[Satisfaction in ambulatory patients with breast-conserving surgery and sentinel node biopsy for breast cancer]. / Satisfaction des patientes opérées par tumorectomie-ganglion sentinelle pour cancer du sein en ambulatoire.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate outpatient satisfaction for breast cancer surgery and compare with inpatient satisfaction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Our observational prospective study included all patients who underwent breast cancer surgical procedure (breast-conserving surgery and sentinel node biopsy) between July and December 2013 in a cancer center. Patients were asked to answer a questionnaire at discharge and 30 days after surgery. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty-five patients (exclusively women) were included; the outpatient group comprised 102 patients and the inpatient group 53. The study showed no statistical difference in patients' satisfaction betweeen the two groups at discharge (P=0.20) and 30 days after surgery (P=0.30); 101 (99%) outpatients and 44 (95.7%) inpatients had very good or excellent level of satisfaction at discharge and 88 (92,7%) and 49 (98%), respectively 30 days after surgery. The overall mean satisfaction score was 9.1±1.2 [3-10] at discharge and 8.7±1.3 [3-10] 30 days after surgery. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Our study found high degree of satisfaction after breast surgery for cancer both for outpatients and inpatients. This suggests that ambulatory surgery is possible and valid for this type of oncologic breast surgery.

[The PICC line, a new approach for venous access]. / Le PICC line, une nouvelle stratégie dans l'accès veineux.

Peripheral Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) line is a peripherally inserted central catheter. This implantable medical device is placed into a peripheral vein of the arm in order to obtain an intravenous central access. This device can find its use in various applications like intravenous delivery of parenteral nutrition, anticancer agents and antibiotics, as well as for blood sampling. PICC line is not widely used in medical practice because it remains largely unknown. The aim of this review is thus to introduce PICC line to the medical and scientific community. First, we will approach its insertion and maintenance of the dressing. We will then detail the benefits and drawbacks associated with its use, and finally discuss its position with regards to the other central venous access available.

Hypersensitivity reactions to Patent Blue V in breast cancer surgery: a prospective multicentre study.

BACKGROUND: An increasing number of immediate hypersensitivity reactions (HSR) have been reported after the use of Patent Blue V (PBV) for breast cancer surgery. This is the first study to publish prospective data with systematic allergological assessment. METHODS: We conducted a multicentre study in 10 French cancer centres for over 6 months. All patients scheduled for breast surgery with injection of PBV were included in the study. Patients were screened for past medical history, atopy, and known food and drug allergies. When suspected HSR or unexplained reactions occurred after injection of PBV, blood samples were taken, and plasma histamine and serum tryptase concentrations were measured. HSR to PBV was suggested if skin tests performed 6 weeks later were positive. RESULTS: Nine suspected HSR to PBV were observed in 1742 patients. Skin tests were positive in six patients, giving an incidence of 0.34%. Four grade I and two grade III HSR were observed, both requiring intensive care unit treatment. Mean onset time of the reaction was 55 ± 37 min. Plasma histamine was elevated in four patients, while serum tryptase was normal. We found no risk factors associated with HSR to PBV. CONCLUSION: An incidence rate of one in 300 HSR to PBV was observed for patients exposed to PBV during sentinel lymph node detection. This rate is higher than rates reported after the use of neuromuscular blocking agents, latex or antibiotics.

[Epidural analgesia for surgical treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis: a risky technique?]. / Analgésie péridurale pour le traitement chirurgical des carcinoses péritonéales : une pratique à risque ?

BACKGROUND: To study the risks of haemodynamic instability, and the possible occurrence of spinal haematoma, meningitis and epidural abscess when epidural analgesia is performed for cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 35 patients treated by HIPEC with oxaliplatin or cisplatin. An epidural catheter was inserted before induction of general anaesthesia. Postoperatively, a continuous epidural infusion of ropivacain, then a patient-controlled epidural analgesia were started. RESULTS: The epidural catheter was used peroperatively before HIPEC in 12 subjects (34%), and after HIPEC in 23 subjects (66%). The median dose of ropivacain given peroperatively in the epidural catheter was 40 mg (30-75). Norepinephrin was used in two subjects (6%) peroperatively (median infusion rate 0.325 µg/kg per minute [0.32-0.33]), and in four subjects (11%) in the postoperative 24 hours. No spinal haematoma, meningitis or epidural abscess were noted. Five subjects (14%) had a thrombopenia or a prothrombin time less than 60% before catheter removal. Two subjects (6%) had a leukopenia before catheter removal. No thrombopenia or blood coagulation disorders were recorded the day of catheter removal. CONCLUSION: In this series of 35 patients, the use of epidural analgesia for HIPEC does not seem to be associated with a worse risk of haemodynamic instability, spinal haematoma, meningitis or epidural abscess. HIPEC with platinum salt is not incompatible with the safety of epidural analgesia, with an optimized fluid management peroperatively and the following of perimedullary anesthesia practice guidelines.

[Peroperative bronchospasm during surgery of hydatid cysts]. / Bronchospasme peropératoire au cours de la chirurgie des kystes hydatiques.

A case is reported of isolated bronchospasm occurring during the removal of two hydatid cysts in the same patient at the same time. This 44 year old man already had had a hydatid cyst removed one year previously; no complication had occurred at the time. The patient had a past history of asthma, easily treated by salbutamol spray. All went well until the first cyst was manipulated: the ventilating pressures rose, and wheezing rhonchi appeared in both lung fields. This bronchospasm was resistant to an increase in anaesthetic depth, to salbutamol, terbutaline, steroids and 3% halothane for 15 min. It however disappeared completely as soon as the cyst was removed. There were no other signs of an anaphylactic reaction. The same thing occurred during the removal of the second cyst. Postoperative investigations showed the patient to be sensitized to house dust and mites. His asthma is confirmed. Allergologic tests showed no reaction with the anaesthetic drugs used, but a hypersensitivity to the echinococcal antigens. The bronchospasm was probably due to the increased bronchial sensitivity of this patient.