The authors present an all-night polygraphic cooperative study on a new benzodiazepine: Flunitrazepam (Ro 5–4200). The drug was administered (alternatively with placebo) for at least 8 subsequent nights to 6 normal subjects and to 6 insomniacs. Ro 5–4200 significantly increased the total time and decreased the latency of sleep and the number of awakenings. No significant effects on sleep stages and no remarkable side effects were observed.

Results obtained in 22 patients with Parkinson’s disease in whom treatment with standard Madopar was replaced by Madopar HBS, a CR formulation of the same product, are presented. All the patients presented with dyskinesia and akinesia phenomena related in part to the L-dopa treatment and in part to the disease itself. In 20 patients replacement of the standard agent by HBS led to a distinct improvement in the clinical condition and a significant reduction of the ‘on-off phenomenon. However, with the new formulation the dosage had to be increased by 86% on average as compared with standard Madopar. In 6 of the 22 patients treatment with the HBS formulation has continued for over 6 months and is still giving very good results.

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We present the case of a 44-year-old male who was referred to our specialist benign airway disease service with epidermolysis bullosa acquisita causing supraglottic stenosis. He had previously had an attempted microlaryngoscopy at another institution, however this had been aborted due to failure to visualise the airway. Using Transnasal Humidified Rapid-Insufflation Ventilatory Exchange (THRIVE) as a pre-and post-induction oxygenation (and partial ventilation) tool to increase the apnoeic window, we were able to safely obtain a patent airway and treat the patient's disease. We suggest that THRIVE can be used in high risk airway patients to increase apnoeic windows in order to extend the time that may be needed to obtain a safe airway.

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