The use of Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta (REBOA) in Civilian Trauma in an Israeli Level 1 Trauma Center.

BACKGROUND: Massive, non-compressible bleeding is a leading cause of preventable trauma mortality. Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta (REBOA) is a minimally invasive procedure in which a balloon catheter is maneuvered into the aorta to temporarily occlude large vessels and enable stabilization of the exsanguinating patient. OBJECTIVES: To present experiences in assimilating REBOA at a single level 1 trauma center in Israel, to evaluate the technical aspects of the procedure, and to describe patient characteristics and outcomes. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study comprised civilians admitted with hemorrhagic shock to our trauma department who were treated with REBOA between November 2017 and July 2021. Descriptive statistics of the patients, characteristics of the injuries and patient outcomes are presented. RESULTS: The study included 22 patients (median age 30.1 years, 21 male). The mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) before REBOA inflation was 59.6 ± 11.4 mmHg, and the mean SBP measured after the procedure was 115.2 ± 26.3 mmHg. In 20 patients (91%), the SBP was normalized (> 90 mmHg) shortly after inflation of the balloon, and they survived the treatment in the trauma department; 15 (75%) survived the first 30 days. CONCLUSIONS: REBOA is an effective method for the initial resuscitation and hemorrhage control of patients with massive, non-compressible bleeding and is relatively easy to assimilate in a hospital. The achievement of immediate normalization of SBP enables medical personnel to correct physiological parameters and obtain accurate imaging before proceeding to the operating theater.

Ocular injuries associated with two-wheeled electric transportation devices and motorcycle accidents.

Electric bicycles and scooters have gained popularity among riders; studies assessing these device-related injuries have not specified ocular trauma. Our study examined the types and risk factors for ocular and periocular injuries associated with electric devices compared to motorcycle accidents. The study was conducted on the National Trauma Registry database from 20 trauma centers, including patients involved in accidents with electric bicycles, scooters, and motorcycles between 2014 to 2019. Injured riders were assigned into two groups: motorcycle group (M) and electric bicycle & scooter group (E). Data such as gender, age, protective gear use, ocular injury type, injury severity score (ISS), and ocular surgery were captured. Logistic regression models were conducted for injury types and the need for surgery. 8181 M-riders and 3817 E-riders were involved in an accident and hospitalized. E-riders suffered from ocular injury more than M-riders. Males were most vulnerable and the ages of 15-29. Orbital floor fracture was the most common injury, followed by ocular contusion, eyelid laceration, and other ocular wounds. Electric bicycle and scooter riders are more likely to suffer from ocular injury than motorcycle riders. Riders without helmets are at greater risk for injuries, specifically orbital floor fractures. ISS of 16 + was associated with injury demanding ocular surgery.

Analysis of Trauma Injuries Among the Minority Population in Southern Israel-a District-Wide Study.

BACKGROUND: We compared characteristics of traumatic injury between the Bedouin subpopulation, the largest minority group in southern Israel, and the other residents in this region. METHODS: We assessed all the patients admitted with traumatic injuries during 2014-2018 to the only regional hospital in southern Israel. RESULTS: The cohort comprised 10,734 patients, 4553 (42.5%) of Bedouin origin. Compared to the non-Bedouin subpopulation, in the Bedouin subpopulation, the proportion of injuries that occurred in males was higher, 74.3% vs. 53.7%, P < 0.001, and the proportion of burn injuries that occurred in children aged 0-14 years was higher, 84% vs. 49%. Among the Bedouin and non-Bedouin patients, the respective proportions with penetrating injuries were 10.7 and 5.4%; the respective proportions who arrived at the hospital by private vehicles were 62.0 and 33.1%. In multivariate analysis, the variables that were significant for increased odds for severe trauma were Bedouin origin, male gender, and arrival to the emergency room at night. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the lack of access to basic infrastructure and healthcare among Bedouins in southern Israel. The high proportion of penetrating injuries in this subpopulation is apparently due to explosions of unexploded ordnance. The unavailability of electricity and waste removal in unrecognized villages contributes to burn injuries among Bedouin children. Poor accessibility of healthcare facilities and emergency medical transportation necessitates travel to hospitals by private car. The findings should direct trauma prevention programs to reduce burn and penetrating injuries and to increase accessibility to healthcare.

