Decompressive surgery in acute head injuries: where should it be performed?

BACKGROUND: In Norway, most patients with severe head injuries are transported to, and operated in, the neurosurgical unit of the regional university hospital. However, some patients are still occasionally operated on in county central hospitals by orthopedic or general surgeons who do not have neurosurgical expertise. The aim was to analyze this surgical activity outside the neurosurgical units. METHODS: Data were collected from two sources: a nation-wide survey and the records of all patients with a severe head injury occurring within Vestfold county (1987-1996). RESULTS: The Norwegian county central hospitals perform each only 2.5 to 3 surgical evacuations of intracranial hematomas per year. In Vestfold county, a total of 161 patients were hospitalized alive with an acute severe head injury. One third of the patients (54 patients) underwent decompressive surgery, mostly evacuations of intracranial hematomas. The patients operated on in the central hospital had a significantly worse outcome than the patients who were transferred to and operated on in the neurosurgical unit of the regional hospital. Only patients with extracerebral hematomas were operated on in the central hospital. Patients with an extradural (epidural) hematoma had a better outcome than patients with an acute subdural hematoma. Based on the surgery records and preoperative and postoperative computed tomographic scans, one third of the operations (10 operations) in the central hospital were classified retrospectively as inadequate, because the hematoma was not evacuated or found or because the surgeons did not achieve control of the perioperative bleeding. The overall mortality rate was 29.8%. CONCLUSION: The present study indicates that, in Norway and countries with a similar hospital system, it must be difficult for general and orthopedic surgeons to achieve and maintain the skills required for emergency operations in patients with acute severe head injuries. Thus, it is probably to the patients' benefit to improve the general hospitals' competency and speed in the detection of candidates for surgical decompression, and stress the importance of these patients being transferred without unnecessary delay to a neurosurgical unit.     

Skateboard head injuries: Are we making progress?

Background: Skateboarding is a popular sport and U.S. trauma centers care for a significant number of skateboard-related injuries (SRIs). However, injury prevention strategies are still underdeveloped. This study was designed to compare the epidemiology, type, and location of skateboard injury as well as the use and influence of protective gear over two time periods.Methods: This is a retrospective National Trauma Data Bank study including all patients with SRIs between 2007and 2016. Study groups were divided into two 5-year periods: 2007–2011 and 2012–2016. The incidence and severity of traumatic brain injury (TBI), as well as the compliance and effectiveness of protective gear and skate parks, was assessed in various age groups in the two study periods using univariable and multivariable analyses. Univariable analysis was used to compare the two study periods, logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of head injury and severe TBI.Results: 24,903 patients presented with SRIs: 10,594 from 2007 to 2011 and 14,309 from 2012 to 2016. Helmet use was low in both periods (5.7% and 5.4% respectively). The incidence of severe TBI (head AIS≥3) did not change significantly during the two periods (31.6% vs. 30.8%, p = 0.162). In children with severe TBI, there was no significant difference in helmet use across all ages, (10.4% vs. 11.5%, p = 0.467; 6.4% vs. 6.5%, p = 0.753; 4.2% vs. 3.7%, p = 0.201, respectively) with the lowest usage in the older than 16 years age group. On logistic regression, male gender (OR 1.526, 95% CI 1.372–1.698, p<0.001) was associated with increased odds of severe TBI, while helmet use (OR 0.534, 95% CI 0.455–0.627, p<0.001) and injuries at skate parks (OR 0.584, 95% CI 0.541–0.630, p<0.001), near home (OR 0.465, 95% CI 0.418–0.518, p<0.001), and public buildings (OR 0.386, 95% CI 0.440–0.541, p<0.001) were associated with reduced odds of severe TBI.Conclusions: Helmet use in patients with SRIs is low in all pediatric age groups. Helmet use and skate parks are protective against severe TBI. Older age children and male gender are at increased risk of severe TBI after skateboard-related injuries, and more targeted preventive education and legislation are needed.     

