Tetsuo Yukioka

The coagulopathy of trauma: a review of mechanisms.

BACKGROUND Bleeding is the most frequent cause of preventable death after severe injury. Coagulopathy associated with severe injury complicates the control of bleeding and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in trauma patients. The causes and mechanisms are multiple and yet to be clearly defined. METHODS Articles addressing the causes and consequences of trauma-associated coagulopathy were identified and reviewed. Clinical situations in which the various mechanistic causes are important were sought along with quantitative estimates of their importance. RESULTS Coagulopathy associated with traumatic injury is the result of multiple independent but interacting mechanisms. Early coagulopathy is driven by shock and requires thrombin generation from tissue injury as an initiator. Initiation of coagulation occurs with activation of anticoagulant and fibrinolytic pathways. This Acute Coagulopathy of Trauma-Shock is altered by subsequent events and medical therapies, in particular acidemia, hypothermia, and dilution. There is significant interplay between all mechanisms. CONCLUSIONS There is limited understanding of the mechanisms by which tissue trauma, shock, and inflammation initiate trauma coagulopathy. Acute Coagulopathy of Trauma-Shock should be considered distinct from disseminated intravascular coagulation as described in other conditions. Rapid diagnosis and directed interventions are important areas for future research.

Surgical stabilization of internal pneumatic stabilization? A prospective randomized study of management of severe flail chest patients.

BACKGROUND We compared the clinical efficacy of surgical stabilization and internal pneumatic stabilization in severe flail chest patients who required prolonged ventilatory support. METHODS Thirty-seven consecutive severe flail chest patients who required mechanical ventilation were enrolled in this study. All the patients received identical respiratory management, including end-tracheal intubation, mechanical ventilation, continuous epidural anesthesia, analgesia, bronchoscopic aspiration, postural drainage, and pulmonary hygiene. At 5 days after injury, surgical stabilization with Judet struts (S group, n = 18) or internal pneumatic stabilization (I group, n = 19) was randomly assigned. Most respiratory management was identical between the two groups except the surgical procedure. Statistical analysis using two-way analysis of variance and Tukeys test was used to compare the groups. RESULTS Age, sex, Injury Severity Score, chest Abbreviated Injury Score, number of rib fractures, severity of lung contusion, and Pao2/Fio2 ratio at admission were all equivalent in the two groups. The S group showed a shorter ventilatory period (10.8 +/- 3.4 days) than the I group (18.3 +/- 7.4 days) (p < 0.05), shorter intensive care unit stay (S group, 16.5 +/- 7.4 days; I group, 26.8 +/- 13.2 days; p < 0.05), and lower incidence of pneumonia (S group, 24%; I group, 77%; p < 0.05). Percent forced vital capacity was higher in the S group at 1 month and thereafter (p < 0.05). The percentage of patients who had returned to full-time employment at 6 months was significantly higher in the S group (11 of 18) than in the I group (1 of 19). CONCLUSION This study proved that in severe flail chest patients, surgical stabilization using Judet struts has beneficial effects with respect to less ventilatory support, lower incidence of pneumonia, shorter trauma intensive care unit stay, and reduced medical cost than internal fixation. Moreover, surgical stabilization with Judet struts improved percent forced vital capacity from the early phase after surgical fixation. Also, patients with surgical stabilization could return to their previous employment quicker than those with internal pneumatic stabilization, even in those with the same severity of flail chest. We therefore concluded that surgical stabilization with Judet struts may be preferably applied to patients with severe flail chest who need ventilator support.

Effects of early excision and aggressive enteral feeding on hypermetabolism, catabolism, and sepsis after severe burn.

BACKGROUND Severe burn induces a systemic hypermetabolic response, which includes increased energy expenditure, protein catabolism, and diminished immunity. We hypothesized that early burn excision and aggressive enteral feeding diminish hypermetabolism. METHODS Forty-six burned children were enrolled into a cohort analytic study. Cohorts were segregated according to time from burn to transfer to our institution for excision, grafting, and nutritional support. No subject had undergone wound excision or continuous nutritional support before transfer. Resting energy expenditure, skeletal muscle protein kinetics, the degree of bacterial colonization from quantitative cultures, and the incidence of burn sepsis were measured as outcome variables. RESULTS Early, aggressive treatment did not decrease energy expenditure; however, it did markedly attenuate muscle protein catabolism when compared with delay in aggressive treatment. Wound colonization and sepsis were diminished in the early treatment group as well. CONCLUSION Early excision and concurrent aggressive feeding attenuate muscle catabolism and improve infectious outcomes after burn.

