Enhanced recovery after surgery program in Gynaecologic Oncological surgery in a minimally invasive techniques expert center.

BACKGROUND: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Programs (ERP) includes multimodal approaches of perioperative patient's clinical pathways designed to achieve early recovery after surgery and a decreased length of hospital stay (LOS). METHODS: This observational study evaluated the implementation of ERP in gynaecologic oncological surgery in a minimally invasive techniques (MIT) expert center with more than 85% of procedures done with MIT. We compared a prospective cohort of 100 patients involved in ERP between December 2015 and June 2016 to a 100 patients control group, without ERP, previously managed in the same center between April 2015 and November 2015. All the included patients were referred for hysterectomy and/or pelvic or para-aortic lymphadenectomy for gynaecological cancer. The primary objective was to achieve a significant decrease of median LOS in the ERP group. Secondary objectives were decreases in proportion of patients achieving target LOS (2 days), morbidity and readmissions. RESULTS: Except a disparity in oncological indications with a higher proportion of endometrial cancer in the group with ERP vs. the group without ERP (42% vs. 22%; p = 0.003), there were no differences in patient's characteristics and surgical procedures. ERP were associated with decreases of median LOS (2.5 [0 to 11] days vs. 3 [1 to 14] days; p = 0.002) and proportion of discharged patient at target LOS (45% vs. 24%; p = 0.002). Morbidities occurred in 25% and 26% in the groups with and without ERP and readmission rates were respectively of 6% and 8%, without any significant difference. CONCLUSION: ERP in gynaecologic oncological surgery is associated with a decrease of LOS without increases of morbidity or readmission rates, even in a center with a high proportion of MIT. Although it is already widely accepted that MIT improves early recovery, our study shows that the addition of ERP's clinical pathways improve surgical outcomes and patient care management.

Postoperative sepsis in cancer patients undergoing major elective digestive surgery is associated with increased long-term mortality.

BACKGROUND: Major postoperative events (acute respiratory failure, sepsis, and surgical complications) are frequent early after elective gastroesophageal and pancreatic surgery. It is unclear whether these complications impact equally on long-term outcome. METHODS: Prospective observational study including the patients admitted to the surgical intensive care unit between January 2009 and October 2011 after elective gastroesophageal and pancreatic surgery. Risk factors for 30-day major postoperative events and long-term outcome were evaluated. RESULTS: During the study period, 259 patients were consecutively included. Among them, 166 (64%), 54 (21%), and 39 (15%) patients underwent pancreatic surgery, gastric surgery, and esophageal surgery, respectively. Using the Clavien-Dindo classification, 117 patients (45%) developed at least 1 postoperative complication, including 60 (23%) patients with acute respiratory failure, 77 (30%) with sepsis, and 89 (34%) with surgical complications. The median follow-up from the time of intensive care unit admission was 34 months (95% confidence interval, 30-37 months). The 1-year survival was 95% (95% confidence interval, 92-98). Among the perioperative variables, postoperative sepsis and an American Society of Anesthesiologists score higher than 2 were independently associated with long-term mortality. In septic patients, death (n = 16) was significantly associated with cancer recurrence (n = 10; P < .0001). Independent factors associated with postoperative sepsis were a Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score on day 1, a systemic inflammatory response syndrome on day 3, positive intraoperative microbiological samples, Simplified Acute Physiology Score II and an American Society of Anesthesiologists score higher than 2 (P < .005). CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative sepsis was the only major postoperative event associated with long-term mortality. Postoperative sepsis may reflect a deep impairment of immune response, which is potentially associated with cancer recurrence and mortality.

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation after reduced intensity conditioning regimen: Outcomes of patients admitted to intensive care unit.

