Impact of urgent resuscitative surgery for life-threatening torso trauma

Purpose

This study investigated the advantages of performing urgent resuscitative surgery (URS) in the emergency department (ED); namely, our URS policy, to avoid a delay in hemorrhage control for patients with severe torso trauma and unstable vital signs.

Methods

We divided 264 eligible cases into a URS group (n = 97) and a non-URS group (n = 167) to compare, retrospectively, the observed survival rate with the predicted survival using the Trauma and Injury Severity Score (TRISS).

Results

While the revised trauma score and the injury severity score were significantly lower in the URS group than in the non-URS group, the observed survival rate was significantly higher than the predicted rate in the URS (48.5 vs. 40.2%; p = 0.038). URS group patients with a systolic blood pressure (SBP) <90 mmHg and a Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score of ≥9 had significantly higher observed survival rates than predicted survival rates (0.433 vs. 0.309, p = 0.008), (0.795 vs. 0.681, p = 0.004). The implementation of damage control surgery (DCS) was found to be a significant predictor of survival (OR 5.23, 95% CI 0.113–0.526, p < 0.010).

Conclusion

The best indications for the URS policy are an SBP <90 mmHg, a GCS ≥9 on ED arrival, and/or the need for DCS. By implementing our URS policy, satisfactory survival of patients requiring immediate hemostatic surgery was achieved.

     

The effect of corticosteroid on postoperative early pain,renal colic and total analgesic consumption after uncomplicated and unstented ureteroscopy: a matched-pair analysis

Purpose

To evaluate the effect of corticosteroid (CS) on early postoperative pain, renal colic and total analgesic consumption after uncomplicated and unstented ureteroscopy (URS).

Methods

Data of 397 patients who underwent URS and stone fragmentation for symptomatic distal ureteral stone (≤ 15 mm) were retrospectively evaluated. After exclusion, 72 patients who received methylprednisolone (Group I) after non-stenting uncomplicated URS were matched with another 72 patients who did not receive CS (Group II). Cases were matched 1:1 ratio and the matched-pair criteria were age, stone diameter, and duration of surgery.

Results

Both groups were statistically similar in terms of mean age, operative time, stone size and preoperative pain score. However, the mean postoperative pain score was statistically significantly lower in group I than group II on the day of surgery (3.3 ± 1.7 vs. 3.9 ± 1.3, p = 0.012) and postoperative day 1 (2.8 ± 1.8 vs. 3.4 ± 1.3, p = 0.02), respectively. Renal colic episode development rate (4.2 vs. 13.2%, p = 0.036), parenteral analgesic requirement rate (18.1 vs. 33.3%, p = 0.001) and total parenteral analgesic consumption per patient (18 vs. 36mg, p = 0.009) were statistically lower in group I than group II on the day of surgery; however, there were no statistically significant differences on postoperative day 1. There were no statistically significant differences between groups in terms of ureteral stenting requirement and late unplanned urgent room visit rates.

Conclusions

Corticosteroid after uncomplicated URS can be offered to reduce early postoperative pain, renal colic episode and total analgesic consumption.

     

Asymptomatic Renal Stones—to Treat or Not to Treat

Purpose of Review

There are no current guidelines on the optimal management of asymptomatic renal stones. This review summarizes the current literature, focusing on more recent studies that have been done to grow the body of evidence on this topic.

Recent Findings

Recent studies have found that stone size is a significant predictor of need for future surgical intervention, with >?7 mm for pediatric population and >?4 mm for residual fragments after both PNL and ureteroscopy (URS). The role of URS has been better defined with a recent RCT concluding that URS and SWL had comparable outcomes for an asymptomatic lower pole stone <?1 cm.

Summary

The treatment decision for asymptomatic renal stones should take into consideration a variety of relevant patient and stone factors; however, ultimately, a shared decision-making approach should be used. In the properly counseled patient, active surveillance or prophylactic surgical intervention may be appropriate.

