Association between preoperative appendiceal histology grade and Pseudomyxoma peritonei grade offers a solution to avoid right hemicolectomy during cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC.

INTRODUCTION & OBJECTIVES: Treatment of PMP consists of appendectomy, cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and HIPEC. Right-sided hemicolectomy is necessary only when PMP is high grade, given the lymphatic invasion risk. To date, no single preoperative factor was identified as predictive of PMP grade. MATERIALS & METHODS: Preoperative factors of a prospective cohort study on PMP were retrospectively analyzed, in order to identify situations linked with high or low grade appendiceal PMP. The main outcome was PMP grade on definitive histology after CRS. RESULTS: n = 105. In univariate analysis, the grade of the appendiceal tumor, systematically reviewed in an expert center, showed an OR of 25.00 (95 % CI: 3.30-189.27; p = 0.001) and an NPV of 93.75 [85.36, 100]. Peritoneal biopsy demonstrated an OR of 19.80 (95 % CI: 2.30-170.71; p = 0.002) and a PPV of 90 [71.41, 100]. In multivariate analysis, these two factors remained significantly associated with PMP grade. CONCLUSION: Whenever appendiceal tumor is low grade on preoperative histology, the colon has to be spared unless completeness of CRS is compromised, which is a high-grade feature in fact. In case of high grade appendiceal tumor and/or peritoneal biopsy, right-sided hemicolectomy is warranted. If no histology is available preoperatively, adapt to intraoperative lesions as no preoperative factors seem to be predictive.

Effectiveness of a specific trauma training on war-related truncal injury management: A pre-post study.

BACKGROUND: Non-Compressible Torso Hemorrhage (NCTH) is the leading cause of preventable death in combat casualty care. To enhance the French military surgeons' preparedness, the French Military Health Service designed the Advanced Course for Deployment Surgery (ACDS) in 2008. This study evaluates behavioral changes in war surgery practice since its implementation. METHODS: Data were extracted from the OPEX® registry, which recorded all surgical activity during deployment from 2003 to 2021. All patients treated in French Role 2 or 3 Medical Treatment Facilities (MTFs) deployed in Afghanistan, Mali, or Chad requiring emergency surgery for NCTH were included. The mechanism of injury, severity, and surgical procedures were noted. Surgical care produced before (Control group) and after the implementation of the ACDS course (ACDS group) were compared. RESULTS: We included 189 trauma patients; 99 in the ACDS group and 90 in the Control group. Most injuries were combat-related (88 % of the ACDS and 82 % of the Control group). The ACDS group had more polytrauma (42% vs. 27 %; p= 0.034) and more e-FAST detailed patients (35% vs. 21 %; p= 0.044). Basics in surgical trauma care were similar between both groups, with a tendency in the ACDS group toward less digestive diversion (n= 6 [6 %] vs. n= 12 [13 %]; p= 0.128), more temporary closure with abdominal packing (n= 17 [17 %] vs. n= 10 [11 %]; p= 0.327), and less re-operation for bleeding (n= 0 [0 %] vs. n= 5 [6 %]; p= 0.046). CONCLUSION: The French model of war trauma course succeeded in keeping specialized surgeons aware of the basics of damage control surgery. The main improvements were better use of preoperative imaging and better management of seriously injured patients.

Oncological outcomes and hospitalization cost of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) open and closed abdomen techniques: Results from two French expert centers.