Acute necrotizing pancreatitis: can tigecycline be included in a therapeutic strategy?

Introduction

Acute necrotizing pancreatitis is a severe and life-threatening disease. Infection, which occurs in about 30% of cases, is the most feared complication. Antibiotic therapy is still discussed and there are no clear recommendation in literature. These clinical series underline the importance of having a clear antibiotic protocol, including tigecycline, in the management of acute necrotizing pancreatitis.

Clinical series

Six patients with clinical and radiological diagnosis of necrotizing acute pancreatitis are treated in Emergency Surgery Department, following a conservative management, which includes fluid resuscitation, intensive care unit and radiological monitoring, ultrasound-guided percutaneous drainage and an antibiotic treatment protocol, that includes tigecycline. No one of the six patient undergo surgery (mean hospital stay: 44 days). In a six months follow-up all patients are alive and in good clinical conditions.

Discussion

Infection is the most important factor which determinate prognosis and outcome of acute necrotizing pancreatitis. Antibiotic prophylaxis is still discussed and there are no clear antibiotic treatment guidelines in literature. Despite its side effects on pancreatic gland, tigecycline is successful in resolution of sepsis, caused by infected pancreatic necrosis.

Conclusions

Collaboration with infectivologist and a clear antibiotic protocol is fundamental to solve infected necrosis. Antibiotic treatment, set up as soon as possible, is successful in our six patients, as they recover without undergoing surgical procedures. Tigecycline offers broad coverage and efficacy against resistant pathogens for the treatment of documented pancreatic necrosis infection. However, further studies are necessary to fully understand the safety profile and efficacy of tigecycline.     

Interstitial laser coagulation treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: is it to be recommended?

PURPOSE: To update the clinical data on the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) by interstitial laser coagulation (ILC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: In addition to recent review articles, original papers published during the last 2 years were surveyed. The focus was on prospective, particularly randomized, trials and on those with long-term follow-up. RESULTS: Interstitial laser coagulation is feasible, although considerable variability is observed in the results. Operative complications are minimal, but the postoperative catheterization time is relatively long. Irritative symptoms can last for a long time, and the rate of urinary infections is as high as 35%. There also is significant variability in the urodynamic results. The technique seems to be more effective in patients with mild bladder outlet obstruction at baseline. The retreatment rate at 1 year is as high as 15%, and higher rates, as much as 40%, are described at 3 years. When compared in a randomized fashion with transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), the postoperative period is shorter after TURP and the retreatment rate (early and late) is higher after ILC. CONCLUSIONS: Interstitial laser coagulation is superior to TURP in terms of operative morbidity, but postoperative morbidity is higher after ILC. Long-term durability has not been properly documented, and randomized studies show a higher retreatment rate after ILC than after TURP. The technique is recommended for those patients with bleeding disorders necessitating an interventional therapy.     

Complex fractures of the humeral head: which long-term results can be expected?

BACKGROUND: Although improved techniques of internal fixation and prosthetic replacement were introduced successfully in the field of operative fracture care, treatment of complex fractures of the proximal humerus also involving the humeral head remains to be a challenge to the trauma surgeon. We therefore investigated clinical and radiological long-term results after humeral head preserving procedures. METHODS: 41 patients with a three or four part fracture of the humeral head were evaluated on average 6.6 years (min. 4.4 y; max. 9.0 y) after the trauma. The evaluation was based on the Constant- and HSS score clinically and on the Neer score radiologically. Nine patients were treated conservatively (group A), 13 patients had primarily an operative treatment (group B) and another 19 were operated upon after failure of conservative means. 24 of the patients were female and 17 male, with an average age of 52 years (min. 14.4 y; max. 71.2 y). According to Neers 's fracture classification of humeral head fractures we saw 14 type IV, 25 times a combination of type IV and V and in another 2 cases a type VI fracture. RESULTS: In group A (conservative) the Constant score showed on average 82.0 points for the injured and 95.3 points for the contralateral shoulder, the HSS score revealed 73.6 points and Neer's x-ray score 5.6 points. Group B (operated) showed also good results on average according to a Constant score of 72.1 points (fractured humerus) compared with 98.1 points of the contralateral shoulder. HSS score was 64.7 points. The radiological results reached 4.0 points. Group C (conservatively failed, secondary operation) achieved 68.2 points for the injured side and 95.8 points for the contralateral side according to Constant and 59.5 points according to HSS score. The x-ray evaluation showed 5.3 points. Fracture type did not influence the outcome in any of the groups. There was no humeral head necrosis in group A, one in group B (2.4 %) and four in group C (9.8 %). CONCLUSION: These data show that regarding to clinical and radiological long-term results also complex fractures of the humeral head should be treated by head preserving procedures.     

