Prognostic factors of hemorrhagic complications after oxaliplatin-based hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy: Toward routine preoperative dosage of Von Willebrand factor?

BACKGROUND: Oxaliplatin-based hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC-ox) induces specific morbidity with hemorrhagic complications (HC). The aim of this study was to identify preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative HC predictive factors after HIPEC-ox. METHODS: A prospective single center study that included all consecutive patients treated with curative-intent HIPEC-ox, whatever the origin of peritoneal disease, was conducted. All patients underwent systematic blood tests exploring primary hemostasis and endothelial activation before surgical incision (D0) and on postoperative days 2 (POD2) and 5 (POD5). RESULTS: Between May 2012 and August 2015, 47 patients were enrolled in the study. The overall HC rate was 38%. Major morbidity was significantly higher in patients with HC. Patients presenting HC were significantly more often affected with pseudomyxoma peritonei and had less preoperative chemotherapy. Multivariate analysis showed that a higher plasmatic level of Von Willebrand factor antigen at D0 (D0 VWF:Ag) was a protective predictive factor for HC (p = 0.049, HR: 0.97 CI 95% [0.94-1.00]). A D0 VWF:Ag level below 138% had a sensitivity of 87.5%, a specificity of 67% and an area under the curve of 80.3% (CI 95% [66.5-94], p < 0.01) for predicting HC. CONCLUSIONS: Through the identification of prognostic factors, this study highlighted a subgroup of patients with low risk of HC after HIPEC-ox. Based on these results, we propose a routine preoperative dosage of VWF that would help the surgeon to select the most suitable patients for HIPEC-ox.

Bariatric surgery improves female pelvic floor disorders.

OBJECTIVES: Obesity aggravates pelvic floor disorders in women. Weight loss improves these disorders. The purpose of this study was to assess the evolution of pelvic floor disorders in women who have undergone bariatric surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective single-center study was conducted from December 2012 to February 2014. The parameters studied were diabetes, BMI, excess weight loss, multiparity, mode of delivery and their relation to obesity and pelvic floor disorders. We evaluated anorectal and urethral sphincter disorders using the PFDI-20 questionnaire preoperatively, at 1 month and then every 6 months thereafter. RESULTS: One hundred and sixteen patients underwent bariatric surgery. Seventy questionnaires were completed preoperatively and postoperatively. Weight loss was significant with an excess weight loss of 57.1%. The mean body mass index (BMI) decreased from 44.5 ± 6.31 kg/m(2) (range: 35.0-63.23) to 31.83 ± 5.83 kg/m(2) (range: 20.9-49.6). The average length of follow-up was 11.3 ± 5.2 months (range: 5-25). The incidence of urinary symptoms improved after surgery (P=0.003), as did the UDI-6 score (Urogenital distress inventory) (P=0.009). There was no improvement in other symptoms such as prolapse and colorectal-anal dysfunction. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of pelvic floor disorders is high among obese women; in this study, colorectal disorders were present in 53% and urinary disorders in 71.5%. Bariatric surgery-induced weight loss led to improvement in urinary continence disorders when assessed over an average follow-up of 11 months.

Routine second-look after surgical treatment of colonic peritoneal carcinomatosis.

BACKGROUND: Surgical procedures that combine both complete cytoreductive surgery (CCRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) have improved the survival of patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC). Current imaging and laboratory investigations are not very useful to diagnose PC. This prospective study sought to determine the usefulness of routine second-look surgery (RSLS) combined with HIPEC in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with PC at high-risk for recurrence. METHODS: From 2007 to 2011, RSLS was performed on 14 patients who had undergone a complete initial oncological resection for synchronous colonic PC and/or ovarian metastasis with PC discovered during primary colon cancer surgery after a course of 12 cycles of intravenous chemotherapy, eventually associated with HIPEC. RESULTS: Pathology confirmed PC in 71% of patients during RSLS, with a median peritoneal carcinomatosis index (PCI) of 10. There was no post-operative mortality, while 7% of patients exhibited Dindo Grade III-IV complications. The 2-year overall survival and disease-free survival rates were 91% and 38%, respectively. Following RSLS and CCRS, peritoneal recurrence was observed in only 8% of patients who had undergone HIPEC. CONCLUSION: RSLS combined with HIPEC after initial resection of synchronous colonic PC allows diagnosis and treatment of low-score PC, with limited post-operative complications and increased overall survival rates.

[Drug's administration via feeding tubes: evaluation of practices in an intensive care unit of a Tunisian hospital]. / Administration des médicaments par sonde de nutrition entérale : évaluation des pratiques dans un service de réanimation médicale d'un hôpital tunisien.

INTRODUCTION: Drugs' administration via feeding tubes is a potential source of iatrogenic events for the intensive care patients because of the problem of not adapted galenic forms. OBJECTIVES: We analyzed the prescriptions of patients with enteral feedings to determine if the galenic forms were compatible with administration via feeding tubes. We also observed and analyzed the methods of drugs passage by nurses. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed 30 prescriptions of patients with enteral feedings in the intensive care unit of Habib Bourguiba Sfax hospital, by a prospective and exhaustive way. We also, observed and evaluated the practices of preparation and administration of drugs to these patients via feeding tube by nurses. RESULTS: Only 12% of drugs were liquids. Eighty-eight percent of the drugs were pulverised and capsule open before administration. The galenic form was not in conformity for 20% of drugs because of the prohibition to crushing tablet or opening capsule (gastroresistant form was dissolved), or because of the administration of a parenteral form (risk of irritation). Among 78 drugs administered by 10 different nurses, the time between passage of the drug and enteral nutrition were not respected for 59% of the observations. The drugs were managed in mixture for 90% of the observations. The gloves were not worn in 80% of observations. No rinsing is made between consecutive administrations and before administration. CONCLUSION: This study shows that it is possible to reduce risk of administration errors in the intensive care unit and to facilitate the administration of drug via feeding tube by prescribing liquid oral form or soluble solid oral form. It also shows the need for cooperation with the pharmacist in order to adapt the galenic forms and to redact protocol of administration.