Penetrating pulmonary vein laceration following blunt chest trauma.

Flail chest is a common injury in blunt trauma which is usually treated with analgesia, oxygen, and other conservative measures. In more severe cases mechanical ventilation and surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF) may be warranted. Penetrating injury to the heart or great vessels due to rib fractures however, is much less common. Here we present a 33 year old male that was admitted to the Emergency department (ED) after a horse riding accident, demonstrating severe shock. Emergency computerized tomography scan showed multiple bilateral displaced rib fractures, Left hemothorax and possibly a penetrating injury to the left side of the heart by one of the ribs. Notably, no significant pericardial effusion was demonstrated. In addition, a grade V splenic injury was diagnosed. A Joined thoracic and abdominal emergent surgical treatment was successfully carried out and the patient survived and fully recovered.

COVID-19 Changed the Injury Patterns of Hospitalized Patients.

INTRODUCTION: Injury patterns are closely related to changes in behavior. Pandemics and measures undertaken against them may cause changes in behavior; therefore, changes in injury patterns during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak can be expected when compared to the parallel period in previous years. STUDY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare injury-related hospitalization patterns during the overall national lockdown period with parallel periods of previous years. METHODS: A retrospective study was completed of all patients hospitalized from March 15 through April 30, for years 2016-2020. Data were obtained from 21 hospitals included in the national trauma registry during the study years. Clinical, demographic, and circumstantial parameters were compared amongst the years of the study. RESULTS: The overall volume of injured patients significantly decreased during the lockdown period of the COVID-19 outbreak, with the greatest decrease registered for road traffic collisions (RTCs). Patients' sex and ethnic compositions did not change, but a smaller proportion of children were hospitalized during the outbreak. Many more injuries were sustained at home during the outbreak, with proportions of injuries in all other localities significantly decreased. Injuries sustained during the COVID-19 outbreak were more severe, specifically due to an increase in severe injuries in RTCs and falls. The proportion of intensive care unit (ICU) hospitalizations did not change, however more surgeries were performed; patients stayed less days in hospital. CONCLUSIONS: The lockdown period of the COVID-19 outbreak led to a significant decrease in number of patients hospitalized due to trauma as compared to parallel periods of previous years. Nevertheless, trauma remains a major health care concern even during periods of high-impact disease outbreaks, in particular due to increased proportion of severe injuries and surgeries.

Stomach pH before vs. after different bariatric surgery procedures: Clinical implications for drug delivery.

Stomach pH may vary following bariatric surgery, with implications for drug delivery/bioavailability. Yet, this parameter has not been studied. In this work, gastric content was aspirated from patients before, immediately after, and the day after different bariatric procedures, and pH was immediately measured. Compared to pre-surgery (1.8), pH was increased one day after one-anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) and sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) by 3-4 pH units; pH immediately after these procedures was in between the other 2 time points. Post-OAGB pH was significantly higher than post-LSG (6.4 and 4.9, respectively). Prior adjustable gastric band did not significantly alter baseline pH. We then performed drug dissolution studies of the antiplatelet drugs dipyridamole and aspirin, mimicking pre-surgery, post-LSG and post-OAGB conditions, implementing our pH results and other relevant physiological parameters. Dipyridamole, a weak base, completely dissolved (100% of dose) under pre-surgery conditions, while dissolution was hampered under post-LSG (5%) and post-OAGB (0.25%) conditions, due to solubility limit. Aspirin was not released from enteric-coated tablet under pre-surgery or post-LSG gastric conditions, however, >75% dissolved within 15 min under post-OAGB gastric conditions, indicating potential failure of enteric coating, depending on the bariatric procedure. In conclusion, special care should be taken when using pH-dependent drugs and drug products after bariatric surgery, and the use of pH-independent formulations should be preferred. Overall, this research revealed the interim gastric pH after different bariatric procedures, and potentially important effects on post-bariatric oral drug delivery and treatment.

