The American surgeon
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The American surgeon · Mar 2005
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialSplanchnic hypoperfusion-directed therapies in trauma: a prospective, randomized trial.
Splanchnic hypoperfusion as reflected by gastric intramucosal acidosis has been recognized as an important determinant of outcome in shock. A comprehensive splanchnic hypoperfusion-ischemia reperfusion (IRP) protocol was evaluated against conventional shock management protocols in critical trauma patients. The study was a prospective randomized trial comparing three therapeutic approaches to hypoperfusion after severe trauma in 151 trauma patients admitted to the intensive care unit. ⋯ The three groups were similar based on age, Injury Severity Score, and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II Scores. There were no statistically significant differences in mortality rates, organ dysfunction, ventilator days, or length of stay between any of the interventions. Techniques of optimization of splanchnic perfusion and minimization of oxidant-mediated reperfusion injury evaluated in this study were not advantageous relative to standard resuscitation measures guided by conventional or tonometric measures of hypoperfusion in the therapy of occult and clinical shock in trauma patients.
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The American surgeon · Mar 2005
Comparative StudyA burn mass casualty event due to boiler room explosion on a cruise ship: preparedness and outcomes.
The purpose of this study was to review our experience with a mass casualty incident resulting from a boiler room steam explosion aboard a cruise ship. Experience with major, moderate, and minor burns, steam inhalation, mass casualty response systems, and psychological sequelae will be discussed. Fifteen cruise ship employees were brought to the burn center after a boiler room explosion on a cruise ship. ⋯ Fluid requirements far exceeded those predicted by the Parkland (Baxter) formula. Abdominal compartment syndrome proved to be a significant complication of this fluid resuscitation. A coordinated effort by the facility and preparation for mass casualty events are needed to respond to such events.
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The American surgeon · Mar 2005
Case ReportsDiverticular abscess presenting as an incarcerated inguinal hernia.
Acute diverticulitis may present with an abscess that is usually pericolonic or pelvic and can be treated with urgent surgery or percutaneous drainage. We present a case of a diverticular abscess presenting as a left inguinal hernia. This is analogous to an Amyand's hernia in which an inflamed appendix is found in a right inguinal hernia. The patient presented was managed with open drainage of the hernia and subsequent laparoscopic sigmoid resection in the same hospitalization.
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The American surgeon · Mar 2005
Comparative StudySurgical complications and causes of death in trauma patients that require temporary abdominal closure.
Temporary abdominal closure (TAC) has increasingly been employed in the management of severely injured patients to avoid abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) and as part of damage control surgery (DCS). Although the use of TAC has received great interest, few data exist describing the morbidity and mortality associated with its use in trauma victims. The main goal of this study is to describe the incidence of surgical complications following the use of TAC as well as to define the mortality associated with this procedure. ⋯ The incidence of surgical complications was 26.6 per cent. Intra-abdominal abscesses were the most frequent surgical complication (10%). After multiple logistic regression analysis, increasing age and a numerically greater initial base deficit were found to be independent predictors of mortality in trauma patients that require TAC.
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The American surgeon · Feb 2005
Admission preoperative glucose is predictive of morbidity and mortality in trauma patients who require immediate operative intervention.
Although there have been reports in the surgical literature regarding the negative effects of preoperative hyperglycemia on outcome, the impact of elevated preoperative serum glucose levels in trauma patients is unknown. Our objectives were to determine whether preoperative hyperglycemia was associated with a greater morbidity and mortality in trauma patients who underwent surgical intervention upon admission. Prospective data was collected on 252 consecutive nondiabetic trauma patients admitted for > or =3 days who went directly to the OR from the resuscitation area. ⋯ Patients with elevated serum glucose had a significantly greater incidence of infection, HLOS, ILOS, and mortality matched per age and ISS. Elevated serum glucose on admission is an accurate predictor of postoperative infection, HLOS, ILOS, and mortality. A randomized prospective trial evaluating the impact of preoperative glucose control is warranted.