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We report a case of partial thyroidectomy under ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia, according a new anterior approach, in a patient with a severe primitive pulmonary hypertension., (Copyright © 2013 Société française d’anesthésie et de réanimation (Sfar). Published by Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) (Novoseven(®)) was initially developed as a substitutive treatment in haemophiliacs but has then been used in situations of major haemorrhage in non-haemophiliacs (off-label use). The goal of the present study was to assess the practice patterns when rFVIIa is used in off-label indications in major teaching hospitals of Paris in 2010., Methods: We retrospectively identified files of patients in whom rFVIIa had been used. Physicians in charge of these patients (or the most proxy physician available) were contacted and files analysed with one of the authors. Quality of rFVIIa used in these off-label situations was determined based on either French or European guidelines or the available literature when no guidelines could be found. Three categories were defined for indication, dosage, timing, associated biological factors and overall use: adequate, acceptable (mainly adequate but lacking some characteristics of an "ideal" prescription) and inadequate (lacking most of the necessary characteristics of an "ideal" prescription)., Results: Among 59 patients who had an off-label prescription of rFVIIa, 49 prescriptions could be analysed. Indication for use and timing of administration were adequate in 100% of multiple trauma cases and 83% of obstetrical cases. Biological criteria associated with an improved efficacy were found in two thirds of prescriptions analysed. Overall, prescriptions were adequate or acceptable in 82% of cases., Conclusion: In the vast majority of patients who received rFVIIa for off-label indications in teaching hospitals of the Paris area in 2010, prescriptions were in line with recommendations., (Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier SAS.)

A patient presenting with paramyotonia congenita (Eulenburg's paramyotonia) was seen at the preanaesthetic visit during pregnancy. The underlying disease was known for years. Analysis of the literature and advice taken from specialists emphasized the safe use of regional anaesthesia and analgesia which was indeed used for labour and delivery without any complication. By contrast, the limited information available on the use of general anaesthesia suggests the risks associated with the use of succinylcholine and possibly with halogenated agents. Additional and useful factors that may limit the occurrence of myotonic crises such as maintenance of normal temperature and plasma potassium concentration, should be undertaken simultaneously., (Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier SAS.)

We report two deliveries in a patient with a Parkes-Weber syndrome. This parturient had a complex angiodysplasia including a soft tissue hypertrophy of a lower limb, a cutaneous angioma and arteriovenous malformations. The risk of perimedullar arteriovenous malformations was ruled out by angiographic magnetic resonance imaging of the spinal cord. We also describe other aspects of the management, including prepartum cardiovascular assessment, mode of delivery, the use of epidural analgesia and the prevention of haemorrhagia and thromboembolism., (Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier SAS.)

Aims: Although most components of an enhanced recovery programme (ERP) can be applied to caesarean delivery, it is unknown if their implementation is large in France., Type of Study: Structured interview by telephone or e-mailing of an anaesthetist to describe usual perioperative practice in two French regions (Provence - Alpes - Côte d'Azur [PACA] and Île-de-France [IDF])., Methods: Questionnaire related to scheduled caesarean delivery., Results: Response rate 74% (111/149 maternity units). Multimodal analgesia was almost universally applied and intrathecal/epidural morphine used by 86% of respondents. Oral administration of analgesic drugs was started before h24 in 50% of responding units and immediately after delivery in 7% of them. The urinary catheter was withdrawn after h24 in 71% of responding centres. Women were allowed to drink between h4 and h6 (60%), in an unlimited amount (79%). The first meal was authorised after h6 (89%) but before h24 (65%) or after recovery of bowel function (13%). Oxytocin was used in 69% of respondents and maintained postoperatively for 12 to 24hours (70% of oxytocin users). Carbetocin was used in the remaining 31%, usually without any maintenance oxytocic drug. Attributing one point to each major component of the ERP protocol (0-6), the median value was 3 (2-4). An ERP protocol was available in 14% of responding units and was associated with a shorter duration of intravenous and urinary catheters use., Conclusion: The study shows that the components of an ERP are insufficiently implemented in France after caesarean delivery. Moreover, significant heterogeneity exists between maternity units and among regions., (Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier SAS.)

