Perineal injuries at a large urban trauma center: injury patterns and outcomes.

The purpose of this study was to describe the characteristics of this unique patient population, their clinical presentations, and outcomes. The Los Angeles County and University of Southern California Medical Center Trauma Registry was used to retrospectively identify patients who sustained perineal injuries. Information included gender, age, vital signs, trauma scores, mechanisms of injury, studies performed, surgeries performed, and outcomes. Pediatric patients and injuries related to obstetric trauma were not included. Sixty-nine patients were identified between February 1, 1992 and October 31, 2005. One patient died on arrival; 85 per cent (58 of 68) were males, mean age was 30 +/- 12 years, and there was a penetrating mechanism in 56 per cent. Vital signs on admission were systolic blood pressure 119 +/- 33 mmHg, heart rate 94 +/- 27 beats/minute, and respiratory rate 20 +/- 6 breaths/min. Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) was 13 +/- 3, Revised Trauma Score (RTS) was 7.2 +/- 1.5, and Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 11 +/- 12. CT scan was obtained for 23 (33%) patients. Lower extremity fractures were 35 per cent and pelvic fractures 32 per cent. The most common surgery was débridement and drainage, diversion with colostomy in five patients (7%). Overall mortality was 10 per cent. Mortality group mean scores were: GCS, 6; RTS, 5.74; and ISS, 34. The survival group mean scores were: GCS, 14; RTS, 7.7; and ISS, 8. There was a statistically significant association between mortality and GCS, RTS, and ISS scores (P < 0.001). Most patients with perineal injuries (93%) can be managed without colostomy. Associated injuries are not uncommon, particularly bony fractures. Mortality is mostly the result of exsanguination related to associated injuries.

Cost-saving effect of treatment algorithm for chronic anal fissure: a prospective analysis.

Evidence-based medicine suggests that in the management of chronic anal fissure (CAF), lateral internal sphincterotomy (LIS) is far more effective than medical treatment in lowering the anal sphincter tone and curing the fissure. In the current study, we developed a treatment algorithm from topical nitroglycerin (NTG) to botulinum toxin type A (Botox [BTX]) to LIS and analyzed its cost benefit by calculating the effective and potential costs based on the treatment success and the rate of avoided surgeries. Patients presenting between November 2003 and December 2004 with CAF and symptoms for greater than 3 months were prospectively treated according to a treatment algorithm which started with (1) topical NTG, in case of failure (2) injection of BTX, thus limiting (3) surgery to those who failed both nonsurgical options or at any point chose the surgical approach. Based on the primary end points of fissure healing or surgery, we calculated the true cost (algorithm) and the potential incremental cost (BTX plus surgery or surgery in all patients, respectively). Sixty-seven patients with CAF (25 men and 42 women; median duration of symptoms, 16 weeks) were treated according to the algorithm. NTG alone was successful in fissure healing in 31 of 67 patients (46.2%). Two developed a recurrent fissure and then received BTX as part of the protocol. Of the 36 patients who failed NTG trial, 3 requested surgery; the others were treated with BTX, which was successful in 84.8%. Five patients (15.2%) failed BTX and subsequently required surgery. The overall surgery rate in the whole study group was 11.9%, whereas CAF healed in 88.1% of our patients with medical treatment alone. Cost for NTG is $10; for 100 units BTX, $528; and for outpatient surgery, $1119. The total cost for these 67 patients therefore was $33,252 ($290 for NTG, $20,580 for NTG plus BTX, $3,357 for NTG plus LIS, and $9,025 for NTG plus BTX plus LIS). If all patients had received BTX with a 15% failure rate, the total cost would have been $56,688 (70.3% cost increase). If all patients had undergone surgery as initial/only treatment, the total cost would have been $74,973 (125% cost increase). Our treatment algorithm for CAF with stepwise escalation can avoid surgery in 88% of the patients. It is highly cost-efficient and resulted in savings of 41% (compared with BTX plus LIS) and up to 70% (compared with surgery in all patients), respectively.

Severe trauma is not an excuse for prolonged antibiotic prophylaxis.

