Impact of epinephrine on ropivacaine pharmacokinetics in TAP blocks: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Ropivacaine is commonly used in abdominal wall blocks due to its safety profile, and the addition of epinephrine is hypothesized to prolong analgesic duration and reduce systemic absorption. However, previous studies have been limited by non-weight-adjusted dosing and potential pharmacokinetic interactions, and inadequate investigation of the free form of ropivacaine.

Objective: To characterize and compare the pharmacokinetics of total and free ropivacaine administered at a weight-adjusted dose of 1 mg/kg in Transversus Abdominis Plane (TAP) blocks, with and without epinephrine (1:200 000; 5 µg/mL).

Factors associated with poor pain experience after surgery.

Objective: To identify factors associated with poor postoperative pain experience by examining patient-related and procedural variables.

Methods: An exploratory secondary analysis was conducted on data from 971 adult patients undergoing elective surgery under general anesthesia across five French teaching hospitals. Preoperative anxiety was assessed using the Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale (APAIS).

Impact of lumbar cerebrospinal fluid drainage to control intracranial hypertension in patients with severe traumatic brain injury: a retrospective monocentric cohort.

Background: External lumbar drainage (ELD) of cerebrospinal fluid may help control intracranial pressure following a traumatic brain injury. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of ELD in post-traumatic intracranial hypertension (IH).

Methods: This retrospective monocentric cohort study was conducted in the trauma critical care unit of the regional Level-I trauma centre between January 2012 and December 2022.

Use of resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) in a multidisciplinary approach for management of traumatic haemorrhagic shock: 10-year retrospective experience from a French level 1 trauma centre.

Background: The present study investigated an institutional multidisciplinary strategy for managing traumatic haemorrhagic shock by integrating the placement of REBOA (resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta) by anaesthesiologist-intensivists.

Methods: All severe trauma patients who received percutaneous REBOA placement between January 2013 and December 2022 in our level 1 trauma centre were retrospectively analysed. The data collected included the clinical context, indications and location of REBOA, durations of aortic occlusion (AO), choice of haemostatic procedures and surgical teams, and specific complications.

Ultrasound-guided Transcutaneous Phrenic Nerve Stimulation in Critically Ill Patients: A New Method to Evaluate Diaphragmatic Function.

Background: Diaphragm dysfunction is common in intensive care unit and associated with weaning failure and mortality. The diagnosis gold standard is the transdiaphragmatic or tracheal pressure induced by magnetic phrenic nerve stimulation. However, the equipment is not commonly available and requires specific technical skills.

From pain level to pain experience: redefining acute pain assessment to enhance understanding of chronic postsurgical pain.

Background: Chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) significantly impairs quality of life and poses a substantial healthcare burden, affecting up to a quarter of patients undergoing surgery. Although acute pain is recognised as a predictor for CPSP development, the role of patient experience remains underexplored. This study examines the predictive value of patient experience alongside traditional risk factors for CPSP after orthopaedic surgery.

Plantar Compartment Block Improves Enhanced Recovery after Hallux Valgus Surgery: A Randomized, Comparative, Double-blind Study.

Background: Walking ability is a key factor in enhanced recovery after foot ambulatory surgery. Plantar compartment block offers an analgesic alternative to popliteal sciatic nerve block (PSNB) for hallux valgus surgery. The objective of this study was to compare these two regional anesthesia strategies on patients' ability to recover a painless unaided walk.

Validation of a natural language processing algorithm using national reporting data to improve identification of anesthesia-related ADVerse evENTs: The "ADVENTURE" study.

Background: Reporting and analysis of adverse events (AE) is associated with improved health system learning, quality outcomes, and patient safety. Manual text analysis is time-consuming, costly, and prone to human errors. We aimed to demonstrate the feasibility of novel machine learning and natural language processing (NLP) approaches for early predictions of adverse events and provide input to direct quality improvement and patient safety initiatives.

Association of the immediate perioperative dynamics of circulating DNA levels and neutrophil extracellular traps formation in cancer patients.

Objectives: Elevated circulating DNA (cirDNA) concentrations were found to be associated with trauma or tissue damage which suggests involvement of inflammation or cell death in post-operative cirDNA release. We carried out the first prospective, multicenter study of the dynamics of cirDNA and neutrophil extracellular trap (NETs) markers during the perioperative period from 24 h before surgery up to 72 h after curative surgery in cancer patients.

Methods: We examined the plasma levels of two NETs protein markers [myeloperoxidase (MPO) and neutrophil elastase (NE)], as well as levels of cirDNA of nuclear (cir-nDNA) and mitochondrial (cir-mtDNA) origin in 29 colon, prostate, and breast cancer patients and in 114 healthy individuals (HI).

Quality of life of patients with hip fracture was better during the COVID-19 period than before, an ancillary study from the HiFIT multicenter study.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic had a global impact on people life, notably because of lockdown periods. This could particularly affected patients suffering from hip fracture, who could have been more isolated during these periods. We aim at evaluating the impact of the COVID-19 period (including lockdown periods) on quality of life (QOL) in older adult patients 90 days after a surgery for a hip fracture.

Changes in Practices After Implementation of a Patient Blood Management Program in French Surgical Departments: The National Multicenter Observational PERIOPES Study.

Background: Patient blood management (PBM) is an evidence-based approach recommended to improve patient outcomes. Change in practices is often challenging. We report here data from French surgical departments before and after a standardized implementation of a PBM program.

Plantar compartment block for hallux valgus surgery: a proof-of-concept anatomic and clinical study.

Background: Hallux valgus surgery is associated with moderate to severe postoperative pain. We hypothesized that a plantar compartment block may be a good technique for postoperative analgesia. We describe an anatomic approach to ultrasound-guided plantar compartment block and assess the clinical efficacy of the block for outpatient surgery.

Dose-response relationships of intravenous and perineural dexamethasone as adjuvants to peripheral nerve blocks: a systematic review and model-based network meta-analysis.

Background: Superiority of perineural over intravenous dexamethasone at extending nerve block analgesia has been suggested but without considering the dose-response relationships for each route of administration.

Methods: Randomised control studies that evaluated intravenous or perineural dexamethasone as an adjuvant to unilateral peripheral nerve blocks in adults were searched up to October 2023 in MEDLINE, Central, Google Scholar, and reference lists of previous systematic reviews. The Cochrane Risk-of-Bias tool was used.

Management and outcomes of COVID-19 patients admitted in a newly created ICU and an expert ICU, a retrospective observational study.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic abruptly increased the inflow of patients requiring intensive care units (ICU). French health institutions responded by a twofold capacity increase with temporary upgraded beds, supplemental beds in pre-existing ICUs, or newly created units (New-ICU). We aimed to compare outcomes according to admission in expert pre-existing ICUs or in New-ICU.

Ferric derisomaltose and tranexamic acid, combined or alone, for reducing blood transfusion in patients with hip fracture (the HiFIT trial): a multicentre, 2 × 2 factorial, randomised, double-blind, controlled trial.

Background: Anaemia and blood transfusion are associated with poor outcomes after hip fracture. We evaluated the efficacy of intravenous iron and tranexamic acid in reducing blood transfusions after hip fracture surgery.

Methods: In this double-blind, randomised, 2 × 2 factorial trial, we recruited adults hospitalised for hip fractures in 12 medical centres in France who had preoperative haemoglobin concentrations between 9·5 and 13·0 g/dL.

Identification of interfascial plane using injection pressure monitoring at the needle tip during ultrasound-guided TAP block in cadavers.

Introduction: Consistency in needle tip positioning within interfascial planes while performing infiltrative blocks under ultrasound guidance can be difficult. The exact determination of such planes may beyond the physical limits of common ultrasound machines. Aim of this pilot study was to understand if real-time continuous injection pressure monitoring at the needle tip, combined with ultrasound guidance, can help to immediately and consistently identify an interfascial plane needle tip placement.

Long-Term Evolution of Activities of Daily Life (ADLs) in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients, a Case Series.

Background: The most common long-term symptoms of critically ill COVID-19 patients are fatigue, dyspnea and mental confusion. Adequate monitoring of long-term morbidity, mainly analyzing the activities of daily life (ADLs), allows better patient management after hospital discharge. The aim was to report long-term ADL evolution in critically ill COVID-19 patients admitted to a COVID-19 center in Lugano (Switzerland).

Perioperative Iron Deficiency in Patients Scheduled for Major Elective Surgeries: A French Prospective Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: The management of perioperative iron deficiency is a component of the concept of patient blood management. The objective of this study was to update French data on the prevalence of iron deficiency in patients scheduled for major surgery.

Methods: The CARENFER PBM study was a prospective cross-sectional study in 46 centers specialized in orthopedic, cardiac, urologic/abdominal, or gynecological surgery.

Evaluation of Anemia and Iron Deficiency in French Surgical Departments: The National Multicenter Observational PERIOPES Study.

Background: Assessment of anemia and iron deficiency before surgery is pivotal for patient blood management (PBM), but few data on current practices are available in the French context. The objective of this study was to describe anemia and iron deficiency management and blood transfusion use in surgical departments in France.

Methods: This was a national multicenter cross-sectional study in 13 public hospitals and 3 private ones (all with an interest for PBM).

Hypnosis as an alternative to general anaesthesia for paediatric superficial surgery: a randomised controlled trial.

Background: Reducing perioperative anxiety and controlling pain in children are essential to optimise recovery and outcomes for both children and their parents. By acting on sensory and affective modulation of anxiety and pain, hypnosis is widely used in medical care, especially in anaesthesia. This randomised controlled clinical trial was designed to compare general anaesthesia and intraoperative hypnosis support for perioperative management of children undergoing superficial surgery.