BACKGROUND: Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) associated with CC0 excision is performed using either an open (OPEN_HIPEC) or closed abdominal technique (CLOSED_HIPEC). However, little data is available on the costs of this treatment, as there is no code for HIPEC in the French Classification of Medical Acts. Oncological outcomes and the mean cost of hospitalization were compared. METHODS: Between 2017 and 2021, 144 patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis (all etiologies) were included (OPEN_HIPEC, n = 70; CLOSED_HIPEC, n = 74) in this retrospective two-center study. Morbi-mortality, overall survival (OS), recurrence-free-survival (RFS) and mean cost of hospitalization were compared. RESULTS: The median OS and RFS were 71.3 months [63-71.5] and 26.8 months [20-35.3] respectively, and were similar for both techniques; and after stratification by histology. Multivariate analysis adjusted on PCI score of OS identified mitomycin as a protective factor (HR = 0.31 [0.10-0.90], p = 0.032) and ASA score>2 (HR = 2.32 [1.32- 4.06], p = 0.003) and number of resection (HR = 1.21 [1.06-1.39], p = 0.006) as a risk factors of RFS. Complication rates at day 30 were similar between OPEN and CLOSED_HIPEC, 31 (44.3 %) vs 42 (56.8 %); p = 0.135. OPEN_HIPEC had more severe complications (11 (35.5 %) vs 6 (14.3 %); p = 0.034). The mean cost of hospitalization was estimated as €15,627 for OPEN_HIPEC and €14,211 for CLOSED_HIPEC for a mean length-of-stay of 12.7 and 16.7 days respectively. The mean amount received by the hospital per hospitalization was estimated at €16,399 and €15,536 respectively. CONCLUSIONS: OS and RFS were similar for open and closed HIPEC. Severe complications at day 30 were more frequent in OPEN_HIPEC group. The amount received by hospital for both HIPEC techniques is sufficient.

Reasons for stopping Pressurized IntraPeritoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy (PIPAC): A retrospective study to improve future patient selection.

To improve the prognosis and maintain quality of life in patients with peritoneal metastasis (PM), a novel treatment has been introduced-pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC). The majority of teams propose at least 3 PIPAC procedures. However, for many patients PIPAC is stopped after only one or two procedures. The aim of this study was to identify the reasons for stopping PIPAC after only one or two procedures and to establish a profile of poor candidates. This retrospective, multicenter cohort study included all patients who underwent PIPAC in three French expert centers between 2015 and 2021. A total of 268 PIPAC procedures were performed in 89 patients. Of them, 48.3% of patients underwent fewer than three procedures: 28.1% had one, 20.2% two and 51.7% three or more PIPAC procedures. The main reason for stopping PIPAC, regardless of the number of procedures, was disease progression, in 55.8% of cases. Other reasons for stopping PIPAC were non-access to the abdominal cavity (7.9%), conversion to cytoreductive surgery (13.5%), post-PIPAC adverse events (7.9%), patients' wishes (10.1%) and death (2.2%). In univariate analysis, patients who received fewer than three PIPACs less frequently had chemotherapy beforehand (91% vs 100%, p = 0.05), less frequently had bimodal treatment (70% vs 87%, p = 0.04), had more ascites (median 80 ml vs 50 ml, p = 0.05) and more frequently had carcinomatosic ascites (48.8% vs 23.9%, p < 0.01). Performing PIPAC alone in chemotherapy-naïve patients with ascites should be avoided.

What should a surgeon know about hidradenitis suppurativa?

Otherwise known as Verneuil's disease, hidradenitis suppurative (HS) is a severe dermatosis of heterogeneous appearance affecting 1% of the population. Its pathophysiology is multifactorial, involving genetic predisposition, inflammatory disorder and environmental elements. Its diagnosis is based on the association of three clinical characteristics: characteristic lesions, typical localizations, and the chronic and recurrent nature of the lesions. Given its diversified aspects, diagnosis can be difficult to achieve. As its manifestations often include abscesses, it is important for the surgeon to know how to detect this pathology. The development of biologics has improved treatment of this disease, treatment that necessitates a multidisciplinary medical and surgical approach involving dermatologists and proctologists as well as surgeons. The objective of this report is to synthesize what a surgeon will need to know so as effectively treat HS patients.

Revisional Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass After Sleeve Gastrectomy for Gastro-esophageal Reflux Disease and or Insufficient Weight-Loss: a Comparative Study.

