First experience using cultured epidermal autografts in Taiwan for burn victims of the Formosa Fun Coast Water Park explosion, as part of Japanese medical assistance.

On June 27, 2015, a flammable starch-based powder exploded at Formosa Fun Coast in Taipei, Taiwan, injuring 499 people, and more than 200 people were in critical condition with severe burns. Although a cultured epidermal autograft (CEA) was not approved or used in clinical practice, the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration requested a Japanese CEA manufacturer to donate CEA for the burn victims as part of international medical assistance. The authors cooperated in this project and participated in the patient selection, wound bed management for CEA, and technical assistance for CEA use. Here, we provide an overview of the project. Nine patients were enrolled, and two patients were excluded from the skin biopsy; seven skin biopsies were collected approximately 1 month after the disaster. The average TBSA% burned was 81.0%, and the mean age was 20.1 years. CEA was grafted in five patients; wound closure had been obtained in one patient, and one patient was severely ill at the time of grafting. The CEA was combined with a wide split auto mesh graft or patch graft. The mean re-epithelization rate at 4 weeks after the grafting was 84.2% by patient, and all of the patients survived. Although this project had many obstacles to overcome, CEA grafting was successful and contributed to wound closure and survival.

Complications of bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation for unconscious patients without cardiopulmonary arrest.

BACKGROUND: Insufficient knowledge of the risks and complications of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) may be an obstructive factor for CPR, however, particularly for patients who are not clearly suffering out of hospital cardiopulmonary arrest (OH-CPA). The object of this study was to clarify the potential complication, the safety of bystander CPR in such cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a population-based observational case series. To be enrolled, patients had to have undergone CPR with chest compressions performed by lay persons, had to be confirmed not to have suffered OHCPA. Complications of bystander CPR were identified from the patients' medical records and included rib fracture, lung injury, abdominal organ injury, and chest and/or abdominal pain requiring analgesics. In our emergency department, one doctor gathered information while others performed X-ray and blood examinations, electrocardiograms, and chest and abdominal ultrasonography. RESULTS: A total of 26 cases were the subjects. The mean duration of bystander CPR was 6.5 minutes (ranging from 1 to 26). Nine patients died of a causative pathological condition and pneumonia, and the remaining 17 survived to discharge. Three patients suffered from complications (tracheal bleeding, minor gastric mucosal laceration, and chest pain), all of which were minimal and easily treated. No case required special examination or treatment for the complication itself. CONCLUSION: The risk and frequency of complications due to bystander CPR is thought to be very low. It is reasonable to perform immediate CPR for unconscious victims with inadequate respiration, and to help bystanders perform CPR using the T-CPR system.

Outcomes from prehospital cardiac arrest in blunt trauma patients.

BACKGROUND: There are few strategies for treating patients who have suffered cardiopulmonary arrest due to blunt trauma (BT-CPA). The aim of this population-based case series observational study was to clarify the outcome of BT-CPA patients treated with a standardized strategy that included an emergency department thoracotomy (EDT) under an emergency medical service (EMS) system with a rapid transportation system. METHODS: The 477 BT-CPA registry data were augmented by a review of the detailed medical records in our emergency department (ED) and action reports in the prehospital EMS records. RESULTS: Of those, 76% were witnessed and 20% were CPA after leaving the scene. In all, 18% of the patients went to the intensive care unit (ICU), the transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) room, or the operating room (OR). Only 3% survived to be discharged. Among the 363 witnessed patients-11 of whom had ventricular fibrillation (VF) as the initial rhythm, 134 exhibiting pulseless electrical activity (PEA), and 221 with asystole-13, 1, and 3%, respectively, survived to discharge. The most common initial rhythm just after collapse was not VF but PEA, and asystole increased over the 7 min after collapse. There were no differences in the interval between arrival at the hospital and the return of spontaneous circulation between the patients that survived to discharge and deceased patients in the ED, OR, TAE room, or ICU. The longest interval was 17 min. CONCLUSIONS: In BT-CPA patients, a 20-min resuscitation effort and termination of the effort are thought to be relevant. The initial rhythm is not a prognostic indicator. We believe that the decision on whether to undertake aggressive resuscitation efforts should be made on a case-by-case basis.

[First death case of serotonin syndrome in Japan induced by fluvoxamine and tandospirone].

