Nonoperative treatment of grade IV splenic injuries in blunt abdominal trauma is safe when a rigid protocol is followed.

Traumatic injuries of the extrahepatic biliary tract are rare. Associated injuries are usually responsible for immediate indication for surgical treatment, the time when an injury to the extrahepatic biliary ducts may be diagnosed. However, missed injuries are often common. The primary aim of this paper is to describe the clinical features, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of two patients with left hepatic duct injury after blunt abdominal trauma. As a secondary objective, a literature review is presented. The two cases presented in this study are as follows: (1) A young male, involved in a motor vehicle crash, was admitted with blunt hepatic trauma in a general hospital. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography was conducted 3 weeks later and revealed a large leakage at the left hepatic duct. Exploratory laparotomy was performed 26 days after the initial traumatic event and identified a complete section of the left hepatic duct, treated with anastomosis. (2) A male fell from a height. On exploratory laparotomy, a 30 % partial injury of the left hepatic duct was found in addition to hemoperitoneum, liver injury, gallbladder detachment together with cystic duct rupture, retroperitoneal hematoma to the right, and cecum hematoma. A high level of suspicion is necessary to identify injuries to the hepatic ducts. Early diagnosis that occurs during laparotomy due to associated injuries is important to reduce complications.

IntroductionThe treatment of complex liver injuries remains a challenge. Nonoperative treatment for such injuries is increasingly being adopted as the initial management strategy. We reviewed our experience, at a University teaching hospital, in the nonoperative management of grade IV liver injuries with the intent to evaluate failure rates; need for angioembolization and blood transfusions; and in-hospital mortality and complications.MethodsThis is a retrospective analysis conducted at a single large trauma centre in Brazil. All consecutive, hemodynamically stable, blunt trauma patients with grade IV hepatic injury, between 1996 and 2011, were analyzed. Demographics and baseline characteristics were recorded. Failure of nonoperative management was defined by the need for surgical intervention. Need for angioembolization and transfusions, in-hospital death, and complications were also assessedResultsEighteen patients with grade IV hepatic injury treated nonoperatively during the study period were included. The nonoperative treatment failed in only one patient (5.5%) who had refractory abdominal pain. However, no missed injuries and/or worsening of bleeding were observed during the operation. None of the patients died nor need angioembolization. No complications directly related to the liver were observed. Unrelated complications to the liver occurred in three patients (16.7%); one patient developed a tracheal stenosis (secondary to tracheal intubation); one had pleural effusion; and one developed an abscess in the pleural cavity. The hospital length of stay was on average 11.56 days.ConclusionsIn our experience, nonoperative management of grade IV liver injury for stable blunt trauma patients is associated with high success rates without significant complications.

OBJETIVO: avaliar os aspectos epidemiológicos, conduta, morbidade e resultados do tratamento trauma hepático. MÉTODOS: estudo retrospectivo de doentes com mais de 13 anos de idade admitidos em um hospital universitário de 1990 a 2010, submetidos ao tratamento cirúrgico ou não operatório (TNO). RESULTADOS: foram admitidos 748 pacientes com trauma hepático. O mecanismo de trauma mais frequente foi o trauma penetrante (461 casos; 61,6%). O trauma fechado ocorreu em 287 pacientes (38,4%). De acordo com o grau de lesão hepática (AAST-OIS), no trauma fechado foi observada uma predominância dos graus I e II e no trauma penetrante, uma predominância do grau III. O TNO foi realizado em 25,7% dos pacientes com trauma hepático contuso. Entre os procedimentos cirúrgicos, a sutura foi realizada com maior frequência (41,2%). A morbidade relacionada ao fígado foi 16,7%. A taxa de sobrevida para pacientes com trauma hepático fechado foi 73,5% e no trauma penetrante de 84,2%. A mortalidade no trauma complexo foi 45,9%. CONCLUSÃO: o trauma permanece mais incidente nas populações mais jovens e no sexo masculino. Houve uma redução dos traumas hepáticos penetrantes. O TNO se mostrou seguro e efetivo, e, frequentemente, foi empregado para tratar os pacientes com trauma hepático penetrante. A morbidade foi elevada e a mortalidade foi maior em vítimas de traumas contusos e em lesões hepáticas complexas.

A non-operative approach resulted in lower complications, a lower need for blood transfusions and lower mortality.

The knowledge of alternative surgical techniques is essential in improving survival in patients with severe penetrating hepatic injuries. The use of intrahepatic balloon is a viable surgical strategy.

Introduction: Lymphoma represents less than 1% of malignant laryngeal tumors. and the main site in larynx is in supraglottis. The symptoms are very interspecific and the diagnosis is a challenge.

OBJECTIVE:In auditory neuropathy (AN) a dyssynchrony in the nerve conduction of the auditory nerve fibers is observed. Typically, patients with AN exhibit moderate to profound sensorineural hearing loss, and treatment using cochlear implants (CIs) or hearing aids should be performed as early as possible for a better hearing rehabilitation. The aim of this study is to evaluate the satisfaction level of patients with AN spectrum disorder treated using CIs. The Satisfaction with Amplification in Daily Life questionnaire was selected to evaluate 10 patients with AN treated using CIs. MATERIAL and METHODS:Clinical study of patients with AN spectrum disorder submitted to CI. A retrospective data analysis, genetic and clinical evaluation in a tertiary referral center was done. RESULTS:The means of the subscales for positive effects, services and costs, negative factors, and personal image were 6.15, 4.6, 3.26, and 3.33, respectively. CONCLUSIONS:Patients with AN treated using CIs consider themselves satisfied.