Intravenous ketoprofen in thyroid and parathyroid surgery.

UNLABELLED: We compared the ketoprofen-propacetamol combination relative to propacetamol alone in thyroid and parathyroid surgery in terms of postoperative analgesic efficacy, bleeding, and incidence of nausea and vomiting to determine whether ketoprofen results in any benefit in this type of surgery. Patients were distributed in two parallel groups to be managed by anesthesiologists habitually prescribing (Ketoprofen group) or not prescribing (Control group) ketoprofen in this situation. The same anesthetic technique was used for all patients. Postoperative analgesia consisted of 2 g of propacetamol every 6 h and morphine boluses if the pain score measured by the numerical rating scale pain exceeded 40 (3 mg IV every 10 min in the recovery room, then 5 mg SC every 4 h in the ward). The Ketoprofen group received 100 mg of ketoprofen IV during surgery (starting on resection of specimen) and 8 h later. In the recovery room, patients received oxygen if the SpO(2) while they were breathing room air was < 95% on admission and at 1 and 2 h. Pain scores, opioid consumption, the volume of the cervical draining fluid, and the concentration and mass of hemoglobin in this fluid collected over 24 h were recorded. The 214 patients were distributed into two groups (n = 107 in each group) that were comparable in terms of age, weight, sex, duration of surgery, type of endocrinopathy, surgeon involvement, and the intraoperative dose of sufentanil (P > 0.2). The Ketoprofen group had lower numerical rating scale (P < 0.05), received less morphine during the first 24 h after surgery (7.4 +/- 5 vs 11.7 +/- 6 mg, P < 0.05), had fewer nausea and vomiting episodes (21 vs 38, P < 0.05), and were less likely to require oxygen breathing after 1 h in the recovery room (33 vs 59 patients, P < 0.05). The two groups had the same 24-h volume of cervical draining fluid (72.5 +/- 43 vs 70 +/- 42 mL, P > 0.2) and the same concentration (5.9 +/- 3.4 vs 6.4 +/- 2.8 g per 100 mL, P > 0.1) and mass of hemoglobin (3.9 +/- 2.8 vs 4.2 +/- 2.5 g, P > 0.2) in this collected fluid. Two cervical hematomas necessitating reintervention occurred in the Control group, compared with none in the Ketoprofen group. Ketoprofen reduces the pain score after thyroid and parathyroid surgery, as well as morphine requirements and related adverse effects, without increasing the risk of cervical bleeding. IMPLICATIONS: In a prospective open study, ketoprofen reduced the pain score after thyroid and parathyroid surgery, as well as morphine requirements and related adverse effects, without increasing the risk of cervical bleeding.

Release of neuropeptide Y and hemodynamic changes during surgical removal of human pheochromocytomas.

This study investigates the release of Neuropeptide Y from eight human pheochromocytomas. Profil immunoreactive Neuropeptide Y (Ir-NPY) levels during the management of surgery were compared with these of norepinephrine (NE) while hemodynamics were monitored. Plasma IrNPY and NE levels increased during tumor manipulation and returned to near normal one hour after operation. However, Ir-NPY levels remained high just after tumor resection while NE levels were significantly decreased. At tumor manipulation and just after tumor resection, plasma Ir-NPY levels were correlated with the systemic vascular resistances (SVR) (r = 0.74; P<0.04 and r = 0.86; P<0.006 respectively). No correlation was found either between plasma Ir-NPY and NE levels or between plasma NE levels and SVR. The release of Ir-NPY from tumor tissue, studied by a superfusion method, exhibited a significant correlation with the plasma Ir-NPY concentrations at the time of corresponding tumor resection (r = 0.95; P<0.007). Chromatographic analysis showed that Ir-NPY in plasma and outflow migrate as human NPY (1-36). These results confirmed that in pheochromocytoma, plasma NPY mainly originates from the tumor and argue for an important role of NPY in pheochromocytoma hypertension as indicated by the correlation between the Ir-NPY levels and the SVR.

Diagnosis of venous access port-related infections.

The accumulation of infected clots under the silicone septum of the reservoir of venous access ports (VAPs) has been reported. We analyzed the relationship between these deposits and the occurrence of VAP-related bloodstream infections (VAP-BSIs) by (1) evaluating the accuracy of paired quantitative blood cultures for diagnosing VAP-BSI before the removal of the device and (2) assessing the accuracy of cultures of the tip and septum (i.e., the internal lumen of the VAP) for diagnosing VAP-BSI after removal of the device. Over a 16-month period, all VAPs removed were prospectively investigated. Before VAP removal, paired quantitative blood cultures were 77% sensitive and 100% specific and had a positive predictive value of 100% and a negative predictive value of 98% for diagnosing VAP-BSI. After VAP removal, tip culture was only 46% sensitive, whereas septum culture was 93.3% sensitive for confirming the diagnosis of VAP-BSI. Thus infected deposits that accumulate under the VAP septum are the source of VAP-BSI.

