Analgésie péridurale continue versus bloc continu du compartiment psoas pour l’analgésie postopératoire après chirurgie majeure du bassin ou du fémur chez l’enfant : étude prospective comparative randomisée

Background

Intravenous opioids and/or continuous epidural block (CEB) are used for postoperative analgesia after hip and/or femoral shaft surgery but adverse effects limit their use in children. A continuous psoas compartment block (CPCB), effective technique in adults can be an alternative. In this randomized comparative study, we wanted to evaluate CEB and CPCB in children after major hip surgery in terms of adverse events, pain relief and ropivacaine plasma concentrations.

Methods

After ethical committee and parents’ approval, 40 children scheduled for hip surgery were included and randomly allocated to receive CPCB or CEB. After general anaesthesia induction, 0.5 mL/kg of 0.375% ropivacaine were injected via the epidural or lumbar plexus catheter. After surgery, 0.1 ml/kg per hour (group CPCB) or 0.2 ml/kg per hour (group CEB) of 0.2% ropivacaine was infused for 48 h. Post-operative pain was evaluated using VAS or CHIPPS scores values at h1, h6, h12, h18, h24, h36 and h48, as well as doses of first line (paracetamol 15 mg/kg/6 h) or second line rescue analgesia (0.2 mg/kg intravenous nalbuphine), if pain score remained high after 30 mm. niflumic acid was systematically used. Adverse events were noted as well as parents’ satisfaction at 48 h. Ropivacaine plasma concentrations were measured four times up to 48 h (h1, h6, h24 and h48) by high performance gas chromatography.

Results

Forty children 1 to 12 years old (CPCB = 20, CEB = 20) were included. The demographic data were equivalent in both groups. Postoperative analgesia was excellent for both continuous block techniques during the whole studied period. Doses of rescue analgesics were comparable in both groups at the end of the 48 h. Number of children who had at least one side effect is significantly higher in CEB group. Furthermore, the number of local anaesthetic premature stops was significantly more frequent in this group. Median values of ropivacaine plasma level in CEB group were significantly higher than CPCB group at h6 and h24. Ten parents in the CEB group and 15 in CPCB group were satisfied.

Conclusion

Continuous psoas compartment block is an effective technique of postoperative analgesia after major hip or femoral surgery in children. It equally manages postoperative pain with significantly less adverse event and decreased ropivacaine doses and plasma concentration than CEB.     

Effet du mouvement de balancement sur la douleur du travail avant la mise en place du cathéter péridural en position assise

Objectives

To assess the effects of rocking motion on labour pain and before epidural catheter insertion.

Study design

Clinical prospective observational study.

Patients and methods

Pain scores (numerical scale: 0–10) were recorded in 50 laboring women in three consecutive positions: lying down, sitting and then rocking back and forth while seated. The overall satisfaction (0–10) and any comment related to the rocking procedure were also recorded.

Results

One woman refused to rock during the procedure and five alternated moving and still periods. Pain scores were similar in the lying (8.1 ± 1.8) and sitting position (8.0 ± 1.8), whereas they significantly decreased while rocking (6.6 ± 1.7; p < 0.001 versus both lying and sitting still positions). Satisfaction associated with rocking chair motion was high (8.9 ± 1.4).

Discussion

Within the limits of an observational and preliminary study, we observed that rocking motion during the procedure was associated with a significant decrease in labour pain and that patient satisfaction was high. Several hypotheses are proposed to explain these effects, i.e. patient's involvement in an action that focuses attention, loss of parturient's landmarks and stimulation of the vestibular system which might lead to a change in the cognitive perception of the body.     

Enquête de pratique sur l’analgésie péridurale en dehors de l’obstétrique

Objectives

To describe the current use of epidural anesthesia (EA) apart from obstetrics, and to explain the reasons of its low utilization.

Study design

Observational study.

Methods

A survey of practice with a self-questionnaire was sent by e-mail and available on Internet. Answers were compared between groups doing or not an epidural analgesia with exact Fisher tests (P < 0.05 statistically significant).

