The results of prolonged and extensive procedures in the critically injured are poor, even in experienced hands. The operating theatre is a hostile and physiologically unfavourable environment for the severely injured patient. Laparotomy for major trauma involves dissipation of heat and massive blood loss requiring replacement. The result is a vicious cycle of hypothermia, acidosis and coagulopathy leading to death from an irreversible physiological insult (62). The damage control concept places surgery as an integral part of the resuscitative process, rather than an end in itself, and recognises that outcomes after major trauma are determined by the physiological limits of the patient, rather than by efforts of anatomical restoration by the surgeon. All those involved in the care of wounded patients should be familiar with this concept and its surgical and logistical implications.
Implant sepsis, due to previous external fixator pin track infection, is the most common complication of secondary intramedullary (IM) nailing of the tibia. We have developed an animal model, which allows different treatment methods to be studied. Using an established ovine model of a pin track infection, Stuphylococcus uureus was used to infect the external fixator pins, two weeks prior to reamed IM nailing. In the control group, the animals were killed at a mean of 10.5 days following nailing, when widespread infection was evident, with septic arthritis, abscess formation, and infection of the entire length of the tibia in all six animals. In the treatment group, before IM nailing, the pin sites were dkbrided, and both local and systemic antibiotics were administered. All surgical wounds healed without evidence of infection, 4 of the 6 animals survived for 38 days, and bacteria were only isolated from 1 of the 6 implants. Treatment was successful at reducing, but not eliminating, infection after secondary nailing. 0 2001 Published by
Introduction In 2009 the Department of Health instructed McKinsey & Company to provide advice on how commissioners might achieve world class National Health Service productivity. Asymptomatic inguinal hernia repair was identified as a potentially cosmetic procedure, with limited clinical benefit. The Birmingham and Solihull primary care trust cluster introduced a policy of watchful waiting for asymptomatic inguinal hernia, which was implemented across the health economy in December 2010. This retrospective cohort study aimed to examine the effect of a change in clinical commissioning policy concerning elective surgical repair of asymptomatic inguinal hernias. Methods A total of 1,032 patients undergoing inguinal hernia repair in the 16 months after the policy change were compared with 978 patients in the 16 months before. The main outcome measure was relative proportion of emergency repair in groups before and after the policy change. Multivariate binary logistic regression was used to adjust the main outcome for age, sex and hernia type. Results The period after the policy change was associated with 59% higher odds of emergency repair (3.6% vs 5.5%, adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 1.59, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03–2.47). In turn, emergency repair was associated with higher odds of adverse events (4.7% vs 18.5%, adjusted OR: 3.68, 95% CI: 2.04–6.63) and mortality (0.1% vs 5.4%, p<0.001, Fisher’s exact test). Conclusions Introduction of a watchful waiting policy for asymptomatic inguinal hernias was associated with a significant increase in need for emergency repair, which was in turn associated with an increased risk of adverse events. Current policies may be placing patients at risk.
Haemorrhage from severe pelvic fractures can be associated with significant mortality. Modern civilian trauma centres may manage these injuries with a combination of external pelvic fixation, extra-peritoneal packing and/or selective angiography; however, military patterns of wounding are different and deployed medical facilities may be resource constrained. We report two successful instances of pelvic packing using chitosan impregnated gauze (Celox) when conventional surgical attempts at vascular control had failed. We conclude that pelvic packing should be considered early in patients with military pelvic trauma and major haemorrhage, as part of damage control surgery and that Celox gauze may be a useful adjunct. In our cases, the Celox gauze was easily removed after 24-48 hours without significant bowel adhesions and did not leave a residual phelgmon (of exudate or gel) that may predispose to infection.
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