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BACKGROUND The end-expiratory occlusion test predicts fluid responsiveness in ventilated intensive care patients; however, its utility in the operating room is questioned. We assessed end-expiratory occlusion test in laparotomic surgery for predicting volume expansion. METHODS Forty-six patients were included in this study: stage 1 (n = 26) with an end-expiratory occlusion test of 15 seconds, followed by volume expansion, which consisted of 250 mL of colloid over 5 minutes and stage 2 (n = 20) with an end-expiratory occlusion test of 25 seconds followed by volume expansion. The last 10 patients had transdiaphragmatic pressures probed. Patients with an increase in cardiac index >15% after volume expansion were responders. Pulse pressure variation, stroke volume (SV) index, and cardiac index were analyzed. Receiver operating characteristic curves were established for changes in SV and pulse pressure induced by end-expiratory occlusion test and pulse pressure variation using the responders status for volume expansion as outcome. RESULTS A total of 44 (38%) volume expansions were deemed responders. After end-expiratory occlusion test of 15 seconds, no hemodynamic variables were significantly increased. After end-expiratory occlusion test of 25 seconds, SV index increased in responders (37.1 ± 8.8 mL/m after end-expiratory occlusion test of 25 seconds versus 35.7 ± 8.6 before; P < .0001). End-expiratory occlusion test could not discriminate responders from nonresponders. Only pulse pressure variation had significantly different area under the curve from that expected by chance (0.7 [0.57-0.81]; P = .002 for end-expiratory occlusion test of 15 seconds; and 0.78 [0.64-0.89]; P = .0001 for end-expiratory occlusion test of 25 seconds). After laparotomy, gastric pressure decreased significantly (4 [2.75-5] vs 2 [2-4] cm H2O; P = .0417); no difference was noticed in the transdiaphragmatic gradient. CONCLUSIONS End-expiratory occlusion test was not reliable to discriminate responders from nonresponders after volume expansion during laparotomic surgery.

To compare cardiac index (CI) between Proaqt/PulsioFlexIn a single hospital, 49 intermediate-risk oncologic abdominal surgery patients were included in an observational study. We measured the cardiac Index (CI) provided by OD and by the Proaqt/PulsioFlexThe percentages of error before calibration were 51, 58, 82, 81% for 30, 60, 90 and 120min, they were 39, 57, 65, and 54% after calibration. Trending ability is assumed by a 93% concordance rate after applying a 15% exclusion zone. The trend interchangeability rate was 13.75%. The area under the curve for fluid responsiveness measured by PPV and SVV PulsioFlex were respectively 0.67 [0.57-0.77], P0.01 and 0.75 [0.47-0.66], which was not clinically relevant.The Proaqt/Pulsioflex

INTRODUCTION The PiCCO2 is a commonly used monitor, which education remains theoretical and demonstration based. Simulation allows active learning, which may help achieve a better understanding and handling of this device, hence a safer and more effective use. Because of the lack of availability of dedicated simulators and the uselessness of the demonstration mode of monitors for simulation purpose, simulation remains seldom used. We will describe a novel use of the PiCCO2 for simulation training and its experiment in high-fidelity simulation (HFS). METHODS A standard PiCCO2 was modified with software allowing its transformation into a simulator. The values displayed on the screen were managed in real time by an operator using a standard laptop linked to the monitor and using a standard disposable catheter set to execute simulated transpulmonary thermodilution. Nineteen volunteers were requested to assess the realism of the device during scenarios in which the PiCCO2S (simulator) was used in an HFS environment, with a mannequin reproducing a septic shock condition. RESULTS Two experimental sessions were made. PiCCO2S was used in the contextualized setting of HFS, which allowed a good interactivity between the device and its users. Participants had a positive perception of the realism as well as the method's adequacy to achieve a better understanding of the PiCCO2. CONCLUSIONS The PiCCO2S could be obtained from a serial device. Its integration in HFS provided a realistic handling of the device. A built-in simulation mode into serial medical devices may give users an easy access to training.

Summary Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas are common lesions, related to chronic smoking and drinking behaviors. But in contrast to other cancers, effect of obesity on occurrence, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of these tumors remains to date unknown. This is a retrospective review of 111 obese patients (sex ratio = 6.4, median age = 54.5 year old), treated between 1999 and 2007. Risk factors, tumoral localization and staging (41% stage I–II) were the same as in general population. However, we found 26.1% difficult pan-endoscopies, 54% ACE-27 comorbidity scores ⩾2 and 22.5% misstaged cervical lymphadenopathy. Treatment was based upon surgery (61%) or radiotherapy–chemotherapy (39%), and 37% of patients developed complications. Median follow up (38 months) and five-year overall survival (50%) are comparable to data in non obese patients. Although no direct relation between obesity and squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck was found, obesity causes problems in tumor assessment and increases surgical complications rate. However, final good therapeutic tolerance and overall survival rate show that these patients should be managed like normal weighted ones. Receiving optimal treatments allow them to anticipate equivalent outcome as in general population.

International audience; In multicellular organisms, cell shape and organization are dictated by cell-cell or cell-extracellular matrix adhesion interactions. Adhesion complexes crosstalk with the cytoskeleton enabling cells to sense their mechanical environment. Unfortunately, most of cell biology studies, and cell mechanics studies in particular, are conducted on cultured cells adhering to a hard, homogeneous, and unconstrained substrate with nonspecific adhesion sites, thus far from physiological and reproducible conditions. Here, we grew cells on three different fibronectin patterns with identical overall dimensions but different geometries (▽, T, and Y), and investigated their topography and mechanics by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The obtained mechanical maps were reproducible for cells grown on patterns of the same geometry, revealing pattern-specific subcellular differences. We found that local Young's moduli variations are related to the cell adhesion geometry. Additionally, we detected local changes of cell mechanical properties induced by cytoskeletal drugs. We thus provide a method to quantitatively and systematically investigate cell mechanics and their variations, and present further evidence for a tight relation between cell adhesion and mechanics.

