Resuscitation for injured patients requiring massive transfusion: A personal perspective.

ABSTRACT: The past century has seen many advances in the field of resuscitation. This is particularly true in the subset of patients who sustain major injuries causing hemorrhagic shock and require massive transfusion over 10 units of blood within the first 24 hours. Controversies on how best to resuscitate these patients include the role of fresh whole blood (WB), stored WB, fresh frozen plasma (FFP), platelets (PLTS), colloid solutions, balanced electrolytes solution, vasopressors and diuretics. This review summarizes the often-contradictory recommendations observed and studied by a single trauma surgeon working in a busy urban acute care center for 65 years.

Directed cutaneous neurectomy for cutaneous neuralgia.

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous neuralgia (CN) is a common challenge for surgical consultation. This report describes directed cutaneous neurectomy (DCN) for persistent CN. METHODS: From 2010 through 2022, DCN was performed 112 times in 100 patients. All had complete temporary relief of CN by outpatient percutaneous proximal blockade. DCN involved a successful proximal blockade with blue dye added to the injectate, and all blue stained tissue was excised. The site of DCN included groin (49 patients), abdomen (38 patients), chest (7 patients), extremity (4 patients), or skull (2 patients). Relief was judged continuous (C), none (N), or temporary (T). RESULTS: Pain relief was C in 82 patients (27 â€‹± â€‹20 â€‹mo), N in 6 patients, and T in 12 patients (22 â€‹± â€‹2 â€‹mo). The presence of microscopic nerve fibers (46 patients) or mesh (42 patients) did not affect outcome. A second DCN was done in two N patients, followed by C relief. A second DCN was done in seven T patients, and a third DCN was done in three T patients after recurrent CN. CONCLUSIONS: Refractory CN can usually be successfully treated by DCN.

Congenital pancreaticobiliary anomalies in an urban medical center in the United States.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Pancreaticobiliary anomalies are rare and often present with cryptic signs and symptoms, thus delaying appropriate treatment. METHODS: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was used to define pancreaticobiliary anomalies. A retrospective review was performed of 5522 ERCPs conducted at a tertiary care center from 1972 to 2015. RESULTS: There were 249 (4.5%) patients with pancreaticobiliary anomalies, including 179 patients with pancreas divisum (PD), 44 patients with choledochal cyst (CC) (Todani's classification Type I: extrahepatic cyst 31, Type III; choledochocele 9, Type V: Caroli's disease 4), 20 patients with anomalous pancreaticobiliary ductal union (APDU), and 6 patients with other abnormalities. Of 179 patients with pancreas divisum, 8 (4.5%) required minor sphincterotomies for multiple unexplained acute pancreatitis. Of the 31, 15 (48%) Type I CC patients underwent an operation. In patients with Type III CC (choledochocele), seven of the nine were treated by endoscopic sphincterotomy, and two patients were treated by surgery. Four patients with Type V CC (Caroli's disease) were managed nonoperatively. Of the 20 patients with APDU, 8 (40%) required operative intervention. Six patients were found to have other anomalies: two with pancreas bifidum, one with a duplication of the gallbladder, one with a cystic duct diverticulum, one with an annular pancreas, and one with an abnormal cystic duct origin. These patients were treated based on their etiology. CONCLUSION: Pancreaticobiliary anomalies are rare and can be defined using ERCP. The appreciation of these abnormalities is important for the proper diagnosis and treatment of these rare biliary and pancreatic disorders.

Acute hemorrhagic rectal ulcer: Experience in 11 patients at an urban acute care center in the USA: A case series.

