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Introduction: Invasive breast cancer without clinical adenopathy (cN0) is currently explored by the sentinel node (GS) technique, except in the case of positive preoperative radio-cytological screening, where axillary curage (CA) remains systematic from the outset. Since the publication of the ACOSOG-Z0011 trial, abstention from CA is possible in patients presenting less than three metastatic GS. As a result, the value of axillary radio-cytological screening is being questioned as it could potentially lead to axillary surgical over-treatment. The objective of this study was to study clinically N0 patients with positive axillary cytology and to compare it to a group of patients with positive GS., Method: One hundred and forty-seven patients with cN0 pN+ breast cancer treated between 2014 and 2016 were selected retrospectively. Two groups were constituted according to the initial radio-cytological evaluation. A CA was systematically performed., Results: Thirty-one patients with positive axillary cytology (n=31 vs. n=116) had more metastatic lymph nodes (P=0.01) in the AC, larger (P<0.001), less differentiated (P<0.001) tumours, and shorter recurrence-free survival (P=0.0114). It also appeared that 38.7 % of patients with a positive cytology had at most two metastatic nodes and could, according to the results of ACOSOG, benefit from therapeutic de-escalation., Conclusion: X-ray cytological screening remains essential in order to select a subgroup of patients with a high lymph node tumour load. Additional studies are necessary in order to be able to offer therapeutic de-escalation to 1/3 of these patients without the risk of under-treatment for the remaining 2/3., (Copyright © 2021 Société Française du Cancer. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Decisions regarding whether to initiate or forgo intensive care for extremely premature infants are often based on gestational age alone. However, other factors also affect the prognosis for these patients and must be taken into account. After a short review of these factors, we present the thoughts and proposals of the Risks and Pregnancy department. The proposals are to limit emergency decisions, to better take into account other factors than gestational age and prenatal predicted fetal weight in assessing the prognosis, to introduce multidisciplinary consultation in the evaluation and proposals that will be discussed with the parents, and to separate prenatal steroid therapy from decision-making regarding whether or not to administer intensive care., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To estimate the incidence, to describe the aetiology and to identify the risk factors of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH)., Material and Method: Prospective study conducted in 106 French maternity units of six perinatal networks between December 2004 and November 2006. PPH was defined by a blood loss superior to 500 mL or necessitating an examination of the uterus, or a peripartum haemoglobin drop superior to 2 g/dL. Severe PPH was defined by at least one of these criteria : peripartum haemoglobin drop superior or equal to 4 g/dL, embolization, conservative surgical procedure, hysterectomy, transfusion, transfer to intensive care or death., Results: The incidence of PPH was 6.4% [CI 95% 6.3-6.5] with variations between maternity units from 1.5% to 22.0%; incidence of severe PPH was 1.7% [CI 95% 1.6-1.8] with variations between units from 0% to 4%. Atony was the main aetiology of PPH, whatever the mode of delivery and severity. The risk factors identified were those classically described in the literature., Conclusion: In these six French perinatal networks, in 2005-2006, the PPH profile was characterized by an incidence of severe forms higher than previous population-based estimates from other countries. This suggests a more frequent aggravation of PPH and the implication of inadequate PPH management., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Describe management of severe postpartum haemorrhages (PPH) and its compliance with national guidelines and identify determinants of non-optimal care., Patients and Method: Population-based cohort study of 1379 women with severe PPH due to uterine atony after vaginal delivery, conducted in 106 French maternity units between December 2004 and November 2006. Severe PPH was defined by a peripartum haemoglobin drop of 4g/dL or more, blood loss of 1000 mL or more, hysterectomy, or transfer to intensive care for PPH. The frequency of each recommended procedure for the management of PPH was described. Associations between quality of care and both individual and institutional characteristics were assessed by univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression., Results: Management of severe PPH was not optimal in 65.9% of cases. The recommended components that were applied least often were administration of second line uterotonics, and transfusion of patients with a low haemoglobin. After adjustment for individual characteristics, the risk of either non- or suboptimal care was significantly higher in non-university public maternity units (aOR 2.62 [95% CI: 1.49-4.54]) compared with university hospital units, in units with fewer than 2000 annual deliveries (aOR 2.32 [95% CI: 1.49-3.57]), and in units without an obstetrician always present (aOR 1.96 [95% CI: 1.26-3.03])., Conclusions: Management practices for severe PPH can be improved, to an extent that varies by component of care and type of hospital. A qualitative approach should help to identify the individual and organizational factors explaining why guidelines are not fully applied., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To describe specific clinical practices in France in 2004-2005 based on data from the Audipog sentinel network., Patients and Methods: The database for 2004 and 2005 covers 71406 pregnancies from 86 maternity units throughout the year. We constructed a random subsample each year by including only the births occurring during a single month for each maternity ward. Our study therefore analyzes 6987 pregnancies in 2004 and 7648 pregnancies in 2005., Results: Among the very preterm (<33 weeks of gestation) infants from multiple pregnancies, 77.4% were born in level 3 hospitals in 2000-2001, and only 44.9% in 2004-2005 (p<0.0001). Among the very preterm infants from singleton pregnancies, the percentage born in level 3 maternity hospitals rose between 1996-1997 and 2004-2005 (55% versus 73%; p=0.001). The rate of corticosteroid therapy before delivery among very preterm infants did not change significantly between 2000 and 2005 (p=0.58). The cesarean rate rose from 14% in 1994 to 20.0% in 2005. The percentage of actively managed third stages of labor increased from 1994-1995 to 2005 (6.2% versus 31.3%). Fewer episiotomies were performed: 56% in 1994-1995 and 41.3% in 2005. Exclusive breast-feeding rose from 51.2% in 2000-2001 to 58.5% in 2005 (p<0.0001). Early discharge increased between 1994-1995 and 2005 (p<0.0001)., Discussion and Conclusion: Indicators monitoring implementation of some of the national clinical practice guidelines have improved slightly over time, although most often before the publication of these guidelines.

