Noted Anesthesiologist Barry L. Friedberg, MD, Addressed Venezuelan Physicians at important Venezuelan Congress

NOTED ANESTHESIOLOGIST BARRY L. FRIEDBERG, MD, ADDRESSED VENEZUELAN PHYSICIANS AT IMPORTANT VENEZUELAN CONGRESS

DR. FRIEDBERG TRAVELED TO VENEZUELA TO PRESENT INSIGHTS FOR PERFECTING AND CHAMPIONING TECHNIQUE TO VASTLY REDUCE POST SURGICAL NAUSEA, AND UNNECESSARY MEDICATION

NEWPORT BEACH, CA, OCTOBER 25, 2001 - Barry L. Friedberg, MD, www.doctorfriedberg.com, a globally recognized leader in the field of Anesthesia and provider of innovative care for the discriminating cosmetic surgery anesthesia patient, shared his vision for innovative elective office-based cosmetic surgery anesthesia in Venezuela recently at the Annual Ambulatory Surgery and Anesthesia Congress. He covered three topics, including: facial nerve blocks, propofol ketamine anesthesia, office-based anesthesia, and tumescent technique for liposuction. For the past decade, Dr. Friedberg has been considered a forward-thinking visionary and the driving force behind highly evolved office-based anesthesia.

"Dr. Friedberg's ability to translate his rich experience in the field of cutting edge anesthesiology techniques and outcomes was eagerly embraced by the more than 500 Venezuelan physicians who attended this prestigious Congress," says event head Mohamed Sanchez, MD.

Reporter Patricia Quiñonez of the local Venezuelan newspaper, Sol de Margarita, wrote, "Dr. Friedberg was among the international guests at the 5th annual national conference of anesthesiologists. He expressed thanks to all of the technological advances, which have allowed anesthesiologist to leave behind the guessing involved in treating a patient. Dr. Friedberg clarified, however, that it didn't mean the level of professionalism of anesthesiologists was inferior in the past as compared to today, but with the help of the BIS monitor, it leaves behind the guessing. It has the added benefit of allowing the surgeon to become more involved with the well-being of the patient as he or she does not have to constantly ask the anesthesiologist, 'how is the patient doing?'"

Credited with pioneering an innovative technique for office-based cosmetic surgery that eliminates post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV), Dr. Friedberg, says, "I strongly believe that now is the time for anesthesiologists globally to unite to become progressive leaders who apply best practices' strategies so they can spearhead the movement to provide the best care to patients and to their surgeon teammates. With the incredible rise in cosmetic surgical procedures, both patients and surgeons should consider innovative anesthesia care to be mission critical."

To help patients and consumers, as well as surgeons worldwide, Dr. Friedberg just launched his new web site, www.doctorfriedberg.com. Says Dr. Friedberg, "This is an important web site for patients. You may be considering an elective cosmetic surgery procedure and feel overwhelmed by the many questions you have about the procedure. One of the often-overlooked areas that you as the patient have the right to understand thoroughly is your anesthesia options."

Dr. Friedberg continues, "I encourage patients to be empowered, that is, be well equipped to know your options so that you can be proactive. You, your surgeon, and your anesthesiologist should partner together to ensure that you have the best possible experience and outcome."

Charles E. Laurito, MD, president, Society of Office Based Anesthesia (SOBA), says, "Dr. Friedberg is a wizard at providing anesthesia for patients undergoing cosmetic surgery. His propofol ketamine technique has revolutionized the field. He has taken the field of office based anesthesia to a new high level of patient care."

The site is complete with Dr. Friedberg's credentials, background on how patients benefit from his PK technique, published peer-reviewed and academic journal articles which he has authored, and frequently asked questions about the anesthesia technique, which he advocates. For maximum results, Dr. Friedberg has adopted the use of the Bispectral Index™ (BIS™) monitoring to the combination of propofol ketamine anesthesia. The BIS monitor improves accuracy of dosing (propofol), saving 20 percent of unnecessary medication, resulting in less depression, less risk, improved safety, and ultimately speeding recovery from anesthesia, saving many dollars in wasted anesthetic.

Explaining the technique, Dr. Friedberg explains, "The bispectral index monitor (Aspect Medical Systems, Inc., Newton, MA, www.aspectms.com) plays a crucial role by measuring the safe range of propofol at which the ketamine can be given. Ketamine produces a brief, dissociative condition during which the surgeon can inject local anesthesia for the planned surgery without hurting the patient. Using this unique approach for office-based anesthesia eliminates the need for opioid medications like Morphine, Demerol or fentanyl. Without the opioids, the unpleasant problem of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) after anesthesia is essentially eliminated."

ABOUT BARRY L. FRIEDBERG, MD

For the past decade, Barry L. Friedberg, MD, a Stanford trained, board certified Anesthesiologist in Corona del Mar, CA, has practiced exclusively in the subspecialty of office- based cosmetic surgery anesthesia. He is the founder of the Society for Office Anesthesiologists (SOFA) which merged with the Society for Office Based Anesthesia (SOBA), a non-profit, international society dedicated to improving patient safety through education. SOBA includes anesthesiologists, CRNAs and dentist anesthesiologists. Dr. Friedberg is the developer of propofol ketamine (PK) technique. Many members of SOBA throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan and England are enthusiastically using his PK technique in their practices. Dr. Friedberg has published five articles in peer reviewed journals on his technique. His original 1993 article has been cited in twelve subsequent peer reviewed journal articles and two textbooks in anesthesia. Dr. Friedberg is a frequent contributor to electronic discussion groups that include the SOBA (www.soba.org), and the Society for Ambulatory Anesthesia (SAMBA: www.sambahq.org) websites.