Neuro damage control: current concept and civilian applications.

Damage control (DC) initially referred to abbreviated (<1 h) surgical procedures to control abdominal hemorrhage in severe trauma patients, to avoid the 'bloody vicious circle' of hypothermia-coagulopathy-acidosis-hypocalcemia. Progressively, the concept was extended to pre-hospital and peri-operative surgical and non-surgical trauma care. The DC strategy can be applied either in a single severe trauma patient at risk of progression toward the bloody vicious circle or in case of limited or overwhelmed health resources (deprived environment, mass casualties, etc.). DC strategies in neurological casualties have improved over the last decade in military neurosurgeons, but remain poorly codified in civilian settings. In this comprehensive review, we summarize the current concept of neuro-DC, which includes surgical and medical care for neurological injuries as part of a DC strategy. Neuro-DC basically consists in: (i) preventing secondary brain injury; (ii) controlling intracranial bleeding; (iii) controlling intracranial pressure; (iv) limiting contamination of compound wounds; and (v) achieving secondary anatomical restoration.

Digestive perforations related to endoscopy procedures: a local management charter based on local evidence and experts' opinion.

Background and study aims Perforations are a known adverse event of endoscopy procedures; a proposal for appropriate management should be available in each center as recommended by the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. The objective of this study was to establish a charter for the management of endoscopic perforations, based on local evidence. Patients and methods Patients were included if they experienced partial or complete perforation during an endoscopic procedure between 2008 and 2018 (retrospectively until 2016, then prospectively). Perforations (size, location, closure) and management (imagery, antibiotics, surgery) were analyzed. Using these results, a panel of experts was asked to propose a consensual management charter. Results A total of 105 patients were included. Perforations occurred mainly during therapeutic procedures (91, 86.7%). Of the perforations, 78 (74.3 %) were diagnosed immediately and managed during the procedure; 69 of 78 (88.5 %) were successfully closed. Closures were more effective during therapeutic procedures (60 of 66, 90.9 %) than during diagnostic procedures (9 of 12, 75.0 %, P  = 0.06). Endoscopic closure was effective for 37 of 38 perforations (97.4 %) < 0.5 cm, and for 26 of 34 perforations (76.5 %) ≥ 0.5 cm ( P  < 0.05). For perforations < 0.5 cm, systematic computed tomography (CT) scan, antibiotics, or surgical evaluation did not improve the outcome. Four of 105 deaths (3.8 %) occurred after perforation, one of which was attributable to the perforation itself. Conclusions Detection and closure of perforations during endoscopic procedure had a better outcome compared to delayed perforations; perforations < 0.5 cm had a very good prognosis and CT scan, surgeon evaluation, or antibiotics are probably not necessary when the endoscopic closure is confidently performed. This work led to proposal of a local management charter.

Gastric Pneumatosis with Portal Venous Gas can be Treated Non-operatively: A Retrospective Multi-institutional Study.

BACKGROUND: Gastric pneumatosis (GP) is a rare radiologic finding with an unpredictable prognosis. The aim of this study was to identify mortality risk factors from patients presenting with GP on computed tomography (CT), and to develop a model which would allow us to predict which patients would benefit most from operative management. METHODS: Between 2010 and 2020, all CT-scan reports in four tertiary centers were searched for the following terms: "gastric pneumatosis," "intramural gastric air" or "emphysematous gastritis." The retrieved CT scans were reviewed by a senior surgeon and a senior radiologist. Relevant clinical and laboratory data for these patients were extracted from the institutions' medical records. RESULTS: Among 58 patients with GP, portal venous gas and bowel ischemia were present on CT scan in 52 (90%) and 17 patients (29%), respectively. The 30-day mortality rate was 31%. Univariate analysis identified the following variables as predictive of mortality at the time of the diagnosis of GP: abdominal guarding, hemodynamic instability, arterial lactate level >2 mmol/l, and the absence of gastric dilatation. Multivariable analysis identified the following variables as independent predictors of mortality: arterial lactate level (OR: 1.39, 95% CI: 1.07-1.79) and the absence of gastric dilatation (OR: 0.07, 95% CI: 0.01-0.79). None of the patients presenting with a baseline lactate rate<2 mmol/l died within 30 days following diagnosis, and no more than 17 patients out of 58 had bowel ischemia (29%). CONCLUSIONS: GP could be managed non-operatively, even in the presence of portal venous gas. However, patients with arterial lactate level>2 mmol/l, or the absence of gastric dilation should be surgically explored due to a non-negligible risk of mortality.