The effect of steroid treatment on whiplash associated syndrome: a controlled randomized prospective trial.

PURPOSE: There is significant evidence in the literature that low or relatively low cortisol concentrations near the time of an accident are associated with more severe forms of whiplash-associated disorders. We hypothesized that treating patients that were involved in a motor vehicle accident with hydrocortisone would alleviate the incidence and severity of these disabling disorders. METHODS: A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Blunt trauma patients that underwent a motor vehicle crash were allocated into a study group that received a single bolus of hydrocortisone and a control group that received saline. The patients were followed for 1 month. The incidence and severity of whiplash associated disorder, functional disturbances, and post-traumatic stress disorder were compared between the two groups. The analyses were repeated for sub-divisions into groups of high and low admission cortisol. RESULTS: The more severe forms of whiplash-associated disorders on the day of accident were associated with low cortisol levels; mean cortisol concentration of the lower grade of whiplash patients (13.09 ± 7.35 µg%) was higher than that of whiplash syndrome of the severe forms (8.33 ± 3.45 µg), p = 0.001. There were no differences between study and control groups regarding whiplash-associated disorders, functional tests, and severity of stress disorder 1 month after the accident. Significant differences were evident between high and low cortisol sub-groups. Those who had low cortisol level on admission and received hydrocortisone had worse outcomes. CONCLUSION: Steroid treatment of patients with whiplash might be harmful to those who present with low cortisol concentrations (< 9.5 µg/dL). TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials: Association between low cortisol levels and whiplash syndrome. Date of registration: March 18, 2014. Date the first participant was enrolled: May 10, 2014. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02090309. URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02090309 .

Aortic balloon occlusion (REBOA) in pelvic ring injuries: preliminary results of the ABO Trauma Registry.

EndoVascular and Hybrid Trauma Management (EVTM) has been recently introduced in the treatment of severe pelvic ring injuries. This multimodal method of hemorrhage management counts on several strategies such as the REBOA (resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta). Few data exist on the use of REBOA in patients with a severely injured pelvic ring. The ABO (aortic balloon occlusion) Trauma Registry is designed to capture data for all trauma patients in hemorrhagic shock where management includes REBOA placement. Among all patients included in the ABO registry, 72 patients presented with severe pelvic injuries and were the population under exam. 66.7% were male. Mean and median ISS were respectively 43 and 41 (SD ± 13). Isolated pelvic injuries were observed in 12 patients (16.7%). Blunt trauma occurred in 68 patients (94.4%), penetrating in 2 (2.8%) and combined in 2 (2.8%). Type of injury: fall from height in 15 patients (23.1%), traffic accident in 49 patients (75.4%), and unspecified impact in 1 patient (1.5%). Femoral access was gained pre-hospital in 1 patient, in emergency room in 43, in operating room in 12 and in angio-suite in 16. REBOA was positioned in zone 1 in 59 patients (81,9%), in zone 2 in 1 (1,4%) and in zone 3 in 12 (16,7%). Aortic occlusion was partial/periodical in 35 patients (48,6%) and total occlusion in 37 patients (51,4%). REBOA associated morbidity rate: 11.1%. Overall mortality rate was 54.2% and early mortality rate (≤ 24 h) was 44.4%. In the univariate analysis, factors related to early mortality (≤ 24 h) are lower pH values (p = 0.03), higher base deficit (p = 0.021), longer INR (p = 0.012), minor increase in systolic blood pressure after the REBOA inflation (p = 0.03) and total aortic occlusion (p = 0.008). None of these values resulted significant in the multivariate analysis. In severe hemodynamically unstable pelvic trauma management, REBOA is a viable option when utilized in experienced centers as a bridge to other treatments; its use might be, however, accompanied with severe-to-lethal complications.

