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Introduction: Fluid therapy is one of the major elements of severe sepsis and septic shock management. A systematic initial fluid bolus is recommended before evaluation of left ventricular filling pressure by the use of indicators of fluid responsiveness, preferentially dynamic ones. A massive fluid therapy could be damaging for the patient. Dynamic indicators of fluid responsiveness are not often relevant in the emergency department. This study was aimed to evaluate the use of indicators of fluid responsiveness by emergency practitioners during septic shock management., Study Design: Cross sectional survey using anonymous self-questionnaire., Methods: We included all practitioners working in public emergency department of Languedoc-Roussillon (France). Primary-end point was the use of one indicator of fluid responsiveness at least. Uni- and multivariate analysis was conducted to find associated factors., Results: Of 232 practitioners included, we collected 149 questionnaires (response rate=64%). Hundred and eight practitioners (72% [64-79%]) used at least one indicator of fluid responsiveness. Fifty-six practitioners (38% [30-46%]) used echocardiography, 54 practitioners (36% [29-44%]) used blood lactate concentration, 45 practitioners (30% [23-38%]) used passive leg raising. The use of indicators of fluid responsiveness is associated with easy access to echography device (odd ratio=2.94 [1.16-7.62], P=0.03)., Conclusion: Emergency practitioners use preferentially less invasive and less time-consuming indicators of fluid responsiveness., (Copyright © 2012 Société française d’anesthésie et de réanimation (Sfar). Published by Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.)

Objective: The aim of the survey was to describe current practice in management of hypotension during spinal anaesthesia for elective caesarean section in Lorraine., Study Design: Cross-sectional study by a mail survey., Methods: A 20-item postal questionnaire was sent to all anaesthetists working in public or private hospital with a maternity unit in Lorraine., Results: The response rate was 65%. Fifty-one percent of the respondents did not have a written procedure for the management of spinal-induced hypotension. Fluid preloading with or without vasopressor was the most common practice. Colloids were used by 20% of the respondents. For prevention of hypotension, 37% used ephedrine, 28% used phenylephrine mostly in association with ephedrine and 9% based their choice on heart rate. Twenty-six percent did not administer any vasopressor to prevent hypotension. First choice vasopressor for treatment of hypotension was ephedrine. Anaesthetists in academic practice were more likely to use coloading and phenylephrine administration, but none of them used colloids for pre- or coloading., Conclusion: Management of hypotension during spinal anaesthesia for elective caesarean section was significantly influenced by the type of practice., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Anaphylaxis during anaesthesia is a rare event which is mainly related to neuromuscular blocking agents. Latex and antibiotics are less frequently incriminated. However, allergy may be triggered by other less frequent and hidden allergen. Among these, povidone is largely used in numerous therapeutics and cosmetics. We report here an exceptional case of grade 3 anaphylactic shock with iodinated povidone administered via a rectal route.

To prepare for cholera outbreaks, stockpiles of supplies, rehydration salts/ solutions and appropriate antibiotics must be placed in strategic locations to ensure a prompt and effective response. However specific needs have not been evaluated up to now. The purpose of this report is to give an accurate account of medical supplies that were consumed during the cholera epidemic in Douala in 2004. Consumption of medication for the entire epidemic was measured by crosschecking data from the provincial pharmaceutical supply centre with the order forms, stock sheets and records of hospitals. Cost was calculated based on pricing data from the National Supply Center. For the 5 020 confirmed cases of cholera that were treated in the 14 hospitals in Douala from January to September 2004, consumption consisted of 499,746 doxycycline tablets, 235,881 amoxicilline tablets, 122,781 rehydration salt packets, and 60,217 units of Ringer Lactate (500 ml). The total cost of medications and consumables was 52,229,311 CFAF (approximately 80,000 Euro). Although updated recommendations are not available, comparison with the existing ones shows that the consumption levels observed were 5 times higher for both rehydration and antibiotherapy. The mean cost of treatment in Douala was 13 Euro per reported patient. This cost rose to 15 Euro if antibiotic prophylaxis was prescribed for all contacts. These findings can be useful in planning for future epidemics by allowing recommendations to be updated. We propose the follow supply levels for 50,000 inhabitants with an attack rate of 0.2%: 10,000 doxycycline tablets, 5000 amoxicilline tablets (500 mg), 2500 SRO packs (for 2500 liters) and 600 liters of Ringer Lactate.

Objective: To analyze the different preventive and curative strategies for the management of hypotension during spinal anaesthesia for caesarean section., Data Sources: Data related to hypotension during spinal anesthesia for caesarean section were searched in the Medline database. Trials published in English or French were reviewed., Data Synthesis: Hypotension during caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia is very frequent (55 to 90%) if not prevented. It can induce complications for the mother and/or the fetus. Crystalloid preload alone is ineffective. Colloid preload is effective but might be better used as a second line treatment. Ephedrine has been the vasopressor of choice for long, but has a weak prophylactic efficacy. In addition, it can induce maternal cardiovascular adverse effects and fetal acidosis. Prophylactic phenylephrine, with or without ephedrine according to maternal heart rate, is at least as effective as ephedrine, with less adverse effects. Crystalloid loading at the time of spinal injection ("co-/post-loading") enhances the haemodynamic control provided by vasopressors., Conclusion: Hypotension during spinal anesthesia for caesarean section must be systematically detected, prevented and treated without delay. The association of vasopressor(s) (phenylephrine with or without ephedrine) with a rapid crystalloid loading at the time of spinal injection represents the most interesting strategy nowadays.

Synovial oedema is a frequent complication in arthroscopic procedures performed with normal saline as the irrigating fluid. The authors have studied the effect of saline solution, Ringer lactate, 5% Dextran and 10% Dextran in normal saline on 12 specimens of human synovial membrane. They found that 10% Dextran in normal saline decreases the water content of the synovium without causing damage, and recommend this solution for procedures lasting longer than 30 minutes.