What must be taken to the PACU with a patient who has undergone surgical mandibular advancement?

After a surgical mandibular advancement, it's crucial to ensure that the patient's airway is maintained and that they have the ability to manage their oral and nasal secretions. One of the important tools that must be taken to the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) is wire cutters. This is because during the surgery, the mandible may be stabilized with wire, and in case of an emergency, such as airway compromise or difficulty breathing, it is essential that these wires can be cut quickly. This allows for rapid intervention if the patient experiences any complications related to their surgical procedure.

The presence of wire cutters ensures that healthcare providers have immediate access to a critical intervention tool should the patient's condition require it. In contrast, while bandages, sutures, and drains may be relevant to the surgical procedure itself or postoperative care, they do not serve the same urgent purpose related to airway management that wire cutters do in this specific scenario.