Gastric electrical stimulation for abdominal pain in patients with symptoms of gastroparesis.

Abdominal pain physiology may be better understood studying electrophysiology, histology, and symptom scores in patients with the symptoms of gastroparesis (Gp) treated with gastric electrical stimulation (GES). Ninety-five Gp patients' symptoms were recorded at baseline and during temporary and permanent GES. Gastric-emptying times and cutaneous, mucosal, and serosal electrogastrograms were obtained. S100-stained, full-thickness gastric biopsies were compared with autopsy controls. Sixty-eight patients reported severe pain at baseline. Severe pain patients' mean pain scores decreased with temporary GES from 3.62 to 1.29 (P < 0.001) and nonsevere pain from 1.26 to 0.67 (P = 0.01). With permanent GES, severe mean pain scores fell to 2.30 (P < 0.001); nonsevere pain changed to 1.60 (P = 0.221). Mean follow-up was 275 days. Mean cutaneous, mucosal, and serosal frequencies and frequency-to-amplitude ratios were markedly higher than literature controls. For patients with Gp overall and subdivided by etiology and severity of pain, S-100 neuronal fibers were significantly reduced in both muscularis propria layers. GES improved severe pain associated with symptoms of Gp. This severe pain is associated with abnormal electrogastrographic activity and loss of S100 neuronal fibers in the stomach's inner and outer muscularis propria and, therefore, could be the result of gastric neuropathy.

Management of traumatic vascular injuries to the neck: a 7-year experience at a Level I trauma center.

Injury to the carotid artery results in significant mortality and morbidity. The general consensus is to repair all injuries to the common and internal carotid arteries. Ligation is usually reserved for neurologic or hemodynamic instability. We report our experience at a Level I trauma center with vascular injuries to the neck. Retrospective chart review of all patients with vascular injuries in the neck resulting from either blunt or penetrating trauma treated at a Level I trauma center between January 2000 and February 2007. Demographics and outcomes were collected from a chart review. Twenty-five patients with vascular injuries to the neck were identified. There were 13 carotid artery injuries (CAI), five internal jugular vein (IJV) injuries, and 13 external jugular vein (EJV) injuries. Of the carotid artery injuries, six (50%) underwent operative repair (4 primary repairs and 2 bypasses), five (38%) were managed nonoperatively, and one was treated using endovascular techniques. No patient had a postoperative decrease in Glasgow Coma Scale score. There were five isolated IJV injuries (3 primary repair and 2 ligations). Four of the venous injuries (all internal jugular veins) were repaired and the remaining 13 were ligated. Vascular injuries to the neck have significant mortality and morbidity. Treatment of these injuries must be individualized. All CAI in noncomatose patients should be repaired if hemodynamically stable. All IJV injuries should be repaired but may be ligated if hemodynamically unstable. All EJV injuries can be ligated without reservation regardless of neurological status.

The weight of obesity in patients with lower extremity vascular injuries.

OBJECTIVE: Clinical obesity is an epidemic problem in the United States. The impact of this disease upon traumatic lower extremity vascular injuries (LEVI) is as yet undefined. We hypothesized that clinical obesity adversely affects outcome in patients with traumatic LEVI. METHODS: All adult patients admitted over a 5-year period with a traumatic LEVI were identified. Clinical obesity was defined as body mass index (BMI)>30. Obese and non-obese patient groups were compared for surgical management and outcome. RESULTS: A total of 145 patients were identified. BMI data were available for 115 (79.3%) of these patients (obese n=47; non-obese n=68). Obese and non-obese groups were similar. Obese patients underwent more vascular repairs but the amputation rate and mortality were not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: While obese body habitus can increase the complexity of evaluation and management of patients with LEVI, we have demonstrated that equivalent outcomes to the non-obese population can be achieved for the clinically obese patient with a BMI>30. However, patients with a BMI>40 did reveal a significantly higher chance of amputation and death after LEVI. Due to the small number of patients in this subset, one should use caution when interpreting this data.

