The American surgeon
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The American surgeon · Oct 2012
Closed-suction drain placement at laparotomy in isolated solid organ injury is not associated with decreased risk of deep surgical site infection.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of intra-abdominal closed-suction drainage after emergent trauma laparotomy for isolated solid organ injuries (iSOI) and to determine its association with deep surgical site infections (DSSI). All patients subjected to trauma laparotomy between January 2006 and December 2008 for an iSOI at two Level I urban trauma centers were identified. Patients with isolated hepatic, splenic, or renal injuries were included. ⋯ Subgroup analysis demonstrated those who sustained severe hepatic injury receiving a drain had a significantly increase risk of DSSI (P=0.02). There was no statistical difference in the rate of DSSI based on the presence or absence of an intra-abdominal drain after severe splenic injury (17 vs 18%, P=0.88). The use of intra-abdominal closed-suction drains after iSOI is not associated with decreased risk of DSSI.
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The American surgeon · Oct 2012
The current role of magnetic resonance imaging for diagnosing cervical spine injury in blunt trauma patients with negative computed tomography scan.
Clearance of cervical spine (CS) precautions in the neurologically altered blunt trauma patient can be difficult. Physical examination is not reliable, and although computed tomography (CT) may reveal no evidence of fracture, it is generally believed to be an inferior modality for assessing ligamentous and cord injuries. However, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is expensive and may be risky in critically ill patients. ⋯ Although use of the single-slice scanner was significantly associated with MRI findings (odds ratio, 2.62; P=0.023), no significant clinical risk factors were identified. Patients with MRI findings were heterogeneous in terms of age, mechanism, and Injury Severity Score. We conclude that CS MRI continues play a vital role in the workup of neurologically altered patients.
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The American surgeon · Oct 2012
A simple algorithm for drain management after pancreaticoduodenectomy.
Pancreatic fistula (PF) continues to be the Achilles' heel of pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) with both morbidity and mortality linked to its occurrence. The optimal drain management strategy after PD remains unclear. We evaluated drain amylase (DA) levels on postoperative Day (POD) 0 to 5 in 76 consecutive patients undergoing PD to determine the patterns associated with PF. ⋯ Overall, the temporal pattern of decreasing DA levels after PD correlates closely with the risk of PF, and only two patients (5%) developed PF after early DA levels had normalized. Based on these data, we propose an algorithm of monitoring DA daily with drain removal when the level is less than 100 U/L. In our patient group drain removal would have occurred on a mean of 1.8 days and median 1 day after surgery.
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The American surgeon · Sep 2012
Low-volume resuscitation for severe intraoperative hemorrhage: a step in the right direction.
The impact on outcomes resulting from crystalloids used with hemostatic close ratio resuscitation (HCRR) in intraoperative hemorrhage (IOH) has not been analyzed. We hypothesize a survival advantage in patients with IOH managed with a low-volume resuscitation (LVR) protocol during HCRR. A 4-year case-control study was conducted to determine the impact on mortality of LVR versus conventional resuscitation efforts (CRE) during HCRR. ⋯ This is the first civilian study to analyze the impact of LVR in patients managed with HCRR during IOH. Patients with IOH managed with HCRR and a predefined LVR protocol with Hextend® and 3 per cent hypertonic saline had an overall survival advantage and shorter trauma intensive care unit length of stay. LVR can be an effective alternative to CRE when used in combination with HCRR in patients with IOH.
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The American surgeon · Sep 2012
Midterm impact of sleeve gastrectomy, calibrated with a 50-Fr bougie, on weight loss, glucose homeostasis, lipid profiles, and comorbidities in morbidly obese patients.
Bariatric surgery has been shown to be effective in achieving and maintaining weight change and reducing obesity-related comorbidities. Recent reports have shown that sleeve gastrectomy could have similar resolution rates of the metabolic syndrome than Roux-Y bypass after a short-term follow-up of 1 year. Most surgeons calibrate the sleeve with 32-Fr to 40-Fr bougies. ⋯ Triglyceride levels decreased 3 months after surgery (mean reduction of 54.4 mg/dL; 95% CI, 22.8 to 86.1; P = 0.004). High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol increased significantly after 12 months (increase of 16.7 mg/dL; 95% CI, 11.7 to 21.7; P < 0.001). The changes observed were maintained 24 months after surgery. Sleeve gastrectomy, calibrated with a 50-Fr bougie, significantly reduced glucose and triglyceride levels and the cardiovascular risk predictor triglyceride/HDL ratio and increased HDL levels after surgery and maintained them under normal ranges for at least 2 years.