INTRODUCTION: Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is a popular surgical weight-loss procedure, but there are increasing reports of revisional Roux-Y-gastric-bypass (R-RYGB) to manage weight-loss failure (WLF) or proton pump inhibitor (PPI)-refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) after SG, with little data available in these settings. METHODS: This retrospective study included all consecutive patients undergoing R-RYGB for WLF or RGERD after SG in two bariatric care centers from 2012 to 2018. RESULTS: Of 720 patients, 46 (3.6%) underwent R-RYGB (RGERD, n = 25; 54.4%; WLF, n = 21; 45.6%) within 44.8 ± 27.5 months post-SG. SG had enabled 27% ± 11.6 total weight loss (TWL) in the RGERD group vs. 7.2% ± 12.5% TWL in the WLF group (p < 0.001). At R-RYGB, WLF-group patients had a higher BMI (47.8 ± 8.4 vs. 34.7 ± 6.1 kg/m2; p < 0.001) and a higher number of comorbidities (2.4 ± 1.5 vs 1.5 ± 1.2; p < 0.02) compared to RGERD-group patients, while severe morbidity (Clavien-Dindo ≥ IIIb) was not significantly different between groups (6.5% vs 2.1%, p = 0.6). %TWL was still higher in the RGERD group at 12 months post-R-RYGB (35.6% ± 10.4 vs. 23.8% ± 9.2; p < 0.01) but not after 24 months post-R-RYGB. R-RYGB corrected reflux symptoms in 32 (94%) patients and reduced PPI use in 29 (97%) patients (p < 0.001), with no significant between-group difference. A history of adjustable gastric banding (AGB) (N = 8;17.4%) prior to SG was associated with a similar prevalence of GERD at R-RYGB and a lower %TWL (AGB:13.1 ± 10.2 vs. No AGB:31.6 ± 8.5; p < 0.05) at 3 years post-R-RYGB. CONCLUSION: R-RYGB following SG provides remission of reflux symptoms in 94% of patients and extra weight loss in patients with WLF, except in patients with a history of AGB prior to SG.

Pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy, reasons for interrupting treatment: a systematic review of the literature.

Objectives: Pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC) gives encouraging results in the treatment of peritoneal metastasis (PM). The current recommendations require at least 3 sessions of PIPAC. However, some patients do not complete the full treatment course and stop after only 1 or 2 procedures, hence the limited benefit. A literature review was performed, with search terms including "PIPAC" and "pressurised intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy." Content: Only articles describing the causes for premature termination of the PIPAC treatment were analysed. The systematic search identified 26 published clinical articles related to PIPAC and reporting causes for stopping PIPAC. Summary: The series range from 11 to 144 patients, with a total of 1352 patients treated with PIPAC for various tumours. A total of 3088 PIPAC treatments were performed. The median number of PIPAC treatments per patient was 2.1, the median PCI score at the time of the first PIPAC was 19 and the number of patients who did not complete the recommended 3 sessions of PIPAC was 714 (52.8%). Disease progression was the main reason for early termination of the PIPAC treatment (49.1%). The other causes were death, patients' wishes, adverse events, conversion to curative cytoreductive surgery and other medical reasons (embolism, pulmonary infection, etc…). Outlook: Further investigations are necessary to better understand the causes for interrupting PIPAC treatment and also improving the selection of patients who are most likely to benefit from PIPAC.

A prediction model to refine the timing of an early second-look laparoscopic exploration in patients with colon cancer at high risk of early peritoneal metastasis recurrence.

BACKGROUND: In patients at high risk of peritoneal metastasis (PM) recurrence following surgical treatment of colon cancer (CC), second-look laparoscopic exploration (SLLE) is mandatory; however, the best timing is unknown. We created a tool to refine the timing of early SLLE in patients at high risk of PM recurrence. METHODS: This international cohort study included patients who underwent CC surgery between 2009 and 2020. All patients had PM recurrence. Factors associated with PM-free survival (PMFS) were assessed using Cox regression. The primary endpoint was early PM recurrence defined as a PMFS of <6 months. A model (logistic regression) was fitted and corrected using bootstrap. RESULTS: In total, 235 patients were included. The median PMFS was 13 (IQR, 8-22) months, and 15.7% of the patients experienced an early PM recurrence. Synchronous limited PM and/or ovarian metastasis (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.50; 95% confidence interval [CI]: [1.66-3.78]; p < 0.001) were associated with a very high-risk status requiring SLLE. T4 (HR: 1.47; 95% CI: [1.03-2.11]; p = 0.036), transverse tumor localization (HR: 0.35; 95% CI: [0.17-0.69]; p = 0.002), emergency surgery (HR: 2.06; 95% CI: [1.36-3.13]; p < 0.001), mucinous subtype (HR: 0.50; 95% CI [0.30, 0.82]; p = 0.006), microsatellite instability (HR: 2.29; 95% CI [1.06, 4.93]; p = 0.036), KRAS mutation (HR: 1.78; 95% CI: [1.24-2.55]; p = 0.002), and complete protocol of adjuvant chemotherapy (HR: 0.93; 95% CI: [0.89-0.96]; p < 0.001) were also prognostic factors for PMFS. Thus, a model was fitted (area under the curve: 0.87; 95% CI: [0.82-0.92]) for prediction, and a cutoff of 150 points was identified to classify patients at high risk of early PM recurrence. CONCLUSION: Using a nomogram, eight prognostic factors were identified to select patients at high risk for early PM recurrence objectively. Patients reaching 150 points could benefit from an early SLLE.

