Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) changes in bariatric surgery patients undergoing rapid weight loss.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common condition in morbidly obese patients, with the reported prevalence ranging from 12-78%. There is increasing recognition of the need to diagnose and treat/manage OSA both preoperatively and postoperatively. Nasal CPAP is the preferred treatment of OSA; however, weight loss is associated with a reduction in required pressures.

Temporary abdominal closure followed by definitive abdominal wall reconstruction of the open abdomen.

Background: Inability to close the abdominal wall after laparotomy for trauma may occur as a result of visceral edema, retroperitoneal hematoma, use of packing, and traumatic loss of tissue. Often life-saving, decompressive laparotomy and temporary abdominal closure require later restoration of anatomic continuity of the abdominal wall.

Methods: The trauma registry, open abdomen database, and patient medical records at a level 1 university-based trauma center were reviewed from January 1988 to December 2001.