PURPOSE: The prognosis of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) is still poor. Overall, when these patients receive reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) regimens, the survival is better. To date, no study has specifically evaluated the outcome of RIC allogeneic HSCT admitted to the ICU. METHODS: We realized a retrospective study of 102 patients admitted to the ICU among a cohort of 601 consecutive patients receiving RIC regimens. The primary objective of the study was to assess in-ICU and inhospital mortality rates. RESULTS: The ICU mortality was 39.2%, and the hospital mortality was 59.8%. The median overall survival of ICU patients was 8.2 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.7-10.6) vs 75 (95% CI, 63-87) in non-ICU patients (P < .0001). During hospital stay, an ICU admission for neurologic dysfunction was independently associated with hospital survival (P = .012). The use of invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV; P = .011), Simplified Acute Physiology Score II (P = .003), and longer time between diagnosis of malignancy and HSCT (P = .012) were associated with hospital mortality. The overall survival of the ICU survivors was significantly lower than that of non-ICU patients (hazard ratio, 3.61 [95% CI, 2.18-4.59]; P < .001). The median survival of ICU survivors was 9 months (95% CI, 4-14) vs 75 (95% CI, 63-87) in non-ICU patients (P < .0001). Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) was successful (not followed by IMV in 61% of cases [25/41 NIV patients]), and failure of NIV was not associated with hospital mortality in patients treated with subsequent IMV. CONCLUSION: From our study, short-term survival rates of ICU patients receiving RIC regimens justify a broad ICU admission policy. The use of IMV is associated with hospital mortality, whereas the use of NIV is frequently successful. Long-term outcome remains poor after ICU discharge.

[Febrile neutropenia in onco-hematology patients hospitalized in Intensive Care Unit]. / Prise en charge de la neutropénie fébrile chez le patient d'onco-hématologie admis en réanimation.

Febrile neutropenia in cancer patients is associated with a high mortality. Patients are frequently admitted to Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for severe sepsis or septic shock. Empirical antibiotic treatment, including monotherapy ß-lactam covering Pseudomonas aeruginosa, must be prompt. The ICU management is slightly different, due to a particular microbial ecology. A standardized approach to obtain a microbiological documentation is the cornerstone in these patients, leading to an adapted antimicrobial treatment. Systematic reassessment of initial antibiotic regimen should be realised. Neutropenic patients with severe sepsis or septic shock should receive promptly a ß-lactam-aminoglycoside combination, as well as glycopeptides in case of severity or absence of documented infection. Early catheter removal should be considered widely. In the actual context of growing resistance, antibiotics saving became a major concern. According to context and microbial documentation, an escalade or de-escalade approach is recommended, to take into account multi-resistant pathogens. The addition of antifugal treatment is also a major issue in these patients and has well-defined indications. In neutropenic patients admitted in the ICU for severe sepsis or septic shock, controlling local microbial epidemiology and the emergence of multi-resistant bacteria are the key issues.

De-escalation of antimicrobial treatment in neutropenic patients with severe sepsis: results from an observational study.

BACKGROUND: In severe sepsis, guidelines recommend de-escalating the empirical antimicrobial treatment as soon as the microbiological results are available. We aimed to determine the rate of de-escalation of the empirical antimicrobial treatment in neutropenic patients with severe sepsis. The characteristics of antimicrobial treatment associated with de-escalation and its impact on short- and long-term survival were also determined. METHODS: In the intensive care unit (ICU) of a cancer referral center, we prospectively collected observational data related to the antimicrobial management in neutropenic patients who developed severe sepsis and were admitted to ICU for at least 48 h. De-escalation of antimicrobial therapy consisted either of deleting one of the empirical antibiotics of a combined treatment, or, whenever possible, to use a betalactam antibiotic with a narrower spectrum of activity. Multivariate logistic regression was conducted to determine the factors associated with de-escalation, while a Cox proportional hazards model with a time-dependent covariate was fitted to assess the effect of de-escalation on 30-day survival. Finally 1-year survival after ICU discharge was compared across de-escalation groups. RESULTS: Cumulative incidence of de-escalation of the empirical antimicrobial treatment among the 101 patients of the cohort was 44%, [95% confidence interval (CI) 38-53%], including 30 (68%) patients with ongoing neutropenia. A microbiological documentation was available in 63 (63%) patients. Factors associated with de-escalation were the adequation of the empirical antimicrobial treatment in ICU [OR = 10.8 (95% CI 1.20-96)] for adequate documented treatment versus appropriate empirical treatment, the compliance with guidelines regarding the empirical choice of the anti-pseudomonal betalactam [OR = 10.8 (95% CI 1.3-89.5)]. De-escalation did not significantly modify the hazard of death within the first 30 days [HR = 0.51 (95% CI 0.20-1.33)], nor within 1 year after ICU discharge [HR = 1.06 (95% CI 0.54-2.08)]. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that, in ICU, de-escalation of the empirical antimicrobial treatment is frequently applied in neutropenic cancer patients with severe sepsis. No evidence of any prognostic impact of this de-escalation was found.

