Impact of self-inflicted injury on nontherapeutic laparotomy in patients with abdominal stab wounds.

INTRODUCTION: Because Japan has high suicide rates and low violent crime rates, it is likely that most abdominal stab wounds (ASWs) in Japan are self-inflicted. Although physical examination is one of the most important factors in surgical decision making, such evaluations can be difficult in patients with self-inflicted ASWs due to patient agitation and uncooperative behavior. Therefore, the self-inflicted nature of an injury may strongly affect clinical practice, particularly in Japan, but its influence remains uncertain. We hypothesized that the rates of exploratory laparotomy and nontherapeutic laparotomy (NTL) would be higher in self-inflicted patients. METHODS: We reviewed ASW patients from 2004 to 2014 in the Japan Trauma Data Bank. The rates of exploratory laparotomy and NTL were compared between self-inflicted and non-self-inflicted ASWs. RESULTS: Of the 1705 eligible patients, 1302 patients (76.4%) had self-inflicted ASWs, and 403 patients (23.6%) had non-self-inflicted ASWs. Self-inflicted patients had a significantly higher rate of psychiatric history, but lower injury severity. The in-hospital mortality rate was similar between the two groups (4.5% vs. 5.2%, p = 0.576). Self-inflicted patients had significantly higher rates of exploratory laparotomy and NTL (69.1% vs. 56.7%, p < 0.001, 22.5% vs. 13.6%, p = 0.03, respectively). Self-inflicted patients were also associated with significantly longer hospital stays (10.0 [5.0-21.0] vs. 9.0 [4.0-18.0] days, P = 0.045). In a multivariable analysis, self-inflicted patients were independently associated with exploratory laparotomy (odds ratio [OR], 2.05; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.55-2.72) and NTL (OR, 1.61; 95% CI: 1.01-2.56). CONCLUSION: ASWs in Japan were predominantly self-inflicted. The clinical patterns of self-inflicted ASWs had some unique features. Patients with self-inflicted ASWs had higher rates of laparotomy and NTL. Further studies are needed to develop a useful protocol specific to self-inflicted ASWs.

Acute Surgical Decision-Making in Abdominal Trauma Is Not Altered by Race or Socioeconomic Status.

Two main procedures are performed on patients suffering from colonic perforation, diverting colostomy and primary tissue repair. We investigated patient race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status (SES) that predicted surgical outcomes after blunt or penetrating trauma. A retrospective analysis was performed using data from the National Trauma Data Bank for three years (2013-2015). We identified patients who presented with primary colonic injury and subsequent colon operation (n = 5431). Operations were grouped into three classes: colostomy, ileostomy, and nonostomy. Multiple linear and logistic regressions were performed to assess how race and insurance status are associated with the primary outcome of interest (ostomy formation) and secondary outcomes such as length of stay, time spent in ICU, and surgical site infection. Neither race/ethnicity nor insurance status proved to be reliable predictors for the formation of an ostomy. Patients who received either a colostomy or ileostomy were likely to have longer stays (OR [odds ratio]: 5.28; 95% CI [confidence interval]: 3.88-6.69) (OR: 11.24; 95% CI: 8.53-13.95), more time spent in ICU (2.73; 1.70-3.76) (7.98; 6.10-9.87), and increased risk for surgical site infection (1.32; 1.03-1.68) (2.54; 1.71-3.78). Race/ethnicity and SES were not reliable predictors for surgical decision-making on the formation of an ostomy after blunt and penetrating colonic injury. However, the severity of the injury as calculated by Injury Severity Score and the number of abdominal injuries were both associated with higher rates of colostomy and ileostomy. These data suggest that surgical decision-making is dependent on perioperative patient presentation and, not on race, ethnicity, or SES.

[Features of diagnostic and surgical tactics for suicidal and autoaggressive thoracic and abdominal lesions]. / Osobennosti diagnostiki i khirurgicheskoi taktiki pri povrezhdeniiakh grudi i zhivota vsledstvie suitsidal'nykh i autoagressivnykh deistvii.

