[The cesarean procedure: Guidelines for clinical practice from the French College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists]. / La technique de la césarienne : recommandations pour la pratique clinique du Collège national des gynécologues obstétriciens français.

OBJECTIVE: To identify procedures to reduce maternal morbidity during cesarean. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The quality of evidence of the literature was assessed following the GRADE® method with questions formulated in the PICO format (Patients, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) and outcomes defined a priori and classified according to their importance. An extensive bibliographic search was performed on PubMed, Cochrane and EMBASE databases. The quality of the evidence was assessed (high, moderate, low, very low) and a (i) strong or (ii) weak recommendations or (iii) no recommendation were formulated. The recommendations were reviewed in two rounds with external reviewers (Delphi survey) to select the consensus recommendations. RESULTS: Of the 27 questions, there was agreement between the working group and the external reviewers on 26. The level of evidence of the literature was insufficient to provide a recommendation on 15 questions. Preventing hypothermia is recommended to increase maternal satisfaction and comfort (weak recommendation) and to reduce neonatal hypothermia (strong recommendation). The quality of the evidence of the literature did not allow to recommend the skin disinfectant to be used nor the relevance of a preoperative vaginal disinfection nor the choice between the use or nonuse of an indwelling bladder catheterization (if micturition takes place 1 hour before the cesarean section). The Misgav-Ladach technique or its analogues should be considered rather than the Pfannenstiel technique to reduce maternal morbidity (weak recommendation) bladder flap before uterine incision should not be performed routinely (weak recommendation), but a blunt (weak recommendation) and cephalad-caudad extension of uterine incision (weak recommendation) should be considered to reduce maternal morbidity. Antibiotic prophylaxis is recommended to reduce maternal infectious morbidity (strong recommendation) without recommendation on its type or the timing of administration (before incision or after cord clamping). The administration of carbetocin after cord clamping does not significantly decrease the incidence of blood loss>1000 ml, anemia, or blood transfusion compared with the administration of oxytocin. Thus, it is not recommended to use carbetocin rather than oxytocin in cesarean. It is recommended that systematic manual removal of the placenta not to be performed (weak recommendation). An antiemetic should be administered after cord clamping in women having a planned cesarean under locoregional anaesthesia to reduce intraoperative and postoperative nausea and vomiting (strong recommendation) with no recommendation regarding choice of use one or two antiemetics. The level of evidence of the literature was insufficient to provide any recommendation concerning single or double-layer closure of the uterine incision, or the uterine exteriorization. Closing the peritoneum (visceral or parietal) should not be considered (weak recommendation). The quality of the evidence of the literature was not sufficient to provide recommendation on systematic subcutaneous closure, including in obese or overweight patients, or the use of subcuticular suture in obese or overweight patients. The use of subcuticular suture in comparison with skin closure by staples was not considered as a recommendation due to the absence of a consensus in the external review rounds. CONCLUSION: In case of cesarean, preventing hypothermia, administering antiemetic and antibiotic prophylaxis after cord clamping are the only strong recommendations. The Misgav-Ladach technique, the way of performing uterine incision (no systematic bladder flap, blunt cephalad-caudad extension), not performing routine manual removal of the placenta nor closure of the peritoneum are weak recommendations and may reduce maternal morbidity.

Guidelines of the French Society of ENT (SFORL): Drug-induced sleep endoscopy in adult obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the indications, anesthesiological and surgical procedure and interest of drug-induced sleep endoscopy in the treatment of adult obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. DESIGN: A redactional committee of 17 experts was set up. Conflicts of interest were disclosed and followed up throughout the process of drawing up the guidelines. The work received no funding from any firm dealing in health products (drugs or devices). The GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) method was applied to assess the quality of the data on which the guidelines were founded. It was stressed that strong recommendations should not be made on the basis of poor-quality or insufficient data. METHODS: The committee studied 29 questions on 5 topics: indications and contraindications, anesthetic technique, surgical technique, interpretation and reporting of results, and management guided by results. RESULTS: Expert review and application of the GRADE method led to 30 guidelines: 10 with high level of evidence (Grade 1+ or 1-), 19 with low level (GRADE 2+ or 2-) and 1 expert opinion. CONCLUSION: Experts fully agreed on the strong guidelines formalizing the indications and modalities of drug-induced sleep endoscopy for adult obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

Difficult intubation and extubation in adult anaesthesia.

