Charki Haimeur

Acinetobacter infections prevalence and frequency of the antibiotics resistance: comparative study of intensive care units versus other hospital units

Introduction This study aims to determine the Acinetobacter sp clinical isolates frequency and its antibiotic susceptibility pattern by comparing results obtained from the Intensive Care Units (ICUs) to that of other units at the Mohammed V Military Teaching Hospital in Rabat. Methods This is a retrospective study over a 2-years period where we collected all clinical isolates of Acinetobacter sp obtained from samples for infection diagnosis performed on hospitalized patients between 2012 to 2014. Results During the study period, 441 clinical and non-repetitive isolates of Acinetobacter sp were collected representing 6.94% of all bacterial clinical isolates (n = 6352) and 9.6% of Gram negative rods (n = 4569). More than a half of the isolates were from the ICUs and were obtained from 293 infected patients of which 65, 2% (191 cases) were males (sex ratio = 1.9) and the median age was 56 years (interquartile range: 42-68 years). Acinetobacter clinical isolates were obtained from respiratory samples (44.67%) followed by blood cultures (14.51%). The resistance to ciprofloxacin, ceftazidime, piperacillin / tazobactam, imipenem, amikacin, tobramycin, netilmicin, rifampicin and colistin was respectively 87%, 86%, 79%, 76%; 52%, 43%, 33% 32% and 1.7%. The difference in resistance between the ICUs and the other units was statistically significant (p <0.05) except for colistin, tetracycline and rifampicin. Conclusion This paper shows that solving the problem of prevalence and high rate of multidrug resistant Acinetobacter infection which represents a therapeutic impasse, requires the control of the hospital environment and optimizing hands hygiene and antibiotics use in the hospital.

Convulsions during cataract surgery under peribulbar anesthesia: a case report

IntroductionLocoregional anesthesia techniques are increasingly used for cataract surgery. From these techniques, peribulbar anesthesia has been very successful over the retrobulbar anesthesia seen its effectiveness and safety. However, peribulbar anesthesia is not without risk.Case presentationA 70-year-old African man was scheduled for cataract surgery and lens implant for his right eye. His medical history included hypertension, diabetes mellitus and gall bladder surgery. There were no personal or family antecedents of allergy, epilepsy or taking food or toxic drug. No abnormalities were detected in his preoperative evaluation. In the operating room, standard monitoring was installed and a peripheral venous catheter 18g was inserted. Peribulbar anesthesia was realized with two injections in primary gaze position. The anesthetic mixture contained lidocaine 2% and bupivacaine 0.5%. The needle used was 25GA, 19mm, ¾ inch. The first injection was performed in his lower temporal peribulbar space with 5mL of mixture; the second injection was performed with 3mL of mixture in his upper nasal peribulbar space. These injections were performed after a negative aspiration test and followed by manual compression of his globe for 5 minutes. Five minutes after peribulbar anesthesia, his blood pressure increased to 209/115mmHg requiring three bolus of nicardipine (3.0mg) to reduce his blood pressure to 134/56mmHg. One minute after, he had generalized tonic–clonic seizures. Tracheal intubation was performed. His capillary blood glucose was 170mg/dL, axillary temperature was 36.5°C, and his serum electrolytes were normal. He recovered spontaneous ventilation 1.5 hours later. A neurological examination noted no deficit. Extubation was performed 15 minutes later without incident. A brain computed tomography and electroencephalogram were unremarkable. He was discharged on the second day and operated on 1 month later under general anesthesia.ConclusionsVarious serious complications can occur during locoregional anesthesia techniques in ophthalmic surgery. The mastering and perfecting of these techniques by practitioners and compliance with safety standards in anesthesia are the only way to guarantee the prevention of such complications.

