Platelet dysfunction due to cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) surgery increases the risk of bleeding. This study analyzed the effect of a phosphorylcholine (PC)-coated CPB circuit on blood loss, transfusion needs, and platelet function. We performed a prospective, randomized study at Strasbourg University Hospital, which included 40 adults undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) (n = 20) or mitral valve repair (n = 20) using CPB. Patients were randomized either to PC-coated CPB or uncoated CPB (10 CABG patients and 10 mitral valve repair patients in each group). Blood loss and transfusion needs were evaluated intra- and postoperatively. Markers of platelet activation and thrombin generation were measured at anesthesia induction, at the beginning and end of CPB, on skin closure, and on days 0, 1, and 5. Comparisons were made by Student's t test or covariance analysis (significance threshold p < or = .05). Blood loss was significantly lower in the PC group during the first 6 postoperative hours (171 +/- 102 vs. 285 +/- 193 mL, p = .024), at the threshold of significance from 6-24 hours (p = .052), and similar in both groups after 24 hours. During CPB, platelet count decreased by 48% in both groups. There was no difference in markers of platelet activation, thrombin generation, or transfusion needs between the two groups. Norepinephrine use was more frequent in the control group (63% vs. 33%) but not significantly. PC-coating of the CPB surface reduced early postoperative bleeding, especially in CABG patients, but had no significant effect on platelet function because of large interindividual variations that prevented the establishment of a causal relationship.

OBJECTIVES:Women are underrepresented in emergency medicine (EM) residency programs in comparison with many other specialties. The reasons for this are unclear. One hypothesis is that negative gender stereotypes about EM careers might exist among female medical students. In the field of education, negative gender stereotypes are known to lead to career avoidance, because they tend to decrease self-efficacy perception. The aims of this study were to assess the prevalence of negative gender stereotypes about EM practice among medical students and to measure the effects of these stereotypes on females' self-efficacy perception toward EM learning.METHODS:A survey was conducted of the 255 third-year medical students from three medical schools who attended a mandatory EM academic program in France. They completed an anonymous questionnaire exploring their gender stereotypes about EM practice and their self-efficacy perception toward EM learning.RESULTS:Gender stereotypes are common among medical students, especially in women. Self-efficacy perception is negatively correlated to female students' belief that EM careers are better suited for men (p < 0.05).CONCLUSIONS:Negative gender stereotypes among female medical students may lead to EM career avoidance, because of the decrease in their self-efficacy perception toward EM learning.

Although endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs, including pesticides) are thought to increase the risk of hypospadias, no compounds have been formally identified in this context. Human studies may now be possible via the assessment of meconium as a marker of chronic prenatal exposure. The objective of the present study was to determine whether or not prenatal exposure to pesticides (as detected in meconium) constitutes a risk factor for isolated hypospadias. In a case-control study performed between 2011 and 2014 in northern France, male newborns with isolated hypospadias (n = 25) were matched at birth with controls (n = 58). Newborns with obvious genetic or hormonal anomalies, undescended testis, micropenis, a congenital syndrome or a family history of hypospadias were not included. Neonatal and parental data were collected. Foetal exposure was assessed by determining the meconium concentrations of the pesticides or metabolites (organophosphates, carbamates, phenylurea, and phenoxyherbicides) most commonly used in the region. Risk factors were assessed in a multivariate analysis. The pesticides most commonly detected in meconium were organophosphates (in up to 98.6% of samples, depending on the substance) and phenylurea (>85.5%). A multivariate analysis revealed an association between isolated hypospadias and the presence in meconium of the phenylurea herbicide isoproturon and of the phenoxyherbicide 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]: 5.94 [1.03–34.11] and 4.75 [1.20–18.76]) respectively). We conclude that prenatal exposure to these two herbicides (as assessed by meconium analysis) was correlated with the occurrence of isolated hypospadias. The results of our case-control study (i) suggest that prenatal exposure to pesticides interferes with the development of the male genitalia, and (ii) emphasize the importance of preventing pregnant women from being exposed to EDCs in general and pesticides in particular.

