Anesthesia and analgesia
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Oct 2007
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyA prospective, randomized comparison between combined (deep and superficial) and superficial cervical plexus block with levobupivacaine for minimally invasive parathyroidectomy.
Minimally invasive parathyroidectomy (MIP) can be performed under cervical plexus block (CPB). Superficial CPB has been reported to be easier to perform with similar efficacy and less anesthesia-related complications than combined deep and superficial CPB. In this study, we compared the efficacy of superficial and combined (deep and superficial) CPB in patients undergoing MIP. ⋯ Superficial CPB is an alternative to combined block for MIP.
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Although propofol has not traditionally been considered a drug of abuse, subanesthetic doses may have an abuse potential. We used this survey to assess prevalence and outcome of propofol abuse in academic anesthesiology programs. ⋯ Propofol abuse in academic anesthesiology likely has increased over the last 10 yr. Much of the mortality is in residents. Most programs have no pharmacy accounting or control of propofol stocks. This may be of concern, given that all programs reporting deaths from propofol abuse were centers in which there was no pharmacy accounting for the drug.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Oct 2007
Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells express nociceptin/orphanin FQ, but not mu, delta, or kappa opioid receptors.
Expression of opioid receptors on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) is controversial. These receptors are currently classified as classical (MOP/mu/mu, DOP/delta/delta and KOP/kappa/kappa) and nonclassical NOP (nociceptin/orphanin FQ; N/OFQ). ⋯ Despite using several complementary experimental strategies, we failed to demonstrate protein for classical or nonclassical opioid receptors on PBMC from healthy volunteers. We detected NOP mRNA, suggesting low-density NOP expression on these immunocytes. It is possible that N/OFQ, produced by the PBMC itself, may be involved in the control of immune function.