OBJECTIVE: To provide an update to French guidelines about "Difficult intubation and extubation in adult anaesthesia 2006". DESIGN: A consensus committee of 13 experts was convened. A formal conflict-of-interest (COI) policy was developed at the onset of the process and enforced throughout. The entire guidelines process was conducted independent of any industry funding. The authors were advised to follow the principles of the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system to guide assessment of quality of evidence. The potential drawbacks of making strong recommendations in the presence of low-quality evidence were emphasized. Few recommendations were ungraded. METHODS: The panel focused on 6 questions: 1) Why must oxygen desaturation be avoided during intubation and what preoxygenation and oxygenation techniques should be used to prevent it? 2) Should videolaryngoscopes be used instead of standard laryngoscopy with or without a long stylet to achieve a better success rate of intubation after the first attempt during anticipated difficult intubation off fiberoptic intubation? 3) Should TCI or target controlled inhalation anaesthesia (TCIA) be used instead of bolus sedation for airway control in the event of suspected or proven difficulty in a patient spontaneously breathing? 4) What mode of anaesthesia should be performed in patients with difficult intubation criteria and potentially difficult mask ventilation? 5) In surgical patients, what criteria predict difficulties encountered during postoperative tracheal extubation? 6) Should decision trees and algorithms be employed to direct decision-making for the management of difficult intubation, whether foreseen or not? (based on the information from the preceding five issues). Population, intervention, comparison, and outcomes (PICO) questions were reviewed and updated as needed, and evidence profiles were generated. The analysis of the literature and the recommendations were then conducted according to the GRADE® methodology. RESULTS: The SFAR Guideline panel provided 13 statements on difficult intubation and extubation in adult anaesthesia. After two rounds of discussion and various amendments, a strong agreement was reached for 99% of recommendations. Of these recommendations, five have a high level of evidence (Grade 1±), 8 have a low level of evidence (Grade 2±). No recommendation was provided for one question. CONCLUSIONS: Substantial agreement exists among experts regarding many strong recommendations for the best care of patients with difficult intubation and extubation in adult anaesthesia.

Anatomical landmarks for maxillary nerve block in the pterygopalatine fossa: A radiological study.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to describe the anatomical landmarks for maxillary nerve block in the pterygopalatine fossa. The risk of injury to the skull base and maxillary artery was assessed. METHODS: This retrospective study was based on the analysis of 61 consecutive computed tomography angiographies obtained from patients suffering from different pathologies. Anatomical relationships between optic canal (OC), foramen rotundum (FR), inferior orbital fissure (IOF) and puncture point (PP) were assessed. A "maxillary section" was virtually carried out on the CTs, following a plane passing through PP, IOF and FR in order to mimic the anaesthesia needle route. RESULTS: No gender difference was observed except for the PP-OC distance that was longer in men. The mean PP-IOF distance was of 31.9 (± 0.7mm). PP-OC (43.9±0.5) and PP-FR (44.2±0.7) distances increased significantly with the patients height (PP-FR=17.25+0.16×height (cm); PP-OC=20.54+0.13×height (cm)). The route to the skull base was curved, with an angle of 168±1.6° at the FR level. The angle to reach the OC was greater than 7°. DISCUSSION: With a 35-mm needle length, the probability to reach the IOF was high (79%), while the risk to injure the skull base (2%) and the optical nerve (0%) was low. Artery injuries were only found in 13% of cases. Therefore, a 35-mm needle length allows for the best efficacy/risk ratio in maxillary nerve block.

