Acute surgical trauma

Metformin-associated vitamin B12 deficiency is a well-established side effect, especially in patients taking higher doses of metformin or who have existing risk factors. Severe deficiency causes a wide range of systemic disorders. Gait instability, which leads to frequent falling, is usually an underrecognized side effect. Older patients are more likely to develop chronic subdural hematoma even with minor trauma. We present a case of 84-year-old man with type 2 diabetes mellitus with acute-on-chronic subdural hematoma from frequent falls...

OBJECTIVES: Despite the large burden of critically ill patients in developing countries, mechanical ventilation (MV) is scarce in these low-resource settings. In the absence of data, issues like costs and lack of training are often felt to outweigh the benefits of potential MV implementation in such places. We aimed to investigate the impact and feasibility of MV in a surgical ICU in West Africa. DESIGN: This is a 7-month retrospective observational study (from October 25, 2022, to May 25, 2023), covering all patients consecutively admitted to ICU...

Human amniotic membrane (hAM) is a collagen-based extracellular matrix that facilitates regenerative wound care. hAM offers several advantageous properties that promote epithelial cell growth, granulation, and angiogenesis. This case report demonstrates how Vivex Cygnus Matrix (Vivex Biologics, Miami, FL, USA) amniotic membrane was used over four weeks to graft a traumatic index finger injury that occurred while fishing. Cygnus Matrix allograft was first placed 72 hours after the accident. Following graft placement, the patient noted an immediate relief in pain and was able to return to all normal daily work activities within 48 hours of graft placement...

INTRODUCTION: Traumatic spinal cord injury (tSCI) is a profoundly debilitating condition necessitating prompt intervention. However, the optimal acute treatment strategy remains a subject of debate. RESEARCH QUESTION: The aim of this overview is to elucidate prevailing trends in the acute tSCI management. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We provided an overview using peer-reviewed studies. RESULTS: Early surgical treatment (<24h after trauma) appears beneficial compared to delayed surgery...

INTRODUCTION: Older populations, being a unique subset of patients, have poor outcomes for emergency general surgery (EGS). In regions lacking specialized medical coverage for older patients, disparities in healthcare provision lead to poor clinical outcomes. We aimed to identify factors predicting index admission inpatient mortality from EGS among sexagenarians, septuagenarians, and octogenarians. METHODS: Data of patients aged >60 years with EGS conditions defined by the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma at primary index admission from 2010 to 2019 operated and non-operated at a large South Asian tertiary care hospital were analyzed...

Career shifts are a naturally occurring part of the trauma and acute care surgeon's profession. These transitions may occur at various timepoints throughout a surgeon's career and each has their own specific challenges. Finding a good fit for your first job is critical for ensuring success as an early career surgeon. Equally, understanding how to navigate promotions or a change in job location mid-career can be fraught with uncertainty. As one progresses in their career, knowing when to take on a leadership position is oftentimes difficult as it may mean a change in priorities...

Goldenhar syndrome, a rare congenital anomaly, manifests as craniofacial malformations often necessitating intricate surgical interventions. These procedures, though crucial, can expose patients to diverse postoperative complications, including hemorrhage or infection. A noteworthy complication is stroke, potentially linked to air embolism or local surgical trauma. We highlight a case of a male patient, aged 20 years, who experienced a significant postoperative complication of an ischemic stroke, theorized to be due to an air embolism, after undergoing orthognathic procedures for Goldenhar syndrome...

Tears of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) are rare, and avulsion fracture of the tibial attachment of the posterior cruciate ligament is even rarer. These injuries usually occur in accidents such as car crashes, causing acute pain, swelling as well as total functional impotence of the knee. Studies on the incidence of these injuries show variable results, but there appears to be an upward trend. The surgical management of PCL avulsion fracture is not clearly established, although arthroscopic techniques are becoming more popular due to their potential benefits...

BACKGROUND: Penetrating cardiac injuries are usually fatal and associated with poor survival rates. CASE PRESENTATION: A 69-year-old man was injured in a motor vehicle accident and suffered from left hemothorax and multiple rib fractures near the heart. A comprehensive assessment raised suspicions of lacerated pericardium and myocardial injury. Consequently, a thoracoscopy was performed 9 h after injury. A penetrating cardiac injury was detected and surgically treated via video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery...

Each patient with a critical illness such as sepsis and severe trauma has a different genetic background, comorbidities, age, and sex. Moreover, pathophysiology changes dynamically over time even in the same patient. Therefore, individualized treatment is necessary to account for heterogeneity in patient backgrounds. Recently, the analysis of comprehensive biomolecular information using clinical specimens has revealed novel molecular pathological classifications called subtypes. In addition, comprehensive biomolecular information using clinical specimens has enabled reverse translational research, which is a data-driven approach to the identification of drug target molecules...

