A systematic review and meta-analysis of the i-gel(®) vs laryngeal mask airway in adults.

We systematically reviewed 31 adult randomised clinical trials of the i-gel(®) vs laryngeal mask airway. The mean (95% CI) leak pressure difference and relative risk (95% CI) of insertion on the first attempt were similar: 0.40 (-1.23 to 2.02) cmH2 O and 0.98 (0.95-1.01), respectively. The mean (95% CI) insertion time and the relative risk (95% CI) of sore throat were less with the i-gel: by 1.46 (0.33-2.60) s, p = 0.01, and 0.59 (0.38-0.90), p = 0.02, respectively. The relative risk of poor fibreoptic view through the i-gel was 0.29 (0.16-0.54), p < 0.0001. All outcomes displayed substantial heterogeneity, I(2)  ≥ 75%. Subgroup analyses did not decrease heterogeneity, but suggested that insertion of the i-gel was faster than for first-generation laryngeal mask airways and that the i-gel leak pressure was higher than first generation, but lower than second-generation, laryngeal mask airways. A less frequent sore throat was the main clinical advantage of the i-gel.

Education in obstetric anesthesiology: an international approach.

Competency-based training and active teaching methods are increasingly becoming accepted and utilized in medical schools and hospitals, and obstetric anesthesiology training is expected to follow this process. This article summarizes current modalities of obstetric anesthesiology training in five countries from various parts of the world. Analysis of these curricula shows that implementation of new educational methods is variable, incomplete, and lacking in data related to patient outcomes. Research in assessments and practical applications are required to avoid wide ranges of educational strategies.

[Prevention of operational thromboembolic risk in plastic and aesthetic surgery. Analysis of cases, inquiries of practice and recommendations of professional practices]. / Prévention de la maladie thromboembolique périopératoire en chirurgie plastique et esthétique. Analyse de cas, enquête de pratique et recommandations de pratiques professionnelles.

SUBJECT: Thromboembolic accidents are a frightening complication of plastic and aesthetic surgery. The absence of recommendations for professional practices for the prevention of such accidents justified this work. The therapeutic practices of the surgeons were analysed and the results were then compared with those of the international literature. The analysis by a group of experts made it possible to establish recommendations for professional practices. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This work consisted in collecting, retrospectively, the therapeutic practices and the complications of 440 surgeons, concerning four types of interventions (abdominoplasty, mammoplasty, abdominal lift and liposuction), from 2006 to 2008, i.e., approximately 110.000 interventions. RESULTS: The intervention with the greatest risk is abdominoplasty with 0.9% of thromboembolic accidents; the intervention with the least risk is mammoplasty with 0.1% of accidents. The risk with the abdominal lift and liposuction of more than three zones is similar and intermediate with 06% of accidents. A protocol of prevention of thromboembolic accidents in plastic surgery is proposed.

Increase in optic nerve sheath diameter induced by epidural blood patch: a preliminary report.

BACKGROUND: Post-dural puncture headache (PDPH) might be related to cerebrospinal fluid hypotension. Studies in brain-injured patients have shown a good relationship between optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) measured by ocular sonography and invasively measured intracranial pressure (ICP). The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in ONSD after lumbar epidural blood patch (EBP). METHODS: Consecutive subjects receiving an EBP for PDPH were included. ONSD and pain measurements were performed before (T(0)), 10 min (M(10)), 2 h (H(2)), and 20 h (H(20)) after the EBP. RESULTS: Ten subjects were included. ONSD [median (inter-quartile range)] increased with time after EBP, from 4.8 mm (4.5-5.1) at T(0) to 5.2 mm (4.9-5.7) at M(10) (P=0.005 vs T(0)), 5.5 mm (5.1-6.0) at H(2) (P=0.007 vs T(0)), and 5.8 mm (5.2-6.3) at H(20) (P=0.02 vs T(0)). EBP was clinically successful in nine of 10 subjects. In subjects in whom EBP was successful, ONSD significantly increased at M(10) and T(2) compared with T(0) (P=0.004 and 0.008, respectively) but did not reach statistical significance at H(20) (P=0.06). In the subject in whom EBP failed, a small increase in ONSD was observed over time. CONCLUSIONS: In this preliminary report, EBP was followed by ONSD enlargement in subjects with successful EBP, but not in the subject with EBP failure. Since ONSD is a surrogate marker of ICP, this suggests that a sustained increase in ICP is associated with successful EBP.

Cytokine response and reactive oxygen species production after low- and intermediate-risk surgery.

