Weight-for-height Z-score improves in half of undernourished children hospitalized in surgical wards.

BACKGROUND: Overall, 10-15% of hospitalized children are undernourished. The present study focuses on pediatric surgical wards. We assessed the impact of undernutrition upon admission on the weight-for-height Z-score (Z-WFH) during hospitalization for surgery. Secondary aims were to investigate the influence of associated factors and to report on the use of nutritional support. METHODS: All children hospitalized for a surgical procedure between July 2015 and March 2016 were included in this monocentric, prospective study. Children were divided into two groups: whether the Z-WFH upon admission was below -2 standard deviations (undernourished) or not (not undernourished). RESULTS: A total of 161 of 278 eligible children were included; 27 were undernourished (17%). The change in Z-WFH during hospitalization was greater in undernourished children (0.31±0.11 vs. -0.05±0.05, P=0.005). Of undernourished children, 49% recovered a Z-WFH above -2 SD during hospitalization. There was no difference between undernourished children and not undernourished children regarding age, length of hospital stay, pre- and post-operative duration of nil per os, duration of surgical procedure, ASA score, emergency level of the surgical procedure, and enteral/parenteral nutrition. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that the Z-WFH of undernourished children upon admission improved during hospitalization.

A decreasing CD4/CD8 ratio over time and lower CSF-penetrating antiretroviral regimens are associated with a higher risk of neurocognitive deterioration, independently of viral replication.

Persistent immune activation is one of the suspected causes of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) in cART era. The CD4/CD8 ratio has been recently showed as a marker of immune activation and HAND. Our aim was to analyze if a decrease in the CD4/CD8 ratio over time could have an impact on neurocognitive deterioration. Randomly selected HIV-infected patients were followed for neuropsychological (NP) testing during a period of almost 2 years. Tests were adjusted for age, gender, and education. Patients were divided into 5 groups: normal tests (NT), neuropsychological deficit (ND, one impaired cognitive domain), asymptomatic neurocognitive disorders (ANI), mild neurocognitive disorders (MND), and HIV-associated dementia (HAD). Risk factors for neurocognitive deterioration were analyzed. Two hundred fifty-six patients underwent NP tests and 94 participated in the follow-up. The groups were comparable. Upon neuropsychological re-testing, six patients showed clinical improvement, 30 had worsened, and 58 were stable, resulting in 42 patients presenting with HAND (45 %). The majority of HAND cases consisted of ANI (26 %) and MND (16 %). In patients whose NP performance worsened, CPE 2010 score was lower at inclusion (7.13 vs 8.00, p = 0.003) and CD4/CD8 decrease more frequent (60 vs 31 %, p = 0.008) than in those who were stable or improved. Multivariate analysis confirmed these results. A decreasing CD4/CD8 ratio during a longitudinal follow-up of randomly selected HIV-infected patients and lower CSF-penetrating regimens were independently associated with cognitive decline. Monitoring trends in CD4/CD8 ratio could contribute to identifying patients at higher risk of neurocognitive deterioration.

[Maternal care after vaginal delivery and management of complications in immediate post-partum--Guidelines for clinical practice]. / Soins maternels après accouchement voie basse et prise en charge des complications du post-partum immédiat: recommandations pour la pratique clinique.

OBJECTIVE: To provide recommendations on maternal care after vaginal delivery, and management of complications in immediate post-partum period. METHODS: Bibliographic research from the Pubmed database and recommendations issued by the main scientific societies, and assignment of a level of evidence and a recommendation grade. RESULTS: After a vaginal delivery, monitoring of blood pressure, heart rate, bleeding, uterine involution, genital pain, urination, temperature, transit and signs of phlebitis is recommended (professional consensus). Post-partum Anemia is defined by a hemoglobin<11 g/dL at 48 hours (grade C). Anemia must be searched only in women who have bled during delivery or who present symptoms of anemia (professional consensus). Oral iron supplementation is only proposed in cases of biologically proven anemia (professional consensus). In case of post-partum hypertension or de novo preeclampsia, the prescription rules for antihypertensive treatments and magnesium sulfate are the same as in prenatal period (professional consensus). Oral NSAIDs are effective for perineal pain and uterine involution (EL2). In case of broken down perineal wounds following childbirth, there is no argument in favor of suturing or not suturing, however the suturing is to be preferred for large dehisced perineal wounds (professional consensus). Infection of perineal scar justifies an oral broad-spectrum antibiotics, in addition to local nursing (professional consensus). In case of obstetric anal sphincter injuries, an antibiotic prophylaxis is recommended (grade B). Hygiene advice should be given to all women who had an episiotomy or a perineal tear (professional consensus). The only etiological treatment of post-dural puncture headache is the blood patch (EL2). It must not be carried out before 48 hours (professional consensus). Thromboembolic risk after a vaginal birth is about 1‰ (EL2). The prescription of thromboprophylaxis with LMWH and graduated compression stockings should be based on risk factors (professional consensus). CONCLUSION: During the immediate post-partum period, complications may be unrecognized or confused with the natural post-partum evolution, which implies a strong vigilance from practitioners. This vigilance is all the more necessary that the maternal residence durations are shortened.