OBJECTIVES:Motivation is one of the most important factors for learning and achievement. The perceived value of the task, perceptions of self-efficacy and beliefs about control of learning are the main determinants of motivation. They are highly influenced by the individual's personal history and especially by significant past experiences. We assessed the impact of training periods in the emergency department on the motivation of health care students to learn in the field of emergency medicine.METHODS:A survey was conducted in 2008 with 112 undergraduate medical students and 201 undergraduate nursing students attending an emergency medicine academic programme. At the beginning of the course, the students completed an anonymous 26-item questionnaire to assess their motivational orientations.RESULTS:Perceived task value was higher for students who had previously attended a training period in the emergency department (P = 0.002). Perceived self-efficacy was depressed when the respondent had been confronted with negative outcome events (P < 0.001). Control of learning beliefs was affected negatively in students who had attended a training period in the emergency department (P < 0.001).CONCLUSIONS:Motivation is a major contributor to the success of learning. Training periods in the emergency department can have positive and negative impacts on the learning motivation of medical and nursing students in the field of emergency medicine. Ideally, and in terms of increasing motivation, health care students should gain experiential learning in the emergency department before attending a corresponding academic course. During this period, tutors should provide appropriate supervision and feedback in order to support self-efficacy perception and learning control beliefs.

Contexte : Dans le contexte actuel de risques de crise sanitaire – liée notamment aux agents infectieux émergents – et dans le cadre d'une dynamique sociétale de promotion de l'enseignement du secourisme, la formation des étudiants et des professionnels de santé aux gestes et aux soins d'urgence est devenue un enjeu majeur de santé publique. Buts : nous avons souhaité identifier le profil motivationnel des apprenants participant aux formations institutionnelles aux gestes et soins d'urgence (AFGSU) au regard de la théorie de l'autodétermination, afin de permettre aux formateurs et aux concepteurs de programme d'appréhender les attentes des publics visés. Méthode : 237 participants à l'AFGSU – étudiants en médecine, chirurgiens-dentistes et infirmiers hospitaliers – ont été soumis à un questionnaire anonyme auto-administré. Résultats : Les motifs d'engagement en formation sont fortement autodéterminés, malgré le caractère obligatoire de la formation pour certains publics. Les stagiaires sont intrinsèquement intéressés par la discipline et souhaitent avant tout développer des compétences utiles dans un cadre professionnel et privé. Des enjeux identitaires forts ont également été mis en évidence, en particulier parmi les apprenants exerçant ou appelés à exercer dans un cadre collectif et collaboratif. Les étudiants en médecine sont par ailleurs susceptibles de manifester des comportements d'évitement préjudiciables à l'apprentissage, en raison d'une démarche de recherche de performance. Conclusion : Ces résultats renseignent utilement les formateurs et les ingénieurs de la formation au regard de la construction pédagogique, de la planification, du développement, ainsi que des méthodes et des outils à privilégier dans le cadre de l'enseignement de l'AFGSU.

• L’environnement d’apprentissage des étudiants des filières de santé est en mutation dans un contexte d’usage croissant de méthodes d’enseignement actives et d’introduction massive des technologies de l’information et de la communication. • Dans cet environnement incitant l’étudiant à s’impliquer activement dans la construction de ses connaissances, la question de la motivation – c’est-à-dire des facteurs à l’origine de son engagement en formation et de son investissement dans les activités d’apprentissage – devient centrale. • La motivation a fait l’objet d’études sous l’angle de multiples cadres conceptuels, influencés par les paradigmes successifs de la psychologie et des sciences de l’apprentissage. • Les théories récentes, qui s’appuient notamment sur les perspectives des sciences cognitives, et les travaux de recherche réalisés dans ce champ d’étude autorisent à formuler un certain nombre de recommandations permettant aux concepteurs et aux responsables de dispositifs de formation de prendre en compte cette dimension majeure de la réussite.