Results

Among the 176 anesthesiologists who answered to the questionnaire, only 21.4% never used epidural analgesia. The main reasons were alternatives therapeutics such as PCA with opioids or TAP block (24/38 vs. 46/140). TAP block was the most common alternative used by more than 50% of anesthesiologists. Loss of competence (4/30 vs. 0/39) was rarely the reason to its low utilization. The low accessibility to specialized postoperative units was recognized in both groups as a limiting factor to do an epidural but not the fear of neurological complications. Those who never perform epidural analgesia were statistically more often physicians between 40 and 50 years (12/38 vs. 19/140). Heparin, aspirin and clopidogrel are no longer contraindications according to anesthesiologists less than 40 years old (50/68 vs. 31/68; 44/68 vs. 31/68; 37/68 vs. 23/68 respectively) but not for older.

Conclusions

Epidural analgesia is performed more often by younger anesthesiologists. This survey suggests the need of specific postoperative area to allow anesthesiologist to perform and supervise safely this technique. Recommendations of the French society of Anesthesiologists are also poorly applied.     

Intérêt de l’anesthésie péridurale cervicale dans la gestion périopératoire d’une thyroïdectomie chez une patiente à haut risque anesthésique

Cervical epidural anesthesia is an anesthetic technique that can be useful in patients with high perioperative risk undergoing to cervical surgery. We report the case of a patient of 49 years old with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, left hemiparesis sequelae of stroke and congestive left ventricular failure. The patient underwent total thyroidectomy under cervical epidural anesthesia. No difficulty breathing or decompensation of chronic underlying diseases were noted in the postoperative.     

Analgésie péridurale obstétricale et maladie de Willebrand de type 2B

Type 2B von Willebrand disease (vWD) is an inherited bleeding syndrome resulting from a qualitative abnormality of von Willebrand Factor with an increased affinity for the glycoprotein Ib platelet receptor. Pregnancy increases the severity of this disease by decreasing the platelet count restricting epidural anaesthesia because of adverse risk of spinal bleeding. There is a phenotypic variability of Type 2B vWD depending of the von Willebrand Factor mutation. We report here the strategy we used to administer epidural anaesthesia for a patient with Type 2B vWD resulting from the P1337L mutation of von Willebrand Factor.     

Une complication de l’anesthésie péridurale : la rupture d’un cathéter

We report the breaking of an epidural catheter, which occurred during the procedure of insertion. If such a breaking is a rare event, it is due in this case to an aberrant trajectory of the catheter. By studying the literature, we also analyzed the mechanisms which can lead to the breaking of an epidural catheter. We recommend a precise radiological examination to localise the trapped catheter among the nervous structures.     

Impact de la mise en place d’un réseau de soins en traumatologie sur la mortalité des patients traumatisés graves du bassin

Aim

To evaluate the impact of a regional trauma network on intra-hospital mortality rates of patients admitted with severe pelvic trauma.

Study

Retrospective observational study.

Patients

Sixty-five trauma patients with serious pelvic fracture (pelvic abbreviated injury scale [AIS] score of 3 or more).

Methods

Demographic, physiologic and biological parameters were recorded. Observed mortality rates were compared to predicted mortality according to the Trauma Revised Injury Severity Score methodology adjusted by a case mix variation model.

Results

Twenty-nine patients were admitted in a level I trauma centre (reference centre) and 36 in level II trauma centres (centres with interventional radiology facility and/or neurosurgery). Patients from the level I trauma centre were more severely injured than those who were admitted at the level II trauma centres (Injury Severity Score [ISS]: 30 [13–75] vs 22 [9–59]; P < 0.01). Time from trauma to hospital admission was also longer in level I trauma centre (115 [50–290] min vs 90 [28–240] min, P < 0.01). Observed mortality rates (14%; 95% confidence interval, 95% CI, [1–26%]) were lower than the predicted mortality (29%; 95% CI [13–44%]) in the level I trauma centre. No difference in mortality rates was found in the level II trauma centres.

