The biomedical research world is a complicated one; were it not, many diseases would have been cured decades ago. But every once in awhile, novel research illuminates a simple solution to a complex problem. Here, two studies demonstrate that the use of particular anesthetics can have serious consequences for patient recovery after medical procedures. In the first study, researchers from Stony Brook demonstrate that use of a particular general anesthetic during breast cancer surgery can cause the tumor to spread post-surgery. In the second, researchers from Columbia demonstrate that use of general anesthetics (as opposed to local anesthetics) can increase the incidence of post-partum depression in new mothers following cesarean deliveries. Simple solutions to complex problems!
Anesthesia and breast cancer metastasis
Anesthesia and post-partum depression