     

Complications associated with ureterorenoscopy (URS) related to treatment of urolithiasis: the Clinical Research Office of Endourological Society URS Global study

Introduction

Ureterorenoscopy (URS) is a popular and growing option for management of ureteric and renal stones. The CROES URS Global Study was set up to assess the outcomes of URS in a large worldwide cohort of patients involving multiple centres. In this paper, we analysed the database for intra-operative and post-operative complications associated with ureterorenoscopy.

Methods

The CROES database was established via collaboration between 114 centres in 32 countries worldwide, and information on both intra-operative and post-operative complications was collected electronically between January 2010 and October 2012.

Result

On analysis of a total of 11,885 patients, the overall complication and stone-free rates were found to be 7.4 and 85.6 %, respectively. The intra-operative and post-operative complication rates were 4.2 and 2.6 %, respectively, and in total 5 deaths were reported in the study period. Taking into account different world economies, there were no differences in the complication rates between the developing and developed nations or between different centres from different continents.

Conclusion

Ureterorenoscopy is a safe and effective procedure for treatment of stones, the outcomes of which are broadly comparable in different parts of the world for similar patient and stone demographics.

     

Can postoperative renal dysfunction be predicted by measuring intraoperative glomerular filtration rate in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting without cardiopulmonary bypass? A pilot study

Objective

Currently, there is no effective paradigm to identify patients who are at risk for renal dysfunction following cardiac surgery. The specific mechanisms of renal injury during surgery are incompletely understood. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether postoperative renal dysfunction can be predicted from intraoperative glomerular filtration rate (GFR).

Design

This is a prospective study.

Setting

The study was conducted in a tertiary care multi-specialty hospital.

Participants and interventions

GFR was measured in 24 patients (mean age 56.6 ± 11.09 years, 20 male) undergoing elective off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting during preoperative period, intraoperative period, 24 h after surgery (ICU GFR), and on the fifth postoperative day (final GFR ).

Measurements and main results

Patients were divided into two groups depending upon changes in intraoperative GFR. Group 1 (n = 10): who had a rise in intraoperative GFR in comparison with preoperative baseline measurement. All these 10 (41.7 %) patients with a rise in intraoperative GFR had an uneventful hospital course and achieved an improvement in final GFR. Group 2 (n = 14): 14 (58.3 %) patients had a fall in intraoperative GFR (mean 36.4 %) in comparison with preoperative baseline value. Of these 14 patients, 1 patient required dialysis support and 3 patients required ionotropic support. Among these 14 patients in group two, 7 had deterioration in final GFR (mean 28.7 %), when compared to preoperative baseline value.

Conclusion

Postoperative renal dysfunction can be predicted from intraoperative GFR. Patients who have a rise in intraoperative GFR do not develop postoperative renal dysfunction, and only patients with intraoperative fall in GFR are at risk of postoperative renal dysfunction.

     

Pretreatment with endothelium-derived nitric oxide synthesis modulators on gastrointestinal microcirculation during NOTES: an experimental study

Background and study aims

On-demand endoscopic insufflation during natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) adversely affects microcirculatory blood flow (MBF), even with low mean intra-abdominal pressure, suggesting that shear stress caused by time-varying flow fluctuations has a great impact on microcirculation. As shear stress is inversely related to vascular diameter, nitric oxide (NO) production acts as a brake to vasoconstriction.

Objective

To assess whether pretreatment by NO synthesis modulators protects gastrointestinal MBF during transgastric peritoneoscopy.

Methods

Fourteen pigs submitted to cholecystectomy by endoscope CO₂ insufflation for 60 min were randomized into 2 groups: (1) 150 mg/kg of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC, n = 7) and (2) 4 ml/kg of hypertonic saline 7.5 % (HS, n = 7), and compared to a non-treated NOTES group (n = 7). Five animals made up a sham group. Colored microspheres were used to assess changes in MBF.