Chronic postsurgical pain in children: prevalence and risk factors. A prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) is well known in adults, with prevalence rates ranging from 10 to 50%. Little is known about the epidemiology of CPSP in children. The aim of this prospective observational study was to evaluate the prevalence of CPSP after surgery in children. METHODS: After informed consent, children aged six to18 yr were included. Characteristics and risk factors for CPSP were recorded. Exclusion criteria included ambulatory surgery, refusal, inability to understand and change of address. All eligible children completed a preoperative questionnaire the day before surgery about pain, anxiety and their medical history. All data concerning anaesthetic and surgical procedures, such as acute pain scores (VAS) during the first 24 h were recorded. Three months after surgery all included children were sent a postoperative questionnaire about pain at the surgical site. RESULTS: Altogether, 291 children were enrolled; the mean age was 12 yr, most subjects were male (60%). The most common type of surgery was orthopaedic (63%). In the 258 patients who completed the study, the prevalence of CPSP was 10.9%, most often with a neuropathic origin (64.3%). The two main risk factors were the existence of recent pain before surgery (<1 month) and the severity of acute postoperative pain (VAS >30 mm) in the first 24 h after orthopaedic and thoracic surgeries. Six months after surgery, only five children needed a visit with a chronic pain practitioner. CONCLUSIONS: These results highlight the necessity of evaluating and treating perioperative pain in order to prevent CPSP in children.

[Process, procedure and requested conditions for academic appointment in anesthesia and intensive care]. / Processus, procédures et critères d'évaluation conduisant à la mise sur la liste d'aptitude aux fonctions de Maître de conférences des universités--praticien hospitalier (MCU-PH) et de professeur des universités--praticien hospitalier (PU-PH) en anesthésie-réanimation.

Since several decades, anesthesia care and intensive care, as well, are engaged in the way of excellence in clinical care and research. This requirement is also applied for the selection of professor and academic workers. The goals of this article are twice: first to diffuse this knowledge at the medical community and second to describe in details the long process leading to the final appointment.

What are the main "machine dysfunctions" to know?

The incidents related to the medical devices are common during anesthesia and in intensive care unit. These incidents are rarely the cause of complications because monitoring detects them early; alternative scenarios allow bearing these problems. Although the incidence of these complications has much declined, these incidents are serious adverse events and at the origin of life-threatening complications. Improper use of medical devices is the main factor that promotes the onset of these complications. To maintain a high level of security, it is necessary to use and control procedures according to the manufacturer recommendations. This is part of a strategy involving users, biomedical engineers and manufacturers. Several actions are effective in preventing the occurrence of these incidents: the control before use, the continuation of the performance of the equipment, use based on the recommendations of the experts and manufacturers and appropriate training. This strategy is best applied by a clinical expert who has extensive technical knowledge. This expert is a key player for users learning and allows establishing and maintaining rules of use in collaboration with medical staff and biomedical engineers and manufacturers.

[Intravenous lipid emulsion and local anesthetic-induced systemic toxicity: mechanisms and limits]. / Émulsions lipidiques intraveineuses et toxicité systémique des anesthésiques locaux: mécanismes et limites.

OBJECTIVES: Intravenous lipid emulsions (ILE) are recommended today in cases of local anesthetic-induced systemic toxicity (LAST). The objectives of this review consists in describing mechanisms involved in the interaction between ILE and local anesthetic (LA) factors influencing this interaction and the limits associated with the use of ILE. DATA SOURCES: References were obtained from Pubmed data bank (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed) using the following keywords: Intralipid(®), local anesthetic, toxicity, intravenous lipid emulsion. DATA SYNTHESIS: Effects of the association between ILE-LA are based on droplet formations as well as changes in cell metabolism involving survival cell pathway, on functional properties and on direct hemodynamic parameters. Hypoxia, acidosis and high doses of epinephrine modified the effects of ILE-LA association. CONCLUSION: Prescription of ILE is recommended by published guidelines on LAST resuscitation. ILE cannot substitute to the standard resuscitation protocol. It should be added to that protocol. Experimental studies as well as a case report registry will allow understanding further the effects induced by the ILE-LA association.

