Multimodal cerebral monitoring and decompressive surgery for the treatment of severe bacterial meningitis with increased intracranial pressure.

Bacterial meningitis is still associated with a high mortality, mainly because of cerebral herniation as a result of increased intracranial pressure. Published data stress the necessity of an early diagnosis and immediate start of antibiotic therapy. Nevertheless, there are only few reports in which therapeutic strategy was based on the monitoring and the reduction of intracranial pressure (ICP). We report one case of bacterial meningitis caused by Neisseria meningitidis with an initial ICP value of 60 mmHg, which was treated by large hemicraniectomy and ventriculostomy, leading to a favorable neurological long-term result. The surgical decision was accelerated by an accurate ICP evaluation based on cerebral monitoring [transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TCD) and intracranial ICP-device]. In selected patients with bacterial meningitis and clinical and radiological evidence of elevated ICP, cerebral monitoring and aggressive reduction of ICP may be crucial to improve survival and neurological outcome. When maximal medical ICP treatment fails to reduce severe intracranial hypertension, decompressive craniectomy should be rapidly proposed.

Acid aspiration prophylaxis in obstetrics in France: a comparative survey of 1998 vs. 1988 French practice.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To survey French anaesthetic practice regarding acid aspiration prophylaxis and compare it with an earlier survey. METHODS: A confidential questionnaire was sent to all 800 maternity units in France to assess three major topics: (a) drugs used for pharmacological prophylaxis; (b) regional anaesthesia for labour and Caesarean section and (c) techniques used for general anaesthesia and endotracheal intubation. RESULTS: Two-hundred-and-two units responded. Pharmacological prophylaxis was regularly used for labouring women in 78% of the responding units in 1998 (compared with 63% in 1988, P < 0.05). Antacid drug use before Caesarean section had increased from 75% in 1988 to 97% in 1998 (P < 0.05). General anaesthesia was used for Caesarean section by less than 2% of responding units (vs. 21% in 1988, P < 0.05). In contrast, there was little change in the use of endotracheal intubation for instrumental delivery (53% vs. 50%) or manual removal of the placenta (15% vs. 16%) between 1988 and 1998. The use of cricoid pressure increased significantly during the 10 yr period (50% vs. 88%, P < 0.05) and the technique was correctly described by 80% of the responding units (vs. 50%, P < 0.05). Similarly, the use of succinylcholine increased significantly from 25% (1988) to 479 (1998) (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant overall improvement of French practice regarding acid aspiration prophylaxis in obstetrics. However, the complete prophylaxis strategy is still not used in every patient emphasizing the need for continuing medical education.