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Biomedical subjects

C Auboyer

Publications and source records attributed to C Auboyer.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Evaluation of practices involving a cross infection risk in anaesthesia].

OBJECTIVE: The practice of anaesthesiology has the potential for transmitting a number of infectious agents to the patient. In France, several recent cases have been identified, so that a wide survey on anaesthesiology practice has been enhanced. METHODS: An anonymous questionnaire, based on the recommendations of the French Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (Sfar), was send to 8,771 anaesthesiologists and intensive care practitioners and to 2,070 nurses practicing anaesthesiology. RESULTS: A total of 1,343 questionnaires were analyzed (response rate of 12.4%). The study shows that some recommendations were routinely applied, such as: availability of alcohol-based hand hygiene solution in operating rooms (94%), use of antimicrobial filters for respiratory circuits (99%), use of single-use laryngoscope blades (77%), aseptic technique for central venous catheterization (99%), hand hygiene after contact with body fluids (96%). In contrast, the study showed that some recommendations were partially applied: hand hygiene practice (52%), wear of gloves when a risk of blood exposure exists (23%), cleaning of reusable laryngoscope blades (19%), and incorrect wear of masks (71%). The reuse of the same syringe for several patients was described in 2% of the responses. CONCLUSION: This results, similar to those previously described in the literature, must be followed by appropriate training and education of anaesthesia personnel, implementation of the recommendations, and evaluation of practices. Reuse of the same syringe for several patients have to be eradicated because of the high risk of viral transmission.

Anesthesia↗

[HELLP syndrome and ruptured subcapsular hepatic haematoma. Case report and therapeutic options].

We report a case of spontaneous hepatic rupture secondary to HELLP syndrome. A favourable evolution was observed after massive transfusion and surgical management limited to hepatic packing. Subcapsular hepatic haematoma is a rare complication of preeclampsia occurring mainly in the context of HELLP syndrome. A high maternal and foetal mortality is observed. Different therapeutic options are presented including medical, surgical and radiological interventions. A unique strategy cannot be defined. Multidisciplinary approach seems mandatory. Surgery should remain as less aggressive as possible.

Adult↗

Patient-controlled cervical epidural fentanyl compared with patient-controlled i.v. fentanyl for pain after pharyngolaryngeal surgery.

BACKGROUND: Analgesia after pharyngolaryngeal surgery is commonly provided through the i.v. route. The aim of the study was to compare cervical epidural administration of fentanyl with the i.v. route for postoperative analgesia after pharyngolaryngeal surgery. METHODS: In a randomized double-blind study 42 patients received fentanyl via patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) either through the i.v. route (PCA-IV group, n=22) or through the cervical epidural route (PCA-Epid group, n=20). Identical PCA settings were used in the two groups (bolus dose: 1.5 microg kg(-1), bolus: 25 microg, lockout interval: 10 min, maximum cumulative dose: 400 microg per 4 h). Analgesia at rest and during swallowing was evaluated using a visual analogue scale. RESULTS: Analgesia at rest was better in the PCA-Epid group than in the PCA-IV group but only 2 and 6 h after surgery (P<0.02). There was no difference in analgesia during swallowing. Cumulative doses of fentanyl were similar {PCA-Epid group: 1412 microg (912), PCA-IV group: 1287 microg (1200) [median (IQR)]}. The Pa(o(2)) showed a significant decrease between the preoperative and postoperative period, but this decrease was identical in the two groups [PCA-IV-group: 11.47 (2.4) kPa vs 8.27 (0.9) kPa; PCA-Epid group: 11.33 (1.9) kPa vs 9.20 (2.4) kPa for preoperative and postoperative period respectively]. CONCLUSIONS: The study results show that cervical epidural analgesia provides marginally better pain relief at rest with no decrease in the fentanyl consumption. The use of the cervical epidural administration of fentanyl is questionable because of the possible complications of the technique.

