Respiratory functions of burn patients undergoing decompressive laparotomy due to secondary abdominal compartment syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: The development of secondary abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) is associated with multiple organ dysfunction. There is little information about the effects of decompressive laparotomy (DL) on respiratory function (RF) in burn patients developing ACS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively obtained data characterising RF from the database of an adult burn intensive care unit (BICU). Peak inspiratory pressure (Pip), PaO2/FiO2-ratio (P/F), static compliance (Cstat) and airway resistance (Raw) were analysed over the course of 60 h at 8 time points relative to DL. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients with ACS underwent DL with a mean percentage of total burned body surface area (TBSA) 39 ± 23% and mean intra-abdominal pressure 33 ± 7 mmHg. All patients presented with significantly deteriorating RF within 12h of DL (Pip 33 ± 4 to 39 ± 7 cm/H2O, p=0.003; P/F 232 ± 59 to 160 ± 55 mmHg, p<0.001, Cstat 34 ± 5 to 26 ± 6 mL/cmH2O, p<0.001; Raw 18 ± 3 to 24 ± 9 cm H2O/L/s, p=0.02). All these parameters improved significantly (p<0.001) after DL, regardless of the presence of inhalation injury or torso burns. Mortality was 71.4%. CONCLUSIONS: Variables characterising RF demonstrated a rapid deterioration before and a significant and sustained improvement after DL in burn patients developing ACS. Despite these respiratory improvements, DL was associated with low survival rates. Secondary ACS remains a challenge in burn patients and thus warrants particular attention during intensive care treatment.

The "coagulation box" and a new hemoglobin-driven algorithm for bleeding control in patients with severe multiple traumas.

BACKGROUND: Extensive hemorrhage is the leading cause of death in the first few hours following multiple traumas. Therefore, early and aggressive treatment of clotting disorders could reduce mortality. Unfortunately, the availability of results from commonly performed blood coagulation studies are often delayed whereas hemoglobin (Hb) levels are quickly available. OBJECTIVES: In this study, we evaluated the use of initial hemoglobin (Hb) levels as a guide line for the initial treatment of clotting disorders in multiple trauma patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We have developed an Hb-driven algorithm to initiate the initial clotting therapy. The algorithm contains three different steps for aggressive clotting therapy depending on the first Hb value measured in the shock trauma room, (SR) and utilizes fibrinogen, prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC), factor VIIa, tranexamic acid and desmopressin. The above-mentioned drugs were stored in a special "coagulation box" in the hospital pharmacy, and this box could be immediately brought to the SR or operating room (OR) upon request. Despite the use of clotting factors, transfusions using red blood cells (RBC) and fresh frozen plasma (FFP) were performed at an RBC-to-FFP ratio of 2:1 to 1:1. RESULTS: Over a 12-month investigation period, 123 severe multiple trauma patients needing intensive care therapy were admitted to our trauma center (mean age 48 years, mean ISS (injury severity score) 30). Fourteen (11%) patients died; 25 (mean age 51.5 years, mean ISS 53) of the 123 patients were treated using the "coagulation box," and 17 patients required massive transfusions. Patients treated with the "coagulation box" required an average dose of 16.3 RBC and 12.9 FFP, whereas 17 of the 25 patients required an average dose of 3.6 platelet packs. According to the algorithm, 25 patients received fibrinogen (average dose of 8.25 g), 24 (96%) received PCC (3000 IU.), 14 (56%) received desmopressin (36.6 µg), 13 (52%) received tranexamic acid (2.88 g), and 11 (44%) received factor VIIa (3.7 mg). The clotting parameters markedly improved between SR admission and ICU admission. Of the 25 patients, 16 (64%) survived. The revised injury severity classification (RISC) predicted a survival rate of 41%, which corresponds to a standardized mortality ratio (SMR) of 0.62, which implies a higher survival rate than predicted. CONCLUSIONS: An Hb-driven algorithm, in combination with the "coagulation box" and the early use of clotting factors, could be a simple and effective tool for improving coagulopathy in multiple trauma patients.

Trauma care in Germany: major differences in case fatality rates between centers.

BACKGROUND: Recent years have seen a further decline in the nationwide case fatality rate after major trauma in Germany, but it has not been clear until now whether all centers providing trauma care achieve comparable results. We have attempted to answer this question using data from the trauma registry of the German Society for Trauma Surgery (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Unfallchirurgie, DGU). METHODS: The standardized mortality rate of each participating center was calculated on the basis of the RISC prognostic score (Revised Injury Severity Classification) and the observed case fatality rate of the center. Results were compared across centers for the years 2004 to 2007; only the centers that provided the primary treatment of at least 100 patients during this period were included in the analysis. Data from the ten highest-scoring centers, the ten lowest-scoring centers, and the ten centers in the middle of the group were compared, and differences between them were analyzed. RESULTS: The case fatality rate in the top ten centers was 8.7%. The corresponding rate in the bottom ten centers was approXimately twice as high, even though the injuries treated there were of comparable severity. CONCLUSION: It is evident that the fate of a trauma patient in Germany depends partly on the center in which he or she is treated. These data were drawn from a retrospective evaluation of a case registry and should be assessed in awareness of this fact.

