World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES) guidelines for management of skin and soft tissue infections.

Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) encompass a variety of pathological conditions ranging from simple superficial infections to severe necrotizing soft tissue infections. Necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTIs) are potentially life-threatening infections of any layer of the soft tissue compartment associated with widespread necrosis and systemic toxicity. Successful management of NSTIs involves prompt recognition, timely surgical debridement or drainage, resuscitation and appropriate antibiotic therapy. A worldwide international panel of experts developed evidence-based guidelines for management of soft tissue infections. The multifaceted nature of these infections has led to a collaboration among surgeons, intensive care and infectious diseases specialists, who have shared these guidelines, implementing clinical practice recommendations.

WSES guidelines for emergency repair of complicated abdominal wall hernias.

Emergency repair of complicated abdominal hernias is associated with poor prognosis and a high rate of post-operative complications.A World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES) Consensus Conference was held in Bergamo in July 2013, during the 2nd Congress of the World Society of Emergency Surgery with the goal of defining recommendations for emergency repair of abdominal wall hernias in adults. This document represents the executive summary of the consensus conference approved by a WSES expert panel.

Complicated intra-abdominal infections in Europe: a comprehensive review of the CIAO study.

The CIAO Study ("Complicated Intra-Abdominal infection Observational" Study) is a multicenter investigation performed in 68 medical institutions throughout Europe over the course of a 6-month observational period (January-June 2012).Patients with either community-acquired or healthcare-associated complicated intra-abdominal infections (IAIs) were included in the study.2,152 patients with a mean age of 53.8 years (range: 4-98 years) were enrolled in the study. 46.3% of the patients were women and 53.7% were men. Intraperitoneal specimens were collected from 62.2% of the enrolled patients, and from these samples, a variety of microorganisms were collectively identified.The overall mortality rate was 7.5% (163/2.152).According to multivariate analysis of the compiled data, several criteria were found to be independent variables predictive of patient mortality, including patient age, the presence of an intestinal non-appendicular source of infection (colonic non-diverticular perforation, complicated diverticulitis, small bowel perforation), a delayed initial intervention (a delay exceeding 24 hours), sepsis and septic shock in the immediate post-operative period, and ICU admission.Given the sweeping geographical distribution of the participating medical centers, the CIAO Study gives an accurate description of the epidemiological, clinical, microbiological, and treatment profiles of complicated intra-abdominal infections (IAIs) throughout Europe.

Complicated intra-abdominal infections in Europe: preliminary data from the first three months of the CIAO Study.

The CIAO Study is a multicenter observational study currently underway in 66 European medical institutions over the course of a six-month study period (January-June 2012).This preliminary report overviews the findings of the first half of the study, which includes all data from the first three months of the six-month study period.Patients with either community-acquired or healthcare-associated complicated intra-abdominal infections (IAIs) were included in the study.912 patients with a mean age of 54.4 years (range 4-98) were enrolled in the study during the first three-month period. 47.7% of the patients were women and 52.3% were men. Among these patients, 83.3% were affected by community-acquired IAIs while the remaining 16.7% presented with healthcare-associated infections. Intraperitoneal specimens were collected from 64.2% of the enrolled patients, and from these samples, 825 microorganisms were collectively identified.The overall mortality rate was 6.4% (58/912). According to univariate statistical analysis of the data, critical clinical condition of the patient upon hospital admission (defined by severe sepsis and septic shock) as well as healthcare-associated infections, non-appendicular origin, generalized peritonitis, and serious comorbidities such as malignancy and severe cardiovascular disease were all significant risk factors for patient mortality.White Blood Cell counts (WBCs) greater than 12,000 or less than 4,000 and core body temperatures exceeding 38°C or less than 36°C by the third post-operative day were statistically significant indicators of patient mortality.

Complicated Intra-Abdominal Infections Observational European study (CIAO Study).