BACKGROUND: Cytokines are secreted locally in response to surgery and may be released into the systemic circulation. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production is involved in various inflammatory conditions. The aims of the study were to examine the magnitude of surgical stress on the modulation of immune response and ROS production. METHODS: Patients undergoing low- and intermediate-risk surgery (n=32) were enrolled. Blood samples for tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α, interleukin (IL)1ß and IL10 assays were obtained before anesthesia, immediately after extubation, at 24 and 72 h after surgery. Measurement in whole-blood cultures of ex vivo lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and Staphylococcus aureus Cowan (SAC)-stimulated production of cytokines was carried out. The pro-oxidant potency of the whole serum was assessed in human umbilical vein endothelial cells using a fluorescent probe after stimulation by the plasma collected at the same time intervals. RESULTS: TNFα, IL1ß and IL10 did not increase significantly after surgery in either group. Whole-blood cultures response to LPS and SAC stimulation decreased for IL1ß at the end of surgery in the two groups and returned to normal within 24 h after surgery. LPS- and SAC-induced IL10 production increased significantly at 24 h in the low-risk surgery group. ROS production was greater after more stressful surgery and was correlated to morphine consumption. CONCLUSION: Cytokine release in the systemic circulation was not well correlated to the magnitude of surgical stress, whereas transient immune hyporesponsiveness was seen after moderately stressful surgery. ROS production might be a more accurate indicator of the severity of surgical trauma.

Intrapartum sonography head transverse and asynclitic diagnosis with and without epidural analgesia initiated early during the first stage of labor.

PURPOSE: To investigate if early epidural analgesia can influence fetal head engagement into the pelvis and if it can increase the rate of transverse and asynclitic position during labour. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 195 women with combined spinal-epidural analgesia (CSE) or without neuraxial analgesia were studied. CSE was performed using a mixture of ropivacaine 0.02% with 0.3 microg/ml of sufentanil administered in the spinal space. Maintenance of analgesia was managed with intermittent epidural administration of 10-15 ml of ropivacaine (0.07%-0.10%) mixed with 0.5 microg/ml of sufentanil, based on the stage of labour and the degree of pain. 2D transabdominal ultrasound (US) was used. Serial transabdominal US examinations were performed at 45-90 min intervals to detect transverse and asynclitic positions, using the following signs: squint sign, sunset thalamus and cerebellum signs that best details the fetal head station. After delivery, the complete set of clinical and US data obtained by each examination were recorded and compared in women with and without labour analgesia. Data were examined by independent reviewers. RESULTS: There was no difference in obstetric outcome between women in whom CSE had been used and those who did not request analgesia during labour (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Epidural analgesia initiated early during labour and using low doses does not increase the rate of dystocic labors. Transverse fetal head positioning with anterior or posterior asynclitism does not seem to be promoted by drug or technique-related mechanisms, but rather should be the consequence of cephalopelvic disproportion.

Low-dose sequential combined spinal-epidural anaesthesia in elective Stark caesarean section: a preliminary cohort study.

AIM: To compare combined spinal-epidural anaesthesia (CSE) VS spinal anaesthesia (SA) in caesarean section (CS) performed by Stark method. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 200 women were prospectively studied before undergoing to a Stark CS in two groups: 95 patients were assigned to a local anaesthesia by SA (first group) and 105 women to CSE anaesthesia (second group). After a pre-load of 500 ml of plasma expander in both groups, SA was performed at the L1-L2 interspace with an injection of 5 ml of levobupivacaine 0.15%, with a 5 mcg of Sufentanil. The CSE was performed by a spinal-epidural injection at the L1-L2 interspace, primarily by 4 ml of levobupivacaine 0.125% and 5 mcg of Sufentanil, then by 3-7 mL of xilocaine carbonate 0.5% plus 1 mcg/ml of Sufentanil. Successively a CS by Stark method was performed in both groups. The recorded anaesthesiologic side effects in two groups were: motor block, intraoperative discomfort, vomiting, bradycardia and hypotension. Statistical evaluation was by Z-Test referred to the comparison of 2 portions with great, independent samples. RESULTS: In the group with CSE anaesthesia, the prevalence of side effects was less than in the group treated with SA, where the prevalence of the motor block and intraoperative discomfort were greater and statistically significant (p<0.001); so as the vomiting and bradycardia were all in a major percentage in SA group, but only significant for hypotension (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary data show that the association between CS and CSE anaesthesia in elective CS by Stark method allow to have less intra and post-operative side effects; further studies need to provide specific details on the anaesthetic and surgical techniques, to tailor and optimize both in each patient to select for surgery.

