Breathing sounds characteristics correlate with structural changes of upper airway due to obstructive sleep apnea.

This paper reports on a pilot study of acoustic properties of respiratory sounds in relation to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Data were breathing sounds of 60 individuals in three groups of non-, Moderate and Severe OSA using the apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) (20 in each group). The sounds power spectral energy and phase responses were calculated for each respiratory phase, and investigated among the groups. The results of power spectral analysis, congruent with imaging studies' findings, suggest a regional narrowing in upper airway that shows its effect in low and high frequencies as an opposite pattern between the OSA and non-OSA groups. The results of phase analysis also support an increased nonlinearity in high frequencies that is speculated to be related to the regional narrowing and thus regional elasticity of the airway during wakefulness.

[Peripheral intravenous access in the operating room: characteristics and predictors of difficulty]. / Accès veineux périphériques au bloc opératoire : caractéristiques et facteurs prédictifs de difficulté

PURPOSE: To investigate of predictor's factors of difficult venous access device in the operating room in elective surgery. METHODS: In a prospective study in central operating room, were included all patients scheduled for a surgical or diagnostic intervention. Were excluded all patients admitted with functional venous access. For each, were recorded patient's demographic characteristics (age, gender, ASA class, BMI), history (chemotherapy, prolonged ICU stay, hospitalization for more than five days), data from the clinical examination (presence of skin lesions, arteriovenous fistulas, burns, neurological deficits) and the type of operator (trainee, nurse, resident, senior). The difficulty was judged on the number of attempts required for successful venous access. Puncture was considered easier for a number of attempts to one to two and difficult if the number of attempts was greater than two. Predictor's factors were identified after univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: During one year (March 2008 to February 2009), form returns in 1500 were met, 1325 were usable. Venous catheterization was successful in 50.9% at the first attempt in 24.2% of patients at the second attempt and after three attempts in 18% of patients. Only 6.8% of patients required more than three attempts. A central venous catheter was required in seven patients. In multivariate analysis, chemotherapy (OR=4.54, 95% CI [2.92 to 7.03]; P<0.001), a nurse in training (OR=2.27, 95% CI [1.40 to 3.63]; P=0.001), a resident in training (OR=2.14, 95% CI [1.29 to 3.58]; P=0.003) and the presence of burns (OR=3.59, 95% CI [2.44 to 5.27]; P<0.001) were identified as independent predictors of difficulty of peripheral venous access. DISCUSSION: The optimization of venous access devices in the operating room through the search for predictors of difficulty.

[Unilateral bronchospasm during general anesthesia]. / Le bronchospasme unilatéral lors d'une anesthésie générale.

We report a case of unilateral bronchospasm encountered following an induction of anesthesia of healthy young man with no significant past medical or surgical history. The differential diagnosis and management are discussed. Unilateral bronchospasm was probably caused by topical lidocaine injected with a Laryngojet injector at the vocal cords.

[Effects of skin infiltration with ropivacaine 0,75% on postoperative pain after caesarean section]. / Effet d'une infiltration sous-cutanée de ropivacaïne 0,75 % sur l'analgésie postopératoire après césarienne.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the effects of skin infiltration with ropivacaine 0,75% on postoperative pain after caesarean section in the first 24h. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective randomized double blind study was realized during three months in Auxerre Hospital. All ASA 1-2 patients presenting for elective caesarean section under spinal anesthesia were enrolled in the study. Drug addicts and patients with chronic pain were excluded from the study. The patients were randomly divided into two groups to receive skin infiltration 20 ml of ropivacaine 0,75% (Gr R) or skin infiltration of 20 ml of 0,9% saline solution. All patients received systematically propacetamol 1g per six hours and ketoprofen 50mg per six hours. Intravenous morphine titration was delivered to patients with a simple numerical scale greater or equal to three (SNS> or =3). Postoperative pain (SNS), morphine consumption and adverse reactions were compared. RESULTS: From July to September 2005, 42 patients were enrolled in the study. The SNS was lower in the Gr R. Total morphine consumption was reduced in the Gr R. The incidence of the adverse effects were higher in the Gr P. One case of parietal haematoma was detected in the Gr P, the evolution of which was favorable. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Skin infiltration of ropivacaine 0,75% is a simple technique able to reduce postoperative pain score and morphine consumption after caesarean section.

[Iatrogenic oesophageal perforation following an imprevisible difficult tracheal intubation]. / Perforation iatrogène de l'oesophage suite à une intubation trachéale difficile imprévisible.

The authors report a case of oesophageal perforation after difficult tracheal intubation. Interest of an early diagnosis and management of such complication are discussed.