RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Emery A. Rovenstine and Regional Anesthesia
JF Regional Anesthesia: The Journal of Neural Blockade in Obstetrics, Surgery, & Pain Control
JO Reg Anesth Pain Med
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP 273
OP 279
DO 10.1136/rapm-00115550-199722030-00014
VO 22
IS 3
A1 Douglas R. Bacon
A1 Hussain Darwish
YR 1997
UL http://rapm.bmj.com/content/22/3/273.abstract
AB Background and Objectives Emery Andrew Rovenstine was a dominant figure in anesthesiology in the United States between 1935 and 1960. Among his many contributions to the specialty, his regional anesthesia practice remains less well known. This paper explores Rovenstine's career and his contributions to regional anesthesia.Methods Original documents studied and classified for this investigation included all of Rovenstine's published papers and the extant documents of the original American Society of Regional Anesthesia. Interviews with several physicians who knew Rovenstine were conducted. Secondary source materials, including biographies of Rovenstine, were perused.Results Rovenstine made a major contribution to regional anesthesia through patient care, teaching, and political action. Many of his students went on to become leaders in anesthesiology and emphasized regional anesthesia in the second half of the twentieth century.Conclusions Emery A. Rovenstine did much to popularize regional anesthesia and ensure a rightful place for its techniques within the armamentarium of the anesthesiologist. Keeping alive the traditions of Gaston Labat at Bellevue, Rovenstine's contributions to regional anesthesia on all levels were considerable. Most importantly, he ensured an enduring role for regional anesthesia through the recurring contributions of his pupils.