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Aims: The international literature underlines that physical activity has a role in preventing cancer and is beneficial for cancer recovery and rehabilitation. Therefore, patient education is essential to stimulate training. Telemedicine and e-health tools like apps and wearables can support patients' education and the monitoring of their health condition and progress., Methods: The article reports the results of the Oncology in Motion telemedicine program of the National Cancer Institute of Aviano, Italy, to provide breast cancer patients with a personalized fitness path and telemonitoring., Results: 144 women took part in the program. Low adherence was recorded, performing the customized training schedule and, for those women sticking to the plan, using the technological devices and submitting the training data to the Institute., Conclusion: Low technology acceptance and literacy, laziness, and lack of collaboration between cancer centers stood among the causes of low adherence, calling for more comprehensive and effective educational programs and support to stimulate physical activity and the use of new devices to get personalized counseling and contribute to the creation of knowledge., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest: The authors declare that they have no competing interests., (© 2024 Università di Salerno.)

Background: The integration of telemedicine in pain management represents a significant advancement in healthcare delivery, offering opportunities to enhance patient access to specialized care, improve satisfaction, and streamline chronic pain management. Despite its growing adoption, there remains a lack of comprehensive data on its utilization in pain therapy, necessitating a deeper understanding of physicians' perspectives, experiences, and challenges., Methods: A survey was conducted in Italy between January 2024 and May 2024. Specialist center members of the SIAARTI were sent an online questionnaire testing the state of the art of telemedicine for pain medicine., Results: One-hundred thirty-one centers across Italy reveal varied adoption rates, with 40% routinely using telemedicine. Regional disparities exist, with Northern Italy showing higher adoption rates. Barriers include the absence of protocols, resource constraints, and bureaucratic obstacles. Despite challenges, telemedicine has shown positive impacts on service delivery, with increased service volume reported. Technological capabilities, including image sharing and teleconsultation with specialists, indicate promising interdisciplinary potential., Conclusions: The integration of advanced telemedicine software utilizing artificial intelligence holds promise for enhancing telemonitoring and alert systems, potentially leading to more proactive and personalized pain management strategies., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Elite athletes in speed roller skates perceive skating to be a more demanding exercise for the groin when compared to other cyclic disciplines, increasing their risk of injury. The objective of this study was to monitor the kinematic and electromyographic parameters of roller speed skaters, linearly, on a treadmill, and to compare different skating speeds, one at 20 km/h and one at 32 km/h, at a 1° inclination. The acquisition was carried out by placing an inertial sensor at the level of the first sacral vertebra, and eight surface electromyographic probes on both lower limbs. The kinematic and electromyographic analysis on the treadmill showed that a higher speed requires more muscle activation, in terms of maximum and average values and co-activation, as it not only increases the intrinsic muscle demand in the district, but also the athlete's ability to coordinate the skating technique. The present study allows us to indicate not only how individual muscle districts are activated during skating on a surface different from the road, but also how different speeds affect the overall district load distributions concerning effective force, which is essential for the physiotherapist and kinesiologist for preventive and conditional purposes, while also considering possible variations in the skating technique in linear advancement.

Background: Speed skating is a discipline that involves cyclical and repetitive movements that make athletes susceptible to injuries, especially in the groin. In professional athletes, during a season, it was found that about 20% had overuse injuries with significant consequences during the competitive season due to long recovery times. Currently, new technological tools allow the measurement of multiple parameters and, through a panel of data deriving from various measurements, provide a valuable aid for training and rehabilitative purposes. This study aimed to probe the potential of the new analysis algorithm, or its ability to detect differences in electromyographic and acceleration patterns between newcomers to the discipline and professional athletes., Methods: We proceeded through measurements using a system based on an inertial sensor and four probes for surface electromyography., Results: The analysis highlights important differences both from the point of view of accelerations (with marked oscillations on the three axes of the neophyte concerning greater stability of the professional's trunk) and a different pattern of muscle activation during joint movement a greater coactivation of the neophyte compared to the professional, which could lead to a greater risk of injury due to less training., Conclusions: This new protocol, when validated on a statistically significant sample of elite athletes leading to specific benchmarks, can be used to improve athletes' performances and maybe to prevent athletes' injuries.