Popliteal artery injuries in an urban trauma center with a rural catchment area: do delays in definitive treatment affect amputation?

Extended length of time from injury to definitive vascular repair is considered to be a predictor of amputation in patients with popliteal artery injuries. In an urban trauma center with a rural catchment area, logistical issues frequently result in treatment delays, which may affect limb salvage after vascular trauma. We examined how known risk factors for amputation after popliteal trauma are affected in a more rural environment, where patients often experience delays in definitive surgical treatment. All adult patients admitted to the Level I trauma center, the University of Mississippi Medical Center, with a popliteal artery injury between January 2000 and December of 2007 were identified. Demographic information management and outcome data were collected. Body mass index, mangled extremity severity score (MESS), Guistilo open fracture score, injury severity score, and time from injury to vascular repair were examined. Fifty-one patients with popliteal artery injuries (53% blunt and 47% penetrating) were identified, all undergoing operative repair. There were nine amputations (17.6%) and one death. Patients requiring amputation had a higher MESS, 7.8 versus 5.3 (P < 0.01), and length of stay, 43 versus 15 days (P < 0.01), compared with those with successful limb salvage. Body mass index, injury severity score, Guistilo open fracture score, or time from injury to repair were not different between the two groups. Patients with a blunt mechanism of injury had a slightly higher amputation rate compared with those with penetrating trauma, 25.9 per cent versus 8.3 per cent (P = non significant). MESS, though not perfect, is the best predictor of amputation in patients with popliteal artery injuries. Morbid obesity is not a significant predictor for amputation in patients with popliteal artery injuries. Time from injury to repair of greater than 6 hours was not predictive of amputation. This study further demonstrates that a single scoring system should be used with caution when determining the need for lower extremity amputation.

Blunt renal trauma and the predictors of failure of non-operative management.

OBJECTIVES: While non-operative management of renal trauma in selected patients is now an accepted management option, predictors of failure of this treatment strategy are still unclear. METHODS: Five-year retrospective study of all patients with blunt renal injuries managed non-operatively at a Level I Trauma Center. Abstracted data included patient demographics, initial vital signs, base deficit, associated injuries, use of blood transfusion, management, and outcomes. Patients with successful non-operative management (S-NOM) and failure of non-operative management (F-NOM) were compared with two-tailed Student's t test, Fisher's exact test, or chi-square analysis as appropriate. RESULTS: Over five years, 271 patients out of 12,252 trauma cases (2.2%) had blunt renal injury; 239 (88%) were initially managed non-operatively, and ten (4.1%) of these patients later requiring operation or intervention. No differences in age, sex, initial vitals, or GCS were found between S-NOM and F-NOM. The F-NOM patients were more seriously injured than the S-NOM patients (ISS 31 vs. 21, p < 0.001); had worse acidosis (ABG base deficit of-9.1 vs. -4.5, p < 0.001); required more blood products (12 units PRBC vs. 2.6 units PRBC, p < 0.001); and had significantly longer hospital lengths of stay (37 days vs. 12 days, p < 0.001). Angiography was used more frequently in the F-NOM patients (40% vs. 8.7%, p < 0.02). In the F-NOM only 3 (30%) required direct kidney intervention: 1 nephrectomy, 1 open urinoma drainage and 1 open nephrostomy tube placement. All of these patients had grade V renal injuries. The rest of the F-NOM patients had operative interventions not directly related to their renal injuries: 1 splenectomy and 6 missed bowel injuries. CONCLUSION: Non-operative management of blunt renal injuries is successful in most cases. Patients with a high base deficit, ongoing transfusion requirements, and greater Injury Severity Scores have a higher likelihood of requiring operation, but these procedures most often are to address non-renal abdominal injuries. High-grade blunt renal injuries that are hemodynamically stable can be treated expectantly on an individual basis with close follow-up. Any patient with hemodynamic instability, renal pedicle injury, renal artery thrombosis, or urinary extravasation will likely require operative intervention.