Which displaced spiral tibial shaft fractures can be managed conservatively?

The aim of the present study was to establish a threshold for the initial displacement of a spiral tibial shaft fracture beyond which its retention in an acceptable position cannot be guaranteed by plaster immobilization. We reviewed the records and radiographs of 131 plaster cast-treated patients with spiral tibial shaft fracture, initially displaced 50% or less, for patients whose fracture had either lost its acceptable retention or consolidated in an unacceptable position. The fractures were classified, according to the true initial displacement as measured on the first radiographs, into four pairs of categories using cut-off points of 10, 20, 30 and 40% of the diameter of the tibial diaphysis. Comparison was then made of the proportions of failed treatments between each of these pairs. Plaster cast treatments failed in 28% when the true initial displacement was 30% or less, and in 46% when the true initial displacement was more than 30%. The risk of failed plaster cast treatment increased when true initial displacement exceeded 30%. In all patients whose plaster cast treatment was interrupted the true initial displacement was more than 30%. We therefore conclude that diaphyseal fractures of the tibia for which the initial displacement exceeds 30% are not suitable for plaster cast treatment.

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Résumé L’objectif de cette étude était de déterminer le seuil de déplacement initial des fractures spiroı¨de du tibia après lequel la position acceptable ne peut être garantie sous immobilisation platrée. Nous avons revu les dossiers et les radiographies de 131 patients platrés présentant une fracture spiroı¨de du tibia avec un déplacement initial de 50% ou moins, pour découvrir les patients dont les fractures, soit ont perdu une réduction acceptable, soit se sont consolidées dans une position non-acceptable. Les fractures ont été classées selon le déplacement initial réel, mesurées sur les radiographies d’entrée. Quatre paires de catégories ont été crées en utilisant comme points de mesure, à savoir: 10, 20, 30 et 40% du diamètre de la diaphyse du tibia. Puis les proportions des traitements non réussies entre chacune des ces paires étaient comparées. Les traitements sous platre ont abouti à l′échec dans 28% des cas quand le déplacement initial réel était de 30% ou moins, et dans 46% des cas quand le déplacement initial réel était plus que 30%. Le risque de l’échec de traitement par platre n’a augmenté que légèrement quand le déplacement initial a dépassé les30%. Le degré de déplacement initial réel des fractures dont les traitements platrés ont été interrompus était de plus de 30%. Ainsi nous aboutissons à la conclusion que les fractures de la diaphyse tibiale dont le déplacement initial dépasse 30% ne conviennent pas pour le traitement par immobilisation platrée.

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Accepted: 17 March 2000     

Operative treatment of combined anterior and posterior cruciate ligament injuries in complex knee trauma: can the cruciate ligaments be preserved?