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The management of victims during mass-casualty incidents (MCIs) is improving. In many countries, physicians and paramedics are well-trained to manage these incidents. A problem that has been encountered during MCIs is the lack of adequate numbers of hospital beds to accommodate the injured. In Europe, hospitals are crowded. One solution for the lack of beds is the creation of baseline data systems that could be consulted by medical personnel in all European countries. A MCI never has occurred in northeastern Europe, but such an event remains a possibility. This paper describes how the use of SAGEC 67, a free-access, information database concerning the availability of beds should help the participating countries, initially France, Germany, and Switzerland, respond to a MCI by dispatching each patient to an appropriate hospital and informing their families and physicians using their own language. Baseline data for more than 20 countries, and for hospitals, especially those in Germany, Switzerland, and France, were collected. Information about the number of beds and their availability hour-by-hour was included. In the case of MCIs, the baseline data program is opened and automatically connects to all of the countries. In case of a necessary hospital evacuation, the required beds immediately are occupied in one of these three countries. Questions and conversations among medical staff or family members can be accomplished between hospitals through computer, secured-line chatting that automatically translates into appropriate language. During the patient evacuation phase of a MCI, respondents acknowledged that a combination of local, state, and private resources and international cooperation eventually would be needed to meet the demand. Patient evacuation is optimized through the use of SAGEC 67, a free baseline database.

BACKGROUND: Although thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) is considered superior to IV opioids for postoperative analgesia after thoracic surgery, a few studies clearly demonstrate an improvement in pulmonary function attributable to TEA using a local anesthetic in combination with an opioid.METHODS: In this prospective, randomized, double-blind study, we compared the effects of TEA with ropivacaine and sufentanil (TEA group) to IV morphine (IV group), as they affected pain and pulmonary function after lobectomy in 68 patients. Pain intensity, forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), FEV1/FVC ratio, forced expiratory flows, and sniff nasal inspiratory pressure as a marker of inspiratory muscle strength were measured from the first to the fourth postoperative day.RESULTS: Pain relief was better in the TEA group at rest and on coughing (P < 0.001). The impairment of FVC and FEV1 was less in the TEA group when compared with that in the IV group (P < 0.001 and P = 0.003, respectively). Sniff nasal inspiratory pressure, FEV1/FVC ratio, and expiratory flow values decreased similarly in both groups. In-hospital mortality, as well as postoperative pulmonary complications, was not different between groups.CONCLUSION: After lobectomy, TEA enables a significant increase in pulmonary function concomitant with better pain relief than systemic morphine, although a modest intercostal motor block may occur.

Background and Objectives Pediatric strabismus surgery leads to undesirable intraoperative and postoperative side effects that include pain, postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), and oculocardiac reflex (OCR). We hypothesized that subtenon anesthesia performed before the start of surgery and combined with general intravenous anesthesia would reduce these adverse effects. Methods Forty children (2.5 to 6 years of age, ASA status I to II) were prospectively randomized to receive either subtenon bupivacaine 0.5% or a saline injection before the beginning of surgery in a double-blind manner. Perioperative analgesic requirements, pain scores (CHEOPS scale), hemodynamics, and incidence of OCR and PONV were compared. Results Postoperative pain scores were lower ( P < .001) at removal of the laryngeal mask and 30 minutes later in the bupivacaine group. Intraoperative and postoperative analgesic requirements were significantly reduced in this group ( P < .01). The incidence of OCR and PONV were also significantly decreased ( P < .01). Intraoperative values of blood pressure were significantly higher in the saline group at 20 minutes ( P < .02). Conclusion We conclude that preoperative subtenon bupivacaine 0.5% compared with a saline injection contributed to reduction of perioperative pain and undesirable side effects in pediatric strabismus surgery performed under general anesthesia.