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., (Copyright © 2012 Société française d’anesthésie et de réanimation (Sfar). Published by Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.)

After an uneventful caesarean delivery under spinal anaesthesia (hyperbaric bupivacaine 10mg, sufentanil 5μg and morphine 50μg), hypothermia (nadir 34°C) was recorded in a ASA 1 patient. Partial recovery was rapidly obtained with 400μg of naloxone but full recovery was obtained after seven hours of active rewarming with a forced-air warming blanket. Suggested pathophysiology and incidence of this hypothermia are described., (Copyright © 2012. Published by Elsevier SAS.)

The authors report three cases in which cerebral ischemia occurred during arthroscopic shoulder surgery performed in beach chair position under general anaesthesia and interscalene plexus block. Several similar cases have been published in the literature. This rare but extremely severe complication is related to the decrease in cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP). Monitoring of CPP in the beach chair position using the measurement of arterial pressure and taking into account the hydrostatic gradient is essential. Prevention includes correction of preoperative hypovolaemia, treatment of postural arterial hypotension, adequate installation of the patient's head, aggressive treatment of perioperative arterial hypotension (whatever the cause) and avoidance of deliberate perioperative arterial hypotension. Routine use of non-invasive monitoring of cerebral oxygenation has been advocated to avoid this accident but its usefulness has to be confirmed by clinical studies., (Copyright © 2012 Société française d’anesthésie et de réanimation (Sfar). Published by Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.)

During pregnancy, the plasma concentration of factor VII increases to reach values during the third trimester that can be twice the normal values (N: 70% to 140%). Congenital factor VII deficiency is a rare condition which may lead to haemorrhage. We report the case of a patient with a congenital factor VII deficiency who presented with severe postpartum haemorrhage requiring resuscitation with blood transfusion and surgical haemostasis. We discuss the treatment of congenital factor VII deficiency and its anaesthetic management, as well as the hemorrhagic risk during pregnancy., (Copyright © 2011 Société française d'anesthésie et de réanimation (Sfar). Published by Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.)

Background: Medication errors are a significant cause of severe healthcare-associated complications. In December 2006, the French Health Products Agency (Afssaps) has issued a protocol to harmonise labeling of injectable drugs vials. In 2007, a first change was launched for four drugs and was followed in 2008-2009 by a second wave concerning 42 active drugs., Methods: The present study describes how healthcare professionals have perceived this change and their overall appreciation of the drug harmonisation programme. A survey using an electronic questionnaire was distributed to medical and non-medical professionals in anaesthesia and intensive care and pharmacists in a representative sample of 200 French hospitals., Results: The harmonisation procedure was felt as being overall satisfactory by 53% of professionals who had responded but it was recognised that the new procedure is associated with improved readability and understanding of drug dosage. The use of colour coding was also well accepted by the personnel of clinical units. Respondents expressed significant criticisms regarding both the communication plan and the way the plan was implemented locally in hospitals. Old and new labeling coexisted in 66% of responding hospitals and many respondents described being aware of errors or near-misses that were considered related to the transition. For many important topics, pharmacists had views that were significantly different from clinicians., Conclusion: This national survey describing the perception of healthcare professionals regarding the new harmonisation procedure for injectable drugs highlighted some progress but also a number of deficiencies, notably regarding communication and implementation of the change in clinical units. This survey will be used by the French Health Products Agency to improve future steps of the long-lasting campaign against medication errors., (Copyright © 2011 Société française d’anesthésie et de réanimation (Sfar). Published by Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.)

