Early experience with simulated trauma resuscitation.

Although trauma resuscitation is best taught through direct exposure with hands-on experience, the opportunities for this type of teaching in Canada are limited by the relatively low incidence of serious injury and the consolidation of trauma care to a small number of centres. Simulators have been used extensively outside the health care environment and more recently have been used by anesthetists to simulate intraoperative crises. In this paper early experience using a realistic mannequin, controlled by a remote computer, that simulates a variety of physiologic and injury specific variables is presented. The resource implications of simulated resuscitation are reviewed, including one-time and operating costs. Simulated trauma resuscitation may be an educational alternative to "real-life" trauma resuscitation, but careful evaluation of the benefits and resource implications of this type of teaching through well-designed research studies will be important.     

Alteration of the postinjury hyperinflammatory response by means of resuscitation with a red cell substitute

BACKGROUND: Transfusion of stored packed red blood cells (PRBCs) has unintended effects beyond the desired results of increased oxygen delivery. A particular concern is the potential for lipid and cytokine mediators present in PRBCs to augment the postinjury inflammatory response that sometimes culminates in multiple organ failure. Through the use of a polymerized human hemoglobin (PolyHeme), we have been able to measure the inflammatory response in patients resuscitated with minimal exposure to banked components in the early postinjury period. METHODS: Critically injured patients requiring urgent transfusion were resuscitated with either PRBCs or PolyHeme in the early postinjury period. Proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]-8 and IL-6), counterregulatory cytokines (IL-10 and IL-11), and markers of endothelial injury (soluble intercellular adhesion molecule and soluble E-selectin) were serially measured. RESULTS: Increases in IL-8, IL-6, and IL-10 were greater in patients resuscitated with PRBCs. IL-11 plasma levels were largely below the level of detection of the assay. There was no difference in markers of endothelial injury. CONCLUSION: Consistent with concerns about the immunoinflammatory response to transfusion of PRBCs, we observed exaggerated levels of three markers associated with adverse outcome. The clinical significance of these findings with respect to the development of multiple organ failure awaits further study.     

Early experience with percutaneous nephrolithotomy

Fifty-four percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) procedures were performed in 41 patients between May 1986 and December 1987. Six patients required more than one procedure and there was one failure which was treated by open ureterolithotomy. Most of the stones were initially found in the pelvicalyceal system, one in the lower third and nine in the middle or upper third of the ureter. There were five significant complications: one "steinstrasse" (accumulation of stone fragments in the distal ureter after the procedure), one massive perirenal haematoma, one intramural perforation by a ureteric catheter and two extravasations of irrigation fluid one of which necessitated intensive care. Most of the renal and upper ureteric stones have now been successfully removed percutaneously with good patient tolerance.     

Early experience with reduced-size liver transplants

Scarcity of small donors results in a high mortality rate for children on liver transplant waiting lists. To alleviate this problem, we have recently started to reduce the size of livers from older donors to use in children. In the last year, a total of 20 liver transplants were performed in 17 patients, including seven reduced-size liver transplants (RSLT) in six children. Mortality on the waiting list has been reduced to negligible amounts compared with a mortality rate of 25% before starting RSLT in patients with acute liver failure or those whose weight was less than 10 kg. Children undergoing RSLT weighed 10.8 +/- 8.5 kg compared with 20.9 +/- 20.3 for all others (NS). Cold ischemia time was significantly longer in the RSLT group (9.5 +/- 3.0 v 6.0 +/- 2.8 hours, P less than .05) as was intraoperative blood loss (9.4 +/- 9.4 v 3.0 +/- 3.5 blood volumes). There was no significant difference in postoperative aspartate aminotransferase and prothrombin time between the two groups. Four children received a RSLT as a primary procedure and three have survived with good liver function. Two patients were retransplanted with RSLT after a failed first transplant and both died of nonhepatic complications. This compares with 11 of 13 survivors in the whole liver transplant group. Causes of death in children who died after RSLT include cytomegalovirus sepsis (2) and myocardial infarction(1).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Early experience with endoscopic percutaneous gastrostomy

We performed endoscopic percutaneous gastrostomy (EPG) on 22 patients. All procedures were performed using local anesthesia with intravenous diazepam sedation. Formal laparotomy was not required. The mean patient age was 58 years (range, 21 to 83 years). Indications for EPG placement included neurologic disorders in 17 patients, head and neck tumors in four patients, and esophageal disease in one patient. The mean operative time for EPG was 27.5 minutes, with a range of 11 to 60 minutes. Two major complications, a gastrocolic fistula and an intraperitoneal gastric leak, occurred early in the series. The technique has been modified with no similar complications. Pneumoperitoneum after EPG was demonstrated in eight patients without sequelae. Ileus following EPG was not observed in any patient, and enteral feedings were uniformly resumed 48 hours after tube placement. Our early experience with EPG suggests that this technique is a safe, cost-effective, and time-saving alternative to traditional gastrostomy tube placement.     

