[Bilateral tension pneumothorax after retrieval of transtracheal jet ventilation catheter]

We report a bilateral tension pneumothorax which occurred in a 36-year-old man after high-frequency jet ventilation (HFJV) for panendoscopy. The patient had been treated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy two years ago for an oropharyngeal adenocarcinoma, and by surgery for a recurrence. The incident occurred after a cough episode triggered by the withdrawal of the Ravussin transtracheal catheter. We are discussing the risk factors and the mechanisms of pneumothorax during HFJV with special emphasis on trapping and lung fibrosis.

A Randomized, Double-Blind Comparison Between Parecoxib Sodium and Propacetamol for Parenteral Postoperative Analgesia After Inguinal Hernia Repair in Adult Patients

The newly injectable cyclooxygenase-2 selective nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug, parecoxib, has never been compared with propacetamol, a parenteral formulation of acetaminophen. In this prospective, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy study, we randomly assigned 182 patients scheduled for initial inguinal hernia repair under general anesthesia to receive a single injection of 40 mg parecoxib or 2 injections of 2 g propacetamol within the first 12 h after surgery. The study variables were morphine consumption, pain at rest and while coughing, and patient satisfaction throughout the first 12 h postoperatively. For statistical analysis, we used the Student's t-test, chi(2), and covariance analysis. Total morphine consumption did not differ between the two groups. Pain was less intense in the parecoxib group at rest (P = 0.035) but did not differ for pain while coughing. The incidence of side effects was similar. Significantly more patients in the parecoxib group rated their pain management as good or excellent (87% versus 70% in the propacetamol group, P = 0.001). Within the first 12 h after inguinal hernia repair in adult patients, a single injection of parecoxib 40 mg compares favorably with 2 injections of propacetamol 2 g.

[Early rupture of a cryopreserved arterial allograft]

Cryopreserved arterial allografts are used in vascular surgery to treat infected arterial prosthesis. This treatment reduces mortality and morbidity compared to conventional surgery. We observed a case of early rupture of the allograft with the death of the patient due to a misdiagnosis. Recent findings show that cases of rupture have been described, and that current cryopreservation protocols may be the cause of degeneration. To avoid a sudden death for the patient, this complication must be known to diagnose quickly and treat surgically before a final haemorrhagic shock.