Robotic Assisted Living Donor Nephrectomies: A Safe Alternative to Laparoscopic Technique for Kidney Transplant Donation.

Objective: To review outcomes after laparoscopic, robotic-assisted living donor nephrectomy (RLDN) in the first, and largest series reported to date.

Summary Of Background Data: Introduction of minimal invasive, laparoscopic donor nephrectomy has increased live kidney donation, paving the way for further innovation to expand the donor pool with RLDN.

Methods: Retrospective chart review of 1084 consecutive RLDNs performed between 2000 and 2017.

Stent-Graft Length Is Associated with Decreased Patency in Treatment of Central Venous Stenosis in Hemodialysis Patients.

Background: Central venous occlusion may occur in hemodialysis patients, resulting in arm or facial swelling and failure of dialysis access. Endovascular management with balloon angioplasty or stenting has been described, but there are minimal data on the use of covered stents in this pathology. We sought to review a single institution's experience with the use of covered stents for central venous occlusive disease in hemodialysis patients.

Large animal evaluation of riboflavin and ultraviolet light-treated whole blood transfusion in a diffuse, nonsurgical bleeding porcine model.

Background: The Mirasol system has been demonstrated to effectively inactivate white blood cells (WBCs) and reduce pathogens in whole blood in vitro. The purpose of this study was to compare the safety and efficacy of Mirasol-treated fresh whole blood (FWB) to untreated FWB in an in vivo model of surgical bleeding.

Study Design And Methods: A total of 18 anesthetized pigs (40 kg) underwent a 35% total blood volume bleed, cooling to 33°C, and a standardized liver injury.

Dried platelets in a swine model of liver injury.

Introduction: Lyophilization may facilitate production of a safe, portable, easily storable, and transportable source of platelets for bleeding patients. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of lyophilized human and porcine platelets in a swine liver injury model of nonsurgical hemorrhage.

Methods: Anesthetized pigs (40 kg) had a controlled 35% total blood volume bleed from the right jugular vein followed by cooling to 35°C and resuscitation with Ringer's lactate to achieve a 3:1 blood withdrawal resuscitation.

Falls in the elderly: a modern look at an old problem.

Background: Falls are a leading cause of unintentional injury among adults, especially those over 65 years of age. With increasing longevity and improving access to health care, falls are affecting a more mobile senior citizen population that does not fit the typical profile. We set out to evaluate the current nature of these falls in the elderly.

Venovenous extracorporeal life support improves survival in adult trauma patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure: a multicenter retrospective cohort study.

Background: Venovenous extracorporeal life support (VV ECLS) has been reported in adult trauma patients with severe respiratory failure; however, ECLS is not available in many trauma centers, few trauma surgeons have experience initiating ECLS and managing ECLS patients, and there is currently little evidence supporting its use in severely injured patients. This study seeks to determine if VV ECLS improves survival in such patients.

Methods: Data from two American College of Surgeons-verified Level 1 trauma centers, which maintain detailed records of patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (AHRF), were evaluated retrospectively.

Prospective evaluation of the utility of routine postoperative cystogram after traumatic bladder injury.

Background: The value of routinely testing bladder repair integrity with a cystogram before urinary catheter removal is unclear. The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate the utility of routine postoperative cystogram after traumatic bladder injury.

Methods: All patients sustaining a bladder injury requiring operative repair at two Level I trauma centers were prospectively enrolled during a 62-month study period ending on January 2011.

The impact of liver cirrhosis on outcomes in trauma patients: a prospective study.

Background: The adverse effects of liver cirrhosis on outcomes following trauma has been established in retrospective series. In this study, however, we set out to evaluate prospectively the in-hospital outcome measures in this subgroup of trauma patients.

Methods: Prospective observational study of all patients admitted to the surgical intensive care unit of a Level I trauma center from January 2008 to December 2011.

Splenectomy in patients with traumatic brain injury: protective or harmful? A National Trauma Data Bank analysis.

Background: Experimental data have demonstrated a potential survival benefit for animals undergoing splenectomy immediately after traumatic brain injury. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of splenectomy on survival in patients with moderate or severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Methods: This is a National Trauma Data Bank (2002-2009) analysis and included patients sustaining moderate or severe blunt head trauma (head Abbreviated Injury Scale [AIS] score, 3-5), with an associated splenic injury and an exploratory laparotomy.

Prospective evaluation of the role of computed tomography in the assessment of abdominal stab wounds.

Importance: An important adjunct in the management of abdominal gunshot wounds, the role of computed tomography (CT) in the diagnostic workup of abdominal stab wounds remains controversial.

Objective: To prospectively compare CT against serial physical examination in the evaluation of patients who have sustained a stab wound to the abdomen.

Design, Setting, And Patients: Prospective single-center observational study of all patients sustaining abdominal stab wounds from March 1, 2009, through March 31, 2011.

A prospective multicenter comparison of levetiracetam versus phenytoin for early posttraumatic seizure prophylaxis.

Background: Brain Trauma Foundation guidelines recommend seizure prophylaxis for preventing early posttraumatic seizure (PTS). Phenytoin (PHE) is commonly used. Despite a paucity of data in traumatic brain injury, levetiracetam (LEV) has been introduced as a potential replacement, which is more costly but does not require serum monitoring.

Transmediastinal gunshot wounds in a mature trauma centre: changing perspectives.

Background: Transmediastinal gunshot wounds are associated with a high mortality and frequently require operative intervention. The purpose of this study was to identify the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges of these injuries in a mature trauma system with decreasing prehospital time intervals.

Methods: Patients admitted to a large urban Level 1 trauma centre between 1/2006 and 12/2010 sustaining a firearm injury to the torso were identified.