Endocrine and metabolic response to trauma in hypovolemic patients treated at a trauma center in Brazil

Background

The metabolic changes in trauma patients with shock contribute directly to the survival of the patient. To understand these changes better, we made a rigorous analysis of the variations in the main examinations requested for seriously polytraumatized patients.

Methods

Prospective analysis of patients with blunt or penetrating trauma with hypovolemic shock, with systolic arterial pressure (SAP) equal to or lower than 90 mmHg at any time during initial treatment in the emergency room and aged between 14 and 60 years old. The following exams were analyzed: sodium, potassium, blood test, glycemia and arterial gasometry. The tests were carried out at intervals: T0 (the first exam, collected on admission) and followed by T24 (24 hours after admission), T48 (48 hours after admission), T72 (72 hours after admission).

Results

The test evaluations showed that there was a tendency towards hyperglycemia, which was more evident upon admission to hospital. The sodium in all the patients was found to be normal upon admission, with a later decline. However, no patient had significant hyponatremia; there was no significant variation in the potassium variable; the gasometry, low pH, BE (base excess) and bicarbonate levels when the first sample was collected and increased later with PO₂ and PCO₂ showing only slight variations, which meant an acidotic state during the hemorrhagic shock followed by a response from the organism to reestablish the equilibrium, retaining bicarbonate. The red blood count, shown by the GB (globular volume) and HB (hemoglobin) was normal upon entry but later it dropped steadily until it fell below normal; the white blood count (leukocytes, neutrophils and band neutrophil) remained high from the first moment of evaluation.

Conclusion

In this study we demonstrated the main alterations that took place in patients with serious trauma, emphasizing that even commonly requested laboratory tests can help to estimate metabolic alterations. Suitable treatment for polytraumatized patients with hypovolemic shock is a challenge for the surgeon, who must be alert to endocrinal and metabolic changes in his patients. Based on these alterations, the surgeon can intervene earlier and make every effort to achieve a successful clinical result.     

An Unusual Observation During Neck Dissection

External jugular vein (EJV) is a major superficial vein in the neck which drains deeper parts of face and posterior scalp region. Although it follows a predicted pattern in formation, course and termination in general unusually it also exhibits variations which are clinically important. Gross variations in the incidence of these variations in EJV are noted. We report an anomalous course of EJV which drains into internal jugular vein in our case report. Knowledge about EJV and its origin, course and termination is important for surgeons, interventional radiologist, anaesthesiologist, clinicians in general to avoid inadvertent complication.     

A Randomized Clinical Trial to Compare the Efficacy of Submucosal Aprotinin Injection and Intravenous Dexamethasone in Reducing Pain and Swelling After Third Molar Surgery: A Prospective Study

Objective

The purpose of this study was to compare two different groups of drugs, aprotinin and dexamethasone for its efficacy in reducing post operative swelling and pain after third molar surgery.

Methods

Fifty consecutive patients requiring surgical removal of single mandibular third molar (class II position B) under local anesthesia were randomly divided into two groups, each group consisting of 25 patients. One group was administered 8 mg dexamethasone through intravenous route pre-operatively. The other group received 1 ml of Aprotinin through submucosal route in operating area after the onset of local anesthesia. Swelling was assessed by measuring facial contours at baseline and at 1st, 3rd and 7th post-operative days. Pain was measured on the 1st, 3rd and 7th post-operative days using visual analog scale. Based on statistical analysis (paired t test and Wilcoxon’s signed ranking test), the results showed statistically significant difference in post operative swelling and pain on 3rd postoperative day in dexamethasone group as compared to aprotinin group.

Results

The results of present study showed a similar reduction in the severity of pain and swelling at the aprotinin and dexamethasone sites on 1st and 7th postoperative day. It was also noticed that the aprotinin promoted a greater reduction of swelling and pain on 3rd postoperative day.

Conclusion

It appeared that, benefits of aprotinin against the risks of dexamethasone and its efficacy in controlling pain and swelling after third molar surgery makes aprotinin to be a valuable alternative to dexamethasone.     

Distribution of HIV type 1 (HIV-1) in blood components: detection and significance of high levels of HIV-1 associated with platelets

BACKGROUND: Although inactivation of enveloped viruses transmitted by plasma derivatives has been successful, no methods for virus inactivation or removal have been established for platelet concentrates or red cell (RBC) components. Relatively little is known regarding the extent or significance of virus interactions with the cellular constituents in these components. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Units of whole blood were collected from six HIV type 1 (HIV-1)-positive, asymptomatic individuals and separated into peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs), cell-free plasma, white cell-reduced platelet concentrate, and white cell-reduced RBCs. DNA and RNA polymerase chain reaction and virus culture methods were used to study the compartmentalization of HIV-1 immediately after component preparation and after storage. RESULTS: As expected, HIV DNA and infectious virus were detected in fresh blood and in PBMNCs, and virion- associated RNA was detected in fresh plasma from all six donors. The levels of viral nucleic acids in these preparations remained relatively stable with 4 degrees C storage, whereas infectivity of PBMNCs was rapidly lost. Washed RBCs tested negative for HIV in all assays at all time points. Platelets retained high levels of HIV RNA (but not infectivity) after extensive washing, as well as after storage at 4 and 22 degrees C. High-level platelet-associated HIV-1 was also demonstrated in samples collected during early seroconversion. Periseroconversion and postseroconversion levels of platelet-associated HIV-1 correlated with the level of plasma viremia and with the rate of progression to AIDS. Cell-free virus from donor plasma and tissue culture fluid rapidly and firmly attached to platelets from noninfected donors. Infectivity of tissue culture virus bound to platelets was demonstrated in vitro. CONCLUSION: Significant levels of HIV-1 are associated with platelets during all stages of infection. Platelet- associated HIV could either mediate virus clearance or facilitate virus dissemination and expanded tropism. Finally, virus inactivation research must address virus associations with platelets.     

Osteomyelitis of Maxilla in Poorly Controlled Diabetics in a Rural Indian Population

Objectives  

To retrospectively analyze all patients who were diagnosed with Osteomyelitis of jaws in our unit.     

Therapeutic alternatives in the management of osteoradionecrosis of the jaws. Systematic review

Background to systematically review the literature, comparing the healing of osteoradionecrosis (ORN) among the therapeutic alternatives: surgical, pharmacological and combined. Material and Methods The review was organized according to the PRISMA protocol with regards to the following PICO question: patients with ORN of the jaws (P=Patient); all interventions reported (I = intervention); between all therapies (C=Comparison); healing of lesions (O=outcome). Results Surgical treatment was the most common choice (46.3%) followed by pharmacological treatment, exclusively (25.9%) or combined (26.9%). Treatment exclusively by surgical intervention seems to be most effective option, with 51.2% of the lesions healed, OR for healing of 5.7 (CI95% 1.9-16.9, p=0.002). Only 1 case (0.9%) corresponded to low level laser therapy. Conclusions It seems clear that early intervention with conservative surgical combined with pharmacological methods improves the prognosis of ORN. Key words:Osteoradionecrosis, radiotherapy bone necrosis, hyperbaric oxygen, pentoxifylline, teriparatide, low level laser therapy.     

Histological significance of p53 gene expression in squamous cell carcinoma of the buccal mucosa

Introduction  

Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) results from genetic mutations which activate the oncogenes and inactivate the tumor suppressor gene namely TP53. Despite the use of multimodality treatments the prognosis of oral SCC has not changed significantly.