A protocol for angiographic embolization in exsanguinating pelvic trauma: A report on 31 patients

Background?The indication for acquiring angiographic embolization in the initial treatment of severe pelvic fractures is controversial. We describe the characteristics and outcome of 31 patients with traumatic pelvic bleeding who underwent percutaneous angiography with embolization according to a standardized protocol.

Patients and methods?During an 8.5-year period, 1,260 patients were treated for pelvic trauma. We performed a prospective registration of the 46 patients who underwent angiography, and report the 31 patients who had signs of significant arterial injury on angiography, necessitating embolization.

Results?The rate of significant arterial injury after pelvic trauma was 2.5%. All patients had been subjected to high-energy injuries and all were severely injured as measured by the Injury Severity Score: 41 (17–66). Pelvic arterial injury was observed with all types of pelvic trauma, including isolated acetabular (4/31) and sacral fractures (3/31). The internal iliac artery or its branches was injured in 28 of 31 patients. Survival rate after embolization was 84%, and correlated inversely with increasing patient age. None of the patients died of bleeding.

Interpretation?Our findings show that significant pelvic arterial injuries occur in a minority of patients after pelvic trauma, and predominantly affect patients with multiple high-energy injuries regardless of fracture type. The effect of angiographic embolization was good.     

A prospective single-center analysis of the safety and efficacy of the hydrocoil embolization system for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms

OBJECT: The HydroCoil embolization system is a helical platinum coil coated with a polymeric hydrogel that expands when it contacts aqueous solutions to increase filling volumes, improve mesh stability, and possibly elicit a healing response within the aneurysm. In this paper, the authors report the 1-year recurrence and complication rates of 67 aneurysms embolized with the HydroCoil system. METHODS: Sixty-four consecutive patients (67 total aneurysms) with small (< or =7 mm), large (8-15 mm), very large (16-24 mm), and giant (> or =25 mm) aneurysms in the anterior and posterior intracranial circulations were treated with HydroCoils between March 2003 and September 2004. All aneurysms were embolized by the senior author (A.S.B) with HydroCoils alone or in combination with bare platinum coils, until either there was no further angiographic contrast filling of the aneurysm or the microcatheter was pushed out of the dome by the coil mass. Balloon assistance was used in three cases and combined Neuroform stent-coil embolization in eight other cases. To evaluate the safety and 1-year efficacy of the HydroCoil system, periprocedural complications were recorded, and angiographic recurrences were categorized using the Raymond-Roy Occlusion Classification (RROC) system. The 1-year aneurysm recurrence rate independent of size was 15% in patients treated with HydroCoils. Seventy percent of the patients had stable occlusions. The recurrence rate for small aneurysms was 3.7%, and the combined recurrence rate for small and large aneurysms was 6%. Fifteen percent of the aneurysms initially categorized as RROC Type 2 or 3 with stasis of contrast material at the time of initial embolization improved in RROC type, allowing the authors to develop the aneurysm embolization grade to predict recurrence. The neurological complication rate was 14.9%, of which 4.5% represented permanent neurological deficits. CONCLUSIONS: The HydroCoil embolization system is safe and provides excellent 1-year occlusion of small and large aneurysms with initial RROC Type 1, as well as those with RROC Types 2 and 3 with stasis of contrast material at the time of embolization. Very large and giant aneurysms were not as successfully occluded with this system. Treatment of large and giant internal carotid artery aneurysms was more likely to result in cranial nerve palsies and postembolization headaches than treatment in other locations. The aneurysm embolization grade the authors developed using the results of this study accurately predicted 1-year recurrence rates based on the immediate postembolization angiographic characteristics of the treated aneurysm.     

A protocol for angiographic embolization in exsanguinating pelvic trauma: a report on 31 patients

Background The indication for acquiring angiographic embolization in the initial treatment of severe pelvic fractures is controversial. We describe the characteristics and outcome of 31 patients with traumatic pelvic bleeding who underwent percutaneous angiography with embolization according to a standardized protocol.

Patients and methods During an 8.5-year period, 1,260 patients were treated for pelvic trauma. We performed a prospective registration of the 46 patients who underwent angiography, and report the 31 patients who had signs of significant arterial injury on angiography, necessitating embolization.