HYPOTHESIS: For critically injured patients, a limited course of antibiotics is as effective as a prolonged course in preventing sepsis and organ failures. DESIGN: Prospective nonrandomized study. SETTING: Surgical intensive care unit (SICU) of an academic hospital with a level I trauma center. PATIENTS: A population of 250 trauma patients who required an operation and SICU stay of 3 days or more received antibiotic prophylaxis by 1 antibiotic for 24 hours (SHORT group, n = 133) or 1 or more antibiotics for more than 24 hours (LONG group, n = 117). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Twenty-two outcome variables, including 9 conventional outcomes (eg, sepsis, septic shock, and organ failure) and 13 objective outcomes (days with temperature >38.5 degrees C, days with white blood cell count >14.0 x10(3)/microL, positive cultures, cultures with antibiotic-resistant bacteria, SICU and hospital stay, and death). RESULTS: The LONG group included more patients with orthopedic injuries (60 patients [51%] vs 52 [39%], P =.05) and orthopedic operations (47 patients [40%] vs 30 [23%], P =.003) than did the SHORT group. No other difference was identified in compared characteristics between the 2 groups. There was no difference in any of the examined outcomes except for a higher incidence of resistant infections in the LONG group compared with the SHORT group (59 patients [50%] vs 47 [35%], P =.02). Patients with resistant infections stayed in the hospital longer (mean +/- SD, 33 +/- 18 vs 15 +/- 11 days, P<.001) and had a higher mortality rate (13% vs 1%, P<.001) compared with patients without resistant infections. Prolonged prophylaxis by multiple antibiotics was an independent risk factor of resistant infection (odds ratio, 2.13, 95% confidence interval, 1.22-3.74; P =.008). CONCLUSIONS: The prophylactic administration of more than 1 antibiotic for more than 24 hours following severe trauma does not offer additional protection against sepsis, organ failure, and death, but increases the probability of antibiotic-resistant infections.

Thoracoscopic sympathicotomy for disabling palmar hyperhidrosis: a prospective randomized comparison between two levels.

BACKGROUND: Thoracoscopic sympathicotomy is highly effective in treating disabling palmar hyperhidrosis. The ideal level to maximize efficacy and minimize the side effect of compensatory hyperhidrosis (CH) is controversial. This study compared sympathicotomy over the second (R2) vs third (R3) costal head relative to these variables in patients with massive palmar hyperhidrosis. METHODS: This prospective, randomized study enrolled 121 patients with disabling palmoplantar hyperhidrosis assigned to bilateral sympathicotomy (sympathetic transection), which was done over R2 in 61 (n = 122 extremities) or R3 in 60 (n = 120 extremities). Patients were questioned at 6 months and at 1 year or more to assess efficacy, side effects, and satisfaction with the procedure. RESULTS: Sympathicotomy at R2 failed to cure palmar hyperhidrosis in 5 of 122 (4.1%) extremities, but only 2 (1.6%) were to a truly profound dripping level of recurrence. Sympathicotomy at R3 failed to cure palmar hyperhidrosis in 5 of 120 extremities (4.2%), and all were dramatic failures with dripping recurrent sweating. The patients whose palmar hyperhidrosis was not completely cured were aged 19.7 ± 2.5 vs 26.4 ± 8.0 years (p = 0.04). Two R3 patients with failure underwent three redo R2 sympathicotomies, with curative results. R2 patients showed a trend toward a higher level of CH vs R3 patients at 6 months and after 1 year. The CH severity scale was 4.7 ± 2.7 (n = 38) for R2 vs 3.8 ± 2.8 (n = 36) for R3 (p = NS) at 6 months and 4.7 ± 2.5 (n = 43) for R2 vs 3.7 ± 2.8 (n = 37) for R3 (p = NS) after 1 year. Younger age, male sex, and higher levels of preoperative and postoperative plantar sweating were predictors of failed sympathicotomy. Increased age was associated with increased CH. CONCLUSIONS: R2 and R3 sympathicotomy for massive palmoplantar hyperhidrosis are highly effective, with low recurrence and incidences of severe CH. R2 tends to have a higher level of CH vs R3, and a higher incidence of dramatic failures is suggested in R3 patients, for which reoperation at the R2 level will likely be curative.