Results

The average level of intra-abdominal pressure was similar in all groups (9 mmHg). In NOTES group microcirculation decrease compared with baseline was greater in renal cortex, mesocolon, and mesentery (41, 42, 44 %, respectively, p < 0.01) than in renal medulla, colon, and small bowel (29, 32, 34, respectively, p < 0.05). NAC avoided the peritoneoscopy effect on renal medulla and cortex (4 and 14 % decrease, respectively) and reduced the impact on colon and small bowel (20 % decrease). HS eliminated MBF changes in colon and small bowel (14 % decrease) and modulated MBF in renal medulla and cortex (19 % decrease). Neither treatment influenced mesentery MBF decrease.

Conclusions

Both pretreatments can effectively attenuate peritoneoscopy-induced deleterious effects on gastrointestinal MBF.

     

Long-term prognosis of AL and AA renal amyloidosis: a Japanese single-center experience

Background

Few studies have been conducted on the long-term prognosis of patients with amyloid light chain (AL) and amyloid A (AA) renal amyloidosis in the same cohort.

Methods

We retrospectively examined 68 patients with biopsy-proven renal amyloidosis (38 AL and 30 AA). Clinicopathological findings at the diagnosis and follow-up data were evaluated in each patient. We analyzed the relationship between clinicopathological parameters and survival data.

Results

Significant differences were observed in several clinicopathological features, such as proteinuria levels, between the AL and AA groups. Among all patients, 84.2 % of the AL group and 93.3 % of the AA group received treatments for the underlying diseases of amyloidosis. During the follow-up period (median 18 months in AL and 61 months in AA), 36.8 % of the AL group and 36.7 % of the AA group developed end-stage renal failure requiring dialysis, while 71.1 % of the AL group and 56.7 % of the AA group died. Patient and renal survivals were significantly longer in the AA group than in the AL group. eGFR of >60 mL/min/1.73 m² at biopsy and an early histological stage of glomerular amyloid deposition were identified as low-risk factors. A multivariate analysis showed that cardiac amyloidosis and steroid therapy significantly influenced patient and renal survivals.

Conclusions

Our results showed that heart involvement was the major predictor of poor outcomes in renal amyloidosis, and that the prognosis of AA renal amyloidosis was markedly better than that in previously reported cohorts. Therapeutic advances in inflammatory diseases are expected to improve the prognosis of AA amyloidosis.

     

Effects of topiroxostat in hyperuricemic patients with chronic kidney disease

Background

Hyperuricemia is associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Although topiroxostat, a novel, non-purine, selective xanthine oxidase inhibitor, has a strong effect against hyperuricemia, limited data are available on its renoprotective effect against CKD.

Methods

This study was conducted between October 2014 and May 2016. Thirty patients (20 male, 10 female) were administered 40 mg/day of topiroxostat twice daily. All patients were followed for a year. To elucidate the effects of topiroxostat, we evaluated the clinically documented primary indication of progression, viz. laboratory evidence of kidney function decline (reference indicator), uric acid, and hypertension in different patient groups, separated according to their baseline uProt levels and baseline eGFR.

Results

Topiroxostat treatment resulted in significant reduction in SUA (?1.53 mg/dL), systolic blood pressure (?8.9 mmHg), diastolic blood pressure (?5.0 mmHg), and urinary protein excretion (?795.5 mg/gCr) compared with baseline values. However, serum creatinine and urinary NAG levels, and estimated glomerular filtration rate did not change significantly.

Conclusions

Topiroxostat reduced SUA levels effectively and may exhibit renoprotective effect in hyperuricemic patients with CKD. Further studies are required to clarify whether topiroxostat prevents the progression of renal disease and improves the prognosis of CKD patients.

     

Use of XenX™, the latest ureteric occlusion device with guide wire utility: results from a prospective multicentric comparative study

Purpose

This is a prospective multicentric comparative study evaluating the performance of XenX—a new dual-purpose device for the prevention of stone fragments migration during ureteroscopic lithotripsy (URS).

