Blue Dye Embolization of Renal Tumor: A New Technique to Improve Tumor Localization During Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy.

Purpose: To improve the tumor localization during laparoscopic surgery, we describe an innovative technique involving superselective intra-arterial injection of blue dye in tumoral vessels to color the tumor before surgical enucleation. Materials and Methods: The dye injection was performed at the same time as superselective embolization, immediately before laparoscopic surgery in a hybrid operating room. We used this new treatment sequence on 50 consecutive patients. Results: The selective intra-arterial injection of an emulsion of blue dye and lipiodol was feasible in 46 (92%) cases and well tolerated, followed by superselective embolization of the tumor vessels with glue or coils. The tumor was easily localized during surgery due to the blue coloration. Tumor coloration was not associated with postoperative complication, especially allergic reaction or renal failure. Pathologic analysis of the tumor was not modified by the coloration and all tumors had negative surgical margins. Conclusions: The preoperative dye localization is a feasible, safe, and accurate procedure. This combined approach reduces the difficulty of surgery and increases patient safety.

Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy following tumor embolization in a hybrid room. Feasibility and clinical outcomes.

PURPOSE: In order to limit ischemia and operative bleeding during and after partial nephrectomy we developed a clampless laparoscopic technique, in a hybrid operating room, immediately after super-selective arterial embolization of the renal tumor. We evaluated feasibility and morbidity of this new approach of zero ischemia in partial nephrectomy. METHODS: We included prospectively 50 consecutive patients treated in a hybrid operating room by this new technique for a localized renal tumor in a university hospital between May 2015 and January 2017. We evaluated perioperative data, postoperative complications, surgical margin and modification of renal function one month after surgery. Renal tumor complexity was evaluated by the R.E.N.A.L. score. RESULTS: We included 30 (60%) men and 20 (40%) women with a median age of 61 years (32-84) and a median BMI of 26.85 kg/m2 (20.1-46.4). Tumors were at low, median and high complexity in respectively 11 (22%), 32 (64%) and 7 (14%) cases. Median endovascular and surgical procedures durations were 43 min (16-120) and 80 min (32-150). Median blood loss was 100 mL (10-850). Two Clavien II complications occurred. Median length of hospital stay was 3 days (2-7). Renal function was not modified one month after partial nephrectomy. Median tumor size was 3 cm (1.2-8). Forty tumors (80%) were malignant and surgical margins were positive in one (2%). CONCLUSIONS: Clampless laparoscopic partial nephrectomy in a hybrid operating room without pedicular dissection after previous tumoral embolization is a technically safe and carcinologically efficient mini-invasive alternative for the management of localized renal tumors.

Sedative premedication before surgery--A multicentre randomized study versus placebo.

OBJECTIVE: Anxiolytic premedication before non-ambulatory surgery in adult patients may have become of less importance in an era of better preoperative patient information. Moreover, an oral hypnotic given the night before surgery may be as efficient as an anxiolytic for relieving patient anxiety. These two strategies were compared for superiority to a placebo and to each other for non-inferiority. STUDY DESIGN: Double-blind, randomized, multicentre study versus placebo. Eight hospitals in France. June 2011 to February 2013. PATIENTS: Non-ambulatory consecutive surgical patients undergoing general surgery. METHODS AND INTERVENTIONS: Patients received either zopiclone 7.5mg the night before surgery (n=204), or alprazolam 0.5mg the morning of surgery (n=206) and controls received placebo (n=68). Demographic data, preoperative anxiety, fear of surgery and anaesthesia, and mood were assessed the day before surgery using a visual analogue scale, the Spielberger scale and the APAIS scale. In the operating room, anxiety and comfort were assessed in addition to physiological data. RESULTS: Preoperative data did not differ between groups. In the operating room, anxiety and comfort were moderate and did not differ significantly between groups on a 1-10 scale (median [25-75 percentile]): zopiclone: 2 [1-4] and 2.5 [1-5]; alprazolam: 2 [1,4] and 2 [1-5]; placebo: 3 [1-5] and 3 [1-5]. The patients who were more anxious preoperatively remained so in the operating room, irrespective of the treatment received (r=0.31, p<0.001). A placebo effect was observed in 38% of patients in the corresponding group. Patients receiving zopiclone reported a significantly better sleep the night before surgery compared to other groups (median: 2 vs. 1, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Premedication in non-ambulatory surgery is no more effective than a placebo, owing to the very moderate level of anxiety experienced by patients.

