Pancreatic cancer in Saudi patients treated at tertiary institution. Ten years retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES: To describe presentation, management, and outcome, and determine prognostic factors for pancreatic cancer patients. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia during the period from January 2000 to December 2010. Descriptive statistics were conducted on the collected data and survival was estimated using the Kaplan Meier estimate. Univariate and multiple regression analyses were carried out. RESULTS: The medical records of 179 patients were reviewed. The patients' median age was 63 years ranging from 15-96 years, and 116 (64.8%) of them were male. The one-year survival rate was 39% and the 5-year survival was 10%. The median overall survival (OS) was 6.9 months. Age at diagnosis, grade, T stage, N stage, M stage, TNM stage group, and the combined stage group (stage III/IV versus others), site of distant metastasis, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), carbohydrate antigen 19-9, surgery and chemotherapy were significant predictors for OS on an univariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. A multiple regression model including all the significant predictors was conducted. Age at the time of diagnosis and M stage were significant variables. CONCLUSION: Our patients present at a younger age and have better 5-year survival compared with the United States Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results data, which deserves further evaluation. Age and disease stage were identified as independent prognostic factors for survival in this patient population.

[Splenic artery aneurysm rupture in late pregnancy: a case report and review of the literature]. / Rupture d'un anévrisme de l'artère splénique en fin de grossesse: à propos d'un cas et revue de la littérature.

Haemorrhages during pregnancy may have a non-obstetrical origin, the pregnancy itself favoring some specific aetiologies because of pregnancy-related physiological modifications. These non-obstetrical haemorrhages are rare but are associated with a high maternal and foetal mortality. The prognosis depends on an early diagnosis and a multidisciplinary approach. We report the case of a patient who had a caesarean section for suspicion of acute foetal distress during which was found a large intraperitoneal bleeding due to rupture of an unknown splenic artery aneurysm. We discuss the principal causes of non-obstetrical intra-abdominal bleeding, including subcapsular liver haematoma, rupture of uterine vessels and rupture of splenic artery aneurysm, with a specific focus on this last aetiology.

[Anesthesic practices in patients with severe postpartum hemorrhage with persistent or worsening bleeding]. / Prise en charge anesthésique en cas d'hémorragie du post-partum qui persiste ou qui s'aggrave malgré les mesures initiales.

Severe postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is a rare and critical situation which requires fast and well-planned management where close collaboration between obstetricians and anesthesiologists is essential. In case of persisting or worsening bleeding in spite of initially adequate management, the main goal of the anesthesiologist is to maintain hemodynamic stability (fluid resuscitation, transfusion, vasoactive drugs) and optimal respiratory state (oxygenation) and to correct the frequent clotting disorders, whereas the obstetrician and/or the radiologist have to achieve definitive hemostasis. Assessment of the severity of PPH is determined from: quantity of blood loss and/or duration of bleeding, difficulty in maintaining a correct hemodynamic state in spite of active vascular fluid resuscitation, need for vasoactive therapy and transfusion, occurrence and worsening of clotting disorders. Continuous drip Sulprostone requires close clinical surveillance and continuous monitoring (electrocardiography, non-invasive blood pressure monitor, pulse oximetry). When this treatment does not enable sufficiently rapid control of the bleeding (consensus = within 30 minutes), invasive therapy (arterial embolization, vascular ligation even hysterectomy) should be started promptly. When the bleeding continues despite aggressive medical treatments, general anesthesia (even if an epidural catheter is already in place) is needed to proceed with the invasive surgical procedure. This anaesthesia of a "full stomach" patient justifies a rapid-sequence induction with cricoid pressure and intubation. The risk is particularly high in case of hemorrhagic shock. Angiographic embolization should be carried out in an angiography suite which must be equipped for this kind of situation (anesthesia and resuscitation material, adapted monitoring). A member of the anesthesia team must be present throughout this procedure. At best, a multidisciplinary team, specially trained for this purpose, including obstetrician, anesthesiologist, radiologist and biologist should be available. When one or several invasive treatments were necessary to control the bleeding, it is recommended to transfer the patient to a specialized unit (intensive care unit or recovery room).

