Ketamine and magnesium association reduces morphine consumption after scoliosis surgery: prospective randomised double-blind study.

BACKGROUND: Scoliosis repair is a major orthopaedic surgery associated with severe post-operative pain. Ketamine and magnesium have an established efficacy as morphine-sparing agents. Our purpose was to evaluate the morphine-sparing effect of both magnesium and ketamine given simultaneously compared with ketamine alone during scoliosis surgery. METHODS: Fifty patients scheduled for posterior instrumentation were randomised in a prospective double-blind study. The Gr (K + Mg) received, after induction, an intravenous (IV) bolus of ketamine 0.2 mg/kg and magnesium 50 mg/kg, followed by continuous infusion of ketamine (0.15 mg/kg/h) and magnesium (8 mg/kg/h) until extubation. The Gr (K) received the same dose of ketamine associated with bolus and continuous infusion of normal saline. All patients received multimodal analgesia associated with IV morphine administered via patient-controlled analgesia pump. Morphine consumption, visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores and occurrence of side effects were followed until 48 h post-operatively. Sleep quality and patient satisfaction were also followed. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The average cumulative morphine consumption was significantly lower in the Gr (K + Mg) compared with the Gr (K) at post-operative hours 4, 8, 12, 18, 30, 36 and 48. The relative difference in the post-operative morphine consumption was 29.5%: Gr (K + Mg) 51.53 mg vs. Gr (K) 73.16 mg. VAS scores were not statistically different between the two groups. However, qualities of sleep and satisfaction scores on the first night were significantly better in the Gr (K + Mg) (P = 0.027 and P = 0.016, respectively). CONCLUSION: Ketamine and magnesium association reduces the post-operative morphine consumption after scoliosis surgery. It seems to provide a better sleep quality and improves patient satisfaction.

[Deep non-reactive reversible coma after a Mediterranean neurotoxic fish poisoning]. / Coma profond aréactif réversible après intoxication par des abats d'un poisson méditerranéen.

INTRODUCTION: Neurotoxic fish poisoning appears to be a recent phenomenon in the Mediterranean Sea. We report a case of deep non-reactive reversible coma after ingestion of Mediterranean fish innards. CASE REPORT: An 80 year-old man, heavy smoker who had a previous cerebral infarct in the posterior territory, was admitted for rapid deterioration of his neurological condition. He started having perioral tingling, then dysarthria, then became quadriparetic, then developed respiratory and hemodynamic failure and within 3-4h, entered a state of deep non-reactive coma with absence of all brainstem reflexes. He started to improve after 20 h and recovered his neurological baseline within 36 h. Later on, he stated that all his symptoms started after he ingested the gonads of a toxic fish, Lagocephalus scleratus. DISCUSSION: Tetrodotoxin blocks voltage-gated sodium channels and inhibits the production and propagation of action potentials. This toxin is highly concentrated in the liver, gonads, intestines and skin of this fish that is well-known in Japan (where it is considered as a delicacy) and South-East Asia and seems to have migrated recently to the Mediterranean Sea. There is no known antidote to tetrodotoxin but intensive supportive treatment can be life-saving.

Comparison between dexmedetomidine and remifentanil for controlled hypotension during tympanoplasty.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Controlled hypotension is frequently used for obtaining better exposure during tympanoplasty. The aim of this study was to compare dexmedetomidine, a selective, short-acting, central alpha2-adrenergic agonist with remifentanil, an ultra-short-acting opioid with properties similar to other mu-specific agonists, regarding their effects in achieving controlled hypotension and improving surgical field exposure and surgeon's satisfaction during tympanoplasty. METHODS: In this prospective, double-blind pilot study, 24 consecutive patients scheduled for elective tympanoplasty were randomly assigned to receive either dexmedetomidine 1 microg kg(-1) over 10 min at anaesthesia induction followed by 0.4-0.8 microg kg(-1) h(-1) infusion during maintenance or remifentanil 1 microg kg(-1) over 1 min at anaesthesia induction followed by 0.2-0.4 microg kg(-1) min(-1) infusion during maintenance. Mean arterial pressure and heart rate were recorded before induction, at incision, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min after incision and 10 min after stopping the infusion. Surgical field exposure condition and satisfaction scores were assessed by the surgeon, blinded to the study drugs. RESULTS: Mean arterial pressure and heart rate were significantly lower in the remifentanil group compared with the dexmedetomidine group at all times (P = 0.03 and 0.036, respectively). Surgical field exposure condition (3 +/- 0.01 vs. 2.3 +/- 0.7; P = 0.039) and surgeons' satisfaction (3 +/- 0.01 vs. 2.25 +/- 0.87; P = 0.039) scores were significant after remifentanil compared with dexmedetomidine. CONCLUSIONS: Infusion of dexmedetomidine, at the doses used in this study, was less effective than remifentanil in achieving controlled hypotension, good surgical field exposure condition and surgeons' satisfaction during tympanoplasty.