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in patients with lower gastrointestinal symptoms and a history of previous abdominal surgery.

BACKGROUND: The small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) breath test has had positive results in 84% of patients with irritable bowel syndrome vs 20% of controls. We hypothesized that SIBO would be more prevalent in patients with symptoms consistent with irritable bowel syndrome who have undergone previous abdominal surgery. OBJECTIVE: To identify causative factors for SIBO. DESIGN: Retrospective review. SETTING: Tertiary colorectal surgery clinic. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Result of SIBO breath test. RESULTS: We identified 77 patients whose differential diagnosis included SIBO from January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2007; 18 were excluded because of noncompliance with testing and 2 because of a decision to treat SIBO without formal testing. Symptoms were chronic abdominal pain in 30 patients (53%), bloating in 25 (44%), constipation in 37 (65%), and diarrhea in 7 (12%). Mean (SD) symptom duration was 45 (22) months. Of the 57 patients enrolled in this study, 45 (79%) tested positive for SIBO and 37 (82%) of those had a history of surgery, whereas 12 (21%) tested negative for SIBO and 9 (75%) of those had a history of surgery. Of the 36 SIBO-positive patients with a history of abdominal surgery (mean number of procedures, 2), the surgery locations were as follows: female reproductive organs, 23 (64%); hindgut, 15 (42%); foregut, 8 (22%); and midgut, 6 (17%). Open surgery alone was performed in 32 patients (56%) vs laparoscopic surgery in 7 (12%). Both open and laparoscopic procedures had been performed in 6 patients (11%). Four patients (7%) had a history of small intestinal obstruction. The mean age of SIBO-positive patients was higher than that of SIBO-negative patients (57 vs 44 years; P < .01). Analysis did not reveal any clinically significant independent factor associated with SIBO. CONCLUSION: Physicians should consider SIBO in the differential diagnosis of patients with normal anatomic findings and chronic lower gastrointestinal complaints.

Peripheral vascular surgery using targeted beta blockade reduces perioperative cardiac event rate.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies suggest that preoperative cardiac stress testing is unnecessary in low to intermediate cardiac risk patients undergoing operations, and that targeted beta blockade is cardiac protective. STUDY DESIGN: A cohort study of patients undergoing vascular surgery or major amputation, with low to intermediate cardiac risk, but without cardiac stress testing, was performed. Targeted beta blockade was initiated preoperatively. The primary end point was a composite of adverse cardiac outcomes. A comparison was made with historical controls who received selective stress testing and selective nontargeted beta blockade. RESULTS: One hundred consecutive patients were prospectively enrolled, and 80 retrospective controls were identified. There were no differences between groups with respect to median revised cardiac index (RCI; 0 versus 1). In the retrospective group, 14% underwent preoperative cardiac stress testing versus none in the prospective group (p=0.0002). Nontargeted beta blockade was given in 61% of the retrospective group. The median heart rate for the prospective group was significantly lower (66 versus 77 beats/minute; p=0.0007). The composite cardiac complication rate was 2% in the prospective group versus 10% in the retrospective group (p=0.02). There were no deaths. On multivariate analysis, after adjusting for revised cardiac index score, there was a lower cardiac complication rate in the prospective group (odds ratio, 2.46; 95% CI, 1.3 to 4.5; p=0.003). CONCLUSIONS: In patients undergoing vascular surgery or major amputation, with low to intermediate cardiac risk, preoperative targeted beta blockade alone is more effective than selective cardiac stress testing and nontargeted beta blockade in preventing cardiac morbidity.

How important is rigid proctosigmoidoscopy in localizing rectal cancer?