[Efficacy and safety of inhalation premixed nitrous oxide and oxygen for the management of procedural diagnostic pain in neuropediatrics]. / Efficacité et sécurité de l'inhalation de MEOPA pour la pratique d'actes invasifs à visée diagnostique en neuropédiatrie.

AIM: We studied the use of premixed nitrous oxide and oxygen in 80 patients with neurologic diseases. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Mean ages ranged 10 +/- 5 yrs. Twenty-three patients (29%) were mentally retardated among which 17 of them presented with severe epilepsy. Painful procedures consisted of: lumbar punctures (80%), intravenous access (7), gastric endoscopy (6), skin biopsy (4), gastrostomy tube management (3). High-risk children were continuously monitored using ECG, non invasive blood pressure and transcutaneous oxygen saturation. We studied acceptation of the inhalation, vital signs, satisfaction of children, parents, medical and nursing staffs; side effects were compared with a group of healthy children undergoing venous access before induction of anesthesia. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Acceptation increased with age. No significant changes in vital signs variables were observed. Satisfaction rate regarding the method was 88% for all children, parents, physicians and nurses. No serious undesirable event (as respiratory depression, seizure, inhalation of gastric content) occurred in these patients. The more frequent side-effects were: drowsiness during and after inhalation (35 and 9% respectively in the handicapped patients); nausea and vomiting (8%), headaches (3%), were more frequent than reported in literature but there were 25% of meningitis among our patients. CONCLUSION: Premixed nitrous oxide and oxygen was effective for reducing procedural pain and anxiety in children with neurological disorders, even in severely handicapped patients, with minor side-effects.

Preoperative coagulation tests in former preterm infants undergoing spinal anaesthesia.

BACKGROUND: Clinical history is insufficient to detect disorders of haemostasis in infants aged less than 1 year and laboratory coagulation testing is recommended in infants before perimedullar anaesthesia. METHODS: We designed a retrospective study to assess the preoperative coagulation tests [activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), prothrombin time, platelet count] performed in 141 former preterm infants who underwent spinal anaesthesia for elective inguinal hernia repair. All the infants had recovered from any significant medical event (necrotizing enterocolitis, intracranial haemorrhages, transfusions of blood products, sepsis, etc.) when they were scheduled for surgery. RESULTS: Mean values for aPTT were frequently abnormal (60.4%) in infants with a postconceptional age of less than 45 weeks. No complication related to the puncture or abnormal perioperative bleeding was detected. CONCLUSIONS: Other coagulation tests should be evaluated to assess the coagulation status in infants with a postconceptional age of less than 45 weeks.

[Evaluation of antibacterial filters for peridural obstetrical anesthesia]. / Evaluation des filtres antibactériens utilisés pour l'analgésie péridurale obstétricale.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the antibacterial efficiency of filters used in obstetrics when epidural top-ups are performed. STUDY DESIGN: Observational prospective study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We aseptically collected 201 antibacterial filters that had been used for top-ups with ropivacaine +/- sufentanil for epidural analgesia during labour. We flushed them first with 2 mL of saline and then with 2 mL of a solution containing 1.5 x 10(6) Staphylococcus epidermidis/mL. The filtrates were incubated at 37 degrees C for 72 h. Number of top-ups and duration of epidural analgesia are expressed as median (extremes). RESULTS: 3 (1-10) top-ups were performed for labour analgesia over a period of 6.5 h (1.8-18). After filtering, all the solutions were found to be sterile. Especially, when using Staphylococcus epidermidis solutions, bacteria were not found beyond any filter. These results suggest the integrity of the filter membrane after several boluses. No infection related to epidural analgesia was reported. CONCLUSION: Antibacterial filters provide a good protection against a potentially contaminated procedure during epidural top-ups.

