The Use of Modified Snorkel Masks as Personal Protective Equipment During Aerosol-Generating Procedures: COVID-19 Necessity.

Background: The available personal protective equipment (PPE) is insufficient to provide adequate protection during high-risk aerosol-generating procedures, and their shortage was reported. The full-face snorkel masks were modified to be used as PPE. However, little is known about their use in medical practice. Methods: The available masks were assessed and compared in terms of safety, comfort, visual acuity, and communication with team members during the aerosol-generating surgical and endoscopic procedures. The masks were compared with a standard option (full-face shield and N95 mask). The score was assigned to each domain to compare the masks. The aim of the study was to assess the modified full-face snorkel masks as PPE during surgical and endoscopic aerosol-generating procedures. Results: Four modified snorkel masks were assessed and compared with the standard option. All masks provided a good seal, comfort, vision, and protection. Communication was the biggest problem and improved after modification. Suggestions for the mask's selection and on further improvements were made. Conclusion: The modified snorkel masks seem a good alternative to the standard PPE during aerosol-generating procedures. However, additional improvements are still needed. More studies are required to prove the benefits of the modified snorkel masks over the standard PPE.

Laparoscopic management of retroperitoneal injuries from penetrating abdominal trauma in haemodynamically stable patients.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopy is increasingly utilised in the trauma setting. However, its safety and reliability in evaluating and managing retroperitoneal injuries are not known. AIM: The aim of this study was to analyse our experience with laparoscopic management of retroperitoneal injuries due to penetrating abdominal trauma (PAT) and to investigate its feasibility, safety and accuracy in haemodynamically stable patients. METHODS: Over a 4-year period, patients approached laparoscopically with retroperitoneal injuries were analysed. Mechanism, location and severity of injuries were recorded. Surgical procedures, conversion rate and reasons for conversion and outcomes were described. RESULTS: Of the 284 patients with PAT, 56 patients had involvement of retroperitoneum. Stab wounds accounted 62.5% of patients. The mean Injury Severity Score was 7.4 (4-20). Among retroperitoneal injuries, the colon (27%) was the most commonly involved hollow viscera followed by duodenum (5%). The kidney (5%) and the pancreas (4%) were the injured solid organs. The conversion rate was 19.6% and was mainly due to active bleeding (73%). Significantly more patients with gunshot wound were converted to laparotomy (38% vs. 9%). Therapeutic laparoscopy was performed in 36% of patients. There were no recorded missed injuries or mortality. Five (9%) patients developed the Clavien-Dindo Grade 3 complications, three were managed with reoperation, one with drainage/debridement and one with endovascular technique. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic management of retroperitoneal injuries is safe and feasible in haemodynamically stable patients with PAT. However, a high conversion rate indicates difficulties in managing these injuries. The requirements are the dexterity in laparoscopy and readiness to convert in the event of bleeding.

Diagnostic Laparoscopy for Trauma: How Not to Miss Injuries.

INTRODUCTION: Diagnostic laparoscopy (DL) is a well-accepted approach for penetrating abdominal trauma (PAT). However, the steps of procedure and the systematic laparoscopic examination are not clearly defined in the literature. The aim of this study was to clarify the definition of DL in trauma surgery by auditing DL performed for PAT at our institution, and to describe the strategies on how to avoid missed injuries. METHODS: The data of patients managed with laparoscopy for PAT from January 2012 to December 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. The details of operative technique and strategies on how to avoid missed injuries were discussed. RESULTS: Out of 250 patients managed with laparoscopy for PAT, 113 (45%) patients underwent DL. Stab wounds sustained 94 (83%) patients. The penetration of the peritoneal cavity or retroperitoneum was documented in 67 (59%) of patients. Organ evisceration was present in 21 (19%) patients. Multiple injuries were present in 22% of cases. The chest was the most common associated injury. Two (1.8%) iatrogenic injuries were recorded. The conversion rate was 1.7% (2/115). The mean length of hospital stay was 4 days. There were no missed injuries. In the therapeutic laparoscopy (TL) group, DL was performed as the initial part and identified all injuries. There were no missed injuries in the TL group. The predetermined sequential steps of DL and the standard systematic examination of intraabdominal organs were described. CONCLUSIONS: DL is a feasible and safe procedure. It accurately identifies intraabdominal injuries. The selected use of preoperative imaging, adherence to the predetermined steps of procedure and the standard systematic laparoscopic examination will minimize the rate of missed injuries.