Complicated intra-abdominal infections are frequently associated with poor prognoses and high morbidity and mortality rates.Despite advances in diagnosis, surgery, and antimicrobial therapy, mortality rates associated with complicated intra-abdominal infections remain exceedingly high.In order to describe the clinical, microbiological, and management-related profiles of both community-acquired and healthcare-acquired complicated intra-abdominal infections (IAIs), the World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES), in collaboration with the Surgical Infections Society of Europe (SIS-E) and other prominent European surgical societies, has designed the CIAO study.The CIAO study is a multicenter, observational study and will be carried out in various surgical departments throughout Europe. The study will include patients undergoing surgery or interventional drainage for complicated IAI.

Final destination of an ingested needle: the liver.

Foreign body ingestion is a common problem in children, but it is also seen among adults. Most foreign bodies pass through the gastrointestinal tract without causing complications. Perforation of the gut by a foreign body, followed by migration of the foreign body to the liver is quite rare. Herein we report a case of inadvertent ingestion of a sewing needle that perforated the duodenum and migrated to the liver. The patient was monitored weekly with abdominal radiographs, but displacement of the needle could not be observed. At follow-up, right upper quadrant pain was noted. Two weeks later, computed tomography revealed that the needle was completely buried into the right lobe of the liver. Ultrasonographic examination successfully showed the extracapsular displacement of the needle. Eventually, laparoscopic removal of the needle was easily performed.

Analyses of clinical prognostic factors in operated traumatic acute subdural hematomas.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic acute subdural hematoma is the most lethal of all head injuries. METHODS: In this study, 113 patients with the diagnosis of posttraumatic acute subdural hematoma, who were operated between 1998 and 2006, were reviewed retrospectively. Statistical analysis was performed to detect any effects of the variables of age, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score on admission, time interval between the trauma and operation, and abnormality in the pupil reaction on the disease mortality and morbidity. RESULTS: Results obtained in the study are discussed and compared with the related current literature. The overall mortality in 113 patients was 56.6%. CONCLUSION: According to the results, the most important determinants of the prognosis are GCS score of the patient on admission, abnormality in pupil reaction, timing of the operation, and the patient's age.

[Epidemiological study in head injury patients]. / Kafa travmali hastalarda epidemiyolojik çalisma.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the hospital-based epidemiological data of the head injury patients who admitted to our Emergency Surgery Department. METHODS: The records of the patients (284 males [66%], 146 females [34%]; mean age 30+/-19) with head injury who admitted to our Emergency Surgery Department between 01.01.2006 - 31.12.2006 were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Among the age groups, most head injuries occurred in children (22%) and young adults (30%). The most common trauma types were due to falls (40%) and motor vehicle accidents (37%). The mortality rate in head injury patients was 11%, serious morbidity was 2%, and the rate of deaths from head injury among all deaths in 2006 was 30%. CONCLUSION: According to these data, the most common causes of death in head-injured patients are falls (0-16 years of age) and outside vehicle traffic accidents and cranial gunshot wounds (16-35 years of age), especially for males. Admission Glasgow Coma Score is an important prognostic factor in head-injured patients. Primary precautions for head injury must be taken according to each age group. Further development of the diagnosis and treatment options will help to lower the mortality and morbidity of patients with traumatic brain injury.

Current Trends in the Management of Blunt Solid Organ Injuries.

The management of patients with solid organ injuries has changed since the introduction of technically advanced imaging tools, such as ultrasonography and multiple scan computerized tomography, interventional radiological techniques and modern intensive care units. In spite of this development in the management of these patients, major solid organ traumas can still be challenging. There has been great improvement in the non-operative management (NOM) of intra-abdominal solid organ injury in recent decades. In most cases treatment of injuries has shifted from early surgical treatment to NOM.