Traumatic Abdominal Wall Hernia-A Series of 12 Patients and a Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND: The traumatic abdominal wall hernia (TAWH) is strongly associated with blunt abdominal trauma. The importance of the CT scan cannot be underestimated-the diagnosis of TAWH is easy to miss clinically, but simple to spot radiologically. We report a case series of patients managed in a French-level one trauma centre, to contribute our experience in the detection and management of associated injuries, and of the hernia itself. METHODS: All patients (n = 4238) presenting to a single-level one trauma centre for trauma resuscitation (including systematic full-body computerised tomography) from November 2014 to February 2020 were screened for the presence of TAWH and prospectively added to our database. Particular attention was paid to the late detection of associated intra-abdominal injuries. Finally, the choice of management of the hernia itself was noted. A literature review of all case series and individual case reports until the time of writing was performed and summarised. RESULTS: We report 12 cases of TAWH amongst 4238 patients presenting to the trauma resuscitation bay between November 2014 and February 2020. All patients underwent a contrast-enhanced CT immediately after stabilisation. No patients had clinically detected TAWH prior to CT. Intra-abdominal injuries were found in 9 patients (75%), and urgent surgery was required in 7 patients (58.3%). Two (28.5%) of these seven patients had a missed diagnosis of intra-abdominal injury at the time of the index CT scan, although the TAWH had been detected. Based on our literature review, 271 patients across 12 case series were identified. In total, 183 (67;5%) of these patients were reported to have ≥ 1 associated intra-abdominal injuries. In total, 127 (46,8%) patients required an urgent laparotomy for management of these injuries. Five (3.9%) of the patients requiring urgent laparotomy had a missed CT diagnosis of intra-abdominal injury but not of TAWH at the time of the baseline CT. CONCLUSIONS: TAWH is a rare clinical entity that may alert to more significant, associated trauma lesions. The CT scan is the imaging modality of choice, to both diagnose and classify the hernia and to screen for other injuries. The presence of TAWH must lower the threshold to operatively explore or at least closely monitor these patients, in view of the high rate of false-negative findings at index imaging.

How to save time in surveillance without losing quality: comparison of two methods of surgical site infection surveillance in orthopaedic prosthetics in a French university hospital.

Surgical site infection (SSI) surveillance methods are not standardised and are often time-consuming. We compared an active method, based on orthopaedic department staff reporting suspected SSI, with a semi-automated method, based on computerised extraction of surgical revisions, after total hip and knee arthroplasty. Both methods allowed finding the same SSI cases. We found the same sensitivity but higher specificity with a straightforward time gain using the passive method. This represents an added value for the organisation of an effective SSI surveillance, based on existing hospital databases.

Bone and parietal anterior iliac crest reconstruction for trans-iliac hernia after tricortical graft harvesting: An original technique.

Tricortical cortico-cancellous bone allografts from the anterior iliac crest are routinely used in revision arthroplasty and to treat non-union. Trans-iliac herniation (TIH) has been reported as an exceptional complication after extensive graft harvesting. The various reconstruction techniques include isolated parietal reconstruction and combined parietal and bone reconstruction using allografts or a spacer to reconstruct the bone defect. No previous study has evaluated a combined reconstruction technique involving both bone reconstruction with a titanium plate and abdominal wall reconstruction with a parietal reinforcement prosthesis. This technical note describes the evaluation of an original combined reconstruction technique used after failure of isolated parietal reconstruction to treat TIH. Through a direct approach to the anterior iliac crest, the bone defect was repaired using a flexible titanium cranio-facial reconstruction plate and the abdominal wall defect using a polypropylene/poliglecaprone parietal reinforcement prosthesis. This original technique was demonstrated to be effective for treating TIH, with no recurrence after 2.5 years of follow-up. In addition, this technique involves no added morbidity related, for instance, to allograft using or spacer migration.

