Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Regenerative Therapy with Bilateral Gracilis Flaps for Perineal Reconstruction of a Wound Infection in the Setting of Anal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

ABSTRACT: Many patients are affected by HIV/AIDS, and these conditions are highly prevalent worldwide. Patients with HIV/AIDS can experience debilitating wound infections that often require flap reconstruction and become challenging for surgeons to treat. In the past 5 years, mesenchymal stem cells have been tested and used as regenerative therapy to promote the growth of tissues throughout the body because of their ability to successfully promote cellular mitogenesis. To the authors' knowledge, the use of mesenchymal stem cell grafting following necrosis of a myocutaneous gracilis flap (as part of perineal wound reconstruction) has never been reported in the literature.In addition, the use of mesenchymal stem cells and regenerative medicine combined in the setting of squamous cell carcinoma of the anus with prior radiation (along with comorbid AIDS) has not been previously documented.In this report, the authors outline the case of a 60-year-old patient who had a recipient bed (perineum) complication from prior radiation therapy. Complicating the clinical picture, the patient also developed a Pseudomonal organ space infection of the pelvis leading to the failure of a vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap and myocutaneous gracilis flaps. As a result, the patient underwent serial operative debridements for source control, with the application of mesenchymal stem cells, fetal bovine dermis, porcine urinary bladder xenograft, and other regenerative medicine products, achieving a highly successful clinical outcome. A procedural description for future use and replication of this method is provided.

Geriatric All-Terrain Vehicle Trauma: An Unhelmeted and Severely Injured Population.

BACKGROUND: All-terrain vehicle (ATV) use is widespread, however, little is known about injury patterns and outcomes in geriatric patients. We hypothesized that geriatric patients would have distinct and more severe injuries than non-geriatric adults after ATV trauma. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed using the National Trauma Databank comparing non-geriatric (18-64) and geriatric adults (≥65) presenting after ATV trauma at Level 1 and 2 trauma centers from 2011 to 2015. Demographic, admission, and outcomes data were collected, including injury severity score (ISS), abbreviated injury scale (AIS) score, discharge disposition, and mortality. We performed univariate statistical tests between cohorts and multiple logistic regression models to assess for risk factors associated with severe injury (ISS>15) and mortality. RESULTS: 23,568 ATV trauma patients were identified, of whom 1,954 (8.3%) were geriatric. Geriatric patients had higher rates of severe injury(29.2 v 22.5%,p<0.0001), and thoracic (55.2 v 37.8%,p<0.0001) and spine (31.5 v 26.0%,p<0.0001) injuries, but lower rates of abdominal injuries (14.6 v 17.9%,p<0.001) as compared to non-geriatric adults. Geriatric patients had overall lower head injury rates (39.2 v 42.1%,p=0.01), but more severe head injuries (AIS>3) (36.2 vs 30.2%,p<0.001). Helmet use was significantly lower in geriatric patients (12.0 v 22.8%,p<0.0001). On multivariate analysis age increased the odds for both severe injury (OR 1.50, 95% CI 1.31-1.72, p<0.0001) and mortality (OR 5.07, 95% CI 3.42-7.50, p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: While severe injury and mortality after ATV trauma occurred in all adults, geriatric adults suffered distinct injury patterns and were at greater risk for severe injury and mortality.

Lacunar cerebral infarction following endovascular interventions for phlegmasia cerulea dolens.

Phlegmasia cerulea dolens is a rare presentation of deep venous thrombus treated with catheter directed thrombolysis and pharmacomechanical thrombectomy. This is the case of a 78-year-old woman who underwent catheter directed thrombolysis to treat phlegmasia cerulea dolens and subsequently developed left-sided hemiplegia and expressive aphasia in the setting of an international normalized ratio of 2.0. Further imaging revealed a lacunar infarct in the right thalamus with a middle cerebral artery distribution. Further workup revealed a patent foramen ovale. We highlight the unexpected enigmatic consequence from multimodal endovascular intervention, the consequence of long-term inferior vena cava filters.

Geriatric Snowmobile Trauma: Longer Courses After Similar Injuries.