The National Cancer Institute of Aviano, Italy, recently launched a new program to educate the cancer population, bringing patients as close as possible to the world of physical activity during the cancer rehabilitation phase. A personalized assessment of the patient using the latest technologies allows to create a personalized electronic record of the state of physical performance to be shared among the patient, the staff at the institute (including the medical doctors and physiotherapists in charge), and the fitness instructors, who deal with of the recovery tasks. The outcome of the program can allow the development of a personalized rehabilitation path that includes physical fitness to be monitored remotely., (© 2022. The Author(s) under exclusive licence to American Association for Cancer Education.)

Roller speed skating is a discipline in which muscle fatigue plays an important role in athletes; in this work, we wanted to evaluate whether a methodological approach based on the energy required to maintain an isometric muscle contraction for one minute, indexed on the MVIC (maximum voluntary isometric contraction), i.e. % RMS/MVIC can give results similar to the frequency decay analysis/time in terms of usability for athlete training and injury prevention. Right and left gluteus maximus and vastus lateralis muscles (involved in the propulsive phase of skating ) were examined separately by surface electromyography in three competitive athletes in short-track speed skating on asphalt. The results showed an asymmetry between the right (less resistant) and left (more resistant) lower limb, in all three athletes, from the point of view of fatigue, in both investigated muscles. Furthermore, a trend in terms of fatigue resistance was found that was directly proportional to skill in both muscles studied. This can be of help in better planning the training of street speed skaters (which although similar to the discipline on ice is not completely superimposable) with the dual purpose of improving their performance and preventing injuries, often linked to the degree of right-left muscle asymmetry., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (© 2023 Bongiorno, Biancuzzi, Dal Mas and Miceli.)

In the United States, from 1999 to 2019, opioid overdose, either regularly prescribed or illegally acquired, was the cause of death for nearly 500,000 people. In addition to this pronounced mortality burden that has increased gradually over time, opioid overdose has significant morbidity with severe risks and side effects. As a result, opioid misuse is a cause for concern and is considered an epidemic. This article examines the trends and consequences of the opioid epidemic presented in recent international literature, reflecting on the causes of this phenomenon and the possible strategies to address it. The detailed analysis of 33 international articles highlights numerous impacts in the social, public health, economic, and political spheres. The prescription opioid epidemic is an almost exclusively North American problem. This phenomenon should be carefully evaluated from a healthcare systems perspective, for consequential risks and harms of aggressive opioid prescription practices for pain management. Appropriate policies are required to manage opioid use and prevent abuse efficiently. Examples of proper policies vary, such as the use of validated questionnaires for the early identification of patients at risk of addiction, the effective use of regional and national prescription monitoring programs, and the proper dissemination and translation of knowledge to highlight the risks of prescription opioid abuse.

Objective: Despite an established treatment algorithm for overactive bladder (OAB), it is unclear how many patients proceed through each step. Our objective was to evaluate the percentage of patients receiving each step of care and identify reasons why patients did not receive certain treatments. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study with cross-sectional survey of new OAB patients. The medical record was queried for relevant patient characteristics and documentation of conservative, medical, and third-line therapies. In the survey, patients were asked about current bladder symptoms and reasons why they did not use certain treatments. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis. Results: One hundred eleven patients met the inclusion criteria; the most common diagnosis was mixed incontinence (40%, n  = 45). The median number of visits for OAB was 2 (range 1-8). On retrospective analysis, 64% (71) of patients had documented attempts at conservative therapy. Seventy-six percent (84) of patients attempted medical therapy, and only 11% (12) progressed to any third-line therapy. Fifty-nine percent (64) of eligible patients responded to the survey. Fifty-three percent (34) of respondents reported persistent moderate to very severe bother due to bladder symptoms. Thirty percent to fifty percent of patients who did not attempt one or more of the three levels of OAB therapy reported that they were never offered that treatment option. Conclusions: Many patients do not progress to the next steps in OAB therapy despite failure of more conservative treatments. Barriers to care included limited follow-up and education about other therapy options. A formalized institutional care pathway may lead to improved OAB treatment.

Telemedicine and remote visits are becoming more and more popular in several medical disciplines, including oncology. The Covid-19 pandemic has enhanced the need to continue to meet patients' ambulatory care necessities ensuring social distancing and limiting the access to clinical facilities. The National Cancer Institute of Aviano, Italy, has recently launched a program called "Doctor @ Home" (D@H). The pillars of the program are the co-production of the oncological care and the co-learning approach, which sees the clinical staff "hand in hand" with patients to maximize the outcome of the care, trying to take advantage of the new tools offered by modern technologies., (© 2021. American Association for Cancer Education.)

Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Introduction: In recent years, and even more following the need for social distancing generated by the global COVID-19 pandemic, e-health has become an increasingly widespread reality in clinical practice, especially for those clinicians operating in the front-line, like nurses. Its growing importance has been followed by increasing attention both by the literature as well as in the generation of specific rules aimed at regulating the phenomenon., Methods: A regulatory review of the literature aims to outline the current regulatory framework relating to telemedicine. Telemedicine, especially in a pandemic context, calls for regulation that runs parallel to the rapid evolution of the phenomenon itself. The paper traces the European, Italian, and Regional legislation, focusing then on a practical experience of telemedicine, called Doctor @ Home, active at the IRCCS National Cancer Center in Aviano (Italy)., Discussion: First, the need for regulatory harmonization emerges. Secondly, the potential of co-production and co-learning processes for healthcare professionals and patients arises to adapt to the outpatient needs of patients in a post-pandemic "new normal," exploiting the new technological tools made available by the National Health Service.

Objectives: Despite guidelines, a large percentage of cancer patients continue to suffer from ineffectively treated pain. The authors undertook this survey to assess the strengths and weaknesses of cancer pain management in Italy., Design: This was a prospectively administered survey., Participants: The participants were anesthesiologists of the Italian Society of Anesthesia, Analgesia, Resuscitation and Intensive Care (SIAARTI)., Intervention: A 58-item questionnaire covered the demographics and features of cancer pain management in the Italian context., Results: The authors received responses from 611 pain therapists of 279 centers. Only 22% of physicians are exclusively pain therapists. Seventy-five percent are specialists in anesthesiology, intensive care, and pain medicine. Most pain centers are hospital or university facilities (78%). The strengths of cancer pain management in Italy are the careful opioid prescriptions, the use of strategies for the treatment of neuropathic pain, patient/healthcare provider partnerships, and breakthrough cancer pain management. Weaknesses to be addressed include poor adherence to guidelines, inadequate attention toward the patient's quality of life, insufficient use of minimally invasive techniques, lack of teamwork approaches, inappropriate timing of pain specialist engagement, and poor telemedicine use., Conclusions: Despite several strengths, further efforts are needed to improve the care of patients suffering from cancer pain in Italy.

Background: Microbial resistance has become a worldwide public health problem and may lead to morbidity and mortality in affected patients., Objectives: Therefore, this work aimed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of quinone-4- oxoquinoline derivatives., Methods: These derivatives were evaluated against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria by their antibacterial activity, anti-biofilm, and hemolytic activities and in silico assays., Results: The quinone-4-oxoquinoline derivatives presented broad-spectrum antibacterial activities and, in some cases, were more active than commercially available reference drugs. These compounds also inhibited bacterial adhesion, and the assays revealed seven non-hemolytic derivatives. The derivatives seem to cause damage to the bacterial cell membrane, and those containing the carboxyl group at the C-3 position of the 4-quinolonic nucleus were more active than those containing a carboxyethyl group., Conclusion: The isoquinoline-5,8-dione nucleus also favored antimicrobial activity. The study showed that the target of the derivatives must be a non-conventional hydrophobic allosteric binding pocket on the DNA gyrase enzyme., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Due to a lack of published evidence on the topic, a modified Delphi approach was used to develop recommendations useful for chronic pain management during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Focusing on the available literature and personal clinical expertise, an Italian board of nine professionals from different disciplines identified four main topics: prevention of chronic pain, treatment of chronic pain, consequences of inadequate treatment, and perspectives. They elaborated a semi-structured questionnaire. A multidisciplinary panel of experts in the field of pain management was requested to comment on the statements. Based on the answers provided, a structured questionnaire was prepared (Round 1). It included 21 statements divided into three categories (organizational issues; diagnosis and therapies; telemedicine and future perspectives). A five-point Likert scale was adopted. The threshold for consensus was set at a minimum of 70% of the number of respondents (level of agreement ≥ 4, Agree or Strongly Agree). A final questionnaire with rephrasing of the statements that did not reach the consensus threshold was elaborated (Round 2). A total of 29 clinicians were included in the panel. Twenty clinicians (69%) responded in both the first and second round. After two rounds, consensus (≥70%) was achieved in 20 out of 21 statements. The lack of consensus was recorded for the statement regarding the management of post-COVID pain (55%; Median 4; IQR 2.3). Another statement on telemedicine reached the threshold in the first round (70%), but the value was not confirmed in Round 2 (65%; Median 4; IQR 2). Most of the proposed items reached consensus, suggesting the need to make organizational changes, the structuring of careful diagnostic and therapeutic pathways, and the application of new technologies in pain medicine. Long-COVID-19 care is an issue that needs further research. Remote assistance for chronic pain must be regulated.