A retrospective study was performed focusing on operative treatment after combined anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)/posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injuries. The operative treatment included the preservation of one or both cruciate ligaments. Twenty-eight patients, average age 30 years (range: 12-55 years), were evaluated 5.4 years (range: 1-14 years) postoperatively. Twenty-two operations were performed in patients with acute injuries (<30 days after trauma) and 6 operations in patients with chronic instabilities (>30 days after trauma). Both cruciate ligaments were preserved by suture or refixation in 16 patients. Suture of one and reconstruction of the other cruciate ligament with autologous tendon graft was performed in 12 cases. In addition, 61 procedures (meniscal suture/resection, medial/lateral reconstruction, tendon suture, and open reduction and internal fixation were performed. Postoperative treatment included continuous passive motion and protected weight bearing. Eleven (27% acute, 83% chronic) patients required revision (ACL/PCL reconstruction, osteotomy, and meniscal repair). At follow-up, 43% of the patients were very satisfied and 46% were satisfied. Seventy-one percent (89% preinjury) of the patients were able to maintain intensive and moderate International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) activity levels. The IKDC evaluation of the patients (acute %/chronic cases %) was graded for symptoms: A 39% (45/17), B 35% (27/67), C 15% (18/0), and D 11% (9/17); for range of motion: A 42% (36/67), B 42% (50/17), C 16% (14/17), and D 0%; and for ligaments: A 21% (18/17), B 33% (45/0), C 42% (32/83), and D 4% (5/0). Radiographic findings were A 18%, B 41%, and C 41%. Primary repair of acute injuries was superior to the delayed repair of chronic instabilities. Preservation of cruciate ligaments in acute combined ACL/PCL tears results in a satisfying knee function despite distinct residual ligament instability. Although suture of the cruciate ligaments in open technique is a therapeutic option in acute multiligamentous knee injuries, it is not recommended for the treatment of chronic instabilities.     

Intracranial hypertension: what additional information can be derived from ICP waveform after head injury?

Summary Objective. Although intracranial hypertension is one of the important prognostic factors after head injury, increased intracranial pressure (ICP) may also be observed in patients with favourable outcome. We have studied whether the value of ICP monitoring can be augmented by indices describing cerebrovascular pressure-reactivity and pressure-volume compensatory reserve derived from ICP and arterial blood pressure (ABP) waveforms.Method. 96 patients with intracranial hypertension were studied retrospectively: 57 with fatal outcome and 39 with favourable outcome. ABP and ICP waveforms were recorded. Indices of cerebrovascular reactivity (PRx) and cerebrospinal compensatory reserve (RAP) were calculated as moving correlation coefficients between slow waves of ABP and ICP, and between slow waves of ICP pulse amplitude and mean ICP, respectively. The magnitude of slow waves was derived using ICP low-pass spectral filtration.Results. The most significant difference was found in the magnitude of slow waves that was persistently higher in patients with a favourable outcome (p<0.00004). In patients who died ICP was significantly higher (p<0.0001) and cerebrovascular pressure-reactivity (described by PRx) was compromised (p<0.024). In the same patients, pressure-volume compensatory reserve showed a gradual deterioration over time with a sudden drop of RAP when ICP started to rise, suggesting an overlapping disruption of the vasomotor response.Conclusion. Indices derived from ICP waveform analysis can be helpful for the interpretation of progressive intracranial hypertension in patients after brain trauma.     

Accidental injuries by HIV-contaminated instruments in health provider or research environments: can seroconversion be prevented?

The rate of seroconversion from percutaneous needlestick exposure to HIV infection is approximately 0.3 per cent. To investigate the possibility of local confinement of HIV, 100 to 200 nm Tc-99m sulfur colloid particles were injected in the canine model subcutaneously at the knee level and collected proximally at the groin from the cannulated femoral vein and lymphatic channel. Tourniquet compression (250 mm Hg) was used as an intervention to possibly restrict particle spread. It was found that particles arrived in the blood at 2.81 +/- 0.54 minutes, with later arrival in the lymph at 6.0 +/- 1.47 minutes. Tourniquet application delayed the appearance of the particulate matter in the blood up to 7.11 +/- 1.5 minutes and in lymph up to 40.0 +/- 5.10 minutes. The concentration of radioactivity in the lymph was higher than in the venous blood. The distribution of the particles reflected by flux was comparable in both pathways. The accumulation curves did not reach plateaus during 45 minutes in lymph and 15 minutes in blood. Radioactive scanning revealed that about 90 per cent of the injected particles remained locally with gradual release for at least 45 minutes. Our results suggest that HIV, introduced by needlestick injury, can be contained for possible viricidal treatment if the response includes rapid immobilization and tourniquet of the area.     

