Damage control laparotomy: a vital tool once overused.

BACKGROUND: Trauma surgery is in constant evolution as is the use of damage control laparotomy (DCL). The purpose of this study was to report the change in usage of DCL over time and its effect on outcome. METHODS: Trauma patients requiring laparotomies during a 3-year (2006-2008) period were reviewed. DCL was defined as laparotomy when fascia was not closed at the first operation. RESULTS: There were 14,534 trauma patients evaluated, and 843 laparotomies were performed on 532 patients during the study period. The number of patients requiring open laparotomies slightly increased while the demographics and Injury Severity Score were similar during the study period. The number of patient requiring DCL significantly decreased from 36.3% (53 of 146) in 2006 to 8.8% (15 of 170) in 2008 (p < 0.001). During this same time period, the mortality rate for patients requiring open laparotomy significantly decreased from 21.9% in 2006 to 12.9% in 2008 (p = 0.05). The decreased use of DCL resulted in a 33.3% reduction in the number of laparotomies performed. The decrease in average costs and charges is projected to result in savings of $2.2 million and $5.8 million, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The use of DCL was significantly decreased by 78% during the study with significantly improved outcome. The improved outcome and decreased resource utilization can reduce health care costs and charges. Although DCL may be a vital aspect of trauma surgery, it can be used more selectively with improved outcome.

Vertebral artery aneurysms and cervical arteriovenous fistulae in patients with neurofibromatosis 1.

Vascular involvement in the setting of neurofibromatosis type 1(NF1) has been well described. However, the coexistence of NF1 with vertebral artery (VA) aneurysms and arteriovenous fistulae (AVFs) is a rare occurrence. A 60-year-old female with NF1 and other severe comorbidities presented with acute respiratory insufficiency caused by a ruptured large VA aneurysm and an associated AVF that required emergent intubation and eventual repair through endovascular techniques that resolved her symptoms. A detailed description of this case and a comprehensive review of the literature are also presented.

Myasthenia gravis improvement after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

Many diseases in the obese population have been found to improve after weight loss. A 56-year-old female with a long history of myasthenia gravis (MG) and morbid obesity is reported. Preoperatively, she presented with a BMI of 46.5 kg/m2, and was on three medications and IV immunoglobulin every 5 weeks. After the surgical procedure, she improved and required less medication. Because MG and morbid obesity require careful perioperative management in order to avoid complications, a multidisciplinary approach is recommended.

Laparoscopic removal of gastric band after early gastric erosion: case report and review of the literature.

Laparoscopic gastric banding is a popular method for treating morbid obesity. One of the most serious complications is band erosion into the gastric lumen. We present the case of a patient who underwent gastric banding and presented with symptoms of gastrointestinal reflux and mild-to-moderate hypertension, fever, and pain. UGI revealed stomach wall erosion and partial migration of the band into the gastric lumen. The band was laparoscopically removed without any further complications. Migration after laparoscopic gastric banding must be immediately addressed to prevent infection. Close monitoring of the band location during adjustments as well as a high index of suspicion is necessary.

Routine abdominal drains after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: a retrospective review of 593 patients.

BACKGROUND: The authors reviewed the benefits of routine placement of closed drains in the peritoneal cavity following laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGBP). The purpose of the study was to determine whether routine closed abdominal drainage provides diagnostic and therapeutic advantages in the presence of complications such as bleeding and leaks. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical records of 593 consecutive patients who had undergone LRYGBP from July 2001 through May 2003 were retrospectively reviewed. In all cases, antecolic antegastric LRYGBP was performed. Two 19-Fr Blake closed suction drains were left in place, one at the gastrojejunostomy and the other at the jejunojejunostomy. The incidence of bleeding and leaks was reviewed, and the utility of the drains relative to diagnosis and management was evaluated. RESULTS: Bleeding presented in 24 patients (4.4%); in 8, the diagnosis was based on increased sanguinous output from the drain and decreased hematocrit. None of the patients with intraabdominal bleeding required reoperation. Of the 10 patients (1.68%) who presented with leaks, the diagnosis was made within 48 hours postoperatively in 5 patients (50%), based on the characteristics of the drain output. Nonoperative management with drainage and total parenteral nutrition was accomplished in 5 (50%) of the 10 patients with leaks. There was no mortality in the series. CONCLUSION: The routine use of abdominal drains after LRYGBP appears to be beneficial. Drains allowed early diagnosis of complications and in most cases, the successful treatment of leaks. When bleeding is suspected or documented, appropriate volume replacement therapy is mandatory to maintain adequate hemodynamic parameters. Drain output may orient the surgeon to take preventive measures such as discontinuing anticoagulation and early fluid resuscitation. In this series, in most cases the bleeding spontaneously stopped and no further surgical management was required.