Role of intraoperative ropivacaine in adult post-tonsillectomy pain control: A randomized controlled trial.

We sought to evaluate the efficacy of ropivacaine in post-tonsillectomy pain management in adults and evaluate the timing of intraoperative ropivacaine administration for this purpose. A prospective, double-blinded, randomized, controlled trial with a paired design was performed in 25 consecutive adults undergoing tonsillectomy. To date, no studies examining the efficacy of local anesthetics in post-tonsillectomy pain control have used a paired design to account for the variability in pain difference between individuals.

Success of sequential free flaps in head and neck reconstruction.

Background: The need for additional free flaps following an initial free flap reconstruction sometimes arises. However, there is understandable hesitation to perform subsequent free flaps due to concerns regarding recipient vessel availability, flap loss, and other complications.

Methods: An analysis of patients undergoing one or more sequential head and neck free flap reconstructions between 2000 and 2012 was performed.

Mechanisms to inhibit matrix metalloproteinase activity: where are we in the development of clinically relevant inhibitors?

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are involved in numerous pathophysiological processes, including cancer and cardiovascular disease. MMPs proteolyze multiple targets, including extracellular matrix, cytokines, and growth factors. Due to a high clinical relevance, MMPs have long been a target for pharmaceutical intervention.