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Biomedical subjects

O Cantini

Publications and source records attributed to O Cantini.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

Infected mediastinitis secondary to perforation of superior vena cava by a central venous catheter.

We describe the first case of infected mediastinitis associated with central venous catheter insertion. The rare occurrence of this complication may be explained by the fact that it results from central venous catheter-related bloodstream infection and catheter perforation of superior vena cava. The symptoms of this complication (chest pain, dyspnoea) are not specific. Diagnosis should be confirmed by chest x-ray and computerized tomography which show hydromediastinum and pleural effusion. Removal and subsequent culture of the catheter tip will confirm infection. Appropriate antibiotic therapy, guided by sensitivities of the cultured organisms, should be commenced. Any pleural effusion should be drained by thoracocentesis, and the pleural fluid cultured. In case of fever, bacteraemia or shock, a thoracotomy to drain mediastinal and pleural effusions may be considered.

Catheterization, Central Venous↗

[Recovery of neuromuscular block after continuous infusion of cisatracurium in patients with renal dysfunction].

OBJECTIVE: Study of the recovery of neuromuscular block after continuous infusion of cisatracurium in patients with renal dysfunction. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective case-control study. PATIENTS: Forty adult patients scheduled for urological surgery were assigned to two groups according to the creatinine clearance (CC) as a measure of the renal function: group IR (CC < 60 mL.min-1) or group NR (CC > or = 60 mL.min-1). METHODS: After premedication with hydroxyzine, anaesthesia was induced with propofol, sufentanil and cisatracurium (0.15 mg.kg-1), and maintained using isoflurane, sufentanil and a continuous infusion of cisatracurium (0.12 mg.kg-1.h-1) adjusted for maintained a post-tetanic count < or = 5. Neuromuscular transmission was monitored at the adductor pollicis using accelerography (TOF Gard). Onset and recovery times in both groups were compared using Student's t test. RESULTS: Infusion time and total dose of cisatracurium were comparable in both groups. Onset times were 3.9 +/- 0.8 min and 3.5 +/- 0.6 min in groups IR and NR respectively. After the infusion, the time to train-of-four ratio of 0.8 were not different in both groups: 77 +/- 18 min (group IR) and 73 +/- 13 min (group NR). However, the spontaneous recovery intervals 25%-75% were delayed in group IR (20 +/- 9 min vs 14 +/- 5 min p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: There are minor differences in the pharmacodynamics of cisatracurium between patients with normal or impaired renal function. Nevertheless, a marked interindividual variability in the recovery parameters was observed in patients with renal dysfunction.

Adult↗

Esophageal perforation: life threatening complication of endotracheal intubation.

OBJECTIVE: To raise awareness of this complication of tracheal intubation, to emphasize the gravity due to delayed diagnosis, and to advocate a surgical treatment. METHODS: Between April 1980 and January 2000, 97 patients were treated for esophageal perforation in our department. We reviewed the cases of perforation occurring after attempted tracheal intubation. Each case is presented. Discussion is focused on diagnosis and treatment. RESULTS: Esophageal perforation occurred after attempted endotracheal intubation in five cases among 58 iatrogenic perforations. There were four women and one man (mean age 72 years). In all cases, it was for a planned operation. Intubation was performed by a single lumen tube in three cases and a double lumen tube in two cases. Presenting symptoms were acute in one case and insidious in four cases. Free interval before diagnosis and treatment was long in all but one case, with an average of 179 h (range 5--432). Two patients suffered from septic shock when they were transferred. All patients were operated on. Two patients died. CONCLUSION: Post intubation esophageal perforation is one of the most life threatening esophageal perforation. Delayed diagnosis is the first cause of gravity. Prevention of this complication begins with recognition of a potentially difficult intubation. Good outcome follows from rapid diagnosis and early surgical treatment.

Aged↗

[Thymectomy in myasthenia gravis. A series of 68 patients].

Since January 1988 to December 1998, by the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Haut-Lévêque Hospital, University of Bordeaux, 68 consecutive patients were operated for myasthenia gravis. The aim of our study was to evaluate the results obtained in a group of patients who underwent a thymectomy for myasthenia gravis, in order to contribute for the determination of the prognostic factors which can influence the post-operative course. This series consists on 68 patients. Females were predominant, 41 patients (60.2%) versus 27 males (39.7%). The age extended between 15 and 80 years, average of 45.2 years. The follow-up concerned 52 patients (76.4%); out of there, 8 are in complete remission (15.3%), 31 (59.6%) are in a phase of clinical improvement, 11 patients did not benefit from thymectomy (21.1%), 1 patient died immediately after the surgical operation, I patient died some years after the surgical operation for another reason. In conclusion the thymectomy is a beneficial procedure for myasthenia gravis patients.

Adolescent↗