Randomised, double-blind, parallel group, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the analgesic efficacy and safety of VVZ-149 injections for postoperative pain following laparoscopic colorectal surgery.

Introduction: In spite of advances in understanding and technology, postoperative pain remains poorly treated for a significant number of patients. In colorectal surgery, the need for developing novel analgesics is especially important. Patients after bowel surgery are assessed for rapid return of bowel function and opioids worsen ileus, nausea and constipation.

Incidence of serotonin syndrome in patients treated with fentanyl on serotonergic agents.

Background: There has been a recent surge in the literature highlighting the association of fentanyl as precipitating serotonin syndrome in patients on a serotonergic agent.

Objective: The purpose of our study was to understand the incidence of serotonin syndrome in patients who receive fentanyl while on serotonergic agents.

Study Design: This retrospective analysis was conducted from 2012 to 2013 after approval from the Institutional Review Board.

Neurotoxicity of adjuvants used in perineural anesthesia and analgesia in comparison with ropivacaine.

Background And Objectives: Clonidine, buprenorphine, dexamethasone, and midazolam (C, B, D, M) have been used to prolong perineural local anesthesia in the absence of data on the influence of these adjuvants on local anesthetic-induced neurotoxicity. Therefore, the impact of these adjuvants on ropivacaine (R)-induced death of isolated sensory neurons was assessed.

Methods: The trypan blue exclusion assay was used to assess death of sensory neurons isolated from adult male Sprague-Dawley rats.

The economic effect of screening orthopedic surgery patients preoperatively for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Background And Objective: Patients undergoing orthopedic surgery are susceptible to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections, which can result in increased morbidity, hospital lengths of stay, and medical costs. We sought to estimate the economic value of routine preoperative MRSA screening and decolonization of orthopedic surgery patients.

Methods: A stochastic decision-analytic computer simulation model was used to evaluate the economic value of implementing this strategy (compared with no preoperative screening or decolonization) among orthopedic surgery patients from both the third-party payer and hospital perspectives.

Screening cardiac surgery patients for MRSA: an economic computer model.

Objective: To estimate the economic value of preoperative methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) screening and decolonization for cardiac surgery patients.

Study Design: Monte Carlo decision-analytic computer simulation model.

Methods: We developed a computer simulation model representing the decision of whether to perform preoperative MRSA screening and decolonizing those patients with a positive MRSA culture.

Should vascular surgery patients be screened preoperatively for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus?

Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) can cause severe infection in patients who are undergoing vascular surgical operations. Testing all vascular surgery patients preoperatively for MRSA and attempting to decolonize those who have positive results may be a strategy to prevent MRSA infection. The economic value of such a strategy has not yet been determined.