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C Lejus

Publications and source records attributed to C Lejus.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Does sevoflurane inhibit serum cholinesterase in children?

Serum cholinesterase activity was measured at induction, and following anaesthesia in 41 children aged between 4 and 30 months. The median exposure to sevoflurane was 273%.min. The results did not demonstrate any significant difference in cholinesterase activity, when expressed by gram of serum proteins following inhalation anaesthesia using sevoflurane or intravenous anaesthesia using propofol. The values (SD) obtained were 175 (42) UI.g(-1) before anaesthesia and 177 (43) UI.g(-1) following anaesthesia. The only change in cholinesterase activity detected was related to heamodilution. We conclude that plasma fluoride concentration following sevoflurane administration [13.8 (4.2) microm x l(-1)] is too low to exert an inhibiting effect on in vivo cholinesterase activity and that the previously reported decrease in mivacurium requirements during sevoflurane anaesthesia is unlikely to be due to inhibition by fluoride ions.

Anesthetics, Inhalation↗

Fluoride excretion in children after sevoflurane anaesthesia.

BACKGROUND: Defluorination of sevoflurane is catalysed by the hepatic enzyme cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1). Data about the ontogenesis (developmental variations in activity) of this enzyme suggest a low metabolism of sevoflurane during the first months of life. METHODS: To test this hypothesis, 45 children less than 48 months of age undergoing sevoflurane anaesthesia were enrolled in a prospective open clinical trial. The 24 h urine fluoride excretion was measured in five groups of children (A, <4 months; B, 4 to <8 months; C, 8-12 months; D, >12-24 months; and E, >24-48 months old). An index of sevoflurane metabolism (ISM) was calculated as the ratio of fluoride excretion, cumulative expiratory sevoflurane concentrations measured every minute during anaesthesia, and body surface area. ISM values were median (IQ 25-75%). RESULTS: ISM was lower in group A (n=9, 18.9 (11.2-29.5) than group C (n=11, 44.2 (37.5-53.5), P<0.05), group D (n=7, 52.6 (45.8-68.4), P<0.01) and group E (n=9, 53.6 (50.7-85), P<0.001). Median ISM expressed as a function of median age, exponentially increased with a rapid increase during the first months of life, followed by a slower increase after 10 months of age. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that, in children less than 48 months, sevoflurane metabolism parallels postnatal development of CYP2E1.

Anesthesia, Inhalation↗

Postoperative epidural analgesia with bupivacaine and fentanyl: hourly pain assessment in 348 paediatric cases.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this prospective study was the evaluation of the analgesia provided by an epidural infusion of bupivacaine and fentanyl after different types of surgery in children. METHODS: Data were collected from 348 epidural analgesia in 87 children below 2 years of age, in 80 children between 2 and 6 years and 181 above 6 years of age, for a median duration of 43 postoperative hours. Bupivacaine (mean concentration 0.185%) and fentanyl (5 microg.kg-1.day-1) were administered on the surgical ward. RESULTS: Pain control was considered excellent in 86% of the 11 072 pain hourly assessments. Analgesia was found to be better for children older than 2 years, and the overall quality of their night's sleep was better than that of older children. Higher pain scores were noted for Nissen fundoplication surgery and club foot repairs. Early discontinuation rarely occurred, and only because of technical problems with the epidural catheter (4%) or insufficient analgesia (6%). Complications were minor (nausea/vomiting 14%, pruritus 0.6%, urinary retention 17%) and easily reversed. CONCLUSIONS: This combination of bupivacaine-fentanyl provides safe analgesia after major surgery in children with frequent clinical monitoring. Regular pain assessments of intensity and duration are useful to improve the quality of postoperative analgesia.

Adolescent↗

Comparison of remifentanil versus regional anaesthesia in children anaesthetised with isoflurane/nitrous oxide. International Remifentanil Paediatric Anaesthesia Study group.

