Erector spinae plane block did not improve postoperative pain-related outcomes and recovery after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery : a randomised controlled double-blinded multi-center trial.

INTRODUCTION: There is a sizable niche for a minimally invasive analgesic technique that could facilitate ambulatory video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). Our study aimed to determine the analgesic potential of a single-shot erector spinae plane (ESP) block for VATS. The primary objective was the total hydromorphone consumption with patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) 24 h after surgery. METHODS: We conducted a randomized, controlled, double-blind study with patients scheduled for VATS in two major university-affiliated hospital centres. We randomized 52 patients into two groups: a single-shot ESP block using bupivacaine or an ESP block with normal saline (control). We administered a preoperative and postoperative (24 h) quality of recovery (QoR-15) questionnaire and assessed postoperative pain using a verbal numerical rating scale (VNRS) score. We evaluated the total standardized intraoperative fentanyl administration, total postoperative hydromorphone consumption (PCA; primary endpoint), and the incidence of adverse effects. RESULTS: There was no difference in the primary objective, hydromorphone consumption at 24 h (7.6 (4.4) mg for the Bupivacaine group versus 8.1 (4.2) mg for the Control group). Secondary objectives and incidence of adverse events were not different between the two groups at any time during the first 24 h following surgery. CONCLUSION: Our multi-centre randomized, controlled, double-blinded study found no advantage of an ESP block over placebo for VATS for opioid consumption, pain, or QoR-15 scores. Further studies are ongoing to establish the benefits of using a denser block (single-shot paravertebral with a continuous ESP block), which may provide a better quality of analgesia.

Effectiveness of an education health programme about Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus tested during travel consultations.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the level of knowledge of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) among Hajj pilgrims before and after an education health programme during international vaccine consultations in France. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was performed in the consultation for travel medicine and international vaccination in Reims University Hospital between July 2014 and October 2015. METHODS: Consecutive adults (>18 years old) who attended for pre-Hajj meningococcal vaccination were eligible to complete an anonymous questionnaire with closed answers to evaluate their level of knowledge about MERS-CoV. To evaluate the effectiveness of the information given during the consultation, the same questionnaire was completed by the Hajj pilgrim before and after the consultation, where the information about MERS-CoV was provided. RESULTS: Among 82 Hajj pilgrim adults enrolled in the study, less than 25% were aware of the routes of transmission, symptoms and preventive behaviours to adopt abroad or in case of fever. Pilgrims had a higher rate of correct responses on each question at the time they completed the second questionnaire, as compared with the first, with 11 of 13 questions answered significantly better after delivery of educational information about MERS-CoV. However, although the rate of correct answers to the questions about routes of transmission, symptoms, preventive behaviours to adopt in case of fever and time delay between return and potential MERS-CoV occurrence increased significantly after receiving the information, the rates remained below 50%. CONCLUSION: Information given during travel consultations significantly increases the general level of knowledge, but not enough to achieve epidemic control.

[Pharmaceutical analysis of medication orders in health care facilities: A France-Quebec comparison]. / Analyse pharmaceutique des prescriptions médicamenteuses en établissement de santé : comparaison France-Québec.

OBJECTIVES: The pharmaceutical analysis of drug prescriptions is one of the key steps in the drug circuit. This mandatory regulatory practice in France and Quebec is based on national standards. The main objective of this work was to compare the practical methods of pharmaceutical analysis performed in French and Quebec university hospitals. METHODS: This is a prospective comparative survey conducted in 2 French and Quebec university hospital centres among pharmacists and pharmacy residents. RESULTS: The response rate to the survey was 60% (45/75). Between 16 and 22 elements were deemed necessary to structure the centralized, decentralized or mixed pharmaceutical analysis. The chronological ranking of these elements was comparable between the French and Quebec participants. All participants were in favour of the development of initial and continuing training in pharmaceutical analysis. Finally, the majority of participants were against using individual pharmaceutical analysis performance indicators to optimize the process (82%; 37/45). CONCLUSIONS: The French-Quebec practice of prescription analysis by a ward-pharmacist complies with national standards. The main differences in the practice of pharmaceutical analysis are related to the types of organization, the tools available and the length of time pharmacists have been deployed in care units in France and Quebec.