Virologically suppressed patients with asymptomatic and symptomatic HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders do not display the same pattern of immune activation.

OBJECTIVES: Inversion of the CD4:CD8 ratio is a marker of immune activation and age-associated disease. We measured the CD4:CD8 ratio as a marker of cognitive impairment in HIV-infected patients and explored differences according to clinical severity. METHODS: Post hoc analysis of data from two prospective cohorts of HIV-infected patients randomly selected to undergo neuropsychological tests was performed. Test scores were adjusted for age, gender and education. Inclusion criteria were undetectable viral load and stable treatment for at least 6 months. Subjects with HIV-associated dementia were excluded. Patients were divided into an unimpaired group, a group with asymptomatic neurocognitive disorder (ANI) and a group with symptomatic HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (sHAND), represented by mild neurocognitive disorder (MND). Demographic and background parameters, immune activation markers and the CD4:CD8 ratio were recorded. RESULTS: Two hundred patients were included in the study. The mean age was 52 years, 78% were male, the mean CD4 count was 624 cells/µL, the mean nadir CD4 count was 240 cells/µL, 27% were hepatitis C virus (HCV)-coinfected, the mean duration of HIV infection was 16 years, and the mean time on current combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) was 2.9 years. Twenty-nine per cent of subjects had HAND (21% had ANI and 8% had MND). In multivariate analysis, a CD4:CD8 ratio < 1 was associated with a nadir CD4 count < 200 cells/µL [odds ratio (OR) 3.68] and with the presence of CD4(+) CD38(+) HLA(+) cells (OR 1.23). Multinominal logistic regression showed that, in comparison with the unimpaired group, diagnosis of sHAND was associated with a CD4:CD8 ratio < 1 (OR 10.62), longer HIV infection (OR 1.15) and longer current cART (OR 1.34), while the ANI group differed from the unimpaired group only for education level. CONCLUSIONS: Aviraemic patients with sHAND did not display the same pattern of immune activation as subjects with ANI, suggesting that the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms could be different.

Chronic pain 1 year after foot surgery: Epidemiology and associated factors.

BACKGROUND: Most studies of chronic postoperative pain focussed on major surgical procedures. Chronic postoperative pain occurred in 10% to 50% of patients and exhibited neuropathic features in 5% to 68% of cases. The objectives of this prospective single-centre study were to determine the rates of occurrence and associated factors of any chronic pain and of neuropathic chronic pain 1 year after orthopaedic surgery on the foot. METHODS: We included consecutive patients who underwent scheduled orthopaedic surgery on the foot or ankle at a university hospital centre between 2009 and 2011. All patients received a multimodal analgesia regimen that usually combined a continuous popliteal sciatic nerve block, paracetamol, and ketoprofen, with additional ketamine if deemed appropriate. A telephone interview was conducted 1 year after the surgical procedure. The main outcome measures were moderate-to-severe pain (numerical rating scale score>3/10) 1 year after surgery at rest and during walking, and presence of neuropathic pain (defined using the DN2 score). Multivariate analysis was performed to look for associations of various perioperative clinical variables with pain. RESULTS: One year after surgery, 55 of 260 (21%) patients reported moderate-to-severe pain at rest, 111 (43%) moderate-to-severe pain during walking, and 9 (3%) neuropathic pain. By multivariate analysis, factors independently associated with moderate-to-severe pain at rest and/or during walking 1 year after surgery were moderate-to-severe pain during the first postoperative night (P=0.048) and/or day (P=0.043) and revision surgery (P=0.001). DISCUSSION: The rate of occurrence of moderate-to-severe pain 1 year after orthopaedic foot surgery is similar to that seen after major surgical procedures, whereas neuropathic pain seems rare. Orthopaedic surgery on the ankle or hindfoot is not more likely to be followed by chronic pain compared to surgery for hallux valgus or toe abnormalities. There is some evidence that earlier surgery might be beneficial. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, prospective observational longitudinal cohort study.

A survey of percutaneous chest drainage practice in French university surgical ICU's.