Management of Coagulopathy in the Patients With Multiple Injuries: Results From an International Survey of Clinical Practice

BACKGROUND Bleeding is one of the leading causes of preventable death after traumatic injury. Trauma-associated coagulopathy complicates the control of bleeding. The published approaches on the management of this coagulopathy differ significantly. METHODS A qualitative international survey of clinical practice among senior physicians responsible for the treatment of patients with multiple injuries (Injury Severity Score > or = 16) was conducted to document common practices, highlight the variabilities, and profile the rationale behind existing clinical practices around the world. RESULTS Survey results are based on 80 (32%) completed returns, representing 25 countries with 93% of respondents employed by trauma centers and a mean of 20 years clinical experience. There are regional differences in the clinical specialty of physicians responsible for trauma management decisions. Blood loss, temperature, pH, platelets, prothrombin time/INR/activated partial thromboplastin time, and overall clinical assessment, were the most common criteria used to assess coagulopathy. Forty-five percent of respondents claimed to follow a massive transfusion protocol in their institution, 19% reported inconsistent protocol use and 34% do not use a protocol. The management of hypothermia, acidosis, blood products, and adjuvant therapy showed regional as well as institutional variability, and surprisingly few massive transfusion protocols specifically address these issues. CONCLUSIONS The results of this survey may serve to draw attention to the need for a common definition of coagulopathy and standardized clinical protocols to ensure optimal patient care.

Endovascular stent grafting for the treatment of blunt thoracic aortic injury.

OBJECTIVE Recent advances of endovascular stent-grafting (ESG) provide a new therapeutic option with minimum surgical damage for blunt aortic injury (BAI) during its acute phase. To clarify the effectiveness of ESG for BAI, a prospective clinical study at a university hospital was conducted. METHODS All patients with blunt thoracic injury underwent thoracic contrast-enhanced computed tomographic (CT) scan. Six patients age 48.8 +/- 19.8 years, with Injury Severity Scores of 35.8 +/- 8.1, and with BAI were treated according to our protocol. The stent-graft covered by woven Dacron was placed at the injury site. Endoleakage was then checked by aortography and CT scan was again performed once a day on days 7 through 14. RESULTS All patients had injury of the aortic isthmus. ESG placement was performed within 8 hours after injury except in one (48 hours). The operating time was 159.5 +/- 21.1 minutes and bleeding volume was 105 +/- 26.6 mL. No endoleakage was found. Repeat CT scan revealed disappearance of hematoma. All patients except one had an event-free clinical course. One patient died because of rupture of the ascending aorta on day 6; however, autopsy revealed evidence of the healing process at the injury site sealed by ESG. CONCLUSION An ESG is a valid therapeutic option with minimal surgical invasion for patients with acute-phase aortic injury.

Does Splenic Preservation Treatment (Embolization, Splenorrhaphy, and Partial Splenectomy) Improve Immunologic Function and Long-Term Prognosis After Splenic Injury?

BACKGROUND : To assess the immunologic alteration and long-term prognosis after splenic injury from preservation treatment (PT) (embolization, splenorrhaphy, partial splencetomy) and to compare with splenectomy (SN). METHODS : The long-term prognosis of patients with blunt splenic injury treated at seven tertiary emergency centers in Japan was retrospectively studied. Patients were followed up by telephone interview and written questionnaire. Blood samples and abdominal computer tomography scans were taken from patients who consented, and immunologic indices and the remaining volume of the spleen were measured. RESULTS : There was no episode of severe infection requiring hospitalization among the 66 SN patients (760 patient-year) and the 34 PT (213 patient-year) patients. Blood tests from 58 patients (24 SN vs. 34 PT) revealed significant differences in platelet count, Howell-Jolly body positive rate (SN 87% vs. PT 3%), white blood cells, total lymphocyte count, T-cell count, B-cell count, and serum IgG level. There was no significant difference in serum levels of IgM or specific IgG antibodies against 14 types of Streptococcus pneumoniae capsular polysaccharide, C3, C4, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and B -cell subset (surface marker immunoglobulins: IgA, IgG, and IgM). Most patients had anti-S. pneumoniae antibody levels less than that of the reference level for multiple serotypes (average 3 in SN and 4 in PT). A computer tomography scan was taken from 33 PT patients; the volume of spleen remaining averaged 130 mL (range, 48-287 mL). CONCLUSION : PT did not show discernible advantage over SN in immunologic indices including IgM and 14 serotypes of anti-S. pneumoniae antibodies, suggesting prophylactic measures and close follow-up are necessary after PT and SN.

Burn depth affects dermal interstitial fluid pressure, free radical production, and serum histamine levels in rats.