Intrapartum sonography for occiput posterior detection in early low dose combined spinal epidural analgesia by sufentanil and ropivacaine.

AIM: To evaluate the incidence of occiput posterior position in labour with and without combined spinal epidural analgesia (CSE) by low dose of sufentanyl and ropivacaine. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study focused on 132 women subdivided in two groups, patients in spontaneous and in labour analgesia, administered by a low dose CSE by sufentanyl and ropivacaine; all women were evaluated by digital examinations and ultrasound till delivery. All data were collected and analyzed by an independent reviewer. RESULTS: In the second stage, 79 were persistent occiput posterior position (POPP) fetuses and 36 were translated from anterior to posterior position (TAPP) fetuses. Specifically, in spontaneous labour on 25 women in anterior position, there were 17 TAPP and in CSE analgesia on 28 women in anterior, there were 19 in TAPP, without significant differences. The number of asynclitisms was higher in the POPP group (84%) respect to the TAPP group (75%), so as the rate of caesarean section (67% versus 52.7%). CONCLUSIONS: The labour with low dose of ropivacaine and sufentanyl does not increase the occiput posterior position during fetal descent, leading to a POPP. Finally, since in the occiput anterior presentation labour analgesia significantly lengthens time to delivery, in the occiput posterior position this is significantly increased, with a prolonged second stage of labour and reduced time of descent of fetal head in obstetric pelvis.

Learning non-technical skills in surgery.

Skills other than technical or clinical competences are also recognized as essential in surgery. Most serious adverse events in health care are related to non-technical skill (NTS) failures. This has fostered interest in teaching surgeons about NTS. Reproducible evaluation scales, inspired by management strategies in the air transportation industry have been created in health care and some have been fashioned and validated specifically for surgeons. The list of NTS varies according to authors but one usually finds the same division into two main categories: social skills (communication, teamwork, leadership) and cognitive competences (situational awareness, decision-making). Stress and fatigue affect the implementation of these skills. Simulation is an efficient manner to teach NTS. The goals and exact modalities of how to teach NTS remains to be defined.

Mortality related to anaesthesia in France: analysis of deaths related to airway complications.

Death certificates from the French national mortality database for the calendar year 1999 were reviewed to analyse cases in which airway complications had contributed to peri-operative death. Respiratory deaths (and comas) found in a previous national 1978-82 French survey (1:7960; 95% CI 1:12,700 to 1:5400) were compared with the death rate found in the present one: 1:48,200 (95% CI 1:140,000 to 1:27,500). In 1999, deaths associated with failure of the breathing circuit and equipment were no longer encountered and no death was found to be related to undetected hypoxia in the recovery unit. Deaths related to difficult intubation also occurred at a lower rate than in the previous report (1:46,000; 95% CI 1:386,000 to 1:13,000) in 1978-82 vs 1:176,000 (95% CI 1:714,000 to 1:46,000) in 1999, a fourfold reduction. In most cases, there were both inadequate practice and systems failure (inappropriate communication between staff, inadequate supervision, poor organisation). This large French survey shows that deaths associated with respiratory complications during anaesthesia have been strikingly reduced during this 15-year period.

[Human Resources for Unplanned Activities in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Consensus statements by the CNGOF, CARO, CNSF, FFRSP, SFAR, SFMP and SFN]. / Ressources humaines pour les activités non programmées en gynécologie-obstétrique. Propositions élaborées par le CNGOF, le CARO, le CNSF, la FFRSP, la SFAR, la SFMP et la SFN.

OBJECTIVE: To determine a minimum threshold of human resources (midwives, obstetricians and gynecologists, anesthesiology and intensive care units, pediatricians) to ensure the safety and quality of unplanned activities in Obstetrics and Gynecology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consultation of the MedLine database, the Cochrane Library and the recommendations of authorities. Meetings of representative members in different modes of practice (university, hospital, liberal) under the aegis of and belonging to the French College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (CNGOF), the French Society of Anesthesia and Resuscitation (SFAR), the French Society of Neonatalogy (SFN), the French Society of Perinatal Medicine (SFMP), the French College of Midwives (CNSF), the French Federation of Perinatal Care Networks (FFRSP) with elaboration of a re-read text by external experts, in particular by the members of the Boards of Directors of these authorities and of Club of Anesthesiology-Intensive Care Medicine in Obstetrics (CARO). RESULTS: Different minimum thresholds for each category of caregivers were proposed based on the number of births/year. These proposed minimum thresholds can be modulated upwards according to the types (level I, IIA, IIB or III) or the activity (existence of an emergency reception service, maternal-fetal and/or surgical activity of resort or referral). Due to peak activity and the possibility of unpredictable concomitance of urgent medical procedures, it is necessary that organizations plan to use resource persons. The occupancy rate of the target beds of a maternity ward must be 85%. CONCLUSION: These proposed minimum thresholds are intended to help caregivers providing non-scheduled perinatal as well as Obstetrics and Gynecology care to make the most of the human resources allocated to institutional bodies to ensure their safety and quality.

