, while still retaining its much-loved, clear and concise style. Written for anaesthetists at all stages of their careers, from trainees sitting exams through to experienced consultants as well as ODPs and nurses involved in theatre area work and pre-assessment, this comprehensive guide to the anaesthetic world is as indispensable as ever.

This new edition has been completely revised and brings you the most up-to-date guidance and information to keep pace with fast-moving areas of anaesthesia, including a completely revised regional anaesthesia chapter. Now in full colour and packed with enhanced illustrations throughout, including new ECG rhythm strips and illustrations of specialist equipment, the Handbook also includes colour coding for easier navigation. Designed for daily use, this Handbook is your essential companion to anaesthesia, with everything you need at your fingertips whether on the go or for revision.

1: Good practice and safety
2: Preoperative considerations
3: Preoptimisation
4: At risk populations
5: Cardiovascular disease
6: Respiratory disease
7: Renal disease
8: Hepatic disease
9: Endocrine and metabolic disease
10: Bone, joint, and connective tissue disorders
11: Haematology
12: Neurological and neuromuscular disorders
13: Psychiatric disorders
14: Getting started
15: Airway assessment and management
16: Conduct of anaesthesia
17: Blood products and fluid therapy
18: Specific circumstances
19: Cardiac anaesthesia
20: Thoracic surgery
21: Neurosurgery
22: Vascular surgery
23: Orthopaedic surgery
24: Plastic and burns surgery
25: Gastrointestinal surgery
26: Bariatric surgery
27: Liver procedures
28: Endocrine surgery
29: Urological surgery
30: Gynaecological surgery
31: Ear, nose and throat surgery
32: Maxillofacial and dental surgery
33: Ophthalmic surgery
34: Anaesthesia for radiology and cardiology
35: Obstetric anaesthesia and analgesia
36: Paediatric and neonatal anaesthesia
37: The major trauma patient
38: The emergency patient
39: Anaesthetic emergencies
40: Regional anaesthesia
41: Acute pain
42: Drug formulary

Edited by Rachel Freedman , Consultant Anaesthetist, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust

Lara Herbert , Consultant Anaesthetist, Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust

Aidan O'Donnell , Consultant Anaesthetist, Hamilton

Nicola Ross , Consultant Anaesthetist, Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust

Dr Rachel Freedman is a consultant adult and paediatric anaesthetist at St. Mary's Hospital in London. Rachel graduated from the University of Birmingham, and worked in Bristol and Brisbane before commencing anaesthetic training in Exeter. Here she worked with Iain Wilson and Keith Allman, and benefited firsthand from the 'corridor conversations' that are at the heart of this Handbook. Ten years later, Iain and Keith have handed over the OHA reins to Rachel, Lara, Aidan, and Nicola. Rachel was one of the inaugural Lifebox Fellows of Anaesthesia, spending six months in Uganda in 2016 working clinically and on quality improvement projects focused on safe anaesthesia and surgery. Rachel is course director for the Developing World Anaesthesia course held twice a year at the Royal College of Anaesthetists, and topic lead for the Association of Anaesthetists course SAFE Paediatrics GB&I. Rachel is married with two children, one of whom arrived during the preparation of this book! Dr Lara Herbert is a consultant anaesthetist in Cornwall. She is a generalist with interests in major trauma, paediatric, obstetric, and global anaesthesia. She graduated from Trinity College Dublin in 2004 and subsequently worked as a Royal Navy General Duties Medical Officer, seeing active service in Afghanistan. Her anaesthetics training took place in Exeter, Bristol, and Bath, and included a 6-month Lifebox fellowship in clinical and quality improvement in Uganda. Lara works closely with the Zimbabwean Anaesthetics Association to deliver regular SAFE courses there. She also edits for Anaesthesia Tutorial of the Week. She is married with a son. Dr Aidan O'Donnell is a consultant anaesthetist and medical writer with a special interest in anaesthesia for childbirth. He graduated from Edinburgh in 1996 and trained in Scotland and New Zealand, where he works at Waikato Hospital in Hamilton. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Anaesthetists and the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists. He is the author of Anaesthesia: A Very Short Introduction. He and his partner have four children. Dr Nicola Ross is a consultant anaesthetist with a special interest in CPET, pre-assessment, and anaesthesia for head and neck surgery. After medical school at UMDS Guy's and St Thomas' in London, Nicola was a trainee on the South Coast, Yorkshire, and New Zealand. Having CCT'd in 2013 Nicola worked as a consultant in Yorkshire, followed by a period in Queensland, eventually settling in Devon in 2019. Nicola has also worked and taught in low income settings in Uganda as well as for the ICRC in Nigeria, Armenia and the Philippines.