Full Disclosure Matters!

To the Editor: The January 2008 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia contains an editorial I coauthored with Vladimir Nekhendzy.1 The editorial reflects our enthusiasm for a manuscript by Cheng et al.2 describing the effects of inhaled anesthetics on postoperative pain, and the possible role of propofol in reducing analgesic requirements in the postoperative period. Dr. Nekhendzy and I disclosed our conflict of interest: we are both avid fans of propofol-based anesthesia. Another potential conflict of interest should have been disclosed: I'm also an avid fan of the senior author, Pamela Flood, my wife. In a prior editorial,3 I noted that the Editorial Board has mechanisms in place to preclude conflict of interest in the editorial process. I handle papers for our Section Editors. My papers in the journal have previously been handled by Ron Miller or Jim Bovill, and in the future will be handled by Lawrence Saidman. Similarly, I am not involved in handling papers submitted by Dr. Flood. The Cheng paper was handled by Ron Miller, and future papers will be handled by Lawrence Saidman. Full disclosure matters! Steven L.