[The evaluation of abstracts presented at the 5th Congress of National Trauma and Emergency Surgery]. / V. Ulusal Travma ve Acil Cerrahi Kongresi bildirilerinin degerlendirilmesi.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate demographics, methodological data and writing style of abstracts presented at the 5th Congress of National Trauma and Emergency Surgery. METHODS: Study design, institutions and number of authors, appropriateness of the title, use of a structured abstract, word count, fluency, accuracy of the statistical evaluation, and conclusionabstract accordance were assessed in 451 abstracts. RESULTS: Nearly 49% of abstracts were retrospective and 29% were case reports in design. 33%, 26%, and 24% of abstracts were related to isolated organ, single system and multi-system injuries, respectively. Approximately two-fifths of presentations were university-based. Approximately one-third of presentations were multidisciplinary in origin. The mean number of authors was 5.6+/-1.8, and a statistical significance was found between abstract contributions from university versus other hospitals (p=0.001). Three-fourths of the abstracts had an appropriate title and 91% were structured. Word count was 100-250 in 57% and 250-500 in 42% of abstracts. Statistical analysis was used in only 19% of abstracts. Most of the abstracts were fluent. Conclusion-abstract accordance was present in 71% of the abstracts. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate there are some deficiencies in the abstract writing process. The use of a structured abstract may intensify fluency and compliance to abstract writing guidelines. Clinical studies regarding multi-traumatized patient groups and experimental studies should be encouraged.

A rare cause of hemosuccus pancreaticus: primary splenic artery aneurysm ruptured into pancreatic serous cystadenoma.

Hemosuccus pancreaticus is a rare clinical condition defined as bleeding into the pancreatic duct from a peripancreatic artery. We present here a 57-year-old woman admitted to our clinic with abdominal pain, tar-colored stool and confusion. Further investigations were done because of severe anemia. Abdominal computerized tomography revealed intraabdominal hematoma. Laparotomy was performed, which confirmed that intraabdominal haemorrhagia had occurred with the rupture of a splenic artery aneurysm into a pancreatic serous cystadenoma, which ruptured into the abdomen because of high pressure. This is an interesting case diagnosed with multidisciplinary approaches.

Nonoperative treatment of multiple intra-abdominal solid organ injury after blunt abdominal trauma.

BACKGROUND: A number of large series' have attempted to examine the management of blunt solid organ injuries; however, only a few studies regarding multiple injuries exist. The aim of this study is to analyze whether multiple solid organ injury affects nonoperative management (NOM) and to look for predictive factors of NOM. METHODS: All patients admitted with a diagnosis of blunt solid organ injury between January 1, 1999 and January 1, 2005 were included in this prospective observational study. Of the 468 patients who had solid organ injury, 46 patients met the inclusion criteria of multiple solid organ injuries. Presentation, mechanism of injury, injury grade, Abbreviated Injury Scale score, management, and outcomes were analyzed. Independent predictive factors of NOM failure were identified. Patients managed nonoperatively were compared with patients who had had emergent laparotomy and patients for whom NOM failed. RESULTS: Fifteen patients (33%) underwent emergency laparotomy because of hypovolemic shock that was unresponsive to aggressive resuscitation, and 31 (66%) were selected for NOM. Among the 31 patients, NOM was successful in 23 (75%). No specific organ injury combination was found to affect NOM failure. Admission lactate level [odds ratio(OR), 1.44; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.05-1.98; p = 0.025], a drop in the hematocrit greater than 20% in the first hour after admission (OR, 1.13; 95% confidence interval CI, 1.04-1.24; p = 0.007), and solid viscus score (OR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.03-2.80; p = 0.04) were significant independent risk factors in those patients for whom NOM failed. In logistic regression analysis, hypotension at admission (OR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.92-0.99; p = 0.014) and transfusion in the first 6 hours after admission (OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.00-1.05; p = 0.015) were found to significantly affect the success rate of nonoperative management. CONCLUSION: Lactate levels at admission, solid viscus score, necessity of transfusion, crystalloid resuscitation, and a drop in the hematocrit in the first hour after admission are useful parameters for judging the failure of NOM. Although there is a higher failure rate of NOM in multiple solid organ injury, NOM can still be considered in these cases with extra caution.

Current status and future options for trauma and emergency surgery in Turkey.

The number of trauma victims in Turkey is expected to increase as a consequence of the increasing vehicular traffic, potential for earthquakes, and risk of terrorist attacks. The Turkish Association for Trauma and Emergency Surgery monitors trauma cases, publishes a quarterly journal, organizes trauma courses and seminars for various health personnel nationwide. It is also extending efforts to improve in-hospital care by establishing trauma and emergency surgery fellowships and trauma and emergency surgery centers nationwide, which is run by General Surgeons currently. Turkey faces the same dilemma as the rest of the developed world regarding the future of trauma surgeons in the current era of nonoperative trauma management. We suggest that the field of trauma and emergency surgery be redefined to include emergency general surgery and cavitary trauma.

