A potentially expanded role for enoxaparin in preventing venous thromboembolism in high risk blunt trauma patients.

BACKGROUND: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a frequent and potentially life-threatening complication after trauma. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of enoxaparin in preventing deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) after injury in patients who are at high risk for developing VTE. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective single-cohort observational study was initiated for seriously injured blunt trauma patients admitted to a Level I trauma center during a 7-month period. Patients were eligible for the study if time hospitalized was > or = 72 hours, Injury Severity Score (ISS) was > or = 9, enoxaparin was started within 24 hours after admission, and one or more of the following high risk criteria were met: age > 50 years, ISS > or = 16, presence of a femoral vein catheter, Abbreviated Injury Score (AIS) > or = 3 for any body region, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) Score < or = 8, presence of major pelvic, femur, or tibia fracture, and presence of direct blunt mechanism venous injury. Patients with closed head injuries and nonoperatively treated solid abdominal organ injuries were also potential participants. The primary outcomes measured were thromboembolic events--either a documented lower extremity DVT by duplex color-flow doppler ultrasonography or a PE documented by rapid infusion CT pulmonary angiography or conventional pulmonary angiography. RESULTS: There were 118 patients enrolled in the study. Two patients (2%) developed DVT, one of which was proximal to the calf (95% confidence interval, 0% to 6%). Two of 12 patients (17%) with splenic injuries who received enoxaparin failed initial nonoperative management. There were no other bleeding complications, and no clinical evidence or documented episodes of PE. One patient died from multiple system organ failure. CONCLUSIONS: Enoxaparin is a practical and effective method for reducing the incidence of VTE in high risk, seriously injured patients. This study supports further investigation into the safety of enoxaparin prophylaxis in patients with closed head injuries and nonoperatively treated solid abdominal organ injuries.

The benefits of early jejunal hyperalimentation in the head-injured patient.

To determine the efficacy of early jejunal hyperalimentation as nutritional support in the head-injured patient, 32 head-injured patients with Glasgow Coma Scale scores less than 10 were studied for the first 7 days after injury. The experimental (E) group had nasojejunal feeding tubes placed fluoroscopically. Within 36 hours of injury, they received nutritional support equal to their measured resting energy expenditure. The control (C) group was fed gastrically when bowel sounds returned. There were no significant differences (P greater than 0.05) in age, Glasgow Coma Scale score, type of neurological injury, or associated injuries between the two groups. The mean resting energy expenditure, serum albumin, glucose, lymphocyte count, body weight, and total nitrogen loss were nearly identical for both groups. With the jejunal feedings, daily caloric (E = 2102 kcal versus C = 1100 kcal) and nitrogen intake (E = 11.1 g versus C = 5.6 g) and daily nitrogen balance (E = -4.3 g versus C = -11.8 g) improved. The incidence of bacterial infections (E = 3 versus C = 14) and days of intensive care unit hospitalization (E = 6 versus C = 10) were significantly reduced (P less than .05). Head-injured patients will tolerate early jejunal hyperalimentation despite the presence of a clinically silent abdomen, and the cost and complications of total parenteral nutrition are avoided. The increased caloric and nitrogen intake and improved nitrogen retention markedly reduced infections and days of stay in the intensive care unit.

Civilian gunshot wounds to the head: a prospective study.

Previous retrospective studies of cranial gunshot wounds have failed to determine whether aggressive field resuscitation, triage to a neurosurgical center, and early surgical intervention can improve the assumed poor outcome of these severely injured patients. Therefore, we studied 100 consecutive patients prospectively to establish a systematic approach to treatment. If the patient retained two or more neurological signs after aggressive field resuscitation/intubation, a computed tomographic scan was performed. Rapid surgical debridement was done unless the patient deteriorated to clinical brain death. The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score after resuscitation was 3 to 5 in 58 patients, 6 to 8 in 8 patients, 9 to 12 in 12 patients, and 13 to 15 in 22 patients. Seventy-six computed tomographic scans and 43 craniotomies were performed. The Glasgow Outcome Scale scores showed that 60 patients died, 2 were vegetative, 6 were severely disabled, 20 were moderately disabled, and 13 had good outcomes. There were 10 postoperative deaths. No patient with a GCS score of 3 to 5 had a satisfactory outcome; however, outcome progressively improved as the GCS score increased. We conclude that all cranial gunshot patients should initially receive aggressive resuscitation. Patients with stable vital signs should be examined by computed tomographic scan. If the patient's GCS score after resuscitation is 3 to 5 and no operable hematomas are present, then no further therapy should be offered. All patients with a GCS score greater than 5 should receive aggressive surgical therapy.

