Holland Bone & Joint Program

Education:

• Hon. B.Sc., 1993, human biology, University of Toronto, Canada
• M.Sc., 1998, pharmacology, U of T, Canada
• MD, 1998, University of Ottawa, Canada
• FRCPC, 2003, anesthesia, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, Canada
• Fellowship, 2004, regional anesthesia, Cornell University, U.S.

Appointments and Affiliations:

• Affiliate scientist, Evaluative Clinical Sciences, Holland Bone and Joint Research Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute
• Staff anesthesiologist, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
• Assistant professor, faculty of medicine, department of anesthesia, U of T

Research Focus:

• Anesthesia
• Regional anesthesia
• Nerve blocks
• Pain management
• Pharmacology and toxicology

Research Summary:

Dr. Safa's research is focused on the following areas:

• Regional anesthesia and long-term functional outcome after orthopaedic surgery
• To improve efficacy and safety ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia techniques
• Regional anesthesia and perioperative morbidity and mortality.

Selected Publications:

See current publications list at PubMed.

1. Safa B, Gollish J, Haslam L, McCartney CJ. Comparing the effects of single shot sciatic nerve block versus posterior capsule local anesthetic infiltration on analgesia and functional outcome after total knee arthroplasty. J Arthroplasty., 2014 June;29:(6):1149–53.
2. Safa B, Haslam L, Gollish J, McCartney C. “A prospective, randomized trial, comparing analgesic efficacy and postoperative functional recovery of either single shot sciatic nerve block or posterior capsule infiltration combined with femoral block for total knee arthroplasty.” Abstract #176, America Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine 36th Annual Regional Anesthesia Meeting and Workshops. Reg Anesth Pain Med. Spring 2011.
3. Safa B, Lee C, Riddick D. Role of the aromatic hydrocarbon receptor in the suppression of cytochrome P-450 2C11 by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Toxicol Lett. 1997;90:163–175.
4. Riddick D, Jones E, Safa B, Lee C, Bhathena A. The aromatic hydrocarbon receptor: a ligand activated transcription factor with multiple biological roles. Paper presented at Society of Toxicology of Canada 30th Annual Symposium. 1997 Dec. 4–5; Montréal, Québec.
5. Riddick D, Safa B, Lee C. Role of the aromatic hydrocarbon receptor in the suppression of cytochrome P-450 2C11 by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Paper presented at 10th International Symposium on Microsomes and Drug Oxidation. 1996 July 21–24; Los Angeles, California.