We describe the case of two patients who had undergone gynecologic surgery and in whom a continuous ropivacaine infusion was administered through a catheter placed on each abdominal side, using the technique of ultrasound-guided TAP block. Postoperative analgesia was of excellent quality with almost no morphine requirement. No side effects were encountered., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Objective: to compare the number and the cost of preoperative tests ordered before scheduled surgery before and after implementation of local guidelines., Study Design: observational retrospective survey., Patients: All patients scheduled in seven surgical specialties., Methods: all preoperative tests ordered during a 1-week period (2008) were noted. Local guidelines based on published guidelines and validated by anesthesiologists of the hospital were then implemented. A second audit was performed 1 year after (2009)., Results: Eighty-five and 79 patients' files were analyzed in 2008 and 2009, respectively. On average, half (46% in 2008 and 58% in 2009) of prescriptions did not follow the guidelines, with anaesthesiologists prescribing more than their own recommendations. Overall conformity to the local guidelines did not improve between 2008 and 2009. However, EKG (79% vs. 95%, p<0.05) and serum electrolytes (72% vs. 99%, p<0.05) ordered were significantly in better agreement with the guidelines. Costs associated with inadequate orders were divided by 2.4 in 2009., Conclusions: existing practice is overall poor. Non-compliance of preoperative testing to guidelines is a significant cause of uncontrolled cost. Change in compliance is a slow process., (2010 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

We report the case of a patient who received a wrong side iliofascial block immediately before being operated for a femoral neck fracture. This error did not lead to any adverse consequence but this case confirms that wrong side or wrong site error can also occur in anaesthetic practice, especially in emergency procedures, and is not only confined to surgical practice. Anaesthesiologists should be careful when performing unilateral procedures and implement similar strategies than those used by surgeons., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

We report the case of a patient in whom three blood patches had to be performed to treat a post-dural puncture headache following the insertion of an epidural catheter for labour analgesia. There are few data about repeated blood patches used to treat recurring symptoms after failure of a previous blood patch. The technical guidelines used to perform a first blood patch should be followed for the next procedure as well. The role of the cerebrospinal fluid leaking in the symptoms has to be verified, to avoid performing a useless blood patch and to miss another cause, which needs an urgent treatment., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Two cases of patients in whom neuraxial anesthesia was planned for labor and delivery and who had a pre-existing intracranial arachnoid cyst are reported. Anesthesia was used in one patient and was uneventful. The pathophysiology of these cysts and factors which can precipitate the occurrence of symptoms, are reviewed and cases previously described in the literature are examined. Management should be individualized and based on evaluation of preexisting neurological symptoms. In most cases and although CT scan and MRI images may show an intracranial cyst with impressive development, patients remain asymptomatic and neuraxial regional anesthesia can be used safely, provided the patient has agreed and the neurologist in charge has been informed., (Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

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., (Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

A 29-year-old patient was scheduled for bilateral halllux valgus surgery and a lateral sciatic popliteal nerve block was performed on each side using ropivacaine and lidocaine using nerve stimulation. Although the sensory and motor block had usual duration on the left side, the block lasted more than 48 hours on the right side with both sensory and motor impairment. An MRI performed on day 2 on the blocked side showed extra- and intraneural fluid accumulation with cephalad and distal spread. Sensory and motor function progressively recovered within the next day and was complete on the fourth day. We postulate that this case of extremely long duration of a peripheral nerve block can be ascribed to subepineural trapping of the local anaesthetic. Part of the variability in the duration of the sensory and motor block after peripheral nerve blocks might be explained by the variable amount of drug injected intraneurally., (Copyright 2010 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Aspiration of gastric contents is a major complication in relation with the practice of anaesthesia. The present article is aimed at describing detailed data related to aspiration which were obtained during the French national survey on anaesthesia-related mortality conducted by both Sfar and CépiDC-Inserm. Information regarding methods of the survey and the main results has been previously published. In brief, the first part of the survey described the number and characteristics of anaesthetic procedures performed in 1996 (denominator). The second survey analysed deaths related to anaesthesia which were identified from death certificates of the calendar year 1999. Because of the numerical importance of aspiration among the causes of deaths, a secondary analysis was undertaken to assess into details factors leading to the occurrence of this complication. Eighty-three cases of death were found related to aspiration, i.e. one-fifth of deaths related completely or partially to anaesthesia, implying a death rate of one for 221,368 general anaesthetic procedures or 4.5 x 10(-6) (95% IC: 0.8 x 10(-6)-14 x 10(-6)). Patients involved were all in a severe clinical condition (ASA> or =3: 92%), very old and often scheduled for urgent abdominal surgery. Two cases of death occurred during colonoscopy but none in obstetric patients. Aspiration almost always occurred during induction of anaesthesia. Analysis of practice patterns disclosed significant deviations from recommendations. French anaesthetists should voluntarily move through a personal and active process toward an improvement of their practice to reduce the incidence of aspiration.