Methods

Between March 2014 and January 2015, 41 patients undertaking URS + XenX were matched with 41 patients undergoing standard URS. Patients included had unilateral ureteric stone(s) of 0.5–1.5 cm in maximum size. Demographics, complication rates and surgical outcomes were recorded for comparison. A Likert-like 5-grade scoring system was used for surgeons’ evaluation of XenX properties. Cost analysis was performed by comparing weighted mean costs of the relevant procedures.

Results

Patients’ characteristics between the two groups were comparable. Lasering time was longer for XenX group (13.59 vs. 5.17 min; p = 0.0001) whilst use of basket and need of JJ stent insertion was more frequent in control group (19.5 vs. 97.6 %; p = 0.0001 and 22 vs. 35 %; p = 0.001, respectively). Intra-operative SFR was significantly higher for XenX group (100 vs. 85.4 %; p = 0.0001), but not at 4-week follow-up, after ancillary procedures were needed in 17.1 % of the control group. Surgeons’ evaluations for XenX were suboptimal for “Ease of Basketing” (2/5) and “Advancement of double J stent” (3/5). The use of XenX increased costs of procedures, but spared the costs associated to ancillary procedures and stent removals.

Conclusions

XenX confirmed to be a safe and effective device especially for the treatment of upper ureteric tract stones; moreover, XenX may reduce the risk for the need of auxiliary procedures and for the insertion of a JJ stent.

     

Combination of etoricoxib and low-pressure pneumoperitoneum versus standard treatment for the management of pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a randomized controlled trial

Background and objectives

Postoperative pain is one of the significant problems in laparoscopic surgery, especially during the first 6–12 h. This randomized controlled trial aimed to investigate the effect of combined preemptive etoricoxib 120 mg and low-pressure pneumoperitoneum for the management of pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC).

Patients and methods

One hundred and twenty patients aged 18–75 with American Society of Anesthesiologists class I–II who were candidates for elective LC were recruited into the study. The patients were randomly divided into two groups, by ‘block of four’ randomization. The treatment group received preemptive etoricoxib 120 mg and intraabdominal pressure of 7 mmHg, and the control group received placebo and intraabdominal pressure of 14 mmHg. The postoperative pain score at rest was recorded utilizing a numeric rating scale at 1, 2, 6, 10, 14, 18, 22, and 24 h. Pain on movement/ambulation (cough) was also recorded at 6, 10, 14, 18, 22, and 24 h.

Results

There were no significant differences in the baseline characteristics of the two groups. The pain scores of the treatment versus control group of abdominal pain and incisional pain were significant on movement. Abdominal pain scores of the treatment group were decreased 0.98 when compared with the control group (p = 0.017), and incisional pain scores were also decreased 0.99 (p = 0.001). The incidences of postoperative shoulder/back pain were statistically significant: 41.8 % vs. 66.7 % in the treatment and control group, respectively (p = 0.009). The postoperative hospital stay in the treatment group and control group was: 1 day = 96.4 and 75.0 %, >1 day = 3.6 and 25.0 %, respectively (p = 0.001).

Conclusions

A combination of preemptive etoricoxib and low-pressure pneumoperitoneum had significant effects in decreasing overall pain and the incidence of shoulder/back pain after LC and also shortened the hospital stay.

Clinical trials registration number

TCTR20140213001.

     

Compartment Pressure Monitoring After Thyroid Surgery: A Possible Method to Detect a Rebleeding

Background

Postoperative rebleeding after thyroid surgery is a rare but a serious complication. The aim of this study was to ascertain the extent to which postoperative pressure could be used as detector for rebleeding after thyroid surgery.

Methods

Thirty-two patients with thyroidectomy or hemithyroidectomy were considered prospectively. In the course of surgery, a pressure microsensor (3PN Probe Spiegelberg) was implanted into the postoperative cavity and data were collected for special activities and stress situations over the first 48 h postoperatively. Additional endpoint was the influence of drains on the determined values.