BACKGROUND We measured the amount of edema and the free radical production in burn-injured skin and the serum histamine levels, as well as changes in dermal interstitial fluid pressure. METHODS Thirty-six Wistar rats with 20% total body surface area burns of different depth were resuscitated by lactated Ringers solution intravenously. The rats were divided into a deep burn (DB) group (n = 12), a superficial dermal burn (SDB) group (n = 12), and a sham burn (Sham) group (n = 12). Dermal interstitial fluid hydrostatic pressure (Pif), total skin water and xanthine oxidase activity, and serum histamine levels were measured until 60 minutes postburn. RESULTS In the DB group, dermal Pif significantly fell to -35.9 +/- 11.0 and -40.9 +/- 7.0 mm Hg at 10 and 15 minutes postburn, respectively (p < 0.05); it returned to preburn values at 50 minutes postburn. In the SDB group, dermal Pif was slightly negative but did not markedly change. Total skin water was significantly higher than that of the DB and the Sham groups; however, in the SDB group, serum histamine and dermal xanthine oxidase were significantly higher than in the DB group at 15, 30, and 45 minutes postburn (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION The fluid-resuscitated DB produced a more negative dermal Pif than the SDB, but less dermal edema. In contrast, the SDB appeared to mainly generate dermal edema formation by wound free radical production and serum histamine release. The dermal Pif is one of the factors associated with edema formation immediately after deep burns. However, an increase in vascular permeability associated with oxygen radical production plays a more important role in dermal edema formation than does dermal Pif.

Impact of mobile angiography in the emergency department for controlling pelvic fracture hemorrhage with hemodynamic instability.

OBJECTIVE Rapid trauma evaluation and intervention without time delay are considered integral to time-efficient management of trauma patients, particularly for those with hemodynamic instability. This study examined the impact of immediate availability of mobile angiography with digital subtraction angiography technology in the emergency department (ED) for hemodynamically unstable multiple trauma patients with pelvic injury. MATERIALS This retrospective review examined a cohort of all blunt trauma patients with pelvic injury who underwent transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) using mobile angiography by trauma surgeons in the ED. This system was set up on a 24-hour basis with full-time trauma surgeons available in-hospital. Data collected included clinical characteristics, injury severity, resuscitation intervals from admission through to completion of hemostasis, metabolic factors (pH and core body temperature), mortality, and TAE-related complications. RESULTS Subjects comprised 29 patients (hemodynamically stable group, n = 17; hemodynamically unstable group, n = 12) with a median age of 36 years (interquartile range [IQR], 29-53 years). Mean shock index, injury severity score, and trauma and injury severity score were 1.1 +/- 0.5, 32 +/- 12, and 0.79 +/- 0.27, respectively. Median intervals from ED arrival to diagnosis and from diagnosis to starting TAE were 66 minutes (IQR, 42-80 minutes) and 30 minutes (IQR, 25-37 minutes), respectively. Median interval from diagnosis to completion of TAE was 107 minutes (IQR, 93-130 minutes). Physical and anatomic injury statuses were more severe in the hemodynamically unstable group than in the hemodynamically stable group. However, intervals from diagnosis to starting TAE and from diagnosis to completion of hemostasis did not differ significantly between groups. No exacerbations of metabolic factors during resuscitation were identified. Pelvic injury related mortality was 17% and no TAE-related complications were encountered. CONCLUSION Immediate availability of mobile angiography in the ED seems safe and effective for hemodynamically unstable trauma patients with pelvic injury and results in a rapid improvement in resuscitation intervals without leaving the ED. An adequately randomized controlled trial of mobile angiography in this subset of patients, who would seem to derive the most benefit from mobile angiography, would be ideal.

Laparoscopic drainage of an intramural duodenal hematoma.

Abstract: A 21-year-old man was admitted with vomiting and abdominal pain 3 days after sustaining blunt abdominal trauma by being tackled in a game of American football. A diagnosis of intramural hematoma of the duodenum was made using computed tomography and upper gastrointestinal tract contrast radiography. The hematoma caused obstructive jaundice by compressing the common bile duct. The contents of the hematoma were laparoscopically drained. A small perforation was then found in the duodenal wall. The patient underwent laparotomy and repair of the injury. Laparoscopic surgery can be used as definitive therapy in this type of abdominal trauma.

Fluid Distribution and Pulmonary Dysfunction Following Burn Shock

Respiratory function and body fluid changes were measured in 46 burned patients for up to 7 days postburn (DPB). The patients in this prospective study were divided into an HLS group [n = 17, burn size 61 +/- 0.5% BSA (mean +/- SEM), resuscitated with hypertonic lactated saline] and an iso-Na group (n = 29, burn size 60 +/- 4.5% BSA, resuscitated with lactated Ringers solution). During DPB 3 to 5, the Respiratory Index (A-aDO2/PaO2), functional extracellular fluid volume (f-ECFV), an ratio of plasma volume to interstitial fluid volume (PV/ISFV) were increased in the iso-Na group compared with the HLS group. During the same period, the Respiratory Index and PV/ISFV correlated significantly; respiratory dysfunction was less in the HLS group. Nearly 50% of the iso-Na group required endotracheal intubation. Sodium loads were the same in both groups; the HLS group required less water. These results suggest that extracellular fluid distribution differs between the two treatments; HLS may be associated with ameliorated respiratory function not only because of less volume loading during resuscitation, but also because the PV/ISFV ratio is less than when lactated Ringers is administered.