Intra-abdominal pressure may be elevated in patients with open abdomen after emergent laparotomy.

PURPOSE: To estimate the change in intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) among critically ill patient who were left with open abdomen and temporary abdominal closure after laparotomy, during the first 48 h after admission. METHODS: A cohort study in a single ICU in a tertiary care hospital. All adult patients admitted to the ICU after emergent laparotomy for acute abdomen or trauma, who were left with temporary abdominal closure (TAC), were included. Patients were followed up to 48 h. IAP was routinely measured at 0, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h after admission to ICU. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients were included, 34 were operated due to acute abdomen and 5 due to abdominal trauma. Seventeen patients were treated with skin closure, 13 with Bogota bag, and 9 with negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT). Eleven patients (28.2%) had IAP of 15 mmHg or above at time 0, (mean pressure 19.0 ± 3.0 mmHg), and it dropped to 12 ± 4 mmHg within 48 h (p < 0.01). Reduction in lactate level (2.4 ± 1.0 to 1.2 ± 0.2 mmol/L, p < 0.01) and increase in PaO2/FiO2 ratio (163 ± 34 to 231 ± 83, p = 0.03) were observed as well after 48 h. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first large report of IAP in open abdomen. Elevated IAP may be measured in open abdomen and may subsequently relieve after 48 h.

Can cortisol levels predict the severity of acute whiplash-associated disorders?

BACKGROUND: The exact underlying mechanism of whiplash-associated disorders still remains obscure. Central sensitization of the brain to painful stimulus and disturbances in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis has been suggested to contribute to the development of whiplash-associated disorders. Although cortisol is a well-known factor in the acute stress response and its effects on chronic pain sensation were studied, information is lacking regarding the relation between acute phase cortisol concentrations and the intensity of whiplash-associated disorders. The aim of this prospective observational study was to investigate the relationship between acute serum cortisol concentrations and the severity of whiplash-associated disorders. METHODS: 55 patients enrolled in the study and they answered a pertinent questionnaire. A blood sample was drawn to determine serum cortisol concentration. RESULTS: The mean cortisol concentration of the whiplash-associated disorder score 2-3 patients was significantly lower compared to the whiplash-associated disorder score 1 patients, 9.5 ± 6.9 vs. 13.22 ± 8.3 µg% (p = 0.02). The mean cortisol concentrations increased significantly from mild through moderate to serious grade of severity of accident as perceived by the patient, 9.64 ± 4.82, 11.59 ± 6.85, 17.39 ± 12.1 µg% (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The study supports the possibility that cortisol plays a role in the development of whiplash-associated disorders. Low or relatively low cortisol concentrations might be associated with more severe forms of the disorder.

Feasibility and Clinical Outcome of Reboa in Patients with Impending Traumatic Cardiac Arrest.

BACKGROUND: Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta (REBOA) may improve Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) in hypovolemic shock. It has, however, not been studied in patients with impending traumatic cardiac arrest (ITCA). We aimed to study the feasibility and clinical outcome of REBOA in patients with ITCA using data from the ABOTrauma Registry. METHODS: Retrospective and prospective data on the use of REBOA from 16 centers globally were collected. SBP was measured both at pre- and post-REBOA inflation. Data collected included patients' demography, vascular access technique, number of attempts, catheter size, operator, zone and duration of occlusion, and clinical outcome. RESULTS: There were 74 patients in this high-risk patient group. REBOA was performed on all patients. A 7-10Fr catheter was used in 66.7% and 58.5% were placed on the first attempt, 52.1% through blind insertion and 93.2% inflated in Zone I, 64.8% for a period of 30 to 60 min, 82.1% by ER doctors, trauma surgeons, or vascular surgeons. SBP significantly improved to 90 mm Hg following the inflation of REBOA. 36.6% of the patients survived. CONCLUSIONS: Our study has shown that REBOA may be performed in patients with ITCA, SBP can be elevated, and 36.6% of the patients survived if REBOA placement is successful.

