International survey among hepatologists and pulmonologists on the hepatic hydrothorax: plea for recommendations.

BACKGROUND: The Hepatic hydrothorax is a pleural effusion related to portal hypertension; its diagnosis and therapeutic management may be difficult. The aims of this article are which follows: To gather the practices of hepatogastroenterologists or pulmonologists practitioners regarding the diagnosis and management of the hepatic hydrothorax. METHODS: Practitioners from 13 French- speaking countries were invited to answer an online questionnaire on the hepatic hydrothorax diagnosis and its management. RESULTS: Five hundred twenty-eight practitioners (80% from France) responded to this survey. 75% were hepatogastroenterologists, 20% pulmonologists and the remaining 5% belonged to other specialities. The Hepatic hydrothorax can be located on the left lung for 64% of the responders (66% hepatogastroenterologists vs 57% pulmonologists; p = 0.25); The Hepatic hydrothorax can exist in the absence of clinical ascites for 91% of the responders (93% hepatogastroenterologists vs 88% pulmonologists; p = 0.27). An Ultrasound pleural scanning was systematically performed before a puncture for 43% of the responders (36% hepatogastroenterologists vs 70% pulmonologists; p < 0.001). A chest X-ray was performed before a puncture for 73% of the respondeurs (79% hepatogastroenterologists vs 54% pulmonologists; p < 0.001). In case of a spontaneous bacterial empyema, an albumin infusion was used by 73% hepatogastroenterologists and 20% pulmonologists (p < 0.001). A drain was used by 37% of the responders (37% hepatogastroenterologists vs 31% pulmonologists; p = 0.26).An Indwelling pleural catheter was used by 50% pulmonologists and 22% hepatogastroenterologists (p < 0.01). TIPS was recommended by 78% of the responders (85% hepatogastroenterologists vs 52% pulmonologists; p < 0.001) and a liver transplantation, by 76% of the responders (86% hepatogastroenterologists vs 44% pulmonologists; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this large study provide important data on practices of French speaking hepatogastroenterologists and pulmonologists; it appears that recommendations are warranted.

Pleural decompression procedural safety for traumatic pneumothorax and haemothorax: Kelly clamps versus fine artery forceps.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to determine the difference in force required to puncture simulated pleura comparing Kelly clamps to fine artery forceps. The treatment of symptomatic traumatic pneumothorax and haemothorax involves puncture of the parietal pleura to allow decompression. This is usually performed using Kelly clamps or fine artery forceps. Over-puncture pulmonary injury risk increases with the force used. METHODS: An experienced single operator performed puncturing of simulated parietal pleura on a thoracic mannequin while wearing a force sensor under gloves. The force imparted at the device tip onto the parietal pleura was estimated by subtracting the force required to hold the device from the total force. Outcome variables were the total maximum force and force imparted by the device. RESULTS: There were 11 simulated procedures completed, seven using Kelly clamps and four using fine artery forceps. After subtracting the force required to hold the chosen forceps, the median value of pleural puncture force using Kelly clamps was 52.91 N (IQR 36.68-63.56) and 10.70 N (IQR 7.64-26.56) using fine artery forceps (P = 0.006). CONCLUSION: A significantly increased force was required to puncture simulated parietal pleura using Kelly clamps compared to fine artery forceps. This higher puncture force will be associated with increased instrument acceleration at the time of pleural puncture, which may result in an increased risk of injury to the underlying lung. Based on these data, clinicians may reduce the risk of pulmonary injury by using fine artery forceps rather than Kelly clamps when performing pleural decompression.

Wandering paravertebral catheter detected during thoracoscopy.

We report a case of intrapleural migration of paravertebral catheter inserted under ultrasound guidance, detected during video assisted thoracoscopic surgery.

[Occurrence of a lethal outcome due to iatrogenic damage of an intercostal vessel during a pleural puncture procedure]. / Nastuplenie letal'nogo iskhoda vsledstvie iatrogennogo povrezhdeniia vetvi mezhrebernoi arterii pri provedenii plevral'noi punktsii.

