Goal-directed fluid therapy in emergency abdominal surgery: a randomised multicentre trial.

BACKGROUND: More than 50% of patients have a major complication after emergency gastrointestinal surgery. Intravenous (i.v.) fluid therapy is a life-saving part of treatment, but evidence to guide what i.v. fluid strategy results in the best outcome is lacking. We hypothesised that goal-directed fluid therapy during surgery (GDT group) reduces the risk of major complications or death in patients undergoing major emergency gastrointestinal surgery compared with standard i.v. fluid therapy (STD group). METHODS: In a randomised, assessor-blinded, two-arm, multicentre trial, we included 312 adult patients with gastrointestinal obstruction or perforation. Patients in the GDT group received i.v. fluid to near-maximal stroke volume. Patients in the STD group received i.v. fluid following best clinical practice. Postoperative target was 0-2 L fluid balance. The primary outcome was a composite of major complications or death within 90 days. Secondary outcomes were time in intensive care, time on ventilator, time in dialysis, hospital stay, and minor complications. RESULTS: In a modified intention-to-treat analysis, we found no difference in the primary outcome between groups: 45 (30%) (GDT group) vs 39 (25%) (STD group) (odds ratio=1.24; 95% confidence interval, 0.75-2.05; P=0.40). Hospital stay was longer in the GDT group: median (inter-quartile range), 7 (4-12) vs 6 days (4-8.5) (P=0.04); no other differences were found. CONCLUSION: Compared with pressure-guided i.v. fluid therapy (STD group), flow-guided fluid therapy to near-maximal stroke volume (GDT group) did not improve the outcome after surgery for bowel obstruction or gastrointestinal perforation but may have prolonged hospital stay. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: EudraCT number 2015-000563-14; the Danish Scientific Ethics Committee and the Danish Data Protection Agency (REG-18-2015).

Transversus abdominis plane block after laparoscopic colonic resection in cancer patients: A randomised clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: A key point in pathways for optimal rehabilitation and enhanced recovery is an effective postoperative multimodal pain treatment regimen. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the analgesic effects of transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block in conjunction with paracetamol and ibuprofen in patients undergoing laparoscopic colonic resection. DESIGN: Randomised placebo-controlled double-blind study. SETTING: Herlev University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark, from March 2010 to February 2013. PATIENTS: Eighty adult patients scheduled for elective laparoscopic colectomy. INTERVENTIONS: Bilateral TAP block with 20 ml of either ropivacaine or isotonic saline. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores (0 to 100 mm) while coughing at 6 h after surgery (primary outcome). Secondary outcomes were area under the curve pain scores (2 to 24 h) at rest and while coughing, 24-h morphine consumption and incidence of nausea and vomiting. RESULTS: VAS pain scores at 6 h while coughing was not different between groups (median, interquartile range), TAP, 27 (11 to 45) mm vs. placebo, 33 (20 to 49) mm (P = 0.20). Total 24-h morphine consumption was reduced in the TAP block group vs. placebo group, 30 (15 to 41) mg vs. 43 (30 to 67) mg, respectively (P = 0.008). This difference was most pronounced in the first postoperative hours. The remaining outcomes did not differ between groups. CONCLUSION: TAP block used in combination with paracetamol and ibuprofen did not reduce pain after laparoscopic colonic surgery. However, we found a 30% reduction in opioid use, most marked in the early postoperative period. TRIAL REGISTRATION: www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01418144).

[Definition of botulinum toxin failure in neurogenic detrusor overactivity: Preliminary results of the DETOX survey]. / Définition et prise en charge de l'échec d'une première injection de toxine botulique Botox ® 200 U pour hyperactivité détrusorienne neurogène: résultats de l'enquête DETOX.

