Automated pulse pressure and stroke volume variations from radial artery: evaluation during major abdominal surgery.

BACKGROUND: Off-line calculation of the pulse pressure variation (PPV(ref)) has repeatedly been shown to be a reliable predictor of fluid responsiveness in mechanically ventilated patients. This study was designed to assess the ability of two algorithms for automated calculation of PPV (PPV(auto)) (Intellivue MP 70) and stroke volume variation (SVV(auto)) (FloTrac/Vigileo) to predict fluid responsiveness during abdominal surgery. METHODS: We conducted a prospective study of 56 fluid challenges given for haemodynamic instability in 11 patients undergoing major abdominal surgery. Fluid responsiveness was defined as an increase in stroke volume index (SVI) >10%. PPV(ref), PPV(auto), SVV(auto), and SVI (oesophageal Doppler) were recorded simultaneously before and after each fluid challenge. RESULTS: PPV(auto) and SVV(auto) both correlated with PPV(ref) [r(corr)=0.87 (P<0.0001) and 0.84 (P<0.0001), respectively; n=77]. All three indices measured before fluid challenges were higher in responder (n=32) than in non-responder (n=24) fluid challenges (P < or = 0.02). The mean areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves were 0.96 (PPV(ref)), 0.96 (PPV(auto)), and 0.95 (SVV(auto)), and the optimal threshold value for each variable was 13%, 13%, and 12%, respectively. All indices correlated with the fluid challenge-induced changes in SVI (PPV(ref): r(corr)=0.65; PPV(auto): r(corr)=0.58; SVV(auto): r(corr)=0.58, P<0.001 for all). CONCLUSIONS: PPV(auto) and SVV(auto) predict fluid responsiveness as accurately as off-line PPV(ref) in patients with haemodynamic instability during major abdominal surgery.

[Perioperative evolution of the nutritional status in head and neck surgical patients. Prospective and descriptive case series]. / Evolution périopératoire du statut nutritionnel en chirurgie carcinologique des voies aérodigestives supérieures. Etude prospective et descriptive.

AIM OF THE STUDY: To assess the perioperative evolution of the nutritional status of head and neck surgical patients. DESIGN: Prospective, descriptive case series. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-four patients candidates for total or partial laryngectomy for malignancy of the neck tract without a past of neck surgery. The nutritional status of all patients hospitalized for total pharyngolaryngectomy, total or partial laryngectomy was assessed by 1) clinical parameters including weight (W), weight variation (WV, percentage of loss), Body Mass Index (BMI), triceps skin fold measurement (T), midarm circumference (M), and 2) biological parameters such as serum albumin (SA), transthyretin (TTR), lymphocytes (Ly). These parameters were noted at the time of diagnostic laryngoscopy (T1), the day before surgery (T2), and 10 days afterward (T3) when patients were authorized to eat normally. All patients had enteral nutrition (EN) support (35 kcal/kg/day) starting at D1 and for 10 days afterward. Only complete data per patient were analyzed. RESULTS: 24 patients were excluded. During the 21 days [7-53] preoperative period (T1-T2), WV was (6.6% [-8,1-+20.0] [T2] vs. 4.7% [-12,9-+20.0] [T1], p<0.05) without difference in T and M. In the postoperative period (T2-T3), all parameters worsened, except T, with: WV (8.2% [-8,1-+20.0] [T3], p<0.05 vs T2), M (27.4 cm [20.0-37.0] [T3] vs 28.3 cm [20.5-39.0] [T2], p<0.05) et TTR (0.21 mg/l [0.09-0.36] [T3] vs. 0.27 mg/l [0.08-0.45] [T2], p<0.05). BMI was 22.9 [15.2-36.7] (T1) vs 22.9 [15.2-35.3] (T2), NS and 22.1 [15.0-34.9] (T3), p<0.05 vs (T2). CONCLUSION: The nutritional status in malignancy head and neck surgical patients seems to be best assessed by loss weight. It worsened mainly during the postoperative period even if a well-conducted EN was performed as defined by the French consensus conference.

[Autoantibodies and anti-factor VIII and Chlamydia pneumoniae infection]. / Auto-anticorps anti-facteur VIII et infection à Chlamydia pneumoniae.