[Laryngeal mask and reduction of nasal bone fractures]. / Masque laryngé et réduction des fractures des os propres du nez.

A retrospective study was conducted in 116 patients who underwent anesthesia for reduction of nasal fracture under laryngeal mask for ventilation and protection of the airways. One patient had secondary intubation due to difficult insertion of the laryngeal mask. No episode of hypoxemia related to blood inhalation occurred. The laryngeal mask may be proposed to maintain the airway in this surgical procedure.

Renal hemodynamic and functional effect of PEEP ventilation in human renal transplantations.

Increased intrathoracic pressure with positive pressure breathing (PPB) induces renal hypoperfusion and excretion function impairment the mechanism of which may be partially related to reflex sympathetic nerve activation. The consequences of renal denervation on PPB-induced renal impairment are unknown. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of increasing intrathoracic pressure with positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) on renal blood flow (RBF, pulsed Doppler implantable microprobes) and function in 12 kidney transplantation recipients during the immediate post-transplantation period. Three sets of measurements were performed during successively zero end-expiratory pressure (ZEEP), 15 cm H2O PEEP, and back to ZEEP. PEEP ventilation was associated with mean arterial pressure (MAP) and cardiac output (CO) decrease (-12%, p < 0.01; -26%, p < 0.01, respectively). RBF remained constant in the three protocol conditions. PEEP ventilation was associated with a decrease in urinary output (8.5 +/- 5.6 versus 12.9 +/- 8.6 ml/min; p < 0.01), urinary sodium concentration (115 +/- 14 versus 121 +/- 12 mmol/L; p < 0.01) sodium excretion rate (1 +/- 0.7 versus 1.6 +/- 1.1 mmol/min; p < 0.01), and creatinine clearance (17.1 +/- 10 versus 23.2 +/- 13.6 ml/min; p < 0.01). PEEP-induced urinary output decrease was correlated to renal perfusion pressure decrease (r = 0.7, p = 0.016). These results suggest that despite denervation and renal blood flow stability, renal handling of water and salt is perfusion pressure-dependent during PEEP in human renal allograft recipients.

[Postoperative blindness after buccal tumorectomy and bilateral radical neck dissection]. / Cécité postopératoire après tumorectomie buccale et curage cervical bilatéral.

A case of bilateral blindness in a 47-year-old patient after buccal tumorectomy and bilateral neck dissection is reported. The diagnosis of posterior optic ischaemia was substantiated by the features of blindness and the negativity of cerebral CT-scanography and NMR imaging. The respective roles of atherosclerosis, arterial hypotension, acute anaemia and increased intracranial pressure are discussed. Preventive measures include a strict control of blood pressure, blood loss and head position.

Negative catheter-tip culture and diagnosis of catheter-related bacteremia.

The accuracy of paired quantitative blood cultures (PQtBCs) collected in pediatric Isolator 1.5-ml tubes compared to central venous catheter (CVC) segment cultures (hub and tip) to diagnose catheter-related bacteremia (CRB) was evaluated in 58 bacteremic adult patients. The second aim of this study was to state precisely whether the tip or the hub (or both) of the infected device was the source of the bacteremia in case of significant results of PQtBC. Fifty-eight bacteremic patients with suspected CRB entered the study. In 52 patients, the diagnosis was obtained before CVC removal by PQtBC and was confirmed by CVC segment cultures: CRB in 30 patients, non-catheter-related bacteremia in 22 patients. Six patients had CRB not found by PQtBC. 1) PQtBC is 83% sensitive, 100% specific (negative predictive values 78%, positive predictive values 100%). 2) Sixteen bacteremic patients had authentic hub-related bacteremia (positive hub culture associated with negative tip cultures). When CRB is suspected in bacteremic patients, a negative tip culture cannot exclude the diagnosis of CRB. In all cases, CVC tip culture must be associated either with PQtBC or with hub cultures.

Pharmacodynamic behaviour of vecuronium in primary hyperparathyroidism.