Dose of prophylactic intravenous ephedrine during spinal anesthesia for cesarean section.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare the incidence of maternal hypotension associated with spinal anesthesia for cesarean section when 10-, 15-, or 20-mg prophylactic boluses of intravenous (IV) ephedrine are used. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: Teaching hospital. PATIENTS: 108 women admitted for elective cesarean section. INTERVENTIONS: Spinal anesthesia was performed using hyperbaric bupivacaine 10 mg, sufentanil 2 microg, and morphine 0.2 mg (volume 4 mL). Ephedrine (10, 15, or 20 mg) was administered 2 minutes after the intrathecal injection. Maternal blood pressure was checked every 2 minutes. Hypotension was promptly treated with 5-mg ephedrine boluses. MAIN RESULTS: Incidence of hypotension was significantly higher in women receiving a 10-mg prophylactic dose of ephedrine than in those receiving either a 15-mg or a 20-mg prophylactic dose of ephedrine [23/36 in the 10-mg ephedrine group vs. 13/36 and 10/36 in the 15-mg and 20-mg ephedrine groups, respectively (p< 0.05)]. CONCLUSION: In the conditions of this study, a single bolus of IV ephedrine with doses of either 15 or 20 mg decreased significantly the incidence of maternal hypotension as compared to a single 10-mg bolus of ephedrine.

Engraftment of autologous retrovirally transduced hepatocytes after intraportal transplantation into nonhuman primates: implication for ex vivo gene therapy.

The main impediment to effective ex vivo liver gene therapy of metabolic diseases is the lack of experimental work on large animals to resolve such important issues as effective gene delivery, cell-processing techniques, and the development of appropriate vectors. We have used a nonhuman primate, as a preclinical model, to analyze the limiting steps of this approach using recombinant retroviruses. Seven monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) underwent the complete protocol: their left liver lobe was resected, a catheter was placed in the inferior mesenteric vein and connected to an infusion chamber, and the hepatocytes were isolated, cultured, and transduced with a retroviral vector containing the beta-galactosidase gene. The hepatocytes were harvested and returned to the host via the infusion chamber. Biopsies were taken 4-40 days later. No animal was killed in the course of the experiments. They all tolerated the procedure well. We have developed and defined conditions that permit the proliferation and transduction of up to 90% of the plated hepatocytes. A significant proportion of genetically modified cells, representing up to 3% of the liver mass, were safely delivered to the liver via the chamber. Polymerase chain reaction analysis detected integrated viral DNA sequences and quantitative analysis of the in situ beta-Gal-expressing hepatocytes indicated that a significant amount of transduced hepatocytes, up to 2%, had become integrated into the liver and were functional. These results represent substantial advances in the development of the ex vivo approach and suggest that this approach is of clinical relevance for liver-directed gene therapy.

[Treatment with danaparoid during pregnancy for a woman with a cutenous allergy to low-molecular-weight heparin] . / Traitement par le danaparoïde de sodium au cours de la grossesse chez une patiente présentant une allergie cutanée aux héparines de bas poids moléculaire.

The authors describe a case of heparin-induced skin reaction due to two preparations of low molecular weight heparin in a pregnant woman. The main characteristics of heparin-related cutaneous allergy are reported. The use of an heparinoid, usually indicated for patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, appeared to be efficient and safe for the mother and her fetus. An epidural analgesia was performed for labor analgesia, 24 hours after the last injection of danaparid of sodium.

[Nosocomial infections in mother and child: specific risks in the labour ward]. / Infections nosocomiales chez la mère et l'enfant: risques spécifiques à la salle de naissance.

Nosocomial infection is a frequent and potentially lethal complication in obstetrics. The incidence of this complication may be underscored and an accurate surveillance system must be used in each obstetrics unit for infection control. This surveillance system should also identify the patients at risk for infection in order to improve prevention efforts. beta-lactam-sensitive streptococcus is often involved in obstetrical infections and a short antibio-prophylaxis is indicated in most obstetrical procedures. Disinfection strategy, guidelines for clinical practice and control charts should be established in each obstetrics unit to prevent nosocomial infections.

Central venous catheter placement in children: evaluation of electrocardiography using J-wire.