OBJECTIVE: Percutaneous chest drainage guidelines were published in 2010 by the British Thoracic Society. On several points (insertion technique, drain size), they seem to differ from French practices. Our objectives were to evaluate practice of pleural drainage in French University surgical intensive care units (ICU's), and to compare it with the British guidelines. STUDY DESIGN: National phone survey. METHODS: Physicians working in 58 ICU's were surveyed first in 2007, and subsequently in 2012. They were read a questionnaire to evaluate the demographic characteristics of their units, their indication for pleural drainage, how they quantified pleural effusion, and their technique for drain insertion. Data from the two surveys were compared to detect an evolution in practice following the publication of the British guidelines. Results are expressed as the mean response. RESULTS: In 2007, pleural drainage indications relied on various respiratory criteria in 91% of cases (versus 95% in 2012) and/or on pleural effusion volume in 71% of cases (versus 59% in 2012). Trocars (Monod or Joly) were used in 68% of the procedures in 2007. In the rest, either blunt dissection, a Pleurocath® or the Seldinger technique was utilized. From 2007 to 2012, the Seldinger technique increased in frequency (10% versus 22%, P=0.005) while Monod trocar usage decreased (41% vs 29%, P=0.012). Ultrasound before pleural effusion drainage became nearly systematic in 2012 (60% vs 86%, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The frequent use of trocar (and therefore of large drains) for pleural drainage in French ICU's differs significantly from the British guidelines.

[Delivery of the IUGR fetus]. / Modalités de naissance du fœtus porteur d'un RCIU.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this paper is to review available data regarding the management of delivery in intra uterine growth retarded fetuses and try to get recommendations for clinical obstetrical practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Bibliographic research performed by consulting PubMed database and recommendations from scientific societies with the following words: small for gestational age, intra-uterine growth restriction, fetal growth restriction, very low birth weight infants, as well as mode of delivery, induction of labor, cesarean section and operative delivery. RESULTS: The diagnosis of severe IUGR justifies the orientation of the patient to a referral centre with all necessary resources for very low birth weight or premature infants Administration of corticosteroids for fetal maturation (before 34 WG) and a possible neuroprotective treatment by with magnesium sulphate (before 32-33 WG) should be discussed. Although elective caesarean section is common, there is no current evidence supporting the use of systematic cesarean section, especially when the woman is in labor. Induction of labor, even with unfavorable cervix is possible under continuous FHR monitoring, in favorable obstetric situations and in the absence of severe fetal hemodynamic disturbances. Instrumental delivery and routine episiotomy are not recommended. For caesarean section under spinal anesthesia, an adequate anesthetic management must ensure the maintenance of basal blood pressure. CONCLUSION: Compared with appropriate for gestational age fetus, IUGR fetus is at increased risk of metabolic acidosis or perinatal asphyxia during delivery.

[Glottiscopes and videolaryngoscopes: a rational choice?]. / Les glottiscopes et vidéolaryngoscopes: un choix rationnel ?

Different airway devices can be used by paediatrician anaesthesiologists for difficult airway management in infant younger than 2 years. The four devices analyzed (Airtraq® [Prodol Meditec]; Glidescope® Cobalt [Verathon]; Vidéolaryngoscope [Storz]; laryngoscope Truview® [Truphatek]) increase the Cormack and Lehane grade against direct laryngoscopy and optimized external larynx movements. They need training, on manikin then in vivo, for an optimal use. The needed number of in vivo successful intubations is not determined. It is probably between 10 and 20. The choice between these devices, in accordance with the published studies, which compared the devices, is difficult. The manikin studies allow to standardize airway, but the results are not transposable in vivo. Concerning the airway devices with disposable blade, the Glidescope®, for oral intubation, seems to be better than Airtraq® if we take into account the oropharyngeal volume needed.