Learning trauma surgery through cytoreductive surgery.

OBJECTIVES: Regarding war surgery (WS), the initial and continuing education of French military gastrointestinal surgeons (FMGIS) is considered flawed and inappropriate. This results from the low incidence of gastrointestinal (GI) trauma, its predominantly non-surgical management, and a daily surgical practice that strongly differs from WS. Conversely, cytoreductive surgery (CRS) of peritoneal metastases has similarities with WS which led us to assess its potential contribution to the initial and continuing education of FMGIS in WS. METHODS: We reported the activities of the GI surgery departments of the military teaching hospitals of Percy and Begin. The first one dedicated to traumatology and the second to CRS. We then specifically looked into the surgical procedures conducted by the FMGIS during deployment from January 2004 to December 2014. RESULTS: Amongst the 600 severe trauma patients admitted to the Percy trauma center between January 2019 and December 2020, 17 underwent abdominal surgery with a total of 25 procedures performed. During the same period, 61 patients undertook CRS in Begin with an average of 7 surgical processes per patient carried out and a total of 418 abdominal surgical procedures. Outside abdominal packing and nephrectomy (not performed in CRS), the numbers of splenectomy, gastrointestinal / gynecological resections (hysterectomy and/or adnexectomy), or liver resection were higher during CRS compared to abdominal trauma surgery with 10 times less patients (10 vs 1, 43 vs 9, 20 vs 0, 6 vs 0, respectively). CONCLUSION: CRS, through its similarities with WS, seemed to be an appropriate tool for the initial and continuing education of FMGIS in WS and, to an extent, of civilian trauma surgeons who could eventually treat terrorist attacks casualties on the national territory.

A severe oxaliplatin immune-induced syndrome after oxaliplatin-based pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC).

Objectives: Oxaliplatin immune-induced syndrome (OIIS) was recently recognized as an uncommon complication of oxaliplatin therapy. Methods: We report an exceptionally OIIS after pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC). Results: Our patient developed a severe OIIS probably related to the intraperitoneal administration of oxaliplatin. Specific tests were performed and detected high-titer antibodies to oxaliplatin. Conclusions: The OIIS is a rare. Physicians had to be aware of that clinical situation because it could be reversible, even in case of peritoneal advanced disease, and ICU treatment is justified.

Magnetic Compression of Tumor Spheroids Increases Cell Proliferation In Vitro and Cancer Progression In Vivo.

A growing tumor is submitted to ever-evolving mechanical stress. Endoscopic procedures add additional constraints. However, the impact of mechanical forces on cancer progression is still debated. Herein, a set of magnetic methods is proposed to form tumor spheroids and to subject them to remote deformation, mimicking stent-imposed compression. Upon application of a permanent magnet, the magnetic tumor spheroids (formed from colon cancer cells or from glioblastoma cells) are compressed by 50% of their initial diameters. Such significant deformation triggers an increase in the spheroid proliferation for both cell lines, correlated with an increase in the number of proliferating cells toward its center and associated with an overexpression of the matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). In vivo peritoneal injection of the spheroids made from colon cancer cells confirmed the increased aggressiveness of the compressed spheroids, with almost a doubling of the peritoneal cancer index (PCI), as compared with non-stimulated spheroids. Moreover, liver metastasis of labeled cells was observed only in animals grafted with stimulated spheroids. Altogether, these results demonstrate that a large compression of tumor spheroids enhances cancer proliferation and metastatic process and could have implications in clinical procedures where tumor compression plays a role.

Focal splenic lesions: Imaging spectrum of diseases on CT, MRI and PET/CT.