AIM: To analyze diagnostic and surgical tactics for suicidal and autoaggressive thoracic and abdominal lesions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We have analyzed the features of emergency surgical care depending on type of patients' behavior at admission. There were 516 patients with suicidal and autoaggressive thoracic and abdominal lesions. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Depressive (34%) and adequate (46%) patients were examined routinely. Inadequate (aggressive) behavior is inappropriate for instrumental examination while medical sedation may be followed by significant hemodynamic disorders in patients with severe lesions. It was noted that indications for explorative surgery should be expanded in these patients and administration of sedatives should be combined with induction of general anesthesia. CONCLUSION: Severity of trauma and type of surgery affect mental state dynamics while the kind of psychopathy influences postoperative period course.

Foreign bodies in the sigmoid colon of a psychiatric patient following self-mutilation: a case report.

BACKGROUND: The act of deliberate injury to one's own body without the help of others is a well-known phenomenon in psychiatric patients. Insertion of foreign bodies into one or more orifices is not uncommon but insertion into a body cavity or the gastrointestinal tract by self-inflicted injury is quite rare. CASE PRESENTATION: A 32-year-old Ethiopian psychiatric patient presented with left lower abdominal pain of three months' duration following the insertion of foreign bodies via a self-inflicted wound in the left lower quadrant of his abdomen. Radiological evaluation demonstrated the presence of foreign bodies. A laparotomy revealed two metallic and three wooden materials in his sigmoid colon and a hole in his sigmoid that was tightly sealed with omentum. The foreign bodies were successfully removed, the hole was closed primarily, and our patient was discharged uneventfully. CONCLUSIONS: This case illustrates that a foreign body can be inserted into the colon through a self-inflicted wound in psychiatric patients, and patients may present months later without having developed generalized peritonitis.

Complicated alcohol withdrawal presenting as self mutilation.

Self-mutilation has been defined as deliberate self injury to body tissue without the intent to die. There has been an association between substance abuse and self mutilation. Alcoholic hallucinosis is usually in auditory modality and regarded as harmless. But patients can indulge in self harm behavior when the hallucinosis is commanding type. We are presenting a case in which the patient inflicted multiple stab injury to his own abdomen in response to alcoholic hallucinosis. This has clinical implication to enquire about substance abuse in patients presenting to emergency setting.

Staged abdominal repairs reduce long-term quality of life.

INTRODUCTION: Damage control surgery increasingly requires serial operations and a staged abdominal repair (STAR) for ultimate abdominal closure. The effects of multiple operations on quality of life are unknown. We hypothesized that this population of patients had a lower quality of life than the general U.S. population. METHODS: Patients requiring STAR for general surgical and trauma diagnoses during a 5-year period from January 2002 to December 2006 were identified from the operative database of a single institution. Demographic, illness, and injury information were obtained from record review. Survivors were 3-7 years from their hospitalization for STAR when they were contacted and the SF-12v2 was administered by phone. The physical (PCS) and mental component (MCS) scores were calculated and compared to US population norms and a population of trauma patients. The non-STAR trauma population completed the SF-12v2 six months after injury. RESULTS: A total of 27 patients with a mean age of 46.5 years (SD = 15.9) participated in the survey. The participants were interviewed a median of 4.7 years after injury. The mechanism of injury included 8 (29.6%) general surgical causes including 4 perforated viscus, 3 intra-abdominal infections, and 1 wound dehiscence from a urological procedure. The remaining 19 (70.4%) were trauma-related, including 13 blunt and 6 penetrating injuries. Patients who had undergone a STAR procedure reported lower levels of physical quality of life [z = -15.42, p<0.001] and mental quality of life [z = -6.79, p<0.001] compared to population norms for healthy adults. Also, STAR patients reported lower physical [z = -2.22, p<0.05] and mental [z = -2.59, p<0.05] quality of life as the non-STAR trauma group. DISCUSSION: The number of patients undergoing STAR for a variety of reasons is increasing. Measurements of quality of life of STAR patients show that quality of life is reduced compared to a healthy U.S. adult population and to non-STAR trauma patients. CONCLUSIONS: The significant impact of severe abdominal injuries continues to affect the physical and mental health of patients years later. Injuries of this type are associated with lower quality of life than those observed in patients experiencing non-STAR trauma.

