Management of High Grade Splenic Injuries in Rural America.

Background: Rural surgeons face unique challenges when managing patients with high-grade (III-V) blunt splenic injury (BSI) given limited access to interventional radiology and blood products. Patients therefore may require transfer for splenic artery embolization (SAE) when resuscitation may still be ongoing. This study aims to evaluate current resource utilization in a rural trauma population with limited access to SAE and blood products.

Initial and Ongoing Training of the Rural Surgeon.

Over the last 2 decades, rural locations have realized a steady decrease in surgical access and direct care. Owing to societal expectations for equal general and subspecialty surgical care in urban or rural areas, the ability to attract, train, and hold onto the rural surgeon has come into question. Our current general surgery training curriculum has been reevaluated as to its relevance for rural surgery and several alternatives to the traditional surgical training model have been proposed.

Massive transfusion associated with a hemolytic transfusion reaction: necessary precautions for prevention.

Case Report: A 45-year-old male presented in severe hypovolemic shock after a thoracoabdominal gunshot wound. The massive transfusion protocol (MTP) was activated and the patient was taken to the operating room. His major injuries included liver, small bowel, and right common iliac vein.

Analysis of Academic Medical Center Graduate Medical Education Websites for Policies Regarding Restrictive Covenants in Non-ACGME Fellowships.

Background: The topic of restrictive covenants in fellowships that are not approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) has not been studied.

Objective: To investigate the presence of institutional polices at academic medical centers regarding restrictive covenants in non-ACGME fellowships.

Methods: The graduate medical education (GME) office website of 132 academic medical centers was evaluated and searched for the following as of June 1, 2017: presence of any ACGME residency or fellowship, presence of any non-ACGME fellowship, presence of GME policies and procedures, presence of a restrictive covenant policy, and if that policy applies to non-ACGME fellowships.

Association between Pre-Operative Cefazolin Dose and Surgical Site Infection in Obese Patients.

Background: A fixed dose of cefazolin results in serum concentrations that decrease as body mass increases. Current national guidelines suggest a pre-operative cefazolin dose of two grams may be insufficient for patients ≥120 kg; thus a three gram dose is recommended. These recommendations, however, are based on pharmacokinetic rather than outcome data.

Clinical significance of computed tomography contrast extravasation in blunt trauma patients with a pelvic fracture.

Introduction: Blunt pelvic fractures can be associated with major pelvic bleeding. The significance of contrast extravasation (CE) on computed tomography (CT) is debated. We sought to update our experience with CE on CT scan for the years 2009-2014 to determine the accuracy of CE in predicting the need for angioembolization.

Role of the Open Abdomen in Critically Ill Patients.

An open abdomen is common used in critically ill patients to temporize permanent abdominal closure. The most common reason for leaving the abdomen open by reopening a laparotomy, not closing, or creating a fresh laparotomy is the abdominal compartment syndrome. The open abdomen technique is also used in damage control operations and intra-abdominal sepsis.

Predicting academic performance in surgical training.

Introduction: During surgical residency, trainees are expected to master all the 6 competencies specified by the ACGME. Surgical training programs are also evaluated, in part, by the residency review committee based on the percentage of graduates of the program who successfully complete the qualifying examination and the certification examination of the American Board of Surgery in the first attempt. Many program directors (PDs) use the American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination (ABSITE) as an indicator of future performance on the qualifying examination.

Laparoscopic repair of a traumatic intrapericardial diaphragmatic hernia.

Introduction: Intrapericardial diaphragmatic hernia is a rare injury. We present a case of an intrapericardial diaphragmatic hernia from blunt trauma. In this report we will review the current literature and also describe the first report of a primary laparoscopic repair of the defect.

A case study of a multiply injured patient.

Initial evaluation of severely injured patients requires an organized, rapid, and thorough evaluation of the patient where life-threatening injuries are identified and treated simultaneously. A case study provides the basis for discussion of the management of the multiply injured trauma patient. The ultimate goal in rehabilitation of a multiply injured patient is to return each patient to as much independent function and ability to contribute to society as possible.

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.

This article deals with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. It discusses the pathophysiology of the disease, as well as the diagnostic challenges and therapeutic management. The incidence of the disease and screening recommendations are reviewed.