Preliminary Report of Percutaneous Cholecystostomy as Diagnosis and Treatment of Biliary Tract Trauma.

BACKGROUND: Biliary leak following severe blunt liver injuries is a complex problem becoming more frequent with improvements in non-operative management. Standard treatment requires main bile duct drainage usually performed by endoscopic sphincterotomy and stent placement. We report our experience with cholecystostomy as a first minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic approach. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of consecutive patients with post-traumatic biliary leak between 2006 and 2015. In the first period (2006-2010), biliary fistula was managed using perihepatic drainage and endoscopic, percutaneous or surgical main bile duct drainage. After 2010, cholecystostomy as an initial minimally invasive approach was performed. RESULTS: Of 341 patients with blunt liver injury, 18 had a post-traumatic biliary leak. Ten patients received standard treatment and eight patients underwent cholecystostomy. The cholecystostomy (62.5%) and the standard treatment (80%) groups presented similar success rates as the first biliary drainage procedure (p = 0.41). Cholecystostomy presented no severe complications and resulted, when successful, in a bile flow rate inversion between the perihepatic drains and the gallbladder drain within a median [IQR] 4 days [1-7]. The median time for bile leak resolution was 26 days in the cholecystostomy group and 39 days in the standard treatment group (p = 0.09). No significant difference was found considering median duration of hospital stay (54 and 74 days, respectively, p = 0.37) or resuscitation stay (17.5 and 19.5 days, p = 0.59). CONCLUSION: Cholecystostomy in non-operative management of biliary fistula after blunt liver injury could be an effective, simple and safe first-line procedure in the diagnostic and therapeutic approach of post-traumatic biliary tract injuries.

Abdominopelvic injuries due to road traffic accidents: Characteristics in a registry of 162,695 victims.

OBJECTIVE: Road traffic accidents (RTAs) are the first cause of abdominopelvic injuries (APIs). The objective of this study was to describe the characteristics and severity of APIs due to traffic accidents in a large French trauma registry and to identify risk factors for API. METHODS: All victims from the French Rhône registry of victims of RTAs were analyzed from 1996 to 2013. This registry contained data that were issued over a 20-year period from 245 medical departments, from prehospital care until re-adaptation, and forensic medicine departments. All APIs, defined as an injury between the diaphragm and the pelvic bone, were extracted and studied. RESULTS: Among 162,695 victims, 10,165 had an API (6.7%). Accidents frequently involved young men and 2 cars. Mean Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 8.7. Mortality rate was 5.6%. Soft tissue injuries largely predominated (n = 6,388; 54.4% of patients). Overall, 2,322 victims had a pelvic bone injury. Internal abdominal organs were involved in 2,425 patients; the most frequent were the spleen, liver, and kidney. Wearing of the seat belt appeared to be a significant protective factor in API, including serious injuries. A partial analysis over the past 2 years among the most severe patients hospitalized in the intensive care unit indicated that nonoperative management was carried out in two thirds of the wounded. In uni- or multivariate analysis, sex, age, type of user, antagonist, time of occurrence, associated severe lesions, or wearing of the seat belt were statistically associated with the occurrence of API, highlighting a more dangerous user profile. CONCLUSIONS: Abdominopelvic injuries concern a minority of road traffic injuries, but they are responsible for significant mortality. Large solid organs are the most frequently affected. Women drivers wearing a seat belt and driving in town during the day appear to be more protected against API.

Factors associated with Clostridium difficile infection: A nested case-control study in a three year prospective cohort.