[Status epilepticus and gatifloxacin]. / Etat de mal épileptique et gatifloxacine.

INTRODUCTION: The epileptogenic potential of quinolones differs from one product to the other. The rare epileptic seizures induced by gatifloxacin were seen with the intravenous route. PATIENTS: We report two old ladies presenting with generalized status epilepticus after being treated orally with normal doses of gatifloxacin, with a good recovery. Past medical history of convulsion was the only factor found. Brain MR imaging was unremarkable. In one patient, EEG showed continuous bilateral paroxysmal discharges, predominantly frontal. CONCLUSION: Caution is warranted when using quinolones in elderly patients, especially those suffering from epilepsy.

[Complications and outcome of implantable infusion pumps: apropos of 60 cases]. / Complications et devenir des chambres implantables: à propos de 60 cas.

The aim of this study was to analyse the complications and the outcome in 59 patients with 60 implantable ports for cancer chemotherapy. Perioperative complications included: subcutaneous haematoma (n = 6), wrong position of the catheter tip (n = 2), accidental intravascular injection of lidocaine with adrenaline (n = 1), vagal reflex (n = 1) and pneumothorax (n = 1). Late complications included extravasation of drugs (n = 4), wound dehiscence (n = 1), spontaneous migration of the catheter tip (n = 2), venous thrombosis (n: = 2), septicaemia (n = 6), local discomfort (n = 6) and ports' obstruction (n = 15). In 11 cases, repermeabilization was possible with heparin or streptokinase. Patients were followed up to 40 months, 37% died with a patent port, 6% died with an obstructed port and 45% are still alive with a functional port. Twelve percent of the ports were removed. The lack of life-threatening complications, the high rate of satisfied patients (85%) and the long mean period of use (11 months) in this study are similar to those published in the literature and confirm the value of implantable ports for chemotherapy.

[Spinal anaesthesia and Moya Moya disease]. / Rachianesthésie chez un patient connu avoir une maladie de Moya Moya.

Moya Moya is a rare disease of uncertain origin, characterised by stenosis of one or both of the internal carotid arteries and responsible of several neurological signs. We present the case of a boy with Moya Moya disease who was scheduled for an epiphisiodesis of the lateral malleola and had a spinal anaesthesia with hyperbaric bupivacaine 0.5% 10 mg without any perioperative complications. Any anaesthetic method could be used, provided special attention is given to avoid changes of capnea and blood pressure to preserve cerebral blood flow and palliate to cerebral flow steal.

[Use of implantable chemotherapy reservoirs. Experience at the Hotel-Dieu of France]. / Utilisation des chambres implantables en chimiothérapie. Expérience de l'Hôtel-Dieu de France.

We are presenting our experience with 70 deep venous catheters for long term chemotherapy. Despite the well known complications of these procedures, the implantation of subcutaneous injection sites has facilitated the management and brought much more comfort to cancer patients. Strict measures of survey and meticulous nursing care are essential for optimal use of the injection sites.

[Anaphylactic shock due to modified fluid gels: 2 case reports]. / Choc anaphylactique aux gélatines fluides modifiées: à propos de deux cas.

UNLABELLED: Colloid solutions can give severe anaphylactic accidents. We are reporting two cases from our department. FIRST CASE: a sixty eight years old man perfused with Plasmion solution (Gelatin plasma substitute) before spinal anesthesia, presented sudden hypotension and diffuse skin rush. Second case: a twelve years old girl, receiving a Plasmion solution to correct a hypovolemic shock in I.C.U, presented a severe bronchospasm and a worsening of the hypotension. These accidents are explained by immunologic reactions or by direct histamine release. Their incidence is between 0.01 and 0.8 percent depending on the used solution. They are prevented by an antihistaminic premedication for the gelatin plasma substitutes and by an haptenic inhibition for Dextran (polysaccharide plasma substitutes). The new colloid solutions, based on hydroxyethylstarch, seems to give much less allergic reactions.

[Intraoperative malignant hyperthermia: apropos of a case]. / Hyperthermie maligne per opératoire: à propos d'un cas.