INTRODUCTION: Acute hemorrhagic rectal ulcer (AHRU) is a rare entity which has most frequently been described in Japan and Taiwan literature. This study characterizes 11 AHRUs identified and managed at an urban acute care hospital in the United States of America (USA). METHODS: A total of 2253 inpatients underwent colonoscopy. In 1172 patients (52%), colonoscopy was performed for evaluation of lower gastrointestinal (LGI) bleeding. Eleven (0.9%) of the 1172 patients with LGI bleeding had AHRU. RESULTS: AHRU is characterized by a sudden onset of painless and massive lower rectal bleeding in elderly, bedridden patients (pts) with major underlying diseases. The endoscopic findings were classified into 4 types. All 11 ulcers were located in the distal rectum within 10 cm of the dentate line. All 11 patients required blood transfusion (mean = 3.7 units; range 2-9 units). Seven patients responded to blood, plasma, and platelet transfusions. The other 4 patients required endoscopic hemostasis.Three patients died within a month of colonoscopy from comorbidities. None had bleeding as a cause of death. Eight surviving patients did not have recurrent bleeding. CONCLUSION: AHRU does exist in the USA and should be considered as an important cause of acute lower GI bleeding in elderly, critically ill, and bedridden patients. AHRU should be recognized and managed correctly.

Nonoperative Management (NOM) of most liver injuries impairs the mastery of intraoperative hemostasis.

BACKGROUND: Nonoperative management (NOM) of most liver injury (LI) compromises teaching of technical skills required for intraoperative LI hemostasis. This study assesses this void. METHODS: The records of patients (pts) admitted for LI during two years (1/1/16-12/31/17) were compared to pts treated during two-year intervals for the last six decades. Treatment included NOM, operation only (OR/only), suture (Sut), tractotomy (Tra), dearterialization (HAL), and resection (Res). RESULTS: During 2016/2017, 41 pts had penetrating (23) or blunt (18) LI. Treatment for penetrating LI was NOM (4), OR/only (12), and hemostasis (7) with Sut (3), HAL (1), Tra (1), and Res (2). Treatment for blunt LI was NOM (16) and OR/only (2). 14 residents performed an average of 0.5 procedures. During six decades, LI requiring hemostasis was 121, 114, 30, 48, 17, and 7 per decade. Concomitantly, the percent having NOM or OR/only was 46%, 47%, 62%, 59%, 72%, and 83%. CONCLUSION: NOM precludes adequate training for hemostasis of LI. Technical proficiency for LI hemostasis requires training in Advanced Trauma Operative Management (ATOM), Advanced Surgical Skills for Exposure in Trauma (ASSET), and rotation through a liver transplant or hepatobiliary service.

The urban injury severity score (UISS) better predicts mortality following penetrating gunshot wounds (GSW).

BACKGROUND: The Injury Severity Score (ISS) and the New ISS (NISS) underscore injury severity after GSW. This study assesses the Urban ISS (UISS), which incorporates all injuries. METHODS: Complete trauma program registry (TPR) data and chart analyses were performed on 585 patients (pts) over 28 months. Factors analyzed included age, gender, ISS, NISS, UISS, time of admission, intent of injury, race, number GSW, weapon, and outcome. RESULTS: The 585 patients could be categorized within three groups. The first group included 98 pts with low ISS (1-2), no organ injuries, and early discharge; the second group included 47 patients with severe shock who died during operation; the third group of 442 pts were admitted after operation. All injury scores correlated (p < 0.001) with assault, number GSW, death, and length-of-stay (LOS). Death and LOS correlated closely with assault and the resultant number of GSW, best seen with UISS compared to ISS or NISS. Race and admission time did not correlate with death or LOS. CONCLUSIONS: UISS correlates better than ISS and NISS in victims of inner-city firearm injuries.

Variability of the f-cell ratio after treatment of traumatic hemorrhagic shock.