Should the portal vein be routinely resected during pancreaticoduodenectomy for adenocarcinoma?

INTRODUCTION: In pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PA), a margin negative resection (R0) is critical for long-term survival. BACKGROUND: Although pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) with en-bloc portal vein/superior mesenteric vein (PV/SMV) resection is used in patients with venous involvement by tumor, its utility in patients with no venous involvement is unknown. This study examines survival in patients with no venous involvement who had PD with PV/SMV resection. METHODS: From 2000 to 2010, 34 patients had PD with PV/SMV resection for resectable PA on preoperative staging. Fifteen patients (44%) had histological venous involvement and 19 (56%) had no histological involvement (-PV/SMV group). We matched 1:1 the -PV/SMV group (n = 19) with 19 contemporaneous PA patients who had a standard PD (control group) for age, tumor stage, tumor size, lymph node invasion, lymph node ratio, perineural invasion, margins status, and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) levels. RESULTS: No differences were noted between the -PV/SMV group (n = 19) and the matched control group (n = 19) in morbidity, mortality, reoperation rate, or length of hospital stay. Median survival (42 months vs. 22 months, P = 0.02) and overall 3-year survival (60% vs. 31%, P = 0.03) were significantly longer in the -PV/SMV group compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with PA and no venous involvement who had PD with PV/SMV resection had a significantly longer overall survival than patients in a matched control group who had PD without venous resection.

Initial experience with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Until 2004, we treated peritoneal carcinomatosis with cytoreductive surgery accompanied by perioperative systemic chemotherapy. From October 2004, we decided to initiate a hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) program for this condition. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of HIPEC on postoperative outcomes at a single institution performing a high volume of cancer operations. METHOD: Sixty consecutive patients underwent cytoreductive surgery plus HIPEC (oxaliplatin; 460 mg/m2 in 2 L/m2) from October 1, 2004, through December 31, 2010. Usual perioperative factors were studied for 3 groups of patients who underwent HIPEC: 0 to 20 HIPEC procedures (period 1), 21 to 40 HIPEC procedures (period 2), and 41 to 60 HIPEC procedures (period 3). RESULTS: The mean peritoneal carcinomatosis index was 9.6, the mean duration of surgery was 410.7 minutes, and the mean blood loss was 450.2 mL/L. Mortality and morbidity were 0% and 33%, respectively. Grade III/IV morbidity (P = .02), transfusion (P < .01), and reintervention rate (P = .04) significantly decreased during the 3 periods. No difference was seen between the 3 periods with regard to mean peritoneal carcinomatosis index, operative duration, blood loss, mortality, overall morbidity, length of hospital stay, and readmission. The overall 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates of 26 patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis originating from colorectal cancer were 100%, 51%, and 37%, respectively. The overall median survival was 39 months. CONCLUSIONS: We observed a significant reduction of grade III/IV morbidity, perioperative transfusion, and reintervention rate after 20 procedures. The introduction of the HIPEC program was successful because of the surgical team's prior experience in cytoreductive and cancer operations.

Barriers to staff adoption of a surgical safety checklist.