Factor V and VIII combined deficiency: clinical perioperative management for tonsillectomy in a child.

Combined factors V (FV) and VIII (FVIII) deficiency is a rarely seen hereditary coagulation disease. Experience of its management in surgery with a high-risk of bleeding is rare. The interest of this case report is to propose a strategy of perioperative management for such a deficit, but also to recall that a careful preoperative anesthetic evaluation with questioning and physical examination permits to detect unsuspected coagulation disorders and to schedule the preventive treatment. The protocol for the perioperative period consisted of the administration of desmopressin and fresh frozen plasma one hour before surgery. The administration of desmopressin was continued for 48hours. Fresh frozen plasma and tranexamic acid were administered during the first 9 postoperative days. A local bleeding occurred at 8 days (scab coming off) and required systematically a surgical hemostasis and an intensification of the therapeutic protocol. Recombinant plasmatic factor VIII was administered for 7 days together with a daily perfusion of fresh frozen plasma for a total treatment period of 14 days.

Management program decreases postoperative nausea and vomiting in high-risk and in general surgical patients: a quality improvement cycle.

BACKGROUND: Preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is a major priority for postsurgical patient care. Our objective was to assess the efficacy of a multimodal postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) approach, which was associated with a continuous quality improvement program, in maintaining a low PONV incidence in the PACU. METHODS: Consecutive adult patients scheduled for surgery (ambulatory surgery or not) were prospectively included. PONV data were recorded in the PACU and over a 24-hour period. The management program was based on a multimodal approach with both changes in anesthetic techniques and anti-emetics, and on a three-stage protocol including: 1) phase I: institutional practice phase based on prospective observational study; 2) protocol implementation; 3) phase II: prospective observational study associated with feedback, scientific session and evaluation to guideline adherence. We used the Apfel risk scoring system to identify patients at high risk of PONV. Feedback with audit results and didactic sessions were scheduled quarterly in the Phase II. RESULTS: Thirty-seven/395 (9.4%) and 151/3864 (3.9%) patients experienced PONV in the PACU during Phase I and Phase II respectively (P<0.001). Among the patients with an Apfel risk score that included at least two risk factors, 16.6% and 4.2% experienced PONV in the PACU during Phase I and Phase II respectively (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: We highlight the association with a sharp decrease in PONV incidence over a one-year period and a multimodal PONV approach using feedback to clinicians associated with continuous quality improvement program.

[The perioperative period in cancer surgery: a critical moment! Is there a role for regional anesthesia in preventing cancer recurrence?]. / La période périopératoire de chirurgie carcinologique : un moment crucial ! L'anesthésie locorégionale prévient-elle la récidive des cancers ?

Surgical treatment of cancer is usually necessary but it can paradoxically aggravate the patient outcome by increasing the risk of recurrence. Many perioperative factors have been shown to contribute to the dissemination of the tumor: surgery itself, stress, inflammation, pain, anaesthetic drugs, blood transfusion, etc. The type of anaesthesia chosen in the cancer patient could then be crucial and influence the evolution of the disease. Experimental, preclinical and retrospective studies have suggested that a regional anesthesia associated or not with a general anesthesia for carcinologic surgery might reduce the risk of cancer recurrence. This text reviews the factors promoting the recurrence of tumors after carcinologic surgery and the potential possibilities of protection associated with the type of anaesthesia chosen.

[French clinical guidelines for prevention of perianaesthetic dental injuries: long text]. / Bris dentaires périanesthésiques: texte long.