Increased Paracetamol Bioavailability after Sleeve Gastrectomy: A Crossover Pre- vs. Post-Operative Clinical Trial.

Oral drug bioavailability may be significantly altered after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), the most popular bariatric procedure worldwide. Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is the post-bariatric analgesic/antipyretic drug of choice. In this work we studied and analyzed the LSG effects on systemic bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of paracetamol after oral administration of solid vs. liquid dosage form. A 4-armed, pharmacokinetic, crossover trial was performed in patients enrolled for LSG. Single paracetamol dose (500 mg), as caplet (n = 7) or syrup (n = 5), was administered before vs. 4-6 months post-LSG. Bioavailability was enhanced after LSG; in the caplet groups, average AUC0-t increased from 9.1 to 18.6 µg·h/mL with AUC0-t difference of 9.5 µg·h/mL (95% CI 4.6-14.5, p = 0.003). Cmax increased from 1.8 (95% CI 1.2-2.5) to 4.2 µg/mL (3.6-4.8) after LSG (p = 0.032). In the syrup groups, AUC0-t increased from 13.4 to 25.6 µg·h/mL, with AUC0-t difference of 12.2 µg·h/mL (95% CI 0.9-23.5, p = 0.049). Cmax changed from 5.4 (95% CI 2.5-8.4) to 7.8 µg/mL (6.1-9.6), and systemic bioavailability was complete (102%) after the surgery. Overall, decreased paracetamol exposure in obesity, with recovery to normal drug levels (caplet) or even higher (syrup) post-LSG, was revealed. In conclusion, attention to paracetamol effectiveness/safety in obesity, and after bariatric surgery, is prudent.

Modified ISTH pregnancy-specific DIC score in parturients with liver rupture: population-based case series.

OBJECTIVES: Liver rupture and hematoma are rare life-threatening complications of pregnancy. The aims of the current study are to: (1) characterize in a population-based study all cases of liver hematoma and/or rupture; and (2) validate the utility of the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) modified pregnancy specific disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) score in those cases. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study including all patients with liver subcapsular hematoma or rupture between the years 1996 and 2012 was conducted. Information on maternal characteristics, clinical presentation, diagnostic studies, therapeutic modalities, as well as maternal and fetal outcomes was collected. The pregnancy-specific modified ISTH DIC scores were calculated from admission to discharge, a score >26 is suggestive of DIC. RESULTS: Out of 175,000 births in our database, seven patients were identified with liver rupture or subcapsular hematoma, representing a prevalence of 4:100,000 deliveries. Of those, six had liver rupture and one had subcapsular liver hematoma. One patient died of hemorrhagic shock. Four patients underwent surgical liver packing and one also underwent hepatic artery ligation. Four out of seven patients were diagnosed during the immediate postpartum period with severe features of preeclampsia or with hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count (HELLP) syndrome. Modified ISTH pregnancy-specific DIC scores were calculated for five out of seven patients, and three (60%) had a score higher than 26. Patients with higher scores received more blood product transfusions, had longer hospitalizations, and their neonates had lower 1 and 5 minutes Apgar scores. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated pregnancy-specific modified ISTH DIC score (>26) in patients with liver hematoma or rupture was associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes and appeared to perform well in distinguishing high and low-risk cases. Postpartum preeclampsia may be associated with severe features and a more complicated disease course.

Clinical Outcome of Urgent Thoracotomy in Patients with Penetrating and Blunt Chest Trauma: A Retrospective Survey.

