Retroperitoneoscopic approach to the adrenal glands and retroperitoneal tumours in children: where do we stand?

Choosing the best way to approach adrenal gland and retroperitoneal tumours is still difficult. We reviewed our first 10 cases operated on by retroperitoneoscopy and compared this approach with other possible ways described in the literature. There were 2 intraoperative complications: 1 opening of the diaphragm and 1 bleeding. Tumour resection was always complete. There was no conversion. There were no postoperative complications. The retroperitoneoscopic approach for adrenalectomy and retroperitoneal tumour resection is increasingly being used. In children, operation is quite fast, without much blood loss and with spectacular postoperative recovery results. Even for the right side we advocate this approach, due to the particular anatomy (small tumour size, less fat, thinner muscle layers) in this age group. Trained surgeons are, of course, mandatory.

Laparoscopic appendectomy in children: sense or nonsense?

The authors present a retrospective analysis of their first 1.500 paediatric laparoscopic appendectomies. Three types of techniques (OUT, MIXED, IN) are described. The average age of the patients was 8 years (range: 2 to 16 years). In case of acute appendicitis the postoperative complication rate was 0.6%. In case of peritonitis the postoperative complication rate raised to 13.3%. Conversion rate was 3.3%. There were no death. Mean hospital stay was 1.8 days for acute appendicitis and 6.5 days for peritonitis. Laparoscopic appendectomy in children has an unquestionable diagnostic interest, decreases the parietal complications and has a better cosmetic result in case of peritonitis or ectopic appendicitis. Benefits are highest in case of peritonitis by decreasing postoperative pain and length of hospital stay. The teaching value for learning laparoscopic surgeons is obvious. Increase of intraperitoneal residual abscesses, as well as increasing cost, remain controversial. This series is a plea for laparoscopic appendectomy in children.

Predictive accuracy of alfentanil infusion in coronary artery surgery: a prebypass study in middle-aged and elderly patients.

Twenty-three informed and consenting patients scheduled for CABG were anesthetized using computer-controlled infusions of alfentanil, midazolam, and pancuronium. Thirteen middle-aged patients received a preprogrammed infusion scheme of alfentanil, simulated using the population pharmacokinetic set of Maitre et al (Group M), and 10 elderly patients received a preprogrammed infusion scheme simulated using the model of Helmers et al (Group H). The target alfentanil concentrations in groups M and H for tracheal intubation were: 300-500 ng/mL and for sternotomy: 500-700 ng/mL. Blood alfentanil concentrations were measured at tracheal intubation, skin incision, sternotomy, and aortic cannulation. The bias, inaccuracy, and precision of each pharmacokinetic set were assessed by the median performance error (MDPE), the median absolute performance error (MDAPE), and the 10th and 90th percentiles of the performance errors (P10, P90), respectively. The predictive accuracy of seven other alfentanil pharmacokinetic sets selected from the literature was also evaluated retrospectively. The measured alfentanil concentrations were underpredicted when using all the pharmacokinetic sets, except the set of Scott et al (MDPE: -15.9%). The sets of Maitre et al and Helmers et al were found not to be accurate (MDAPE > 40%) in both groups M and H. The set of Scott et al with the lowest clearance (2.4 mL/kg/min) shows the best accuracy (MDAPE: 19.5%) and precision (P10: -40%, P90: 16%). In conclusion, the set of Scott et al should preferably be selected to predict prebypass alfentanil infusion accurately in either middle aged or elderly patients who have normal myocardial function (LVEF > 50%) and are scheduled for CABG.

Effects of aprotinin on blood loss, heparin monitoring tests, and heparin doses in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery.

OBJECTIVES: Evaluation of the effect of aprotinin on heparin monitoring tests, on heparin doses, and on perioperative blood loss in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. DESIGN: Randomized, prospective open study. SETTING: The study was performed in the departments of Anaesthesiology and Haematology of the Erasme University Hospital, Brussels. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-six patients undergoing primary coronary artery bypass grafting. INTERVENTIONS: Twelve patients received aprotinin, and 14 received no treatment. MEASUREMENT AND MAIN RESULTS: Aprotinin significantly reduced blood loss during coronary artery bypass surgery and was associated with a slight reduction in the amount of heparin administered. Activated coagulation time and activated partial thromboplastin time were prolonged by the addition of aprotinin. Activated coagulation time and activated partial thromboplastin time were poorly correlated with heparin assays. On the other hand, two other clotting tests designed to monitor heparin therapy, namely Titrarine (Stago, Asnière, France) and Heptest (Haemachem, St. Louis, MO), gave very good correlation with amidolytic heparin assays and can be used during extracorporeal circulation. Thrombin time showed a good correlation with amidolytic heparin assays after protamine administration and can be useful to detect residual heparin after heparin neutralization by protamine.