Objectives: To describe the main results and recommendations from the seventh report on confidential enquiry into maternal death in the United Kingdom (UK) (2003-2005)., Methods: Comparison with the most recent French data (1999-2001)., Results: Maternal mortality tends to increase and indirect causes are more common than direct causes. Causes of deaths and their respective ranking are strikingly different with what is observed in France. This can probably be ascribed to the increasing role of obesity, maternal age, tobacco use and diabetes in the UK. Cardiac disease now ranks first among indirect causes and is linked in half of cases to ischaemic heart disease. This contrasts with the French situation where cardiac death remains rare. Thromboembolic disease remains the main cause of direct deaths while the role of haemorrhage has decreased. This also contrasts with the French situation where haemorrhage remains of concern. Sepsis is now the second cause in the UK (at the same level than preeclampsia), while it is a rare cause in France. In both French and UK reports, substandard care remains of concern in many cases of direct deaths. Anaesthesia is now a rare cause of death (n=6) although the UK report emphasizes that in a large number of cases, anaesthesia has contributed to death because of substandard care (n=31). In many cases, the report highlights the deleterious role of unsupervised residents., Conclusion: The United Kingdom report integrates modern strategies that might improve patient safety, including systems failure analysis, incident reporting and registries. Systematic auditing (with proposition of auditable standards) might also prove important in facilitating implementation of the top ten recommendations. All these strategies might also be implemented in France and hopefully might prove to be also beneficial here.

Objective: The aim of this survey was to evaluate anaesthesiologists' ability to quantify a given risk of perioperative morbidity., Study Design: Descriptive study., Methods: Nine hypothetical patients with well-defined single-organ failure related to three validated perioperative risk indexes (cardiac risk, respiratory-failure risk and cirrhosis decompensation) were described in vignettes and submitted to 30 anesthesiologists issued from two institutions and distributed in two groups (10 residents and 20 staff anesthesiologists). Physicians were asked to estimate the patient's risk using qualitative (scored using a categorical scale) and quantitative (scored using a number, i.e., the estimated frequency that a given complication would occur in the given case) evaluations of the considered risk for each case proposed., Results: Both qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the most severe cases showed a tendency to underestimate respiratory and hepatic risks and a tendency to overestimate cardiac risk. No major difference in the accuracy of evaluations was found between trainees and staff anaesthesiologists. Both provided imprecise risk evaluation and had difficulty to define the expected level of risk, even for clear-cut clinical situations described in the vignettes., Conclusion: Both qualitative and quantitative evaluations were overall very imprecise. This survey showed that a rigorous evaluation of a patient's perioperative risk cannot be considered as intuitive and needs objective material supports to be performed.

Introduction: Relief of postoperative pain is a major topic of public health and has been repeatedly shown to be inadequate., Study Design: A questionnaire survey performed in seven European countries (postoperative analgesic therapy observational survey) in 746 health structures--which perform more than 80% of the total number of surgical procedures of each country--has demonstrated significant improvement when compared with previous surveys, particularly regarding increased use of multimodal analgesia and regular administration of analgesic drugs. The present study describes specific results for the 178 French health care institutions surveyed and 345 questionnaires collected. Preoperative patient information is given on a regular basis for 84% of respondents., Results: Multimodal analgesia is used after major surgery in 87% of cases and prescribed on a regular basis for 84% of respondents. Written protocols are available in 36% of responding institutions. Pain scores are measured several times a day in 65% of institutions. An acute pain service (or any other structure with a similar aim) is found in 52% of institutions. Regular on-site training courses on pain control are delivered to 30% of anaesthesiologists, to 6% of surgeons, to 57% of recovery-room nurses and to 63% of ward nurses. Overall, the study suggests an improvement of current practices but also highlights remaining insufficiencies., Conclusion: Important efforts remain to be done, particularly in the field of initial and continuous education of all healthcare categories as this is believed to be the only real way to obtain long-term results.