[Injuries of neck, thorax and abdomen due to suicide or aggressive actions].

288 patients were treated for suicide or auto-aggressive injuries of neck, thorax and abdomen, which amounted 12,8% of all patients with injuries of such localization. Able-bodied men with prolonged depressive disorders pre-dominated among them. Neck injuries were observed in 21,5%, thorax injuries - in 25,7%, abdominal injuries - in 33,7% of patients. Combined injuries of neck, thorax and abdomen were the most hard for surgical treatment (19,1%). Types of injuries and severity of clinical course in postoperative period depends on character and intensity of psychic disorders.

[A combined medical-psychiatric unit for the management of complex cases]. / L'UPHA, une unité médico-psychiatrique pour la prise en charge des cas complexes.

The management of patients with coexisting medical and psychiatric disorders constitutes a serious challenge for the hospital team in charge of their care. Medical teams working in traditional hospital settings often find themselves ill-equipped when faced with the complex care needs of such patients. This article describes a unit at the University Hospital of Geneva specifically designed to manage the care of patients with combined medical and psychiatric disorders. It discusses the comprehensive management of such patients using clinical vignettes.

Patients with isolated musculoskeletal trauma have lower mental status scores.

UNLABELLED: The subjective concerns and needs of patients who have experienced trauma are important to recovery. However, the mental status of patients with isolated musculoskeletal trauma is not known. Is the mental status of such patients different and does the severity, site, and type of trauma affect this difference? We evaluated the mental status of 195 patients hospitalized for isolated musculoskeletal trauma and determined the characteristics of the factors that affect mental status; 197 patients hospitalized for elective surgery and not exposed to acute trauma constituted the control group. We administered the Mini-Mental State Examination to study and control groups within the first 24 hours of hospitalization. Age, gender, and educational status in the study and control groups were recorded. In addition, the severity, site, and type of trauma in the study group were recorded. Mini-Mental State Examination scores of the trauma group were lower than those of the control group. Mini-Mental State Examination scores decreased with increasing trauma severity. The mental status of the patients sustaining isolated musculoskeletal trauma was affected by the severity, site, and type of trauma. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level I, prognostic study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Self-inflicted abdominal stab wounds.

BACKGROUND: Self-inflicted abdominal stab wounds (ASWs) are uncommon. The present study aims to characterize the clinical profile of this unique group of psychiatric-surgical patients. METHODS: A retrospective review of 23 patients with intentional self-inflicted ASWs at two urban level I trauma centres during a 10-year period. RESULTS: Most patients were males (70%), ages ranging from 21 to 82 years (mean 40 years). Seventy-four percent of patients had a previous psychiatric history and prior suicide attempts were common (41%). Half of the patients had a positive admission drug or alcohol screen. Hypotension (systolic blood pressure (SBP) < 90 mmHg) was present in only two patients. Mean injury severity, revised trauma and Glasgow coma scores were 5.8, 7.7 and 14.5, respectively. The most commonly used instrument was a knife (87%). There were 1.5 external wounds per patient located primarily in the right upper quadrant (40%) and right lower quadrant (23%). These were associated with extra-abdominal wounds in 22% of cases. Local wound exploration was positive in 15 patients (65%), who all underwent laparotomy. Injured intra-abdominal or retroperitoneal organs were identified in 10 patients and included the stomach, duodenum, small bowel, colon, mesentery, inferior vena cava (IVC) and psoas muscle with a mean of 1.7 injuries per patient. Wound infection was the only post-operative complication (two patients). All eight patients with a negative local wound exploration were observed without complication. Seventy percent of patients were ultimately transferred to a psychiatric ward with a mean length of stay on the surgical service of 8 days. Only one patient died during admission due to metastatic malignant disease. CONCLUSION: Self-inflicted ASWs in suicidal patients can induce significant although most likely non-lethal abdominal and retroperitoneal injuries. This observation should guide the trauma surgeon when treating such patients.