The use of laparoscopy in managing penetrating thoracoabdominal injuries in Africa: 83 cases reviewed.

BACKGROUND: The use of laparoscopy in managing haemodynamically stable patients with penetrating thoracoabdominal injuries in developed countries is wildly practiced, but in Africa, the use of laparoscopy is still in its infancy stage. We reviewed a single centre experience in using laparoscopy in Africa for management of patients with both isolated diaphragmatic injuries as well as diaphragmatic injuries associated with intra-abdominal injuries requiring intervention. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of patients presenting with penetrating thoracoabdominal injuries was done. All patients offered laparoscopic exploration and repair from January 2012 to December 2015 at Dr. George Mukhari Academic Hospital were analysed. Means (±SD) were presented for continuous variables, and frequencies (%) were presented for categorical variables. All analyses were performed using SAS version 9.3 (SAS Institute, Cary, NC). RESULTS: A total of 83 stable patients with penetrating thoracoabdominal injuries managed with laparoscopy met the inclusion criteria and were included in the study. The Injury Severity Score ranged from 8 to 24, with a median of 18. The incidence of diaphragmatic injuries was 54%. Majority (46.8%) of patients had Grade 3 (2-10 cm defect) diaphragmatic injury. Associated intra-abdominal injuries requiring intervention were encountered in 28 (62%) patients. At least 93.3% of the patients were treated exclusively with laparoscopy. The morbidity was encountered in 7 (16%) patients; the most common cause was a clotted haemothorax Clavien-Dindo III-b, but only 1 patient required a decortication. There was one non-procedure-related mortality. CONCLUSIONS: A success rate of 93% in using laparoscopy exclusively was documented, with an overall 82% uneventful outcome. The positive outcomes found in this study when laparoscopy was used in stable patients with thoracoabdominal injuries support similar work done in other trauma centres. However, in addition, this study seem to suggest that the presence of peritonitis in stable patient is not a contra-indication to laparoscopy and thoracoscopy may be useful especially in right side diaphragmatic injury where the liver can preclude adequate visualization of the entire diaphragm and to thoroughly clean the chest cavity and prevent future complication such as residual clotted haemothorax. Clinical relevance: The presence of peritonitis in stable patients with penetrating thoracoabdominal injury is not a contra-indication to laparoscopy provided the operating surgeon has adequate laparoscopic skills.

Laparoscopic-Assisted Approach for Penetrating Abdominal Trauma: An Underutilized Technique.

INTRODUCTION: Diagnostic laparoscopy is well accepted in the management of penetrating abdominal trauma (PAT). Therapeutic laparoscopy, on the other hand, remains controversial. In patients with multiple hollow viscera injuries, laparoscopy is usually converted to laparotomy. We aim at describing the laparoscopic-assisted technique in the management of patients with PAT. Using our experience with laparoscopy, we tailored the technique to the setting of PAT. METHODS: The laparoscopic-assisted approach (LAA) was adapted to a trauma setting and prospectively evaluated. The technical details and indications for the technique were investigated. The distinctive steps of the technique were identified and described descriptively. The decision-making process was described as a separate step in the technique. TECHNIQUE: After having established pneumoperitoneum and ports placement, the source of bleeding is identified and controlled. Systematic inspection of intraperitoneal and retroperitoneal organs is done. In the case of multiple injuries, the hollow viscera are exteriorized via the 4-8 cm incision and extracorporeal inspection, repair, resection, and anastomosis are performed. The other part of the procedure is completed intracorporeally. Over a 2-year period, 23 patients were managed with LAA, 13 patients with stab wounds, and 10 patients with gunshot wounds. Commonly performed procedures were hollow viscera repairs, resections, and anastomoses. There were neither missed injuries nor conversion among patients managed with LAA. CONCLUSION: The LAA is underutilized for PAT. This technique can be successfully used as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool in the management of stable patients. It offers the advantages of minimally invasive surgery and the speed and versatility of an open procedure.

