[Safety and efficacy of intravenous tranexamic acid in endoscopic transurethral resections in urology: Prospective randomized trial]. / Intérêt de l'acide tranexamique dans les résections endoscopiques urologiques : étude prospective randomisée.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic urological procedures (transurethral resection of the prostate TURP/transurethral resection of bladder tumor TURBT) are not without risk of significant bleeding. This risk is due to the vascular nature of the tissues and their high levels of fibrinolytic enzymes in the tissues and urine. This study was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the antifibrinolytic agent tranexamic acid (TXA) in reducing blood loss in patients undergoing TURP/TURBT and transfusion requirement. METHODS: This study was a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled clinical trial. One hundred and thirty-one patients of ASA physical status I or II, undergoing TURP (60 patients) or TURBT (71 patients) were randomly allocated to receive IV TXA: bolus of 10mg/kg at the induction of anesthesia followed by infusion of 1mg/kg/h intraoperatively and for 24h postoperatively or an equal volume of saline (control group). Blood loss was evaluated in terms of reduction in the serum hemoglobin level (delta Hb=Hb H24-Hb H0). RESULTS: There was no difference between two groups in terms of transfusion requirements and episodes of retention. TXA did not significantly reduce mean blood loss compared with placebo during TURP (1.37±0.69 vs. 1.72±1.23g/dL respectively, P=0.256) or TURBT (1.15±0.95 vs. 1.07±0.88g/dL; P=0.532). No thrombotic complications were noted in any patient. CONCLUSION: Tranexamic acid did not reduce transfusion requirements or perioperative blood loss in transurethral resection of the prostate or bladder tumor. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

[Bacteriological profile and antibiotic treatment of postoperative peritonitis]. / PROFIL BACTERIOLOGIQUE ET ANTIBIOTHERAPIE DES PERIONITES POST OPERATOIRES.

During the postoperative peritonitis (PPO) the main stay of treatment is the choice of probabilistic antibiotictherapy, it is also the main prognostic factor The aim of our study was to identify anappropriate antibiotic protocol to the current ecology of our unit. It was a retrospective study including 102 patients over a period of 09 years from 1 January 2003 to 3O November 2011. All of them are supported for the treatments off postoperative peritonitis in surgical intensive care unit of a service of general surgery a university hospital Charles Nicolle of Tunis. All bacteriological data (germs and sensitivity), and the terms of therapeutic modality for the empirical antibiotic therapy were listed. The incidence of PPO was Q90%.The average age of our patients was 57 +/- 18 years. The sex ratio was 1.08. One hundred and seven (107) microorganisms were isolated from 72 samples (44 microbial mono, 28 multi microbial). The frequency of gram-positive cocci (GPC) was 16.82%, the Gram-negative bacilli (BGN) was 82.2%. The Enterobacteriaceae have proved particularity resistant. Thus, the ampicillin resistance was 87.14%, that the C3G was 33.80%, the Piperacillin to Tazobactam combination, was 36.5% and that the association Ticarcillin-clavulanic acid was 43.6%. For non-fermenting BGN, Pseudomonas aeruginosa was sensitive to ticarcillin in 80% of cases, to ceftazidime in 66.6% of cases, PiperacillinTazobactam--in 71.43% of cases, imipenem in 85 72% of cases, colimycin in 100% of cases and Amiklin in 71.43% of cases. For CGP, enterococci were resistant to ampicillin in 50% of cases and vancomycin in 0% of cases. The majority of patients received triple antibiotic therapy (59.8%) or combination therapy (34.3%). The main associations were: cefotaxime + Gentamycin + Metronidazole (35.2%), Amikacin Imipenem + + Metronidazole (12.7%), Imipenem + amikacin (9.8%), Piperacillin / Tazobactam + amikacin (9.8%) + amikacin and ertapenem (5.88%). Probabilitic antibiotic therapy was addapted in 69.4% of cases. The average duration of the prescribed antibiotic was 11 days +/- 6 days. The mortality rate was 39.2%, was 32.23 days. The isolated microorganisms are those of the intestinal flora which is generally changed and thus the bacteria are selected then are multidrug resistant. Prescribing antibiotics should consider probabilistic. Thus, Imipenem-Amiklin combination seems appropriate to our ecology. This empiric antibiotic therapy is secondarily adapted to the results of susceptibility testing to limit the selection of multi-resistant organisms.

[Postoperative peritonitis: pronostic factors of mortality]. / PERITONITES POST OPERATOIRES: FACTEURS PRONOSTIQUES DE MORTALITE.