OBJECTIVE: Implementation of a surgical checklist depends on many organisational factors and on socio-cultural patterns. The objective of this study was to identify barriers to effective implementation of a surgical checklist and to develop a best use strategy. SETTING: 18 cancer centres in France. DESIGN: The authors first assessed use compliance and completeness rates of the surgical checklist on a random sample of 80 surgical procedures performed under general or loco-regional anaesthesia in each of the 18 centres. They then developed a typology of the organisational and cultural barriers to effective checklist implementation and defined each barrier's contents using data from collective and semi-structured individual interviews of key staff, the results of an email questionnaire sent to the 18 centres, and direct observations over 20 h in two centres. RESULTS: The study consisted of 1440 surgical procedures, 1299 checklists, and 28 578 items. The mean compliance rate was 90.2% (0, 100). The mean completion rate was 61% (0, 84). 11 barriers to effective checklist implementation were identified. Their incidence varied widely across centres. The main barriers were duplication of items within existing checklists (16/18 centres), poor communication between surgeon and anaesthetist (10/18), time spent completing the checklist for no perceived benefit, and lack of understanding and timing of item checks (9/18), ambiguity (8/18), unaccounted risks (7/18) and a time-honoured hierarchy (6/18). CONCLUSIONS: Several of the barriers to the successful implementation of the surgical checklist depended on organisational and cultural factors within each centre. The authors propose a strategy for change for checklist design, use and assessment, which could be used to construct a feedback loop for local team organisation and national initiatives.

Prognosis of acute respiratory distress syndrome in neutropenic cancer patients.

To date, no study has been specifically designed to identify determinants of death in neutropenic cancer patients presenting with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The aim of this study was to identify early predictive factors of 28-day mortality in these patients. Factors associated with 28-day mortality during intensive care unit (ICU) stay were also described. 70 consecutive cancer patients with ARDS and neutropenia were prospectively analysed over a 6-yr period. Mortality at 28 days was 63%. Factors independently associated with good prognosis were: lobar ARDS (OR 0.10, 95% CI 0.02-0.48), use of initial antibiotic treatment active on difficult to treat bacteria (ticarcillin-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia or extended-spectrum ß-lactamase-producing strains) (OR 0.08, 95% CI 0.02-0.33) and first-line chemotherapy (OR 0.08, 95% CI 0.02-0.37). During the ICU stay, mortality was associated with the markers of organ dysfunctions, the absence of neutropenia recovery and the use of vasopressors. During the first 3 weeks, the conditional probability of discharge alive from ICU did not decrease. At ICU admission, first-line chemotherapy, lobar ARDS and antibiotic treatment active on difficult-to-treat bacteria were associated with survival. During ICU stay, mortality was associated with organ dysfunctions and use of vasopressors. Most survivors have an ICU stay of >3 weeks.

Monocyte deactivation in neutropenic acute respiratory distress syndrome patients treated with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor.

INTRODUCTION: In severely neutropenic septic acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients, macrophages and monocytes are the last potentially remaining innate immune cells. We have previously shown, however, a deactivation of the alveolar macrophage in neutropenic septic ARDS patients. In the present study, we tried to characterize in vitro monocyte baseline cytokine production and responsiveness to lipopolysaccharide exposure. METHODS: Twenty-two consecutive patients with cancer were prospectively enrolled into a prospective observational study in an intensive care unit. All patients developed septic ARDS and were divided into two groups: neutropenic patients (n = 12) and non-neutropenic patients (n = 10). All of the neutropenic patients received granulocyte colony-stimulating factor whereas no patient in the non-neutropenic group received granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. We compared monocytes from neutropenic patients with septic ARDS with monocytes from non-neutropenic patients and healthy control individuals (n = 10). Peripheral blood monocytes were cultured, and cytokine levels (TNFalpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-1 receptor antagonist) were assayed with and without lipopolysaccharide stimulation. RESULTS: TNFalpha, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-1 receptor antagonist levels in unstimulated monocytes were lower in neutropenic patients compared with non-neutropenic patients. Values obtained in the healthy individuals were low as expected, comparable with neutropenic patients. In lipopolysaccharide-stimulated monocytes, both inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine production were significantly lower in neutropenic patients compared with non-neutropenic patients and control individuals. CONCLUSION: Consistent with previous results concerning alveolar macrophage deactivation, we observed a systemic deactivation of monocytes in septic neutropenic ARDS. This deactivation participates in the overall immunodeficiency and could be linked to sepsis, chemotherapy and/or the use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor.

