[Not Available]. / L'infection bactérienne chez le patient brûlé.

Mortality in burn patients is most often caused by infections, which are frequently bacterial. These patients are subject to loss of the cutaneous barrier, invasive devices and immunosuppression which are all contributing factors to the onset of infections. Unfortunately, it is not easy to distinguish general signs of infection from other symptoms associated with burn injuries, making diagnosis difficult. Since infection is a great threat in burns patients, its prevention is a fundamental part of the treatment process. Moreover, due to the anomalous pharmacokinetic characteristics of burns patients, it is also mandatory to adapt any antimicrobial regimen to the outcomes of regular patient blood tests and sampling. At a time when bacterial resistance is becoming an increasing concern, research on alternative treatment (e.g. inhibitors of virulence factors, antimicrobial peptides, polyphenols, immunotherap, and so on) is crucial. One of the more promising possibilities in this area seems to be phagotherapy.

Pharmacokinetics of ertapenem in burns patients.

The aims of this study were to evaluate pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters of total and unbound ertapenem (ERT) in burns patients and to identify which covariates influence these PK parameters. ERT plasma concentrations were measured in burns patients (n = 8) who received a 0.5-h infusion of ERT (1000 mg) every 24 h. PK parameters were estimated by a non-compartmental approach and the influence of covariates was estimated by multivariate analysis using a population approach. Clearance (CL) and the volume of distribution (V) of total ERT were lower than the results for unbound ERT [CL, 22.2 ± 5.6 mL/min vs. 279.4 ± 208.2 mL/min; V, 9.7 ± 1.4L vs. 120.6 ± 130.6L (mean ± standard deviation)]. Creatinine clearance (CL(Cr)) and the burned surface area (BSA) were the covariates identified that significantly (P<0.01) affected the pharmacokinetics of total ERT [CL (L/h)=0.373 +{0.00666 x CL(Cr) (mL/min)}] and unbound ERT [peripheral volume of distribution (L) = 3.05 + {0.959 x BSA (% of the total body surface)}], respectively. The influences of albuminaemia, glomerular filtration and burn wound on ERT pharmacokinetics are proposed to explain these results. These first results support that the ERT plasma concentration should be closely monitored particularly for patients with high values of BSA and/or CL(Cr) to avoid suboptimal exposure.

[Antimicrobial blood concentrations in burns. A five years' retrospective survey]. / Concentrations sanguines d'antibiotiques chez les patients brûlés. Etude rétrospective sur cinq ans.

The monitoring of antimicrobial agents is a routine in our unit. We reviewed the results either of peak-and-through concentrations (peak and through is one sample) or concentrations at steady state (Css) of all antimicrobials given over five years (2001 to 2005) and studied the antimicrobials with at least 20 samples. We found 706 samples in 122 patients, the antimicrobials being amikacin, amoxicillin, ceftazidime, ciprofloxacin, cloxacillin, gentamicin, imipenem, ofloxacin, tobramycin and vancomycin. When comparing samples in witch the concentrations were above a value thought to be predictive of efficacy to those were not, we could notice: that no parameter about patients or burn surface was predictable for achieving targeted blood concentration; that usual regimen could not achieve targeted concentrations, excepted with ceftazidime, provided it was used in continuous infusion; that, with the other beta-lactams, continuous infusion was more likely to achieve targeted blood concentrations; that, with fluoroquinolones, both higher and more frequent injections were needed; that, with aminoglycosides used once a day, the dosage had to be higher than usually recommended. We conclude that antimicrobial regimen should be altered in burns and that a monitoring of blood concentrations should be performed in these patients.

[Pharmacokinetic evaluation of linezolid in patients with major thermal injuries]. / Pharmacocinétique du linézolide chez des patients souffrant de brûlures sévères.

The aims of this multicentre open-label study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of linezolid in patients with burn injury above 20 % BSA and to compare them with healthy volunteers, matched in age, sex and weight. After a single 600 mg IV dose of linezolid, multiple blood and urine samples were taken from subjects, in order to determine linezolid concentrations, using a HPLC assay. C(max) and volume of distribution at steady state were not different between the two groups. Values describing clearance were altered in burns, leading to a reduction by half in AUC in these patients (42.5 versus 98.1 mghL(-1)). The enhancement of clearance was due to which of non renal clearance (323+/-191 versus 80.4+/-27.5 mLmin(-1)). We conclude that pharmacokinetics of linezolid are altered in burn patients, in a magnitude sufficient that linezolid concentration may be subtherapeutic in some patients and we suggest that the dosage interval may need to be decreased in this patient population.

[Unusual haemostasis disorder in a seriously burned patient]. / Trouble inhabituel de l'hémostase au cours d'une brûlure grave.

We report the case of a woman severely burned during a gas explosion with an unusual disorder of haemostasis. The prothrombin time was very elevated, essentially by a drop in factor II. This abnormality persisted for a long time after the correction of the dilutional and consumption coagulopathy which followed immediately the burn. Blood analysis found fluindione and benzodiazepine derivatives. Such a disorder during a potentially suicidal burn must evoke a toxic aetiology.

Use of remifentanil for analgesia during dressing change in spontaneously breathing non-intubated burn patients.