OBJECTIVE: There is currently no guideline regarding the management of neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) refractory to intra-detrusor botulinum toxin injections. The primary objective of the present study was to find a consensus definition of failure of botulinum toxin intra-detrusor injections for NDO. The secondary objective was to report current trends in the managment of NDO refractory to botulinum toxin. METHODS: A survey was created, based on data drawn from current literature, and sent via e-mail to all the experts form the Group for research in neurourology in french language (GENULF) and from the comittee of neurourology of the French urological association (AFU). The experts who did not answer to the first e-mail were contacted again twice. Main results from the survey are presented and expressed as numbers and proportions. RESULTS: Out of the 42 experts contacted, 21 responded to the survey. Nineteen participants considered that the definition of failure should be a combination of clinical and urodynamics criteria. Among the urodynamics criteria, the persistence of a maximum detrusor pressure>40 cm H2O was the most supported by the experts (18/21, 85%). According to the vast majority of participants (19/21, 90.5%), the impact of injections on urinary incontinence should be included in the definition of failure. Regarding the management, most experts considered that the first line treatment in case of failure of a first intra-detrusor injection of Botox(®) 200 U should be a repeat injection of Botox(®) at a higher dosage (300 U) (15/20, 75%), regardless of the presence or not of urodynamics risk factors of upper tract damage (16/20, 80%). CONCLUSION: This work has provided a first overview of the definition of failure of intra-detrusor injections of botulinum toxin in the management of NDO. For 90.5% of the experts involved, the definition of failure should be clinical and urodynamic and most participants (75%) considered that, in case of failure of a first injection of Botox(®) 200 U, repeat injection of Botox(®) 300 U should be the first line treatment.

The effect of transversus abdominis plane block or local anaesthetic infiltration in inguinal hernia repair: a randomised clinical trial.

CONTEXT: The analgesic effect of transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block after inguinal hernia repair is unclear. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this randomised and double-blind study was to evaluate the analgesic effect of a TAP block in patients scheduled for primary inguinal hernia repair. The TAP block was evaluated versus placebo and versus an active comparator (ilioinguinal block and wound infiltration). DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial. SETTING: Single centre trial. Study period from June 2010 to November 2011. PATIENTS: Adults (18 to 75 years) with American Society of Anesthesiologists' status 1-3 scheduled for primary inguinal hernia repair as day case surgery were included in the study. INTERVENTIONS: Ninety patients were allocated to one of three groups: group TAP, group infiltration (ilioinguinal nerve block and wound infiltration) and group placebo. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measure was pain scores while coughing between group TAP and group placebo calculated as area under the curve for the first 24  h (AUC24 h). Secondary outcomes were pain scores while coughing and at rest, opioid consumption and side effects in groups TAP, infiltration and placebo. RESULTS: Visual analogue pain scores while coughing and at rest demonstrated no difference between groups. Pain scores in groups infiltration, TAP and placebo were 19 versus 22 versus 15  mm at rest (P = 1.00) and 37 versus 41 versus 37  mm while coughing (P = 1.00). Pain scores at 6 h (AUC6 h) were significantly lower in group infiltration than in group TAP (10 versus 25 mm at rest, P < 0.001; 17 versus 40  mm while coughing, P < 0.001), and than in group placebo (10 versus 20  mm at rest, P = 0.003; 17 versus 38  mm while coughing, P < 0.001). Median morphine consumption was lower in group infiltration than in group placebo (0 versus 5 mg, P < 0.003). No differences among groups were demonstrated for ketobemidone consumption or side effects. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-guided TAP block did not reduce postoperative pain after inguinal hernia repair. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT01052285. EudraCT number 2010-018403-29.

Resuscitation by hyperbaric exposure from a venous gas emboli following laparoscopic surgery.

Venous gas embolism is common after laparoscopic surgery but is only rarely of clinical relevance. We present a 52 year old woman undergoing laparoscopic treatment for liver cysts, who also underwent cholecystectomy. She was successfully extubated. However, after a few minutes she developed cardiac arrest due to a venous carbon dioxide (CO2) embolism as identified by transthoracic echocardiography and aspiration of approximately 7 ml of gas from a central venous catheter. She was resuscitated and subsequently treated with hyperbaric oxygen to reduce the size of remaining gas bubbles. Subsequently the patient developed one more episode of cardiac arrest but still made a full recovery. The courses of events indicate that bubbles had persisted in the circulation for a prolonged period. We speculate whether insufficient CO2 flushing of the laparoscopic tubing, causing air to enter the peritoneal cavity, could have contributed to the formation of the intravascular gas emboli. We conclude that persistent resuscitation followed by hyperbaric oxygen treatment after venous gas emboli contributed to the elimination of intravascular bubbles and the favourable outcome for the patient.