Early experience with laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection

Background: Laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection (LAPR) has not been fully evaluated as a technique in the treatment of rectal and anal cancer or inflammatory bowel disease. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the early experience with laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection at Washington University Medical Center. Methods: A prospective analysis was performed on the first 21 patients undergoing the procedure at Washington University Medical Center. Indications for surgery included rectal cancer (14 patients), anal squamous cell cancer (four patients), inflammatory bowel disease (two patients), and anal melanoma (one patient). Results: The procedure was converted to open procedure in four patients (19%). The mean (±SEM) operative time and blood loss for completed and converted LAPR were 239 ± 11 min and 424 ± 43 ml, respectively. Postoperative hematocrit dropped a mean of 8.3% ± 1.2% SEM; five patients required blood transfusion (24%). Wound complication occurred in four patients (19%; three perineal, one trocar site). Bowel function returned after a mean of 3 days, and mean postoperative hospital stay for the completed LAPR group was 5 days. Mild pain was experienced by 81% of patients (17/21) while 19% (4/21) noted moderate pain, usually of the perineal wound. The mean duration of patient-controlled analgesia use was 2 days. During the 1–44-month follow-up, six patients (29%) died from cancer (stage III or IV at operation) and only one patient developed local recurrence in the pelvis (5%). There were no trocar-site implants of cancer. Furthermore, there was no relationship between prior abdominal operations, the amount of blood loss, postoperative drop of hematocrit, or blood transfusion requirement and the length of hospitalization or complication rates. Conclusion: Laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection is a feasible alternative to the conventional open technique in both cancer and colitis patients. Received: 23 April 1996/Accepted: 8 July 1996     

Early experience with the ross procedure

Five patients have undergone replacement of the aortic root and valve with a pulmonary autograft. The right ventricular outflow tract was reconstructed with a homograft pulmonary or aortic valve. Technical details and relevance of this procedure in India are highlighted.     

Early experience with extracardiac Fontan operation

BACKGROUND: The extracardiac Fontan (ECFO) operation has gained more widespread use over last decade. In this article we analyze our early experience with ECFO. METHODS: Thirty-three patients underwent ECFO at median age 4.1 years. Normothermic perfusion with the heart beating was used in 24 patients and cardioplegia in 7. Fenestration was not performed in the last 16 patients who underwent surgery without cardioplegia. RESULTS: The hospital mortality was 6% (2 patients). Necessity or duration of inotropic support, duration of mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit and hospital stay, and incidence of prolonged pleural effusions of patients operated on without cardioplegia were shorter and the rate of complications in these patients was lower than in patients who underwent cardioplegia. CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary experience shows that ECFO can be performed in many patients with normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass and without cardioplegia and fenestration. Avoidance of cardioplegia seems to decrease postoperative morbidity. Incidence of early postoperative arrhythmias is low. Despite encouraging early results, longer follow-up is necessary to prove the real advantages of ECFO.     

Early experience with percutaneous lateral discectomy

Seventeen patients were treated by percutaneous lumbar discectomy for a herniated disc and sciatica. The criteria for inclusion in this series included: (1) a protruding disc in the lumbar area causing neural compression; (2) persistent sciatica; (3) failure of conservative treatment; (4) magnetic resonance imaging, computer tomographic, or myelographic confirmation of the protrusion; and (5) chronic low-back pain with definite evidence of a protruding disc at the appropriate level. The only contraindication to the procedure is the presence of an extruded fragment. There were ten male and seven female patients, with an average age of 40 years. The operation was performed under local anesthesia and by the method of Hijikata. Six cases were at L5-S1, nine at L4-L5, four at L3-L4, and one at L2-L3. Fourteen of 16 patients were relieved of their symptoms. One operation was aborted due to the inability to pass the cannula beneath arthritic facet joints. One complication occurred early while using general anesthetic. An L5 nerve root was injured, causing a permanent drop foot. Major possible complications include infection, nerve root injury, and vascular injury. The success rate with an average follow-up period of six and one-half months was 87.5%.     