INTRODUCTION: In contrast to an emergency department of thoracotomy (EDT), an urgent thoracotomy (UT) is defined as a surgical thoracic intervention performed in the operating room within the first 48 hours of the patient's intensive care unit (ICU) stay. The factors affecting survival after UT are not fully understood. In this study, we retrospectively analyzed the clinical data and outcome of patients with blunt and penetrating chest injuries who underwent UT. METHODS: All adult patients who had blunt or penetrating chest trauma and who underwent UT, were included in the study. All data were collected from the patients' hospital and ICU records. Forty-five patients with thoracic injuries who underwent UT during the first 48 hours of ICU stay were analyzed. Of these, 25 had penetrating chest injuries, and 20 had blunt thoracic injuries. Of the penetrating injuries, 16 were stab wounds, and 9 were gunshot wounds. RESULTS: Overall ICU mortality was 29% (n = 13) and was significantly higher in the blunt chest trauma group than in the penetrating trauma group (45% vs 16%; p = 0.04). Lung parenchyma injuries (lacerations and contusions) were the most common intraoperative findings in both groups. The following independent predictors of in-hospital mortality were found: an Injury Severity Score (ISS) of >40; an Acute Physiology and Chronic Evaluation II (APACHE II) score of >30; prolonged duration of UT; low body temperature on admission to the ED; abnormal arterial blood lactate, bicarbonate, and pH at the end of UT; and use of vasopressors during the first 24 hours of ICU stay. CONCLUSION: Mortality after UT was higher in patients with blunt chest trauma. The UT should be performed in both penetrating and blunt chest trauma as quickly as possible and should be limited to damage control. It also emerges that acidosis and hypothermia in chest trauma patients need to be treated extremely aggressively before, during, and after UT.

Military Weapon Injury Among Illegal Immigrants at the Southern Border of Israel: A Single Level I Trauma Center Series.

This article describes the characteristics of injuries of illegal immigrants admitted to a Level I trauma center after being shot at the southern border of Israel. This is a retrospective descriptive study. Some of the variables were compared to a group of soldiers who sustained penetrating injury at the same region where the illegal migrant were injured. The study includes 162 patients. The lower body absorbed a higher percentage of the injuries (61 %). The hospitalization time is longer for the migrant patients compared to the soldiers (13 ± 2 vs. 3 ± 0.3 days p = 0.0001). This study on wounded immigrants shows that a conjoint military and civilian system can result in favourable outcomes. The manuscript is an attempt to bring this unique situation, its type of injuries, and the difficulties of the health system in coping with it, to the notice of all authorities that may address a similar challenge.

Glasgow Coma Scale Score in Survivors of Explosion With Possible Traumatic Brain Injury in Need of Neurosurgical Intervention.

Importance: Head injury following explosions is common. Rapid identification of patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) in need of neurosurgical intervention is complicated in a situation where multiple casualties are admitted following an explosion. Objective: To evaluate whether Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score or the Simplified Motor Score at presentation would identify patients with severe TBI in need of neurosurgical intervention. Design, Setting, and Participants: Analysis of clinical data recorded in the Israel National Trauma Registry of 1081 patients treated following terrorist bombings in the civilian setting between 1998 and 2005. Primary analysis of the data was conducted in 2009, and analysis was completed in 2015. Main Outcomes and Measures: Proportion of patients with TBI in need of neurosurgical intervention per GCS score or Simplified Motor Score. Results: Of 1081 patients (median age, 29 years [range, 0-90 years]; 38.9% women), 198 (18.3%) were diagnosed as having TBI (48 mild and 150 severe). Severe TBI was diagnosed in 48 of 877 patients (5%) with a GCS score of 15 and in 99 of 171 patients (58%) with GCS scores of 3 to 14 (P < .001). In 65 patients with abnormal GCS (38%), no head injury was recorded. Nine of 877 patients (1%) with a GCS score of 15 were in need of a neurosurgical operation, and fewer than 51 of the 171 patients (30%) with GCS scores of 3 to 14 had a neurosurgical operation (P < .001). No difference was found between the proportion of patients in need of neurosurgery with GCS scores of 3 to 8 and those with GCS scores of 9 to 14 (30% vs 27%; P = .83). When the Simplified Motor Score and GCS were compared with respect to their ability to identify patients in need of neurosurgical interventions, no difference was found between the 2 scores. Conclusions and Relevance: Following an explosion in the civilian setting, 65 patients (38%) with GCS scores of 3 to 14 did not experience severe TBI. The proportion of patients with severe TBI and severe TBI in need of a neurosurgical intervention were similar in patients presenting with GCS scores of 3 to 8 and GCS scores of 9 to 14. In this study, GCS and Simplified Motor Score did not help identify patients with severe TBI in need of a neurosurgical intervention.

