Intubating conditions and adverse events during sevoflurane induction in infants.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare intubating conditions and adverse events after sevoflurane induction in infants, with or without the use of rocuronium or alfentanil. METHODS: Seventy-five infants, aged 1-24 months, undergoing elective surgery under general anaesthesia were randomly assigned to receive 8% sevoflurane with either placebo (i.v. saline 0.5 ml kg⁻¹), rocuronium (0.3 mg kg⁻¹), or alfentanil (20 µg kg⁻¹). The primary outcome measure was intubating conditions evaluated 90 s after test drug injection by an anaesthetist unaware of the patient's group. The secondary outcome criteria were respiratory (Sp(O2) <90%, laryngospasm, closed vocal cords preventing intubation, bronchospasm) and haemodynamic adverse events (heart rate and mean arterial pressure variations ≥30% control value). RESULTS: Intubating conditions were significantly better in the rocuronium group, with clinically acceptable intubating conditions in 92%, vs 70% in the alfentanil group and 63% in the placebo group (P=0.044). Adverse respiratory events were significantly less frequent in the rocuronium group: 0% vs 33% in the placebo group and 30% in the alfentanil group (P=0.006). Haemodynamic adverse events were more frequent in the alfentanil group: 48% vs 7% in the placebo group and 16% in the rocuronium group (P=0.0019). CONCLUSIONS: In 1- to 24-month-old infants, the addition of 0.3 mg kg⁻¹ rocuronium to 8% sevoflurane improved intubating conditions and decreased the frequency of respiratory adverse events. Alfentanil provided no additional benefit in this study.

[Prognosis of operable breast cancers in women aged under forty years]. / Le pronostic des cancers du sein opérables des femmes de moins de 40 ans.

The present study is based on the data of a homogeneous series of 736 women with stage I and II operable breast cancer. The same methodology was used for treatment and follow-up. Eighty-seven patients were under 40 and 649 between 40 and 70 years ols. No statistical difference was noted between the distribution in these 2 groups regarding tumor size, the axillary or internal mammary nodal status or hormonal receptor levels. Small tumors were noted more frequently in the under 40 yr group. Overall survival was the same in both groups, independently of tumor size, axillary nodal status or hormonal receptors. Disease-free survival differed between the 2 groups: local relapse risk was 1.6 times higher for women under 40 yr, in relation to a higher frequency of conservative treatment in this group. No difference was noted for DFS in relation a tumor size, axillary nodal status of hormonal receptors.