[Selection and optimal sequence of critical elements for medication review: A simulation with hospital pharmacy residents]. / Sélection et séquence optimale des éléments critiques de validation des ordonnances : une simulation avec des résidents en pharmacie hospitalière.

OBJECTIVES: The main objective of this study was to compare the responses of pharmacy residents regarding critical steps for medication order review, in the presence or absence of clinical pharmacists on patient care units, to describe the sequence of these steps and to compare them to an optimal sequence. The secondary objectives were to test this sequence in a simulation and to assess the residents' level of agreement on medication order review. METHODS: Twenty-two validation steps were selected from guidelines. A simulation on order review was organized in three steps: selecting elements judged to be necessary or not for the order review critical path, then organizing this sequence in chronological order, implementation of this critical path on two simulated practical cases, resident perceptions about order review in their training. RESULTS: Forty-one residents participated in the activity. Responses were heterogeneous regarding the elements' sequence and the time required for the review of a simulated case (3-13minutes). A majority of residents considered that their training was insufficient (29/41), that pharmacists validated differently (27/41), and that it was impossible to review the 22 proposed items for each prescription (30/41). CONCLUSIONS: This article highlights heterogeneous medication order review practices among pharmacy residents, due to a lack of training in their curriculum according to them. It is essential to acquire medication order review standard both locally and nationally.

Chromatographic, NMR and vibrational spectroscopic investigations of astaxanthin esters: application to "Astaxanthin-rich shrimp oil" obtained from processing of Nordic shrimps.

Astaxanthin (ASTX) is a keto carotenoid, which possesses a non-polar linear central conjugated chain and polar ß-ionone rings with ketone and hydroxyl groups at the extreme ends. It is well known as a super anti-oxidant, and recent clinical studies have established its nutritional benefits. Although it occurs in several forms, including free molecule, crystalline, aggregates and various geometrical isomers, in nature it exists primarily in the form of esters. Marine animals accumulate ASTX from primary sources such as algae. Nordic shrimps (P. borealis), which are harvested widely in the Atlantic Ocean, form a major source of astaxanthin esters. "Astaxanthin-rich shrimp oil" was developed as a novel product in a shrimp processing plant in Eastern Canada. A compositional analysis of the shrimp oil was performed, with a view to possibly use it as a nutraceutical product for humans and animals. Astaxanthin-rich shrimp oil contains 50% MUFAs and 22% PUFAs, of which 20% are omega-3. In addition, the shrimp oil contains interesting amounts of EPA and DHA, with 10%/w and 8%/w, respectively. Astaxanthin concentrations varied between 400 and 1000 ppm, depending on the harvesting season of the shrimp. Astaxanthin and its esters were isolated from the oil and analysed by NMR, FTIR and Micro-Raman spectroscopy. Astaxanthin mono- and diesters were synthesized and used as standards for the analysis of astaxanthin-rich shrimp oil. NMR and vibrational spectroscopy techniques were successfully used for the rapid characterization of monoesters and diesters of astaxanthin. Raman spectroscopy provided important intermolecular interactions present in the esterified forms of astaxanthin molecules. Also discussed in this paper is the use of NMR, FTIR and Micro-Raman spectroscopy for the detection of astaxanthin esters in shrimp oil.

[Steps aimed at upgrading a pharmaceutical care sector: the case of surgery]. / Démarche pour la mise à niveau d'un secteur de soins pharmaceutiques : le cas de la chirurgie pédiatrique.

BACKGROUND: While the concept of clinical pharmacy was developed in the 1960s, clinical programs are characterized by their great variety and disparity when it comes to the presence of pharmacists in healthcare sectors. PURPOSE: This article aims to describe a method in which pharmaceutical care sectors in healthcare facilities can be upgraded. METHODS: This is a descriptive study supporting the upgrade of pharmaceutical care practiced in the surgery sector of a 500-bed mother-child university hospital center, the CHU Sainte-Justine. The pharmacy department employs more than 70 healthcare professionals. The study involved these proposed upgrading steps: firstly, a review of the literature; secondly, a description of the profile of the sector; thirdly, a description of the upgrading of pharmacist practice in surgery. RESULTS: A total of 137 articles were compiled, seven of which were selected to evaluate the impact and eight a description of the pharmacist's role in surgery. The authors did not identify any particular pharmaceutical activity based on very good quality data (A). However, there were five based on good quality data (B) and seven that lacked adequate proof (C, D) in relation to the practice of surgery. Nevertheless, a number of other authors described the development of the pharmacist's clinical role in surgery. CONCLUSION: There are few data on the impact of pharmacists in surgery. This descriptive study proposes a number of steps aimed at upgrading pharmaceutical care within a Quebec university hospital center.