Unplanned intensive care unit admission following elective surgical adverse events: Incidence, patient characteristics, preventability, and outcome

Context: Adverse events (AEs) are a persistent and an important reason for Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission. They lead to death, disability at the time of discharge, unplanned ICU admission (UIA), and prolonged hospital stay. They impose large financial costs on health-care systems. Aims: This study aimed to determine the incidence, patient characteristics, type, preventability, and outcome of UIA following elective surgical AE. Settings and Design: This is a single-center prospective study. Methods: Analysis of 15,372 elective surgical procedures was performed. We defined UIA as an ICU admission that was not anticipated preoperatively but was due to an AE occurring within 5 days after elective surgery. Statistical Analysis: Descriptive analysis using SPSS software version 18 was used for statistical analysis. Results: There were 75 UIA (0.48%) recorded during the 2-year study period. The average age of patients was 54.64 ± 18.02 years. There was no sex predominance, and the majority of our patients had an American Society of Anesthesiologist classes 1 and 2. Nearly 29% of the UIA occurred after abdominal surgery and 22% after a trauma surgery. Regarding the causes of UIA, we observed that 44 UIA (58.7%) were related to surgical AE, 24 (32%) to anesthetic AE, and 7 (9.3%) to postoperative AE caused by care defects. Twenty-three UIA were judged as potentially preventable (30.7%). UIA was associated with negative outcomes, including increased use of ICU-specific interventions and high mortality rate (20%). Conclusions: Our analysis of UIA is a quality control exercise that helps identify high-risk patient groups and patterns of anesthesia or surgical care requiring improvement.

Anesthetic considerations in Demons-Meigs’ syndrome: a case report

IntroductionDemons-Meigs’ syndrome is characterized by the presence of a benign ovarian tumor associated with ascites and a right-sided hydrothorax. Its pathophysiology remains unclear. Anesthesia of this syndrome is a real challenge. Respiratory, hemodynamic, metabolic problems and abdominal hypertension are the main anesthetic risks.Case presentationA 52-year-old African woman with Demons-Meigs’ syndrome was admitted for elective surgery under general anesthesia. An abdominal computed tomography scan showed a tumor mass, with tissue and cystic components associated with abundant ascites and a right pleural effusion of medium abundance. In the operating room after standard monitoring, a crash induction was performed. Just after, her saturation level decreased requiring the use of an alveolar recruitment maneuver followed by the application of positive end-expiratory pressure. Vasoconstrictor and vascular filling were used to correct the hypotension that occurred. Airway pressures remained at 35cm H2O. Maintenance of a slightly proclive position and opening of the abdomen with the progressive removal of 3200ml ascitic fluid allowed a lower thoracic pressure (airway pressures=24cm H2O). Her postoperative course was unremarkable. Clinical evolution after five months was marked by a complete recovery of our patient and no recurrence of effusion or ascites.ConclusionsDemons-Meigs’ syndrome is a benign disease with a good prognosis. Respiratory and hemodynamic problems and abdominal hypertension are the main anesthetic risks of this syndrome. Good management of these risks is necessary to preserve the prognosis.

Diagnosis of bilateral cord vocal paralysis by the Airtraq laryngoscope: A case report

Abstract The thyroid disease is still common in our country. Divers complications have been described in this type of surgery. Paralysis of the vocal cords and particularly bilateral paralysis are exceptional. The diagnosis is made by examen of the vocal cords before extubation. The standard laryngoscope is the most device commonly used for this indication. The interest of the new devices is not clear. We report the use of the Airtraq laryngoscope for the diagnosis of bilateral vocal cord paralysis after a thyroidectomy under general anesthesia. Through this case and review of the literature, we discuss the interest of the new devices in the diagnosis of this complication and the means of its prevention.

Accident vasculaire cérébral ischémique révélant un syndrome de Fahr

Le syndrome de Fahr est défini par la présence de calcifications intracérébrales bilatérales et symétriques, non artériosclérotiques, localisées aux noyaux gris centraux. La découverte de celles-ci au cours d’un accident cérébrale ischémique constitue un mode de révélation exceptionnelle de cette affection et doit faire pratiquer une étude du métabolisme phosphocalcique avec dosage de la PTH. L’analyse des signes clinico-biologiques et radiologique est à la base du diagnostic. Un traitement antiépileptique au long cours peut favoriser les calcifications au niveau des noyaux gris centraux et induire le syndrome qui reste de bon pronostic. La correction des troubles du métabolisme phosphocalcique amène souvent une amélioration notable.Fahrs syndrome is defined as the presence of bilateral intracerebral, symmetrical, nonarteriosclerotic calcifications involving the basal ganglia. Their detection during stroke is exceptional. Phosphocalcium metabolism should be investigated with human parathyroid hormone (HPH) dosage. Diagnosis is based on the evaluation of clinical and laboratory data as well as on radiological imaging. Long-term antiepileptic treatment can cause basal ganglia calcification resulting in Fahrs syndrome. Prognosis is favorable. The correction of phosphocalcium metabolism usually leads to significant improvement.