Serious lower extremity venous injury management with ligation: prospective overview of 63 patients.

Management of lower extremity venous trauma using repair or ligation has been an area of controversy during the past decades. However, in unstable patients or if primary repair is technically impossible as a result of extensive disruption of the vein, ligation is recommended. This study investigated the effects of venous ligation on major veins in the lower extremities when primary repair is impossible as a result of extensive laceration of the vein. Between January 2001 and April 2004, 63 patients with Grade III and IV venous injuries were observed prospectively. Compression ultrasonography was performed postoperatively on the fifth day, once before discharge, and at the 3-month visit to assess deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and the patency of arterial repair. If DVT was present, the patient was given an oral anticoagulant (warfarin Na) for 3 months (international normalized ratio, 2.0-3.0), and Class II compression stockings (Sigvaris-212, Ganzoni, Switzerland) were used for 1 year. Follow-up visits occurred at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months and at 6-month intervals thereafter. Combined arterial and venous injuries were present in 50 (79.4%) patients and pure venous injuries were present in 13 (20.6%) patients. DVT developed in 49 patients (77.7%; postoperative n = 37 [58.7%], late n = 12 [19%]). Three arterial restenoses (4.7%) and one pseudoaneurysm (1.6%) of the superficial femoral artery developed. Five early (prophylactic) and two late (compartment syndrome) fasciotomies were performed. Postoperative edema was seen in 56 (88.8%) patients and wound infection was seen in 19 patients (30.1%; n=18 superficial, n=1 deep). Two amputations (3.2%) were performed. One patient (1.7%) died as a result of irreversible shock. After a median of 18 months, 25 patients were classified with Clinical Etiology, Anatomy, Pathology classification: 10 legs C-0, seven legs C-2, and eight legs C-3. No severe postthrombophlebitic syndrome was observed. Early leg swelling after venous ligation was the most common morbidity. We observed no significant sequelae of chronic venous insufficiency, and venous ligation had no detrimental effect on associated arterial repair. In cases of DVT, anticoagulation with low-molecular-weight heparin and oral anticoagulants should begin immediately and continue for 3 months along with compression stocking support for 1 year.

Heterotopic pancreas as a leading point for small-bowel intussusception in a pregnant woman.

CONTEXT: Adult intussusception occurs infrequently and differs from childhood intussusception in its presentation, etiology and treatment. Diagnosis can be delayed because of its longstanding, intermittent, and non-specific symptoms, and most cases are diagnosed at emergency laparotomy. CASE REPORT: We present the diagnosis and management of our patient, a pregnant woman, who had adult intussusception due to a heterotopic pancreas. CONCLUSION: Although relatively rare, intussusception should be included in the differential diagnosis of small bowel obstruction.

Necrotizing fasciitis: strategies for diagnosis and management.

Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is uncommon and difficult to diagnose, and it cause progressive morbidity until the infectious process is diagnosed and treated medically and surgically. The literature addressed NF contains confusing information, inaccurate bacteriologic data, and antiquated antibiotic therapy. A delay in diagnosis is associated with a grave prognosis and increased mortality. The main goal of the clinician must be to establish the diagnosis and initially treat the patient within the standard of care. This review is planned as a guide for the clinician in making an early diagnosis of NF and initiating effective medical and surgical therapy.

An infrequent cause of upper gastrointestinal tract bleeding: "Dieulafoy's lesion".