Adult↗

Glucose-lipid ratio is a determinant of nitrogen balance during total parenteral nutrition in critically ill patients: a prospective, randomized, multicenter blind trial with an intention-to-treat analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Protein sparing, the major goal of nutritional support, may be affected by the glucose/lipid ratio. This study in critically ill patients compared the efficacy and tolerance of two isocaloric isonitrogenous total parenteral nutritions (TPN) having different glucose/lipid ratios. DESIGN: Multicentric prospective randomized study. PATIENTS: 47 patients with SAPS I score higher than 8 and requiring exclusive TPN. INTERVENTIONS: Patients received glucose/lipid ratios of 50/50 or 80/20. For 7 days all patients received 32 glucidolipidic kcal/kg and 0.27 g/kg nitrogen daily. All-in-one bags were prepared using industrial mixtures and a fat emulsion. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: We determined TPN efficacy by nitrogen balance, urinary 3-methylhistidine/creatinine ratio, transthyretin and tolerance by glycemia, and liver enzymes. After controlling for five variables with significant effects, patients receiving the 50/50 ratio during TPN had significantly higher nitrogen balance than those receiving the 80/20 ratio. The daily difference in mean nitrogen sparing effect in favor of the latter group was 1.367 g (95% CI 0.0686-2.048). Glycemia on day 4 and gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase on day 8 were higher in group receiving the the 80/20 ratio. CONCLUSIONS: In critically ill patients TPN at a glucose/lipid ratio of 80/20 ratio induces a small nitrogen sparing effect compared to the ratio of 50/50, at the expense of poorer glycemic control. The clinical significance is unclear.

Critical Care↗

[Mediastinal and abdominal lymphoedema: consequence of massive pulmonary embolism with shock?].

We report a case of severe pulmonary embolism diagnosed using spiral CT-scan in a patient admitted for shock associated with acute abdominal symptoms. Intraluminal clots images were visualized associated with an infiltration of mediastinal fat. Abdominal CT showed infiltration of the hepatobiliary hilum. After thrombolysis, the clinical thoracic and abdominal symptoms improved. A CT-scan at the 48(th) hour showed that the thoracic and abdominal features had disappeared. We emphasize the misleading aspect of the CT-scan images and we speculated that this infiltration could reflect the abdominal and mediastinal lymphoedema.

Abdomen↗

[Iodine intoxication after subcutaneous irrigations of povidone iodine].

Irrigation of povidone iodine considered as a safe and effective procedure, is frequently used for deep infections. We report a case of intoxication by iodine in a man of 68-year-old after subcutaneous irrigations of Betadine at a concentration of 20% for a subcutaneous infection of the thigh. Abnormalities of cardiac conduction, lactic acidosis, acute renal failure, hypocalcaemia and thyroid dysfunction were the manifestations of the intoxication confirmed by a very high level of total blood iodine and urine iodine.

Aged↗

Prospective study of nosocomial colonization and infection due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa in mechanically ventilated patients.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the respective contribution of endogenous and exogenous transmission of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the colonization of lungs in the mechanically ventilated patient, to estimate the role of P. aeruginosa colonization in the occurrence of severe infections, and to extrapolate appropriate control measures for the prevention of P. aeruginosa ventilator-associated pneumonia. DESIGN: Prospective study of the presence of P. aeruginosa (in stomach fluid, throat specimens, stool, and sputum) on admission, twice a week throughout the patient's stay, and in their environment. O-serotyping, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, and arbitrarily-primed polymerase chain reaction were used to characterize the strains. SETTING: The two intensive care units (ICUs 1 and 2) of a university hospital. PATIENTS: During a 6-month period, 59 patients were included (21 in ICU 1 and 38 in ICU 2). RESULTS: P. aeruginosa was isolated in 26 patients, including ten pneumonia cases and seven colonizations on admission. The incidence of acquired colonization was statistically different between the two ICUs: 5.5 and 20.5 per 1000 days of mechanical ventilation, in ICUs 1 and 2, respectively. Endogenous acquisition was the main origin of P. aeruginosa colonization (21 of 26 patients) and the upper respiratory tract was the main bacterial reservoir in broncho-pulmonary colonization and infection. However, during the 6-month period of the study, a multidrug-resistant strain of P. aeruginosa O:11, isolated in the sink of the room of 12 patients, was found responsible for two colonizations (1 digestive, 1 throat/lungs) and one pneumonia. As a whole, from 26 cases of colonization/infection with P. aeruginosa, 5 were related to an exogenous contamination (environmental reservoir in 4 patients and cross-contamination in one patient). CONCLUSIONS: These results emphasize the need for applying various infection control measures to prevent colonization of patients with P. aeruginosa, including strategies to limit the potential of sinks from acting as a source or reservoir for this bacterium.