The effects of gestational age on neonatal cholestasis: A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Reference guidelines for neonatal conjugated hyperbilirubinemia (cholestasis) management use a uniform approach regardless of gestational age (GA). We hypothesize that the clinical pattern of neonatal cholestasis is tightly related to GA. The aim of this study was to describe the effects of GA on neonatal cholestasis. METHODS: A retrospective 4-year cohort study in a 70-bed neonatal care unit. Neonates with conjugated bilirubin≥34.2µmol/L (2 mg/dL) were identified. The incidence, clinical characteristics, etiology, treatment, and prognosis were compared between infants <32 and≥32 weeks GA. RESULTS: Overall incidence of cholestasis was 4% (125/3402). It was >5 times higher and the mean duration was >1.5 times longer in neonates <32 weeks GA (10% versus 1.8%, p <0.01 and 49 versus 31 days, p <0.01, respectively). The onset of cholestasis was later in neonates <32 weeks (22 versus 10 days of life, p <0.001). This later onset of cholestasis was associated with parenteral nutrition, whereas the earlier onset was associated with other causes. Treatment using fish oil lipids was more frequently administrated to infants <32 weeks GA, whereas Ursodeoxycholic acid was administrated more frequently in≥32 weeks GA. Cholestasis resolved during hospitalization in 73% of <32 versus 38% in≥32 weeks GA infants (p <0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence, clinical presentation, etiology, treatment, and clinical evolution of neonatal cholestasis were all significantly affected by GA. Our results support the use of a GA-oriented approach for the management of neonatal cholestasis.

[Guidelines from the Infectious Disease Committee of the French Association of Urology and The Neuro-Urology Committee of the AFU: antibiotic prophylaxis for sacral neuromodulation]. / Recommandations de bonnes pratiques cliniques : antibioprophylaxie et neuromodulation des racines sacrées par le Comité d'infectiologie de l'Association française d'urologie (CIAFU) et le Comité de neuro-urologie de l'AFU.

INTRODUCTION: In urology, antibiotic prophylaxis is advised by the French Association of anesthesiology (SFAR) and the Infectious Disease Committee of the French Association of urology guidelines published in 2010. No guideline exists concerning the implantation of neuromodulation implants. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A literature analysis was performed on sacral modulation and antibiotic prophylaxis. Then guidelines were discussed by reviewers. Items that showed no consensus were then discussed again to arrive at recommendations. RESULTS: Antibiotic prophylaxis is recommended during the test phase as well as in the case of installation of sacral neuromodulation (Grade C). Antibiotic recommended (Grade B) are: cefotetan or cefoxitin, 2g dose by slow intravenous injection or amoxicillin-clavulanic acid at a dose of 2 g, intravenously or, in the case of allergy vancomycin at a dose of 15 mg/kg or the clindamycin has 600 mg intravenously. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the lack of high level of evidence, antibiotic prophylaxis seems necessary when setting up of electrode case of sacral neuromodulation.

Impacts of Remote Physical Exercises on Functional Status and Mobility among Community-Dwelling Pre-Disabled Seniors during the Covid-19 Lockdown.