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Dieulafoy's lesions are uncommon sources of upper gastrointestinal tract bleeding. Endoscopists must be aware of these lesions when evaluating patients with upper gastrointestinal tract bleeding. METHODOLOGY: The aim of this study is to analyze the results of active bleeding or recurrently bleeding Dieulafoy's lesions treated either by endoscopic injection therapy (EIT) or endoscopic band ligation (EBL). Fifteen patients who had active bleeding due to Dieulafoy's lesions were evaluated retrospectively with respect to demographic properties, comorbidities, endoscopic therapy procedures, and the success rate of the procedure. RESULTS: The incidence of Dieulafoy's lesions was 4.5% in all cases of upper gastrointestinal tract bleeding. Among the 15 patients there were nine men and six women with a median age of 52 years (25-84 years). Eleven of these lesions were located in the stomach, two were in the duodenum, and two were in the distal esophagus. Eight patients were initially treated by EIT and seven patients had EBL therapy. There was no recurrent bleeding in any of the patients treated with EBL, but five patients (62.5%) treated with EIT bled again and were treated secondarily with EBL. Two of these patients required surgical intervention and one died on the 15th day of surgery due to myocardial infarction. No endoscopy-related complications were detected. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic methods should be the first choice in treating bleeding Dieulafoy's lesions. Both EIT and EBL are successful methods for achieving initial hemostasis. However, EIT therapy has a higher re-bleeding rate. EBL is a safe and effective method for the treatment of bleeding Dieulafoy's lesions.

Planned second-look laparoscopy in the management of acute mesenteric ischemia.

AIM: To investigate the role of second-look laparoscopy in patients with acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI). METHODS: Between January 2000 and November 2005, 71 patients were operated for the treatment of AMI. The indications for a second-look were low flow state, bowel resection and anastomosis or mesenteric thromboembolectomy performed during the first operation. Regardless of the clinical course of patients, the second-look laparoscopic examination was performed 72 h post-operatively at the bed side in the ICU or operating room. RESULTS: The average time of admission to the hospital after the initiation of symptoms was 3 d (range, 5 h-9 d). In 14 patients, laparotomy was performed. In 11 patients, small and/or large bowel necrosis was detected and initial resection and anastomosis were conducted. A low flow state was observed in two patients and superior mesenteric artery thromboembolectomy with small bowel resection was performed in one patient. In 13 patients, a second-look laparoscopic examination revealed normal bowel viability, but in one patient, intestinal necrosis was detected. In two of the patients, a third operation was necessary to correct anastomotic leakage. The overall complication rate was 42.8%, and in-hospital mortality rate was 57.1% (n = 6). CONCLUSION: Second-look laparoscopy is a minimally invasive, technically simple procedure that is performed for diagnostic as well as therapeutic purposes. The simplicity and ease of this method may encourage wider application to benefit more patients. However, the timing of a second-look procedure is unclear particularly in a patient with anastomosis.

Association between reduced levels of MEFV messenger RNA in peripheral blood leukocytes and acute inflammation.

OBJECTIVE: Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is associated with more than 70 missense mutations in the MEFV gene. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relative expression of messenger RNA (mRNA) for the MEFV gene in peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs) obtained from patients with FMF during attacks of acute abdominal inflammation as well as during asymptomatic periods. METHODS: We studied 16 patients with FMF during an attack of acute peritonitis and 17 otherwise healthy individuals who were undergoing surgery because of acute appendicitis. Blood samples were collected from both groups of patients during both acute inflammatory and asymptomatic periods. Relative levels of MEFV mRNA in PBLs were detected with real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction using LightCycler, with 2 sets of primers for the MEFV gene (exons 7-10 and exons 2-3) and with primers for CIAS1 and PSTPIP1 genes. Expression levels were compared with beta(2)-microglobulin as an internal control. RESULTS: MEFV expression was reduced in FMF patients during asymptomatic periods as compared with the non-FMF controls (P < 0.001). We observed a further decrease in MEFV expression in FMF patients during periods of inflammation (P = 0.01). Reduced levels of MEFV mRNA were also noted during the preoperative period as compared with asymptomatic periods in control patients with acute appendicitis (P = 0.01). CIAS1 expression in PBLs from patients with FMF was also found to be lower than that in the control patients. However, CIAS1 expression did not change with acute inflammation. CONCLUSION: This study confirmed that reduced expression of the MEFV gene is associated with inflammation and that it may be one of the pathogenic mechanisms of the attacks of inflammation in FMF patients, along with disease-associated variations in pyrin.