N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide as an early prognostic factor in cancer patients developing septic shock.

INTRODUCTION: The overall prognosis of critically ill patients with cancer has improved during the past decade. The aim of this study was to identify early prognostic factors of intensive care unit (ICU) mortality in patients with cancer. METHODS: We designed a prospective, consecutive, observational study over a one-year period. Fifty-one cancer patients with septic shock were enrolled. RESULTS: The ICU mortality rate was 51% (26 deaths). Among the 45 patients who benefited from transthoracic echocardiography evaluation, 17 showed right ventricular dysfunction, 18 showed left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, 18 showed left ventricular systolic dysfunction, and 11 did not show any cardiac dysfunction. During the first three days of ICU course, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels were significantly higher in patients presenting cardiac dysfunctions compared to patients without any cardiac dysfunction. Multivariate analysis discriminated early prognostic factors (within the first 24 hours after the septic shock diagnosis). ICU mortality was independently associated with NT-proBNP levels at day 2 (odds ratio, 1.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.004 to 1.32; p = 0.022). An NT-proBNP level of more than 6,624 pg/ml predicted ICU mortality with a sensitivity of 86%, a specificity of 77%, a positive predictive value of 79%, a negative predictive value of 85%, and an accuracy of 81%. CONCLUSION: We observed that critically ill cancer patients with septic shock have an approximately 50% chance of survival to ICU discharge. NT-proBNP was independently associated with ICU mortality within the first 24 hours. NT-proBNP could be a useful tool for detecting high-risk cancer patients within the first 24 hours after septic shock diagnosis.

Short-term outcome after laparoscopic or open restorative mesorectal excision for rectal cancer: a comparative cohort study.

PURPOSE: The laparoscopic approach to rectal cancer is still a controversial procedure. A comparative cohort study was conducted to assess short-term results of laparoscopic restorative mesorectal excision. METHODS: From January 1998 to December 2000, laparotomy was performed on all primary rectal cancer undergoing radical excision. From January 2002 to September 2004, all cases about to undergo radical excision were considered for laparoscopy. Patients with fixed tumor or T4, indications for synchronous hepatectomy, emergencies, and medical contraindications were not included. The study was based on the intention-to-treat principle. RESULTS: Short-term outcome was compared between the laparoscopy group (n=104) and the laparotomy group (n=68). Demographic, general and tumor data, and rates of preoperative irradiation were comparable, as were surgical procedures and perioperative management. Hospital mortality (1 and 2.9 percent, P=0.33) and three-month overall morbidity (43.3 and 48.5 percent, P=0.49) were comparable between laparoscopy and laparotomy groups. Surgical complication rates were comparable (39.3 and 35.5 percent, P=0.58), but a significantly lower medical complication rate was observed in laparoscopy patients (8.7 and 20.6 percent, P=0.025), mainly because this group had fewer respiratory complications. Hospital stay was shorter in laparoscopy patients (10 and 14 days, P<0.001). Oncologic quality criteria were comparable, in terms of number of lymph nodes, lateral and distal margins, and delivery of postoperative chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: The laparoscopic approach to restorative mesorectal excision for cancer does not increase postoperative morbidity or reduce oncologic quality. Our results suggest that the short-term outcome is probably improved with this procedure.

Perineal small bowel fistula after pelvic exenteration for cancer: technical guidelines for perineal fistula.