Results The rate of significant arterial injury after pelvic trauma was 2.5%. All patients had been subjected to high-energy injuries and all were severely injured as measured by the Injury Severity Score: 41 (17-66). Pelvic arterial injury was observed with all types of pelvic trauma, including isolated acetabular (4/31) and sacral fractures (3/31). The internal iliac artery or its branches was injured in 28 of 31 patients. Survival rate after embolization was 84%, and correlated inversely with increasing patient age. None of the patients died of bleeding.

Interpretation Our findings show that significant pelvic arterial injuries occur in a minority of patients after pelvic trauma, and predominantly affect patients with multiple high-energy injuries regardless of fracture type. The effect of angiographic embolization was good.     

The need for early angiographic embolization in blunt liver injuries

BACKGROUND: Although nonoperative management of blunt liver injury (BLI) has become standard practice, adjuncts to nonoperative therapy, such as angiographic embolization, have not been well characterized. METHODS: Patients with BLI were retrospectively identified at our American College of Surgeons-verified Level I trauma center from January 1997 through February 2001. Patients were stratified into four groups: those who received angiographic embolization (AE) as an early intervention when BLI was initially diagnosed (EARLY-AE); those who underwent AE after liver-related operation or later in the hospital course (LATE-AE); those treated with operation only (OR-ONLY); and nonoperative patients who also did not undergo AE (NO-OR). RESULTS: There were 126 patients with BLI, of whom 94 were NO-OR, 20 were OR-ONLY, 6 had LATE-AE, and 6 had EARLY-AE. The NO-OR group had significantly lower liver Abbreviated Injury Scale scores. Liver Abbreviated Injury Scale scores were not different between the EARLY-AE, LATE-AE, and OR-ONLY groups. Liver-related mortality was not lower for those treated with AE. There was a trend toward lower mortality for just the EARLY-AE group compared with the LATE-AE and OR-ONLY groups (0% vs. 50% and 35%). The number of units of packed red blood cells transfused and the number of liver-related operations were lower in the EARLY-AE compared with the LATE-AE group, but liver-related complications were not different between the EARLY-AE, LATE-AE, or OR-ONLY groups. AE was successful in arresting hemorrhage in 83% of the cases. CONCLUSION: In this small series, we observed similar morbidity and mortality with AE compared with operative therapy. EARLY-AE did decrease blood use and the number of liver-related operations. AE can be performed on severely injured patients with comparable liver-related mortality and complications. Further study of the timing of and outcomes from AE is needed.     

选择性动脉造影与栓塞在血流动力学不稳定骨盆骨折诊治中的应用

目的 探讨选择性动脉造影与栓塞在诊治骨盆骨折伴血流动力学不稳定患者中的应用.方法 回顾性分析2002年1月至2008年12月收治的62例骨盆骨折伴动脉损伤患者资料,骨折采用AO分型:A2型2例;B1型6例,B2型9例,B3型8例;C1型16例,C2型13例,C3型8例.其中开放性损伤6例(Gustilo分型:Ⅱ型1例,Ⅲ型5例).多发伤患者46例,12例发生休克.62例患者在积极补液及应用血管活性药物的同时进行动脉造影检查,其中59例患者行栓塞治疗. 结果 62例患者行动脉造影79次,其中行2次以上动脉造影患者12例.损伤动脉由多至少依次为臀上动脉、髂腰动脉、骶外侧动脉、闭孔动脉、臀下动脉、阴部内动脉以及髂内动脉和髂外动脉的主干.32例患者伴有两条以上动脉(分支)损伤.59例行骨盆内动脉损伤栓塞治疗的患者中,56例有效.7例患者因腹腔脏器严重损伤抢救无效而死亡,10例失访,45例患者术后获6～52个月(平均14个月)随访.11例患者患侧臀部肌肉力量较健侧弱,未见其他明显并发症.12例多次行选择性动脉造影与(或)栓塞治疗的患者均获随访,其中2例发生患侧臀部肌肉力量减弱. 结论 选择性动脉造影与栓塞是诊治骨盆骨折患者动脉损伤的有效措施.对于多发动脉损伤或延迟动脉损伤的患者,重复性动脉造影和栓塞治疗是必要且安全有效的.     

A prospective study on acute spinal injuries

This work examines demographic and clinical characteristics of 163 consecutive cases of acute spinal injuries in a small area of Western Turkey, since 1982. These include all spinal injuries with or without neurological symptoms. Combined conservative and surgical methods were used for treatment. Age, sex, etiology, site of injury, radiologic findings, neurological status, and outcome are compared with the other studies. The results have been found to be parallel to those of the other studies except for some regional differences like an excess of tractor accidents.     

