June 2008 Readers Letters

Dear Editor,

I couldn’t help but read this eye catching headline, “Fast Recovering Following Wrist Operation Without Anaesthetic”. “Without Anaesthetic” is the kind of title for street magazines, newspaper tabloids and sensationalist publications.

This title is misguiding. Nerve blocks ARE a form of Anaesthesia. What you meant to say was ‘without general anaesthetic’ which is completely different.

Even more, for a moment I thought I may be out of work as I anaesthetise for a regular hand and wrist list and commonly use nerve blocks as described in your article.

Finally, your article gives the idea that nerve blocks are a new way of looking after these patients when in fact it has been around for many years.

Julio Nunez
Consultant Anaesthetist
Huddersfield Royal infirmary

Response

Dear Dr Nunez,

You are quite right about this article - it is misleading, and the point has already been made by me to our editor (although somewhat less harshly than you have put it). She is currently wearing a sackcloth and ashes, which is exciting some comment in the pub! I couldn’t help noticing the article reported on page 8 of this issue, however, (also, see below, an article taken from the Daily Telegraph), so perhaps anaesthesia is not required for hand surgery after all…

To separate this sort of article from our ‘mainstream’ activities, these stories will come under the heading of ‘what the papers say’ in future editions. In that case, the relevant newspaper will be credited. Please feel free to take it up with their editor.

Incidentally, as a general note to all our readers, although I have broad shoulders and a sense of humour, and am willing to allow most things to be published, I draw the line at accusations of tabloid journalism, etc, which is a bit of a cheap shot. We’re open to all valid criticism, and will publish the letters of those who detect serious errors. We will strive to correct those errors. However, as with all other journals we will expect a certain degree of decorum. Rude comments will be returned to the sender.

Yours,
Karen Stuart-Smith MD, FRCA
Contributing Editor
Anaesthesia Product News