Open-book pelvic fractures with perineal open wounds: a significant morbid combination.

Open-book pelvic fractures (OBPF) with concomitant intra-abdominal injuries carry a high morbidity and mortality; the significance of associated perineal open wound (OBPF-POW) has not been defined. We hypothesize that the presence of perineal open wounds increases morbidity, mortality, and concomitant use of hospital resources. Patients diagnosed with OBPF over a 5-year period at a Level I trauma center were identified by trauma registry review, and were retrospectively reviewed under an Institutional Review Board-approved protocol. Patients with OBPF without a perineal open wound were compared with those with OBPF-POW. Data collected included patient demographics, injury details, management, and outcomes. A total of 1,635 patients with blunt pelvic fractures were identified, of which 177 (10.8%) had OBPF. OBPF-POW (36/177) significantly increased the use of angioembolization, occurrence of sepsis, pelvic sepsis, ARDS, and multi-organ system failure. Patients with OBPF-POW had an increase of 13 days in length of hospitalization compared with the OBPF group (P < 0.001), with cost of $120,647.30 and $62,952.72 respectively (P < 0.001). Perineal open wounds complicate open-book pelvic fractures with significant increase in hospital resource utilization. Aggressive multidisciplinary evaluation and management is appropriate to detect and prevent complications.

Impact of obesity in damage control laparotomy patients.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is an independent predictor of increased morbidity and mortality in critically injured trauma patients. We hypothesized that obese patients in need of damage control laparotomy (DCL) will encounter an increase incidence of postsurgical complications with a concomitant increase mortality when compared with a cohort of nonobese patients. METHODS: All adult trauma patients who underwent DCL during a 4-year period at a Level I Trauma Center were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were categorized into nonobese (body mass index [BMI] < or = 29 kg/m), obese (BMI 30-39 kg/m), and severely obese (BMI > or = 40 kg/m) groups. Outcome measures included the occurrence of postoperative infectious complications, failure of primary abdominal wall fascial closure, acute respiratory distress syndrome, acute renal insufficiency, multiple system organ failure, days of ventilator support, hospital length of stay, and death. RESULTS: During a 4-year period, 12,759 adult trauma patients were admitted to our Level I Trauma Center of which 1,812 (14.2%) underwent emergent laparotomy. Of these, 104 (5.7%) were treated with DCL: nonobese, n = 51 (49%); obese, n = 38 (37%); and severely obese, n = 15 (14%). In a multivariate adjusted model, multiple system organ failure was 1.82 times more likely in severely obese (95% CI: 1.14-2.90) and 1.74 times more likely in the obese patients (95% CI: 1.14-2.66) when compared with patients with normal BMI after DCL (p < 0.01). In the severely obese patients undergoing DCL, significantly elevated prevalence ratios (PR) for development of postoperative infectious complications, acute renal insufficiency, and failure of primary abdominal wall fascial closure were 1.75, 3.07, and 2.62, respectively. Days of ventilator support, length of stay, and mortality rates were significantly higher in severely obese patients (24 days, 27 days, and 60%) compared with obese (14 days, 14 days, and 21%) and nonobese (9.8 days, 14 days, and 28%) patients. CONCLUSION: Severe obesity was significantly associated with adverse outcomes and increased resource utilization in trauma patients treated with DCL. Measures to improve outcomes in this vulnerable patient population must be directed at multiple levels of health care.

Proximal splenic angioembolization does not improve outcomes in treating blunt splenic injuries compared with splenectomy: a cohort analysis.