Misplacement of a central venous catheter may lead to myocardial perforation and dysrhythmia. Atrial electrocardiography (ECG) through a saline column is an effective but complex method to determine the accurate location of catheters. We evaluated a simplified variant of this technique using the guidewire as an internal electrode in 23 children (5-16 years old) undergoing spinal surgery. Catheters were placed using a Seldinger technique after jugular or subclavian venous puncture. Each time the operator recognized the atrial signal, the catheter was found to be correctly placed on the chest radiograph (20/23). In three patients, the atrial signal was not obtained. A technical error was responsible in one case whereas the two others were related to aberrant migrations of the catheter either into a subclavian vein or into the pleura. In this latter case, the complication was unrecognized on the first radiograph despite malposition having been predicted by atrial ECG. We conclude that a method using atrial ECG guidance is sensitive and specific, and may be an alternative to the classical chest radiograph to detect accurate placement of central venous catheters in children.

[Dural taps in peridural analgesia for labor: management by French anesthesiologists in 1997]. / Brèches dure-mériennes au cours de l'analgésie péridurale du travail: prise en charge par les anesthésistes français en 1997.

OBJECTIVES: To assess prophylactic and curative managements of dural taps occurring during the setting of epidural analgesia (EA) for labour. STUDY DESIGN: Nationwide French retrospective survey. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From April to July 1997, a questionnaire was sent to 799 French obstetrical units located in both teaching and non-teaching public hospitals and private institutions. RESULTS: Answers were obtained from 267 units (response rate of 33%). Although management of dural taps was similar in 52% of the institutions, only 8% had produced a written protocol. After a dural puncture, EA was still performed in 95% of the units, but usually in another interspace (87%). Large oral fluid intake was the most frequent prophylactic measure (81%). To prevent postdural puncture headache (PDPH), bed rest was largely used (76%) and lasted 24 hours in 46% of the institutions. Prophylactic epidural blood patch (EBP) was performed in 14% of the units. To treat PDPH, a majority of anaesthesiologists performed an EBP (92%) and most of them after a delay of 48 hours (62%). Intravenous and oral caffeine was used in 31 and 24% of the units respectively. Prior to EBP, coagulation status was assessed in about 20% of the units and blood culture in less than 3%. In 65% of the units the injection of EBP was discontinued when the patients felt backache. A large range of volumes were injected, but usually less than 20 mL were administered (81%). In 60% of the units the patients were discharged home after an overnight stay in the hospital. If the first EBP failed, a second one was performed in 61% of the cases. CONCLUSION: Management of dural taps occurring after EA for pain relief in labour differs widely from one French obstetrical unit to another.

In utero allotransplantation of retrovirally transduced fetal hepatocytes in primates: feasibility and short-term follow-up.

In utero allotransplantation of fetal hepatocytes into a preimmune fetus could be used in early treatment of many inherited hepatic metabolic diseases. This study was designed to assess the tolerance to hepatocyte transplantation and to test the feasability and toxicity of such an injection in a primate model. Fetal hepatocytes were obtained from two 120-day-old Macaca mulatta fetuses and cryopreserved. They were thawed, cultured in vitro, and transduced with a recombinant retrovirus expressing beta-galactosidase. Transduction efficiency was 75-85%. Three unrelated fetuses (90, 100, and 104 days old) were each given 1-2 x 10(7) transduced cells via the umbilical vein. This caused vasospasm and severe bradycardia. Two fetuses died in the 48 hours after transplantation; the third survived and was killed at the end of gestation. No evidence of the infused cells was found. Three fetuses (90 days old) were, therefore, given 3-4 10(7) hepatocytes by direct intrahepatic injection. All the fetuses survived without side effect. Donor cells were not apparent from histochemical staining and PCR reactions. There was no evidence of inflammatory reaction. These findings indicate that the protocole could be improved by increasing the number of transplanted cells and using specific hepatic promoters in the retroviral vectors to achieve an effective postnatal chimerism.

[Prolonged curarization with suxamethonium in a four-week old infant]. / Curarisation prolongée après suxaméthonium chez un nourrisson de 4 semaines.

A case of a 28-day-old infant who developed suxamethonium apnoea is described. He was found to be homozygous for atypical cholinesterase. Main characteristics of this disorder are reviewed. Other causes of prolonged apnoea in infants recovering from anaesthesia for surgery of pyloric stenosis are discussed.