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BACKGROUND: Intravascular-catheter-related infections are frequent life-threatening events in health care, but incidence can be decreased by improvements in the quality of care. Optimisation of skin antisepsis is essential to prevent short-term catheter-related infections. We hypothesised that chlorhexidine-alcohol would be more effective than povidone iodine-alcohol as a skin antiseptic to prevent intravascular-catheter-related infections. METHODS: In this open-label, randomised controlled trial with a two-by-two factorial design, we enrolled consecutive adults (age ≥18 years) admitted to one of 11 French intensive-care units and requiring at least one of central-venous, haemodialysis, or arterial catheters...

BACKGROUND: Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) result in epidermal sloughing and mucositis. There are no published guidelines for intubation and early tracheostomy in this patient population. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 40 patients admitted from 2010 to 2015 with SJS and TEN was conducted. Descriptive statistics and significance were calculated. RESULTS: Of the 43% of patients who underwent early tracheostomy, 100% had oral involvement while the initial total body surface area (TBSA) was 70% or more in 41% of patients (P < ...

BACKGROUND: Between 5% and 11% of people undergoing cholecystectomy have common bile duct stones. Open common bile duct exploration is an important operation when endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography fails or when expertise for laparoscopic common bile duct exploration is not available. The optimal method for performing open common bile duct exploration is unclear. OBJECTIVES: The aim is to assess the benefits and harms of primary closure versus routine T-tube drainage in open common bile duct exploration for common bile duct stones...