We compared the efficacy and safety of a remifentanil (0.25 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1)-based balanced anaesthetic technique with a bupivacaine-based regional anaesthetic technique in an open label, multicentre study in 271 ASA physical status 1 or 2 children aged 1-12 years. Subjects requiring major intra-abdominal, urological or orthopaedic surgery were randomly allocated to receive either intravenous remifentanil (group R; n = 185) or epidural bupivacaine (group B; n = 86) with isoflurane/nitrous oxide for their anaesthesia. The majority of children in both groups (85% in group R, 78% in group B) showed no defined response to skin incision, and although the mean increase in systolic blood pressure (+11 mm Hg) was significantly greater in group R than in group B, this change did not represent a serious haemodynamic disturbance. More children in group R (31%) required interventions to treat hypotension and/or bradycardia than those in group B (12%), but these were easily managed by administration of fluids or anticholinergic drugs. Adverse events, mainly nausea and/or vomiting, occurred in 45% of group R and 42% of group B (NS). The adverse event profile of remifentanil in this study was typical of a potent mu-opioid receptor agonist. Remifentanil was as effective as epidural or caudal block in providing analgesia and suppressing physiological responses to surgical stimuli in children aged between 1 and 12 years undergoing major abdominal, urological, or orthopaedic surgery under isoflurane/nitrous oxide anaesthesia.

Analgesia, Epidural↗

Fentanyl versus sufentanil: plasma concentrations during continuous epidural postoperative infusion in children.

No pharmacokinetic data are available with respect to the plasma concentrations and fentanyl or sufentanil during epidural administration in children. This double-blind randomized study included 12 children (5-12 yr). Patients in group F were given an epidural loading dose of fentanyl 1.5 micrograms kg-1 and in group S sufentanil 0.6 microgram kg-1. Both groups then received a continuous epidural infusion of bupivacaine 5 mg kg-1 day-1 with either fentanyl 5 micrograms kg-1 day-1 or sufentanil 2 micrograms kg-1 day-1. An epidural PCA system was also given to the children (bolus: bupivacaine 0.2 mg kg-1 and fentanyl 0.2 microgram kg-1 or sufentanil 0.08 microgram kg-1). Maximal median concentrations of plasma (0.117-0.247 ng ml-1 for fentanyl and 0.027-0.074 ng ml-1 for sufentanil) were reached approximately 30 and 20 min respectively after the loading doses. These values were similar to those measured after 48 h.

Analgesia, Epidural↗

[Cholinesterases].

OBJECTIVE: To review current data on butyrylcholinesterase. DATA SOURCES: Search through Medline data bases of articles in French or English. STUDY SELECTION: Original articles and case reports were selected. Letters to editor were excluded. DATA EXTRACTION: The articles were analyzed in order to obtain current data on biochemical structure, action, major pathological variations, especially with regard to the recent informations obtained by molecular biology concerning the identification of genetic variants. DATA SYNTHESIS: Butyrylcholinesterase must be differentiated from acetylcholinesterase, which cannot hydrolyse succinylcholine. The physiological action of butyrylcholinesterase remains unknown, although it can hydrolyse many drugs. Excluding genetical mutations, several physiopathological situations alter butyryl-cholinesterase activity. Butyrylcholinesterase activity assessment does not allow the diagnosis of genetic variants. Whatever the origin, only deficits of more than 50% modify significantly the metabolism of succinylcholine or mivacurium. The diagnosis of a prolonged neuromuscular blockade is obtained with systematic monitoring of the neuromuscular function in case of administration of mivacurium or succinylcholine. Mivacurium should only be re-injected when one response at train of four is obtained. In case of prolonged neuromuscular blockade, the anticholinesterasic agent should not be administered when no response at train of four is obtained. The biochemical methods using inhibitors (dibucaine, fluoride) of the butyrylcholinesterase and a familial study lead to the diagnosis in most cases because the atypical and fluoride variants are the most frequent. When results are doubtful, genetic molecular methods with the use of PCR and restriction enzymes allow a rapid diagnosis.

Acetylcholinesterase↗

Prolonged mivacurium neuromuscular block in children.

The authors report two cases of prolonged neuromuscular block after administration of mivacurium in children with previously undiagnosed plasma cholinesterase deficiency related to homozygous atypical genotype. Their anaesthetic management is described as well as determination of the phenotype of both children and their family.