We experienced the first death case of the serotonin syndrome in Japan caused by fluvoxamine and tandospirone. A 15-year-old man was transported to our hospital for shock, muscle hypertonia and hyperthermia after cardiopulmonary arrest. His serum concentrations of fluvoxamine and tandospirone were 3,554 ng/mL and 698 ng/mL respectively after 24 hours from oral intake. He was dead in spite of intensive treatments. The progress of the serotonin syndrome is usually rapid. So, it should be monitored appropriately a patient with serotonin syndrome. If he has hyperthermia, immediate paralysis should be induced. We should aware of the serotonin syndrome a case of overdose on a serotonergic agent.

Usefulness and safety of open tracheostomy by a paramedian approach for cervical infection: esophageal and tracheal injury and necrotizing fascitis.

Tracheostomy is hardly performed in patients with cervical infection close to the site of the tracheostomy. This study aimed to present and clarify the usefulness and safety of open tracheostomy performed by the paramedian approach technique. The procedure is as follows. A 2.5-cm paramedian incision is made for the tracheostomy on the opposite side of infectious focus; the anterior neck muscles are dissected and split; the trachea is fenestrated by a reverse U-shaped incision; and the fenestral flap of the trachea is fixed to the skin. We used this technique in five patients. There were no complications such as bleeding, desaturation, and displacement of the tube; and there were no postoperative complications such as severe contamination or infection of the tracheostomy site from the nearby cervical wound, difficulty in securing the tracheostomy tube and connecting device to the ventilator, difficulties in daily management and care, or dislocation of the tracheostomy tube. All wounds resulting from the tracheostomy were kept separate from and not contaminated by the nearby dirty wounds. Open tracheostomy by the paramedian approach technique is useful and safe for patients with severe cervical infection requiring open drainage and long ventilatory management.

[Experience of damage control as the primary surgery for thoraco-abdominal injury with hemorrhagic shock].

We experienced a traumatic victim with thoracic and abdominal injury with hemorrhagic shock, who was successfully treated with damage control. Thoracic drainage revealed more than 300 ml/hour of continuous hemorrhage in the left thoracic cavity with 60-80 mmHg of non-responding hypotention. Although we performed emergency partial resection of the injured lung, intraabdominal packing and transcatheter arterial embolization, intrathoracic hemorrhage and hemorrhagic shock was not controlled. We decided re-thoracotomy and performed peri-pulmonary packing around the injured lung, by which we successfully controlled temporary intrathoracic hemorrhage and definitive left lower lobectomy. Peri-pulmonary packing was effective for intrathoracic hemostasis without lethal ventilatory and circulatory complication in this case.

Experiences in organizing Advanced Burn Life Support (ABLS) provider courses in Japan.

The ABLS course sponsored by the ABA has not yet been made available in Japan, although it is strongly desired. During the 3 years between 2006 and 2008, authorized ABLS provider courses were given once a year in Japan as part of preparations to reach an agreement between the ABA and the JSBI for the continuation of ABLS provider courses in Japan. These courses were provided as one of the programs available at the annual meeting of the JSBI. Nine Japanese registered ABLS instructors (including some candidates) acted as lecturers. Two national faculty members and one course coordinator, acting as ABA observers, participated in the first and second courses. In total, 64 physicians (37 emergency physicians, 20 plastic surgeons, 4 intensivists and 3 general surgeons) attended the courses. Course management and instructor behavior were reviewed by the ABA observers and the 64 physicians in attendance using questionnaires. The ABA observers rated the courses as "outstanding" in every aspect (course faculty, facilities, course organization, course conduct, and adherence to ABLS philosophies). The pre-course planning, course conduct, and course evaluations were professional and adhered to the highest educational standards. However, several areas of the ABLS course content may require revision to accommodate differences in standard medical treatment between the United States and Japan. Two percent of the physicians rated the courses as easy, 59% rated the course as moderate, 22% rated the course as slightly difficult, and 6% rated the course as difficult. The courses were generally evaluated as very good by 28% of the physicians and good by 56%. The major opinion regarding the organization of the course in Japan was that the course should have undergone appropriate curriculum changes to accommodate societal differences (including the translation of the course into Japanese) as well as modifications to the disaster management and patient transport sections. Regarding the organization of future ABLS courses in Japan, the active involvement of the JSBI is inevitable. Several areas of the ABLS course content may need to be revised to accommodate differences in standard medical treatment between the United States and Japan. A joint effort between the ABA and the JSBI regarding appropriate curriculum changes to accommodate societal differences as well as modifications to some sections would increase the applicability of the course in Japan.

Histology of the thick scar on the female, red Duroc pig: final similarities to human hypertrophic scar.