A rare case of a lethal outcome due to iatrogenic damage to the intercostal vessel, a collateral branch of the posterior intercostal artery, is described. The little-known features of the topography of this vessel (location on the upper edge of the underlying rib), which requires further study in the context of variable anatomy, are given. The risks associated with deviations from the traditionally recommended sites of pleural puncture (below the eighth intercostal space to the scapular line) are substantiated. An analysis of the characteristics of bleeding arising from the intercostal vessels (from two ends, under high pressure, etc.) is given, which implies the extreme importance of a timely diagnosis. Differing points of view on the legal assessment of malpractice when care is delivered by a series of doctors, and the legal necessity of determining the 'point of no return' (the latest moment after the onset of bleeding, in which medical aid can still prevent an unfavorable outcome), are considered. An opinion is expressed on the need for the active participation (initiative) of an expert in the provision of expertise.

Epidural catheter misplaced into the thoracic cavity: Utilized to provide interpleural analgesia.

Thoracic epidural analgesia is one of the most effective and time-tested modalities of providing postthoracotomy pain relief. It improves postoperative pulmonary outcome. Nevertheless, being a blind procedure several complications have been associated with the technique. Pleural puncture is one rare complication that might occur following thoracic epidural catheterization. We have discussed a patient who underwent a right thoracotomy for excision of emphysematous bulla of lung under general anesthesia with thoracic epidural. The epidural catheter was misplaced in the pleural cavity and was detected intraoperatively after thoracotomy. The catheter was left in situ and was successfully utilized to provide postoperative analgesia via the interpleural route.

Clinical analysis of 26 neonatal pneumonia patients complicated with pneumothorax / 中国基层医药

Objective To explore the clinical features and prevention measures of neonatal pneumonia complicated with pneumothorax.Methods Clinical data of 26 neonatal pneumonia patients complicated with pneumothorax were retrospectively analyzed.Results In 26 cases of neonatal pneumonia complicated with pneumothorax,16 cases(61.4％) were aspiration pneumonia,10 cases(38.5％) were infectious pneumonia.2 cases of not obvious mild cyanosis and dyspnea were given conservative treatment,24 cases were shortness of breath cyanosis,groan,face pale,difficulty in breathing,restlessness,irritability.Breath sounds were reduced or disappear,sound shift,cyanosis to oxygen can not be sustained remission.Blood oxygen saturation were lower grade.One side or both sides of the chest profile were apparent uplift with thoracic puncture exhaust or thoracic closed drainage.24 cases(92.5％) suffered from pneumothorax were cured.2 cases (7.7％) gave up the treatment,including 1 case died and 1 case loss prevention.Conclusion Pneumonia of newborn pneumothorax is secondary to inhalation of most inappropriate,infection,airway pressure,suction.Once found,timely treatment is important.Mild cyanosis can spontaneous remission,cyanosis having oxygen can not be sustained remission.The prognosis of it by thoracic puncture exhaust or closed thoracic drainage is good.Actively control influence during pregnancy,birth and postpartum.Preventing meconium inhalation can reduce the occurrence of neonatal pneumonia complicated with pneumothorax.

Development and application of an adjustable and bed-type table for pleural puncture / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective To introduce the development of an adjustable and bed- type table for pleural puncture and observe its clinical effect. Methods 100 patients who were to undergo pleural puncture were divided into the experimental group and the control group with 50 cases in each group.The experimen-tal group adopted the adjustable and bed-type table for pleural puncture, while the control group used the conventional method.The pulse,respiration and artery blood oxygen saturation degree were observed. The ef-feet of puncture was also compared. Results The pulse and respiration increased and the artery blood oxygen saturation degree decreased after puncture,which were significantly different between the two groups. One- time success rate of puncture,comfort degree and satisfaction degree of patients in the experimental group were better than those of the control group. Conclusions Adjustable and bed- type table for pleu-ral puncture can reduce the uncomfort of patients and increase the success rate of puncture and satisfaction degree of patients.