Tranexamic acid decreases risk of haematomas but not pain after hip arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Tranexamic acid decreases total blood loss after total hip arthroplasty (THA). Total blood loss is the sum of external bleeding and bleeding into tissues, i.e., haematomas. Haematomas may cause acute or even chronic postoperative pain. HYPOTHESIS: Tranexamic acid decreases haematomas, thereby diminishing postoperative pain after THA. METHODS: In a retrospective matched case-control study, patients receiving tranexamic acid (15 mg/kg, before the incision and again at skin closure) were compared to controls not given tranexamic acid. Matching was on sex, surgeon, and peri-operative analgesics (ketamine, ketoprofen, pregabalin, and nefopam). Standardised protocols were used for anaesthesia, analgesia, and blood sparing. Haematoma volume was computed as the difference between total blood loss (estimated from the erythrocyte counts on days -1 and +5) and measured external blood loss. Patients were monitored from D0 to D7 then interviewed by telephone on D30, D90, and D180. To detect a 30%-decrease in the morphine dose at H24 (criterion 1) and D7 (criterion 2) and a 20% decrease in haematoma volume on D5 (criterion 3), the required numbers of patients were 90, 90, and 77, respectively; therefore, 95 patients were included. RESULTS: Tranexamic acid decreased haematoma volume by 30% (351±254 mL versus 247±189 mL erythrocytes, P=0.002), had no effect on morphine consumption at H24 (12±11 mg versus 14±12 mg, P=0.346), increased morphine consumption on D7 (26±24 mg versus 35±36 mg, P=0.029), and had no effect on long-term pain. DISCUSSION: After THA, tranexamic acid decreases haematoma volume without improving analgesia. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 (case-control study).

[Influence of pressure- and volume-controlled ventilation on pulse pressure variations: randomized study]. / Influence du mode de ventilation sur la variation respiratoire de la pression pulsée artérielle: étude randomisée.

OBJECTIVE: Pulse pressure variation (ΔPP) has been demonstrated to be an accurate dynamic parameter to predict fluid responsiveness. However, the impact of different ventilator modes on this parameter is unknown. We compared ΔPP values calculated alternatively during pressure- and volume-controlled ventilation. STUDY DESIGN: Double-blind randomized study, cross-over design. PATIENTS: Patients in intensive care unit after a cardiac surgery. METHOD: Patients were ventilated alternatively in both ventilator modes (according to the randomization): volume-controlled ventilation (VVC) and pressure-controlled ventilation (VPC). Other parameters of ventilation were identical. ΔPP values were calculated for each patient in both ventilator modes. RESULTS: Among the 26 patients analyzed, mean ΔPP value was de 14.0±7.3% in VVC and 11.8±6.2% in VPC (P<0,0001). On Bland-Altman representation, mean bias was +2.2±2.3% and inferior and superior limits of agreement were respectively -2.3 and 6.7%. Arterial blood pressure and central venous pressure were not modified. CONCLUSION: ΔPP values obtained with both ventilator modes were not interchangeable. On average, ΔPP decreases by more than two points in the passage VVC to VPC for a given patient, all others things being equal.

Heterogeneity in meta-analyses of treatment of acute postoperative pain: a review.

BACKGROUND: Heterogeneity and its causes must be assessed using meta-analyses (meta-analysis). Especially in meta-analysis dealing with treatment of acute postoperative pain, the type of surgery is a source of heterogeneity. We aimed to assess whether the type of surgery is considered a source of heterogeneity in meta-analysis and how it is taken into account in meta-analysis evaluating the efficacy of treatment of acute postoperative pain. We further compared meta-analysis that pooled trials of surgeries with highly heterogeneous postoperative pain levels, the heterogeneous group, with meta-analysis that pooled trials involving surgeries with homogeneous pain levels, the homogenous group. METHODS: The meta-analysis reports available in Issue 3, 2011 of the electronic database of the Cochrane library and pooling results of randomized or quasi-randomized controlled trials that assessed the efficacy of treatment of acute postoperative pain alone were considered. A survey of experts established a rating of the postoperative pain levels for the type of surgery. For each meta-analysis, the different pain level ratings associated with the trials included in the meta-analysis were considered and the standard deviation (sd) of these ratings calculated. From the distribution of sd values, we defined the heterogeneous and homogeneous groups. RESULTS: Sixty-one meta-analyses were included; all assessed heterogeneity. Twenty-six meta-analyses considered the type of surgery as a subgroup (50% vs 38% in the homogeneous group vs heterogeneous group). Forty-four reports discussed the type of surgery as a source of clinical heterogeneity (85% vs 62% for the homogeneous vs heterogeneous group). Twenty-nine meta-analyses compared 'postoperative pain from dental surgery' to 'other type of surgery'. CONCLUSIONS: Meta-analyses evaluating treatment of postoperative pain should explore clinical heterogeneity associated with the type of surgery for better implications for practice.

[Obstetric epidural: focus on French information's quality on the Internet in 2009 and 2010]. / Péridurale obstétricale : qualité de l'information médicale en français sur Internet en 2009 et 2010.

