The American surgeon
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Early diagnosis remains the cornerstone of management of Fournier's gangrene. As a result of variable progression of disease, identifying early predictors of necrosis becomes a diagnostic challenge. We present a scoring system based on objective admission criteria, which can help distinguish Fournier's gangrene from nonnecrotizing scrotal infections. ⋯ Only 34.2 per cent of patients with Fournier's gangrene had hard signs of necrotizing infection on admission, which were not observed in patients with nonnecrotizing infections. Objective admission criteria assist in distinguishing Fournier's gangrene from scrotal cellulitis or abscess. In situations in which results of the physical examination are ambiguous, this scoring system can heighten the index of suspicion for Fournier's gangrene and prompt rapid surgical intervention.
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The American surgeon · Oct 2014
Comparative StudyMucinous cystic neoplasms of the pancreas: are we overestimating malignant potential?
Surgical resection is recommended for all mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCNs) of the pancreas as a result of: 1) lack of an accurate tumor marker for invasive cancer; 2) young age at diagnosis; and 3) historical studies revealing 36 per cent incidence of malignancy in resected lesions. This study compares the clinicopathologic and prognostic features of our series of resected MCNs to recent studies using the current International Association of Pancreatology (IAP) system. Thirty-eight resected MCNs were identified. ⋯ Comparison of the five high-grade (HG, 13.2%) and 33 low-grade (86.8%) MCNs revealed that 1) patients were similar in age (55.0 vs 52.0 years, respectively) and 2) HG lesions were significantly larger on preoperative imaging (9.9 vs 3.5 cm) and final pathology (10.9 vs 3.5 cm). These data, taken together with five recent studies that adhere to the 2012 IAP criteria (385 total MCNs), reveal that a cutoff of less than 3 cm without mural nodules would have only missed one (0.26%) HG lesion. Surveillance of these lesions may be appropriate for some patients.
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The American surgeon · Oct 2014
Clinical TrialDefining early trauma-induced coagulopathy using thromboelastography.
Early trauma-induced coagulopathy (ETIC) is abnormal coagulation detected on presentation, but a clear description is lacking. We used thromboelastography (TEG) to characterize ETIC. Data were prospectively collected on high-acuity trauma activations at an urban Level I trauma center between July 2012 and May 2013. ⋯ There were no differences in any TEG parameters between the injury severity groups. Hyperfibrinolysis was detected in four (8%) patients. ETIC was present in over 80 per cent of high-acuity trauma activations irrespective of injury severity and characterized primarily by shortened R time, indicating ETIC is initially described by a hypercoagulable state as a result of thrombin generation.
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The American surgeon · Oct 2014
Comparative StudyOutcome of abdominal wall hernia repair with biologic mesh: Permacol™ versus Strattice™.
The use of biologic mesh in abdominal wall operations has gained popularity despite a paucity of outcome data. Numerous biologic products are available with virtually no clinical comparison studies. A retrospective study was conducted to compare patients who underwent abdominal wall hernia repair with Permacol™ (crosslinked porcine dermis) and Strattice™ (noncrosslinked porcine dermis). ⋯ Short-term complication and recurrence rates were higher when mesh was used as a fascial bridge: 51 versus 28 per cent for Permacol™, 58 versus 20 per cent for Strattice™. The hernia recurrence was similar in both groups. In this review of patients undergoing abdominal hernia repair with biologic mesh, Strattice™ mesh was associated with a lower short-term complication rate compared with Permacol™, but the hernia recurrence rate was similar.
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The American surgeon · Sep 2014
Anastomotic leaks after colorectal anastomosis occurring more than 30 days postoperatively: a single-institution evaluation.
National hospital registries only report colorectal anastomotic leaks (ALs) within 30 days postoperatively. The aim of our study was to determine the incidence and significance of ALs that occur beyond 30 days postoperatively. We performed a retrospective review of our prospective database from June 2008 to August 2012. ⋯ Colorectal anastomotic leaks can occur after the 30-day postoperative period. In patients with vague and atypical abdominal findings, anastomotic leak must be suspected. More systematic, prospective studies are required to help us further understand the risk factors and natural history of anastomotic failures in elective colorectal surgery.