BACKGROUND: Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a serious medical condition that is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Identification of risk factors associated with CDI and prompt recognition of patients at risk is key to successfully preventing CDI. METHODS: A 3-year prospective, observational, cohort study was conducted in a French university hospital and a nested case-control study was performed to identify risk factors for CDI. Inpatients aged 18 years or older, suffering from diarrhea suspected to be related to CDI, were asked to participate. RESULTS: A total of 945 patients were included, of which 233 cases had a confirmed CDI. CDI infection was more common in men (58.4%) (P = 0.04) compared with patients with diarrhea not related to C. difficile. Previous hospitalization (P < 0.001), prior treatment with antibiotics (P = 0.001) or antiperistaltics (P = 0.002), liver disease (P = 0.003), malnutrition (P < 0.001), and previous CDI (P < 0.001) were significantly more common in patients with CDI. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that exposure to antibiotics in the last 60 days (especially third generation cephalosporins and penicillins with ß-lactamase inhibitor), chronic renal or liver disease, malnutrition or previous CDI, were associated with an independent high risk of CDI. Age was not related with CDI. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that antibiotics and some comorbid conditions were predictors of CDI. Patients at high risk of acquiring CDI at the time of admission may benefit from careful monitoring of antibiotic prescriptions and early attention to infection control issues. In future, these "high-risk" patients may benefit from novel agents being developed to prevent CDI.

Controversies in the management of splenic trauma.

BACKGROUND: The technologic innovations of the last three decades, coupled with a deeper understanding of the immunologic role of the spleen, have significantly shifted the management of splenic injuries towards non-operative approaches. However, there continuous to be a wide range of practice patterns related to the non-operative management of splenic injuries, from which the authors infer a gap between the best available evidence and its translation into practice. We sought to explore ongoing areas of controversy in the non-operative management of splenic trauma with the aim of further elucidating why these controversies continue to exist. METHODS: We explored areas of ongoing controversy in the management of splenic injury though a series of iterative surveys. We invited 70 experts in trauma care from ten countries around the world to participate. Areas of controversy explored included: indications and frequency for in-hospital and follow-up imaging, definitions of failure of non-operative management, indications for angioembolisation and non-operative management in special populations (i.e. elderly, concomitant traumatic brain injury, penetrating trauma). RESULTS: A 49% response rate was obtained. Even though a wide range of practice patterns were identified, no controversies were identified in areas that do not involve the adoption of new technologies. In areas where practice pattern variation was observed, the strong influence of the local environment was constantly identified as an impediment to changes in practice. CONCLUSIONS: We have identified that barriers present within local practice environments are the major driving forces behind controversies in the non-operative management of splenic injuries.

Lack of recovery in monocyte human leukocyte antigen-DR expression is independently associated with the development of sepsis after major trauma.

INTRODUCTION: Major trauma is characterized by an overwhelming pro-inflammatory response and an accompanying anti-inflammatory response that lead to a state of immunosuppression, as observed after septic shock. Diminished monocyte Human Leukocyte Antigen DR (mHLA-DR) is a reliable marker of monocyte dysfunction and immunosuppression. The main objective of this study was to determine the relation between mHLA-DR expression in severe trauma patients and the development of sepsis. METHODS: We conducted a prospective observational study over 23 months in a trauma intensive care unit at a university hospital. Patients with an Injury Severity Score (ISS) over 25 and age over 18 were included. mHLA-DR was assessed by flow cytometry protocol according to standardized protocol. Mann-Whitney U-test for continuous non-parametric variables, independent paired t test for continuous parametric variables and chi-square test for categorical data were used. RESULTS: mHLA-DR was measured three times a week during the first 14 days. One hundred five consecutive severely injured patients were monitored (ISS 38 ± 17, SAPS II 37 ± 16). Thirty-seven patients (35%) developed sepsis over the 14 days post-trauma. At days 1-2, mHLA-DR was diminished in the whole patient population, with no difference with the development of sepsis. At days 3-4, a highly significant difference appeared between septic and non-septic patients. Non- septic patients showed an increase in mHLA-DR levels, whereas septic patients did not (13,723 ± 7,766 versus 9,271 ± 6,029 antibodies per cell, p = .004). Most importantly, multivariate logistic regression analysis, after adjustment for usual clinical confounders (adjusted OR 5.41, 95% CI 1.42-20.52), revealed that a slope of mHLA-DR expression between days1-2 and days 3-4 below 1.2 remained associated with the development of sepsis. CONCLUSIONS: Major trauma induced an immunosuppression, characterized by a decrease in mHLA-DR expression. Importantly, after multivariate regression logistic analysis, persistent decreased expression was assessed to be in relation with the development of sepsis. This is the first study in trauma patients showing a link between the lack of immune recovery and the development of sepsis on the basis of the standardized protocol. Monitoring immune function by mHLA-DR measurement could be useful to identify trauma patients at a high risk of infection.

