Cognitive status of patients judged fit for discharge from the post-anaesthesia care unit after general anaesthesia: a randomized comparison between desflurane and propofol.

BACKGROUND: The Aldrete's score is used to determine when a patient can safely leave the Post-Anaesthesia Care Unit (PACU) and be transferred to the surgical ward. The Aldrete score is based on the evaluation of vital signs and consciousness. Cognitive functions according to the anaesthetic strategy at the time the patient is judged fit for discharge from the PACU (Aldrete's score ≥ 9) have not been previously studied. The aim of this trial was to assess the cognitive status of inpatients emerging either from desflurane or propofol anaesthesia, at the time of PACU discharge (Aldrete score ≥ 9). METHODS: Sixty adult patients scheduled for hip or knee arthroplasty under general anaesthesia were randomly allocated to receive either desflurane or propofol anaesthesia. Patients were evaluated the day before surgery using Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST), Stroop Color Test and Verbal Learning Test. After surgery, the Aldrete score was checked every 5 min until reaching a score ≥ 9. At this time, the same battery of cognitive tests was applied. Each test was evaluated separately. Cognitive status was reported using a combined Z score pooling together the results of all 3 cognitive tests. RESULTS: Among the 3 tests, only DSST was significantly reduced at Aldrete Score ≥ 9 in the Desflurane group. Combined Z-scores at Aldrete Score ≥ 9 were (in medians [interquartils]): - 0.2 [- 1.2;+ 0.6] and - 0.4 [- 1.1;+ 0.4] for desflurane and propofol groups respectively (P = 0.62). Cognitive dysfunction at Aldrete score ≥ 9 was observed in 3 patients in the Propofol group and in 2 patients in the Desflurane group) (P = 0.93). CONCLUSION: No difference was observed in cognitive status at Aldrete score ≥ 9 between desflurane and propofol anaesthesia. Although approximately 10% of patients still had cognitive dysfunctions, an Aldrete score ≥ 9 was associated with satisfactory cognitive function recovery in the majority of the patients after lower limb arthroplasty surgery under general anaesthesia. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials identifier NTC02036736 .

Role of Genetics in the Etiology of Autistic Spectrum Disorder: Towards a Hierarchical Diagnostic Strategy.

Progress in epidemiological, molecular and clinical genetics with the development of new techniques has improved knowledge on genetic syndromes associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The objective of this article is to show the diversity of genetic disorders associated with ASD (based on an extensive review of single-gene disorders, copy number variants, and other chromosomal disorders), and consequently to propose a hierarchical diagnostic strategy with a stepwise evaluation, helping general practitioners/pediatricians and child psychiatrists to collaborate with geneticists and neuropediatricians, in order to search for genetic disorders associated with ASD. The first step is a clinical investigation involving: (i) a child psychiatric and psychological evaluation confirming autism diagnosis from different observational sources and assessing autism severity; (ii) a neuropediatric evaluation examining neurological symptoms and developmental milestones; and (iii) a genetic evaluation searching for dysmorphic features and malformations. The second step involves laboratory and if necessary neuroimaging and EEG studies oriented by clinical results based on clinical genetic and neuropediatric examinations. The identification of genetic disorders associated with ASD has practical implications for diagnostic strategies, early detection or prevention of co-morbidity, specific treatment and follow up, and genetic counseling.

An Observational Study of the Impact of a Computerized Physician Order Entry System on the Rate of Medication Errors in an Orthopaedic Surgery Unit.

AIM: To assess the impact of the implementation of a Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE) associated with a pharmaceutical checking of medication orders on medication errors in the 3 stages of drug management (i.e. prescription, dispensing and administration) in an orthopaedic surgery unit. METHODS: A before-after observational study was conducted in the 66-bed orthopaedic surgery unit of a teaching hospital (700 beds) in Paris France. Direct disguised observation was used to detect errors in prescription, dispensing and administration of drugs, before and after the introduction of computerized prescriptions. Compliance between dispensing and administration on the one hand and the medical prescription on the other hand was studied. The frequencies and types of errors in prescribing, dispensing and administration were investigated. RESULTS: During the pre and post-CPOE period (two days for each period) 111 and 86 patients were observed, respectively, with corresponding 1,593 and 1,388 prescribed drugs. The use of electronic prescribing led to a significant 92% decrease in prescribing errors (479/1593 prescribed drugs (30.1%) vs 33/1388 (2.4%), p < 0.0001) and to a 17.5% significant decrease in administration errors (209/1222 opportunities (17.1%) vs 200/1413 (14.2%), p < 0.05). No significant difference was found in regards to dispensing errors (430/1219 opportunities (35.3%) vs 449/1407 (31.9%), p = 0.07). CONCLUSION: The use of CPOE and a pharmacist checking medication orders in an orthopaedic surgery unit reduced the incidence of medication errors in the prescribing and administration stages. The study results suggest that CPOE is a convenient system for improving the quality and safety of drug management.

Efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided distal blocks for analgesia without motor blockade after ambulatory hand surgery.

PURPOSE: To assess the suitability of ultrasound-guided (USG), single-injection distal block(s) for pain management after outpatient hand and wrist bone surgery. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of 125 of 198 consecutive ambulatory surgery patients who underwent hand and wrist bone surgery between June 2010 and January 2012. All patients received a USG axillary block using a short-acting local anesthetic (lidocaine) and secondary 1, 2, or 3 (median, radial, or ulnar) USG distal analgesic block(s) using a long-acting local anesthetic (ropivacaine). All patients were contacted by phone on the first postoperative day. All patients received a concomitant prescription of acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with opioids as a rescue treatment. Effectiveness and duration of the distal nerve blocks, compliance with analgesic treatment and rescue opioids requirement, opioid-related side effects, prolonged upper limb motor block, quality of sleep on first postoperative night, and patient satisfaction were evaluated. RESULTS: Most distal analgesic blocks were effective (120 of 125; 96%), with an average duration of nearly 12 hours On the first day after surgery, 28 patients (23%) had a numeric verbal scale greater than 3, although 14 of them had taken the rescue opioids. No patient reported prolonged motor blockade or insensate limb. Opioid-related side effects occurred in 23% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: After hand and wrist bone surgery, USG selective distal blocks using a long-acting local anesthetic, combined with oral analgesics, were effective in a large majority of patients. However, pain control was suboptimal for some especially painful procedures such as wrist surgery, trapeziometacarpal arthrodesis, and finger amputation. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.