The spleen can be affected by a variety of diseases. Some of them are readily identified as variations of normal or benign diseases on imaging. However, for a substantial number of focal splenic abnormalities, the diagnosis can be difficult so that histopathologic analysis may be required for a definite diagnosis. In this review, the typical splenic abnormalities that can be diagnosed with imaging with a high degree of confidence are illustrated. The complementary role of computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography/CT that helps make a diagnostic approach is discussed. Finally, current applications and future trends of radiomics and artificial intelligence for the diagnosis of splenic diseases are addressed.

Relevance of Antibiotic Prophylaxis in Non-Mesh Inguinal Hernia Repair in Remote and Poor Medical Settings in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Background: Because of the poor local medical conditions, and because the surgical site infection (SSI) rate after hernia repair in sub-Saharan Africa is higher than in developed countries, deployed surgeons within Role 2 usually perform non-mesh inguinal herniorrhaphy. Regarding antimicrobial prophylaxis, the latter currently is not recommended in non-mesh inguinal hernia repairs. Our study aimed at assessing the relevance of antibiotic prophylaxis in non-mesh inguinal hernia repair within a Role 2 surgical structure deployed in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods: From January 1 to December 31, 2019, we conducted a non-randomized prospective study in a French Role 2 military surgical structure deployed to Abidjan, Republic of Côte d'Ivoire. We included all patients presenting with uncomplicated inguinal hernia. All subjects underwent open herniorrhaphy through a groin incision. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of an SSI. Results: We recorded 120 open hernia repairs. Antimicrobial prophylaxis was administered in 70 interventions (60%). An SSI was reported in 13 cases (11%). Multivariable logistic regression analysis of SSI occurrence, according to the administration of intra-operative antimicrobial prophylaxis, showed a 0.219 odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval of 0.05-0.84 and p = 0.028. This finding was in favor of its significant protective effect on the risk of SSI after open non-mesh inguinal hernia repair, taking into account the American Society of Anesthesiologists score, Body Mass Index, and recurrence status. Conclusion: Administration of intra-operative antimicrobial prophylaxis in open non-mesh inguinal hernia repair in remote and poor medical settings, for example during deployment conditions as in our study, was associated with a reduction of the SSI rate.

French civilian surgical expertise still inadequately prepared for mass casualties 3 years after major terror attacks in Paris (2015) and Nice (2016).

BACKGROUND: Three years after the terror attacks in Paris and Nice, this study aims to determine the level of interest, the technical skills and level of surgical activity in exsanguinating trauma care for a nonselected population of practicing French surgeons. METHODS: A questionnaire was sent between July and December 2017 to French students and practicing surgeons, using the French Surgical Colleges' mailing lists. Items analyzed included education, training, interest and clinical activity in trauma care and damage-control surgery (DCS). RESULTS: 622 questionnaires were analyzed and was composed of 318 (51%) certificated surgeons, of whom 56% worked in university teaching hospitals and 47% in Level I trauma centers (TC1); 44% were digestive surgeons and 7% were military surgeons. The mean score of 'interest in trauma care' was 8/10. Factors associated with a higher score were being a resident doctor (p = 0.01), a digestive surgeon (p = 0.0013), in the military (p = 1,71 × 10) and working in TC1 (p = 0.034). The mean "DCS techniques knowledge" score was 6.2/10 and factors significantly associated with a higher score were being a digestive surgeon (respectively, p = 0.0007 and p = 0.001) and in the military (respectively p = 1.74 × 10 and p = 3.94 × 10). Reported clinical activity in trauma and DCS were low. Additional continuing surgical education courses in trauma were completed by 23% of surgeons. CONCLUSION: French surgeons surveyed showed considerable interest in trauma care and treatment. Despite this, and regardless of surgical speciality, their theoretical and practical knowledge of necessary DCS skills remain inadequate. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, Study Type Survey.

Evaluation of a new histological grading system for assessing the response to chemotherapy of peritoneal metastases from colorectal cancer: A mouse model study.