BACKGROUND: Although splenic angioembolization (SAE) has been introduced and adopted in many trauma centers, the appropriate selection for and utility of SAE in trauma patients remains under debate. This study examined the outcomes of proximal SAE as part of a management algorithm for adult traumatic splenic injury compared with splenectomy. METHODS: A retrospective cohort analysis was performed on all hemodynamically stable (HDS) blunt trauma patients with isolated splenic injury and computed tomographic (CT) evidence of active contrast extravasation that presented to a level 1 Trauma Center over a period of 5 years. The cohorts were defined by two separate 30 month periods and included 78 patients seen before (group I) and 76 patients seen after (group II) the introduction of an institutional SAE protocol. Demographics, splenic injury grade, and outcomes of the two groups were compared using Student's t test, or chi2 test. Analysis was by intention-to-treat. RESULTS: Six hundred eighty-two patients with blunt splenic injury were identified; 154 patients (29%) were HDS with CT evidence of active contrast extravasation. Group I (n = 78) was treated with splenectomy and group II (n = 76) was treated with proximal SAE. There was no difference in age (33 +/- 14 vs. 37 +/- 17 years), Injury Severity Score (31 +/- 13 vs. 29 +/- 11), or mortality (18% vs. 15%) between the two groups. However, the incidence of Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) was 4-fold higher in those patients that underwent proximal SAE compared with those that underwent splenectomy (22% vs. 5%, p = 0.002). Twenty two patients failed nonoperative management (NOM) after SAE. This failure appeared to be directly related to the grade of splenic organ injury (grade I and II: 0%; grade III: 24%; grade IV: 53%; and grade V: 100%). CONCLUSION: Introduction of proximal SAE in NOM of HDS splenic trauma patients with active extravasation did not alter mortality rates at a Level 1 Trauma Center. Increased incidence of ARDS and association of failure of NOM with higher splenic organ injury score identify areas for cautionary application of proximal SAE in the more severely injured trauma patient population. Better patient selection guidelines for proximal SAE are needed. Without these guidelines, outcomes from SAE will still lack transparency.

Brachial artery injuries in a rural catchment trauma center: are the upper and lower extremity the same?

BACKGROUND: The predictors of amputation for patients with lower extremity vascular trauma are well described in the literature, but the predictors of amputation in the upper extremity are not so well defined. We hypothesize that the predictors of amputation in the lower extremity are much different when compared with the upper extremity. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of all brachial artery traumatic injuries presenting to a rural-state university trauma center. RESULTS: In a 6-year period, 41 patients presented with brachial artery injuries. Operative management was performed in 38 (93%) patients which included 23 reversed saphenous vein grafts, 13 primary repairs, and 2 synthetic grafts. There were four deaths (9.8%) and four (9.8%) amputations. Comparing the amputation and limb salvage groups, the Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 32 versus 12, whereas the Mangled Extremity Severity Score (MESS) was 7 versus 4.3. Five patients had a MESS score greater than 7; four of whom had an amputation or died. Amputation was performed in only 4 of 23 patients with neurologic deficits. Limb salvage was successful in 24 of 28 patients without a palpable pulse on arrival. CONCLUSIONS: Predictors of amputation in brachial artery injuries differ from lower extremity vascular injuries. Delayed presentation greater than 6 hours, MESS, open fracture, nerve deficits, and diminished capillary refill were not predictive of amputation for patients with brachial artery injuries. These data suggest that the vast majority of upper extremity injuries should have attempted salvage regardless of the severity scoring systems.

Selective nonoperative management of low-grade blunt pancreatic injury: are we there yet?

BACKGROUND: Nonoperative management (NOM) of low-grade blunt pancreatic injuries (LGBPI) diagnosed by computed tomographic (CT) abnormalities of the pancreas in the adult hemodynamically stable (HDS) patient has not been previously defined. We report our experience of patients with LGBPI at a single Level I Trauma Center. METHODS: Adult HDS patients during a 5-year period with blunt pancreatic injuries with an abbreviated injury score of

Is there a role for secondary thoracic ultrasound in patients with penetrating injuries to the anterior mediastinum?