Cardiac troponin I release after hip surgery correlates with poor long-term cardiac outcome.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of perioperative myocardial damage detected by serial measurements of troponin I after hip surgery and its association with late cardiovascular outcome. METHODS: Troponin I was measured during the first three postoperative days in 88 consecutive patients undergoing hip surgery. Values above the 99th percentile (0.08 ng mL(-1)) were considered positive. Major cardiac events (cardiac death, myocardial infarction and cardiac failure) were recorded during hospital stay and 1 yr after surgery. RESULTS: Eleven patients (12.5%) exhibited elevated troponin I levels during hospital stay. Nine of them remained asymptomatic. During follow-up, 45% of them (5/11) suffered from a major cardiac event vs. 4% (3/76) for patients with normal postoperative troponin I levels (P = 0.0006). All-cause mortality rate was 36% (4/11) at 1 yr vs. 7% (5/71, P = 0.0131). Using multivariate Cox regression analysis adjusted for baseline data, independent factors associated with the occurrence of a cardiac event were troponin I elevation (OR=17.4-CI 95% 3.7-82) and age (OR=1.1 yr(-1)-CI 95% 1.01-1.21). Independent factors for all-cause mortality were troponin I elevation (OR=41.4-CI 95% 5.4-320.4), and age (OR=1.3 yr(-1)-CI 95% 1.1-1.4). CONCLUSION: Troponin I release is common after hip surgery and is associated with a 10-fold increased incidence of long-term major cardiac events as compared to patients with normal troponin I levels (45% vs. 4%).

[The Script Concordance Test: A multimodal teaching tool]. / Le test de concordance de script : un outil pédagogique multimodal.

In recent years, there has been a major interest in assessing learners during their medical education. The core of medical competence is the clinical reasoning that should be acquired by all medical actors. Its assessment includes the ability to integrate and apply different types of knowledge, weigh critical evidence and think about the process used to have a diagnosis. French faculties of medicine will have to include it in the training and evaluation of students during 2017. It should therefore be part of the new docimological modalities of the computerized "Épreuves Classantes Nationales" from 2020 onwards. In this article, we did a specific review of the literature concerning the theoretical foundations, methodology and use of Script Concordance Test (SCT) in the field of health. To do so, we used the PubMed, EMBASE and PsycINFO databases and selected articles in English and French language using the following keywords alone or in combination: script, concordance, script concordance test, medical studies, validity, fidelity, psychometric properties. We have found 62 articles that matched our search. Built on a well-targeted methodology, the SCT is a reliable and valid pedagogical tool. It can discriminate the levels of practice between medical students, residents and medical doctors, evaluate the progression and skills of clinical reasoning. It can be administered online, in multicentric centers, at a national or international level. There are, however, limitations that teachers must take into account.

The use of Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP) in 2007 in France.

After a more than four-fold decrease in Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP) consumption in the nineties in France, probably due to the consequences of HIV epidemics, the use of FFP is again increasing in recent years but at a slower rate. In the surgical and trauma area, recent data suggest that guidelines for the use of FFP may need to be modified. Indeed, contrary to traditional beliefs and guidelines, several studies evaluating conditions with severe hemorrhage (very often associated with coagulation abnormalities) have shown that early use of FFP may be associated with better patient outcome. This has indeed been shown in emergency major vascular surgery and in trauma patients. Although there is a trend to favor a larger use of FFP in specific circumstances (i.e., major hemorrhage), reasons to better control administration of FFP remain. Several audits have indeed shown that the rate of inappropriate FFP transfusion remains high, from 20 to almost 100% of cases. Moreover, FFP continues to be used in patients who may be better treated with other strategies. The best example is the frequently inappropriate use of FFP in bleeding patients with excess anticoagulation from vitamin K antagonists. Even recent studies have shown that prothrombin complex administration is efficient, safe and provides very rapid reversal. Many physicians continue however to administer FFP as a first line treatment with notably increasing the risk of fluid overload, delayed efficacy and increased risk of transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI).