Pitfalls in appendicitis.

The diagnosis of appendicitis is fraught with potential pitfalls, and despite its prevalence, appendicitis continues to be a condition at high risk for missed and delayed diagnosis. There is no single historical or physical finding or laboratory test that can definitively make the diagnosis. This article discusses the value of presenting signs, symptoms, laboratory testing, and the rational use of various imaging modalities, such as CT scanning and ultrasound. Challenges of special populations, such as children, the elderly, and pregnant patients, are also discussed. Although appendicitis continues to be a source of medical legal risk and misdiagnosis, a clear understanding of the strengths and limitations of all tests in suspected appendicitis can improve the emergency physician's diagnostic accuracy in this high-risk disease.

The high-risk airway.

There are few conditions in emergency medicine as potentially challenging and high-risk as the difficult or failed airway. The emergency physician must be able to anticipate the difficult or failed airway, recognize associated physiologic deficits, and plan accordingly. Preparation, pretreatment strategies, and selection of alternative airway devices may mitigate the potential morbidity and management failure associated with the high-risk airway. There are a myriad of airway devices new to emergency medicine, which can increase the chance of successful airway management and rescue. Understanding why the airway is potentially difficult and assessing whether oxygenation can be maintained can guide the clinician's strategy and technique for successful management of the high-risk airway.

Revolutionary advances in the management of traumatic wounds in the emergency department during the last 40 years: part I.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This report provides an overview of advances in wound repair devised by our research team during the last four decades. This collective review is presented in two parts. DISCUSSION: The following components are included in Part I: 1) search and treat life-threatening trauma; 2) conduct a thorough history; 3) examine the wound using aseptic technique; 4) anesthetize the wound before cleansing; 5) hair removal, skin disinfection, hemostasis, surgical debridement, and mechanical cleansing; 6) antibiotics, drains, and open wound management. CONCLUSION: On the basis of these comprehensive research studies, we have noted a marked reduction in the incidence of wound infection in traumatic wounds.

Revolutionary advances in the management of traumatic wounds in the emergency department during the last 40 years: part II.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: During the last four decades, our research team has devised advances in wound repair that are highlighted in Part II of this collective review. DISCUSSION: There are several different methods to provide an accurate and secure approximation of the skin edges-sutures, tapes, staples, and tissue adhesives. Ideally, the selection of the wound closure technique will be based on the biologic interaction of the materials employed, tissue configuration, and biomechanical properties of the trauma wound. Selection of the appropriate wound dressing is another important consideration in the management of the trauma wound. CONCLUSION: On the basis of the comprehensive research and clinical studies, we have individualized the wound closure techniques for traumatic wounds so that healing can be achieved with more aesthetically pleasing scars.

Underdosing of midazolam in emergency endotracheal intubation.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether midazolam, when used as an induction agent for emergency department (ED) rapid-sequence intubation (RSI), is used in adequate and recommended induction doses (0.1 to 0.3 mg/kg), and to compare the accuracy of the dosing of midazolam for ED RSI with the accuracy of dosing of other agents. METHODS: The authors conducted a systematic query of a prospectively collected database of ED intubations using the National Emergency Airway Registry data, gathered in 11 participating EDs over a 16-month period. A data form completed at the time of emergency department intubation (EDI) enabled analysis of patients' ages, weights, and indications for EDI, as well as the techniques and drugs used to facilitate EDI. Data were analyzed to determine whether midazolam is used in recommended doses during RSI. Patients intubated with midazolam alone were compared with patients who received other induction agents for RSI. RESULTS: Of 1,288 patients entered in the study, 1,023 (79%) underwent RSI. Of the 888 RSI patients with an age recorded, midazolam was used as the sole induction agent in 140 (16%). The mean (+/-SD) dosages of midazolam used in RSI were 2.6 (+/-1.7) mg in children (age < or = 18) and 3.7 (+/-2.5) mg in adults (age > or =19); the mean (+/-SD) dosages by weight were 0.08 (+/-0.04) mg/kg in children and 0.05 (+/-0.03) mg/kg in adults. More than half (56%) of the children, and nearly all (92%) of the adults, received dosages lower than the minimum recommended dosage (0.1 mg/kg). Of patients who received barbiturates, only 21% of children and 21% of adults received a dose lower than the minimum recommended. When combined with another induction agent, midazolam was dosed similarly to when it was used alone: mean adult doses were 3.1 (+/-1.2) mg and 0.04 (+/-0.02) mg/kg. CONCLUSIONS: Underdosing of midazolam during ED RSI is frequent, and appears to be related to incorrect dosage selection, rather than to a deliberate intention to reduce the dose used.

Rapid sequence intubation for pediatric emergency airway management.

OBJECTIVES: To characterize current practice with respect to pediatric emergency airway management using a multicenter data set. METHODS: A multicenter collaboration was undertaken to gather data prospectively regarding emergency intubation. Analysis of data on adult emergency department (ED) intubations clearly demonstrated that rapid sequence intubation (RSI) was the method used most often. We then conducted an observational study of the prospectively collected database of pediatric ED intubations (EDIs) using the National Emergency Airway Registry Phase One data, gathered in 11 participating EDs over a 16-month time period. A data form completed at the time of EDI enabled analysis of patients' ages, weights, and indications for EDI; personnel; methods employed to facilitate EDI; success rates; and adverse events. Data forms were analyzed regarding the methods of intubation employed, and frequencies, success rates, and adverse event rates among various intubation modalities were compared. RESULTS: Of 1288 EDIs, there were 156 documented pediatric patients. Initial intubation attempts were all oral, including rapid sequence intubation in 81%, without medications (NOM) in 13%, and sedation without neuromuscular blockade (SED) in 6%. Older children and trauma patients were more likely to be intubated with RSI compared to younger children and patients presenting with medical illnesses. Intubation using RSI was more successful on the first attempt (78%) compared with either NOM (47%, < 0.01) or SED (44%, < 0.05), though this finding is likely explainable by the age differences among groups. Intubation was successfully performed by the initial intubator in 85% of RSI, 75% of NOM, and 89% of SED attempts ( = NS for both comparisons vs RSI). Overall, successful intubation occurred in 99% of RSI and 97% of non-RSI intubation attempts ( = NS). Only one of 156 patients required surgical airway management. True complications occurred in 1%, 5%, and 0% of RSI, NOM, and SED attempts, respectively ( = NS for both comparisons vs RSI). The majority of initial intubation attempts were by emergency medicine residents (59%), pediatric emergency medicine fellows (17%), and pediatrics residents (10%). These groups were 77%, 77%, and 50% successful, respectively, on the first laryngoscopy attempt, and 89%, 89%, and 69% successful overall. CONCLUSIONS: A large, prospective, multicenter observational study of pediatric EDIs was conducted at university-affiliated EDs. RSI is the method of choice for the majority of pediatric emergency intubations; it is associated with a high success rate and a low rate of serious adverse events. Pediatric intubation as practiced in academic EDs, with most initial attempts by emergency and pediatrics residents and fellows under attending physician supervision, is safe and highly successful.