BACKGROUND: To determine guidelines for the management of perineal small bowel fistula (PSF) after total or posterior pelvic exenteration. METHODS: During 15 years, 315 curative pelvic exenterations were performed. PSF occurred in 15 patients (3.5%). We retrieved the precise modality of radiotherapy (fields and doses) and management of all patients (type of surgery, number of surgery and mortality). Delay of occurrence was divided in early (within 30 days or before hospital discharge) and delayed. RESULTS: All patients underwent surgery. Mortality rate was 13%. Fourteen patients (93%) had history of radiotherapy. No PSF was noted after anterior pelvic exenteration. Higher frequency of PSF was noted after total pelvic exenteration versus posterior pelvic exenteration (P = 0.04). Early PSF occurred in four patients (27%) with higher frequency of small bowel intraoperative injury. Late PSF occurred in 11 patients (73%) divided in small bowel injury in contact with pelvic staples (n = 4) and disease recurrence (n = 6, local recurrence or carcinomatosis). One patient had delayed PSF by ulceration of small bowel in contact with pelvic drain. CONCLUSION: PSF was a life-threatening complication of pelvic exenteration. Radiotherapy leads to weaken small bowel with difficulty of cicatrisation. During pelvic exenteration: (a) extreme careful dissection and interposition of great omentum could avoid small bowel injury, (b) control of pelvic vessels and closure of rectum remnant should not used staplers. Intraoperative management of PSF used successful simple repair in case of early PSF or segmentary resection indeed enlarged to right colon in case of delayed PSF. Postoperative courses had to use intravenous hyperalimentation and digestive tract discharge.

Neuromuscular blocking agents decrease inflammatory response in patients presenting with acute respiratory distress syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) on pulmonary and systemic inflammation in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome ventilated with a lung-protective strategy. DESIGN: Multiple-center, prospective, controlled, and randomized trial. SETTING: One medical and two medical-surgical intensive care units. PATIENTS: A total of 36 patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (Pao2/Fio2 ratio of < or =200 at a positive end-expiratory pressure of > or =5 cm H2O) were included within 48 hrs of acute respiratory distress syndrome onset. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomized to receive conventional therapy plus placebo (n = 18) or conventional therapy plus NMBAs (n = 18) for 48 hrs. Both groups were ventilated with a lung-protective strategy (tidal volume between 4 and 8 mL/kg ideal body weight, plateau pressure of < or =30 cm H2O). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Bronchoalveolar lavages and blood samples were performed, before randomization and at 48 hrs, to determine the concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, and IL-8. Pao2/Fio2 ratio was evaluated before randomization and at 24, 48, 72, 96, and 120 hrs. A decrease over time in IL-8 concentrations (p = .034) was observed in the pulmonary compartment of the NMBA group. At 48 hrs after randomization, pulmonary concentrations of IL-1beta (p = .005), IL-6 (p = .038), and IL-8 (p = .017) were lower in the NMBA group as compared with the control group. A decrease over time in IL-6 (p = .05) and IL-8 (p = .003) serum concentrations was observed in the NMBA group. At 48 hrs after randomization, serum concentrations of IL-1beta (p = .037) and IL-6 (p = .041) were lower in the NMBA group as compared with the control group. A sustained improvement in Pao2/Fio2 ratio was observed and was reinforced in the NMBA group (p < .001). CONCLUSION: Early use of NMBAs decrease the proinflammatory response associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome and mechanical ventilation.

Development and validation of a perioperative satisfaction questionnaire.

BACKGROUND: Satisfaction is considered a valuable measure of outcome of healthcare processes. Only a few anesthesia-related validated questionnaires are reported. Because their scope is restricted to specific clinical contexts, their use remains limited. The objective of the current study was to develop and validate a self-reported questionnaire, Evaluation du Vecu de l'Anesthesie Generale (EVAN-G), assessing the satisfaction of the perioperative period surrounding general anesthesia. METHODS: Development of the EVAN-G questionnaire comprised a phase of item generation and a phase of psychometric validation. The patient sample was generated to be proportionally matched to the population of patients undergoing general anesthesia in France. The structure of the questionnaire was identified studying interitem, item-dimension, and interdimension correlations and factor analyses. Data were concurrently gathered to assess external validity. The discriminant validity was determined by comparison of scores across well known patient groups. Reliability was assessed by computation of Cronbach alpha coefficients and by test-retest. RESULTS: Eight hundred seventy-four patients were recruited in eight anesthesia departments. The EVAN-G includes 26 items; six specific scores and one global index score are available. Correlations between EVAN-G scores and other concurrent measures supported convergent validity. The EVAN-G correlated poorly with age, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status, total anesthesia time, and number of previous anesthesias. Significantly higher satisfaction was reported by patients older than 65 yr, belonging to the laryngeal mask group. Reliability and reproducibility were shown. CONCLUSION: The EVAN-G adds important information oriented toward patients' perceptions. The authors' approach provides a novel, valid, and reliable tool that may be used in anesthesia practice.