PURPOSE: Measuring total blood volume (TBV) in critically ill patients, using isotope techniques to determine red cell volume (RBCV) and plasma volume (PV) is laborious. Recently, PV measurement using a single bolus dose of tracers has been validated, thus, allowing TBV calculation using large venous hematocrit (LVHCT). However, this technique relies on using a correlation factor, the f-cell ratio, to adjust for differences in LVHCT and total body hematocrit (TBHCT). The normal f-cell ratio is 0.9 but has never been studied in patients recovering from hemorrhagic shock (HS). This study assesses the f-cell ratio at different phases after HS to determine accuracy in calculating TBV. METHODS: 114 injured patients requiring immediate operation for HS were studied. All patients had measurements of PV and RBCV via isotope dilution enabling measurements of TBHCT. Correlation of LVHCT and TBHCT were used to calculate the f-cell ratio in the fluid sequestration (n = 81) and in the fluid mobilization period (n = 108). RESULTS: The f-cell ratio (mean ±â€¯SD) averaged 0.89 ±â€¯0.15 and 0.90 ±â€¯0.01 in the first and second halves of the fluid sequestration period versus 0.90 ±â€¯0.2 and 0.80 ±â€¯0.07 in the first and second 48 h of the fluid mobilization period. The f-cell ratio was significantly lower (p=<0.001) in the mobilization period. CONCLUSIONS: These data show for the first time that using PV and LVHCT to calculate TBV after HS is unreliable. The mechanisms causing this variation in f-cell ratio is unknown but likely related to capillary/interstitial dynamics and needs further scientific study.

Failure of gastric prophylaxis against stress bleeding reflects inadequate pH control.

BACKGROUND: Gastric prophylaxis against stress ulceration with histamine 2 blockers or protein pump inhibitors is a quality standard in septic Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) patients to reduce gastric pH below 3.5. This study assesses the efficacy of gastric prophylaxis with pH monitoring. METHODS: A total of 100 patients were studied for 481 days. All received histamine 2 blockers or protein pump inhibitors. Daily pH control was judged as poor (1-3), moderate (4-5), or good (>5). Patients with poor pH received double-dose or an infusion gastric prophylaxis. Nasogastric tube bile or blood and transfusions for stress ulceration were recorded. RESULTS: Gastric prophylaxis was poor for 37 days, moderate for 83 days, and good for 279 days. NGT blood occurred on 15 days (40%) with poor, 17 days (20%) with moderate, and 17 days (6%) with good control. Transfusions for stress ulceration occurred on 5 days (14%) during poor, 3 days (4%) during moderate, and 1 day (0.3%) during good control (P < .05). Enhanced gastric prophylaxis improved pH control and reduced nasogastric tube blood. Transfusion for stress ulceration after enhanced therapy was required on 1 day (8%) with poor control and never for moderate or good control. CONCLUSION: Gastric prophylaxis against stress ulceration should be monitored by nasogastric tube pH.

History of the Innovation of Damage Control for Management of Trauma Patients: 1902-2016.

OBJECTIVE: To review the history of the innovation of damage control (DC) for management of trauma patients. BACKGROUND: DC is an important development in trauma care that provides a valuable case study in surgical innovation. METHODS: We searched bibliographic databases (1950-2015), conference abstracts (2009-2013), Web sites, textbooks, and bibliographies for articles relating to trauma DC. The innovation of DC was then classified according to the Innovation, Development, Exploration, Assessment, and Long-term study model of surgical innovation. RESULTS: The "innovation" of DC originated from the use of therapeutic liver packing, a practice that had previously been abandoned after World War II because of adverse events. It then "developed" into abbreviated laparotomy using "rapid conservative operative techniques." Subsequent "exploration" resulted in the application of DC to increasingly complex abdominal injuries and thoracic, peripheral vascular, and orthopedic injuries. Increasing use of DC laparotomy was followed by growing reports of postinjury abdominal compartment syndrome and prophylactic use of the open abdomen to prevent intra-abdominal hypertension after DC laparotomy. By the year 2000, DC surgery had been widely adopted and was recommended for use in surgical journals, textbooks, and teaching courses ("assessment" stage of innovation). "Long-term study" of DC is raising questions about whether the procedure should be used more selectively in the context of improving resuscitation practices. CONCLUSIONS: The history of the innovation of DC illustrates how a previously abandoned surgical technique was adapted and readopted in response to an increased understanding of trauma patient physiology and changing injury patterns and trauma resuscitation practices.