Anaesthetic management for awake craniotomy in brain glioma resection: initial experience in Military Hospital Mohamed V of Rabat

The awake brain surgery is an innovative approach in the treatment of tumors in the functional areas of the brain. There are various anesthetic techniques for awake craniotomy (AC), including asleep-awake-asleep technique, monitored anesthesia care, and the recent introduced awake-awake-awake method. We describe our first experience with anesthetic management for awake craniotomy, which was a combination of these techniques with scalp nerve block, and propofol/rémifentanil target controlled infusion. A 28-year-oldmale underwent an awake craniotomy for brain glioma resection. The scalp nerve block was performed and a low sedative state was maintained until removal of bone flap. During brain glioma resection, the patient awake state was maintained without any complications. Once, the tumorectomy was completed, the level of anesthesia was deepened and a laryngeal mask airway was inserted. A well psychological preparation, a reasonable choice of anesthetic techniques and agents, and continuous team communication were some of the key challenges for successful outcome in our patient.

Aseptic meningitis following a bupivacaine spinal anesthesia

Spinal anesthesia complicated by meningitis is rare. The diagnosis is difficult and the clinical signs are unspecific. There is a subgroup called aseptic meningitis of a different mechanism (hypersensitive reaction and irritation of the meninges), which must be identified for appropriate care. We report the case of aseptic meningitis resulting from bupivacaine use complicating spinal anesthesia. She is 31 years old and was admitted to the intensive care unit for meningitis following a Caesarean delivery. 10 hours after the procedure, she was found to have severe headache, neck stiffness and was found restless. She lost consciousness; she was treated by attending physicians. A CT scan have been performed and was found normal. 24 hours after intubation, the patient woke up. The clinical and biological valuations were normal, allowing for the elimination of the other causes of meningitis.

Encéphalopathie pancréatique: à propos de deux cas

Pancreatic encephalopathy (PE) is a rare complication of acute pancreatitis. Our study reports 2 cases of patients with pancreatic encephalopathy, hospitalized and treated in the Intensive Care Unit of the Military Hospital of Instruction Mohammed V, Rabat. Patient age ranged between 43 and 54 years, our 2 cases involved a woman and a man. The pathophysiologic process of EP is still not well understood, many assumptions have been described in the literature; some authors have suggested that lipase and phospholipase A2 are involved in the pathological process of PE. Other factors including infections, fluid and electrolyte disturbances, hypoxemia and perturbations in blood glucose can be triggers. The diagnosis of pancreatic encephalopathy is easy to establish, clinical symptoms usually include confusion, amazement and psychomotor agitation, sometimes associated with neurological damages such as convulsions, headache, transient hemiparesis, dysarthria, difficulties in verbal expression and amnesia. Paraclinical tests, including brain MRI and electroencephalogram allow a definitive diagnosis. Treatment is primarily symptomatic aiming to fight against factors favoring the onset of neurologic signs using resuscitative measures based on severity of the situation. The prognosis depends on the severity of acute pancreatitis and its complications. In our study data are broadly comparable to those currently published by the majority of authors.

Embarrure suite à l’utilisation de la têtière de Mayfield chez l’adulte: à propos d’un cas et revue de la littérature

Many neurosurgical procedures involve the use of a pin-type headrest to immobilize the patients head. We report the case of depressed skull fracture in an adult patient secondary to the use of Mayfield headrest. The diagnosis was based on postoperative CT scan of the brain following surgical resection of medulloblastoma. Several factors seem to increase the risk of complications due to Mayfield headrest use. Preventive measures are outlined in our literature review.