Visceral vascular injuries.

This article deals with injuries to the celiac trunk, superior and inferior mesenteric arterial injuires. Surgical approaches and physiological implications of interruption of the mesenteric arterial circulation are addressed in detail. Surgical techniques for the management of these injuries and the need for second look operations are also examined.

Posterior ischemic optic neuropathy related to profound shock after penetrating thoracoabdominal trauma.

Ischemic optic neuropathy is a rare cause of blindness reported most commonly in association with collagen-vascular diseases, infectious processes, and systemic hypotension related to massive exsanguinating hemorrhage. We report what we believe to be the first case of posterior ischemic optic neuropathy due to perioperative hypotension in a patient who had a penetrating thoracoabdominal injury with massive hemorrhage, severe hypotension, massive microcapillary circulatory leak, multiple system organ failure, and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Although the incidence of postoperative visual loss is low (-0.002%), awareness of this entity must be raised within the trauma surgical community.

Penetrating thoracoabdominal injuries: ongoing dilemma-which cavity and when?

The aims of this study were to (1) define characteristics for the thoracoabdominal injury patient population; (2) describe sequences of surgical interventions with combined procedures (i.e., thoracotomy and laparotomy); and (3) describe pitfalls leading to inappropriate sequencing of surgical interventions for thoracoabdominal injuries. It was a retrospective 4-year study (January 1995 to December 1998) conducted at an urban level I trauma center. The study population comprised 254 patients who had sustained thoracoabdominal injuries requiring surgical intervention: 187 (73%) gunshot wounds (GSWs), 64 (25%) stab wounds (SWs), and 3 (2%) shotgun wounds (STWs). The mean revised (RTS) was 6.04; the mean Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 27; the mean estimated blood loss (EBL) was 3000 ml. The overall survival was 175 of 254 (69%). Of the 254, 51 (20%) underwent emergency department (ED) thoracotomy. Altogether, 73 (29%) underwent combined thoracotomy and laparotomy: 59 (81%) GSW, 13 (18%) SW, 1 (1%) STW (mean RTS 5.2, mean ISS 34, mean EBL 6800 ml). Overall survival was 30 of these 73 (41%). A total of 21 of the 73 (29%) underwent ED thoracotomy. In group I (laparotomy then thoracotomy: Lap + Thor, n = 34) the initial procedure was interrupted in 18 (53%). In group II (thoracotomy then laparotomy: Thor + Lap, n = 39) the initial procedure was interrupted in 14 (36%). Pitfalls leading to inappropriate surgical sequencing were persistent hypotension (13/73, 18%) and misleading chest tube output (8/73, 10%). It was concluded that penetrating thoracoabdominal injuries incur high mortality (31%), and the mortality doubles for patients who require combined procedures (59%). Inappropriate surgical sequencing occurred in 32 of 73 (44%) patients undergoing combined procedures. Persistent hypotension, indicating that the wrong cavity was accessed, and misleading chest tube output are the leading pitfalls in thoracoabdominal injury management.