Anesthesia Recovery Period↗

Midazolam for premedication in children: nasal vs. rectal administration.

The authors compared the acceptance and efficacy of rectal and nasal administration of midazolam (MDZ) for premedication. Ninety-five ASA I and II paediatric patients (8 months to 12 years) scheduled for elective surgery were randomly allocated to two groups. Group R received 0.3 mg kg-1 of rectal midazolam (in 5 mL saline). Group N received 0.2 mg kg-1 of nasal midazolam (5 mg ml-1). Both groups were divided in two subgroups according to age (group RA (< or = 6 years, n = 33), group RB (> 6 years, n = 18), group NA (< or = 6 years, n = 28), group NB (> 6 years, n = 16)). At the time of premedication, tolerance to the administration was confirmed. Twenty min after rectal or 10 min after nasal administration the quality of sedation was recorded. The nasal midazolam, in commonly used dosages, induced a sedation similar to that following rectal administration with a shorter delay of onset. Nasal administration was more often painful than rectal administration. Swallowing (nasal midazolam) and concerns about modesty (rectal midazolam) were more frequent in older children. Because of its poor tolerance, nasal premedication should be reversed for cases where there is no alternative. Rectal premedication should be avoided in older children.

Administration, Intranasal↗

[Complicated appendicitis in children: laparoscopy or Mac Burney incision?].

PURPOSE: The aim of this retrospective study was to compare open (Mc Burney incision group MB n = 92) and laparoscopic (group LAP n = 58) appendectomy for complicated appendicitis (abscess or peritonitis). MATERIAL AND METHOD: 150 children, with a mean age of 8.5 years, were operated in our department from January 1990 to April 1996. Only children with complicated appendicitis and positive bacteriology of peritoneal fluid were included in this study. All children received parenteral antibiotics for an average of 5.4 days. RESULTS: The mean operating time was significantly longer in the LAP group (63 vs 43 min p < 0.0001). The conversion rate in the LAP group was 12%. The mean hospital stay was 8.4 days (3-29) without any difference between the 2 groups. There was no significant difference for the complication rate in the 2 groups, except for wound infections which were more frequent in the MB group (p = 0.008). Late postoperative complications occurred in 3 cases in the MB group (none in the LAP group) (NS). There were 2 small bowel obstructions and a wound dehiscence. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic appendectomy is a safe procedure for complicated appendicitis in children, but the greatest short-term benefit is cosmetic. Long-term results have to be evaluated, particularly with regards to the long-term complication rate.

Abdominal Abscess↗

Laparoscopic nissen fundoplication with simultaneous percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in children.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to evaluate the results of laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (LNF) with simultaneous percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) in children with gastroesophageal reflux (GER) disease documented by upper gastrointestinal contrast and/or pH monitoring and/or esophageal endoscopy. METHODS: Fifteen LNF + PEGs were performed in children with pathologic antecedents: ten neurologically impaired children, two ORL (otorhinolaryngeal) pathologies. Two cases of AIDS, and one neuroblastoma. In one case, disruption of the fundoplication occurred during insufflation of the stomach. The child was reoperated on the 3rd day using an open procedure, so she was excluded from the results of the LNF. RESULTS: Two children had postoperative complications: one with cardiac insufficiency, one case of dehydration. Fourteen LNFs were controlled at 3 months by gastroesophageal X-ray and pH-metry. The 14 gastroesophageal X-rays were normal in 12 cases; gastroesophageal reflux was present in two cases. Twelve pH monitorings were analyzed (two technical failures), the median time pH <4 was 0.2% (0-20). Only one pH monitoring was pathologic (pH <4: 20%). This recurrent reflux to led to a second LNF with a good clinical result. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, it is possible to perform LNF and PEG during the same operative procedure. Short-term results are satisfactory with 14% recurrent GER. Long-term results need to be evaluated.

Adolescent↗

[Lyell syndrome after amoxicillin administration in a 2 year old child].

