The American surgeon
-
The American surgeon · May 2011
Comparative StudyIncidence and outcomes of critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency in trauma patients.
The spectrum of critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency (CIRCI) in trauma is not fully defined. This study describes our trauma experience with hydrocortisone-treated patients experiencing CIRCI. We conducted a 5-year retrospective analysis from a Level II trauma center using biochemical and clinical criteria for adrenal insufficiency. ⋯ Renal replacement therapy was a strong predictor of mortality. Spinal cord-injured patients had high Injury Severity Scores (mean 34 ± 18), elevated baseline cortisol levels (mean 56 ± 84 vs. 18 ± 14; P = 0.004), and required prolonged duration of steroid therapy (30 ± 52 vs. 15 ± 15 days; P = 0.080) when compared with the nonspinal cord-injured group. Our data suggest that CIRCI in trauma is associated with significant mortality and morbidity even when patients are treated appropriately.
-
The American surgeon · May 2011
Comparative StudyRisk factors for delirium in trauma patients: the impact of ethanol use and lack of insurance.
The purpose of this study was to examine independent risk factors, and in particular the impact of alcohol on the development of delirium, in a cohort of trauma patients screened for ethanol ingestion on admission to hospital. The National Trauma Databank (v. 7.0) was used to identify all patients 18 years or older screened for ethanol on admission. Patients who developed delirium were compared with those who did not. ⋯ The incidence of delirium in this trauma patient cohort was 0.6 per cent. The above risk factors were independently associated with the development of delirium. This data may be helpful in designing interventions to prevent delirium.
-
The American surgeon · May 2011
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyRandomized objective comparison of live tissue training versus simulators for emergency procedures.
There is a lack of objective analysis comparing live tissue and simulator training. This article aims to objectively determine the difference in outcomes. Twenty-four Air Force volunteers without prior experience performing emergency procedures were randomly assigned to receive training in tube thoracostomy (chest tube) and cricothyroidotomy training on either a pig model (Sus scrofa domestica) or on the TraumaMan simulator. ⋯ Success rate of chest tube placement was 92 per cent in the animal group and 83 per cent in the simulator group (P = 1.00). There was no statistically significant difference in chest tube and cricothyroidotomy outcomes or confidence in the groups trained with live animal models or simulators at the 95 per cent confidence interval. Trends suggest a possible difference, but the number of cadavers required to reach greater than 95 per cent statistical confidence prohibited continuation of the study.
-
The American surgeon · May 2011
Comparative StudyTransumbilical laparoscopic-assisted appendectomy: an extracorporeal single-incision alternative to conventional laparoscopic techniques.
Recently the use of a single umbilical incision to perform an appendectomy has been described. The purpose of this study was to review our initial experience with transumbilical laparoscopic-assisted appendectomy (TULAA) in the pediatric population. A retrospective review of all pediatric patients treated for appendicitis over a 10-month period was performed. ⋯ The technique described is cost-effective, because it does not use any special laparoscopes, trocars, or staplers. When performed as described in this study, only a single trocar and a standard laparoscopic setup are required. Cases of advanced appendicitis may require additional trocars or "conversion" to conventional laparoscopic techniques.
-
The American surgeon · May 2011
Seatbelt triad: severe abdominal wall disruption, hollow viscus injury, and major vascular injury.
The triad of seatbelt-related severe abdominal wall disruption, hollow viscus injury, and distal abdominal aortic injury after a motor vehicle collision is uncommon. We present a small case series involving those three clinical features with the goal of preventing a future missed diagnosis of the distal abdominal aortic injury in particular.