This experimental study evaluated the histological response of peritoneal metastases (PM) from colorectal cancer (CRC) after preoperative systemic chemotherapy (pCT). The results demonstrated that the Peritoneal Regression Grade Score could be used in medical practice. AIM: The aim was to evaluate the histological criteria used by the tumour regression grade (TRG) and Peritoneal Regression Grade Score (PRGS) for determining the response to chemotherapy (CT), in a mouse model of peritoneal metastases (PM) from colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS: Twenty immunocompetent BALB/c mice were randomized into four groups at day (D) 10 after intraperitoneal (ip) injection with bioluminescent CRC tumour cells (CT26-luc). A histology before treatment group was obtained by sacrifice on D10; the other groups all received one of the following ip treatments over 15 days: 5% glucose (control, G5); 5-fluorouracil (5FU, 0.03 mg/g); or 5FU with oxaliplatin (Ox, 0.006 mg/g). The histological response (HR) was analysed by comparing the histology of PM before and after treatment, using both scores: TRG and PRGS. RESULTS: All mice showed limited PM as visualised by bioluminescence and confirmed at the time of sacrifice in the histology before treatment group. The mean peritoneal carcinomatosis index (PCI) was = 8 [6-10], The rate of complete HR was significantly higher in the Ox-5FU group (83.3%) than 5FU group (0%) and G5 group (0%) (p = 0.016). Fibrosis was present only in CT-treated groups (p = 0.05). PCI, ascites volume and haemorrhagic ascites were significantly higher in the G5 group than CT groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The TRG score can be used in practice when we want to compare the HR between the primary tumour and the PMs. The PRGS is a good measure of HR and is correlated with the efficacy of CT.

The role of single-incision laparoscopic peritoneal exploration in the management of patients with peritoneal metastases.

BACKGROUND: The outcome of cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC) depends on the extent of peritoneal metastases (PM) and the completeness of cytoreduction (CCR). The role of preoperative assessment of PM is to identify potential candidates for CRS/HIPEC and to prevent unwarranted laparotomy for those who are not. Laparoscopy has been utilized for that purpose but with concerns related to technical difficulties and risk of trocar site metastases. Single-incision laparoscopic peritoneal exploration (SILPE) has not yet been evaluated in this setting. METHODS: This single-center retrospective study examined patients from January 2011 to December 2015 who underwent SILPE for diagnosis and staging of PM. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative data were collected. For the patients who underwent subsequent laparotomy, a comparison between SILPE and laparotomy findings was made. RESULTS: A total of 183 SILPE were performed. Primary sites were mostly colorectal in 72 cases (39.3%) and gastric in 47 (25.7%). Overall, 157 patients (85.8%) had at least one prior abdominal surgery and 48 (26.2%) had 3 or more. SILPE was successfully achieved in 90.2% of the cases. Two (1.2%) intraoperative complications and five (3%) postoperative complications were observed. Eighty-one patients had laparotomy, with a median of 27 days between SILPE and laparotomy (4-162 days). The peritoneal carcinomatosis index PCI was 9.7 ± 7.5 at SILPE, and 13.5 ± 9.6 at laparotomy. The positive predictive value of SILPE to predict CCR was 79.5%. SILPE sensitivity was 75% and specificity 97%. The lowest sensitivity was in regions 9-12 ranging from 44 to 53%. CONCLUSION: SILPE can be safely incorporated in the management of patients with PM. It is a safe and feasible staging tool, allowing for preventing unwarranted laparotomy for patients not deemed candidate for CRS/HIPEC. Even though it may underestimate PCI, SILPE accurately predicts the possibility of CCR.

Terrorist threat: Creating a nationwide damage control training program for non-trauma care providers.

INTRODUCTION: The current terrorist threat challenges nations to train numerous non-trauma care providers with different backgrounds in damage control (DC) strategies. The purpose of this work was to propose a specific DC training program. METHODS: A Task Force of 16 civilian and military physicians met for a 24-hour session, to propose the construction of a DC training program for non-specialised caregivers. RESULTS: Existing DC training programs are heterogeneous, mainly theoretical and almost only for physicians. A program entitled Damage Control for Terrorist Attack Victims (DC-TAV) was then proposed. Identified training targets were care providers from prehospital and hospital staffs, with no experience in trauma care. The training objectives were the improvement of individual and collective skills in managing terrorist attacks casualties. The tools selected for training concerned e-learning on a dedicated digital teaching platform (including a core section of four modules with types and mechanisms of injury, basic DC techniques, triage, organisation of emergency medical response and two complementary modules for doctors with DC resuscitation including remote transfusion and DC surgery), hands-on workshops with procedural simulation and full-scale simulation exercises, technical (tourniquets, haemostatic gauzes, needle thoracostomy, chest tube drainage, management of airway, coniotomy) and non-technical (leadership, communication, coordination and triage, decision-making, appropriate use of resources) skills. Finally, an evaluation of the DC-TAV program was planned. CONCLUSIONS: The DC-TAV program is an ambitious, civilian-military, nationwide and long-term program, based on a harmonised standard of care and including multidimensional training. Further studies are required to assess its efficacy.