This study evaluated the potency and time course of action of vecuronium in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (HPT) and marked hypercalcaemia during nitrous oxide-opioid anaesthesia. Twenty ASA physical status I and II patients were studied by measuring the force of contraction of the adductor pollicis in response to stimulation of the ulnar nerve: ten control patients and ten patients with HPT and ionized calcium concentration over 2.80 mEq.L-1. After induction of anaesthesia with thiopentone and maintenance with N2O/O2 and fentanyl, vecuronium was administered to determine cumulative dose-response curves. When maximum block had been obtained, twitch height was maintained at 10% of baseline value over 20 min by adjusting the infusion rate of a syringe-pump containing vecuronium and vecuronium plasma concentration (EC90ss) was determined. During spontaneous recovery, after termination of infusion, the recovery index, the time from 25 to 75% recovery, was measured. The dose to produce 90% block was greater in the HPT than in control group: 69 (24) vs 54 (18) micrograms.kg-1 (P < 0.02). The calculated ED50 was also greater in HPT: 42 (4) vs 31 (5) micrograms.kg-1 in controls (P < 0.001). (Values are given as mean and coefficient of variation). The slope of the dose-response curve, the dose necessary to maintain 90% block, and the EC90ss did not differ. The RI25-75 was slower in the HPT group although the difference did not reach statistical significance. It is concluded that hyperparathyroidism with hypercalcaemia increases vecuronium requirement; only during the onset of neuromuscular blockade.

Decreased mesenteric blood flow supplying retrosternal esophageal ileocoloplastic grafts during positive-pressure breathing.

Esophageal replacement after esophagogastric injury caused by ingestion of lye may require the interposition of a retrosternal ileocolic graft. In this new anatomic situation, the mesenteric circulation supplying the graft is subjected to the intrathoracic pressure surrounding the graft. Thus, mesenteric blood flow supplying the graft may be impaired when intrathoracic pressure is increased during mechanical ventilation. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of increasing intrathoracic pressure by application of a positive end-expiratory pressure on mesenteric blood flow supplying esophageal ileocolic grafts. Eight cases were studied in the immediate postoperative period. Miniaturized implantable Doppler microprobes were sutured to the single artery supplying the graft and connected to an 8 MHz pulsed Doppler flowmeter. Two sets of measurements were successively performed with zero end-expiratory pressure ventilation and after application of a 15 cm water positive end-expiratory pressure. Positive end-expiratory pressure induces mean arterial pressure (-12%); p < 0.05) and cardiac output (-17%; p < 0.05) decrease. Mesenteric blood flow also decreases (-38%; p < 0.05) as did the mesenteric blood flow/cardiac output ratio, suggesting a potential mesenteric vasoconstriction assessed by mesenteric vascular resistance increase and mesenteric diastolic blood flow velocity decrease. These results suggest that, in the particular anatomic situation of the graft, increased intrathoracic pressure induces mesenteric blood flow decrease in relation to systemic hemodynamic alterations associated with perivisceral pressure increase. This change may be deleterious to graft perfusion.

[Efficacy and tolerance of Fraxiparine in the prevention of deep vein thrombosis in general surgery performed with medullar conduction anesthesia]. / Efficacité et tolérance de la Fraxiparine dans la prévention des thromboses veineuses profondes en chirurgie générale sous anesthésie médullaire.

From 1989 to 1991, 480 patients undergoing general surgery under epidural anaesthesia were included in a multicentre, comparative, randomized, open-study designed to assess whether calcium nadroparin (Fraxiparine), one daily subcutaneous injection of 0.3 mL, i.e. 3,075 anti Xa IU per day, is more efficiency and better tolerated than a non-fragmented standard heparin (Calciparine), one subcutaneous injection of 0.2 mL t.i.d. 15,000 IU per day, for the prevention of postoperative deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The 480 patients, treated in 78 centres, were randomized in two groups (Fraxiparine, n = 241; Calciparine, n = 239). In both groups, treatment was started two hours after the end of the surgical procedure. Hernia repair and prostatic surgery accounted for 60% of operations. Thromboembolic events were detected by clinical examination performed at regular time intervals and by a systematic exam (doppler and rheoplethysmography or ultrasonogram) at the end of the treatment. Both agents demonstrated a similar efficiency. There was only one case of DVT, confirmed by phlebography in the Fraxiparine group. Tolerance was good in both groups. The proportion of patients requiring a transfusion was low (3% in each group). Hematuria was relatively frequent (33% in the Fraxiparine group and 28% in the Calciparine group), however these rates were related to prostatic and urinary incontinence surgery. This study, including a wide series of patients undergoing general surgery under epidural anaesthesia, demonstrates that efficiency and tolerance of one daily injection of Fraxiparine are similar to those of three daily injections of Calciparine. It it concluded that Fraxiparine improves of the patient's comfort and decreases the nursing work load.

Successful treatment of vasospastic acute ischaemia with intra-arterial nicardipine.

Accidental intra-arterial injection of a colouring agent (Bonney's blue) in a 28-year-old male patient induced acute ischaemia of the lower limb, resistant to standard therapy. Its successful treatment was finally obtained by intra-arterial infusion of nicardipine.

Usefulness of perioperative pulsed Doppler flowmetry in predicting postoperative local ischemic complications after ileocolic esophagoplasty.

