American journal of surgery
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Noncompressible truncal hemorrhage is a leading cause of potentially preventable death in trauma and acute care surgery patients. These patients are at high risk of exsanguination before potentially life-saving surgical intervention may be performed. Temporary aortic occlusion is an effective means of augmenting systolic blood pressure and perfusion of the heart and brain in these patients. Aortic occlusion temporarily controls distal bleeding until permanent hemostasis can be achieved. The traditional method for temporary aortic occlusion is via resuscitative thoracotomy with cross clamping of the descending aorta. While effective, resuscitative thoracotomy is highly invasive and may worsen blood loss, hypothermia, and coagulopathy by opening an otherwise uninjured body cavity. Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) achieves temporary aortic occlusion using an occlusive balloon catheter that is introduced into the aorta via endovascular access of the common femoral artery. For this reason it is thought that REBOA could provide a less-invasive method for temporary aortic occlusion. Our purpose is to describe our experience with the implementation of REBOA at our Level 1 trauma center. ⋯ REBOA is an effective method for achieving temporary aortic occlusion in trauma patients with noncompressible truncal hemorrhage. Balloon inflation correlated with increased blood pressure and temporary hemorrhage control in a vast majority of patients.
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Laparoscopic reoperative antireflux surgery remains challenging and the advantages compared to an open approach remain unclear. ⋯ Laparoscopic reoperative antireflux surgery is a safe approach with high patient satisfaction and low morbidity. Tension-free esophageal length can be achieved laparoscopically without Collis gastroplasty. The duration of the operation and length of stay are less in the laparoscopic vs. open group. Symptomatic relief and patient satisfaction are similar in both approaches.
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The objectives of this study were to examine the incidence and severity of early acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) according to the Berlin Definition and to identify risk factors associated with the development of early post-traumatic ARDS. ⋯ Trauma patients with blunt mechanism, who receive fresh frozen plasma, or undergo thoracotomy, are at risk of developing early ARDS.
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The safety and timing of venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis in patients with blunt splenic injuries is not well known. We hypothesized that early initiation of VTE prophylaxis does not increase failure of nonoperative management or transfusion requirements in these patients. ⋯ Early initiation (<48 hours) of VTE prophylaxis is safe in patients with blunt splenic injuries treated nonoperatively, and may be safe as early as 24 hours.