[Meningitis after spinal anesthesia [cases reports and litterature review]]

Meningitis is a rare complication after spinal anesthesia. We report 4 cases of meningitis occurred after spinal anesthesia. These meningitis were diagnosed during tow months and with 3 different operators. The first symptoms appeared 4 to 6 hours after surgery and were represented especially by headaches and fever. Cyto-chimic analysis of cerebrospinal fluid [CSF] indicates bacterial meningitis but soluble antigens and culture were negative. Evolution was favorable in all cases under or without antibiotics. The exactly cause of these meningitis remained unknown and an insufficient asepsis was the principle risk factor found in all cases. Prevention of this risk consists on hygienic rules and perfect skin disinfection

[Evaluation of a protocol of spinal anesthesia for Cesarean in Tunisian maternity: hemodynamic repercussions and risk factors of hypotension]

To evaluate hemodynamic repercussion of a protocol of spinal anesthesia [SA] for cesarean and release the predictive factors of maternal arterial hypotension post spinal anesthesia. We included parturients proposed for Cesarean under SA. They were not included the women of statute ASA > II, preeclamptics, eclamptics and/or having counter-indications of SA. We excluded the cases where there were technical difficulties at the time of the realization of SA, a failure or a complication of this SA. We injected 10 Mg of bupivacaïne 0.5% isobar, 10 micro g of fentanyl and 100 micro g of morphine. The data were collected before the realization of SA [anthropometric parameters; antecedents; basic systolic and diastolic blood pressures [BSBP and DSBP] and basic heart rate [BHR]] and after SA [systolic and diastolic blood pressure [SBP and DBP], heart rate [HR]; occurred or not of a sympathetic block [falls of the SBP of more than 20% of its basic value or a SBP<90 mm Hg]; the time of installation of the sympathetic block and the duration of hypotension. The full number of parturients included was 1016 among whom 16 were excluded. Only 1000 parturients finished the study and were divided into 2 groups [group 1: 500 emergency cesarean and group 2: 500 elective cesarean]. The incidence of the sympathetic block was of 44.2% as a whole and this block was significantly more frequent in group 2 [p=0.0001]. There was a significant relation between the incidence of a sympathetic block and the advanced age of the parturient [p=0.0001], the important weight [p=0.047], high ASA statute [p=0.0001], the presence of hypertension [p=0.0001], diabetes [p=0.001] or cesarean [p=0.00015] in the antecedents and the low BSBP [p=0.015]. In spite of the beneficial effect of the reduction in the amounts of local anesthetic in the SA, the sympathetic block remains frequent after SA for Cesarean. Thus, it is essential to detect the high risk women of occurred of sympathetic block after SA, and to propose strategies of prevention, monitoring and management for this population

[N-acetylcysteine in septic shock]

To focus on the various studies evaluating the effects of Nacetylcysteine in septic shock. Main references obtained from the medical database Medline using the keywords: N-acetylcysteine; septic shock, free radicals. Septic shock remains the leading cause of mortality in intensive care units. The progressive knowledge of the pathophysiology of septic shock, underline the production of free radicals and their cellular and microcirculatory effects. The Nacetylcysteine used mainly in paracetamol poisoning, has properties to control free radicals. The explosion of free radicals in septic shock has led to multiple studies assessing the role of N-acetylcysteine as an anti radical, and for its anti inflammatory action. NAC seems to play an important role in septic shock to control free radicals and the inflammatory response. But these results remain contradictory. Some larger and more standardized studies should allow to evaluate the actual effects of NAC in septic shock

model of end-stage liver disease [MELD] score in predicting postoperative liver failure after hepatic resection of hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhotic patients: the Tunisian experience

Hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC] is one of the most frequent cancers in the world. Factors associated with prognosis following resection remain ill defined. The model for end-stage liver disease [MELD] is considered as an index of hepatic functional reserve. This study evaluates the reliability of the MELD score in the prediction of liver failure after hepatic resection for HCC in cirrhotic patients. A retrospective chart review was undertaken of patients with HCC and cirrhosis undergoing hepatic resection between January 1991 and December 2007. A total of 26 cirrhotic patients underwent curative hepatic resection for HCC at our department. Patient information included demographic features, American Society of Anesthesiologists [ASA] class, etiology of cirrhosis, laboratory test results, type of surgical procedure, duration of hospitalization, and Child-Turcotte-Pugh and MELD score. Six patients [23.1%] developed postoperative liver failure. AS much as 66.66% of liver failures were seen in patients who have had major hepatectomy. Using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, we identified that a MELD score equal to or above 9.5 is the best cut-off value for predicting postoperative liver failure. Patients were divided into two groups: MELD below 9.5 [group A] and MELD equal to or above 9.5 [group B]. The highest prevalence of postoperative liver failure of 83.33% was observed in group B. MELD score >/= 9.5 and low serum sodium are strongly predictive of increased postoperative liver failure in patients with cirrhosis undergoing hepatic resection of HCC. The presence of liver cirrhosis is an important factor that affects the prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC]. Cirrhotic patients with a high MELD score are at high risk of postoperative liver failure and complications and should be referred for non-surgical treatment