The beneficial effect of transversus abdominis plane block after laparoscopic cholecystectomy in day-case surgery: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is associated with postoperative pain of moderate intensity in the early postoperative period. Recent randomized trials have demonstrated the efficacy of transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block in providing postoperative analgesia after abdominal surgery. We hypothesized that a TAP block may reduce pain while coughing and at rest for the first 24 postoperative hours, opioid consumption, and opioid side effects in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy in day-case surgery. METHODS: In this randomized, double-blind study, 80 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy in our day-case surgery unit were allocated to receive either bilateral ultrasound-guided posterior TAP blocks (20 mL 0.5% ropivacaine) or placebo blocks. Postoperative pain treatment consisted of oral acetaminophen 1000 mg × 4, oral ibuprofen 400 mg × 3, IV morphine (0-2 hours postoperatively), and oral ketobemidone (2-24 hours postoperatively). The primary outcome was postoperative pain scores while coughing calculated as area under the curve for the first 24 postoperative hours (AUC/24 h). Secondary outcomes were pain scores at rest (AUC/24 h), opioid consumption, and side effects. Patients were assessed 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 24 hours postoperatively. Group-wise comparisons of visual analog scale (VAS) pain (AUC/24 h) were performed with the 2-sample t test. Morphine and ketobemidone consumption were compared with the Mann-Whitney test for unpaired data. Categorical data were analyzed using the χ(2) test. RESULTS: The primary outcome variable, VAS pain scores while coughing (AUC/24 h), was significantly reduced in the TAP versus the placebo group (P = 0.04); group TAP: 26 mm (SD 13) (weighted average level) versus group placebo: 34 (18) (95% confidence interval): 0.5-15 mm). VAS pain scores at rest (AUC/24 h) showed no significant difference between groups. Median morphine consumption (0-2 hours postoperatively) was 7.5 mg (interquartile range: 5-10 mg) in the placebo group compared with 5 mg (interquartile range: 0-5 mg) in the TAP group (P < 0.001). The odds ratio of a random patient in group TAP having less morphine consumption than a random patient in group placebo was P (group TAP < group placebo) = 0.26 (confidence interval: 0.15, 0.37) where 0.5 represents no difference between groups. There were no between-group differences in total ketobemidone consumption, levels of nausea and sedation, number of patients vomiting, or consumption of ondansetron. CONCLUSIONS: TAP block after laparoscopic cholecystectomy may have some beneficial effect in reducing pain while coughing and on opioid requirements, but this effect is probably rather small.

Effective dermatomal blockade after subcostal transversus abdominis plane block.

INTRODUCTION: The ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is used to treat postoperative pain after abdominal surgery. Abdominal wall sensory nerves are anaesthetised by injecting local anaesthetics into the neurofascial plane between the internal oblique and the transversus abdominis muscles. Sensory assessment of a TAP block may guide the decision on the extent of the block. The purpose of this study was to investigate if the dermatomal extent of sensory blockade after injection of 20 ml 0.5% ropivacaine bilaterally into the TAP can be assessed using cold and pinprick sensation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Subcostal TAP block was performed bilaterally in 20 awake patients scheduled for elective abdominal surgery. Sensory change in dermatomes T4-L4 was tested with pinprick using a blunt needle and cold disinfectant swabs after 10, 20 and 30 minutes. RESULTS: Data from 20 patients (40 blocks) were analysed. Eighteen patients registered sensory change after subcostal TAP block, and dermatomes T10-T12 were blocked after 30 minutes in all of these patients. Spread of sensory change to dermatomes T5-L3 was variable. CONCLUSION: This study confirmed that the dermatomal extent of a sensory blockade after a single-shot subcostal TAP block can be assessed using cold and pinprick sensation. FUNDING: not relevant. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov with the registration number NCT01024868.