Telemedicine represents a major opportunity to facilitate continued assistance for patients with chronic pain and improve their access to care. Preliminary data show that an improvement can be expected of the monitoring, treatment adherence, assessment of treatment effect including the emotional distress associated with pain. Moreover, this approach seems to be convenient and cost-effective, and particularly suitable for personalized treatment. Nevertheless, several open issues must be highlighted such as identification of assessment tools, implementation of monitoring instruments, and ability to evaluate personal needs and expectations. Open questions exist, such as how to evaluate the need for medical intervention and interventional procedures, and how to define when a clinical examination is required for certain conditions. In this context, it is necessary to establish dynamic protocols that provide the right balance between face-to-face visits and telemedicine. Useful tips are provided to start an efficient experience. More data are needed to develop precise operating procedures. In the meantime, the first experiences from such settings can pave the way to initiate effective care pathways in chronic pain.

Italy adopted a law on chronic pain in March 2010, which focused on detection and management of this symptom, that affects approximately 25% of the population. The aim of this study is to analyze the interest of the Italian population in palliative care and chronic pain and to understand whether the Law 38/2010 made an impact on the internet search on chronic pain. Five research parameters were included using Google Trends (chronic pain, anti-inflammatory drugs, opioids, fibromyalgia, medical cannabis) from 2004 to 2019 using "joint point regression analysis." Comparisons of annual relative search volume (ARSV), average annual percentage change (AAPC), and temporal patterns were analyzed to assess loss or gain of interest in research of all the terms after adopting Law 38/2010; collected data were analyzed using Kruskall-Wallis test. The research trend of almost every word increased in time (AAPC > 0) with significant inflexion points after issuing law on chronic pain management in March 2010. Our results suggest the relevance of internet search engines, like "Doctor Google," to translate and share knowledge about specific conditions, diseases, and treatment alternatives, with a call to a raise in authoritative scientific voices on the topic, especially when it comes to widespread conditions like chronic pains.

Introduction: Knowledge Translation (KT) is defined as the synthesis, exchange and application of knowledge to foster the benefits of global and local innovation. In healthcare and medicine, KT is an increasingly relevant topic, as recognized by the growing number of publications. While the traditional definition of KT recalls the need to translate scientific research into clinical practice, other types of KT emerge. More in details, they concern the interaction of actors with different skills and feelings, who find themselves working together to achieve a common outcome. The paper aims to understand the dynamics and tools of KT by analyzing the case of an Italian Breast Unit., Materials and Methods: The paper uses a methodology based on a case study relating to the IRCCS CRO - National Care Institute Center for Oncological Reference of Aviano. Multiple information sources are used to collect, triangulate, and verify data., Results: The analysis allows to divide the stakeholders into two groups: a first professional or internal group, characterized by a common healthcare background, and a second non-professional or external group, which gathers actors with various skills, needs, and feelings. The two groups use profoundly different tools and methodologies to translate knowledge effectively., Discussion: While the first group translates knowledge internally using more explicit tooles, and benefits from the team's durability, the second group needs more creative methodologies, many of which are based on language and interpersonal skills. The temporary nature of relations with the BU of this latter group requires the use of always different and innovative tools.