[ prophylaxis of the thromboembolic disease in the head trauma]

The prophylaxis of the thromboembolic disease in the severe head trauma remains a controversy. In this study, we are interested to the determination of under groups of patients for whom the advantages of the prophylaxis of the thromboembolic disease [TED] are higher than its disadvantages. We proceeded to a retrospective study based on patient medical records ranging from March 2003 until March 2004, enrolling 56 consecutive patients. The data collected related to the age, the gender, past medical history, the type of trauma, results of age, the gender, past medical history, the type of trauma, results of the initial CT scan, the treatment, appearance or not of the thromboembolic disease and its prophylaxis therapy. The average age was of 36 +/- 19 years. 76.8% did not have significant past medical history. All the patients profited from an elastic compression stocking. The LMWH were used among 15 patients victim of severe head trauma associated with other injuries and 72 hours after stabilization of hemorrhagic attacks. A thromboembolic disease diagnosis was based clinical or biological assumptions. Among 56 patients, 4 of them showed a TED with an incidence of 7.1 including 3 DVT and one case of pulmonary embolism. The 4 patients sustain severe multiple trauma; 3 of them received an early anti-coagulation therapy. In the group of patients with TED, the OMEGA scores and IGS are high; all of them are multiple traumatized patients with shock requiring a blood transfusion in 75 of the cases. Only the blood transfusion is correlated at the risk of TED, statistically established. The risk to develop a thromboembolic complication in the traumatic patients with head injury is high particularly in case of associated muscleskeletal injuries. Elastic compression technique is not always effective but considered as an interesting alternative to the pharmacological prevention of thrombosis. The use of the anticoagulants therapy must be careful. It is contra-indicated in case of cerebral haemorrhage in progress and must be considered upon individual case of each patient

Combined use of crystalloid preload and low dose spinal anesthesia for preventing hypotension in spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery: a randomized controlled trial

Spinal anaesthesia for caesarean section is commonly associated with hypotension and crystalloid preload is widely recommended. Low-dose spinal appears to cause less hypotension. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the combined use of crystalloid preload and low dose spinal anaesthesia might further reduce the rates of hypotension. Sixty-two patients were randomly assigned to two groups: crystalloid preload anaesthesia [P]: received a rapid infusion of 20 mL/kg lactated Ringer's solution [LR], and no preload anaesthesia [N]. The incidence of hypotension and the amount of ephedrine used to treat it were compared. Spinal anaesthesia was performed with 0.5% isobaric bupivacaine 7.5 mg and fentanyl 10 micro g and morphine 100 micro g. The incidence of hypotension was similar in the P and N groups. Same doses of ephedrine were required to treat hypotension in the two groups. Crystalloid preload combined with low-dose spinal anaesthesia do not reduce the incidence of hypotension nor its severity

[Postoperative analgesia after laparoscopic cholecystectomy comparison of the preoperative administration of celecoxib with paracetamol?]

The goal of this study was to evaluate the preventive analgesic effectiveness of paracetamol and celecoxib in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Randomized prospective study was undertaken, 75 patients of class ASA I and II were included, divided into three groups: P [Paracetamol 1000 mg]. C [Celecoxib 200 mg] given orally one hour before induction and group T [without preoperative analgesia]. The VAS at rest and effort was noted on arrival in the recovery room then with regular intervals [T 30mn to T h24]. A morphine titration was carried out during the first 12 postoperative hours. Hemodynamic parameters. Ramsay score and the adverse effects were noted. The three groups were comparable for the demographic data, the duration of anesthesia and peroperative morphine consumption. The evolution of VAS scores shows a significant difference between the groups P and T with the effort of cough at t24h [p = 0.04], and between the groups C and T at postoperative T 4h [p = 0.016]. In our study the group C consumed to a significant degree less morphine 5.44 +/- 3.00 Mg against 7.83 +/- 4.00 Mg for the group P [p <0.03] and 8.04 +/- 3.00 Mg for the group T [p <0,008]. The administration of 200 Mg of celccoxib in the preoperative period of a laparoscopic cholecystectomy allows a significant decrease in morphine consumption in the postoperative period and a reduction in the scores of the VAS at rest and at the effort of cough compared to the groups which received only one placebo or paracetamol