Pheochromocytomas: can malignant potential be predicted?

OBJECTIVES: The presence of metastatic lesions is the only acceptable fact to confirm malignant pheochromocytoma. Patients with malignant pheochromocytomas, however, have a very poor survival rate. The aim of our study was to postulate predictive values for malignant pheochromocytomas. METHODS: We evaluated symptoms, diagnostic modalities, treatment, and long-term follow-up of 86 patients with 85 benign and 10 malignant pheochromocytomas. Parameters from the benign were compared with those of the malignant pheochromocytomas. RESULTS: Preoperative 24-hour urinary dopamine was in the normal range for benign pheochromocytomas but increased in malignant pheochromocytomas (P<0.0001). Vanillylmandelic acid was elevated in both benign and malignant pheochromocytomas but higher in malignant than in benign tumors (P = 0.01). No differences could be shown in urinary epinephrine and norepinephrine samplings. Tumor location was divided into 77 adrenal (81%) and 18 extra-adrenal (19%) sites. Malignant pheochromocytomas were located more often at extra-adrenal sites (P = 0.03). There was no increased incidence of malignancy in patients with familial bilateral pheochromocytomas or multiple endocrine neoplasia. Tumors greater than 80 g in weight corresponded to malignancy (P<0.0001). Dopamine tumor concentration was higher in malignant than in benign pheochromocytomas (P = 0.01). Persistent arterial hypertension occurred in 9 (13%) of 72 benign and 6 (60%) of 10 malignant pheochromocytomas (P = 0.001). The 10-year survival rate was 94% for benign pheochromocytomas. All patients with malignant pheochromocytomas died within this period (P = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: High preoperative 24-hour urinary dopamine levels, extra-adrenal tumor location, high tumor weight, elevated tumor dopamine concentration, and postoperative persistent arterial hypertension are all factors that increase the likelihood of malignant pheochromocytoma. Patients with these characteristics should have more frequent follow-up evaluations to identify malignancy at earlier states.     

Tibial pilon fractures: Which method of treatment?

A comprehensive review of the existing literature, related to treatment options and management principles of pilon fractures was performed, and its results are presented.The identified series advocate in favour of a number of different treatment strategies and fixation methods. Decision making was mostly dependent on the severity of the local injury, the fracture pattern, the condition of the soft tissues, patient's profile and surgical expertise. External fixation and conservative treatment did not provide sufficient articular congruence in many cases. Internal fixation allowed excellent restoration of joint congruity in Rüedi type I and II fractures. A staged approach, consisting of fibular plating and temporary bridging external fixation, later substituted by an internal minimal invasive osteosynthesis or by a definitive external fixation, was favourable for Rüedi type III fractures. Closed pilon fractures with bad soft tissue conditions (Tscherne ≥ 3) or open pilon fractures are regarded as contraindication of open reduction plate fixation.Anatomic reduction of the fracture, restoration of joint's congruence, reconstruction of the posterior column, with minimal soft tissue insult, were all highlighted as of paramount importance.     

Clipless Cholecystectomy: Which Sealer Should be Used?

Background  

The use of the Harmonic Scalpel (HS) for cystic duct ligation began with little data about its efficacy or safety. On the other hand, there is not any literature available about the use of PlasmaKinetic Sealer (PK) for closing the cystic duct in laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Therefore, this study was designed to compare the efficacy and safety of HS and PK for achieving safe closure of the cystic ducts after LC.