Introduction: The Italian Association of Medical Oncology (AIOM) and the Italian Association of Cancer Registers (AIRTUM) highlight that one out of three women experiences cancer in the course of her life. In 2018, excluding skin cancers, breast cancer accounted for 14.1% of total cancers, confirming it as the most diagnosed cancer among women (29.3%). In the postoperative stage, patients suffer side effects. They need immediate and active rehabilitation to encourage their return to work as well as the psychological recovery. The effectiveness and speed of this recovery, therefore, have significant impact in the short and long term, also for the society. The rehabilitative oncology path increases its positive effects if carried out through co-productive pathways. The economic impact of this process is unclear., Materials and Methods: An exhaustive literature search was performed to shed light on state of the art about the patients' engagement during the rehabilitation path after breast cancer surgery, focusing on the literature analyzing the impact that co-productive processes can have on costs. Eligibility criteria: papers and reviews published in English and Italian were searched in Scopus and PubMed/Medline, among other datasets., Inclusion Criteria: dealing with economic effects resulting from patient engagement or following post-breast cancer oncology rehabilitation., Results: 24 papers have been selected. The review of the literature has revealed a lack of contributions on the economic impact of the patient engagement in the oncological rehabilitation path, taking into account the impact on costs, but not developing a more detailed study. The back-to-work issue and psychological effects are widely investigated. No studies have been conducted in Italy., Discussion: The analyzed literature did not identify the economic impact that patients' engagement may have during rehabilitation, opening up new research questions. Co-production processes are starting to develop.

Objective: The study compare two tests for evaluating the driving abilities of patients undergoing opioid therapy for chronic pain: the Vienna Test System (VTS), a software developed for this purpose, and a new free APP for smartphones (SafeDrive) measuring visual and auditory reaction times., Methods: One hundred and five patients undergoing long term opioid therapy for chronic pain were enrolled. The driving abilities of study patients were evaluated using two tests, namely the Vienna test System (VTS) and the SafeDrive APP. The concordance between the two tests was evaluated through Cohen's test. In addition we evaluated the correlation between the results of both VTS and SafeDrive tests and prescribed Morphine Equivalent Doses (MEDs), sex, age and the specific drugs taken, by multivariate linear regression analysis., Results: A statistically significant concordance (Cohen's K coefficient=0.476) was found between the SafeDrive APP and the VTS; multivariate linear regression analysis found no significant influences of dosage and type of opioid prescribed on test performances, but significant influences of sex and age., Conclusions: The Authors found a significant correlation between VTS with SafeDrive test results. The SafeDrive APP is cheaper, easier to use and faster than VTS, and is portable and "usable on the road". Complex behavioral tasks such as driving may be severely impaired by psychoactive drugs, and consequently SafeDrive could be considered a useful portable screening tool to identify drivers with drug associated psychomotor impairment.

The American College of Sports Medicine states that 150 minutes per week of moderate aerobic activity improves quality of life, also in patients treated for cancer. Physical activity before, during, and after oncological treatments increases rates of survival, interval free from sickness, and side effects of treatment. The importance of physical exercise is often underestimated in Oncology, above all because of the need for an individualized approach and for a lack of recommendations that are valid for everyone. The literature now states that rehabilitation and exercise are as important as medical care. The National Cancer Institute in Aviano (Italy) has started a rehabilitation program for patients treated for breast cancer, followed by an assisted path to encourage physical activity. Thanks to various co-production processes, this program allows women to benefit from a personalised plan and it will be possible to assist patients and encourage physical activity through use of a mobile app. A synergy between the health and fitness worlds has been created, through co-production, accustoming patients to exercise during and following treatments.

General practitioners often request specialist consultations to manage their patients affected by chronic pain, but in Italy wait times for the consultations are usually very long. For this reason, The Friuli Venezia Giulia region is the first Italian region to start using priority criteria for access to consultation with a pain specialist (brief within 10 days, delayed within 30 days, scheduled within 180 days).

Background: An "epidemic use" of legal opioids in the USA and other countries has been reported in the last 15 years. We have analysed the database of the Italian Ministry of Health regarding the prescription of opioids for pain management to verify the trend of opioids uses in Italy., Methods: The amount of opioids prescribed for every single Italian patient in 2013 was anonymously recorded and transformed in daily MED (morphine equivalent dose). We considered every monthly percentage increase of MED during the entire period of chronic therapy for each patient., Results: Classes of dosage increase for all patients in chronic therapy, distinguished between cancer and non-cancer ones, were created. We deduce that decreases or increases of small proportions prevailed in the observation period., Conclusions: The opioids "plague" that is striking the USA is not registered in Italy during the observation period. The reasons might be due to the innovative and effective law 38/2010 and a health care system able to guarantee appropriate prescriptions for major analgesics.

