Massive Hemorrhage Protocol Application and Teamwork Skills.

OBJECTIVE: Massive hemorrhages (MHs) are rare but serious complications of pediatric trauma and obstetric cases. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of interprofessional simulation to improve adherence to a MH protocol (MHP), teamwork skills and confidence levels during a hemorrhagic crisis situation.Methods: This was a pre-post experimental study conducted at a tertiary care mother-child simulation center. Pediatric emergency and obstetric teams were submitted to simulated trauma and postpartum MH scenarios. Training consisted of two case scenarios followed by debriefing sessions and a lecture on the MHP. The primary outcome was adherence to MHP processes (checklist) measured prior to and 2 weeks following training sessions. Other outcomes were the measure of teamwork skills (Mayo High Performance Teamwork Scale) and confidence of the participants. RESULTS: Sixty-two health care professionals were involved in eight interprofessional teams. Mean scores for adherence to the MHP improved from 19.1 in the pretraining phase to 25.8 in the posttraining phase (difference of 6.7; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 4.4 to 8.9). Mean scores pertaining to teamwork skills also improved significantly between pre- and posttraining phases (difference = 3.9; 95% CI = 1.5 to 6.4). Confidence questionnaires showed significant improvements in the posttraining phase (difference = 6.9; 95% CI = 5.3 to 8.3). CONCLUSIONS: Targeted training involving simulation and protocol review improved participant adherence to MHP processes and teamwork skills. Confidence levels improved across all disciplines.

Intravenous dexmedetomidine for the treatment of shivering during Cesarean delivery under neuraxial anesthesia: a randomized-controlled trial.

PURPOSE: About 55% of patients undergoing a Cesarean delivery under spinal or epidural anesthesia will experience shivering, which may interfere with the monitoring of vital signs. Recent studies have shown that dexmedetomidine could potentially help to alleviate shivering associated with anesthesia. We investigated whether dexmedetomidine, an alpha 2-adrenergic agonist, reduces the duration of shivering associated with neuraxial anesthesia during Cesarean delivery. METHODS: Eighty parturients undergoing Cesarean delivery under neuraxial anesthesia and experiencing shivering were enlisted in this prospective, randomized, double-blind trial. After childbirth, the intervention group (n = 40) received a single intravenous bolus of dexmedetomidine (30 µg) while the control group (n = 40) received saline. Randomization and allocation were based on a computer-generated list. The primary outcome measure was the time required for an observable decrease in shivering after the intervention. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-five patients were recruited, 80 of whom presented with shivering and were randomized. Our study showed that dexmedetomidine reduced the mean (standard deviation) duration of shivering after a single intravenous bolus to 2.6 (2.1) min after dexmedetomidine from 17.9 (12.6) min after saline (difference in means, -15.3 min; 95% confidence interval [CI], -11.2 to -19.4). The effect of dexmedetomidine persisted 15 min after the bolus was administered, as shivering had completely stopped in 90% of the patients in the intervention group vs 22.5% in the control group (relative risk, 4.0; 95% CI, 2.2 to 7.2). No adverse effects, including bradycardia, were observed. CONCLUSION: A single intravenous bolus of dexmedetomidine decreased the duration of shivering for up to 15 min during Cesarean delivery under neuraxial anesthesia. TRIAL REGISTRATION: www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02384343); registered 10 March, 2015.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: Environ 55 % des patientes subissant un accouchement par césarienne sous anesthésie rachidienne ou épidurale vont manifester des frissons, lesquels peuvent interférer avec la mesure des signes vitaux. Des études récentes ont démontré que la dexmédétomidine a le potentiel de réduire les frissons associés à l'anesthésie. Nous avons cherché à démontrer si la dexmédétomidine, un agoniste des récepteurs alpha-2-adrénergiques, peut réduire la durée des frissons associés à l'anesthésie neuraxiale lors d'un accouchement par césarienne. MéTHODE: Quatre-vingts parturientes subissant un accouchement par césarienne sous anesthésie neuraxiale et manifestant des frissons ont été recrutées pour cette étude prospective, randomisée et à double insu. Après la naissance, le groupe intervention (n = 40) a reçu un bolus intraveineux unique de dexmédétomidine (30 µg) alors que le groupe témoin (n = 40) a reçu une solution saline. La randomisation et l'attribution ont suivi une liste générée par ordinateur. Le critère d'évaluation principal était le temps nécessaire avant d'observer une réduction des frissons après l'intervention. RéSULTATS: Cent cinquante-cinq patientes ont été recrutées, dont 80 ont présenté des frissons et ont été randomisées. Notre étude a montré que la dexmédétomidine réduisait la durée moyenne (écart type) des frissons après un bolus intraveineux unique à 2,6 (2,1) min après l'administration de dexmédétomidine par rapport à une durée moyenne de 17,9 (12,6) min après la solution saline (différence de moyennes, -15,3 min; intervalle de confiance [IC] 95 %, -11,2 à -19,4). L'effet de la dexmédétomidine persistait 15 min après l'administration du bolus, où les frissons avaient complètement cessé chez 90 % des patientes du groupe intervention vs 22,5 % du groupe témoin (risque relatif, 4,0; IC 95 %, 2,2 à 7,2). Aucun effet secondaire néfaste, y compris la bradycardie, n'a été observé. CONCLUSION: Un bolus intraveineux unique de dexmédétomidine réduit la durée des frissons jusqu'à 15 min lors d'un accouchement par césarienne sous anesthésie neuraxiale. ENREGISTREMENT DE L'éTUDE: www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02384343); enregistrée le 10 mars 2015.