OBJECTIVE: The variability of the medical information available on the Internet (MedInfoWeb) raises concern about its quality. There is no data about the quality of MedInfoWeb concerning epidural analgesia for labour (EAL). Our aims were to assess the quality of MedInfoWeb concerning EAL and to study the stability of MedInfoWeb and the ranking of website into search engine (SE) during 1year. STUDY DESIGN: Observational study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We created our own data form to analyse the firsts 40 Google(®), Alta Vista(®) and Yahoo(®) websites. In 2009 and 2010, two independent assessors assessed the quality of the website structure (structure score noted out of 25) and the quality of medical information (medical score noted out of 30). The global score (noted on 55) was the addition of structure and medical scores. A HONcode labelling was noted. RESULTS: Between 2009 and 2010, the average global (23 vs. 22), structure (11 vs. 11) and medical (12 vs. 12) Scores were stable. The SE's quality was comparable. A SE website's rank was not related to its global score. The labelling HONcode websites were the best (26 vs. 21, P=0.048). The best website in 2009 and 2010 was doctissimo.fr. In 2010, only 58% of the websites were still presents. CONCLUSION: The quality of MedInfoWeb concerning EAL is poor and did not improve between 2009 and 2010. The MedInfoWeb is unstable: 42% of the websites disappeared in 1year. No website or SE is currently able to give reliable medical information concerning EAL.

Nefopam after total hip arthroplasty: role in multimodal analgesia.

BACKGROUND: Multimodal analgesia combining several non-opioid analgesics is recommended for pain control after surgery. In one study of total hip arthroplasty (THA), pain relief achieved by adding ketamine to the paracetamol-ketoprofen combination was statistically significant but remained inadequate in most patients. In two other studies, the analgesic effect of nefopam was synergistic with that of ketoprofen and additive with that of paracetamol. Adding nefopam to the paracetamol-ketoprofen-ketamine combination has not been evaluated. HYPOTHESIS: Adding nefopam to the paracetamol-ketoprofen-ketamine combination significantly improves analgesia after THA. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective single-centre comparative non-randomised study (control group then nefopam group) was conducted in patients undergoing THA under general anaesthesia. All patients received paracetamol-ketoprofen-ketamine and morphine/droperidol patient-controlled analgesia. The nefopam group also received a continuous infusion of nefopam (120 mg/d for 48 h). Pain was evaluated daily for 7 days. The main evaluation criteria were morphine consumption, and pain intensity evaluated using a numerical rating scale and a validated questionnaire. To detect a 40% morphine-sparing effect by H24 (α=0.05 and ß=0.2), 85 patients were needed in each group. RESULTS: The two groups (90 patients/group) had no significant differences for perioperative characteristics, pain scores, morphine consumption at H24 (nefopam, 13 ± 12 mg and control, 14 ± 13 mg, P=0.39), or functional recovery. Compared to the control group, the nefopam group had lower rates of nausea/vomiting (P<0.0001), pruritus (P=0.002), and visual disturbances (P=0.02). DISCUSSION: Nefopam failed to improve pain relief when added to a multimodal analgesia regimen but alleviated several morphine-induced side effects. Redundancy between nefopam and ketamine may explain the absence of greater pain relief. This study emphasises the need for clinical evaluations of every analgesic regimen, as the available data were not sufficient to predict these results. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, case-control study.

Chronic pain after carpal tunnel surgery: epidemiology and associated factors.

BACKGROUND: Chronic postoperative pain (CPOP) has been assessed after major orthopedic surgeries but not after carpal tunnel surgery (CTS). This study aimed at describing the evolution of nocturnal and diurnal pains during the year following CTS, and at looking for factors associated with CPOP. METHODS: Cohort of adult outpatients operated by one single surgeon, under regional anaesthesia (RA). Patients were questioned in the recovery room, and phoned 3 days and 12 months later. A multivariate analysis tested the association between CPOP and preoperative demographics, regional anaesthesia protocol, pain during RA, surgery and the first 3 postoperative days, postoperative complications. RESULTS: Between November 2006 and June 2010, 324 of 389 patients could be included. The nocturnal and diurnal pains disappeared on the evening of the procedure in 55% (180/324) and 50% (163/324) of patients respectively. At one year, 12% of patients (40/324) complained of pain which characteristic was similar to the preoperative one, and 22% (71/324) complained of a new pain (different from the preoperative one), which was therefore considered as CPOP. CPOP was associated with a decreased functional score (QuickDASH). After multivariate analysis, CPOP was associated with postoperative pain from D0 to D3 (p=0.02), minor postoperative complications (p<0.001) and absence of hypnotic approach during surgery (p=0.01). CONCLUSION: One year after CTS, 22% of patients have CPOP. This incidence is similar to the one observed after major surgeries. This study suggests for the first time that a hypnotic approach during the surgical procedure might decrease the CPOP incidence.