Outcome of angiographic embolisation for unstable pelvic ring injuries: Factors predicting success

Introduction

Angiographic embolisation (AE) is a successful treatment for haemodynamically unstable pelvic ring injuries. However, recent evidence has shown a significant complication rate following AE together with a lower success rate than previously reported. The aim of the current study was to review and indentify the factors predicting success or failure of AE.

Patients and methods

651 patients with high energy (ISS > 16) pelvic ring injuries were treated in our institution between the years 1997 and 2009. Mean patient age was 37 (range 5–89) years, and the average ISS 33.4 (range 16–66). Patients’ information was collected from the institution's trauma registry as well as from the patient's medical chart and radiographs. Data included age, ISS, length of stay, ICU stay, initial blood pressure and pulse, blood products consumption, blood creatinine levels, fracture type and treatment, embolisation details, complications and mortality. 61 patients (9.3%) underwent urgent angiography due to haemodynamic instability. Angiography was positive (PA) in 38 patients (62.3%) and was negative for haemorrhage (NA) in the remaining 23 (37.7%).

Results

Ten patients required a branch vessel embolisation while 17 patients required major vessel embolisation, 11 required bilateral internal iliac embolisation and three patients underwent multiple vessel embolisation. Overall mortality rate was 26%. 32 patients required surgical intervention for pelvic ring stabilisation. Significant reduction in blood transfusion was seen in patients with an APC fracture type following AE. No significant correlation was found between fracture type and mortality. Multiple vessel embolisations were associated with increased surgical complications and mortality.

Discussion

Angiographic embolisation provides a reasonable option for haemodynamically unstable pelvic ring injured patients with an acceptable outcome, supporting previously reported literature. Patients with unstable APC type pelvic fracture may benefit the most from early angiographic embolisation. Patients requiring multiple vessel embolisation have a guarded outcome.     

Surgical ligation vs. angiographic embolization of the vena spermatica: a prospective randomized study for the treatment of varicocele-related infertility

Summary. Varicoceles as a common cause of male infertility are treated either by surgical ligation or, more recently, by angiographic occlusion of the spermatic vein. In the present prospective randomized study 38 patients were treated by surgical ligation and 33 by angiographic embolization. During the 12-month follow-up period a significant increase in sperm number (at 3 and 12 months) and sperm motility (at 12 months) occurred in both groups while sperm morphology remained unaffected. Altogether, 22 pregnancies (31%) were reported within the year following treatment, of which 11/38 (29%) occurred in the ligation group and 11/33 (33%) in the embolization group. Thus both treatment modalities appear equivalent, whereby embolization has the advantage that it can be performed on an outpatient basis.     

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery protocol for elderly gastric cancer patients: A prospective study for safety and efficacy

BackgroundEnhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) has been used to improve surgical outcomes in recent years. However, its safety and efficacy in elderly patients with gastric cancer remain unclear. The aim of this study was to reveal the safety and efficacy of the ERAS protocol in elderly patients with gastric cancer.MethodsElderly gastric cancer patients (age≥70 years) who underwent gastrectomy were divided into the ERAS group and the conventional group. Postoperative complications, postoperative hospital stay, hospitalization expenses, and readmission rates were compared between the two groups.ResultsFrom December 2019 to January 2021, 100 eligible patients were enrolled in our study. All baseline data were balanced between the ERAS group and the conventional group. There was no significant difference in terms of complications (18% vs. 16%, P = 0.14) between the two groups. The most common complication was pneumonia. Four patients were observed in the conventional group and three patients in the ERAS group. The postoperative hospital stay was shorter in the ERAS group (8.2 vs. 10.4, P = 0.001).ConclusionsThe ERAS protocol could be safely used in elderly gastric cancer patients undergoing gastrectomy and shorten postoperative hospital stay.     