BACKGROUND: Colonoscopic localization of rectal and rectosigmoid tumors may be inaccurate. Rigid proctosigmoidoscopy has been suggested as an adjunctive technique to accurately localize rectal tumors as it may alter treatment options. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of patients with rectal and rectosigmoid cancer from 2001 to 2006. Patients were stratified into 1 of 4 anatomic regions based on colonoscopic localization of the tumor. The distances of the tumor from the anal verge by colonoscopy were compared with distances obtained via rigid proctosigmoidoscopy. RESULTS: Rigid proctosigmoidoscopy localization likely changed the treatment options in 21% of lower rectal tumors, 14% of middle rectal tumors, 38% of upper rectal tumors, and 29% of rectosigmoid tumors. Overall, this modality impacted 25% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Rigid proctosigmoidoscopy localization of rectal tumors can significantly change treatment options and should be performed on all patients with colonoscopic localization of a cancer thought to be in the rectosigmoid or rectum.

Increased incidence of renal cysts in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms: a common pathogenesis?

We have empirically observed that patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) seem to have an increased incidence of renal cysts on computed tomography (CT). In order to evaluate this possible association, a retrospective cohort study was conducted comparing the incidence of renal cysts on CT scan in 100 patients with AAA to 100 patients without AAA (matched by age and gender). Univariate analysis and multiple logistic regression were performed to evaluate the association of AAAs and other risk factors with the presence of renal cysts. Of patients with AAAs, 54% had renal cysts compared to only 30% in the control group (p = 0.0006, relative risk = 2.73). The AAA group had a higher incidence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD, 14% vs. 1%), hypertension (76.6% vs. 46.5%), coronary artery disease (38.3% vs. 12%), and hypercholesterolemia (41.5% vs. 9.1%) compared to the non-AAA group. There was a significant linear correlation between renal cysts and COPD (p = 0.011), the presence of AAA (p = 0.0005), and age (p = 0.019), whereas hypercholesterolemia (p = 0.059) and diabetes (p = 0.063) approached significance. On multivariate analysis, there were three independent predictors of renal cysts: COPD (p = 0.051), age (p = 0.01), and AAA (p = 0.028). In conclusion, there is a significantly higher incidence of renal cysts in patients with AAA compared to patients without AAA. To our knowledge, this association has not previously been reported. Future studies are needed to determine whether this correlation is the result of a commonality in the pathogenesis of AAA and renal cysts.

Endograft exclusion of acute and chronic descending thoracic aortic dissections.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the results of endograft exclusion of acute and chronic descending thoracic aortic dissections (Stanford type B) with the AneuRx (n = 5) and Talent (n = 37) thoracic devices and to compare postoperative outcomes of endograft placement acutely (<2 weeks) and for chronic interventions. METHODS: Patients treated for acute or chronic thoracic aortic dissections (Stanford type B) with endografts were included in this study. All patients (n = 42) were enrolled in investigational device exemption protocols from August 1999 to March 2005. Three-dimensional computed tomography reconstructions were analyzed for quantitative volume regression of the false lumen and changes in the true lumen over time (complete >95%, partial >30%). RESULTS: Forty-two patients, all of whom had American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) risk stratification > or =III and 71% with ASA > or = IV, were treated for Stanford type B dissections (acute = 25, chronic = 17), with 42 primary and 18 secondary procedures. All proximal entry sites were identified intraoperatively by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). The procedural stroke rate was 6.7% (4/60), with three posterior circulation strokes. Procedural mortality was 6.7% (4/60). The left subclavian artery was occluded in 11 patients (26%) with no complaints of arm ischemia, but there was an association with posterior circulation strokes (2/11) (18%). No postoperative paraplegia was observed after primary or secondary intervention. Complete thrombosis of the false lumen at the level of endograft coverage occurred in 25 (61%) of 41 patients < or =1 month and 15 (88%) of 17 patients at 12 months. Volume regression of the false lumen was 66.4% (acute) and 91.9% (chronic) at 6 months. Lack of true lumen volume (contrast) increase and increasing false lumen volume (contrast) suggests continued false lumen pressurization and the need for secondary reintervention. Thirteen patients (31%) required 18 secondary interventions for proximal endoleaks in 6, junctional leaks in 3, continued perfusion of the false lumen from distal re-entry sites in 3, and surgical conversion in 4 for retrograde dissection. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary experience with endografts to treat acute and chronic dissections is associated with a reduced risk of paraplegia and lower mortality compared with open surgical treatment, the results of medical treatment alone, or a combination.