The diagnostic and surgical challenges of massive localized lymphedema.

BACKGROUND: Massive localized lymphedema (MLL) is a rare entity first described in 1998 in patients with morbid obesity; the incidence is rising with the increased prevalence of morbid obesity. This report defines the clinical presentation and surgical challenges in 6 patients with MLL. METHODS: The MLL in 6 patients with morbid obesity (weight range 270 to 585 lbs) involved the thigh in 3 patients, the calf in 1 patient, and the abdomen in 2 patients. The time from onset to presentation averaged 3 years (range 1 to 8 years). Two thigh lesions precluded ambulation because both legs could not be on the ground simultaneously; the 2 abdominal lesions were too heavy to permit ambulation. RESULTS: The surgical excision required the use of pulleys to elevate the MLL tissues, which, on excision, weighed between 24 and 78 lbs. A long oval horizontal incision and a long transverse incision were used for the 2 abdominal lesions. Long horizontal oval limb incisions with multiple perpendicular cross incisions had to be used to excise MLL in the 4 limb lesions. In 2 cases, the vessel-sealing device was employed successfully for dissecting subcutaneous edematous tissue. Loose wound closure permitted postoperative lymph leakage, which continued for 3 to 8 weeks. The histology demonstrated fibrotic lymphatic tissue with vascular and lymphatic proliferation and edema; all patients did well. CONCLUSIONS: MLL is rare and is best treated by surgical excision facilitated by pulleys and imaginative incisions to obtain primary closure. Long-term follow-up is necessary to assess for subsequent liposarcoma or angiosarcoma.

Endoscopic management of foreign bodies in the upper gastrointestinal tract: A review.

Foreign body ingestion is a common condition, especially among children who represent 80% of these emergencies. The most frequently ingested foreign bodies in children are coins, toys, magnets and batteries. Most foreign body ingestions in adults occur while eating, leading to either bone or meat bolus impaction. Flexible endoscopy is the therapeutic method of choice for relieving food impaction and removing true foreign bodies with a success rate of over 95% and with minimal complications. This review describes a comprehensive approach towards patients presenting with foreign body ingestion. Recommendations are based on a review of the literature and extensive personal experience.

Colloid with high fresh frozen plasma/red blood cell resuscitation does not reduce postoperative fluid needs.

BACKGROUND: Recent data suggest that intraoperative (Phase I) colloid (human serum albumin [HSA]) and a high fresh frozen plasma (FFP)/red blood cell (RBC) resuscitation will reduce postoperative (Phase II) fluid uptake. This study compares a noncolloid (balanced electrolyte solution [BES]) plus low (≤ 0.35) FFP/RBC resuscitation (Group A) with an HSA plus high (>0.35) FFP/RBC resuscitation. METHODS: A previous randomized study of 94 patients included 48 BES patients and 46 HSA patients. A Subgroup A of 25 BES patients with low FFP/RBC was compared with a Subgroup D of 21 HSA patients with high FFP/RBC. Parameters monitored included Phase I vital signs and resuscitation needs; Phase II duration, BES needs, weight gain, and hourly urine output; and postoperative plasma volume (PV) by radioiodinated serum albumin (RISA), extracellular fluid (ECF) volume by inulin space, and interstitial volume by ECF-PV. RESULTS: Admission pulse (132 for A vs. 133 for D), systolic blood pressure (SBP) (74 for A vs. 74 for D) and Phase I shock time (SBP < 80 Torr; 25 for A vs. 35 for D) were similar. Phase I RBC needs (12.5 ± 1.3 for A vs. 14.9 ± 1.7 for D) and BES needs (8.4 ± 0.6 L for A vs. 8.4 ± 0.6 L for D) were similar. During Phase II, D patients had more RBC, comparable BES, and weight gain, with lower hourly urine output compared with Group A patients. CONCLUSION: HSA with high FFP/RBC does not prevent Phase II fluid uptake and causes lower urine output despite increased PV. Colloid reduces glomerular filtration, increases tubular reabsorption, and increases ECF, thus, prolonging Phase II. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic study, level IV.