High incidence of ischemic necrosis of the gluteal muscle after transcatheter angiographic embolization for severe pelvic fracture

BACKGROUND: After transcatheter angiographic embolization (TAE), massive gluteal muscle necrosis was found in patients during open reduction and internal fixation for pelvic fracture. METHODS: In our six patients, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans obtained 1 and 4 weeks after TAE demonstrated ischemic damage of the gluteal muscle. RESULTS: Total reopening of the embolized artery was confirmed in only one case on the second angiogram obtained 1 month after TAE. In five patients, massive muscle necrosis, previously confirmed on MRI, was macroscopically found during open reduction and internal fixation or debridement surgery. In two patients, severe complications developed, such as soft tissue infection caused by necrosis, skin necrosis accompanied by subcutaneous infection, and sepsis. CONCLUSION: MRI revealed that TAE more frequently causes profound ischemic damage or necrosis than has been thought. This will be a warning to those who use TAE. Before definitive stabilization, external fixation may be recommended as a first-choice procedure for resuscitation and, then, unilateral selective TAE.     

Quality of life after pelvic ring injuries: follow-up results of a prospective study

A follow-up after 2 years on average could be done in 43 cases of pelvic ring injuries. Seven were type A, 8 type B and 28 type C lesions. Every type A lesion was treated non-operatively. External fixation and nonoperative management were used with type B injuries. As well as non-operative treatment, both internal and external surgical techniques were employed for type C fractures. While group A hardly mentioned pain in the follow-up, groups B and C suffered dorsal pelvic pain of comparable intensity irrespective of the therapeutic measures taken. Anatomic reduction does not guarantee freedom from pain. We also rated hip joint flexibility and ability to walk according to the Merle D'Aubigné score. Because of their pelvic injuries 50% of the type C patients changed their profession. The sequelae of the accident on sports and leisure time activities will be considered as well as the subjective contentment evaluated. Unstable and dislocated pelvic ring injuries permanently interfere to a high degree with the quality of life. It is remarkable that many of the traumatic lesions which interfere with the quality of life are caused by the traumatic violence itself and cannot be influenced by the manner of surgical stabilization.     

莫西沙星对急性重症胆管炎疗效的临床研究

目的 探讨莫西沙星对急性重症胆管炎(ACST)的有效性及安全性.方法 采用前瞻性多中心方案,选择哈尔滨医科大学和黑龙江省医院6个普通外科病房2008年l～6月ACST病人50例,在外科干预同时给予莫西沙星400mg,每日1次静脉点滴,观察入院、用药后3d和7d病人体温、WBC、谷丙转氨酶(ALT)、总胆红素(TBIL)、碱性磷酸酶(AKP)、γ-谷氨酰转肽酶(GGT)及病原菌的变化情况.结果 50例病人中1例因用药后出现肝功能异常被剔除试验,其余49例在用药后3d有42例体温和WBC明显下降,肝功能各项指标在3d时也较入院时下降,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01),临床有效率85.7%.49例中有30例培养出细菌42株,其中混合感染11例(占36.7%1,分离出大肠埃希氏菌22株(占73.3%),其次肺炎克雷伯杆菌8株,肠球菌5株,用药后7d有35株致病菌菌消失或转阴,清除率达83.3%(35/42).结论 大肠埃希氏菌、肺炎克雷伯杆菌、肠球菌是胆道感染主要致病菌.莫西沙星可有效清除胆道内病原菌,安全有效治疗ACST.     

A prospective study of parachute injuries in civilians

A prospective study of 33 civilian parachutists with 41 injuries is presented. Because the training for civilians is less rigorous than that for military parachutists, the hospital admission rate for severe injuries was high (81.8%). Most injuries occurred during landing and the ankle was most frequently involved. The types and possible mechanisms of injury are discussed, as well as recommendations for modifying the civilian training programme.     

Comparison of circumferential pelvic sheeting versus the T-POD on unstable pelvic injuries: A cadaveric study of stability

Objectives

Commercially available binder devices are commonly used in the acute treatment of pelvic fractures, while many advocate simply placing a circumferential sheet for initial stabilization of such injuries. We sought to determine whether or not the T-POD would provide more stability to an unstable pelvic injury as compared to circumferential pelvic sheeting.

Methods

Unstable pelvic injuries (OTA type 61-C-1) were surgically created in five fresh, lightly embalmed whole human cadavers. Electromagnetic sensors were placed on each hemi-pelvis. The amount of angular motion during testing was measured using a Fastrak, three-dimensional, electromagnetic motion analysis device (Polhemus Inc., Colchester, VT). Either a T-POD or circumferential sheet was applied in random order for testing. The measurements recorded in this investigation included maximum displacements for sagittal, coronal, and axial rotation during application of the device, bed transfer, log-rolling, and head of bed elevation.