OBJECTIVES: To assess whether remote physical exercise interventions helped maintain function in daily life, level of physical activities, basic mobility and frailty status in pre-disabled seniors during the first Covid-19 lockdown. DESIGN: This is an interventional study conducted from May 2020 to May 2021. SETTING: Community-dwelling older adults in 2 Canadian cities. PARTICIPANTS: 84 pre-disabled seniors. INTERVENTION: 12-week physical exercise programs (1 hour/ 3 times/ week) in kinesiologist-guided groups using Zoom or phone-supervised individual booklet-based home-program (n=44) vs. Control (usual life habits; n=40). MEASUREMENTS: Functional status in daily activities (OARS scale); Daily level of aerobic (TAPA-1) and strengthening/flexibility (TAPA-2) physical activities; Basic mobility abilities (SPPB: balance, lower limbs strength, walking speed; Timed Up-and-Go) and Frailty (SOF index) were assessed at baseline and at 3, 6, 9 and 12-month follow-ups. RESULTS: The participants' mean age was 78.5 ± 7.2 and 76.5 % were women. There was a group * time effect for the OARS scale (p=0.02), the TAPA-1 (p=0.06) and the TAPA-2 (p=0.007) scores. For these outcomes, scores significantly improved during the first 3 months of follow-up and then stabilised in the intervention group whereas they remained constant in the control group over time. There was an overall time effect for the SPPB (p=0.004), the 4-m walking speed (p=0.02) and for the SOF index (p=0.004), with no between-group differences. Finally, no effect was observed for the TUG. CONCLUSION: Remote home-based physical exercise interventions and monitoring during the first Covid-19 lockdown seemed to have helped maintain seniors' level of physical activities without impacting on basic mobility abilities. Further studies are needed to identify parameters of remote exercise programs that can improve daily function and mobility in this population.

Feasibility and Acceptability of Remote Physical Exercise Programs to Prevent Mobility Loss in Pre-Disabled Older Adults during Isolation Periods Such as the COVID-19 Pandemic.

This study aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of remote physical exercise (PE) to prevent mobility loss among pre-disabled older adults during the COVID-19 lockdowns. Participants followed a 12-week PE remote program in Zoom© supervised groups (Web-Ex group, n=11) or phone-supervised individual booklet-based home-program (Booklet group, n=33). The total rate of adherence was 82.5% in the Web-Ex group and 85.8% in the Booklet group. The level of satisfaction was « a lot ¼ for 60% of the participants in the Web-ex group and for 37.9% of those included in the Booklet group. Respectively 10% and 31% of the participants rated the difficulty as « low ¼ in the web-ex and Booklet groups. Remote physical exercise using a web technology or booklets at home with regular and personalized follow-up during the lockdown was feasible and acceptable among pre-disabled seniors.

[Steps aimed at upgrading a pharmaceutical care sector: the case of neonatology]. / Démarche pour la mise à niveau d'un secteur de soins pharmaceutiques : le cas de la néonatologie.

BACKGROUND: While the concept of clinical pharmacy was developed in the 1960s, clinical outpatient and inpatient programs are characterized by their great variety and disparity when it comes to the presence of pharmacists in healthcare sectors. OBJECTIVES: This article aims to describe a method in which pharmaceutical care sectors in healthcare facilities can be upgraded. METHODS: This is a descriptive study supporting the upgrade of pharmaceutical care practiced in the neonatology sector of a 500-bed mother-child university hospital center, the centre hospitalier universitaire Sainte-Justine (CHUSJ). The CHUSJ's Pharmacy Department employs more than 70 healthcare professionals. The study involved the following upgrading steps: (1) a review of the literature, (2) a description of the profile of the sector and (3) a description of the upgrading of pharmacist practice in neonatology. RESULTS: A total of 121 articles were compiled, 16 of which were selected to evaluate the impact and 54 a description of the pharmacist's role in neonatology. The authors did not identify any particular pharmaceutical activity based on very good quality data (A). However, six of them were based on good quality data (B) and eight lacked adequate proof (C, D) in relation to the practice of neonatology. Nevertheless, a number of other authors described the development of the pharmacist's clinical role in neonatology. This study described the sector profile and upgrading of pharmaceutical practice that resulted from the literature review and a subsequent discussion among pharmacists. CONCLUSION: There are few data on the impact of pharmacists in neonatology. This descriptive study proposes a number of steps aimed at upgrading pharmaceutical care within a Quebec university hospital center.

[Recommendations of the Infectious Disease Committee of the French Association of Urology (AFU): antibiotic prophylaxis for urological procedures]. / Recommandations de bonnes pratiques cliniques: l'antibioprophylaxie en chirurgie urologique, par le Comité d'infectiologie de l'association française d'urologie (CIAFU).

The French Association of anesthesiology (SFAR) has published in 1999 the Antibiotic prophylaxis guidelines. Antibiotic resistance has increased and new procedures appeared so new recommendations were needed. We present the antibiotic prophylaxis guidelines from the committee of infectious diseases of the French Association of Urology.