Objectives: Many women scheduled for surgery are using either oral contraception (OC) or hormone replacement therapy (HRT). These two treatments are associated with a significant albeit moderately increased risk of venous thromboembolic events which might increase the risk associated with surgery., Data Source: Record of French and English references from Medline((R)) database., Data Extraction: Data were selected including prospective and retrospective studies, reviews, and case reports., Data Synthesis: Thromboembolism induced by these two pharmacologic classes is similar and close to that produced by pregnancy. The increased risk is usually small, especially after the first year of administration of either class of drug, for progestogen-only contraception drugs and for transdermal HRT. The increased risk should be compared with the occurrence of undesired pregnancy after discontinuation of OC or the occurrence of climateric symptoms after discontinuation of HRT. Maintaining OC during the perioperative period is legitimate and strengthening prophylaxis is justified during the first year of combined OC administration. Stressful climateric symptoms can lead to maintain HRT and strengthening prophylaxis is justified during the first year of oral HRT. Transdermal HRT may not need to be stopped and probably does not require any additional antithrombotic measure., Conclusion: The increased thromboembolic risk is to be compared with the risks of stopping either treatment. In most cases, these two treatments can be maintained and antithrombotic prophylaxis is moderately strengthened in particular cases.

We report the case of an ICU patient with previous medical history of head trauma with hydrocephalus requiring ventricular derivation, presenting a coma (Glasgow Coma Score=8) with bilateral mydriasis after the use of transdermal scopolamine (1 mg) for profuse bronchial secretions. Neurological explorations (CT-scan and electroencephalogram) confirmed the absence of organic cause to the neurological deterioration. Neurological status rapidly and completely improved after removal of transdermal scopolamine suggesting a central anticholinergic syndrome.

Objective: To describe the effects of anaesthetic techniques and agents on the risk of fetal distress during labour pain relief and anaesthesia for caesarean section., Study Design: Data on obstetric anaesthesia- and analgesia-induced fetal distress were searched in Medline database using MESH terms: fetal distress, anaesthesia, analgesia, labour, caesarean section, and umbilical artery pH. Trials published in English or French language were selected., Results: Because of their haemodynamic effects, regional anaesthesia and analgesia, especially spinal anaesthesia for Caesarean section, could induce a decrease in umbilical artery pH (UApH). Moreover, intravenous ephedrine, especially when used in large doses can worsen the acidosis. Labour epidural analgesia is associated with a better acid-base balance than systemic analgesia. Experimental studies have demonstrated harmful effects of systemic opioids and hypnotic drugs on UApH and the foetal brain respectively. Clinical implications of these potentially detrimental effects remain to be determined., Conclusion: All obstetric anaesthesia and analgesia techniques are associated with a theoretical risk of fetal distress, but given the fact that regional anaesthesia techniques are also associated with well-demonstrated benefits for the mother and the newborn, the latter remain the preferred choice in obstetric practice.

Obstetrical positioning is used more and more often because of the supposed or proven benefits although side effects are not well known. We therefore report the case of a patient who presented with a postpartum neurological deficit after a seven hour hip-flexed posture during labour under epidural analgesia. The parturient did not complain of pain or discomfort during labour. The neurological injury was suspected because of delayed recovery of epidural analgesia-induced motor block. Neurological examination disclosed sensory and motor abnormalities in the left femoral and sciatic nerve distribution areas. The early performed lumbar CT-scan did not show any complication and electromyographic evaluation performed on the ninth postpartum day was normal. Three months after delivery, some degree of neuropathic pain in the sciatic nerve distribution remained. The risk of neurological injury directly related to obstetrical positioning is discussed. Prolonged positioning using a posture which can induce nerve stretching should be avoided. This is especially true when the patient is receiving epidural analgesia which can mask pain or discomfort.

Objective: This study was undertaken to quantify the use of chronic medication and herbal remedies in the presurgical population., Study Design: Prospective multicenter survey., Patients and Methods: Adult patients presenting for anaesthesia were directly asked if they were currently using chronic medication or herbal remedies., Results: Among 1057 patients (age 54+/-17 yrs, woman 54%, ASA 2 [1-4], 74%) were taking one or more chronic medication. The most commonly used treatments were, in descending order angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin-II receptor blockers (15%), beta blockers (11%) and platelet inhibitors (10%). Also, 9% were taking one or more of the following herbal remedies known to interact with the perioperative period: valeriane, ginseng, ginkgo, St John's wort, echinacea and ephedra. Women and patients aged 40-70 yr were most likely to be taking a herbal product (p<0.001 and p<0.01 respectively)., Conclusion: Chronic medication and herbal remedies are common in patients presenting for anaesthesia. Because of the potential interactions between anaesthetic drugs or techniques and such medication it is important for anaesthetists to be aware of their use.