Early lung ultrasonography predicts the occurrence of acute respiratory distress syndrome in blunt trauma patients.

PURPOSE: Extent of lung contusion on initial computed tomography (CT) scan predicts the occurrence of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in blunt chest trauma patients. We hypothesized that lung ultrasonography (LUS) on admission could also predict subsequent ARDS. METHODS: Forty-five blunt trauma patients were prospectively studied. Clinical examination, chest radiography, and LUS were performed on arrival at the emergency room. Lung contusion extent was quantified using a LUS score and compared to CT scan measurements. The ability of the LUS score to predict ARDS was tested using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC-ROC). The diagnostic accuracy of LUS was compared to that of combined clinical examination and chest radiography for pneumothorax, lung contusion, and hemothorax, with thoracic CT scan as reference. RESULTS: Lung contusion extent assessed by LUS on admission was predictive of the occurrence of ARDS within 72 h (AUC-ROC = 0.78 [95 % CI 0.64-0.92]). The extent of lung contusion on LUS correlated well with CT scan measurements (Spearman's coefficient = 0.82). A LUS score of 6 out of 16 was the best threshold to predict ARDS, with a 58 % [95 % CI 36-77] sensitivity and a 96 % [95 % CI 76-100] specificity. The diagnostic accuracy of LUS was higher than that of combined clinical examination and chest radiography: (AUC-ROC) 0.81 [95 % CI 0.50-1.00] vs. 0.74 [0.48-1.00] (p = 0.24) for pneumothorax, 0.88 [0.76-1.00] vs. 0.69 [0.47-0.92] (p < 0.05) for lung contusion, and 0.84 [0.59-1.00] vs. 0.73 [0.51-0.94] (p < 0.05) for hemothorax. CONCLUSIONS: LUS on admission identifies patients at risk of developing ARDS after blunt trauma. In addition, LUS allows rapid and accurate diagnosis of common traumatic thoracic injuries.

Automated titration of propofol and remifentanil decreases the anesthesiologist's workload during vascular or thoracic surgery: a randomized prospective study.

Closed loop target-control infusion systems using a Bispectral (BIS) signal as an input (TCI Loop) can automatically maintain intravenous anesthesia in a BIS range of 40-60 %. Our purpose was to assess to what extent such a system could decrease anesthesia workload in comparison to the use of a stand alone TCI system manually adjusted to fit the same BIS range of 40-60 % (TCI Manual). Patients scheduled for elective vascular or thoracic surgery were randomized to the TCI Loop or TCI Manual method for administering propofol and remifentanil during both induction and maintenance of general anesthesia. Assessment of workload was performed by an independent observer who quoted each time the physician looked at the BIS monitor. The number of propofol and remifentanil target modifications, the percentage of time of adequate anesthesia i.e. BIS in the range 40-60 and hemodynamic data were recorded. Eighteen patients per group were enrolled. Characteristics, duration of surgery and propofol-remifentanil consumption were similar between groups. However, the percentage of time in the BIS range 40-60 % was higher in the TCI Loop versus TCI Manual groups (94 % ± 12 vs. 74 % ± 19, p < 0.001). Mean arterial pressure was lower with TCI Manual (78 ± 6 vs. 88 ± 13 mmHg, p < 0.001). The number of times the anesthesiologist watched the controller or BIS monitor (p < 0.05) and the number of manual adjustments (p < 0.001) performed in each group was lower with TCI Loop group during induction and maintenance of anesthesia. An automated controller strikingly frees the anesthesiologist from manual intervention to adjust drug delivery.