Objectives: Objectives. To explore the perceived self-competence level of palliative care nurses in the province of Belluno (Italy), compared to Core Curriculum in Palliative Care Nursing (CCICP) competencies and to identify own strengths and weaknesses., Methods: The authors performed a descriptive study using an anonymous questionnaire. The study population included 25 Palliative Care and Hospice nurses and ward managers of a local health unit in the city of Belluno and one in Feltre (Italy), of whom 24 agreed to participate in the study and compiled the questionnaire correctly. Participants were asked to evaluate their own competencies as compared to those defined by the CCICP, by assigning to themselves a score from 0 (no competence) to 10 (total competence). Three competency levels were identified: score 0-5 "low" level, score 6-7 "medium" level, score 8-10 "high" level., Results: Overall, 33,33% reports feeling highly competent, 62,5% feels average, 4,17% considers insufficiently competent. Nurses feel most competent in "Appropriate use of interventions, activities and nursing skills, aimed to provide optimal care in Palliative Care" while they feel least competent in "leadership competencies and management of group dynamics in Palliative Care". More specifically, the "ability to personalize assistance to improve the quality of life of the assisted person and his family, relieving physical, psychosocial and spiritual suffering in the team and in all the services of the Network" is the area in which they feel especially confident; on the contrary, the "ability to promote fundraising activities to finance Palliative Care and recruit volunteer resources" is reported to be the most critical., Conclusions: Results show that nurses have a medium to high level of self-perceived skills. The study has laid down the foundations for a wider staff evaluation process which would be useful in improving nursing satisfaction and, indirectly, the quality of the service.

Background: In Italy since the 38/2010 law concerning Palliative Care and pain therapy has been promulgated, the consumption of opioids started increasing. However, despite the availability of a large amount of data regarding opioid prescription, a database including all patients on chronic opioid therapy does not yet exist., Methods: Retrospective analysis of analgesic opioid consumption was performed between January 2013 and December 2013 using the data of national refunded medications for outpatients, collected by Italian Ministry of Health. We considered patients on chronic opioid therapy those patients with at least three opioids prescriptions in three consecutive months and/or six opioid prescriptions in six even not consecutive months in the observation period. We considered cancer patients those with neoplasm exemption code in the scheduled prescription and/or patients with at least one ROOs prescription (rapid onset opioids, approved in Italy for Break Through cancer Pain-BTcP- only). We also calculated the patient's morphine daily mean dose (MED) converting all prescribed opioids in equivalent of morphine using specific conversion tables., Results: This census revealed a total of 422,542 patients in chronic therapy with opioids, of those 369.961 with chronic non-cancer pain and 52,581 with chronic cancer pain. This represents about 4% of the estimated requirement in Italy for both groups based on previous surveys regarding the prevalence of chronic pain., Conclusions: Relatively to MED, We found that in Italy chronic cancer pain patients receive doses similar to patients with cancer pain in other Literature reports, whereas patients with chronic non-cancer pain received lower dosages.

Objectives: Occupational exposure to anaestethic gases has been suggested to induce auditory damages. The aim of this study is to investigate high-frequency audiometric responses in subjects exposed to anaesthetic gases, in order to highlight the possible effects on auditory system., Methods: The study was performed on a sample of 30 medical specialists of Messina University Anaesthesia and Intensive care. We have used tonal audiometry as well as high-frequency one. We have compared the responses with those obtained in a similar control group not exposed to anaesthetic gases. Results were compared statistically., Results: Results show a strong correlation (p = 0.000) between left and right ear responses to all the audiometric tests. The exposed and the control group run though the standard audiometry analysis plays different audiometric responses up only to higher frequencies (2000 HZ p = 0.009 and 4000 Hz p = 0.04); in high-frequency audiometry, as all other frequencies, the attention is drew to the fact that the sample groups distinguish themselves in a significantly statistic way (10,000 Hz p = 0.025, 12,000 Hz p = 0.008, 14,000 Hz p = 0.026, 16,000 Hz p = 0.08). The highest values are the ones related to exposed subjects both in standard (2000 Hz p = 0.01, 4000 Hz p = 0.02) and in high-frequency audiometry (10,000 Hz p = 0.011, 12,000 Hz p = 0.004, 14,000 Hz p = 0.012, 16,000 Hz p = 0.004)., Conclusion: Results, even if preliminary and referred to a low-range sample, show an involvement of the anatomic structure responsible for the perception of high-frequency audiometric responses in subjects exposed to anaesthetic gases., (© The Author(s) 2012.)