Lessons Learned in Helicopter Operations During a Large Multiagency Disaster Prevention Drill in Japan.

OBJECTIVE: In 2018, the Cabinet Office executed a disaster prevention drill based on the scenario that Nankai had a megathrust earthquake and a large tsunami hit Tokushima Prefecture. The purpose of this study was to summarize the key lessons learned in the review of the Department of Aviation Operation for Tokushima Prefecture in this drill. METHODS: This report was based on a review using data from the Japan emergency medical information sharing system that can be accessed via the Internet. RESULTS: In the disaster drill, the doctor helicopter (DH) headquarters of Tokushima Prefecture at Takamatsu Airport was able to procure 2 actual DHs and 2 mock DHs. The Department of Aviation Operation within the Tokushima Prefectural Government was able to procure 1 actual helicopter belonging to the Coast Guard and 8 mock helicopters (4 belonging to the military and 4 to the fire department). There were 29 flights, including actual and mock flights, and 44 victims were medically transported. CONCLUSION: By making flight plans with each organization concerned, we were able to share the basic rules, concepts, and management approaches of flights among the responding organizations. Disaster planners should have at least a passing familiarity with the aviation capabilities of the local helicopter emergency medical service and other helicopter operations.

Combined computed tomography and C-arm resuscitation room system (CTCARM) is associated with decreased time to definitive hemostasis and reduces preperitoneal pelvic packing maneuvers in severe pelvic trauma.

Objectives: Severe pelvic fracture concomitant with massive bleeding is potentially lethal, and intervention for hemorrhage control still depends on institutional supplies. With the recent installation of a CT and C-arm combined resuscitation room system (CTCARM) for treatment of trauma patients in our institution, the strategic process and options for hemorrhage control after pelvic fracture have changed. We retrospectively reviewed the procedures we performed and their outcomes. Methods: The CTCARM was installed in our trauma resuscitation room in April 2020. Patients who were diagnosed as having pelvic fracture and underwent interventional radiology for hemorrhage control within 2.5 hours after arrival were compared before and after CTCARM installation. We reviewed the time process for hemorrhage control, treatment options performed, blood products used and their outcomes. Results: Included in this study were 56 patients treated between 2016 and 2022, of whom 36 patients were treated before (original group) and 20 patients after CTCARM installation (CTCARM group). Patient characteristics and vital signs at admission were not statistically different. Preperitoneal pelvic packing was performed significantly more frequently in the original group (p<0.01), whereas resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta use was much more frequent in the CTCARM group (p=0.02). Although the times from admission to first angiography (p=0.014) and to complete hemostasis (p=0.02) were significantly shorter in the CTCARM group, mortality was not statistically different. Four preventable trauma deaths occurred in the original group, but there were none in the CTCARM group. Six unexpected survivors were observed in the original group and four in the CTCARM group. Conclusions: Although the CTCARM had no direct effects on patient mortality for now, it has allowed us to accelerate the treatment time process, shorten preperitoneal pelvic packing procedural time, and potentially avoid subsequent preventable trauma deaths. Level of evidence: Level IV.

Negative pressure wound therapy-assisted dermatotraction for the closure of large open wounds in a patient with non-clostridial gas gangrene.

Case: A 53-year-old woman developed septic shock associated with non-clostridial gas gangrene. She presented to the emergency department with two large open wounds on both thighs and in her sacral region. Non-enhanced computed tomography showed air density in contact with the right iliopsoas, which extended to the posterior compartment of the thigh. We made repeated efforts at surgical debridement of the wound with resection of necrotic tissues. Outcome: Using negative pressure wound therapy-assisted dermatotraction, the pus pockets and the wound dehiscence decreased in size. Using this method we were successful in achieving delayed closure without skin grafts. Conclusion: Negative pressure wound therapy can be an effective treatment for large and infected open contoured wounds. Negative pressure wound therapy-assisted dermatotraction might be beneficial for poorly healing, large, open wounds in patients in poor condition and with insufficient reserve to tolerate reconstructive surgery.

Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Negative Pressure Pulmonary Hemorrhage in an Elderly Patient.

The patient in this case report was an 88-year-old male. Acute upper airway obstruction by food led to transient cardiac arrest, and negative pressure pulmonary hemorrhage (NPPH) occurred 1 hour after the foreign body obstruction. Using venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for severe acute respiratory distress syndrome resulting from NPPH, his respiratory state was recovered and hemoptysis stopped. NPPH is a life-threatening disease, the rapid recognition of which is required to initiate appropriate therapy. Although active hemorrhage might be a contraindication for ECMO, our experience showed this to be an effective treatment option. Moreover, our experience suggests that the application of ECMO to elderly patients should be considered on a case-by-case basis.