Changes in R-Wave amplitude in DII lead is less sensitive than pulse pressure variation to detect changes in stroke volume after fluid challenge in ICU patients postoperatively to cardiac surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The amplitude of R-wave in DII lead (RDII) has been shown to correlate to central blood volume in animal and healthy volunteers. The aim of this study was to assess if change in RDII (DeltaRDII) after passive leg rise (PLR) and fluid loading would allow detecting preload dependence in intensive care ventilated patients. This parameter was compared to concomitant changes in pulse arterial pressure (DeltaPP). METHODS: Observational study in 40 stable sedated and ventilated cardiac surgery patients studied postoperatively. In line with our routine practice we performed a 45 degrees passive leg rise (PLR1) to detect preload dependence. If cardiac index or DeltaPP rose more than 12 and 13%, respectively, the patient was declared as non-responder (NR) to fluid loading. If these criteria were not met, they were declared as responders (R) and received a 500 ml of gelatin fluid loading (FL) followed by a second passive leg rise (PLR2). Hemodynamic parameters were assessed during each maneuver using their indwelling Swan-Ganz and radial catheter. RESULTS: We identified 16 R and 24 NR whose hemodynamic parameters did not differ at basal condition, except DeltaPP (19% +/- 7 in R vs. 7% +/- 4 in NR, P < 0.001). PLR1 did not elicit any hemodynamic change in NR. In R, DeltaPP decreased and SV rose, both significantly (P < 0.001) whereas DeltaRDII did not vary. FL induced a more pronounced change in these parameters. CONCLUSIONS: DeltaRDII in response to PLR does not successfully help identifying preload dependent patients contrarily to DeltaPP or change in stroke volume.

Adverse events with medical devices in anesthesia and intensive care unit patients recorded in the French safety database in 2005-2006.

BACKGROUND: French regulations require that adverse events involving medical devices be reported to the national healthcare safety agency. The authors evaluated reports made in 2005-2006 for patients in anesthesiology and critical care. METHODS: For each type of device, the authors recorded the severity and cause of the event and the manufacturer's response where relevant. The authors compared the results with those obtained previously from the reports (n = 1,004) sent in 1998 to the same database. RESULTS: The authors identified 4,188 events, of which 91% were minor, 7% severe, and 2% fatal. The cause was available for 1,935 events (46%). Faulty manufacturing was the main cause of minor events. Inappropriate use was the cause in a significantly larger proportion of severe events than minor events (P < 0.001) and was usually considered preventable via improved knowledge or device verification before use. Compared to with that in 1998, the annual number of reported events doubled and the rate of severe events decreased slightly (12-10%, P = 0.03). The rate of events related to manufacturing problems remained stable (59-60%, P = nonsignificant), and the rate of events caused by human errors was 32-42% (P = 0.01). There were no changes in the mortality rate (2% in both studies). CONCLUSIONS: The number of adverse events related to medical devices indicates a need for greater attention to these complex pieces of equipment that can suffer from faulty design and manufacturing and from inappropriate use. Improvements in clinician knowledge of medical devices, and to a lesser extent improvement in manufacturing practices, should improve safety.

AnaConDa reflection filter: bench and patient evaluation of safety and volatile anesthetic conservation.

BACKGROUND: The AnaConDa filter permits administration of volatile anesthetic without the use of an anesthesia machine. It is intended for use in the intensive care unit. METHODS: We studied the AnaConDa reflection filter on the bench and in anesthetized patients. The bench analysis used a test lung, a gas analyzer, an intensive care ventilator, the AnaConDa filter, and a syringe pump. We studied a range of tidal volume, respiratory rate, and positive end-expiratory pressure values. We simulated errors during syringe refilling and patient transportation. In 15 anesthetized patients, we used the AnaConDa with constant ventilation variables, a constant sevoflurane infusion rate (4-5 mL/h), and two consecutive fresh gas flow levels. RESULTS: In the bench study, the expired volatile anesthetic fraction decreased linearly with respiratory frequency at constant minute ventilation, and decreased markedly in a hyperbolical manner when tidal volume increased at a constant respiratory rate. Changing the positive end-expiratory pressure level and inspiration/expiration ratio did not modify the AnaConDa's performance. Several safety failures were observed: refilling caused a transient change in AnaConDa output because of a pumping effect, and a standard Luer lock made it possible to connect the halogenate syringe on an IV infusion line. In anesthetized patients, reducing fresh gas flow from 8 to 1 L/min led to a median 40% increase in the expired volatile anesthetic fraction. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that the device is generally reliable, but that there are several conditions under which it might deliver more anesthetic than intended.