Pericardial tamponade (PT) after penetrating thoracic injury can be lethal if not diagnosed and treated promptly. Most patients present with PT shortly after their injuries occur, but delayed presentation of PT (delayed pericardial tamponade [DPT]) has occurred as late as 73 days after initial injury. Initial evaluation of patients with an anterior mediastinal penetrating injury includes physical examination, chest x-ray, and echocardiography. CT scans of the chest can clarify the tracts of penetrating injuries in stable patients. With increased accessibility to these radiographic modalities, PT has been diagnosed in a more timely fashion, and the incidence of DPT has decreased. However, the absence of pericardial effusions on all of these studies at initial presentation does not clear the patient from risk for developing DPT.

Impact of telemedicine upon rural trauma care.

OBJECTIVES: Only preliminary reports have evaluated the impact of telemedicine in trauma care. This study will analyze outcomes before (pre-TM) and after (post-TM) implementation of telemedicine in the management of rural trauma patients initially treated at local community hospitals (LCH) before trauma center (TC) transfer. METHODS: Seven rural hospital emergency departments in Mississippi were equipped with dual video cameras with remote control capability. All trauma patients initially treated at these LCH with TC consultation were reviewed. Data included patient demographics, Injury Severity Score, institutional volume of patients, mode of transportation, length of stay in LCH, transfer time (TT), mortality, and hospital cost. Patients were grouped in the pre-TM and post-TM periods. Statistical testing was with two-sample Student's t test or chi analysis as appropriate. RESULTS: During 5 years, 814 traumatically injured patients (pre-TM, n = 351; post-TM, n = 463) presented to the LCH. In the pre-TM period, 351 patients were transferred directly from the LCH for definitive management to the TC. In the post-TM period, 463 virtual consults were received, of which 51 patients were triaged to the TC. There were no differences in patient age, sex, or mode of transportation. When comparing post-TM with pre-TM era, patients had a higher Injury Severity Score (18 vs. 10, p < 0.001); less incidence of blunt trauma 35 (68%) versus 290 (82%), p < 0.05; a decrease in length of stay at LCH 1.5 hours versus 47 hours, p < 0.001; as well as TT LCH to TC 1.7 hours versus 13 hours, p < 0.001. After arrival to TC during the post-TM era patients received more units of packed red bed cell 13 units versus 5 units, p < 0.001 but without difference in mortality 4 (7.8%) versus 17 (4.8%), when compared with pre-TM era. Of statistical significance there was a dramatic decrease in hospital cost when comparing post-TM and pre-TM eras ($1,126,683 vs. $7,632,624, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Telemedicine significantly improved rural LCH evaluation and management of trauma patients. More severely injured trauma patients were identified and more rapidly transferred to the TC. Total TC hospital costs were significantly decreased without significant changes in TC mortality. Introduction of telemedicine consultation to rural LCH emergency departments expanded LCH trauma capabilities and conserved TC resources, which were directed to more severely injured patients.

Refractory gastroparesis after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: surgical treatment with implantable pacemaker.

BACKGROUND: Gastroparesis is a rare complication of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. We evaluate the role of gastric electrical stimulation in medically refractory gastroparesis. METHODS: Patients with refractory gastroparesis after gastric bypass for morbid obesity were studied. After behavioral and anatomic problems were ruled out, the diagnosis of disordered gastric emptying was confirmed by radionuclide gastric emptying. Temporary endoscopic stimulation was used first to assess response before implanting a permanent device. RESULTS: Six patients, all women with mean age of 42 years, were identified. Two patients ultimately had reversal of their surgery with gastro-gastrostomy, while another had a total gastrectomy with persistence of symptoms in all three. Five of the patients evaluated had insertion of a permanent gastric pacemaker, with pacing lead implanted on the gastric pouch (2), the antrum of the reconstructed stomach (1), or the proximal Roux limb (2). Nausea and emesis improved significantly postoperatively; mean total symptom score decreased from 15 to 11 out of 20. There was also a persistent improvement in gastric emptying postoperatively based on radionuclide testing. CONCLUSION: If medical therapy fails, electrical stimulation is a viable option in selected patients with gastroparesis symptoms complicating gastric bypass and should be considered in lieu of reversal surgery or gastrectomy.