Use of Shock Index to Identify Mild Hemorrhage: An Observational Study in Military Blood Donors.

INTRODUCTION: Hemorrhage is the leading cause of preventable death in combat, although early recognition of hemorrhage is still challenging on the battlefield.Hypothesis/Problem:The objective of this study was to describe the shock index (SI) in a healthy military population, and to measure its variation during a controlled blood loss, simulated by blood donation. METHODS: A prospective observational study that enrolled military subjects, volunteers for blood donation, was conducted. Demographic and clinical information, concerning both the patient and the blood collection, were recorded. Baseline vital signs were measured, before and after donation, in a 45° supine position. Statistical analysis was performed after calculation of SI. RESULTS: A total of 483 participants were included in the study. The mean blood donation volume was 473mL (SD = 44mL). The median pre- and post-blood donation SI were significantly different: 0.54 (IQR = 0.48-0.63) and 0.57 (IQR = 0.49-0.66), respectively (P = .002). Changes in pre-/post-donation blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) also reached statistical difference but represented a clinically poor relevance. The multivariate analysis showed no significant associations between SI variations and age, sex, body mass index (BMI), sport activities, blood donation volume, and enteral volume replacement (EVR). CONCLUSION: In this model of mild hemorrhage, SI exhibited significant variations but failed to reach clinical relevance. Further studies are needed to prove the benefit of SI calculation as a possible parameter for early recognition of hemorrhage in combat casualties at the point of injury.Pasquier P, Duron S, Pouget T, Carbonnel AC, Boutonnet M, Malgras B, Barbier O, de Saint Maurice G, Sailliol A, Ausset S, Martinaud C. Use of shock index to identify mild hemorrhage: an observational study in military blood donors. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2019;34(3):303-307.

Deployment of the Surgical Life-saving Module (SLM) in 2017: Lessons learned in setting up and training operational surgical units.

INTRODUCTION: The military operations carried out by the French armed forces, occasionally require the use of the Surgical Life-saving Module (SLM), to ensure the surgical support of its soldiers. Due to its extreme mobility and capacity of fast deployment, SLM is particularly useful in small-scale military operations, such as Special Forces missions. In 2017, the French SLM was for the first time used to ensure surgical support of allied forces, which were lacking forward surgical capabilities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: the SLM is a mobile, heliborne, airborne, surgical structure with parachuting capability onto land or sea, therefore essentially focused on life-saving procedures, also known as "damage control" surgery. Due to the need for mobility and rapid implementation, the SLM is limited to a maximum of 5 interventions or, in terms of injuries, to 1 or 2 seriously injured patients. RESULTS: Over a period of 2 months, 5 medical teams were successively deployed with the SLM. A total of 157 casualties were treated. The most common injuries were caused by shrapnel 561%), followed by firearms (36%), and blunt trauma (2.5%). Injuries included the limbs (56%), thorax (18%), abdomen (13%), head (11%), and neck (2%). The average ISS was 8.5 (1-25) with 26 patients presenting with an ISS greater than or equal to 15. The average NISS was 10.8 (1-75) with 34 casualties having an NISS equal to or greater than 15. The surgical procedures were broken down as follows: 126 dressings, 16 laparotomies, 7 thoracotomies, 12 isolated thoracic drains (without thoracotomy), 1 cervicotomy, 12 amputations, 7 limb splints, 2 limb fasciotomies, 2 external fixators and 1 femoral fracture traction. CONCLUSIONS: The numerous SLM deployments in larger operations highlighted its ability to adapt both in terms of equipment and personnel. Continuous management of equipment logistics, robust personnel training, and appropriate organization of the evacuation procedures, were the key elements for optimizing combat casualty care. As a consequence, the SLM appears to be an operational surgical unit of choice during deployments.