BACKGROUND: Snowmobiling is a popular activity that leads to geriatric trauma admissions; however, this unique trauma population is not well characterized. We aimed to compare the injury burden and outcomes for geriatric versus nongeriatric adults injured riding snowmobiles. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed using the National Trauma Databank comparing nongeriatric (18-64) and geriatric adults (≥65) presenting after snowmobile-related trauma at level 1 and 2 trauma centers from 2011 to 2015. Demographic, admission, injury, and outcome data were collected and compared. A multivariate logistic regression model assessed for risk factors associated with severe injury (Injury Severity Score >15). Analysis was also performed using chi square, analysis of variance, and Kruskal-Wallis testing. RESULTS: A total of 2471 adult patients with snowmobile trauma were identified; 122 (4.9%) were geriatric. Rates of severe injury (Injury Severity Score >15) were similar between groups, 27.5% in geriatric patients and 22.5% in nongeriatric adults (P = 0.2). Geriatric patients experienced higher rates of lower extremity injury (50.4 versus 40.3%, P = 0.03), neck injury (4.1 versus 1.4%, P = 0.02), and severe spine injury (20.6 versus 7.0%, P = 0.004). Geriatric patients had longer hospitalizations (5 versus 3 d, P < 0.0001), rates of discharge to a facility (36.8% versus 12%, P < 0.0001), and higher mortality (4.1 versus 0.6%, P < 0.0001). Geriatric age did not independently increase the risk for severe injury. CONCLUSIONS: Geriatric age was not a significant predictor of severe injury after snowmobile trauma; however, geriatric patients suffered unique injuries, had longer hospitalizations, had higher rates of discharge to a facility, and had higher mortality. Tailored geriatric care may improve outcomes in this unique sport-related trauma population.

Geriatric ATV and snowmobile trauma at a rural level 1 trauma center: A blow to the chest.

INTRODUCTION: As the population ages, trauma centers are seeing a significant volume of injured geriatric patients. However, there is limited data on geriatric off-roading incidents. We investigated the injury patterns, severity and outcomes of geriatric versus younger adult all-terrain vehicle (ATV) and snowmobile related trauma with the hypothesis that geriatric patients will have higher mortality and worsened outcomes. METHODS: The trauma registry at a New England Level 1 trauma center was queried by ICD 9/10 code for adult ATV and/or snowmobile-related trauma from 2011-2019. Data reviewed included demographic, admission, injury, and outcomes data including injury severity score (ISS), abbreviated injury scale (AIS) score, hospital disposition, and mortality. Patients were stratified by age into younger adults (18-64 years old) versus geriatric (65 years and older). Univariate analysis was performed to compare groups. RESULTS: Over the study period, we identified 390 adult ATV or snowmobile-related trauma patients, of whom 38 were geriatric. The mean ages for the younger adult vs. geriatric cohorts were 41(SD 13) and 73(SD 5), respectively. The majority of patients were male (77%). Compared to younger adults, geriatric patients were more often unhelmeted (66 v 38%, p=0.004) and more likely to present after ATV as opposed to snowmobile trauma (71 v 51%, p=0.028). Geriatric patients more often sustained both any chest trauma (68 v 41%, p=0.003) and severe chest trauma (AIS≥3, 55 v 31%, p=0.022), and more often required tube thoracostomy (26 v 12%, p=0.042). Geriatric patients were also more often discharged to a facility (39 v 14%, p<0.001) compared to younger patients. There were no differences between age cohorts regarding arrival Glasgow coma scale scores, ISS>15, length of stay, ventilator days, complications, or mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Following ATV or snowmobile-related trauma, geriatric patients were more likely to sustain severe chest trauma and to require additional care upon hospital discharge as compared to younger adults. Primary prevention should focus on encouraging helmet and chest protective clothing use in this geriatric population.

