Changes in haemostasis after laparoscopic surgery in gynaecology: contribution of the thrombin generation test.

Surgery induces immediate hypercoagulability by direct alteration of the vascular bed, release of procoagulant substances from the extravascular spaces and blood flow decrease, and delayed hypercoagulation in response to tissue damage which triggers inflammatory responses. Thus, the postoperative period represents a high-risk time for thrombosis. Recognition of high-risk individuals would make it possible to improve thromboembolism prevention. We studied in women undergoing laparoscopic surgery a series of markers known to be related to the thrombotic risk and confronted their results with those of a global test, the thrombin generation test (TGT) described by Hemker's group. Our results show that two groups of patients can be distinguished according to usual risk markers (PAI-1, TAT, body mass index): the higher risk group demonstrates higher initial TGT values, but also a postoperative decrease of the TGT values whose mechanisms remain to be defined.

Severe hyperflexion sprains of the lower cervical spine in adults.

Severe sprains of the cervical spine result from a traumatic rupture of the intervertebral disc and ligaments. Although rare, these lesions may lead to a significant kyphotic deformity if they are not surgically treated. The treatment of such a kyphotic deformity may consist of surgical fixation of the lesion through either an anterior or posterior approach. A retrospective study has been done examining 44 severe cervical sprains in 41 patients surgically treated through a posterior approach, using Roy-Camille plates. With an average followup of 29 months (range, 6-60 months), 73% of the patients recovered a normal range of spinal motion, with either moderate or no pain. No neurologic or vascular complications directly attributable to posterior plating and no secondary kyphosis were observed. A moderate sagittal displacement with kyphotic angulation occurred above the fusion in five patients. Posterior screw plate fixation appears to be a safe and effective treatment for severe hyperflexion sprain of the lower cervical spine in the adult.

Surgery of the deformities in ankylosing spondylitis: our experience of lumbar osteotomies in 31 patients.

Corrective surgery for kyphotic deformities of the spine in ankylosing spondylitis is a major surgery for rare indications. The authors report 31 lumbar osteotomies. The goal is to correct the deformity through a posterior limited approach and to minimise the neurological risks. The modifications developed by the authors for monosegmental closing wedge osteotomies are explained. The posterior resection is rhomboid shaped with a bilateral lamina removal. An osteotomy is performed in a forwards direction on the lateral aspects of the vertebral body without bone resection. This osteoclasty allows progressive vertebral body compression. Pediclectomy is associated if the corresponding foramen at the osteotomy level becomes too narrow in the process of redressing the spine. The resection level is adjusted so that superior and inferior posterior arches come into contact with a good compression. The authors point out the risk of lateral translation. Before the osteotomy, the two adjacent vertebrae are implanted with 5-mm cylindrical pedicular screws, so that posterior fixation can be carried out at any time. Posterior monobloc fixation allows for very great compression of the osteoclasty. The authors compare the results of their experiences in opening and closing osteotomy. They progressively changed their technique for closing osteotomies, because of published vascular complications and mechanical risks (instability and pseudarthrosis in opening osteotomies). Closing osteotomy also minimises the risk of stenosis with radicular compression or traction if an important correction is performed. The level of the osteotomy varied in this series, which had a correction rate of up to 75 degrees. The choice of level depends on secondary effects on pelvic position and projection of the centre of gravity. The preferred procedure remains a monosegmental correction because it is faster and easier, with minimum bleeding. Short monobloc posterior fixation is sufficient to maintain reduction and to obtain stability from posterior compression.

Post operative infections of the spine: technique, indications and results of the surgical treatment - A retrospective study of 90 cases.

