Nicotine patches in patients on mechanical ventilation for severe COVID-19: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre trial.

Purpose: Epidemiologic studies have documented lower rates of active smokers compared to former or non-smokers in symptomatic patients affected by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We assessed the efficacy and safety of nicotine administered by a transdermal patch in critically ill patients with COVID-19 pneumonia.

Methods: In this multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted in 18 intensive care units in France, we randomly assigned adult patients (non-smokers, non-vapers or who had quit smoking/vaping for at least 12 months) with proven COVID-19 pneumonia receiving invasive mechanical ventilation for up to 72 h to receive transdermal patches containing either nicotine at a daily dose of 14 mg or placebo until 48 h following successful weaning from mechanical ventilation or for a maximum of 30 days, followed by 3-week dose tapering by 3.

Intravenous immunoglobulins in patients with COVID-19-associated moderate-to-severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ICAR): multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial.

Background: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a major complication of COVID-19 and is associated with high mortality and morbidity. We aimed to assess whether intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) could improve outcomes by reducing inflammation-mediated lung injury.

Methods: In this multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, done at 43 centres in France, we randomly assigned patients (1:1) receiving invasive mechanical ventilation for up to 72 h with PCR confirmed COVID-19 and associated moderate-to-severe ARDS to receive either IVIG (2 g/kg over 4 days) or placebo.

Quality of oncological resection criteria in minimally invasive esophagectomy.

Background: Even though minimally invasive esophageal surgery (MIE) is spreading, questions remain regarding its oncological outcomes. The aim of this study was to assess the quality of oncological resection criteria in MIE.

Methods: All patients undergoing a two-way Ivor Lewis esophagectomy for esophageal or junctional cancer between 2010 and 2020 in a single tertiary upper gastrointestinal surgery ward were analyzed retrospectively.

Relevance of blood loss as key indicator of the quality of surgical care in laparoscopic liver resection for colorectal liver metastases.

Background: The development of laparoscopic liver resection has led to the hypothesis that intraoperative blood loss may be a key indicator of surgical care quality. This study assessed short- and long-term results of patients according to three levels of intraoperative blood loss during laparoscopic liver resection for colorectal liver metastasis.

Methods: All patients who underwent laparoscopic liver resection for colorectal liver metastasis between 2000 and 2018 were included.

Liver resection for extra-pancreatic biliary cancer: what is the role of laparoscopic approach?

Background: Laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) has evolved over time, yet its role in extra-pancreatic biliary cancer has been limited due to several factors. We aimed to evaluate the short-term outcome of LLR in extra-pancreatic biliary tract cancer.

Methods: From January 2002 to 2016, all patients who underwent LLR for extra-pancreatic biliary tract cancer including gallbladder cancer (GBC), intra-hepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC), and peri-hilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHC) with curative intent (R0 or R1) at Institute Mutualiste Montsouris were identified from prospectively collected databases.

Laparoscopic extended liver resection: are postoperative outcomes different?

Background: Although laparoscopic major hepatectomy (LMH) is becoming increasingly common in specialized centers, data regarding laparoscopic extended major hepatectomies (LEMH) and their outcomes are limited. The aim of this study was to compare the perioperative characteristics and postoperative outcomes of LEMH to standard LMH.

Methods: All patients who underwent purely laparoscopic anatomical right or left hepatectomy and right or left trisectionectomy between February 1998 and January 2016 are enrolled.

Postoperative Bleeding After Laparoscopic Pancreaticoduodenectomy: the Achilles' Heel?

Background: Laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPD) is technically demanding, and its impact on postoperative outcomes remains controversial.

Objective: To compare short-term outcomes between laparoscopic versus open pancreaticoduodenectomy (OPD) in order to assess the safety of LPD.

Methods: From 2002 to 2014, all consecutive patients undergoing LPD or OPD at two tertiary centers were retrospectively analyzed.

Impact of intraoperative blood loss on the short-term outcomes of laparoscopic liver resection.

Background: Intraoperative blood loss is one of the predictors of outcome of open hepatectomy. But the impact of blood loss in laparoscopic hepatectomy (LH) on postoperative outcomes is poorly understood. The aim of this study is to analyze the association between blood loss and postoperative outcomes after LH.

Quality of life after complicated elective surgery requiring intensive care.

Objective: To evaluate outcomes of patients admitted to the ICU for complications after elective surgery and to assess perceived quality of life (pQOL) in survivors.

Design: Two-year prospective case-control study.

Setting: Twelve-bed ICU in a university-affiliated hospital.