2007 In review: A dozen steps forward in anesthesiology

These 12 articles represent an inspiring collection of advances in our specialty. Yet another dozen could easily have been chosen, including: • Long-term neuroprotection from isoflurane: Sakai et al. ANESTHESIOLOGY 2007; 106:92-9 • The first human application of a novel local anesthetic: Rodriquez-Navarro et al. ANESTHESIOLOGY 2007; 106: 339-45 • Application of monitoring to measure in real time end-tidal concentrations of systemically administered drugs: Takita et al. ANESTHESIOLOGY 2007; 106:659-64 and Hornuss et al. ANESTHESIOLOGY 2007; 106:665-4 • ASA practice guidelines for obstetric anesthesia: Connis et al. ANESTHESIOLOGY 2007; 106:843-63 • The safety of low dose droperidol in the peri-operative period: Nuttall et al. ANESTHESIOLOGY 2007; 106:531-6 • Moving neuromuscular monitoring electrodes 2 cm medially reduces the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting as much as pharmacologic therapy: Arnberger et al. ANESTHESIOLOGY 2007; 107:903-8 • Laboratory studies suggesting a drug used orally to treat Alzheimer's disease might also be used to treat chronic pain: Clayton et al. ANESTHESIOLOGY 2007; 106: 1019-25 • Novel description of an anesthetic site of action on presynaptic targets: Metz et al. ANESTHESIOLOGY 2007; 107:971-82 Just as movie trailers are intended to whet your appetite to see a film, so do we hope this brief review highlighting practical and theoretical advances in the practice of medicine in our specialty will whet your appetite to reread these articles. Stay tuned for 2008!