The morbidity of trauma nephrectomy.

Mortality has been shown to be high in patients after trauma nephrectomy (TN). However, there are little data regarding morbidity in survivors. The objective of this study was to determine the morbidity rates associated with TN with attention directed to renal failure (RF) and formation of intra-abdominal abscess (IAA).

Antibiotic-coated ePTFE decreases graft colonization and neointimal hyperplasia.

Background: Synthetic vascular conduits used in traumatic or infected fields have a high failure rate leading to catastrophic consequences including amputation and death. Although efforts to coat vascular grafts with antibiotics have had varying results, we developed a novel coating technique for expanded-polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), which has proven to be effective in vitro. Thus, we hypothesized that the coated grafts would resist infection and have decreased neointimal hyperplasia when used in vivo in a large animal model.

Prosthetic vascular conduit in contaminated fields: a new technology to decrease ePTFE infections.

Vascular reconstruction using prosthetic materials in contaminated fields can lead to infection, graft loss, and subsequent amputation. We hypothesized that minocycline and rifampin bound to an ePTFE graft using a unique methacrylate technology would provide for resistance from infection and controlled antibiotic elution. Kirby Bauer susceptibility testing was performed on plates overlaid with Staph aureus (SA) and Staph epidermidis (SE) using 6 mm diameter discs of uncoated graft or antibiotic coated graft (ABX).

Comparison of intravenous ethanol versus diazepam for alcohol withdrawal prophylaxis in the trauma ICU: results of a randomized trial.

Background: Although benzodiazepines are the recommended first-line therapy for the prevention of alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS), the administration of intravenous ethanol as an alternative prophylactic agent persists in many surgical ICUs. Advocates of this therapy argue that ethanol provides effective prophylaxis against AWS without the excessive sedation observed with benzodiazepine therapy. No study to date, however, has compared the two therapies with regard to their sedative effects.

The utility of serial computed tomography imaging of blunt splenic injury: still worth a second look?

Background: Serial computed tomography (CT) imaging of blunt splenic injury (BSI) can identify the latent formation of splenic artery pseudoaneurysms (PSAs), contributing to improved success in splenic salvage. The practice of serial CT imaging, however, has not been embraced. The purpose of this study was to reevaluate the clinical practice of serial CT imaging within the context of an institutional protocol for the nonoperative management (NOM) of BSI.

Antithrombotic therapy and endovascular stents are effective treatment for blunt carotid injuries: results from longterm followup.

Background: Significant confusion exists about management of blunt carotid injuries (BCI). Currently, three common treatments are being used without significant longterm followup data to demonstrate efficacy. Although heparin has been shown to reduce in-hospital stroke rates, antiplatelet therapy (aspirin and clopidogrel) has emerged as an alternate therapy without proved efficacy; carotid stenting has also been implemented for pseudoaneurysms (13% BCI), but its utility has recently been challenged.

Aerosolized ceftazidime prophylaxis against ventilator-associated pneumonia in high-risk trauma patients: results of a double-blind randomized study.

Background: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a frequent complication during recovery of severely traumatized patients. The primary objective of this study was to determine if prophylactic administration of aerosolized ceftazidime reduced the incidence of VAP in high-risk injured patients without altering the incidence of other infectious complications.

Patients And Methods: This was a single-institution double-blind, randomized trial that compared a seven-day course of aerosolized ceftazidime with placebo.

The effect of bacterial contamination on neointimal hyperplasia in vascular grafts.

Neointimal hyperplasia (NH) is the most significant contributing factor to long-term vascular graft failure. Inflammation is known to be important in its development; however, the role of bacterial infection is unclear. We examined the effect of contamination with common organisms on the development of NH in expanded polytetrafluoroethylene grafts.

"Awake" laparoscopy for the evaluation of equivocal penetrating abdominal wounds.

Background: Diagnostic laparoscopy is useful for the assessment of equivocal penetrating abdominal wounds, and has become the modality of choice for the evaluation of such wounds at our institution. We hypothesised that, in appropriate patients, diagnostic "awake" laparoscopy (AL) could be performed under local anaesthesia in the emergency department (ED), allowing for expedited discharge and potential cost savings.

Methods: Selected haemodynamically stable patients with penetrating abdominal injury underwent AL.

Penetrating rectal trauma: management by anatomic distinction improves outcome.

Background: Controversy persists regarding the optimal management of penetrating rectal injuries, specifically with respect to the routine application of diversion and presacral drainage. Our previous experience suggested that management decisions based on precise anatomic characterization of injury relative to retroperitoneal involvement might improve outcome. A clinical pathway was developed and implemented.

Comparison of small-intestinal submucosa and expanded polytetrafluoroethylene as a vascular conduit in the presence of gram-positive contamination.

Objective: As a vascular conduit, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) is susceptible to graft infection with Gram-positive organisms. Biomaterials, such as porcine small-intestinal submucosa (SIS), have been successfully used clinically as tissue substitutes outside the vascular arena.

Summary Background Data: In the present study, we compared a small-diameter conduit of SIS to ePTFE in the presence of Gram-positive contamination to evaluate infection resistance, incorporation and remodeling, morphometry, graft patency, and neointimal hyperplasia (NH) development.