[Patient controlled epidural analgesia: interest in thoracic surgery]

To compare efficacy of pain control, the consumption of local anaesthetics and opioids as well as the side effects between continuous epidural analgesia, patient controlled analgesia and patient controlled epidural analgesia in thoracic surgery. Prospective randomised study included 66 patients who had thoracotomy. Patients were divided into 3 groups, to receive different pain control methods. Group 1 [n=22] received patient control analgesia Group 2 [n=22] received continuous epidural analgesia [Bupivacaine 0,125% + 5 micro g/ml of Fentanyl] between 6 and 10 ml/h in order to obtain a T2 level Group 3 [n=22] received patient controlled epidural analgesia [Bupivacaine 0,08% + 3 micro g/ml of Fentanyl] 6ml/h and bolus of 5ml. There was no difference between the three groups in age, delay of surgical operation and per operative morphine consumption. VAS was less at rest and after cough in patient group with patient controlled epidural analgesia. The difference was less significant in local anaesthetics and opioids consumption in patient with controlled epidural analgesia. The benefit of patient controlled epidural analgesia in thoracic surgery is proven by the following analgesic efficiency which allows good respiratory rehabilitation, decreasing the risk of drug toxicity by decreases consumption, weak hemodynamic effects and absence of motor block

[Sedative practice in intensive care units: results of a Maghrebian survey]

sedation is central to the management of intensive care patients. The aim of this study was to establish the current sedation practice in Maghrebian intensive care units [ICUs]. The use of sedation policies with or without a written protocol. The use of scoring systems, the influence of costs on drug choice, the most common drugs for sedation and the use of neuromuscular blocking agents. A self-administered questionnaire composed of 20 items was sent to 138 intensivists in the Maghreb working in 25 teaching hospitals and 16 private clinics 50 of 138 questionnaires were returned [response rate = 36.2%]. Midazolam and Fentanyl were the sedative agents used [respectively 98% and 87%] less than 14% of the ICUs used the Propofol mainly in the first 48 hours. A sedation policy was adopted in 63.6% with a written protocol in 20% of cases. Sedation scoring systems were noted in 14.3% of cases [RAMSAY scale in 100%]. Economic aspect was important for 64.6% of ICUs. sedation may seem secondary in the initial management of intensive care patients,only 63% of our respondents had a sedation policy and 20% a written protocol though its use is thought to improve outcome and reduce costs. Economic aspect was important for the choice of the drug to use [64%], this may explain the preferential use of Midazolam 98% in association with an analgesic [Fentanyl: 85%] while Propofol is used only in 14% though pharmacoeconomic studies may be in fact in favor of the latter. Neuromuscular blocking agents are less frequently used [16%] mainly because of the risk of complications

[Septic shock in a Tunisian intensive care unit: mortality and predictive factors. 100 cases]

This is a retrospective study, of 100 consecutive patients with septic shock hospitalized in the ICU of Mongi Slim Hospital La Marsa between January 1997 and December 2001. The state of shock was defined according to the criteria established by the American College of Chest physicians in conjunction with the Society of Critical Care Medicine during the consensus conference on sepsis. Our study shows that septic shock affect both sexes in the same way, that it increases with the age and with the existence of underlying diseases. The global mortality was 82%. According to our study o, septic shock mortality in creases with age and with the existence of an underling pathological condition such as high blood pressure. It, also increases with the cause of the septic shock. [Pleuro-pulmonary]

insuffisance renale aigue isolee n'est pas associee a une surmortalite chez les malades de reanimation

This study assess the prognostic factors increasing mortality of patients with acute renal failure in intensive care units. The study included 923 patients admitted to the intensive care unite over a period of tow years. Acute renal failure was defined by the following criteria, a blood urea concentration of more than 30 mmol/l, a serum creatinine concentration of more than 180 micro mol/l or creatinine clearance less than 50 ml/min. patients were divided into two groups survivors [v] and dead patients [D]. 95 patients presented acute renal failure with a mortality rate of 57.9%. There was no difference between the two groups. There was no difference between the two groups. Patients in intensive care units with only acute renal failure doesn't have a worse prognosis, but the association to two or more other organ dysfunction's, mechanical ventilation of more that 12 days, sepsis or Glasgow coma scale less than 8 are predictive of mortality