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.

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.