Malignant hyperthermia (MHS) is a rare potentially fatal complication of general anesthesia. Anesthetic agents most frequently incriminated are succinylcholine and halogenated agents. Respiratory acidosis is the most specific and sensitive sign. Hyperthermia per se may occur secondarily or may stay totally absent. Tachycardia and/or arrhythmias often develop due to hyperkalemia and metabolic acidosis. Muscle rigidity whenever present is pathognomonic The "gold standard" test for the diagnosis of MHS is the halothane-caffeine contracture test. Dantrolene is the treatment of choice and prognosis depends on the early administration of this agent.

Hemodynamic effects of pressure support ventilation following cardiac surgery.

Hemodynamic effects of pressure support ventilation (PSV) were assessed in 33 patients, after cardiac surgery. The patients, selected for their stable left ventricular and respiratory functions, underwent uncomplicated coronary artery bypass grafting. They all underwent the same anesthetic protocol, and an invasive hemodynamic monitoring. Eight to ten hours postoperatively, while all patients were fully awake, normothermic and hemodynamically stable, controlled ventilation (CV) was replaced by 3 levels of PSV (20, 10, 5 cm H2O). These levels were applied consecutively for 20 minutes each, before extubation. Hemodynamic and gas exchange data were recorded on CV, on each level of PSV, and on spontaneous breathing. The results were analyzed using ANOVA and Bonfferoni methods. No statistical significance could be noted between the five modes of ventilation as to hemodynamic parameters, arterial and mixed venous blood gases, and oxygen consumption (VO2). The only 2 parameters that reached statistical significance were central venous pressure and respiratory rate. Our study demonstrates that patients with stable cardiovascular and respiratory function can adapt to different levels of PSV without hemodynamic modifications or an increase in their VO2.

[Secondary migration of a central venous catheter linked to an implantable port]. / Migration secondaire d'un cathéter veineux central lié à une chambre implantable.

The secondary migration of the distal part of a central venous catheter with implantable port is rarely described. This study reports a case in which the distal part of a catheter with implantable port moved spontaneously, a month after its implantation in a branch of the internal jugular vein without any other complication. The discussion is about modalities, frequency and explanation mechanisms of the complications due to central catheters. The conclusion insists on systematical radiologic control of the position of implantable port with central venous access, and in case of bad working or any sign of thrombo-phlebitis.

[Laryngeal mask: a new tool for the anesthetist]. / Le masque laryngé: un nouvel outil pour l'anesthésiste.

The laryngeal mask airway avoids the need for laryngoscopy and for tracheal intubation which may be harmful to certain patients. It was used in 70 patients by anesthetists with no previous experience of its use. A clear and unobstructed airway was obtained in 97.2% of patients. An evident hemodynamic stability was observed following its insertion and few minutes later. Laryngospasm occurred in 8 cases during the course of anesthesia and it appeared to be a result of light anaesthesia or of a secondary displacement.

[Duplication of the vena cava]. / Duplication de la veine cave.

Bilateral superior vena cava is a congenital anomaly of which the anaesthesiologist and intensivist should be aware in order to not mistake catheters placed in the left superior vena cava as being malpositioned outside of the venous circulation. These malpositions generally require catheter removal and reinsertion. This anomaly although rare is not-so-unusual. It is generally well tolerated.

Epidemiology of hip fractures in Lebanon: a nationwide survey.

INTRODUCTION: Hip fractures are a reliable indicator of osteoporosis. Despite their importance, few studies have assessed their epidemiology in Lebanon and the Middle East. HYPOTHESES: Hip fracture incidence rates in Lebanon approximate those of Northern countries, and show the same characteristics, particularly the exponential increase with age, higher incidence in women, and a recent trend of rate leveling in women but not in men. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A national database of hip fracture cases admitted to hospitals in Lebanon in 2007 was created. Crude and age-adjusted incidence rates were calculated at 5-year intervals for individuals over age 50. These rates were also standardized to the 2000 United States population, and compared to those of other countries. Projected incidence rates in Lebanon in 2020 and 2050 were also calculated. RESULTS: A total of 1199 patients were included in the study. The crude annual incidence rate in individuals over 50 was 147 per 100,000 individuals, 132 per 100,000 males and 160 per 100,000 females, with a female-to-male ratio of 1.2. The age-standardized annual incidence rates (per 100,000) were 180 in males and 256 in females. Assuming unchanged healthcare parameters, the projected crude incidence rates for people over 50 are expected to reach 174 and 284 per 100,000 in 2020 and 2050 respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Lebanese hip fracture rates are lower than Northern countries, but show many similar characteristics such as an exponential increase with age, a higher incidence in women, and clues of a leveling of rates in women but not in men. Numbers are expected to increase substantially in the coming decades. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV. Epidemiological study.