Influence of Elevated Intra-abdominal Pressure on Suture Tension Dynamics in a Porcine Model.

Background: Inadequate suture tension is a risk factor for the failure of laparotomy closure. Suture tension dynamics in the abdominal wall are still obscure due to the lack of measuring devices. To answer the questions if intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) influences suture tension in midline laparotomies and if IAH leads to a permanent loss of suture tension, microsensors were applied in a porcine model of IAH.

[Viral Infections Among the Nursing Personnel - a Survey].

Background And Aim: Healthcare workers (HCW) are at risk of occupational infections and can also transmit diseases to patients. The acceptance of measures to improve safety is linked to knowledge and risk awareness of HCW. The purpose of our study was to ascertain the knowledge and risk awareness of nursing staff regarding occupational infections and vaccinations as well as the frequency of needlestick injuries (NSI) in relation to the level of education.

An implantable sensor device measuring suture tension dynamics: results of developmental and experimental work.

Purpose: Knowledge about suture tension dynamics after laparotomy closure is limited due to the lack of adequate measurement tools. As a consequence, a miniaturized implantable sensor and data logger were developed and applied experimentally in a porcine model to measure suture tension dynamics after laparotomy closure.

Material And Methods: We developed an implantable device (6 × 3 × 1 mm) fitted with silicon strain gauges and an implantable data logger allowing long-term registration.

[Occupational exposure to blood in multiple trauma care].

Background: Trauma care personnel are at risk of occupational exposure to blood-borne pathogens. Little is known regarding compliance with standard precautions or occupational exposure to blood and body fluids among multiple trauma care personnel in Germany.

Aim: Compliance rates of multiple trauma care personnel in applying standard precautions, knowledge about transmission risks of blood-borne pathogens, perceived risks of acquiring hepatitis B, hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the personal attitude towards testing of the index patient for blood-borne pathogens after a needlestick injury were evaluated.

The role of abdominal compliance, the neglected parameter in critically ill patients - a consensus review of 16. Part 2: measurement techniques and management recommendations.

The recent definitions on intra-abdominal pressure (IAP), intra-abdominal volume (IAV) and abdominal compliance (Cab) are a step forward in understanding these important concepts. They help our understanding of the pathophysiology, aetiology, prognosis, and treatment of patients with low Cab. However, there is still a relatively poor understanding of the different methods used to measure IAP, IAV and Cab and how certain conditions may affect the results.