Hemorrhage after duodenopancreatectomy: impact of neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy and experience with sentinel bleeding.

Postoperative hemorrhage (PH) after duodenopancreatectomy (DP) is frequently lethal. The aim of this study was to delineate guidelines of management. Between August 1994 and July 2003, 172 patients underwent DP for cancer. Altogether, 26 patients were subjected to an institutional protocol (IP) with standard-dose chemoradiation (CRT) and 4 patients to an extrainstitutional protocol (EIP) with high-dose CRT. Sixteen patients (9.3%) were reoperated for PH. Hemorrhage occurred in 23% of irradiated patients (4 EIP, 3 IP) and in 6% of nonirradiated patients [confidence interval (CI) 1.8-6.5]. Pancreatic leak occurred in nine patients with PH (56%). Sentinel bleeding (SB) was noted in eight patients (50%) with a mean delay of 10 days after DP. Overall mortality after hemorrhage was 56%. Morality rates of patients with EIP or IP were, respectively, 100% and 0%. Mortality rates of patients with or without SB were similar. Mortality rates of axial bleeding (hepatic artery, mesenteric vessels) or lateral bleeding (pancreas remnant, splenic vessels) were, respectively, 88% and 25% (CI 1.6-8.6). Completion of pancreatectomy was achieved in 75% without rebleeding. Preoperative high-dose CRT increased the risk of fatal PH. Because SB occurs before massive hemorrhage, prompt reoperation could reduce mortality. Completion of pancreatectomy was essential during reintervention. Axial bleeding supports high mortality. Moving to the left, the pancreatojejunostomy could avoid contact of pancreatic juice with axial vessels in the case of pancreatic leakage. Ligating the gastroduodenal artery during DP had to leave a stump of around 1 cm to facilitate hemorrhage control without ligating the common hepatic artery.

Deactivation of alveolar macrophages in septic neutropenic ARDS.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Neutrophils often have been involved in the pathophysiology of ARDS. However, authentic ARDS has been described in patients with severe neutropenia, suggesting the presence of other potential mechanisms that are responsible of this syndrome. Alveolar macrophages (AMs) could be involved in the development of ARDS, and so we decided to study AM activation in neutropenic patients. PATIENTS: We designed a prospective study and enrolled two subgroups of consecutive patients (group A, 18 patients; group B, 22 patients) with septic ARDS. In the first period, 7 of 18 patients were neutropenic, and in the second period 10 of 22 patients were neutropenic. All neutropenic patients were treated with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: In group A, BAL fluid samples were analyzed for differential and total cell counts, and alveolar activation marker expression (ie, human leukocyte antigen [HLA]-DR locus) was determined. Basal and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated production of tumor necrosis factor, interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-6, and IL-10 was evaluated in group B. In neutropenic patients, the BAL fluid total cell count and the neutrophil absolute count was significantly lower compared to those in nonneutropenic patients (p = 0.029 and p = 0.046, respectively). HLA-DR expression on AMs was significantly decreased (p = 0.016), and the percentage of AMs expressing HLA-DR was also significantly lower (p = 0.041). In neutropenic patients, the mean percentage of AMs expressing HLA-DR was significantly lower in deceased patients compared to survivors (30 +/- 7 vs 43 +/- 1, respectively; p = 0.047). Basal AMs released cytokines was comparable between the two groups; however, LPS stimulation yielded a deactivation of AMs in neutropenic patients. CONCLUSION: These results suggest a deactivation and/or hypoactivation of AMs in septic ARDS patients. This deactivation/hypoactivation could be linked to the use of G-CSF as this molecule has been shown to generate a down-regulation of HLA-DR expression.