The etiology and treatment of hypertrophic scar remain puzzles even after decades of research. A significant reason is the lack of an accepted animal model of the process. The female, red Duroc pig model was described long ago. Since the skin of the pig is similar to that of humans, we are attempting to validate this model and found it to be encouraging. In this project we quantified myofibroblasts, mast cells and collagen nodules in the thick scar of the Duroc pig and compared these to the values for human hypertrophic scar. We found the results to be quite similar and so further validated the model. In addition, we observed that soon after wounding an inflammatory cell layer forms. The thickness of the inflammatory layer approaches the thickness of the skin removed as if the remaining dermis "knows" how much dermis is gone. In deep wounds this inflammatory layer thickens and this thickness is predictive of the thickness of the ultimate scar.

Complex wound management utilizing an artificial dermal matrix.

The benefits of the Integra Dermal Regeneration Template in the management of extensive burn injuries have been well documented. Integra can reduce donor- and graft-site scarring and has been reported to be capable of vascularizing over small areas of exposed bone and tendon. Given these potential advantages, we have used Integra for a variety of other reconstruction applications. We performed a retrospective review of patients with complex wounds treated with Integra at our burn center. Integra was used in the management of a variety of wounds, including necrotizing fasciitis, extremity degloving injury, meningococcemia, Marjolin ulcer, postburn lip reconstruction, and fourth-degree burns with exposed bone or tendon. Engraftment rates of Integra and autograft were 98% +/- 4% and 97% +/- 4%, respectively. All areas of graft loss healed without need for regrafting. The benefits of Integra in the management of acute burn wounds can be extended to other traumatic and complex wounds.

Resuscitation fluid volume and abdominal compartment syndrome in patients with major burns.

Abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) is rarely reported as a complication of severe burn. This study clarified the risk of burned patients with and without ACS, especially regarding the resuscitation fluid volume. Extensively burned patients admitted to our burn unit from January 2003, through to June 2004, were examined. Vital signs, blood gas analysis, bladder pressure to estimate intra-abdominal pressure (IAP), peak inspiratory pressure (PIP), resuscitation fluid volume, and urine output (UO) were analyzed. Intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) was defined as an IAP of more than 30 cm of H2O. Eight of 48 patients suffering from a more than 30% total burn surface area developed ACS in 18.3+/-4.9 h. In these patients, IAP (49+/-12 cmH2O), PIP (50+/-16 cmH2O), heart rate (115+/-8/min), and PaCO2 (54.6+/-10.1 mmHg) were higher than normal, and their resuscitation volume was 0.40+/-0.11 L/kg. Also, a significant correlation between the IBP, PIP and resuscitation volume was observed. Most patients with severe burns required more than 300 mL/kg of resuscitation fluid for the first 24 h after injury that led to ACS and had higher HR, IBP, PIP and PaCO2 despite arterial pressure showing no significant difference.

Effects of escharotomy as abdominal decompression on cardiopulmonary function and visceral perfusion in abdominal compartment syndrome with burn patients.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) can become fatal; however, it has rarely been described as a complication of burn injury. This study clarified the physiologic results of abdominal decompression (AD) for ACS in patients with burn injury in detail. METHODS: Extensively burned patients admitted to our burn unit between January 2003 and February 2004 were prospectively monitored by pulmonary artery catheter. Physiologic parameters from the catheter, blood gas analysis, intrabladder pressure as a parameter of intra-abdominal pressure (IAP), peak inspiratory pressure, and urine output (UO) were compared before and after escharotomy as AD in patients with ACS. RESULTS: Eight of 36 patients who had sustained more than 30% total body surface area burn developed ACS requiring AD in 18.3 +/- 4.9 hours. AD significantly decreased IAP (52 +/- 9 cm H2O vs. 26 +/- 7 cm H2O), peak inspiratory pressure (53 +/- 13 cm H2O vs. 35 +/- 6 cm H2O), heart rate, and Paco2, and increased cardiac index (1.6 +/- 0.7 L/min/m2 vs. 2.5 +/- 0.9 L/min/m2), abdominal perfusion pressure (50 +/- 11 mm Hg vs. 72 +/- 17 mm Hg), UO (0.45 +/- 0.46 mL/h/kg vs. 2.0 +/- 2.1 mL/h/kg), and oxygen delivery index (290 +/- 195 mL/m2/min vs. 455 +/- 218 mL/m2/min). Impaired oxygen consumption index increased (86 +/- 43 mL/m2/min vs. 153 +/- 58 mL/m2/min) after AD. CONCLUSION: In patients with severe burn injury, elevated IAP makes pulmonary artery wedge pressure and UO unreliable indices of preload or intravascular volume, and decreases abdominal perfusion in the resuscitation period. AD in these patients significantly improves the ventilation, hemodynamic parameters, and oxygen metabolism.