J Trauma
-
An unusual case of traumatic false aneurysm following a puncture wound in the hand of a hemophiliac, despite Factor VIII replacement, demonstrates the necessity for careful evaluation of such patients when there is profuse and continued bleeding. Following surgical repair of the false aneurysm and the ulnar proper digital nerve of the thumb 17 days postinjury the patient had an uncomplicated recovery. Partial arterial laceration, the underlying pathology of this lesion, may be demonstrated by arteriography or surgical exploration.
-
The burn eschar is the major source of infection in the severely burned patient, and it hampers healing and prevents skin grafting. Tangenital excision has been shown to be safe for rapid removal of the eschar. For the last 14 months we have used this method beginning about 7 days postinjury. ⋯ The burns ranged from 20 to 75% of body surface (mean, 40%). Because ketamine is a cardiorespiratory stimulant, ventilation and vital signs were well maintained. Psychological side effects of ketamine were minimal, particularly in the younger age group.
-
A case of meralgia paresthetica with severe skin reaction following trauma to the anterolateral aspect of the thigh is presented. Relief of the patients' symptoms was achieved by neurolysis of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve.
-
To investigate alterations in host defense produced by trauma, skin testing with five standard recall antigens was done on admission and weekly on 53 patients with blunt trauma and seven with penetrating missile injuries, who then were classified as normal (N), 2 or more positive responses; relatively anergic (RA), one positive response; or anergic (A), no response. Neutrophil chemotaxis was tested 145 times in 32 patients. Degree of injury was assessed by assigning one point to pelvic fracture, long-bone fracture, head, chest, or abdominal injury, to a maximum of five. ⋯ Neutrophil chemotaxis in A and RA patients was significantly (p less than 0.001) worse at 96.7 +/- 2.4 mu and 99.8 +/- 1.7 mu compared to N, 113.2 +/- 1.7 mu, and controls 121 +/- 4 mu. With recovery, chemotaxis returned to normal. It is concluded that failure of delayed hypersensitivity responses follows trauma, is related to the severity of injury and age of patient, and is associated with an abnormality of neutrophil chemotaxis and increased rate of sepsis.