Results

There were no differences in motion of the injured hemi-pelvis during application of either the T-POD or circumferential sheet. During the bed transfer, log-rolling, and head of bed elevation, there were no significant differences in displacements observed when the pelvis was immobilized with either a sheet or pelvic binder (T-POD).

Conclusions

A circumferential pelvic sheet is more readily available, costs less, is more versatile, and is equally as efficacious at immobilizing the unstable pelvis as compared to the T-POD. We advocate the use of circumferential sheeting for temporary stabilization of unstable pelvic injuries.     

Short-term results of rotoresection for benign prostatic hyperplasia: a prospective study of safety and efficacy

OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety and efficacy of rotoresection as a method for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty patients were prospectively enrolled between September 2000 and May 2001 (mean age 61 years, sd 6, range 52-78). All patients had a symptom score (AUA) of > 12, a maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) of < 12 mL/s, a prostate of 20-80 mL and a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level of 0-4 ng/mL. Patients with prostate or bladder cancer, a PSA level of > 10 ng/mL, previous prostate surgery, previous pelvic surgery, urethral stricture, active urinary tract infection (UTI), acute urine retention, neuropathic bladder and a serum creatinine of > 1.8 mg/mL were excluded. The adenoma was resected using the Rotoresect system (Karl Storz, Tuttlingen, Germany); the mean (sd) operative duration was 45.2 (9.9) min. The catheter was removed after 1.97 (0.3) days and patients assessed at 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery by an AUA score, Qmax, blood haemoglobin level, urine analysis and transrectal ultrasonography; all patients but two completed the follow-up. RESULTS: At 6 months the mean (sd) AUA score decreased from 20.5 (3.8) to 1.6 (1.3), the Qmax increased from 8.7 (2) to 25.3 (12.6) mL/s, and the total prostate volume decreased from 36.5 (13) to 20.5 (7.8) mL. The mean initial haemoglobin level was 138 (10) g/L and at 1 month was 135 (12) g/L. No patient required a blood transfusion or had signs of transurethral resection syndrome. Early complications included UTI and mild stress incontinence in 10 and 11 patients, respectively. At 6 months these patients had sterile urine and were continent. Two patients had a urethral stricture and posterior urethral stone at 6 months and were treated successfully. CONCLUSION: In the short-term, rotoresection is a safe and effective method for treating BPH; there was no significant blood loss or resection syndrome. The hospital stay was short, with excellent functional results.     

Lynx® midurethral sling system: a 1-year prospective study on efficacy and safety

The objective of this study is to determine the outcomes for the Lynx(R) midurethral sling system in the treatment of urodynamic stress incontinence (USI). Prospective study of 118 subjects who underwent a Lynx(R) midurethral sling procedure for USI. Subjects were considered cured if they were subjectively dry by history and objectively dry by standing stress test. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were documented. Complete information was available on 102 (86%) subjects at 1 year. Ninety-two patients were considered cured, and ten were failures. There were four intraoperative bladder perforations and five (4.2%) erosions. Two patients developed urinary retention with one resolving at 31 days and the other undergoing subsequent takedown at 6 months. Both remain dry at 12 months. The Lynx(R) midurethral sling system shows high subjective and objective success rates for the treatment of USI at 1 year with low rates of intraoperative and postoperative complications.     

A prospective study of myocardial damage in electrical injuries

A prospective study was undertaken to determine the incidence of possible myocardial damage following electrical injury. Sixteen patients with non-flash electrical injuries were assessed utilizing serial electrocardiograms (ECG), creatine kinase (CK) and MB creatinine kinase (MB-CK) determinations, technetium 99m stannous pyrophosphate scans, and 24-hour Holter monitors. Results showed that five patients (31%) had abnormal ECG, nine patients (56%) had elevations of the MB-CK isoenzyme, and one patient had a transiently abnormal Holter monitoring. No patient had an abnormal technetium pyrophosphate cardiac scan. Of the nine patients with elevated MB-CK levels, only two had abnormal ECG. None of the patients had clinical evidence of cardiac dysfunction. These results indicate a poor correlation of elevated MB-CK levels with ECG abnormalities, and demonstrate a relatively low incidence of myocardial damage in association with electrical injuries.