Acquired Methemoglobinemia in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit.

Acquired methemoglobinemia is a potentially lethal medical condition caused by exposure to oxidizing xenobiotics, including antibiotics such as dapsone and inhaled anesthetics such as benzocaine. In this case report, we describe two presentations of acquired methemoglobinemia which presented to our surgical intensive care unit within one month. This highlights the potential connection between an emergent surgery or procedure and the development of methemoglobinemia in an environment where it is presumed that this condition would be extremely rare.

Closing Contaminated Fascial Defects With Synthetic Mesh and a Vacuum-Assisted Closure Device.

Background: The use of synthetic mesh is considered too high risk, and therefore, not an option when closing a contaminated abdominal fascial defect. This study evaluated the clinical outcomes when using synthetic mesh combined with vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) dressing to close these facial defects.

Materials And Methods: From 2010 to 2016, a retrospective review was performed, including 34 patients in a single rural trauma center who underwent a damage control laparotomy in the presence of a contaminated or infected field.

Impact of Protocol Utilizing Water-Soluble Contrast for Adhesive Small Bowel Obstruction.

Introduction: Adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO) has classically been managed with nasogastric tube decompression and watchful waiting. Our group developed an evidence-based protocol to manage ASBO utilizing a water-soluble contrast (WSC) agent. We hypothesized the protocol would decrease the length of stay (LOS) for patients admitted with ASBO along with the time interval from admission to surgery.