Recurring septic shock in a patient with blunt abdominal and pelvic trauma: how mandatory is source control surgery?: a case report.

BACKGROUND: In critically ill patients with colonization/infection of multidrug-resistant organisms, source control surgery is one of the major determinants of clinical success. In more complex cases, the use of different tools for sepsis management may allow survival until complete source control. CASE PRESENTATION: A 42-year-old white man presented with traumatic hemorrhagic shock. Unstable pelvic fractures led to emergency stabilization surgery. Fever ensued with diarrhea, followed by septic shock. Two weeks later, an abdominal computed tomography scan revealed suprapubic and ischiatic abscesses at surgical sites, as well as dilated bowel. Debridement of both surgical sites, performed with vacuum-assisted closure therapy, yielded isolates of carbapenem and colistin-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae. Antibiotic treatment was de-escalated after 21 days; 4 days later fever, leukocytosis, hypotension and acute renal failure relapsed. Blood purification techniques were started, for the removal of endotoxin and inflammatory mediators, with sequential hemodialysis. Clinical improvement ensued; blood cultures yielded Candida albicans and multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii; panresistant carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae grew from wound swabs. In spite of shock reversal, our patient remained febrile, with diarrhea. Control blood cultures yielded Candida albicans, Acinetobacter baumannii and carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae. His abdominal pain increased, paralleled by a right flank palpable mass. Colonoscopy revealed patchy serpiginous ulcers. At exploratory laparotomy, an inflammatory post-traumatic pseudotumor of his right colon was removed. Blood cultures turned negative after surgery. Septic shock, however, relapsed 4 days later. A blood purification cycle was repeated and combination antimicrobial therapy continued. Surgical wounds and blood cultures were persistently positive for carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae. Removal of pelvic synthesis media was therefore anticipated. Three weeks later, clinical, microbiological, and biochemical evidence of infection resolved. CONCLUSIONS: High quality intensive assistance for sepsis episodes needs a clear plan of cure, aimed to complete infection source control, in a complex multidisciplinary interplay of specialists and intensive care physicians.

Fractures and fracture-dislocations of the proximal humerus: A retrospective analysis of 82 cases treated with the Philos(®) locking plate.

OBJECTIVE: To present the experience in a single institution of the management of 82 consecutive fractures and fracture-dislocations of the proximal humerus treated with the Proximal Humeral Internal Locking System (Philos(®)) plate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 81 patients with 82 proximal humerus fractures (one patient had bilateral fracture) were treated at our institution with open reduction and internal fixation with Philos(®) plate from January 2008 to December 2012 and the clinico-radiological outcome was analysed. Twelve of these patients also had a dislocation of the proximal humerus. According to the Neer classification, there were seven two-part fractures, 40 three-part fractures and 35 four-part fractures. All patients received a similar physical therapy programme following internal fixation. Mean final follow-up was 32 months. Functional outcome was evaluated for each patient using the Constant-Murley score; radiographic evaluation was also conducted and complications were recorded. RESULTS: At the end of the follow-up period, the mean Constant-Murley score for the injured side was 75 points (range 42-92); results were graded as excellent for eight patients, good for 52, moderate for 17 and poor for five. Twenty-three patients (28%) had complications during the follow-up period. Reoperation was required in 12 patients. Complications included avascular necrosis of the humeral head in 10 patients (12%), varus positioning of the head in four patients (4.8%), impingement syndrome in three patients (3.6%), secondary screw perforation in three patients (3.6%), non-union of the fracture in two patients (2.4%) and infection in one patient (1.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Open reduction and internal fixation of proximal humeral fractures with the Philos(®) plate was associated with good clinical outcomes provided the correct surgical technique was used. To better evaluate the real incidence of complications, it is important to follow patients for more than one year after surgery as some complications may arise after this time.