The Journal of surgical research
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Identification of occult shock (OS) or hypoperfusion is critical in the initial management of trauma patients. Analysis of inferior vena cava (IVC) ratio on computed tomography (CT) scan has shown promise in predicting intravascular volume. We hypothesized that a flat IVC is a predictor of OS and associated with worse outcomes in major trauma patients. ⋯ A flat IVC on CT is an accurate marker for OS in major trauma victims and may help stratify patients who require more aggressive resuscitation, monitoring, and support.
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We evaluated an "open lung" ventilation (OV) strategy using low tidal volumes, low respiratory rate, low FiO2, and high continuous positive airway pressure in patients undergoing major lung resections. ⋯ The OV strategy, previously shown to have benefits during mechanical ventilation of patients with respiratory failure, proved safe and effective in lung resection patients. Because postoperative pulmonary complications may be directly attributable to the anesthetic management, adopting an OV strategy that optimizes lung mechanics and gas exchange may help reduce postoperative problems and improve overall surgical results. A randomized trial is planned to ascertain whether this technique will reduce postoperative pulmonary complications.
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We sought to assess the independent effect of concomitant adhesions (CAs) on patient outcome in abdominal surgery. ⋯ CAs significantly increase morbidity in abdominal surgery. Risk adjusting for the presence of adhesions is crucial in any efforts aimed at quality assessment and/or benchmarking of abdominal surgery.
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Observational Study
The incidence and risk factors of gastrointestinal complications after hepatectomy: a retrospective observational study of 1329 consecutive patients in a single center.
Despite of the importance of gastrointestinal (GI) complications in morbidity and mortality after major and moderate surgeries, it is not yet specifically studied in patients undergoing hepatectomy. This study was aimed to investigate the in-hospital incidence and potential risk factors of GI complications after open hepatectomy in our hospital. ⋯ The incidence of GI complications after hepatectomy is high, which is related to an increase of other complications and a prolonged hospital stay. Avoidance of routinely use of Pringle maneuver and shortening the duration of anesthesia are important measures to reduce the postoperative GI complications.
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Sternal reconstruction with vascularized flaps is central to the management of sternal wound infections and mediastinitis but carries a high risk of complications. There is a need to identify reliable predictors of complication risk to help inform patients and clinicians in preparation for surgery. Unfortunately, body mass index and serum albumin may not be reliable predictors of complication rates. Analytic morphomics provides a robust quantitative method to measure patients' obesity as it pertains to their risk of complications in undergoing sternal reconstruction. ⋯ Increases in abdominal morphomic measurements correlate strongly with the incidence of complications in patients undergoing sternal reconstruction. This finding may influence preoperative risk stratification and surgical decision making in this patient population.