Post operative infection in spine surgery is a well known complication. The authors studied a series of 90 patients in accordance with an homogenous strategy based on the excision of necrotic and infected tissues, associated with appropriate antibiotics.The results are analyzed according to the degree of infection (which is based on the type of germs and their associations), and type of patients, the delay in diagnosis and the anatomical extension of the infected lesions.Making a difference between superficial and deep infection is of no therapeutic value and may lead to wrong and inadequate treatment.One must separate the common infections (which are due to germs as staphylococcus aureus or others from the urinary or digestive tract), and severe infections (which are either due to a per operative massive and deep contamination, or associated with patient's poor general condition).This series is mainly about posterior approaches to the spine, with or without osteosynthesis. Technical problems for treatment depend on the site of infection, particularly at the thoracic kyphosis level, or at the lumbar level where the muscle necrosis can be extensive. At the cervical level, the infection of an anterior approach mandates a check on the respiratory and digestive tracts.Removing the osteosynthesis is not mandatory in post operative spinal infections, as it may induce severe mechanical destabilization. An anterior approach is not necessarily required in the case of a posterior infection, except with massive contamination of an anterior graft. In some cases, posterior lumbar interbody fusion can lead to the indication for anterior cage removal.Pseudarthrosis of an infected spine, initially treated to obtain fusion, is still the worst complication. In case of previous posterior infection, even a severe one, fusion can still be obtained through a secondary anterior or posterior approach for grafting, with or without osteosynthesis.In this series, there was no neurological complication due to infection.However, eight diceases occured in weak patients with neurological involvement. This points out the importance of the general treatment associated with the surgery, and the necessity of a thorough assessment. a thorough assessment.RéSUMé: Les infections post-opératoires représentent une complication largement documentée dans le domaine de la chirurgie du rachis. Les auteurs étudient une série de 90 patients traités selon une stratégie homogène basée sur l'excision des tissus nécrosés et infectés associée à l'utilisation d'un traitement antibiotique adapté. Les résultats sont analysés en fonction du degré d'infection (basé sur le type de germe et leurs associations) de l'état des patients, du délai pour le diagnostic et de l'étendue anatomique des lésions infectieuses. L'opposition entre infection superficielle et profonde semble sans intérêt sur le plan thérapeutique et peut conduire à un traitement insuffisant ou mal adapté.Il est important de séparer les infections classiques (qui sont dûes à des germes comme le staphylocoque doré ou d'autres germes provenant de la sphère urinaire ou digestive) et les infections sévères (qui sont soit dûes à une contamination per-opératoire massive et profonde ou associées à des patients dont létat général est déficient).Cette série est principalement basée sur les abord postérieurs du rachis avec ou sans ostéosynthèse. Les problèmes techniques pour le traitement dépendent du site de l'infection: aux niveaux thoracique et lombaire, la nécrose musculaire peut être très extensive. Au niveau cervical, l'infection d'un abord antérieur impose de vérifier l'intégrité du tractus aéro-digestif.L'ablation initiale du matériel n'est pas nécessaire dans beaucoup de cas d'infections post-opératoires car elle peut induire des destabilisations sévères et des complications mécaniques supplémentaires. Un abord antérieur n'est pas forcément nécessaire en cas d'infection postérieure mises à part les contaminations massives d'une greffe antérieure ou une infection d'une cage intervertébrale réalisée pour une fusion intersomatique par voie postérieure.La pseudarthrose des greffes sur un rachis infecté qui a été traité initialement pour obtenir une fusion reste encore la plus sévère des complications. Dans les cas d'infections postérieures même sévères, la fusion peut être encore obtenue secondairement grâce à un abord antérieur ultérieur ou même un abord postérieur pour des greffes complémentaires avec ou sans ostéosynthèse.Dans cette série, les auteurs ne signalent aucune complication neurologique dûe à l'infection. Néanmoins, 8 décès sont à déplorer chez des patients fragiles avec signes neurologiques initiaux. Ceci souligne l'importance du traitement général associé à la chirurgie et la nécessité d'un bilan complet de ces malades.

Treatment of lower cervical spinal injuries--C3 to C7.

Injuries of the lower cervical spine are categorized according to the morbid anatomy of the lesion. Most often, such injuries are successfully treated by surgery through a posterior approach. After anatomic restoration, internal fixation with plates and screws provides for stability and arthrodesis. Of 221 cases of lower cervical spine injuries, posterior stabilization was accomplished in 89%. There was no secondary displacement in 85% of cases.

[Pharmacodynamics of alizapride (author's transl)]. / Etude pharmacodynamique de l'alizapride.

Studies of alizapride (N[(allyl-1 pyrrolidinyl-2) methyl] méthoxy-2 azimido-4,5 benzamide hydrochlorate) in mice and rats demonstrated little toxicity, particularly after parenteral administration. Alizapride's main pharmacodynamic effects are on the central nervous system. It is very effective against emesis induced by apomorphine and dihydrogenated ergot alkaloids in dogs. In this respect it is three times more effective than metoclopramide. In contrast to neuroleptics, alizapride does not modify equilibrium reflexes in mice, nor does it reinforce hypnosis induced by barbiturates. Only minor central antidopaminergic effects were recorded, less marked than those seen with metoclopramide. In mice, alizapride has no anticonvulsant or analgesic effects. It has little action on the autonomic nervous system or on the cardiovascular system. Alizapride has no antihistaminic or parasympatholytic effect. In dogs, sympatholytic effects and hypotension are seen only after giving a much higher dose than that which is effective against apomorphine and dihydrogenated ergot alkaloids.

[Biological properties of 4-amino-5 alkyl-sulfone substituted orthoanisamides]. / Propriétés biologiques d'orthoanisamides substitués à fonction-4 amino-5 alkyl-sulfone.

The 4-amino 5-alkyl-sulfone substituted orthoanisamides can be distinguished from their non-aminated homologues (sultopride) or sulfamoyl homologues (sulpride) mainly by the intensity of their anti-emetic effects with regard to apomorphine and their mode of action, either on hippocampic rhythms or on locomotor rhythms in the Cat.

[Endocrinological effects of substituted orthoveratramides]. / Recherches sur les effets endocriniens des orthovératramides substitués.

The substituted orthoveratramides, derived from the orthopramides by the addition of a second methoxy radical at position 3 in the benzene ring, possess strong endocrinological effects. In particular the N[(allyl-1 pyrrolidinyl-2) methyl] dimethoxy-2-3 sulfamoyl-5 benzamide blocks oestrus in the Rat at doses considerably lower than sultopride and inhibits so-called "castration cell" formation in the pituitary.