[Diagnosis and treatment of acute uncomplicated urethritis of men: guidelines from the French committee of infectious disease of the French association of urology (CIAFU)]. / Recommandations de bonnes pratiques cliniques : diagnostic et traitement des uréthrites aiguës non compliquées de l'homme, par le comité d'infectiologie de l'Association française d'urologie (CIAFU).

Resistance progression of the Neisseria gonorrhoeae to quinolones and the decreasing sensitivity to cephalosporin implicate to actualise the guidelines for managing urethritis. We present the guidelines from the committee of infectious diseases of the French Association of Urology to manage acute urethritis.

Bivalve δ15N isoscapes provide a baseline for urban nitrogen footprint at the edge of a World Heritage coral reef.

Eutrophication is a major threat to world's coral reefs. Here, we mapped the distribution of the anthropogenic nitrogen footprint around Nouméa, a coastal city surrounded by 15,743 km2 of UNESCO listed reefs. We measured the δ15N signature of 348 long-lived benthic bivalves from 12 species at 27 sites and interpolated these to generate a δ15N isoscape. We evaluated the influence of water residence times on nitrogen enrichment and predicted an eutrophication risk at the UNESCO core area. Nitrogen isoscapes revealed a strong spatial gradient (4.3 to 11.7‰) from the outer lagoon to three highly exposed bays of Nouméa. Several protected reefs would benefit from an improved management of wastewater outputs, while one bay in the UNESCO core area may suffer a high eutrophication risk in the future. Our study reinforces the usefulness of using benthic animals to characterize the anthropogenic N-footprint and provide a necessary baseline for both ecologists and policy makers.

[Increase rate of ambulatory and management of the care path in breast cancer surgery]. / Augmentation du taux de prise en charge ambulatoire et organisation du parcours de soins en chirurgie sénologique.

OBJECTIVE: To describe practices and impact of ambulatory surgery rate, patient satisfaction after Nursing Support and Post Ambulatory Follow-up Device at Home at the Henri Becquerel Center (DIASPAD CHB) has been set up during surgical management in breast cancer. METHOD: This is a prospective monocentric observational study carried out between January 2017 and December 2018. Patients eligible for the study should undergone breast cancer surgery without reconstruction. Outpatient care was possible if patients met medical, surgical, psychosocial and environmental criteria according to the characteristics of the foreseeable operating suites. We evaluated the progression of the ambulatory hospitalization rate since the DIASPAD CHB beginning and compared the use of this device in conventional and ambulatory hospitalization. RESULTS: Since January 2017, 1312 patients undergone breast cancer surgery without reconstruction. After DIASPAD CHB implementation, ambulatory surgery rate increased from 46 % to 81.7 % for patients operated for breast cancer. The satisfaction rate of patients and nurses was 99 %. CONCLUSION: DIASPAD CHB enabled ambulatory care to take a important share in surgical care in breast cancer by ensuring collaboration between healthcare professionals, anticipation, programming and coordination of care.

Nutritional status and dietary adequacy in rural communities of a protected area in Gabon.

OBJECTIVE: As part of a larger study designed to understand how to protect the food and nutrition security of individuals living in a protected area of Gabon, we assessed their nutritional status and its relationship to dietary adequacy and health status. DESIGN: A 7 d food consumption survey was conducted during each of the two major seasons using a weighing method. Data were also collected on weight, height and health of individuals as well as on sociodemographic characteristics and potential determinants of the nutrition situation. SETTING: Four rural communities were intentionally selected to represent both inland and coastal settings and access to food markets. SUBJECTS: Approximately 500 individuals representing over 90% of the population of these communities participated in the survey during each season. RESULTS: Undernutrition was present in the area, particularly among children <5 years of age and the elderly. Health was generally good and under-fives were most frequently ill. Energy, Fe and vitamin A requirements of individuals were generally not satisfied; the opposite was true for protein. The estimated prevalence of inadequate intakes of energy and vitamin A was very high in most age groups. Global nutrient adequacy was associated with nutritional outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals do not eat enough and breast-feeding practices are poor. Many suffer from undernutrition, particularly young children and the elderly. The results confirm the need to investigate the determinants of this poor nutrition situation to ensure that protection of natural resources will not be associated with harm to the well-being of the population.