Nutritional support and neurotrauma: a critical review of early nutrition in forty-five acute head injury patients.

Forty-five acute head trauma patients were randomized into a neurotrauma nutritional study to compare the efficacy of two forms of standard nutritional supplementation; namely total parenteral nutrition (TPN) versus enteral nutrition (NG). Forty patients were male, 5 were female, with a median age of 28 years. The mean admitting Glasgow coma scale score was 5.8. Patients were given high calorie and nitrogen feedings for the 14 days of the study period in an attempt to achieve positive calorie and nitrogen balance. TPN patients had significantly higher mean daily nitrogen intakes (P less than 0.01) and mean daily nitrogen losses (P less than 0.001) than the NG fed patients; however, no significant differences were discovered with respect to maintenance of serum albumin levels, weight loss, the incidence of infection, nitrogen balance, and final outcome. The exaggerated nitrogen excretion experienced by patients fed large nitrogen loads illustrates a problem in achieving nitrogen equilibrium in acute head injured patients.

Otolaryngologic manifestations of posterior fossa arachnoid cysts.

Posterior fossa arachnoid cysts are more common than previously reported. While they may present with symptoms of hearing loss, vertigo, and tinnitus, often they are associated with vague, nonspecific complaints such as headache, dizziness, or generalized unsteadiness. We present five cases of posterior fossa arachnoid cysts discovered in adult patients. Four of the five patients had nonlocalizing symptoms (three of those sought medical evaluations for persistent dizziness and/or headache). Two patients had prolonged symptoms despite medical evaluation and normal audiometric testing before the correct diagnosis was made. We describe the case of our senior author (C.P.D.) in detail and include computerized tomographic and nuclear magnetic resonance studies outlining his pathology. A review of the management of these lesions is included. Dizzy patients and those patients with nonspecific complaints referable to the inner ear or posterior fossa who have normal audiometric testing, and in whom the index of suspicion is high, should have high resolution computerized tomography of the posterior fossa.

Axis fractures resulting from motor vehicle accidents. The need for occupant restraints.

A total of 625 patients who sustained acute cervical spine fractures were evaluated by the Spinal Cord Injury Service at Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona, between January 1976 and January 1984. Of them, 107 had fractures of the second cervical vertebra. In a retrospective review, motor vehicle accidents were found to be the most common mechanism of injury, resulting in 73 (68%) of the 107 axis fractures. All axis fracture types were encountered in this subgroup: hangman's (27%), Odontoid Type II (39%), Odontoid Type III (15%), and miscellaneous fractures (19%). Only one of the 30 patients with complete medical records and detailed information about the accident was wearing a seat belt. Equally remarkable is that 15 of the 30 accidents were single car mishaps, where occupant restraints might theoretically provide the most protection. Sixteen of the 30 patients were thrown from their vehicles, another five were found in the backseat, which leads to the conclusion that a significant of the driving population does not wear seat belts or shoulder restraints. Patients with axis fractures from an automobile accident had a high rate of associated severe head injuries or other cervical spine fractures, three times that of patients with C-2 fractures from other causes. Motorists who are thrown from their vehicles suffer the most severe trauma and have the highest rates of morbidity and mortality. As many as 25% to 40% of individuals who sustain high cervical fractures in motor vehicle accidents die as a result of their injuries.