Abdominal insufflation for prevention of exsanguination.

BACKGROUND: Currently, traumatic intra-abdominal hemorrhage continues unchecked during transport and triage, and a simple technique of prehospital hemostasis might improve outcomes. The hemostatic effect of abdominal hypertension has not been studied. PURPOSE: To examine the effect of iatrogenic abdominal insufflation on blood loss and hemodynamic performance after major abdominal vascular injury. METHODS: Following laparotomy, a 2.7 mm hole was created in the inferior vena cava of 10 anticoagulated pigs and controlled with a partially occlusive, laparoscopic vascular clamp. After abdominal closure the clamp was released and the pig was randomized to either control (n = 5) or immediate abdominal CO2 insufflation at 20 cm H2O pressure (n = 5). Lactated Ringer's solution was used as needed to maintain a mean arterial pressure of 60 mm Hg. After 15 minutes of hemorrhage and hemodynamic monitoring, the animals were killed and blood loss measured. Mean blood loss was compared between groups using the Student test, as were final values for physiologic variables. Temporal changes in physiologic parameters were compared using analysis of variance. RESULTS: Mean blood loss was reduced by 61% in insufflated pigs versus controls (695 +/- 244 versus 1764 +/- 328 cc, p < 0.001). Compared with controls, insufflated pigs had significantly higher mean arterial pressure (64 versus 25 mm Hg, p < 0.001), end-tidal CO2 (40.8 versus 17.8 mm Hg, p < 0.001), and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (10.2 versus 5.8 mm Hg, p = 0.026) immediately before the pigs were killed. CONCLUSION: Iatrogenic abdominal insufflation significantly decreased blood loss and improved hemodynamics in a porcine model of traumatic venous hemorrhage. Iatrogenic abdominal insufflation may be useful in the prehospital management of abdominal injury.

A prospective study on the safety and efficacy of angiographic embolization for pelvic and visceral injuries.

BACKGROUND: Angiographic embolization (AE) is used with increasing frequency as an alternative to surgery for control of intraperitoneal and retroperitoneal bleeding. There are no prospective studies on its efficacy, safety, and indications. PATIENTS: From April 1999 to June 2001, patients with abdominal visceral organ injuries or major pelvic fractures sent for AE were prospectively studied. Patients were transported to the angiography suite either because they were hemodynamically unstable ("emergent" angiography) or hemodynamically stable but had injuries likely to bleed ("preemptive" angiography). The efficacy of AE was derived from its ability to control bleeding radiographically and clinically; the safety of AE was determined by the complications related to transport, vascular access, catheter insertion, contrast administration, and tissue necrosis after interruption of blood supply to organs. Predictors of bleeding were identified by comparing patients who showed contrast extravasation on angiography with those who did not by univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Of 100 consecutive patients evaluated by angiography for bleeding from major pelvic fractures (n = 65) or solid visceral organ injuries (n = 35), 57 were found to have active contrast extravasation and were embolized, 23 were found to have indirect signs of vascular injury or ongoing hemodynamic instability and were embolized, and 20 had no signs of bleeding and were not embolized. AE was effective and safe in 95% and 94%, respectively, of 80 patients who were embolized. Four patients had recurrent bleeding after AE and five developed AE-related complications. In three of the four patients, bleeding was controlled by repeat AE. In all five patients, the complications were managed with no further sequelae. Three independent factors were predictive of bleeding identified on angiography: age older than 55 years, absence of long-bone fractures, and emergent angiography. The presence of all three independent predictors was associated with a 95% probability of bleeding; however, the probability of bleeding was still 18% when all three independent predictors were absent. CONCLUSION: AE is highly effective in controlling bleeding caused by abdominal and pelvic injuries and difficult to manage by surgery. Older age, the absence of long-bone fractures, and emergent angiography increase the likelihood of finding active bleeding angiographically. However, there are no clinical characteristics to exclude reliably all patients who are not actively bleeding internally. Because of this and its reasonable safety profile, AE should be offered liberally in patients with selected injuries of the pelvis and abdominal visceral organs.