Pain as the only consistent sign of acute appendicitis: lack of inflammatory signs does not exclude the diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: The clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis in adults remains tricky, but radiological examinations are very helpful to determine the diagnosis even when the adult patient presents atypically. This study was designed to quantify the proportion of patients with a preoperative diagnosis of acute appendicitis that had isolated right lower quadrant pain without biological inflammatory signs and then to determine which imaging examination led to the determination of the diagnosis. METHODS: In this monocentric study based on retrospectively collected data, we analyzed a series of 326 patients with a preoperative diagnosis of acute appendicitis and isolated those who were afebrile and had isolated right lower quadrant pain and normal white blood cell counts and C-reactive protein levels. We determined whether the systematic ultrasonography examination was informative enough or a complementary intravenous contrast media computed tomography scan was necessary to determine the diagnosis, and whether the final pathological diagnosis fit the preoperative one. RESULTS: A total of 15.6% of the patients with a preoperative diagnosis of acute appendicitis had isolated rebound tenderness in the right lower quadrant, i.e., they were afebrile and their white blood cell counts and C-reactive protein levels were normal. In 96.1% of the cases, the ultrasonography examination, sometimes complemented by an intravenous contrasted computed tomography scan if the ultrasonography result was equivocal, fit the histopathological diagnosis of acute appendicitis. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis of acute appendicitis cannot be excluded when an adult patient presents with isolated rebound tenderness in the right lower quadrant even without fever and biological inflammatory signs. In our study, ultrasonography and computed tomography were very helpful when making the final diagnosis.

Initial management of extensive mesenteric venous thrombosis: retrospective study of nine cases.

BACKGROUND: The development of mesenteric venous thrombosis (MVT) does not necessarily require surgical intervention. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of avoiding early operative intervention, which can lead to significant sacrifice of the small bowel. METHODS: Patients with MVT were identified using the inpatient registry for the years between 2003 and 2007. Each patient's past medical history, history of prior deep venous thrombosis or hypercoagulable state, clinical and biologic presentation, and computed tomography (CT) results were analyzed. The proportion of ischemic bowel observed on the CT scans was compared with the length of the bowel resected. RESULTS: Nine patients were admitted for extensive MVT during the time period evaluated (six men, three women). All CT scans demonstrated signs of severe bowel ischemia, with a mean ischemic bowel proportion of 21% (range 5-45%). Four patients received medical management alone. Five patients underwent surgery. The mean admission time for these patients prior to the operation was 14.8 days (6-36 days). Surgery was required only in cases of intestinal perforation. The mean length of the bowel resections was 33 cm (20-45 cm). At 6 months after admission, none of the patients required parenteral nutrition. The mean follow-up evaluation period was 27 months (15-38 months). One patient died secondary to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis during the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Initial nonsurgical management comprised of inpatient observation on a surgical ward along with systemic anticoagulation must be considered an alternative treatment strategy for MVT. This strategy delays surgery and therefore avoids short bowel syndrome.

Attitudes about Injury among High School Students.

BACKGROUND: Despite education and changes in public policy, trauma-related injuries continue to exact an unacceptably high morbidity and mortality, particularly among young people. Most injuries are preventable and can often be attributed to poor choices. STUDY DESIGN: A mixed methods study involving 262 high school students was conducted to study the effect on knowledge and risk assessment after a day-long injury prevention program, and to develop a theoretic framework to better understand attitudes and beliefs that underlie commonly seen behaviors among young people. RESULTS: Knowledge about injury increased after participation in the program, but was not durable over time. Risk perception and capacity to discern safer options improved after the program and persisted for up to 30 days. A qualitative analysis revealed seven themes that reflect a sense of invincibility and a belief that fate is more important than choice in determining the outcomes of a situation. CONCLUSIONS: Effective injury prevention programs should include risk perception training that is informed by the attitudes and beliefs of the recipients.