Aged↗

Contribution of ultrasonography and cholescintigraphy to the diagnosis of acute acalculous cholecystitis in intensive care unit patients.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the respective value of ultrasonography (US) and morphine cholescintigraphy (MC) in the diagnosis of acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC). DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective study in an intensive care unit of a university hospital. PATIENTS AND INTERVENTION: Twenty-eight patients with clinically and biologically suspected of AAC. US was performed at the bedside and less than 12 h later MC. US was considered positive if three major criteria were present: wall thickness greater than 4 mm, hydrops, sludge; MC results were regarded as positive if the gallbladder could not be visualized. These latter patients underwent cholecystectomy and the diagnosis of AAC was confirmed through histopathological study. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Sensitivity of US and MC, respectively, was 50% and 67%, specificity 94% and 100%, positive predictive value 86% and 100%, negative predictive value 71% and 80%, and accuracy 75% and 86%. The correlation between US and MC findings was 71%, with chi = 0.31. By Bayesian analysis the probability of disease if the MC finding was positive was 100% regardless of US results. A positive US finding was associated with a 86% probability of disease, but with a probability of only 66% in case of negative MC results. MC is thus superior to US for confirming AAC in selected critically ill patients. Nevertheless, US is an easy, noninvasive, and effective method of bedside screening. The combination of the two imaging tests improves diagnostic accuracy and reduces false-positive and false-negative rates. Poor agreement between the two tests leads to better diagnostic complementarity.

Acute Disease↗

Contribution of cholescintigraphy to the early diagnosis of acute acalculous cholecystitis in intensive-care-unit patients.

Thirty-two intensive care unit patients (78% on long-term total parenteral nutrition) suspected of having acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) were studied prospectively. All of these patients underwent abdominal ultrasonography and cholescintigraphy with technetium-99m mebrofenin. Morphine sulphate (0.04 mg/kg) was administered only if the gallbladder was not visualised after 1 h (16 patients). The final diagnosis was reached after clinical improvement, or upon the discovery of another aetiology for the symptoms presented, or on the basis of histopathology following cholecystectomy (when this was performed). We analysed the contribution of individual cholescintigraphic findings (I: non-visualisation of the gallbladder during the first 60 min of the examination; II: persistent non-visualisation of the gallbladder 30 min following morphine administration; III: non-visualisation of the small bowel for at least 90 min) and their various combinations. We obtained a sensitivity of 79% and a specificity rate 100% using the interpretative criteria "I and II or III". Excluding obstructive syndrome ("I and II"), the sensitivity and specificity figures were 70% and 100% respectively (28 patients). We had no false-positive results in our patient population. Cholescintigraphy was found to complement ultrasonography, which had either good sensitivity (93%) and poor specificity (17%), when at least two of the three major signs were present (sludge, thickened wall, gallbladder distension), or poor sensitivity (36%) and good specificity (89%) when all three signs were present. We conclude that cholescintigraphy is a useful tool for early diagnosis of AAC in critically ill patients, in whom ultrasonography alone does not provide enough information to permit a sufficiently early decision regarding the use of surgery.

Acute Disease↗

[Risk of infection and locoregional anesthesia].

We analysed the data on the risk of infection during practice of locoregional anaesthesia (LRA) and propose recommendations for its prevention. The epidemiologic data show that the incidence is very low. The risk of LBA during sepsis is uncertain and the data are often contradictory. The benefit-risk ratio must be considered, specifically in obstetrics. Precautions which must be followed during the practice of LRA are discussed.

Anesthesia, Conduction↗

[Localized rhabdomyolysis after anaphylactic shock caused by suxamethonium].

A young woman without remarkable medical history, experienced a life threatening anaphylactoid reaction after induction of general anaesthesia for an emergency curettage. Hypersensitivity reaction involving IgE antibodies against suxamethonium was proven by positive skin test and detection of specific IgE by radio-immuno assay. After intensive therapy for 2 to 3 hours, the patient exhibited rhabdomyolysis localized on both calves. This complication, which required fasciotomies, did not result in renal failure. Local and general outcome was good. Rhabdomyolysis was due to compartmental ischaemia following shock and local external compression in the lithotomy position.

Adult↗