Potentially toxic concentrations in blood of total ropivacaine after bilateral transversus abdominis plane blocks; a pharmacokinetic study.

CONTEXT: Elevated blood levels of lidocaine and ropivacaine have been described after transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the pharmacokinetic profile of ropivacaine after bilateral TAP blocks. DESIGN: Prospective observational pharmacokinetic study. SETTING: University teaching hospital in Copenhagen, Denmark. PATIENTS: Twenty-one adult patients presenting for abdominopelvic surgery with bilateral TAP blocks were enrolled. PROCEDURES: Ultrasound-guided TAP blocks with bilateral injections of 20 ml ropivacaine 0.5% w/v (total dose 200 mg). Blood was sampled at 0, 10, 30 and 60 min after TAP blocks. MEASURES: Total and free peak blood concentrations (Cmax) of ropivacaine. RESULTS: Data were analysed from N = 18 patients. The median dose of ropivacaine was 2.7 mg kg(-1) (range: 1.9-4.2 mg kg(-1)). Median total ropivacaine concentrations were 1.0, 1.6 and 1.7 µg ml(-1) at 10, 30 and 60 min, respectively. Six patients (33%) had Cmax values above 2.2 µg ml(-1) and the highest concentration measured was 5.1 µg ml(-1). One patient had a 33% drop in mean arterial blood pressure. CONCLUSION: TAP blocks with bilateral injections of 20 ml ropivacaine 0.5% w/v gave rise to potentially toxic peak blood concentrations of total ropivacaine in one-third of the patients.

Effect of high perioperative oxygen fraction on surgical site infection and pulmonary complications after abdominal surgery: the PROXI randomized clinical trial.

CONTEXT: Use of 80% oxygen during surgery has been suggested to reduce the risk of surgical wound infections, but this effect has not been consistently identified. The effect of 80% oxygen on pulmonary complications has not been well defined. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether use of 80% oxygen reduces the frequency of surgical site infection without increasing the frequency of pulmonary complications in patients undergoing abdominal surgery. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS: The PROXI trial, a patient- and observer-blinded randomized clinical trial conducted in 14 Danish hospitals between October 2006 and October 2008 among 1400 patients undergoing acute or elective laparotomy. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomly assigned to receive either 80% or 30% oxygen during and for 2 hours after surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Surgical site infection within 14 days, defined according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Secondary outcomes included atelectasis, pneumonia, respiratory failure, and mortality. RESULTS: Surgical site infection occurred in 131 of 685 patients (19.1%) assigned to receive 80% oxygen vs 141 of 701 (20.1%) assigned to receive 30% oxygen (odds ratio [OR], 0.94; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.72-1.22; P = .64). Atelectasis occurred in 54 of 685 patients (7.9%) assigned to receive 80% oxygen vs 50 of 701 (7.1%) assigned to receive 30% oxygen (OR, 1.11; 95% CI, 0.75-1.66; P = .60), pneumonia in 41 (6.0%) vs 44 (6.3%) (OR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.61-1.48; P = .82), respiratory failure in 38 (5.5%) vs 31 (4.4%) (OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 0.78-2.07; P = .34), and mortality within 30 days in 30 (4.4%) vs 20 (2.9%) (OR, 1.56; 95% CI, 0.88-2.77; P = .13). CONCLUSION: Administration of 80% oxygen compared with 30% oxygen did not result in a difference in risk of surgical site infection after abdominal surgery. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00364741.

[Spinal cord injury patient and Brindley neurostimulation]. / Traumatisé médullaire et neuro-stimulation de Brindley.

Electrostimulation of anterior sacral nerve roots has been gradually developed since the 1970s and now represents a real alternative for the treatment of lower urinary tract dysfunction in neurological patients. In some cases, it can also allow improvement of erections and improvement of defecation. The success of the intervention largely depends on rigorous selection of the patients likely to benefit from this technique. In this article, the authors describe the technical principles of this procedure, the ideal patient profile of candidates for this procedure and the main results that can be achieved.