Reducing Radiation and Lowering Costs With a Standardized Care Pathway for Nonoperative Thoracolumbar Fractures.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective observational study. OBJECTIVE: There is marked variation in the management of nonoperative thoracolumbar (TL) compression and burst fractures. This was a quality improvement study designed to establish a standardized care pathway for TL fractures treated with bracing, and to then evaluate differences in radiographs, length of stay (LOS), and cost before and after the pathway. METHODS: A standardized pathway was established for management of nonoperative TL burst and compression fractures (AOSpine classification type A1-A4 fractures). Bracing, radiographs, costs, complications, and LOS before and after pathway adoption were analyzed. Differences between the neurosurgery and orthopedic spine services were compared. RESULTS: Between 2012 and 2015, 406 nonoperative burst and compression TL fractures were identified. A total of 183 (45.1%) were braced, 60.6% with a custom-made thoracolumbosacral orthosis (TLSO) and 39.4% with an off-the-shelf TLSO. The number of radiographs significantly reduced after initiation of the pathway (3.23 vs 2.63, P = .010). A total of 98.6% of braces were custom-made before the pathway; 69.6% were off-the-shelf after the pathway. The total cost for braced patients after pathway adoption decreased from $10 462.36 to $8928.58 (P = .078). Brace-associated costs were significantly less for off-the-shelf TSLO versus custom TLSO ($1352.41 vs $3719.53, respectively, P < .001). The mean LOS and complication rate did not change significantly following pathway adoption. The orthopedic spine service braced less frequently than the neurosurgery service (40.7% vs 52.2%, P = .023). CONCLUSIONS: Standardized care pathways can reduce cost and radiation exposure without increasing complication rates in nonoperative management of thoracolumbar compression and burst fractures.

Complication profile, failure to rescue, and mortality following elective endovascular aortic aneurysm repair.

INTRODUCTION: Understanding the relationship between patient risk factors, postoperative complications, and morbidity and mortality is important when considering elective endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (E-EVAR) performed to prevent aneurysm rupture mortality. We aimed to stratify complications in E-EVAR and explore their relationship with postoperative death. METHODS: E-EVAR cases from 2012 NSQIP were identified. 30-day complications were categorized as major (MAJCX) or minor (MINCX) using the Clavien-Dindo classification. Failure to rescue (FTR) was defined as death following a complication. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify associations between patient risk factors, complications, and mortality. Significance set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: 3344 E-EVAR's were analyzed, with 155 (4.6%) MINCX, 106 (3.2%) MAJCX, and 39 (1.2%) mortality. Significant univariate risk factors differed between MINCX (preoperative dyspnea 27% vs 19%, COPD 32% vs19%, HTN 87% vs 79%, functional dependence 9% vs 3%) and MAJCX (female sex 33% vs 18%, preoperative diabetes 30% vs 17%, dyspnea 40% vs 19%, COPD 46% vs 20%, anticoagulant use 20% vs 11%, and functional dependence 13% vs 3%). 24 of 39 (62%) of deaths were preceded by a complication. FTR was more frequent following MAJCX than MINCX (16% vs 4.5%, P = 0.002), and occurred most commonly after renal failure with dialysis (33% mortality with complication), cardiac arrest (33%), septic shock (22%), and reintubation (22%). Independent predictors of MAJCX included female sex (OR 2, P = 0.001), COPD (OR 2, P = 0.009), and anticoagulant use (OR 2, P = 0.001). Mortality was independently predicted by MAJCX (OR 29, P < 0.001), MINCX (OR 8, P < 0.001), and preoperative renal failure (OR 11.6, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The majority of deaths within 30 days following E-EVAR are preceded by a complication; both MAJCX and MINCX predict mortality. FTR is more common after MAJCX; prevention efforts should take this into account. Identified risk factors should be taken into consideration when considering E-EVAR.

Blood component transfusion and wastage rates in the setting of massive transfusion in three regional trauma centers.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of massive transfusion protocols (MTPs) is to provide large quantities of blood products rapidly to exsanguinating patients. The expected rates of blood product transfusion and wastage in this setting have not been defined. This study was undertaken to assess the transfusion and wastage rates for bleeding patients requiring emergency issue of blood components at three American Level I trauma centers. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Three hospitals participated, all of which are Level I trauma centers that have MTPs in place where uncrossmatched red blood cells (RBCs) can be ordered with or without platelets (PLTs), plasma, and cryoprecipitate. Data on the transfusion, return to blood bank, and wastage rates were recorded on all products issued within 3 hours after MTP activation. RESULTS: The majority of products were issued to the emergency department and/or operating room at all three institutions (84%-95%). The percentage of RBCs, plasma, and PLTs transfused during MTPs were 39% to 65%, 43% to 66%, and 75% to 100%, respectively. Wastage rates were comparable for RBCs (0%-9%), plasma (0%-7%), and PLTs (0%-7%). Cryoprecipitate had the highest wastage rates at all three sites (7%-33%). CONCLUSION: A large portion of blood products issued during MTPs are not transfused. Some are wasted due to stringent storage requirements and/or limited shelf lives. The optimum ratio of transfused to returned products in these patients is likely to be determined more by clinical need than by transfusion service policy.

