Can we use the ankle non-invasive blood pressure during otolaryngologic surgery: an observational study.

INTRODUCTION: In otolaryngologic surgery, ankle is frequently used for monitoring anesthesia in place of brachial when the patient doesn´t need invasive arterial cannulation. If there is a clinically useful and Predictable link between the two readings in hemodynamic normal patient, this difference during otolaryngologic surgery, was not evaluated. We aimed to investigate the reliability and the acceptability of non invasive blood pressure measurements at the ankle compared to those obtained concurrently at the arm during otolaryngologic surgery. METHODS: Eighty ASA grade I and II patients who had to be operated under general anesthesia were taken as subjects for our study. Blood pressures were measured simultaneously in the 2 limbs before induction and then every 10 minutes until the end of the surgical procedure. Readings were initiated concurrently. Statistical analysis was performed with PASW Statistics 13. RESULTS: There were 41 males (51.2 %) and 39 females (48.8 %). Bland-Altman analysis of mean difference between the ankle and arm (95 % limits of agreement) was -11.47 (- 23.77 to 0.82) mmHg for systolic blood pressure (SBP), -7.89 (-19.16 to 3.36) mmHg for diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and - 9.09 (18.19 to 0.00) mmHg for mean arterial pressure (MAP). Non-parametric analysis showed that 67.5 % of SBP, 46.2 % of DBP and 56.2 % of MAP measurements differed by > 10mmHg. CONCLUSION: Ankle BP cannot be used routinely in otolaryngological surgery. Although, the ankle can be used as an alternative where the arm cannot be used taking into account a difference.

Moyamoya disease in a Moroccan baby: a case report.

BACKGROUND: A stroke in a baby is uncommon, recent studies suggested that their incidence is rising. Moyamoya disease is one of the leading causes of stroke in babies. This condition is mostly described in Japan. In Morocco, moyamoya disease has rarely been reported and a few cases were published. We report a rare Moroccan case of a 23-month-old baby boy who presented with left-sided hemiparesis and was diagnosed as having moyamoya disease. CASE PRESENTATION: A 23-month-old full-term Moroccan baby boy born to a non-consanguineous couple was referred to our hospital with the complaint of sudden onset left-sided hemiparesis. On neurological examination, there were no signs of meningeal irritation, his gait was hemiplegic, tone was decreased over left side, power was 2/5 over left upper and lower limb, and deep tendon reflexes were exaggerated. Preliminary neuroimaging suggested an arterial ischemic process. Clinical and laboratory evaluation excluded hematologic, metabolic, and vasculitic causes. Cerebral angiography confirmed the diagnosis of moyamoya disease. Our patient was treated with acetylsalicylic acid 5 mg/kg per day and referred to follow-up with pediatric neurosurgeon. Cerebral revascularization surgery using encephaloduroarteriosynangiosis was performed. At 8-month follow-up, his hemiparesis had improved and no further ischemic events had occurred. CONCLUSION: This case highlights the importance of considering moyamoya disease to be one of the classic etiologies of acute ischemic strokes in children from North Africa. It also emphasizes the rare presentation among the African population and the use of neurovascular imaging techniques to facilitate diagnosis of moyamoya disease.

Anesthesia for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography: target-controlled infusion versus standard volatile anesthesia.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a technique used both for diagnosis and for the treatment of biliary and pancreatic diseases. ERCP has some anesthetic implications and specific complications. The primary outcome aim was to compare two protocols in terms of time of extubation. We also compared anesthetic protocols in terms of hemodynamic and respiratory instability, antispasmodics needs, endoscopist satisfaction, and recovery room stay. METHODS: Patients were randomized into two groups standard anesthesia group (Gr: SA) in whom induction was done by propofol, fentanyl and cisatracurium and maintenance was done by a mixture of oxygen, nitrousoxide (50%:50%) and sevoflurane; and intravenous anesthesia group to target concentration (Gr: TCI) in whom induction and maintenance of anesthesia were done with propofol with a target 0.5-2 µg/mL, and remifentanil with a target of 0.75-2 ng/mL. RESULTS: 90 patients were included. Extubation time was shorter in Gr: TCI, 15±2.6 vs. 27.4±7.1 min in Gr: SA (P<0.001). The incidence of hypotension was higher in GrL: SA (P=0.009). Satisfaction was better in Gr: TCI (P=0.003). Antispasmodic need was higher in Gr: SA (P=0.023). Six patients in Gr: SA group had desaturation in post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) versus one patient from Gr: TCI (P=0.049). Patients in Gr: TCI had shorter PACU stay 40.2±7.3 vs. 58.7±12.4 min (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The use of TCI mode allows better optimization of general anesthesia technique during ERCP.

[Depressed skull fracture following the use of Mayfield headrest in adult patients: about a case and review of the literature]. / Embarrure suite à l'utilisation de la têtière de Mayfield chez l'adulte: à propos d'un cas et revue de la literature.

Many neurosurgical procedures involve the use of a pin-type headrest to immobilize the patient's head. We report the case of depressed skull fracture in an adult patient secondary to the use of Mayfield headrest. The diagnosis was based on postoperative CT scan of the brain following surgical resection of medulloblastoma. Several factors seem to increase the risk of complications due to Mayfield headrest use. Preventive measures are outlined in our literature review.

[Anaesthesia for noncardiac surgery in a heart-transplanted patient: a clinical case and review of the literature]. / Anesthésie d'un greffé cardiaque en chirurgie non cardiaque: à propos d'un cas clinique et revue de la littérature.

The number and the overall survival rate of heart transplant patients are increasing. Some of these patients undergo general surgery other than heart transplant on a regular basis. Anesthesia may be difficult in these patients because of the physiological characteristics of the denervated heart and of the management of immunosuppressive therapy on the basis of the risk of rejection and infection. Our study aims to discuss the anesthetic management of a 60-year-old heart-transplant patient undergoing abdominal hernia repair surgery and to write a literature review.