INTRODUCTION: Dental injuries represent the most common claims against the anaesthesiologists. Dental lesions are frequent complications of orotracheal intubation and major causal factors are, firstly, preexisting poor dentition, and, secondly, difficult laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation. The aim of this work was to prioritize propositions for prevention in perianaesthetic dental injury and for care in case of dental trauma. METHOD: A GRADE consensus procedure consisting of three rounds was conducted. A purposively selected heterogeneous panel (n=15) of experts, comprising 10 practitioners in anesthesiology, one practitioner who is jurist and anaesthesiologist, two practitioners in maxillofacial surgery, and two practitioners in dentist surgery. In cases where the data did not appear conclusive, recommendations were based on the consensus opinion of the board members. The guidelines represent the best current evidence based on literature search and professional opinion. RESULTS: The entire panel completed all three rounds and 31 plus six propositions were written for adult and paediatric clinical practice in anaesthesiology, respectively. The experts highlight the interest of preoperative visit for minimizing dental injuries: the practitioner must identify risk factors for difficult intubation and ventilation, describe precisely patient's preoperative dental condition, including upper incisor most commonly involved teeth in dental trauma. Patients have to be informed by practitioner for risk dental injury and anaesthesiology staff must choose his anesthesia protocol before the induction of intubation narcosis, avoiding insufficient anaesthesia and lack of experience by the anaesthesiologist. The choice of accurate proceeding during laryngoscopy, tracheal intubation and extubation for example, can aid in the prevention of dental injury, reduce the number of claims and the cost of litigation process. DISCUSSION: These guidelines delineate an approach for the prevention of perianaesthetic dental trauma and for the immediate or urgent care in case of perianaesthetic dental injury.

[Wound infiltration with local anesthetics for postoperative analgesia. Results of a national survey about its practice in France]. / Infiltrations d'anesthésiques locaux pour l'analgésie postopératoire chez l'adulte. Résultats d'une enquête nationale de pratique.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Local wound infiltration is a component of multimodal postoperative (p.o.) analgesia. Its implementation in current clinical practice remains unknown. Pain and Regional Anesthesia Committee of the French Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Society (Sfar) aimed to appraise its practice. METHOD: Postal sample survey based on representative sample of national activity were sent to heads of anaesthesiology departments. The questionnaires included 36 items on single-shot and continuous wound infiltrations (CWI) with considerations about modality of administration, drugs and development limitations. Results in mean [CI95 %]. RESULTS: Response rate was 32 % (n=120). Sample was in accordance with national representation of health institutions. Local infiltration was included in 85 % [79-91] of the p.o. analgesia protocols. Regardless of the surgery, single-shot wound infiltration and CWI were used in more than 50 % of the patients by respectively 58 % [49-67] and 18 % [11-25] of the responders. However, a significant part of the surgeons remained reluctant to CWI. Lack of information and fear of septic complications were the most reported barriers. Peritoneal instillation after laparoscopy was rarely performed, in contrast with intra-articular infiltration after knee arthroscopy, performed systematically or very frequently by 60 % [50-70] of the responders. CONCLUSION: The practice of local wound infiltration for p.o. analgesia seems presently well established, especially for single-shot injections. CWI is less commonly performed. Several surgical reluctances remain to be overcome. Better information about effectiveness and safety are likely to still improve their practices.

[Oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopy in a teenager and esophageal achalasia]. / Fibroscopie œso-gastro-duodénale diagnostique chez l'adolescent : quand penser à l'achalasie du cardia ?

Oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopy for diagnostic is daily performed in adults and in children during sedation with propofol. This is administrated in France by anaesthesiologists. Pulmonary or cardiovascular complications are rare. We report a case of massive inhalation during an EGD with a teenager. The assessment has revealed an oesophageal achalasia, a condition rare in children and atypical development. This case highlights the importance of systematic screening for risk of a full stomach during the anaesthesia consultation, and the difficulty in evaluation in case of medical migrant patient.