Radiofrequency is increasingly used to manage liver tumors. This report describes the case of a 74-year-old man who received two courses of percutaneous radiofrequency thermal ablation for a hepatocellular carcinoma over a 4-month period. He subsequently required computed tomography-guided drainage for an area of intrahepatic necrosis. During the procedure, hemobilia developed, followed by respiratory distress and collapse. The diagnosis of bile pulmonary embolism was established on the basis of high biliary acid concentrations in pulmonary fluid aspiration and blood plasma. Radiofrequency thermoablation provides local control of advanced liver tumors with low recurrence and morbidity. However, this interventional procedure risks damage to liver parenchyma involving vascular and biliary structures, which may lead to biliary–venous fistula and possible bile emboli.

Une jeune fille de 15 ans est admise aux urgences pour troubles du comportement, agitation et hallucinations, altérations des fonctions cognitives, troubles neurologiques et manifestations anticholinergiques importantes. L'examen psychiatrique ayant éliminé une cause psychotique, les médecins s'orientent vers une intoxication médicamenteuse, d'autant que les signes biologiques font craindre une rhabdomyolyse. Cette patiente a ingéré une pâte blanche qui sera analysée au laboratoire. Un prélèvement urinaire fera également l'objet d'un examen toxicologique. L'analyse par chromatographie liquide haute performance couplée à un détecteur à barrette de diodes montre un pic isolé retrouvé à la fois dans les urines et la solution de poudre d'origine inconnue : temps de rétention et spectres UV identiques, permettant de conclure à la présence de doxylamine, médicament antihistaminique essentiellement utilisé pour ses propriétés sédatives. La patiente quitte l'hôpital après 6 jours de traitement symptomatique sans complications ni séquelles neurologiques. Cette intoxication médicamenteuse sévère liée à l'absorption d'une quantité importante de Donormyl®, spécialité en vente libre, doit éveiller l'attention des pharmaciens quant à sa dispensation à des patients tentés par un éventuel usage détourné.

Objective: This study involved 35 patients who claimed to have been drugged before being robbed or raped, despite urine negative toxicologic screening by immunoenzymatic methods. The urines were frozen for further investigations, including enzymatic hydrolysis of urinary conjugates, liquid-solid extraction and, finally, immunoenzymatic screening of concentrated urine extract. Methods: Urine benzodiazepines were analyzed by immunoenzymatic assay before and after enzymatic hydrolysis combined with extraction. Results: On direct immunoenzymatic screening, 17 of the 35 urine samples were benzodiazepine positive. Enrichment of preserved specimens improved the detection threshold from 200 ng/mL to 50 ng/mL and 10 of the 18 negative urines became positive. Conclusion: This method allowed us to demonstrate the benzodiazepines in half of previously negative urine samples. Benzodiazepine screening is particularly problematic because of low dosage, rapid elimination, failure to detect conjugated metabolites by immunoenzymatic reagents and high threshold of sensitivity for certain substances.

The post-operative management of the myasthenic patient after thymectomy through sternotomy has changed in the last decades. After years of routine preoperative tracheostomies followed by routine prolonged intubation nowadays it is possible to wean the patients from the ventilation and to extubate them early after surgery while reintroducing the acetylcholinesterase inhibitors therapy. A series of 15 patients operated on between 1985 and 1988 for removal of thymic rests or thymoma is presented and confirms this evolution. The clinical and gazometric criteria allowing an early weaning from the ventilator are analyzed. However certain patients with the most severe forms of myasthenic still need prolonged ventilatory support.

The presence of opiates and benzoylecgonine, the major metabolite of cocaine, in the urine was detected by means of enzyme immunoassay in a series of 120 smugglers who had either ingested or inserted into their rectum cocaine or heroin packaged for transportation. There was a striking relation between the presence of drugs in the urine and swallowing of drug-filled bundles (cocaine 49 of 50 cases, heroin 9 of 10). The proportion of positive results was also high in cases of rectal insertion (cocaine 2 of 2, heroin 35 of 58). In 30 cases of cocaine-packet ingestion, serial measurements showed that the accuracy of the test progressively decreased with respect to the detection of residual packets in the body. Drug detection in the urine of suspected body-packers seems to be a useful test, positive results justifying subsequent radiological investigations.