We report the case of a 64-year-old man without hemorrhagic history experiencing epistaxis. The standard hemostasis assessment including prothrombin index, activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and platelet count found an isolated abnormal APTT (105 sec vs 33 sec). Therefore, coagulation factors were explored. An acquired factor VIII deficiency (5%) with anti-FVIII antibody (4.5 Bethesda unit.mL-1) was recognised. This anti-FVIII antibody was related to a Chlamydia pneumoniae pulmonary infection. Treatment consisted of: i) Four successive anterior packing and activated factor VII infusion (Novoseven); ii) steroids injection and bi-antibiotherapy. The time course of the epistaxis was favourable under treatment.

[Importance of symptomatic balance in peripheral arterial surgery]. / Interés del balance sintomatológico en cirugía arterial periférica.

A clinical and radiological study searching for a dental or oral infection was performed on thirty six patients before arterial reconstruction by prosthesis. Potential oral or dental infection was found in 16 cases and dental extraction was performed. Previous studies confirmed the interest of oral or dental examination before any vascular prosthesis, which could be a reasonable attitude.

[Subtotal avulsion of the lower limb after traumatic section in a 2 and a half-year-old child]. / Arrachement subtotal d'un membre inférieur après section traumatique sur un enfant de deux ans et demi.

Reimplantation after subtotal section of the right lower limb under the Scarpa triangle was been attempted and was successful. Section and contusion of the femoral artery and vein required 2 end-to-end saphenous bypass grafts. The use of the lower limb is correct, after to a follow up of 4 years. The risks, inherent to all proximal section, with important muscular masses, in a small child, are described. Functional prognosis depends on three aspects: bone, vessels, and nerves. A tibial pseudarthrosis had to be operated secondarily with significant lengthening. A partial stenosis of the graft was demonstrated arteriographically. Pes equinus, a result of paralysis, has been fitted with an orthesis. This observation is almost an experimental one: what can be the future of a reimplanted lower limb in the child.

[Subtotal traumatic amputation of the limb in young children. Analysis of 2 successful repairs]. / Arrachement subtotal de membre chez le jeune enfant. Analyse de 2 réparations réussies.

Two replantations of nearly completely amputated limbs are presented. In both cases there were young children. These two success explain the necessity of limb preservation if the nerve integrity is respected. In the young child, the vital risk is lower because of the vessels, the local immunologic defense. The bone union is normal. The vascular suture with venous grafts is made with simple interrupted sutures rather than with continuous over and over sutures. The fasciotomy avoid a compartment syndrome. The bone graft growth is unforeseeable. These two case reports are nearly experimental because of the young age of the patients.

[180 aorto-bifemoral bypasses for chronic occlusive arteritis]. / Réflexions à propos de 180 pontages aorto-bifémoraux pour artéritechronique oblitérante.

In the authors' experience, 180 aorto-bifemoral by-pass grafts represent 42.4% of all reconstructive operations for aorto-iliac atheromatous disease performed between 1st January 1972 and 1st July 1983. 37% of the patients presented a threatened amputation and 38.8% had a walking distance of less than 100 metres. The immediate post-operative mortality (1st month) was 2.2% (4 patients). The 5 year survival, expressed according to the actuarial method, was 89% and the patency was 91%. The long-term functional deterioration was due to a progressive alteration of the distal vascular bed and to complications: false aneurysms (2.2%), prosthetic infections (1%), aorto-intestinal fistulae (2.2%), thrombosed prostheses (7.3%). 7 complementary femoro-popliteal by-pass grafts (4%) and 13 major amputations (7.4%) were required. The authors stress the value of performing end-to-end aortic anastomoses rather than side-to-end anastomoses. The anastomoses should be well isolated from the gastrointestinal tract. The patients should be rigorously followed post-operatively and any complication detected should be treated actively.

[Thrombocytopenia induced by heparin. Apropos of 10 cases]. / Thrombocytopénies induites par l'héparine. A propos de 10 cas.

The authors report ten observations of thrombocytopenia induced by heparin complicated with two arterial thrombosis and four deep venous thrombosis. Two deaths and two amputations are to mention. This retrospective study leads to a review of literature: this iatrogenic disease, which frequency is variously estimated, has no relation with the dose and the mode of administration of Heparin. It's mechanism might be immuno-allergic. It's diagnosis depends mainly on the repetition of platelet numerations at the outset period of treatment, and on the rapid and lasting climbing of platelet countings when heparin is stopped. This uncommon and unforeseeable complication indicates to stop Heparin and to start K antivitamin's if necessary.