We report our experience in using remifentanil as sole agent for the analgesia of spontaneously breathing non-intubated burn patients during dressing changes. Sixty procedures were collected and analysed. Remifentanil was used during monitoring of vital functions, with oxygen inhalation throughout the procedure, at the bedside in the intensive care unit ward. Infusion speed was varied by the nurse in charge, depending on pain, analgesia, and adverse effects. The dosage of continuous infusion ranged from 0.125 to 1 mg.kg-1.mn-1 (average, 0.42). All patients received intravenously morphine 30 min before the end of the procedure (average, 10 mg). The main side effects were hypoxia and drowsiness, always quickly reversed when the doses were reduced. All patients had low levels of pain during and after the procedure, and were satisfied with the analgesia protocol. We conclude that remifentanil is another possible manner of analgesia in the dressing of burn patients, but that it must be used in an "anaesthesiological" environment.

[Antibiotic prophylaxis in ORL surgery and oral medicine]. / Antibioprophylaxie en chirurgie ORL et stomatologique.

Postsurgical infection has always been a cause for major concern in ENT surgery. Papers on the topic allowed to identify indications for antibiotic prophylaxis. In ear surgery, in the absence of prior infection (stapes surgery, medium dry ear surgery), studies' results are not in favour of antibiotic prophylaxis. On the other hand, however, when the ear is inflamed or infected, the use of antibiotics is indicated, if possible after having first taken a sample. For nose and sinus surgery, antibiotic prophylaxis seems to be worthless in the absence of a prolonged packing. If a packing has to be maintained or if a transplant is used, an antibiotic administration has to be considered; the most appropriate antibiotic and its mode of use still have to be specified. In case of facial trauma, antibiotic prophylaxis using cefazolin reduces the risk of infection of paraymphysis fractures and angle fractures. The postoperative course after tonsillectomy is simplified by a prolonged antibiotic administration based on ampicillin. In clean cervico-facial surgery, without buccopharyngeal opening, the antibiotic prophylaxis seems to be worthless. In the opposite, antibiotherapy is required in case of buccopharyngeal opening. Indeed the presence of potential pathogenic bacteria in the buccopharyngeal cavity, the difficulties of mucosa closing, the importance of the tumoral extension, the length of the procedure, radiotherapy and use of myocutaneous flaps may all be the cause of a high infection rate (80%) in the absence of antibiotic prophylaxis. Two types of antibiotics seem to be suitable, cefazolin and clindamycin. Antibiotics active against Gram negative bacteria seem to be useless. There is a disagreement concerning the duration of antibiotic administration. The populations studied are too small to obtain significant results. Both points of view (prolonged antibiotic administration or true antibiotic prophylaxis) can be considered. Only large scale prospective studies with an adequate methodology will provide credible data for this debate.

[Prevention of aspiration pneumonia in obstetrical anesthesia with the effervescent combination of cimetidine and sodium citrate]. / Prévention de la pneumopathie d'inhalation en anesthésie obstétricale par l'association effervescente cimétidine-citrate de sodium.

The effect of an oral effervescent formulation combining 200 mg cimetidine and 1.8 g sodium citrate on gastric pH and volume were studied in patients undergoing caesarean section. Seventy-four patients undergoing elective (group 1) or emergency caesarean section (group 2) were included. Before entering the operating theater (5 to 60 min before intubation), they were given the tablet dissolved in 15 ml of water. Induction and maintenance of anaesthesia were carried out with conventional techniques. The patient's gastric content was aspirated just after endotracheal intubation, and before extubation. its pH and volume were measured at both times. Mean pH was similar in the two groups after intubation (6.07 +/- 1.13 in group 1; 5.52 +/- 1.14 in group 2) and before extubation (6.32 +/- 1.08 vs. 5.85 +/- 1.02 respectively). Gastric pH was therefore greater than 2.5 in all 74 patients at both times. Mean volumes of gastric content after intubation were greater in group 2 (32.7 +/- 23.9 ml vs. 21.6 +/- 15.8 ml; p less than 0.02). However, just before extubation, these were similar (15.0 +/- 15.4 ml in group 1, 20.1 +/- 14.9 ml in group 2). The percentage of patients in the 2 groups with gastric volumes greater than 25 ml at the time of intubation were not significantly different (29.7% vs. 45.9% respectively). No patient was at risk of developing pneumonitis in case of aspiration (gastric content pH less than 2.5 and volume greater than 25 ml), either during endotracheal intubation or extubation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Heart arrest during general anesthesia in a child with unrecognized Duchenne's dystrophy]. / Arrêt circulatoire lors d'une anesthésie générale chez un enfant porteur d'une myopathie de Duchenne méconnue.

A three-year old child was anaesthetized by halothane. Cardiac arrest occurred soon after the injection of suxamethonium. Signs of rhabdomyolysis associated with hyperkalemia were present. The diagnosis of Duchenne muscular dystrophy was obtained afterwards.

[Postoperative respiratory complications of myotonia dystrophica (Steinert's disease)]. / Complications respiratories postopératoires de la myotonie dystrophique (maladie de Steinert).

Respiratory difficulties have long been recognized to be a major risk in patients with myotonia dystrophica, but postoperative pulmonary complications have only rarely been considered. Two cases of postoperative pulmonary complications which led to the patients's death stressed the severity and difficulty of treatment of these complications. A third case of postoperative respiratory failure revealed the underlying disease. These cases showed all the more the importance of preventing pulmonary complications. Pre-, per- and postoperative measures, chosen with respect to the severity of the myotonia and the seat of the surgical procedure, are suggested.