Pathophysiology of respiratory disease and its significance to anaesthesia

Significant changes occur in the respiratory physiology of healthy patients during anaesthesia. In patients with underlying respiratory pathology, these changes in respiratory physiology may lead to clinical problems during the conduct of anaesthesia and the perioperative period. An understanding of the disease processes that can affect the lungs and pleura allows the anaesthetist to account for the potential complications of these conditions and manage the anaesthetic accordingly.     

Trauma and burns in children

Trauma is the leading cause of death and disability in children, most often resulting from blunt trauma. An immediate co-ordinated and pathology-focussed resuscitation will contribute to improved morbidity and mortality outcomes. This article discusses the principles of the primary and secondary survey in injured children and outlines the management of children suffering from burns. A multi-professional approach to the treatment of critically injured children should be adopted; where the primary survey aims to identify and manage catastrophic haemorrhage followed by management of life-threatening injuries to airway, breathing and circulation. The secondary survey includes a detailed examination to identify and manage other subtle or less severe injuries. Attention to fluid therapy, analgesia, thermoregulation, blood coagulation and glucose homeostasis form important aspects of this secondary survey. Children injured in fires may have suffered from smoke inhalation or sustained burns to the upper airway, with rapid swelling of mucosal tissue, which can make immediate control of the airway very challenging. Both flame burns and scalds can cause significant fluid losses and are associated with a significant risk of mortality.     

损伤控制外科理念在严重腹部创伤中的应用价值

目的探讨损伤控制外科（DCS）理念在严重腹部创伤中的应用价值。方法回顾性分析46例按DCS原则进行救治和58例未按DCS原则进行救治的严重腹部创伤患者的临床资料。DCS救治分为简单快速手术、复苏治疗和再次确定性手术3个步骤实施。比较两组患者围手术期死亡率和并发症发生率。结果DCS组和非DCS组患者围手术期死亡率分别为15．2％（7／46）和34．5％（20／58）,差异有统计学意义（Х^2=4．954,P=0．026）;围手术期总并发症（包括围手术期死亡病例）发生率分别为37．0％（17／46）和67．2％（39／58）,差异有统计学意义（Х^2=9．468,P=0．002）。结论按照DCS理念对严重腹部创伤患者进行救治,可明显降低围手术期死亡率和并发症发生率,疗效满意,值得推广。     

Nonoperative management of pelvic gunshot wounds

Background

The nonoperative management (NOM) of abdominal gunshot injuries is gradually becoming the standard of care. Patients with pelvic gunshot injuries constitute a subgroup of patients at high risk of visceral injury. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and safety of the selective NOM of pelvic gunshot injuries.

Patients and methods

This prospective study was performed from April 1, 2004, to November 30, 2008. Patients with pelvic gunshot injuries underwent laparotomy for peritonitis, hemodynamic instability, rectal bleeding, and urologic injuries. Patients with benign abdominal findings with hematuria underwent computed tomography scanning with intravenous contrast. Stable patients with no tenderness or minimal tenderness confined to the wound or wound tract underwent serial abdominal examination. Outcome parameters included need for delayed laparotomy, complications, length of hospital stay, and survival.

Results

During the 54-month study period, 239 patients with pelvic gunshot injuries were treated. One hundred seventy-six (73.6%) patients underwent immediate laparotomy, whereas 63 (26.4%) were selected for NOM. The nontherapeutic laparotomy rate was 4.5% in the former group, and no patient required delayed laparotomy in the latter group. Also, 3 patients with minor extraperitoneal bladder injuries were successfully managed nonoperatively. Associated injuries included mostly fractures to the bony pelvis including the iliac blade (19), pubic ramii (3), and acetabulum (3). The mean hospital stay was 2.2 (range 1–8) days in the nonoperative group of patients. There were no deaths.

Conclusions

Selective NOM of pelvic gunshot injuries is a feasible, safe, and effective alternative to routine laparotomy.     

Percutaneous fixation of Lisfranc joint injuries: A systematic review of the literature

ObjectiveThe aim of this systematic review was to present the outcome of Lisfranc joint injuries treated with closed reduction and screw percutaneous fixation.MethodsWe searched in Pubmed and Google Scholar Databases for articles regarding screw percutaneous fixation of Lisfranc injuries. Seven studies in total were found to be compatible to our search, according to PRISMA guidelines. Four of those met the criteria of the review and they were included in the meta-analysis. A total number of 106 patients were separated into five groups according to the type of injury and the mean AOFAS score of each group was calculated. Cases in which percutaneous fixation was converted to open treatment due to poor reduction were not included in the study. In addition we compared the outcome score between types of injury according to Myerson classification as well as between purely ligamentous and osseoligamentous injuries. The characteristics of all seven selected studies, such as kind of screw used for fixation, post operative protocol, complications and outcome are mentioned as well.ResultsAverage AOFAS score was 86,2 for type A, 87,54 for type B, and 85 for type C injuries respectively. In pure dislocation group the average AOFAS score was 86,43 and in fracture dislocation group was 87,36. Good to excellent outcome can be expected in patients with different types of injury according to Myerson classification following percutaneous fixation of lisfranc joint injury. Patients with type B injury or a fracture dislocation injury might have better outcome, although this difference was not found to be statistically significant.ConclusionPercutaneous fixation of tarsometatarsal joint injuries is a relatively simple and safe method of treatment, leading to a good functional outcome, especially for Myerson type B as well as for fracture dislocation type of injuries, provided that an anatomical reduction has been achieved.Level of EvidenceLevel III, Therapeutic Study.     

170例重型颅脑损伤的临床分析

目的 总结重型颅脑损伤患者的救治方法及经验.方法 对我科收治的170例GCS评分3～8分的重型颅脑损伤患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析.结果 170例患者中标准外伤大骨瓣开颅术治疗135例,不需开颅手术17例,呼吸循环衰竭无法耐受手术治疗18例;按格拉斯哥预后评分法（GOS）评定：存活120例,随访6个月,恢复良好40例,中残20例,重残10例;死亡50例,其中术后死亡17例.结论 重型颅脑损伤患者病情危重、并发症多、病死率高,标准外伤大骨瓣开颅术可有效降低颅内压,解除脑疝,综合治疗可提高存活率.