Results

The overall mean pressure (MP) at rest on both postoperative days for all patients with and without drain was 0.36 ± 2.84 mmHg (range ?6.7 to 6.7). The MP in all activity and stress situations on the first day was with 0.23 ± 3.71 mmHg, and on the second day, the MP was 1.33 ± 4.50. 92.13% of our values were below 7 mmHg. One patient had a hemorrhage. The pressure increases continuously up to 36 mmHg, before the patient was transferred to the operating theater.

Conclusions

This is the first pilot study to consider continuous pressure measurement to be a potential tool for early detection of a postoperative rebleeding in thyroid surgery. In the strictest sense, postoperative intra-cervical pressure at rest ranges from subatmospheric to 7 mmHg. The elevation of pressure in case of a rebleeding up to 36 mmHg differs dramatically from normal postoperative pressure. The collected data will warrant further validation to be able to recommend threshold values for an early treatment decisions in rebleeding.

     

No difference in flexion power despite iliopsoas fatty degeneration in healed hip fractures with large lesser trochanter displacement

Objective

To evaluate iliopsoas atrophy and loss of function after displaced lesser trochanter fracture of the hip.

Design

Cohort study.

Setting

District hospital.

Patients

Twenty consecutive patients with pertrochanteric fracture and displacement of the lesser trochanter of?>?20 mm.

Intervention

Fracture fixation with either an intramedullary nail or a plate.

Outcome measurements

Clinical scores (Harris hip, WOMAC), hip flexion strength measurements, and magnetic resonance imaging findings.

Results

Compared with the contralateral non-operated side, the affected side showed no difference in hip flexion force in the supine upright neutral position and at 30° of flexion (205.4 N vs 221.7 N and 178.9 N vs. 192.1 N at 0° and 30° flexion, respectively). However, the affected side showed a significantly greater degree of fatty infiltration compared with the contralateral side (global fatty degeneration index 1.085 vs 0.784), predominantly within the psoas and iliacus muscles.

Conclusion

Severe displacement of the lesser trochanter (>?20 mm) in pertrochanteric fractures did not reduce hip flexion strength compared with the contralateral side. Displacement of the lesser trochanter in such cases can lead to fatty infiltration of the iliopsoas muscle unit. The amount of displacement of the lesser trochanter did not affect the degree of fatty infiltration.

Level of evidence

II.

     

Assessment of kidney function in children by enzymatic determination of 2- or 24-h creatinine clearance: comparison with inulin clearance

Background

Although renal inulin clearance (Cin) is the gold standard for evaluation of kidney function, it cannot be measured easily. Therefore, creatinine clearance (Ccr) is often used clinically to evaluate kidney function. Enzymatically measured Ccr was recently found to be much higher than Cin because of the tubular secretion of creatinine (Cr). This study compared three measures of renal clearance, inulin, 2-h Ccr, and 24-h Ccr, in children.

Methods

Kidney function was evaluated in 76 children (51 males and 25 females) aged 1 month to 18 years with chronic kidney disease (CKD) by three renal clearance methods at almost the same time.

Results

Correlations between each pair of three renal clearance measurements were determined. Approximate glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was equal to 62 % of 2-h Ccr or 76 % of 24-h Ccr.

Conclusion

Cr secretion by renal tubules was approximately 50 % of the GFR. In this study, we indicate that the measurements of 2-h Ccr or 24-h Ccr do not show true GFR but we could infer approximate GFR from the values. The use of 2- or 24-h Ccr might contribute to the treatment of pediatric CKD patients.

     

Long-term follow-up of blood pressure and glomerular filtration rate in patients with a solitary functioning kidney: a comparison between Wilms tumor survivors and nephrectomy for other reasons

Background

Children with unilateral Wilms tumor (WT) treated with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy and nephrectomy have excellent survival rates. A solitary functioning kidney (SFK) is associated with progressive renal injury. This study aims to investigate the additional effect of Wilms tumor treatment on renal function compared with children with an SFK for non-oncological reasons.

Methods

A single-center retrospective cohort study on the renal injury markers of 79 survivors of unilateral WT was performed and compared with a matched group of children with an SFK for non-oncological reasons. Mean age at follow-up was 12.4 (SD 5.9) years.