[Spasticity. Physical therapy, preventive measures and treatment]. / Spasticité. Physiothérapie, mesures préventives et traitements.

Spasticity is one of the most common motor and tonus disorders during the initial phase with traumatic brain injured patients. The evaluation of spasticity is mainly clinical but it is very important to prevent complications such as limitation of range of motion, pain, decubitus ulcers. The therapeutic options consist in classical indications such as baclofen, dantrolene, tizanidine, benzodiazepine, associated with physiotherapy. Other additive therapeutic options could be discussed: use of toxin botulinum in focal spasticity and intrathecal baclofen infusion in case of severe spasticity (often associated with dysautonomic disorders.).

Electrophoretic and thermodynamic properties for biomaterial particles with Bovine Serum Albumin adsorption.

The main purpose of our investigation is to achieve better insight into the electrophoretic and thermodynamic properties of protein-coated biomaterial particles. Many academic studies have been performed to understand the complex phenomena of microscopic biomaterial particles as a function of ionic strength, pH and temperature. By electrophoretic measurements of biomaterial particles, the surface structures of it can be analysed with a suitable model. Therefore, the zeta potential measurements are useful to know the effects of adsorbed BSA concentration upon the electrophoretic properties of bioceramics and bioglasses. Unexpectedly, the zeta potential of the BSA-coated biomaterials exhibits a local minimum as the concentrations of adsorbed BSA increases. Apparently, the structures of the attached BSA layer on the biomaterial particles play a significant role. In an attempt to elaborate the phenomenon observed, a model for proteins, which composes two BSA sublayers with different structures and properties, is proposed. Also, the association or equilibrium constant were determined and represented the isotherm curves in function of the zeta potential measurements.

Implantation of anterior sacral root stimulators combined with posterior sacral rhizotomy in spinal injury patients.

Brindley-Finetech sacral anterior root stimulators combined with posterior sacral rhizotomy were implanted in 68 males and 28 females with spinal cord lesions. In 9 patients the electrodes were implanted extradurally in the sacrum, and in 90 patients they were implanted intradurally (3 patients had a second extradural implant after a first intradural implant). Three patients died from causes unrelated to the implant. Of the 93 surviving patients, 83 used their implants for micturition and 82 were fully continent. The mean bladder capacity increased from 206 ml preoperatively to 564 ml after the operation. Three patients had a preoperative vesicorenal reflux that disappeared after surgery. In all, 51 patients used the stimulator for defecation. Erection was possible with electrical stimulation in 46 males and was used for coitus by 17 couples. Secondary deafferentation at the level of the conus was performed four times. Three patients who had a cerebrospinal fluid leak were operated on again. Two implants had to be removed because of infection. Sacral anterior root stimulation combined with sacral deafferentation is a welcome addition to the treatment of neurogenic bladder in spinal cord injury patients.

[Electrostimulation of nerve roots in neurogenic bladder]. / L'électrostimulation vésicale radiculaire.

Thirty per cent of the patients with spinal injuries present chronical urinary problems. For these, G.S. Brindley's technique represents an important progress. It includes a section of posterior roots to control detrusor hyperexcitability and a stimulation of anterior roots to empty the bladder. The equipment is now perfectly reliable and the technique has been defined. Indications are essentially unstable bladders with incontinence and certain hypoactive bladders. The following results were obtained: continence is obtained in 90% of patients; complete bladder emptying in the majority of cases with very marked reduction of urinary infections; improvement of erection and regularization of intestinal transit. The complications of the surgery are uncommon but serious (CSF leaks, postoperative denervations, sepsis and material failure).

Evolution of bladder contraction in course of time after implantation of a sacral anterior root stimulator.

