Performance of Two Different Flight Configurations for Drone-Borne Magnetic Data.

The compensation of magnetic and electromagnetic interference generated by drones is one of the main problems related to drone-borne magnetometry. The simplest solution is to suspend the magnetometer at a certain distance from the drone. However, this choice may compromise the flight stability or introduce periodic data variations generated by the oscillations of the magnetometer. We studied this problem by conducting two drone-borne magnetic surveys using a prototype system based on a cesium-vapor magnetometer with a 1000 Hz sampling frequency. First, the magnetometer was fixed to the drone landing-sled (at 0.5 m from the rotors), and then it was suspended 3 m below the drone. These two configurations illustrate endmembers of the possible solutions, favoring the stability of the system during flight or the minimization of the mobile platform noise. Drone-generated noise was filtered according to a CWT analysis, and both the spectral characteristics and the modelled source parameters resulted analogously to that of a ground magnetic dataset in the same area, which were here taken as a control dataset. This study demonstrates that careful processing can return high quality drone-borne data using both flight configurations. The optimal flight solution can be chosen depending on the survey target and flight conditions.

International consensus conference on open abdomen in trauma.

BACKGROUND: A part of damage-control laparotomy is to leave the fascial edges and the skin open to avoid abdominal compartment syndrome and allow further explorations. This condition, known as open abdomen (OA), although effective, is associated with severe complications. Our aim was to develop evidence-based recommendations to define indications for OA, techniques for temporary abdominal closure, management of enteric fistulas, and methods of definitive wall closure. METHODS: The literature from 1990 to 2014 was systematically screened according to PRISMA [Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses] protocol. Seventy-six articles were reviewed by a panel of experts to assign grade of recommendations (GoR) and level of evidence (LoE) using the GRADE [Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation] system, and an international consensus conference was held. RESULTS: OA in trauma is indicated at the end of damage-control laparotomy, in the presence of visceral swelling, for a second look in vascular injuries or gross contamination, in the case of abdominal wall loss, and if medical treatment of abdominal compartment syndrome has failed (GoR B, LoE II). Negative-pressure wound therapy is the recommended temporary abdominal closure technique to drain peritoneal fluid, improve nursing, and prevent fascial retraction (GoR B, LoE I). Lack of OA closure within 8 days (GoR C, LoE II), bowel injuries, high-volume replacement, and use of polypropylene mesh over the bowel (GoR C, LoE I) are risk factors for frozen abdomen and fistula formation. Negative-pressure wound therapy allows to isolate the fistula and protect the surrounding tissues from spillage until granulation (GoR C, LoE II). Correction of fistula is performed after 6 months to 12 months. Definitive closure of OA has to be obtained early (GoR C, LoE I) with direct suture, traction devices, component separation with or without mesh. Biologic meshes are an option for wall reinforcement if bacterial contamination is present (GoR C, LoE II). CONCLUSION: OA and negative-pressure techniques improve the care of trauma patients, but closure must be achieved early to avoid complications.

Use of floseal hemostatic matrix for control of hemostasis during laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis: a multicenter historical control group comparison (the GLA study gelatin matrix for acute cholecystitis).

BACKGROUND: In patients with acute cholecystitis undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy, bleeding is a common complication that can reduce procedural visibility and worsen outcome. Insufficient hemostasis can also lead to postoperative bleeding that can, in rare cases, be fatal. Topical hemostatic agents are used to ensure adequate hemostasis during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This prospective, open-label, nonrandomized, historical control group study investigated the use of Floseal(®) (Baxter International, Inc., Deerfield, IL) hemostatic matrix as an adjunct to surgical techniques to achieve hemostasis of the resected areas in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis. The primary end point was the rate of complete hemostasis 10 minutes after laparoscopic application of Floseal to the gallbladder bed. Secondary end points included complete hemostasis rates at 2, 4, and 6 minutes, surgery time, laparoscopic procedure to open laparotomy conversion rate, postoperative bleeding rate, and mortality and safety outcomes over the entire follow-up period. RESULTS: From April to November 2011, 101 consecutive patients were enrolled (51 men; mean age, 61.5±6.2 years). The historical control group of 100 age- and gender-matched patients with acute cholecystitis had undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy without hemostatic agent. In the Floseal group, bleeding ceased within 10 minutes after laparoscopic application of the hemostatic agent to the gallbladder bed in all patients. The conversion rate was significantly lower in the Floseal group than in the control group (4 versus 12 patients, P<.05). CONCLUSIONS: Floseal in acute cholecystitis is safe, is effective in controlling bleeding, and results in a lower conversion rate compared with cholecystectomy without hemostatic agents.