The American surgeon
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Left pancreatic traumas (LPTs) are rare but serious lesions occurring in 1 to 6 per cent of abdominal trauma patients and mainly resulting from blunt traumas. LPT severity is primarily dependent on the associated injuries and secondarily related to main pancreatic duct injury responsible for complications: acute pancreatitis, pseudocysts, pancreatic fistulas, or abscesses. The guidelines for blunt LPT management can be presented as follows. ⋯ However, in such cases, spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy remains the treatment of choice. Pancreatic ductal lesions resulting from LPT have to be diagnosed early to avoid late complications. Distal pancreatectomy remains the treatment of choice in case of severe pancreatic ductal lesions because the role of ERCP stenting and endoscopic techniques needs further evaluation.
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The American surgeon · Jan 2011
A policy of dedicated follow-up improves the rate of removal of retrievable inferior Vena Cava Filters in trauma patients.
Retrievable Inferior Vena Cava Filters (IVCF) for prophylaxis against pulmonary embolus have been associated with low rates of removal. Strategies for improving the rates of retrieval have not been described. We hypothesized that a policy of dedicated follow-up would achieve a higher rate of filter removal. ⋯ On multivariate analysis young age and trauma patient status were independent predictors of filter removal. A policy of dedicated follow-up of patients with IVCFs can achieve significantly higher rates of filter removal than have been previously reported. Similar policies should be adopted by all centers placing retrievable IVCFs to maximize retrieval rates.
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The American surgeon · Jan 2011
Comparative StudyComparison of blood transfusion free pancreaticoduodenectomy to transfusion-eligible pancreaticoduodenectomy.
Even though the surgical techniques and perioperative care have improved, blood transfusions are still often required for the patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). But complications from blood transfusions, poor prognosis of blood transfused patients, cost, and availability of blood products demand transfusion free (TF) surgery in the PD patients. The purpose of this study is to compare clinical outcome of TF pancreaticoduodenectomy with transfusion-eligible (TE) PD. ⋯ The results of statistical analysis between TF and TE group showed that there were no statistical differences in intraoperative data and postoperative outcomes, except preoperative hemoglobin levels, type of operations, and transfusion amount. To our best knowledge, this is the first successful PD program in selected patients as a series of operations without blood transfusion. TF PD can be done successfully in selected patients without severe complications.
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The American surgeon · Jan 2011
Importance of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus eradication in carriers to prevent postoperative methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus surgical site infection.
Although infrequent, postoperative methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) surgical site infection (SSI) is associated with significant morbidity and cost. Previous studies have identified the importance of MRSA screening to diminish the risk of postoperative MRSA SSI. The current study quantifies the importance of eradication of the MRSA carrier state to prevent MRSA SSI. ⋯ Of these, six patients (55%) had negative preoperative screens. Of the five patients with positive preoperative screens, only one received treatment to eradicate the carrier state. In patients who develop MRSA SSI, failure to treat the carrier state before surgery results in MRSA SSI.