Elevated Cell-Free DNA Measured by a Simple Assay Is Associated With Increased Rate of Colorectal Cancer Relapse.

OBJECTIVES: For patients with early stage colorectal cancer (CRC), markers of high-risk relapse are needed. In a previous study on 38 randomly selected patients with CRC, we found good correlation between presurgery cell-free DNA (CFD) concentrations and standard prognostic factors. In the current study, we revisited the same patients at 5-year survival, aiming to evaluate the predictive power of presurgery CFD levels. METHODS: We revisited 38 patients with CRC previously analyzed for 5-year outcome. CFD was measured using a simple fluorescent assay that we developed. RESULTS: All recurrent patients and patients who had died of cancer within 5 years were shown to have presurgery CFD values above 800 ng/mL. The negative predictive value for cancer-related disease was 100%. Cox regression analysis for disease-free survival showed a hazard ratio of 6.03 (P = .003) for CFD, which was higher than the ratio of the disease stage, 1.9 (P = .006). The survival-free curve of stage I and II patients with elevated CFD was significantly different from patients with normal levels (P = .0136); 5 (41.7%) of 12 patients had died of cancer or had experienced a recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: CFD may possibly be a decisive criterion to identify patients with local disease who might benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy.

Oral drug therapy following bariatric surgery: an overview of fundamentals, literature and clinical recommendations.

Bariatric surgery is the most effective solution for severe obesity and obesity with comorbidities, and the number of patients going through bariatric surgery is rapidly and constantly growing. The modified gastrointestinal anatomy of the patient may lead to significant pharmacokinetic alterations in the oral absorption of drugs after the surgery; however, because of insufficient available literature and inadequate awareness of the medical team, bariatric surgery patients may be discharged from the hospital with insufficient instructions regarding their medication therapy. In this article, we aim to present the various mechanisms by which bariatric surgery may influence oral drug absorption, to provide an overview of the currently available literature on the subject, and to draw guidelines for the recommendations bariatric surgery patients should be instructed before leaving the hospital. To date, and until more robust data are published, it is essential to follow and monitor patients closely for safety and efficacy of their medication therapies, both in the immediate and distant time post-surgery.

Management of Gastric Obstruction Caused by Adjustable Gastric Band.

BACKGROUND: Optimal adjustment of the filling volume of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding is challenging and commonly performed empirically. Patients with band over-inflation and gastric obstruction arrive at the emergency department complaining of recurrent vomiting. In cases of gastric obstruction, intra-band pressure measurement may assist in determining the amount of fluid that should be removed from the band; however, our investigations have determined that intra-band pressure assessment need not play a role in the treatment of gastric band obstruction. METHODS: In patients coming to the emergency department with gastric band obstruction, we measured intra-band pressure at arrival and following stepped removal of fluid, comparing the initial pressure with post-deflation pressure and measuring the volume of fluid removed. RESULTS: Forty-eight patients participated in the study. Forty-five patients had a low-pressure/high-volume band. Their mean baseline pressure was 54.6 ± 22.3 mmHg. The mean volume of fluid removed from the band was 1.3 ± 0.8 ml. The mean post-deflation pressure was 22.5 ± 16.3 mmHg. Nearly 30 % of patients required as little as 0.5 ml of fluid removal, and 60 % of them were free of symptoms with removal of 1 ml. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that intra-band pressure measurement is of little value for determining the amount of fluid that should be removed for treatment of band obstruction. We suggest the removal of fluid in volumes of 0.5 ml until symptoms are relieved. Only in complicated cases, such as in patients having recurrent obstructions, should additional modalities be employed for further management guidance.