Weight reduction by means of intragastric device: experience with the bioenterics intragastric balloon

Background: A new intragastric balloon is available for weight reduction. Methods: Patients consulting for a weight reduction plan and refusing any kind of actual surgery, or suffering from obesity but not meeting the IFSO standards for surgery, were offered the possibility of weight reduction by the BioEnterics intragastric balloon (BIB). A preoperative questionnaire was completed by all patients, inquiring about medical history, co-morbidity factors, dietary habits, previous treatments for weight and social, psychological, relational and economic impact of the obesity. BIB placement was done on an inpatient basis, under general anesthesia.Inflation was standardized at 500 ml saline. Intravenous antiemetic and spasmolytic drugs were given to control post-insertion nausea for 24 hours, and oral medication was administered on the patient's discharge. A standard 800 calorie diet was prescribed after dietitian's consultation. Extraction of the balloon was left to the patient's discretion at 3 or maximum 6 months after placement. Patients choosing for the maximal period received a formal invitation to extract the balloon. Evaluation of weight reduction was done at extraction and by questionnaire. Results: 126 patients (5M, 121 F) with mean age of 35.6 years (20-62) were included after preoperative evaluation. Mean preoperative BMI was 37.7 kg/m² (26.7-57.7 kg/m²), with a mean initial excessive weight of 35.3 kg (8.8-96.4 kg) and mean initial % excess weight of 32.2 (6.3-102). 69 patients were eligible for review; mean excess weight loss after 3 months was 48.6% and after 6 months 50.8%. Mean weight loss was 15.4 kg (0-35 kg). 76.8% of the patients (41/69) complained of severe nausea and vomiting lasting an average of 1 week (1 day - 6 months), resulting in 3 patients in early removal of the balloon (at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month after placement respectively). 2 patients suffered gastric perforation presenting as acute peritonitis 3 and 4 months after placement and were operated. Extraction of the balloon was performed in 3 patients after 3 months and in 66 patients after 6 months. In 11 patients (22%), esophagitis was present (8 grade I, 2 grade II, 1 grade III), and one patient showed diffuse gastric erosion. One patient required removal of the balloon by rigid esphagoscopy following technical failure of the endoscopic extraction device. 45 patients replied to the mailed questionnaire; 15% (7/45) were very satisfied, 13% (6/45) satisfied, 22% (10/45) reasonably satisfied, 8.8% (4/45) unsatisfied and 40% very unsatisfied. Degree of satisfaction correlated poorly with weight loss. Results may be better with close continuous guidance by a counselor. Conclusion: BIB as a means of weight reduction in the obese patient led to a 50.8% loss of excess weight after 6 months. Although severe morbidity can occur, the BIB provides a means for short-term weight reduction in conjunction with dietary measures.     

Early experience with the DuraPhase penile prosthesis

A retrospective review of the medical records of 26 consecutive patients who underwent surgical implantation of the DuraPhase penile prosthesis for erectile impotence was performed. In addition, telephone interviews were used to evaluate patient and partner satisfaction with the device. Average patient age was 61 years. The presumed etiology of erectile dysfunction was vascular in 19 patients, postoperative in 4 and neurogenic in 3. Followup averaged 5 months (range 1 to 15 months). Sixteen patients and partners with a minimum of 3 months of followup were evaluated for satisfaction with the device. On a scale of 1 to 10 the average patient score was 8.6 and the average partner score was 9. Our early experience with the DuraPhase penile prosthesis has been favorable. Surgical insertion is simple, and patient and partner satisfaction has been superior. The device functions easily, can be well concealed and has excellent axial rigidity for intercourse.     

Early experience with the freestyle stentless xenograft

We performed aortic valve replacement with the Freestyle stentless xenograft in 9 patients. There were 6 men and 2 women, whose ages ranged from 44 to 76 years. The modified subcoronary implantation was used in 6 patients and the completely subcoronary implantation was used in 2 patients. The full root replacement was used in 1 patient with bicuspid aortic valve. In a patient who underwent root replacement, postoperative cineangiogram revealed just proximal right coronary artery stenosis. The patient underwent coronary artery bypass grafting to right coronary artery by use of the right internal mammary artery. One in-hospital death occurred on the 46th postoperative day in a patient with severe aortic stenosis and renal failure. 5 patients were investigated by doppler echocardiography at 2 weeks, 3, 6, and 12 months after operation. Peak pressure gradient 1 year after implantation was 11.7 +/- 3.9 mmHg for all valves. No patient had postoperative significant aortic regurgitation.