We reviewed bladder contraction evolution after sacral anterior root stimulator implantation in thirty patients operated on from 1984 to 1991. Two patients underwent a complete denervation with a reinnervation within a maximal time of seventeen months. One patient underwent a lesion, like a neuropraxia with a complete recovery at four months. Five patients have undergone a partial denervation with a recovery of miction by neurostimulation within the time of eighteen months. In three patients, bladder contraction disappeared for various reasons.

Adjuvant drug therapy: a review of 30 cases of sacral anterior root stimulator.

Implantation of a sacral anterior root stimulator in spinal cord injured patients must achieve two main goals to maintain a vesicosphincteral balance: complete bladder voiding and correct continence. During the postoperative period, difficulties may arise or persist with either an incontinence due to an insufficient deafferentation with bladder hyperreflexia or an incomplete voiding because of an insufficient contraction of detrusor and/or too high urethral resistances (vesicosphincteral dyssynergia). A third of our patients required specific therapies after implantation to promote interstimulation continence and complete bladder voiding. Regarding continence, adjuvant therapies are effective for bladder hyperreflexia in connection with a too-partial deafferentation. On the other hand, these therapies have little effect on low bladder compliance. In regard to bladder voiding, nonsurgical treatments are equally effective. These treatments (parasphincteral infiltrations, alpha-blockers) must not be permanent, but allow a reharmonizing between expulsive strengths and urethral resistances. Eighty percent of our patients who required adjuvant therapies have been improved significantly. This confirms the efficiency of adjuvant therapy and speaks for patience.

[Electrostimulation of anterior sacral nerve roots in the treatment of central neurogenic bladders. G.S. Brindley's technique. Results of the 40 first French cases]. / L'électrostimulation des racines sacrées antérieures dans le traitement des neuro-vessies centralies. Technique de G.S. Brindley. Résultats des 40 premiers cas français.

The results of the first 40 cases who underwent implantation of a sacral anterior root stimulator (G.S. Brindley) in France are reported. One patient die two years after implantation from an unrelated cause. 39 patients are using electrostimulation with a 6 month to 8 year follow-up. 90% have a satisfactory continence and no longer require an incontinence appliance. 82% of the patients have a post-void residue of 0 to 50 cc. Urinary infection rate has dramatically decreased. Bladder capacity and compliance have increased, and urethral closure pressure has decreased according to posterior rhizotomy. Possible side effect of total posterior rhizotomy from S2 to S4 could be stress incontinence.

[Electrostimulation of anterior sacral nerve roots in spinal cord injury patients (evaluation of the 1st 25 cases)]. / Electrostimulation des racines sacrées antérieures chez le blessé médullaire (bilan des 25 premiers cas).

The authors analyse the first 25 patients with spinal cord injuries treated by G. Brindley's technique based on section of the posterior sacral nerve roots to control detrusor hyperexcitability and electrostimulation of the anterior sacral nerve roots to ensure bladder emptying and to facilitate erection and defecation. The indications for this technique are essentially unstable bladders with incontinence and certain hypoactive bladders. The following results were obtained: Acquisition of continence in 90% of cases. Bladder capacity was always greatly increased. Almost complete bladder emptying in the majority of cases. Very marked reduction in urinary tract infection. Regularization of intestinal transit. The complications of this surgery were uncommon but serious: C.S.F. leaks, Postoperative denervations. Sepsis. Material or cable failure.

[Electrostimulation of the anterior sacral nerve roots. An International Congress--Le Mans--24-25 November 1989]. / L'électro-stimulation des racines sacrées antérieures. Colloque international--Le Mans--24 et 25 novembre 1989.

Electrostimulation of the anterior sacral nerve roots in patients with spinal injuries according to the technique described by G. S. Brindley was the subject of an International conference held in Le Mans on 24th and 25th November, 1989. The equipment is now perfectly reliable and the technique has been well defined. Section of the posterior nerve roots increases bladder capacity and promotes continence. Stimulation of the anterior nerve roots contributes to correct bladder emptying. Two other benefits can be expected: improved defecation and erection. Complications are uncommon, but this technique must be reserved for failures of rehabilitation and uroneuropharmacoloical techniques.