Results

During follow-up, mean estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and blood pressure z-scores remained stable at an acceptable level. However, in the group of 31 WT patients with a follow-up of 15 years, 23 % showed signs of renal injury. This proportion was smaller than the 54 % in a group of SFK patients based on non-oncological causes (p?=?0.004).

Conclusions

A significant proportion of WT survivors develop renal injury during follow-up. Our data may be an underestimation of the true frequency of progressive renal injury, due to a lack of information on proteinuria. As with patients with a non-oncological SFK, long-term follow-up is essential to monitor WT survivors.

     

Randomized Clinical Trial of Moderate Versus Deep Neuromuscular Block for Low-Pressure Pneumoperitoneum During Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Background

The beneficial effects of deep blockade are not fully known. In this study, we evaluated the effect of deep neuromuscular blockade on surgical conditions during laparoscopic cholecystectomy under low-pressure pneumoperitoneum.

Methods

Patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomized to either the moderate group (train-of-four count of 1 or 2) or deep group (posttetanic count of 1 or 2). Neuromuscular blockade was induced and maintained with rocuronium; it was reversed with sugammadex in the deep group and with neostigmine in the moderate group. At the beginning of surgery, the intra-abdominal pressure was set at 8 mmHg. The surgeon rated the surgical condition on a 4-point scale (1 = excellent, 2 = good, 3 = acceptable, 4 = poor) and was allowed to increase the pressure to 12 mmHg if it was determined that the surgical conditions were inadequate for the operation.

Results

A total of 64 patients completed the study. The rate of increasing intra-abdominal pressure to maintain optimal surgical conditions was 34.4 % in the moderate group and 12.5 % in the deep group (P = 0.039). The proportion of patients with a surgical condition score of 1 or 2 (excellent or good) was 34.4 % in the moderate group and 68.8 % in the deep group (P = 0.006).

Conclusion

The maintenance of intraoperative deep neuromuscular blockade was associated with a lower rate of conversion to standard pressure and higher surgeon satisfaction with the surgical conditions than was moderate blockade in patients undergoing low-pressure pneumoperitoneum laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

     

Perkutane computertomographiegezielte Radiofrequenzablation bei kleinen Nierentumoren

Background

The incidence of small renal masses has increased in recent decades. Standard surgical treatment may not be applicable in patients with advanced age or severe comorbidities. Therefore, minimally invasive therapeutic approaches, such as radiofrequency ablation (RFA), may be a therapeutic option for such patients.

Objectives

Assessment of oncological and functional outcomes of percutaneous RFA in small renal masses.

Materials and methods

Single center evaluation of all RFA performed at the hospital Landesklinikum Baden from 2006–2016.

Results

A total of 98 RFA were performed in 85 patients. Mean patient age was 69.5 years. Median tumor size was 26.2?mm, while the length of hospital stay was 1.4 days. Overall, 96.8% of RFA procedures were considered to be technically complete. Recurrence rate was 17.5%. Most of the recurrences were treated via a second RFA. Complication rates were fairly low as the vast majority of ablations were free of complications (82.7%). Grade I, II and III complications (according to the Clavien-Dindo classification) occurred in 13.3%, 3% and 1%, respectively. A significant deterioration of renal function due to RFA was not observed. Cancer-specific survival rate for renal cell carcinoma was 100%; overall survival was 84.7% after an average follow-up period of more than 3 years.

Conclusion

RFA is an adequate alternative treatment option for small renal masses in patients unfit to undergo surgical excision. Patients benefit from the low complication rates, preservation of renal function, and short hospital stays.

     

Urine flow rate monitoring in hypovolemic multiple trauma patients

Background

The urine output is an important clinical parameter of renal function and blood volume status, especially in critically ill multiple trauma patients. In the present study, the minute-to-minute urine flow rate and its variability were analyzed in hypotensive multiple trauma patients during the first 6 h of their ICU (intensive care unit) stay. These parameters have not been previously reported.