Recovery index, attentiveness and state of memory after xenon or isoflurane anaesthesia: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Performance of patients immediately after anaesthesia is an area of special interest and so a clinical trial was conducted to compare Xenon with Isoflurane anaesthesia. In order to assess the early cognitive recovery the syndrome short test (SST) according to Erzigkeit (Geromed GmbH) was applied. METHODS: ASA I and II patients undergoing long and short surgical interventions were randomised to receive either general anaesthesia with Xenon or Isoflurane. The primary endpoint was the validated SST which covering memory disturbances and attentiveness. The test was used on the day prior to intervention, one and three hours post extubation. The secondary endpoint was the recovery index (RI) measured after the end of the inhalation of Xenon or Isoflurane. In addition the Aldrete score was evaluated up to 180 min. On the first post-operative day the patients rated the quality of the anaesthetic using a scoring system from 1-6. RESULTS: The demographics of the groups were similar. The sum score of the SST delivered a clear trend one hour post extubation and a statistically significant superiority for Xenon three hours post extubation (p < 0.01). The RI likewise revealed a statistically significant superiority of Xenon 5 minutes post extubation (p < 0.01). The Aldrete score was significantly higher for 45 min. The scoring system results were also better after Xenon anaesthesia (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The results show that recovery from anaesthesia and the early return of post-operative cognitive functions are significantly better after Xenon anaesthesia compared to Isoflurane. The results of the RI for Xenon are similar with the previously published results. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial was registered with the number ISRCTN01110844 http://www.controlled-trials.com/isrctn/pf/01110844.

The breast feeding mother and xenon anaesthesia: four case reports. Breast feeding and xenon anaesthesia.

BACKGROUND: Four nursing mothers consented to anaesthesia for urgent surgery only on condition that their ability to breast feed would not be impaired. METHODS: Following induction of general anaesthesia with propofol and remifentanil, 65-69% xenon supplemented with remifentanil was used as an inhalational anaesthetic for maintenance. RESULTS: After finishing surgery the women could be extubated between 2:52 and 7:22 minutes. The women were fully alert just minutes after extubation and spent about 45 minutes in the recovery room before discharge to a regular ward. They resumed regular breast feeding some time later. The propofol concentration in the blood was measured after 0, 30, 90, and 300 minutes and in the milk after 90 and 300 minutes. Just 90 minutes after extubation, the concentration of propofol in the milk was limited (> 3 mg/l) so that pharmacological effects on the babies were excluded after oral intake. Also, no traces of xenon gas were found in the maternal milk at any time. After propofol induction and maintenance of anaesthesia with xenon in combination with a water-soluble short-acting drug like remifentanil, the concentration of propofol in maternal milk is low (> 3 mg/l 90 min after anesthesia) and harmless after oral intake. CONCLUSIONS: These results, as well as the rapid elimination and absence of metabolism of xenon, are of great interest to nursing mothers. General anaesthesia with propofol for induction only, combined with remifentanil and xenon for maintenance, has not yet been described in breast feeding mothers.

Severe cutaneous adverse reactions: emergency approach to non-burn epidermolytic syndromes.

INTRODUCTION: Although severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs), such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis, are rare, they are associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. METHODS: The current knowledge regarding background, differential diagnoses, critical care and implications for inter-hospital emergency medical service (EMS) transport of these patients is discussed. CONCLUSION: SCAR patients will substantially benefit from early interdisciplinary care and thorough consideration of complications during EMS transport and intensive care treatment.

Long-distance repatriation by an EMS helicopter.

In Europe, long-distance repatriation flights are usually executed by fixed-wing aircraft. We report an international long-distance repatriation flight by the helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS), with a total flight time of almost 7 hours. The flight itself, the medical requirements, and aviation problems are discussed. The operation of the flight itself was almost uneventful thanks to careful preflight planning; however, it also proved challenging because of national regulations and airspace structures, which were somewhat different from those of Germany. The treatment of the patient during the flight was not affected by the extraordinarily long distance. We conclude that a combination of appropriate preflight planning, radio communication, and close cooperation with legal authorities is the key to accomplishing a successful execution of an international repatriation missions by the HEMS.

Alcohol-positive multiple trauma patients with and without blood transfusion: an outcome analysis.

BACKGROUND: Blood transfusion is a common therapy for multiple trauma patients, and is often performed soon after hospital admission. It is unclear whether the need for a blood transfusion in multiply injured patients presenting with a positive blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is associated with increased morbidity/mortality, since their risk behavior differs significantly from patients with a negative BAC. In this study, we evaluated the role of blood transfusion in the treatment of BAC-positive multiple trauma patients. PATIENTS: In a three-year period, 164 patients at a single trauma center presented with a positive BAC, and 145 met the inclusion criteria for further evaluation and regression analysis. We compared patients who were transfused (n = 76) with those who were not transfused (n = 69). RESULTS: In both groups, the most common causes of trauma were traffic accidents and falls. Most patients were admitted to the hospital from the scene of the accident (77.2%) and were male (89.0%). Transfused patients had a lower GCS (p