Objective: To present the principal perinatal indicators for 2004-2005, based on data from the Audipog sentinel network., Patients and Methods: The database for 2004 and 2005 covers 71,406 pregnancies from 86 maternity units throughout the year. We constructed a random subsample each year by including only the births occurring during a single month for each maternity ward. Our study therefore analyzes 6987 pregnancies in 2004 and 7648 pregnancies in 2005., Results: The number of women working during pregnancy increased between 2004 and 2005 (62.3% versus 66.3%) (p=0.0008) as did the percentage with a postsecondary education (35.1% versus 41.9%) (p<0.0001). The percentage of amniocenteses declined (10.4% versus 7.9%) (p<0.0001). Use of prenatal care improved: more women had prenatal visits before week 14 (30.5% versus 33.9%) (p=0.0002), and fewer women had no prenatal care at all (1.1% versus 0.4%) (p=0.0003). The percentage of preterm deliveries was 6.4% in 2004 and 7% in 2005 (p=0.14) and the percentage of induced preterm deliveries was 37% in 2004 and 41.2% in 2005 (p=0.18). The cesarean rate was essentially stable (19 and 19.2%) and the rate of instrumental intervention in vaginal deliveries fell from 13.1% in 2004 to 11.2% in 2005 (p=0.0015)., Discussion and Conclusion: The rates of cesarean and of preterm deliveries remained stable between 2004 and 2005, but the rate of induced preterm deliveries rose. These indicators are consistent with trends that began earlier.

Medical practice assessment is mandatory in France. The goal of this article is to explain to perinatal care providers the concept and the process, which do not seem simple, given the multitude of possible ways to evaluate and validate its medical practices. Concrete examples help to illustrate the process. French regulations now link medical practice assessment with continuing medical education (CME) for physicians. While certification is voluntary, a practice assessment conducted during hospital certification processes and during CME is required for all French physicians.

Prevention of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is a major concern in regards to its impact on maternal morbidity and mortality. While established risk factors can be identified among risk factors of PPH during labor after multivariate analysis: prolonged labor, oxytocin stimulation of labor, cesarean section, instrumental delivery, genital lacerations and episiotomy, prolonged third stage of labor, retained placenta; other risk factors are still uncertain: induction of labor, hyperthermia or chorioamniotitis, analgesia or anesthesia, macrosomia, various cesarean section techniques. Isolated identified risk factors have a moderate incidence on PPH, but their cumulation in one patient is a potential high risk. Among active management schemes of third stage of labor for PPH prevention, the most efficient technique seems to be direct injection of oxytocin when the baby's shoulders are delivered, associated with controlled cord traction. If this technique is a must for high-risk patients for PPH, and seems efficient for every patient, a correctly performed procedure requires the presence of a competent professional in addition to the midwife or obstetrician in charge of delivery, and a permanent attention so the length of third stage of labor is shortened. The alternative use of prophylactic misoprostol in the third stage of labor is less effective than injectable uterotonics in reducing PPH, and is associated with more side effects (severe shivering, pyrexia, diarrhea). None of other described prophylactic methods have proved efficiency: early suckling, umbilical blood drainage, oxytocin umbilical vein injection, among others. A decrease in PPH prevalence should be obtained by particular attention on data from the early postpartum period, active diffusion of effective prophylactic techniques, and an appropriate choice in regards to each delivery unit organization.

Study Objective: The development of BAL in children for both research and clinical purposes has been limited so far by the difficulty in establishing reference values. The aim of the study was (1) to define composition of BAL cellular components in control children and to evaluate the ability of these cells to express various cytokines, and (2) to study modifications of differential cytology and BAL cell cytokine responses in children with interstitial lung disorders., Populations and Methods: Two groups were investigated: a control group of 16 children who were concluded to be free of parenchymal lung disease after complete pulmonary investigation, and a group of 11 children with pulmonary sarcoidosis. Differential cytology was evaluated by standard techniques. BAL cell cytokine expression was studied at the level of messenger RNA (mRNA) by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) methods., Results: In the control group, differential cell counts appeared to be similar to values reported in adult populations with normal distribution of the data and no influence of age. In this group, no transcripts for interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), IL-6, and transforming (correction of tranforming) growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) could be detected. In children with sarcoidosis, different profiles of IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, IL-6, and TGF-beta expression were individualized which seemed to be related to the activity and/or severity of the disease, IL-6 and TGF-beta mRNA being observed only in the more severe forms., Conclusion: These data provide information on BAL cell number and function in children. Characterization of BAL cytokine expression patterns during the course of interstitial lung diseases in children may be of great interest for evaluation of disease activity and/or severity and therefore for planning of therapy.