J Trauma
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To document the incidence of barotrauma, pneumonia, and respiratory death associated with a mechanical ventilation protocol based on permissive hypercapnia in pediatric burn patients. ⋯ A conventional ventilation protocol based on permissive hypercapnia is associated with acceptable rates of barotrauma and pneumonia. The low incidence of respiratory death associated with this strategy suggests that it also minimizes ventilator-induced lung injury.
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The goal of this study was to determine the rate of preventable mortality and inappropriate care in cases of traumatic death occurring in a rural state. ⋯ The rural preventable death rate from trauma is not dissimilar to that found in urban areas before the implementation of a trauma care system. Inappropriate care rendered in the emergency department related to airway and chest injury management occurs at a high rate. This seems to be the major contributor to preventable trauma deaths in rural locations. Education of emergency department primary care providers in basic principles of stabilization and initial treatment may be the most cost-effective method of reducing preventable deaths in the rural setting.
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The aims of this study were to determine if angiographic findings can be used to predict successful nonoperative therapy of splenic injury and to determine if coil embolization of the proximal splenic artery provides effective hemostasis. ⋯ (1) Hemodynamically stable patients with splenic injuries of all grades and no other indications for laparotomy can often be managed nonoperatively, especially when the injury is further characterized by arteriography. (2) The absence of contrast extravasation on splenic arteriography seems to be a reliable predictor of successful nonoperative management. We suggest its use to triage CT-diagnosed splenic injuries to bed rest or intervention. (3) Coil embolization of the proximal splenic artery is an effective method of hemostasis in stabilized patients with splenic injury. It expands the number of patients who can be managed nonoperatively.
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Excessive synthesis of proinflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-1 beta] after trauma has been correlated with poor outcome. Recently, naturally occurring inhibitors of TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta have been characterized such as soluble TNF receptors (sTNFRs) and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra). The present study was undertaken to determine whether injury results in a rise of circulating sTNFRs and IL-1ra. ⋯ Patients who died from injury demonstrated increased (p < 0.05) sTNFR p55 and IL-1ra plasma levels, compared with survivors. Thus, anti-inflammatory mechanisms are activated after trauma dependent on severity of injury. Because increased plasma levels of anti-inflammatory reacting proteins portended poorly for patient survival, these mediators may contribute to prediction of outcome after severe injury.
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Embolization of metallic missiles into the cerebral circulation is a rare occurrence. Most of the cases reported were due to gunshot wounds and shotgun wounds to the neck and face. Embolization from injuries sustained to the chest are extremely rare. We report a case of delayed pellet embolization to the middle cerebral artery resulting from a shotgun injury to the left chest.