British journal of anaesthesia
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Injection of formalin into the hindpaw of a rat induces a biphasic response in pain-related behaviours, such that C-fibre activation during phase 1 triggers a state of central sensitization characterized by a longer lasting phase 2. As the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) may participate in processing of nociceptive inputs, we hypothesized that pentobarbitone and propofol, i.v. anaesthetics with known GABAA agonist properties, would interfere with development of central sensitization and thereby modify the phase 2 hyperalgesic response. ⋯ In contrast, propofol had no effect on phase 2 formalin-induced pain behaviour. Thus we conclude that pentobarbitone, but not propofol, produced pre-emptive analgesia in this model, presumably by suppressing noxious stimulation-induced central sensitization via activation of GABAA receptors.
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Historical Article
A short history of fires and explosions caused by anaesthetic agents.
The first recorded fire resulting from the use of an anaesthetic agent occurred in 1850, when ether caught fire during a facial operation. Many subsequent fires and explosions have been reported, caused by ether, acetylene, ethylene and cyclopropane, and there has been one reported explosion involving halothane. ⋯ The use of flammable agents has decreased significantly in recent years and although fires and explosions from nonanaesthetic causes, for example gastrointestinal gases, skin sterilizing agents and laser surgery, may continue to occur, those from gaseous and volatile anaesthetic agents may now be of historical interest only. This article reviews some of the more relevant and enlightening reports of the past 150 yr.