Regional ischemia may induce cervical anastomosis leakage or stenosis or graft necrosis after esophageal reconstruction by retrosternal interposition of an ileocolic graft. These complications may be related to systemic or local hemodynamic alterations. This study was designed to evaluate the relationship between immediate postoperative arterial blood supply to the graft, arterial patency monitored by angiography, and clinical outcome. Eight patients (mean age 30 +/- 4 years; standard deviation) were studied. Miniaturized Doppler implantable microprobes were sutured to the single artery supplying the graft and connected to an 8 MHz pulsed Doppler flowmeter. Systemic hemodynamic parameters and mesenteric hemodynamic data were collected 3 hours after the end of the surgical procedure. These data were compared with the angiogram of the right superior colic artery supplying the graft, systematically performed on the fifteenth postoperative day, and with the clinical course of follow-up for 3 months. Five patients (group 1) had excellent clinical and angiographic results. Mean mesenteric blood flow in these patients was 51 +/- 49 ml.min-1 (+/- standard deviation, ranging from 9 to 122). Three patients (group 2) had a poor clinical outcome. One had early complete graft necrosis and the two others had leakage of the cervical anastomosis with poor distal arterial vascularization of the graft on the angiogram. Mean mesenteric blood flow was nul in the first patient and, respectively, 24 and 28 ml.min-1 in the two others. Cardiac output and mean arterial pressure were in the same range for all patients. Phasic velocity shape analysis revealed that the three group 2 patients had an end-systolic or end-diastolic reverse flow pattern that was not observed in the five group 1 patients, which suggested a submaximal increase in downstream vascular resistance. This reverse flow pattern seems to be a good predictor of ischemia-related complications. We conclude that perioperative pulsed Doppler blood flow monitoring in an ileocolic graft may be useful for the diagnosis and prevention of ischemic complications.

Isoflurane, and not halothane, increases mesenteric blood flow supplying esophageal ileocoloplasty.

Regional ischemia may induce anastomotic leakage or stenosis after esophageal reconstruction using retrosternal interposition of an ileocolic graft. These complications may be related to systemic or local hemodynamic alterations. This study was designed to evaluate the influence of inhalational anesthetic agents on the intestinal circulation supplying these ileocolic grafts. Seven patients (age 30 +/- 5 yr, mean +/- standard deviation [SD]) were studied in the immediate postlaparotomy period. Miniaturized Doppler implantable microprobes were sutured to the single artery supplying the graft and connected to an 8-MHz pulsed Doppler flowmeter. Continuous fentanyl infusion (300 micrograms.h-1) was maintained throughout the study. Measurements were performed at the end of four 30-min periods, which were, successively: first control; isoflurane or halothane anesthesia; second control; and isoflurane or halothane anesthesia. Isoflurane and halothane were administered in cross sequence with end-tidal concentration of 0.8% and 0.5%, respectively, to induce equipotent anesthesia. Both anesthetics induced similar decreases in mean systemic arterial pressure (MAP), cardiac output (CO), and systemic vascular resistance. During isoflurane, mean mesenteric blood flow (MBFm) supplying the graft was increased (+38%; P less than 0.05), and the mesenteric vascular resistance index (MVRI; -44%; P less than 0.05) was decreased, leading to an increase in the MBFm/CO ratio (P less than 0.05). Halothane changed neither the MBFm nor the MBFm/CO ratio, despite a mild decrease in MVRI (-14%; P less than 0.05). Diastolic blood flow velocity increased significantly (2.3 +/- 0.9 vs. 0.8 +/- 0.3 cm.s-1, P less than 0.05) only with isoflurane, suggesting a local vasodilation not observed with halothane.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Quantitative blood cultures for diagnosis and management of catheter-related sepsis in pediatric hematology and oncology patients.

Paired quantitative blood cultures collected simultaneously via catheter and peripheral vein in Isolator 1.5 ml tubes, were performed in 50 febrile hematology children. Samples were taken to diagnose catheter-related sepsis (CRS) without catheter removal and to monitor the therapeutic efficiency of antimicrobials administered through the infected device by infusion and/or by the antibiotic lock technique (ALT). In 7 children (14%) the colony counts from catheter blood samples were 30-fold higher than the colony counts from peripheral samples, suggesting CRS; in 7 other patients (14%), identical colony counts in both samples suggested sepsis was not catheter-related. One patient (2%) had septicemia caused by E. coli found in the urinary tract; only the peripheral blood cultures were positive. In 6 patients (12%), the Isolator system was not effective for diagnosing bacteremia or CRS; in 29 patients (58%) the febrile episode was not microbiologically documented. All episodes of CRS were cured whatever the treatment was: infusion or ALT.