The authors report a toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) due to ampicillin (Agram) in a 2-year-old child. During the acute phase a septic syndrome occurred. The severity of the clinical and biological symptoms led to the administration of antibiotics, their systematic use remaining controversial. Recovery was favourable in a paediatric burn centre. Sequelae were minor. TEN, the physiopathological mechanism of which remaining still unknown, may carry a vital risk.

Amoxicillin↗

[Why remove leukocytes from labile blood products in 1995?].

During the last 15 years, the techniques to prepare leukocyte-poor cellular blood components greatly improved, as well as our knowledge about the role of leukocytes in many adverse effects of transfusion. These two facts favor the extension of indication of leukocyte-poor blood components. Leukocytes in blood components may be detrimental to their storage, due to their metabolic needs and to their progressive lysis, leading to the release of cytokines. Leukocytes are the exclusive vector in blood of CMV and HTLV viruses. Leukocytes are a key element of the immune modifications induced by transfusion. HLA alloimmunization is favored by the transfusion of large quantities of leukocytes HLA different from the recipient whose immune functions are intact. Conversely, the risk of transfusion associated graft versus host disease is dependent of the transfusion of mature T lymphocytes sharing a partial identity with the recipient, and/or an immune deficient status of the recipient. Between these two extremes, many other effects related to the presence of leukocytes in cellular blood components, as are the transfusion effect observed in transplant recipients, the increased risk for bacterial infection after transfusion, the increased risk for tumor recurrence or the reactivation of virus infections, remain to be fully understood. Despite recent significant improvements, further studies, experimental as well as clinical, will be needed to expand the indications of leukocyte-poor blood components.

Bacterial Infections↗

Randomized, single-blinded trial of laparoscopic versus open appendectomy in children: effects on postoperative analgesia.

BACKGROUND: The benefit of laparoscopy to patients has been clearly established in adults undergoing cholecystectomy. Results are less clear for appendectomy. The current study was undertaken to compare the respective 3-day postoperative periods after laparoscopic and open appendectomy in children. METHODS: Sixty-three children (aged 8-15 yr) scheduled for appendectomy were randomly assigned to two groups: open and laparoscopic. Postoperative evaluation included delay of postoperative recovery (walking and feeding), pain assessment by visual analog scale during the 3 subsequent days, amount of nalbuphine administered via a patient-controlled analgesia system during the first 48 h and responses by children, parents, and nurses on the overall quality of analgesia. RESULTS: There was no difference between groups for demographic data (particularly macroscopic aspect of appendix) analgesia, sedation, delay before eating and walking, incidence of urinary retention, nausea, vomiting. Operative time was long (P < or = to 0.05) in the laparoscopic group (54 +/- 17 min) than in the open group (39 +/- 18 min). Thirty five percent of the children had pain at the shoulder in the LAP group versus ten percent in the open group (P < or = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopy did not improve analgesia and postoperative recovery after appendectomy in children.

Adolescent↗

Post-operative intravenous continuous analgesia: comparison of buprenorphine, fentanyl and nalbuphine.

Continuous intravenous infusions of fentanyl, buprenorphine or nalbuphine were investigated to provide pain relief for patients after major abdominal surgery. Buprenorphine (n = 23) was given as a loading dose of 5 micrograms kg-1 and infused at 0.8 micrograms kg-1 h-1. Fentanyl (n = 20) was given as a loading dose of 2 micrograms kg-1 and infused at 0.7 micrograms kg-1 h-1. Nalbuphine (n = 21) was given as a loading dose of 200 micrograms kg-1 and infused at 80 micrograms kg-1 h-1. The infusion rate was increased when analgesia was inadequate, and decreased if respiratory depression occurred. Mean doses were respectively 0.74 +/- 0.15 microgram kg-1 h-1 buprenorphine, 0.68 +/- 0.18 microgram kg-1 h-1 fentanyl, 83 +/- 21 micrograms kg-1 h-1 nalbuphine. Titration of continuous intravenous infusion of buprenorphine and fentanyl provided better analgesia than nalbuphine with smaller doses than those reported in similar studies allowing spontaneous breathing.

Adult↗