Conclusion

The regional trauma network could screen the most severely injured patients with pelvic trauma to admit them at a level I trauma centre. The observed mortality of these patients was lower than the predicted mortality despite increased time from trauma to admission.     

Tatouages lombaires et anesthésie périmédullaire : enquête de pratique dans les maternités du Languedoc-Roussillon

To determine neuraxial anesthesia practices in obstetric departments in Languedoc-Roussillon in parturient with large lumbar tattoo covering the puncture area. “A prospective anonymous survey was sent to anaesthesiologists” including a clinical case scenario with a tattooed woman. Questionnaire included items on neuraxial anaesthesia in various circumstances, reasons for the decision process, and “consensus management” or not “within the unit”. Fifty-four anaesthesiologists answered (response rate: 57%). Fifty-seven percent would perform an epidural anaesthesia (EA) through the tattoo. Thirty-nine percent would not; among which two third only would propose an alternative for EA. Elective or emergency caesarean section would prompt most of the anaesthesiologists to perform a spinal anaesthesia, especially in parturients with Mallampati Class III (93%) versus Class I (70%) airway. Seventy percent of responders reported no consensual management in their unit. Our study illustrates this lack of consensus in obstetrical units and among anaesthesiologists along with a variable attitude linked with the obstetrical and anaesthesiological situation.     

Organisation des soins en analgésie,anesthésie et réanimation en maternité en France métropolitaine : résultats comparés des enquêtes nationales périnatales 2003 et 2010

Objective

The equipment and practices in obstetric analgesia, anaesthesia and intensive care, as well as their evolution between 2003 and 2010 in metropolitan France, were described.

Population and methods

Data were derived from two representative samples of births in 2003 and 2010, based on all births in France during one week. The sample included 534 maternity units and 14,903 births in 2010 and 618 maternity units and 14,737 births in 2003.

Results

The caesarean operating room was adjacent or inside the labour ward in 66% of maternity units in 2010 vs 56% in 2003. An anaesthetist was appointed permanently to the labour ward in 38.9% of maternity units in 2010 vs 21.5% in 2003. Locoregional analgesia or anaesthesia rate increased significantly: 81.5% in 2010 compared to 74.9% in 2003. Almost all operative vaginal deliveries were performed under epidural anesthesia in 2010. Patient controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) was available in 58% of the units in 2010 but only 34.2% of women had PCEA. Newborn's resuscitations were performed mainly by paediatricians in 2010, but 11.4% of children were resuscitated by an anaesthetist in level 1 maternity units.

Conclusion

The conditions required to ensure anaesthetic care safety in maternity units has improved since 2003. Improvements in quality of care are still possible.     

Évaluation des pratiques de prise en charge analgésique en postopératoire de césarienne avant et après mesures d’amélioration

Objective

To assess the improvement of practices in postoperative analgesia after a cesarean section post implementation of a corrective program.

Study design

Prospective impact study.

Patients and methods

After obtaining ethics approval, we included all patients undergoing a cesarean section at Montpellier University Hospital during February 2011 (PRE group) and March 2012 (POST group). The patients were interviewed on the fourth day postpartum about pain management and related data was collected from the chart. From March 2011 to February 2012, training sessions were held for the paramedical and medical teams.

Results

Sixty patients were included in each group. The two groups were not significantly different. The mean overall numeric rating scale worst pain score between Day 0 and Day 4 in POST group was lower (5.5 ± 2.5 vs. 6.5 ± 2.4 p < 0.01) and impairment during mobilization decreased significantly. Compliance with protocols improved in the POST group: the number of women receiving full analgesia regiment increased from 12% to 68% between PRE and POST period.

Conclusion

After an awareness campaign of the paramedical and medical staff, we succeeded in improving significantly the routine use of analgesics regardless of their level. Nevertheless healthcare professionals still seem reluctant to administer opioids.     

Incidences et causes d’insatisfaction des patients vis-à-vis de la prise en charge de la douleur postopératoire

Introduction

Patient satisfaction regarding postoperative pain management (POPM) is not always correlated with pain level relief.