Thirty-Day Outcomes after Elective Percutaneous or Open Endovascular Repair of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous endovascular aneurysm repair (PEVAR) has become accepted as a suitable alternative to open EVAR (OEVAR) in the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). Direct comparisons between the 2 techniques have been infrequently reported and have predominantly focused on immediate procedural outcomes. The objective of this study was to compare contemporary 30-day postoperative outcomes between successfully completed elective PEVAR and OEVAR. METHODS: The 2012 National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was queried for all elective primary AAA repairs. Procedures on ruptured AAAs and those involving adjunctive thoracic, abdominal, or extremity procedures were excluded. Cases completed with at least one surgical exposure of the femoral artery for access (OPEN) were compared with those completed without such exposure (PERC). Preoperative, intraoperative, and 30-day postoperative variables were compared using appropriate univariate statistical tests. A P value of ≤0.05 was considered significant for all comparisons. RESULTS: A total of 1,589 (51%) OPEN and 1,533 (49%) PERC cases met inclusion and exclusion criteria. Preoperative characteristics did not differ between groups. OPEN cases took significantly longer (150 ± 69 min) than PERC cases (134 ± 65 min, P < 0.001). No significant differences were found between the groups in any postoperative occurrence, but the rate of venous thromboembolism twice as high in OPEN (16, 1.0%) than PERC cases (7, 0.5%, P = 0.07). In addition, wound complications (36, 2.3% OPEN vs. 23, 1.3% PERC, P = 0.11) were more common in OPEN cases but were diagnosed a week sooner on average in PERC cases (19 days OPEN and 12 days PERC). Median postoperative length of stay was 2 days among OPEN cases versus 1 day in PERC cases (P = 0.11). Female gender and obesity predicted wound complications in the OPEN group but not in the PERC group. CONCLUSIONS: Successfully completed PEVAR and OEVAR have similar rates of overall complications. Female gender and obesity predict wound complications in OEVAR but not in PEVAR, which appears to be a safe alternative to OEVAR. PEVAR has the advantage of shorter operative time and the potential for a shorter postoperative stay, and may offer the advantage of fewer wound complications in females and obese patients.

Inefficiencies in a rural trauma system: the burden of repeat imaging in interfacility transfers.

BACKGROUND: Local hospitals (LHs) transferring patients to regional trauma centers (TCs) often obtain CT scans to diagnose injuries and justify transfer. However, these imaging studies are often repeated at the receiving TCs. This study was performed to examine how frequently computed tomography (CT) scans were repeated in interfacility transfers in a rural trauma system and to identify the most common reason for repeating the studies. METHODS: Patients transferred to a rural Level I TC from October 2007 through February 2008 were prospectively evaluated. Data abstracted included CT scans performed at LHs and CT scans repeated at the TC. Additionally, the reason for repeating each study was recorded as follows: (1) scan not sent, (2) software not compatible, (3) inadequate technique (no intravenous contrast), (4) inadequate technique (no reconstructions), and (5) clinically indicated. RESULTS: During the study period, 138 patients were transferred to the TC. Of these, 104 (75%) underwent CT imaging before transfer. Sixty of these patients (58%) underwent repeat CT imaging at the TC. Overall, 98 of 243 (40%) scans were repeated. Head CT scans were repeated predominantly because of clinical indications. All other body region CT scans were repeated predominantly because of inadequate technique at the LHs. CONCLUSIONS: CT scans were repeated in 58% of interfacility transfers. Repeat CT scans inevitably result in increased radiation exposure to patients as well as additional charges and may be an important patient safety and cost issue for trauma systems.

Magnetic resonance angiography in the evaluation of carotid stent patency.

As more endovascular interventions are being used in the carotid circulation, including carotid angioplasty and stenting, a reliable imaging modality is needed to follow the results. Currently, duplex ultrasonography, magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), and angiography are the main modalities used. This report presents a case of MRA and duplex ultrasonography providing drastically different images, presenting the clinician with an opportunity to evaluate the various imaging modalities that are used in evaluating carotid stent patency.