Spontaneous breathing trial with pressure support on positive end-expiratory pressure and extensive use of non-invasive ventilation versus T-piece in difficult-to-wean patients from mechanical ventilation: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: The aim of this study is to assess whether a strategy combining spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) with both pressure support (PS) and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and extended use of post-extubation non-invasive ventilation (NIV) (extensively-assisted weaning) would shorten the time until successful extubation as compared with SBT with T-piece (TP) and post-extubation NIV performed in selected patients as advocated by guidelines (standard weaning), in difficult-to-wean patients from mechanical ventilation.

Methods: The study is a single-center prospective open label, randomized controlled superiority trial with two parallel groups and balanced randomization with a 1:1 ratio. Eligible patients were intubated patients mechanically ventilated for more than 24 h who failed their first SBT using TP.

Pharmacokinetics, efficacy and tolerance of cefoxitin in the treatment of cefoxitin-susceptible extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing Enterobacterales infections in critically ill patients: a retrospective single-center study.

Background: Cefoxitin is active against some extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales (ESBL-PE), but has not been evaluated so far in the intensive care unit (ICU) settings. Data upon its pharmacokinetics (PK), tolerance and efficacy in critical conditions are scanty. We performed a retrospective single-center study in a university hospital medical ICU, in subjects presenting with cefoxitin-susceptible ESBL-PE infection and treated with cefoxitin.

Necrotizing external otitis: analysis of relapse risk factors in 66 patients managed during a 12 year period.

Background: Necrotizing external otitis (NEO) is a severe infection of the skull base that occurs generally in the elderly and/or in diabetic recipients. There are few data in the literature about the therapeutic management of this complex bone infection.

Objectives: To analyse relapses after NEO treatment completion, and to describe the clinical features of NEO.