The postoperative peritonitis (POP) remains formidable conditions due to a high mortality rate of between 20 and 80%. The purpose of this study is to identify risk factors for mortality. This study is a retrospective, descriptive analysis carried out over a period of 09 years (1/1/2003 - 30/11/2011) and interesting 102 patients supported for POP following general surgery. Achieved in department of General Surgery B Charles Nicolle hospital Tunis. The parameters measured included epidemiological data, data related to the Initial Surgical Intervention and reoperation for POP, terms of management and evolution. Bacteriological data were also seized. The incidence of POP was 0.90%. The average age of our patients was 58 +/- 19 years with a sex ratio of 1.08. Forty-seven percent of our patients belonged to the ASAII class. The initial operation was performed urgently in 49 patients (48%) with a majority belonging to the class II Altemeier (49.01%). Colorectal pathology (373%) and hepatobiliay (176%) were the most frequent reasons for the initial intervention. The frequency of clinical signs were fever (75.5%), hypothermia (6.9%), abdominal pain (725%), abdominal distension (46.1%), productive gastric aspiration (30.4%), abdominal defense (25.5%), externalizing the digestive fluid (25.5%), vomiting (19.6%), diarrhea (12.7%), tachycardia (569%), oliguria (42.2%), respiratory failure (40.2%), hypotension (35.3%), neuropsychiatric disorders ( 23.5%) and jaundice (69%). The treatment period was 2.95 +/- 3.16 days. The surgical recovery time was 78 days +/- 5.66. At the time of reoperation, the APACHE II score was 8.43 +/- 6.26 and 25.1 +/- MPI score 8.53. The POP was generalized in 52.9% of cases with purulent peritoneal fluid in 51% of cases. The most common cause was the dropping of the anastomosis (59.8%). Empirical antibiotic therapy was appropriate in 69.44 % of cases. The mortality rate was 39.2%. Multivariate analysis using multiple logistic regression identified the following factors as independent mortality factors: Age > or = 60 years (RR = 6.089), multiple organ failure (RR = 18.019), non-appropriate empiric antibiotic therapy (RR = 6.541), stercoral aspect of peritoneal fluid (RR 6.412). Despite a low frequency, the POP are burdened with a high mortality rate. The improved prognosis requires early diagnosis in order to allow a appropriate load medicosurgical support before the installation of multiorgan failure syndrome. Among the independent factors associated with mortality that we have identifed, the not adapted empiric antibiotic therapy is the main factor on which we can act.

Effects of high-frequency jet ventilation on arterial baroreflex regulation of heart rate.

Fifteen anesthetized mechanically ventilated patients recovering from multiple trauma were studied to compare the effects of high-frequency jet ventilation (HFJV) and continuous positive-pressure ventilation (CPPV) on arterial baroreflex regulation of heart rate. Systolic arterial pressure and right atrial pressure were measured using indwelling catheters. Electrocardiogram (ECG) and mean airway pressure were continuously monitored. Lung volumes were measured using two linear differential transformers mounted on thoracic and abdominal belts. Baroreflex testing was performed by sequential intravenous bolus injections of phenylephrine (200 micrograms) and nitroglycerin (200 micrograms) to raise or lower systolic arterial pressure by 20-30 Torr. Baroreflex regulation of heart rate was expressed as the slope of the regression line between R-R interval of the ECG and systolic arterial pressure. In each mode of ventilation the ventilatory settings were chosen to control mean airway pressure and arterial PCO2 (PaCO2). In HFJV a tidal volume of 159 +/- 61 ml was administered at a frequency of 320 +/- 104 breaths/min, whereas in CPPV a tidal volume of 702 +/- 201 ml was administered at a frequency of 13 +/- 2 breaths/min. Control values of systolic arterial pressure, R-R interval, mean pulmonary volume above apneic functional residual capacity, end-expiratory pulmonary volume, right atrial pressure, mean airway pressure, PaCO2, pH, PaO2, and temperature before injection of phenylephrine or nitroglycerin were comparable in HFJV and CPPV. Baroreflex regulation of heart rate after nitroglycerin injection was significantly higher in HFJV (4.1 +/- 2.8 ms/Torr) than in CPPV (1.96 +/- 1.23 ms/Torr).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Epidemiological analysis of Acinetobacter baumannii strains isolated from a surgical intensive care unit.

A serious epidemic of Acinetobacter baumannii resistant to imipenem occurred in the surgical intensive care unit of the hospital Charles-Nicolle in Tunis during February 1994, causing two deaths among three patients. The Acinetobacter strains were isolated from various samples of the intensive care unit. The techniques used for typing were biotyping, antibiogram, plasmid profiles and chromosomal DNA by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD). The A baumannii strains isolated from patients exhibited an identical pattern with all the epidemiological markers utilized; the strains from the surrounding areas showed four and six different patterns respectively for phenotypic and genotypic characters. The strain isolated from a care table had the same phenotypic and genotypic pattern as that of the patients' strains.

[Experience of ambulatory anesthesia in Charles Nicolle hospital]. / Vécu de l'anesthésie ambulatoire à l'hôpital Charles Nicolle.

The authors report the experience of ambulatory surgery at Charles Nicoll's hospital on ophthalmology and ORL surgery in which 90% and 60% of acts can be realized on ambulatory. The organisation by means of structures and hospital workers makes an important gain. The anesthetic consultation, very important in this organisation, enable to avoid to rescue a patient at the last time.

Transoesophageal echocardiographic monitoring of left ventricular function.

Technical advances in echocardiography, especially the introduction of oesophageal probes, have led to the extension of its indications to the field of anaesthesia and intensive care. Transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) provides high quality imaging of the left ventricle in patients on ventilators. In addition, manipulation of the probe is performed near the patient's head and so does not interfere with the surgeon's job. This enables echocardiographic monitoring of left ventricular function throughout the operation. The information so obtained not only provides data about anatomical changes which is sometimes invaluable, but also allows quantification of left ventricular function which is the main advantage for anaesthetists. The images allow study of regional and global left ventricular contraction and the deduction of certain parameters of ventricular performance. The ability to perform real time monitoring of ventricular function throughout anaesthesia and the immediate postoperative period is all the more valuable in patients with limited cardiac and coronary reserve. This new method of monitoring gives a better understanding of the physiopathology of peroperative cardiac events and provides information which may guide the conduct of the anaesthesia and postoperative care.