The risk of atrial fibrillation after pneumonectomy is not impaired by preoperative administration of dexamethasone. A cohort study.

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most frequent complications occurring after thoracic surgery especially after lung resection. It is associated with an increase in postoperative morbidity and mortality. Recent data having documented the preventive role of corticosteroids on the occurrence of AF in cardiac surgery, we sought to evaluate the effect of preoperative administration of dexamethasone on the incidence of AF after pneumonectomy.

[Management of aortic stenosis in patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery].

There is a significant risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with severe aortic stenosis (valve area <1cm(2) or 0.6cm(2)/m(2) body surface area, and maximum jet velocity ≥4m/sec, and mean aortic pressure gradient ≥40mmHg) undergoing non-cardiac surgery, especially in patients with symptoms (dyspnoea, angina, syncope, or heart failure). Before any surgery, clinical assessment should search for signs of aortic stenosis which justifies echocardiographic examination, particularly in the elderly.

[Rehabilitation after abdominal surgery].

A combined strategy of anesthetic and surgical care defines postoperative rehabilitation, which aims to accelerate recovery from surgery, shorten convalescence, and reduce postoperative morbidity. Preoperative and early postoperative oral feeding, a relatively "dry" fluid regimen, and the avoidance of or early removal of drains, gastric tubes and bladder catheters all contribute to decreasing postoperative morbidity after abdominal surgery. Postoperative pain control, prevention of nausea and vomiting, shortening the duration of postoperative ileus, and early ambulation can also help to decrease postoperative morbidity.