Risk factors for pediatric posttraumatic stress disorder after traumatic injury.

The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors that may be predictive of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in children after a traumatic injury. The study was a retrospective review of data collected from 337 pediatric trauma patients treated in a multidisicplinary outpatient clinic. Results from Chi-square and t-test analyses indicated that gender, ethnicity, age, and injury severity were not risk factors for PTSD. However, mechanism of injury, specifically a gun shot wound (p =.001), was associated with development of PTSD, as was body area of injury, specifically the abdomen (p =.001). Psychiatric screening of patients with gun shot wounds and wounds to the abdomen may help with the early identification and treatment of PTSD.

[Occupation-specific mode of self injury within the scope of a fictitious assault]. / Berufsbezogene Vorgangsweise bei Selbstverletzung im Rahmen eines fingierten Uberfalls.

In typical cases self-inflicted injuries in fictitious offences show a characteristic pattern of findings with multiple, uniform, and mostly superficial skin lesions. If the actors possess special experiences, knowledge or instruments--particularly in the field of medicine--the injuries inflicted by themselves may have an appearance whose autoaggressive origin is less obvious. The case of a 43-year-old nurse is reported who was admitted for surgical treatment with two cuts in the abdomen extending into the subcutis; she pretended to have been attacked by 2 masked men who stabbed her for xenophobic motives. In reality she had inflicted the cuts upon herself after applying a local anaesthetic. The necessary equipment (Scandicain, disposable syringes, stitch cutter) was taken from her place of work. Self-inflicted injuries specific to medical professions, as well as fictitious offences with atypical cut- and stab-wounds and the insinuated motives of the alleged offenders are discussed.

[Aspects relevant for abdominal surgery of attempted suicide]. / Abdominalchirurgisch relevante Aspekte des Suizidversuchs.

In this retrospective study of 24 patients who were treated at our clinic during the last 22 years after having attempted suicide, we evaluated aspects concerning abdominal- and transplantation surgery. There was a predominance of "hard" (70%) versus "soft" (30%) methods for suicide attempt. Intra-abdominal injuries resulting from attempted suicide by stabbing or shooting should lead to laparotomy-the prognosis is then good. Surgical treatment after intoxication, especially caustic ingestion, depends on endoscopic and clinical findings. The highly increased rates of suicide in patients with end-stage renal disease can be reduced significantly by kidney transplantation. The risk of suicide after transplantation is further diminished with improved immunosuppressive treatment. Only in a few cases there is an indication for liver transplantation-in some cases of fulminant hepatic failure caused by self-administered paracetamol overdose. Auxiliary liver transplantation may then be considered.

Genital self-amputation and the Klingsor syndrome.

Two psychotic individuals, who performed acts of genital self-amputation, are presented. One of the patients had self-mutilated with the intention of suicide and had also in the past amputated his hand. Psychotic patients with delusions (often religious), sexual conflict associated with guilt, past suicide attempts or other self-destructive behaviour and depression, severe childhood deprivation, and major premorbid personality disorder, are the group at risk for genital self-amputation. It has been proposed that the eponym, the "Klingsor" syndrome, be applied only to acts of genital self-mutation, involving religious delusions. The author suggests that this syndrome should be expanded to include all cases of genital self-mutation resulting from a psychotic illness.