Background Preoperative screening includes clinical examination and tests. Systematic prescription leads to excessive tests. We conducted an observational retrospective study to assess the success of implementing a protocol-guided prescription procedure for preoperative tests (PTs). We compared the number of PTs prescribed for scheduled surgery before and after the implementation of local guidelines with a specific method. Methods Local guidelines for prescribing PTs based on the French Society of Anaesthesia's recommendations were developed, validated by the anaesthesia team and actively implemented. The implementation procedure was complex and based on the application of sociologic concepts to facilitate PT prescriptions in accordance with the protocol. All PTs (except for children and emergency surgeries) prescribed over a one-week observation period were analysed before and after protocol implementation, respectively in 2011 and 2013. Results Two hundred and ninety-two patient files were analysed: 157 in 2011 and 135 in 2013. Ninety-one percent of the prescriptions were in accordance with the recommendations in 2013. Excessive prescribing decreased significantly after the implementation of recommendations (7.1% versus 20.7%, P Conclusion We observed excellent adherence to the prescription protocol for PTs. The method used to implement the protocol was successful. A future evaluation should be undertaken to confirm these results over the long-term.

Anesthesia information management system (AIMS) can be used a part of quality assurance program to improve patient care, however erroneous or missing data entries may lead to misinterpretation. This study assesses the accuracy of information extracted for six consecutive years from a database linked to an automatic anesthesia record-keeping system. An observational study was conducted on a database linked AIMS system. The database was filled in real time during surgical/anesthesia procedure and in the post-anesthesia care unit. The following items: name of the anesthetist, duration of anesthesia, duration of monitoring, ventilatory status upon arrival in postoperative care unit, pain scores, nausea and vomiting scores, pain medication (morphine) and anti nausea and vomiting drug consumption (ondansetron) were extracted and analysed in order to determine exhaustivity (percentage of missing data) and accuracy of the database. The analysis covered 55,946 anaesthetic procedures. The rate of missing data was initially high upon installation but decreased over time. It was limited to 5 % after 3 years for items such as start of anesthesia or name of the anesthetist. However exhaustivity/completeness of some other variable, such as nausea and vomiting started as low as 50 % to reach 20 % at 2008. After cross analysing pain and post-operative nausea and vomiting scores with related medication consumption, (morphine and ondansetron) we conclude that missing data was due to omission of a zero score rather than human error. The follow-up of quality assurance program may use data from AIMS provided that missing or erroneous values be mentioned and their impact on calculations accurately analysed.

The main goal of this study was to achieve a medico-economic comparison between four disposable laryngeal masks (LM) (LMA-Unique™, Ambu AuraOnce™, I-Gel™ and LMA-Suprême™).A prospective, randomized, monocentre study.In a center, using routinely LMA-Unique masks, scheduled breast surgery patients were allocated into four groups according to the LM model. After the induction, the modalities of use were collected, as well as the intraoperative events that required additional anesthetic equipment. The real cost of each model was calculated (cost of the mask+extra cost related to complications). Using the LMA-Unique as a reference, we performed a cost-efficacy analysis. We realized a cost-efficiency analysis putting in parallel the impact on the cost and the incidence of the events.A total of 178 patients were included. According to the cost-efficacy analysis, the dominant model was the Ambu AuraOnce™ (Δreal cost: -34.2%, Δevents: -30.6%). The LMA-Unique™ was dominated because of a high morbidity rate. The I-Gel™ and LMA-Suprême™ models were more efficient but more expensive (Δreal cost: +16% and +22.5% respectively). To compensate for additional costs, it would be necessary to apply a price reduction of at least 50%.Despite their better efficiency and safety, the latest generation laryngeal masks are still expensive in spite of a low rate of complication. These results do not take into account very rare and severe complications not met in this study in the limited size; then the economic and medical impact can influence the choice beyond the simple analysis cost-efficiency.

Background Transpulmonary thermodilution allows the measurement of cardiac index for high risk surgical patients. Oncologic patients often have a central venous access (port-a-catheter) for chronic treatment. The validity of the measurement by a port-a-catheter of the absolute cardiac index and the detection of changes in cardiac index induced by fluid challenge are unknown. Methods We conducted a monocentric prospective study. 27 patients were enrolled. 250 ml colloid volume expansions for fluid challenge were performed during ovarian cytoreductive surgery. The volume expansion-induced changes in cardiac index measured by transpulmonary thermodilution by a central venous access (CIcvc) and by a port-a-catheter (CIport) were recorded. Results 23 patients were analyzed with 123 pairs of measurements. Using a Bland and Altman for repeated measurements, the bias (lower and upper limits of agreement) between CIport and CIcvc was 0.14 (−0.59 to 0.88) L/min/m2. The percentage error was 22%. The concordance between the changes in CIport and CIcvc observed during volume expansion was 92% with an r = 0.7 (with exclusion zone). No complications (included sepsis) were observed during the follow up period. Conclusions The transpulmonary thermodilution by a port-a-catheter is reliable for absolute values estimation of cardiac index and for measurement of the variation after fluid challenge. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov NCT02063009