Objective

To evaluate the percentage of satisfied patients while splitting satisfaction related with nurses, anaesthesiologists and surgeons during 48 h postoperative period.

Patients and methods

The study was performed in 2007 by two investigators in six different surgical suites in a university hospital. Approximatively 15 patients have been randomly selected in each surgical ward. Each patient received during the first or second postoperative day an anonymous questionnaire and was required to complete it with the investigator assistance if necessary. Questions requiring a yes-or-no reply assessed the patient's satisfaction with POPM performed by nurses, surgeons, and anaesthesiologists. In case of dissatisfaction, patients were invited to explain the reasons.

Results

Ninety-two patients were included, 5% of the patients were not satisfied with nurse POPM and nearly 15% were not satisfied with anaesthesiologist or surgeon POPM. The main reasons of dissatisfaction with nurses were the excessive delays between requesting and receiving an analgesic and because of the significant discrepancies in POPM between nurses. Patient discontent regarding surgeons was explained by the lack of interest of the latter for POPM. Patient discontent regarding anaesthesiologists was explained by the lack of anaesthesiologist visit in the postoperative period.

Conclusion

There is a relationship between patient dissatisfaction and the lack of attention for POPM by surgeons and the lack of postoperative visit by the anaesthesiologist. A postoperative visit by a team of anaesthesia nurses should improve patient satisfaction with POPM.     

Évaluation des pratiques professionnelles de la prise en charge de la douleur postopératoire à court,moyen et long terme

Objectives

To evaluate the short medium and long-term impact of a quality-improvement program (QIP) in a university hospital using a validated reference tool.

Methods

Seven surgical departments were audited before and after implementation of a QIP in postoperative pain management. Audits were conducted in 2005, 2007, 2009 and 2012. In each audit, 10 medical charts from each surgical department were analyzed for 9 quality criteria. A surgical department score (SDS) was calculated for each department (maximum score = 90). The surgical departments with a SDS < 45 received targeted training sessions.

Results

In 2005, three surgical departments had a SDS < 45. After the first audit, a targeted training sessions was conducted in the three surgical departments, all seven departments improved their scores with a SDS > 45 in 2007. Between 2007 and 2009, all seven departments improved their scores. Conversely, between 2009 and 2012, the SDS diminished in six of the seven surgical departments and four of the nine evaluated quality criteria decreased significantly: right detailed order for postoperative pain analgesia (prescriber identifier, agent used, unit doses, mode of administration; 100% versus 53; P = 0.027), appropriate dosing of steps I and II analgesics (96% versus 80%; P = 0.041), morphine (90% versus 76%; P = 0.039), based on corresponding physician orders and monitor morphine side effects (87% versus 29; P = 0.027).

Conclusion

Audits should be performed regularly (at least every two years) for detecting postoperative pain management degradation. Lack of targeted training sessions can explain partially this degradation.     

Péridurale obstétricale : qualité de l’information médicale en français sur Internet en 2009 et 2010

Objective

The variability of the medical information available on the Internet (MedInfoWeb) raises concern about its quality. There is no data about the quality of MedInfoWeb concerning epidural analgesia for labour (EAL). Our aims were to assess the quality of MedInfoWeb concerning EAL and to study the stability of MedInfoWeb and the ranking of website into search engine (SE) during 1 year.

Study design

Observational study.

Materials and methods

We created our own data form to analyse the firsts 40 Google^®, Alta Vista^® and Yahoo^® websites. In 2009 and 2010, two independent assessors assessed the quality of the website structure (structure score noted out of 25) and the quality of medical information (medical score noted out of 30). The global score (noted on 55) was the addition of structure and medical scores. A HONcode labelling was noted.

Results

Between 2009 and 2010, the average global (23 vs. 22), structure (11 vs. 11) and medical (12 vs. 12) Scores were stable. The SE's quality was comparable. A SE website's rank was not related to its global score. The labelling HONcode websites were the best (26 vs. 21, P = 0.048). The best website in 2009 and 2010 was doctissimo.fr. In 2010, only 58% of the websites were still presents.

