Annals of surgery
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Multiple organ failure (MOF) has reached epidemic proportions in most intensive care units and is fast becoming the most common cause of death in the surgical intensive care unit. Furthermore, in spite of the development of successive generations of new and more powerful antibiotics and increasing sophisticated techniques of organ support, our ability to salvage patients once MOF has become established has not appreciably improved over the last two decades. ⋯ To effectively use these new therapeutic options as they become available, it is necessary to have a clear understanding of the pathophysiology of MOF. Thus, the goals of this review are to integrate the vast amount of new information on the basic biology of MOF and to focus special attention on the potential therapeutic consequences of these recent advances in our understanding of this complex and perplexing syndrome.
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Continuous dual oximetry combines pulse and venous oximetry to provide real-time information about oxygen utilization and pulmonary function. The authors undertook this study to examine the accuracy, utility, and limitations of the technique in surgical critical care. Twelve critically ill patients underwent placement of a modified pulmonary artery catheter and a pulse oximeter, both connected to an on-line computer. ⋯ Further, the continuous oxygen extraction ratio (O2EI) and mixed venous oxygen saturation (SpvO2) correlated with the oxygen utilization coefficient (O2EI:r = 0.6, p less than 0.01; SpvO2, r = 0.76, p less than 0.01). Computer modeling of ventilation-perfusion index found limitations in accuracy that occur at high arterial oxygen saturations and when pulse oximetry errors are present. The authors conclude that (1) Continuous dual oximetry offers a significant advantage over routine blood gas analysis for monitoring cardiopulmonary parameters in critically ill patients because of its real-time display; (2) Oximeter-derived determinations parallel traditional parameters; and (3) The most significant technical limitations occur primarily at high arterial saturations and with pulse oximetry errors.
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Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
Efficacy of a single pretransplant donor-specific transfusion and cyclosporin A administered 24 to 48 hours before one-haplotype-mismatched living related donor kidney transplant.
During the 7-year period from March 1984 to June 1991, 86 haploidentical living related kidney recipients were entered into one of three donor-specific transfusion (DST) and cyclosporine treatment protocols: (1) Multiple pretransplant DSTs with cyclosporine begun after transplant, n = 34; (2) Multiple pretransplant DSTs with cyclosporine begun pretransplant, n = 31; and (3) a single DST 24 to 48 hours before transplant with intravenous cyclosporine initiated after the transfusion, n = 21. Triple immunosuppression (prednisone, azathioprine, and cyclosporine) was continued in all groups after transplant. ⋯ It is concluded that a single DST given 24 to 48 hours before operation followed by pretransplant cyclosporine is as effective as classic DST conditioning of recipients using either pretransplant or post-transplant cyclosporine. The single DST protocol has the advantage of not eliminating any donors because of sensitization and was less costly and easier to administer.
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Pancreas transplantation has evolved dramatically since its introduction in 1966. As new centers for transplantation have developed, the evaluation of complications associated with pancreas transplantation has led to advances in surgical technique. Furthermore, surgical alterations of the pancreas resulting from transplantation (systemic release of insulin and denervation) are of unproven consequence on glucose metabolism. ⋯ Mean postoperative HbA1C levels dropped to 5 +/- 1% from 11 +/- 3%. The authors developed a new technique that incorporates portal drainage of the pancreatic venous effluent in three recipients. Preoperative metabolic studies disclosed a mean fasting glucose of 211 +/- 27 mg/dL and a mean stimulated glucose value of 434 +/- 41 mg/dL for all patients; the mean fasting insulin was 23 +/- 4 microU/mL.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Enteral versus parenteral feeding. Effects on septic morbidity after blunt and penetrating abdominal trauma.
To investigate the importance of route of nutrient administration on septic complications after blunt and penetrating trauma, 98 patients with an abdominal trauma index of at least 15 were randomized to either enteral or parenteral feeding within 24 hours of injury. Septic morbidity was defined as pneumonia, intra-abdominal abscess, empyema, line sepsis, or fasciitis with wound dehiscence. Patients were fed formulas with almost identical amounts of fat, carbohydrate, and protein. ⋯ In the subpopulation of patients requiring more than 20 units of blood, sustaining an abdominal trauma index greater than 40 or requiring reoperation within 72 hours, there were significantly fewer infections per patient (p = 0.03) and significantly fewer infections per infected patient (p less than 0.01). There is a significantly lower incidence of septic morbidity in patients fed enterally after blunt and penetrating trauma, with most of the significant changes occurring in the more severely injured patients. The authors recommend that the surgeon obtain enteral access at the time of initial celiotomy to assure an opportunity for enteral delivery of nutrients, particularly in the most severely injured patients.