The role of endoscopic biliary sphincterotomy for the treatment of type 1 biliary dysfunction (papillary stenosis) with or without biliary stones.

BACKGROUND: This study assesses the safety and effectiveness of endoscopic biliary sphincterotomy (ES) in the treatment of papillary stenosis (PS) with and without biliary stones. METHODS: The records of all patients who had endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (2,689 patients) from January 1, 1991, to August 1, 2010, were reviewed. There were 117 patients with PS who had ES. RESULTS: All patients had biliary pain, a dilated common bile duct (CBD) with a maximum diameter of 10 to 25 mm, and elevated liver function tests. There were 46 patients who had prior cholecystectomy of whom 20 patients had CBD stones. The remaining 71 patients had no prior biliary surgery; there were no biliary stones in 14 patients. All patients were symptom free after ES with or without CBD stone retrieval. CONCLUSIONS: ES is the optimal treatment for PS in patients with or without biliary stones. ES eliminates pain, corrects CBD dilation, and restores LFTs to normal.

FFP:RBC resuscitation ratio and post-shock fluid uptake.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of the fresh frozen plasma (FFP) to red blood cell (RBC) ratio and balanced electrolyte solution (BES) to RBC ratio during resuscitation of severely injured patients on the duration of the postoperative fluid uptake period (phase 2) as well as the fluid (BES) needs, weight gain, and hypoproteinemia in phase 2. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS: The 316 patients were hypotensive (systolic blood pressure=81 mm Hg) and tachycardic (117/min), with an average shock time (systolic blood pressure 80 mm Hg) of 31 minutes in the operating room (OR); they received 14.2 RBC units, 854 mL of FFP, and 11.5 L of BES while in the OR. Phase 2 averaged 29.2 hours, where the patients gained 8.4 kg, had a serum albumin level of 2.6 g per day, and received 8.6 L of BES. The phase 2 time, BES needs, weight gain, and hypoproteinemia were correlated with systolic blood pressure, admission pulse rate, arterial pH, shock time, RBC, FFP, and BES; the FFP:RBC, BES:RBC, and BES: FFP ratios were given in the OR. RESULTS: Shock time had the best correlation with RBC, FFP, and BES administration in the OR as well as with phase 2 duration, BES needs, weight gain, and hypoproteinemia. There was no significant correlation with OR FFP: RBC, BES:RBC, or BES:FFP ratios and phase 2 hypoproteinemia or weight gain. The FFP:RBC ratio in the OR correlated directly with phase 2 duration and BES needs (P=.001); in contrast, the BES:RBC ratio in the OR correlated (P.001) inversely with phase 2 duration and BES needs. CONCLUSIONS: The severity of shock is best predicted by shock time and the RBC, FFP, and BES infusions in the OR. Contrary to recent reports, the FFP:RBC ratio in the OR correlates directly with duration and BES needs of phase 2, whereas the BES:RBC ratio correlates inversely with phase 2 duration and BES needs.

Directed neurectomy for treatment of chronic postsurgical neuropathic pain.

BACKGROUND: Chronic neurogenic pain after surgery, especially inguinal herniorrhaphy, remains a major cause of morbidity. The traditional treatment of postinguinal herniorrhaphy neurogenic pain has included triple neurectomy with the removal of any mesh. This report describes a directed, minimally invasive surgical neurectomy that provided pain relief in 28 patients with minimal morbidity. METHODS: After temporary but successful proximal peripheral nerve blockade, the nerve was blocked in the operating room using a small amount of blue dye mixed with the local anesthetic. After confirming pain relief with the dye-anesthetic mixture, the patient was then sedated, and all blue-stained tissue was excised through a small incision, avoiding both the previous surgical scar and mesh. RESULTS: All but 1 of the 28 patients had complete relief for a minimum of 12 months when discharged from follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: This simple directed neurectomy method typically provides long-term relief for patients suffering from chronic postsurgical neurogenic pain.