The role of laparoscopy in management of stable patients with penetrating abdominal trauma and organ evisceration.

BACKGROUND: Organ evisceration after penetrating abdominal trauma (PAT) carries a high rate of significant intra-abdominal injuries. There is uniform agreement that organ evisceration warrants immediate laparotomy. Nonoperative management of stable asymptomatic patients with evisceration is associated with a high failure rate. Most authors exclude patients with organ evisceration from laparoscopic management.The aims of this study were to determine the significance of organ evisceration in stable patients with PAT and to assess the feasibility of laparoscopic management of this group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Intraoperative findings, performed surgery, and complications in stable patients who underwent laparoscopy for PAT and evisceration between January 2012 and December 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. All unstable patients underwent laparotomy and were excluded. RESULTS: A total of 189 stable patients were treated with laparoscopy for PAT. Thirty-nine patients (20.6%) had organ evisceration; 37 patients had stab wounds and 2 patients had gunshot wounds. Fifteen patients had bowel evisceration and 24 had omental evisceration. In total, 25 patients (64%) had significant injuries (colon, small bowel, etc.) and required therapeutic laparoscopy. The rate of therapeutic laparoscopy was 73% in patients with bowel evisceration and 58% in patients with omental evisceration. This difference was not statistically significant. The most commonly injured organ was the small bowel. The small-bowel repair, resection, and anastomosis were the most commonly performed procedures. We did not have any missed injuries. There were neither conversions nor significant complications in the postoperative period. Fourteen patients avoided nontherapeutic laparotomy. CONCLUSION: Organ evisceration in stable patients with PAT is associated with a high rate of significant intra-abdominal injuries and mandates abdominal exploration. Laparoscopic management is feasible, has a high accuracy in identifying intra-abdominal injuries, provides all benefits of minimal invasive surgery, and avoids nontherapeutic laparotomy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic study, level V.

The Role of Laparoscopy in Penetrating Abdominal Trauma: Our Initial Experience.

BACKGROUND: Diagnostic and therapeutic laparoscopy is a known approach in managing patients with penetrating abdominal trauma (PAT). However, multiple controversies exist on indications, contraindications, and its appropriateness. The aim of this study was to evaluate the appropriateness of diagnostic and therapeutic laparoscopy in patients with PAT at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital, Pretoria, South Africa. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective, observational study. All patients with PAT managed by diagnostic and therapeutic laparoscopy during 2012-2013 were included. Recorded indications and contraindications, the mechanism of injury, the anatomical location of injury, intraoperative findings, reasons for conversion, and adverse outcomes (complications, reoperations and mortality) were analyzed in every case. RESULTS: One hundred fourteen patients were included. Stab injuries were sustained by 81 (71%) patients, and 33 (29%) patients sustained gunshot wounds (GSW) to the abdomen. The conversion rate was 7%. The operation was completed laparoscopically in 106 patients: 79 with stab wounds (74.5%) and 27 with GSW (25.5%). Laparoscopy was diagnostic for 44 patients (41.5%) and therapeutic for 62 patients (58.5%). In total, 13 patients (12%) required re-intervention, and 2 patients died (1.9%). The complications were not specific to the laparoscopic approach. No missed injuries were reported in the study. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnostic and therapeutic laparoscopy in patients with PAT is an appropriate management in hemodynamically stable patients or those responsive to initial resuscitation. The location of injuries is not a limiting factor, although it affects placement of ports. The conversion is not a complication but rather the correct way of completing the operation in an appropriate situation. It should be considered in patients with extensive intraabdominal bleeding suggesting the possibility of major vessel injury, a significant deterioration of the patient, and the complexity of injuries requiring a prolonged laparoscopic procedure.