Conclusion

The quality of MedInfoWeb concerning EAL is poor and did not improve between 2009 and 2010. The MedInfoWeb is unstable: 42% of the websites disappeared in 1 year. No website or SE is currently able to give reliable medical information concerning EAL.     

Prise en charge des traumatismes pénétrants de l’abdomen : des spécificités à connaître

Penetrating traumas are rare in France and mainly due to stabbing. Knives are less lethal than firearms. The initial clinical assessment is the cornerstone of hospital care. It remains a priority and can quickly lead to a surgical treatment first. Urgent surgical indications are hemorrhagic shock, evisceration and peritonitis. Dying patients should be immediately taken to the operating room for rescue laparotomy or thoracotomy. Ultrasonography and chest radiography are performed before damage control surgery for hemodynamic unstable critical patients. Stable patients are scanned by CT and in some cases may benefit from non-operative strategy. Mortality remains high, initially due to bleeding complications and secondarily to infectious complications. Early and appropriate surgery can reduce morbidity and mortality. Non-operative strategy is only possible in selected patients in trained trauma centers and with intensive supervision by experienced staff.     

Enquête nationale sur l’utilisation du rémifentanil comme alternative à l’analgésie péridurale obstétricale dans les maternités de niveau II et III

Objectives

The last French survey on alternatives to neuraxial anaesthesia for labour pain was published in 1997. However, intravenous remifentanil has become increasingly used as an option for labour analgesia. We evaluated the use of remifentanil as an alternative to epidural analgesia in level 2 and 3 French maternities in 2009.

Study design

This was an internet-based French survey performed in 2009 including all level 2 and 3 maternities. Data recorded were maternity unit characteristic, alternatives to neuraxial analgesia used, and remifentanil administration protocols.

Results

Two hundred and forty maternity units received the survey and 103 responses were completed. A written institutional alternative analgesia protocol for labour pain was present in 78%. Alternative labour analgesia included intermittent nitrous oxide inhalation (58%), intravenous nalbuphine (52%), patient-controlled intravenous administration of remifentanil (52%) and sufentanil (46%). Pethidine administration was reported by one maternity unit (1%). The bolus dose of remifentanil scheduled, and background infusion varied widely between maternity units. The analgesic efficacy of remifentanil used for labour pain was evaluated as moderate (55%) or good (43%). Two serious adverse events were reported.

Conclusion

Intravenous administration of remifentanil was largely reported as an alternative to neuraxial anaesthesia for labour pain. Although remifentanil administration was most often based on a local written protocol, bolus dose and background infusion varied widely between maternity units.     

Appréciation de la place de l’anesthésie locorégionale pour la prise en charge des plaies de la face aux urgences

Objective

Defining the place of regional anaesthesia (RA) for facial wounds in an emergency department.

Study Design

Prospective observational study conducted in the emergency department of a regional hospital.

Patients and methods

Two hundred and forty-six successive patients with one or more facial wounds were included from 1st august 2004 to 31st december 2004. Data on patient, operator, wound (measured by the number of stitches), anaesthetic method (RA, local anaesthesia [LA], or no anaesthesia), method of repairing skin, duration of intervention, operator comfort (verbal numeric scale [VNS] from 0 to 10) and pain feeled by the patient (visual analogic scale [VAS] from 0 to 10) in the different stages of care were collected.

Results

Compared to the LA, the RA of the face decreased the number of punctures (1.36 vs 4.38 punctures, p < 0.001) and the quantity of local anaesthetic injected (2.8 ml vs 5.3 ml, p < 0.01) for wounds requiring more than 10 stitches. It has improved operator comfort (VNS = 10 [8–10] vs 8 [6.75–10] (p < 0.01)). Its effectiveness during skin repair was equivalent to that of the LA by infiltration (VAS 0 [0–1] vs 0 [0–1]).

Conclusion

When practicable, the RA of the face is a better technique than the LA for facial wounds treatment.