Spontaneous perforation of the colon is a rare disease defined as sudden perforation of a healthy colon without evidence of trauma or disease. These perforations are typically classified as either stercoral or idiopathic. Cecal perforation during pregnancy is an uncommon and potentially life-threatening condition requiring prompt recognition and surgical intervention. We present a case of a 33-year-old woman at 29 weeks and three days gestation presenting with spontaneous cecal perforation. She presented to the emergency department with diffuse abdominal pain and distention lasting for three days, associated with nausea and vomiting...

INTRODUCTION: Emergent laparotomy is associated with significant wound complications including surgical site infections (SSI) and fascial dehiscence (FD). Triclosan-coated barbed suture (TCB) for fascial closure has been shown to reduce local complications but primarily in elective settings. We sought to evaluate the effect of TCB emergency laparotomy fascial closure on major wound complications. METHODS: Adult patients undergoing emergency laparotomy were prospectively evaluated over 1-year...

INTRODUCTION: Approximately 75% of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) qualify as mild. However, there exists no universally agreed upon definition for mild TBI (mTBI). Consequently, treatment guidelines for this group are lacking. The Center for Disease Control (CDC), American College of Rehabilitation Medicine (ACRM), Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense (VA/DoD), Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma (EAST), and the University of Arizona's Brain Injury Guidelines (BIG) have each published differing definitions for mTBI...

BACKGROUND: Timing of surgery remains a topic of debate for hip fracture treatment in the geriatric patient population. The quality indicator "early surgery" was implemented in 2014 at the Department of Trauma Surgery of the University Hospitals Leuven to enhance timely operative treatment. In this follow-up study, we aim to evaluate the performance of this quality indicator, the clinical outcomes, and room for improvement. METHODS: The charts of 1190 patients surgically treated for an acute hip fracture were reviewed between June 2017 and May 2022 at the University Hospitals Leuven...

BACKGROUND: Gluteal Compartment Syndrome (GCS) is a rare subtype of acute compartment syndrome (ACS), complex to diagnose and potentially fatal if left untreated. The incidence of ACS is estimated to be 7.3 per 100,000 in males and 0.7 per 100,000 in females [1-3]. Given its rare occurrence, the incidence of GCS is not well reported. In the case of GCS, the most common etiologies are surgical positioning, prolonged immobilization secondary to substance use or loss of consciousness, and traumatic injury...

OBJECTIVES: Pediatric extremity vascular injuries constitute a rare yet serious entity that can lead to serious complications especially if left untreated or become late diagnosed. In our scoping review, we sought to evaluate different characteristics and outcomes of pediatric and combined adult trauma centers in the management of pediatric extremity vascular injury. METHODS: We sought to analyze various characteristics and parameters that differentiate a dedicated pediatric and a combined pediatric adult trauma center in terms of effectiveness and quality of care in the acute setting and to describe special features and characteristics of an acute vascular disease that constitute pediatric population unique from the aspect of diagnosis and management...

INTRODUCTION: Methoxyflurane (MEOF) (Penthrox™) is an inhaled, self-administered, non-opioid analgesic approved by Health Canada for the short-term relief of moderate to severe acute pain associated with trauma or interventional medical procedures. In this pilot study, we evaluated the feasibility of using MEOF as an anesthetic agent in 11 patients undergoing outpatient cystoscopic procedures. METHODS: The average duration of the procedure was 24 (range 20-35) minutes and this included 10 minutes of administration time of the drug and five minutes of wait time before the procedure...

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a prevalent and high-mortality cardiovascular condition. Despite advancements in revascularization strategies for AMI, it frequently leads to myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI), amplifying cardiac damage. Murine models serve as vital tools for investigating both acute injury and chronic myocardial remodeling in vivo. This study presents a unique closed-chest technique for remotely inducing myocardial IRI in mice, enabling the investigation of the very early phase of occlusion and reperfusion using in-vivo imaging such as MRI or PET...

INTRODUCTION: Optimal management of transverse sacral fractures (TSF) remains inconclusive. These injuries may present with neurological deficits including cauda equina syndrome. We present our series of laminectomy for acute TSF with cauda equina compression. METHODS: This was a retrospective chart review of all patients that underwent sacral laminectomy for treatment of cauda equina compression in acute TSF at our institution between 2007 through 2023. RESULTS: A total of 9 patients (5 male and 4 female) underwent sacral laminectomy to decompress the cauda equina in the setting of acute high impact trauma...

BACKGROUND: Penetrating thoracic trauma with coronary artery transection is a lethal injury, but is rare. We report a case of a cardiac stab wound with coronary artery transection that was successfully treated after preoperative diagnosis. CASE PRESENTATION: A 36-year-old man was transferred to our emergency department with a left chest stab wound. A coronary computed tomography-angiography scan, including coronary angiography, revealed left hemopneumothorax and left anterior descending branch transection, with ischemic changes in the left ventricular myocardium...