Congenital dyserythropoietic anaemia, type I, in a Caucasian patient with retinal angioid streaks (homozygous Arg1042Trp mutation in codanin-1).

A congenital dyserythropoietic anaemia (CDA) was recognised in a French Caucasian male patient. Blood smears showed a pronounced aniso-poikilocytosis. Bone marrow light microscopy showed signs of dyserythropoesis, but no internuclear chromatin bridges. Electron microscopy disclosed erythroblast nuclei with the Swiss cheese aspect and the presence of cytoplasmic organelles, assessing the diagnosis of CDA I. The presence of internuclear chromatin bridges may thus be missing in CDA I. The patient proved to be homozygous for the Arg1042Trp mutation in codanin-1 (the 'Bedouin mutation'). By the age of 25, the patient's vision started to deteriorate as a result of retinal angioid streaks and macular abnormalities. Evolution was controlled and the patient, being nearly 50 yr old now, still has a partial use of his eyes. This second case of retinal angioid streaks reported in CDA I adds to the non-haematological features likely to be associated with this condition.

[Conservative placenta percreta management using uterine arterial embolization procedure: A series of 12 cases]. / Prise en charge conservatrice du placenta percreta vésical avec embolisation des artères utérines : à partir d'une série continue de 12 cas.

We report a retrospective series of 12 placentas percreta with bladder invasion and for which an expected initially multidisciplinary conservative surgical treatment associated with uterine artery embolization was programmed. Conservative surgical treatment was only performed in 7 women. Radical surgical treatment was necessary during the caesarean section and complicated by massive hemorrhage in three women and secondary in two other women for infectious diseases. Radical surgical treatment was associated with partial cystectomy complicated with urinary disorder sequelae in three women. Maternal morbidity of the placenta percreta bladder remains high despite the establishment of a multidisciplinary care protocol.

Indicators for choosing an optimal mix of major working postures.

North American workers usually stand while working, and prolonged standing is associated with discomfort and cardiovascular problems. Since prolonged sitting is also associated with health problems, and standing postures differ as to mobility and access to seating, it is desirable to identify an optimal mix of postures. As a step towards this identification, it is desirable to develop indicators of potential health effects that respond to changes in work requirements. We observed 65 subjects who usually stood at work, in four types of workplaces. Pressure-pain threshold (PPT) recorded on the plantar surface was used as an indicator of discomfort and arterial blood pressure was used as an indicator of cardiovascular effects. PPT after work was significantly lower than that before work. Sitting for even a small part of the day appeared to be protective. The effects of static vs. dynamic work on PPT and arterial blood pressure may differ.

[Elective single embryo transfer: a justified policy for selected patients]. / Transfert électif d'un seul embryon: une option justifiée pour une population de patientes sélectionnées.

OBJECTIVE: Prevention of twin pregnancies using elective Single Embryo Transfer (e-SET) is now considered by many Assisted Reproductive Techniques teams as a necessity. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of e-SET in a prospective manner in a selective population of patients using Take Home Baby Rate per couple as principal parameter. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective study was conducted from January 2003 to December 2004. Elective Single Embryo was proposed to women above 37 years in their first IVF or ICSI attempt. It was then performed only in cases when at least one embryo with high implantation potential (score-4 embryo in our embryo scoring) was obtained for transfer and one more (score-3 or score-4 embryo) was available for freezing. RESULTS: e-SET was proposed and accepted in 225 couples (25% of eligible couples and 7.8% of total population) and was possible in 96 of these). Two embryos were transferred in all other eligible patients (Double Embryo Transfer group=DET). Cumulative delivery rate after fresh embryo transfers and, if necessary, after frozen-thawed embryo transfers were 39.5% per couple e-SET group and 41.7% in DET group (NS). On the other hand, the percentage of twin pregnancies was significantly different between the two groups (2.6% vs 26.6% respectively; P<0.01). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: In women younger than 37 years in their first IVF/ICSI attempt, the elective transfer of only one embryo with high implantation potential strongly allowed to avoid twin pregnancies without any significant delivery rate decrease. This transfer policy is particularly efficient in laboratories displaying good results in their embryo freezing program.