Objective: To describe the organization of medical and transfusion services within the framework of hospital admission for multiple trauma., Study Design: National survey in France., Material and Methods: All French hospitals caring for multiple trauma patients were sent a questionnaire. Organization of the medical and transfusion services, and their related resources were evaluated., Results: Among 372 questionnaires sent, 116 replies were received from structures which care for 18 (1-500) multiple trauma patients each year. An orthopaedic and an abdominal surgery unit were widely available whereas a neurosurgeon was available in 21% of responding centers. A transfusion site was found in 43%, whereas others have either a deposit for distribution to specific patients (40%) or a small deposit to cover urgent situations (17%). Comparison with legal or expert based rules of adequate transfusion process disclosed a variable incidence of practice dysfunctions (2-49%) depending on the parameter assessed., Conclusion: The French organization of multiple trauma patients' care and blood transfusion delivered for these patients is not homogenous. Dysfunctions were found in all types of hospitals. Recommendations describing good practice seem necessary to be built at the national level.

Objective: The purpose of this review article is to update the anaesthetic management of adult patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS)., Data Sources: All references obtained from the medical database Medline related to OSAS and anaesthesia from 1963 until May 2006 were reviewed. References included original articles, observations, clinical cases, and reviews published in English or in French., Data Synthesis: The anaesthetic literature related to OSAS and anaesthesia is poor. Understanding anatomy and pathophysiology is important for an optimal anaesthetic management. Since the diagnosis is unknown in almost 80-90% of these patients, many undergo general or regional anaesthesia every day without recognition of the main dangers associated with the condition. Recognition of these patients, especially in the preanaesthetic assessment, is an essential step to prevent perioperative complications. Patients with OSAS are very sensitive to sedatives, hypnotics and opioids. The use of these drugs must be controlled and monitored. Anticipation of difficult intubation avoids complications during induction of general anaesthesia and the use of nasal CPAP decreases the incidence of respiratory complications in the perioperative period., Conclusion: Further research is needed in this field of anesthesia. Intraoperative difficulties in the control of airway and postoperative cardiac and respiratory complications may happen. The use of nasal CPAP in the perioperative period makes the anaesthetic management easier and safer.

A patient developed an acute severe haemodynamic compromise immediately after a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) procedure for intractable ascites. Rapid clinical and echographic evaluation disclosed pericardial blood and cardiac tamponade, probably due to right heart perforation from guidewire and catheter manipulation. Needle drainage of pericardial fluid restored the haemodynamic status. A right ventricular perforation was then successfully treated (sternotomy and closure of right ventricle perforation) and the patient survived. Cardiac tamponade should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients who develop hypotension and haemodynamic impairment during or immediately after TIPS placement.

More and more often, the anaesthesiologist may have to perform lumbar epidural anaesthesia in a patient with a central lumbar tattoo, and this can occur in an urgent obstetric setting. Before managing two uneventful cases of epidural analgesia for labour, we have performed a literature review and noted that no serious complication has been reported. Nonetheless, a needle passed through a tattoo can entrap pigmented tissue fragments (cores) into the epidural or subarachnoid space. This could theoretically induce risk of late neurological complications, related to an inflammatory or granulomatous response to the pigmented cores introduced in these spaces. To avoid this theoretical risk, the anesthesiologist should try to avoid puncturing through the tattoo, either by selecting a different vertebral interspace, or by using a paramedian approach or by finding a pigment free skin spot within the area of the tattoo. When these options cannot be implemented, a superficial skin incision prior to needle insertion should prevent from coring tattoo pigment when entering the skin. Whatever the final choice, the technique to be implemented should be determined as early as the antenatal visit, after informed consent.