Methods

The study was retrospective and observational. Demographic and clinical data were extracted from the computerized Register Information Systems. A total of 59 patients were included in the study. The patients were divided into two study groups. Group 1 consisted of 29 multiple trauma patients whose systolic blood pressure was greater than 90 mmHg on admission to the ICU and who were consequently deemed to be hemodynamically compromised. Group 2 consisted of 30 patients whose systolic blood pressure was less than 90 mmHg on admission to the ICU and who were therefore regarded as hemodynamically uncompromised.

Results

The urine output and urine flow rate variability during the first 6 h of the patients’ ICU stay was significantly lower in group 2 than in group 1 (p < 0.001 and 0.006 respectively). Statistical analysis by the Pearson method demonstrated a strong direct correlation between decreased urine flow rate variability and decreased urine output per hour (R = 0.17; P = 0.009), decreased mean arterial blood pressure (R = 0.24; p = 0.001), and increased heart rate (R = 0.205; p = 0.001).

Conclusion

These findings suggest that minute-to-minute urine flow rate variability is a reliable incipient marker of hypovolemia and that it should therefore take its place among the parameters used to monitor the hemodynamic status of critically ill multiple trauma patients.

     

Inhalational Ciclesonide found beneficial in prevention of fat embolism syndrome and improvement of hypoxia in isolated skeletal trauma victims

Background

Many studies have established intravenous corticosteroid as an effective prophylactic therapy in fat embolism syndrome (FES). However, its use is limited among surgeons because of systemic side effects. Inhalational steroids have least systemic effects and are widely used for several chest conditions (i.e., asthma), but their effectiveness in FES has not been established.

Question/purpose

This study was sought to evaluate the (1) efficacy and (2) safety of inhalational Ciclesonide (CIC) in prevention of FES and treatment of hypoxemia in isolated skeletal trauma victims.

Methods

A nonrandomized prospective control trial was designed in which all patients between 18 and 40 years with isolated skeletal injury who presented within 8 h of injury were allocated to either Trial group or control group. Trial group patients received 640 mcg of inhalational CIC with a metered-dose inhaler at the time of admission, and at 24 h. Control group patients did not receive any prophylactic therapy. Both groups were evaluated for development of FES (Gurd’s criteria) and hypoxemia (PaO₂ <70 mmHg) for 72 h. The complications related to CIC administration were evaluated in trial group patients during their hospital stay.

Results

Of 35 patients in each group, two patients in Trial group and nine patients in control group developed FES (P = 0.022). Eight patients in Trial group had hypoxemia at the time of admission, six of them improved and one additional patient developed hypoxemia after inhalational CIC administration. In control group, ten patients had hypoxia at the time of admission, only one of them improved and remaining nine patients had persistent hypoxemia even after 72 h. Additionally, three patients developed hypoxemia. A significant improvement in hypoxemia and a significant decrease in the incidence of FES were observed in Trial group (P < 0.05) compared to control group. None of the patients presented with any complications or adverse effects of steroid in Trial group.

Conclusion

Inhalational CIC is a safe and effective therapy for prevention of FES and also an effective drug for treatment of hypoxemia in orthopedic trauma victims.

Level of evidence

Level III, therapeutic study.

     

The Role of Attachment in Body Weight and Weight Loss in Bariatric Patients

Purpose

The aim of this study is to explore the role of attachment styles in obesity.

Material and Methods

The present study explored differences in insecure attachment styles between an obese sample waiting for bariatric surgery (n = 195) and an age, sex and height matched normal weight control group (n = 195). It then explored the role of attachment styles in predicting change in BMI 1 year post bariatric surgery (n = 143).

Results

The bariatric group reported significantly higher levels of anxious attachment and lower levels of avoidant attachment than the control non-obese group. Baseline attachment styles did not, however, predict change in BMI post surgery.

Conclusion

Attachment style is different in those that are already obese from those who are not. Attachment was not related to weight loss post surgery.