Cesarean delivery under general anesthesia: Continuing Professional Development.

PURPOSE: Whenever possible, neuraxial anesthesia is the preferred technique for Cesarean delivery; however, under certain circumstances, general anesthesia remains the most appropriate choice. The purpose of this Continuing Professional Development module is to review the key issues regarding general anesthesia for Cesarean delivery. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: In developed countries, anesthesia-related maternal mortality and morbidity are both low. Mortality following Cesarean delivery under general anesthesia is attributable chiefly to failed intubation or other induction-related issues. Extubation can also be a danger period. The various methods of preventing difficult intubation and the associated consequences include airway assessment, fasting during obstetric labour, and pharmacological prophylaxis for aspiration. The traditional rapid sequence induction has been slightly modified because of the increased use of propofol and remifentanil. Difficult airway management algorithms specific to the pregnant woman are being developed and tend to recommend the use of supraglottic devices for unanticipated difficult intubation. The prevention of intraoperative awareness is another major consideration. Maintenance with halogenated agents at > 0.7 minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) is recommended; however, propofol maintenance can be an interesting option when uterine atony is present. Multimodal postoperative analgesia is recommended. CONCLUSION: A general anesthetic for Cesarean delivery should be based on the following principles: preventing aspiration, anticipating a difficult intubation, maintaining oxygenation, insuring materno-feto-placental perfusion and maintaining a deep level of anesthesia to avoid intraoperative awareness while minimizing neonatal effects.

Low-dose fentanyl-midazolam combination improves sevoflurane induction in adults.

PURPOSE: We investigated the effects of a combination of low-dose fentanyl-midazolam premedication on the speed of inhaled induction with sevoflurane and ProSeal laryngeal mask airway (PLMA) insertion conditions. METHODS: Eighty adult patients undergoing elective surgery were randomized in a double-blind fashion to receive either a normal saline placebo (Group PLAC) or a fentanyl 0.6 microg x kg(-1) and midazolam 9 microg x kg(-1) premedication (Group FM) 5 min before tidal volume sevoflurane 8%/O(2) induction. Anxiety levels, times to loss of eyelash reflex (LER) and PLMA insertion, and cardiorespiratory data were recorded. RESULTS: Times to LER (Group PLAC: 66 +/- 34 sec vs Group FM: 47 +/- 18 sec, P = 0.0027, difference = 19 sec: 95% confidence interval [CI] 7-31 sec) and to PLMA insertion (Group PLAC: 186 +/- 80 sec vs Group FM: 119 +/- 44 sec, P < 0.0001, difference = 68 sec: 95% CI 39-97 sec) were shorter following FM. After PLMA insertion, end-tidal sevoflurane concentration (EtSevo) was lower and end-tidal CO(2) (EtCO(2)) was higher following FM. Respiratory rate (RR) was lower with FM, but there was no difference regarding tidal volume. Adverse events, such as movements and apnea, occurred more often in Group PLAC. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and heart rate (HR) during induction were both lower with FM. Anxiety level after premedication was lower following FM administration. All participants remembered the face mask being applied in Group PLAC vs 69% in Group FM, P < 0.0001. CONCLUSION: Administration of a low-dose fentanyl-midazolam combination prior to sevoflurane induction decreases time to LER and allows for more rapid and less eventful PLMA insertion. Both SBP and HR were lower when premedication was administered. Patients receiving premedication were less anxious and less likely to remember the face mask. However, premedication was associated with a lower RR and increased EtCO(2) values following PLMA insertion, in spite of lower EtSevo concentrations. (ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT00723164).