Zsolt J. Balogh

Intra-abdominal hypertension and the abdominal compartment syndrome: updated consensus definitions and clinical practice guidelines from the World Society of the Abdominal Compartment Syndrome

PurposeTo update the World Society of the Abdominal Compartment Syndrome (WSACS) consensus definitions and management statements relating to intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) and the abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS).MethodsWe conducted systematic or structured reviews to identify relevant studies relating to IAH or ACS. Updated consensus definitions and management statements were then derived using a modified Delphi method and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) guidelines, respectively. Quality of evidence was graded from high (A) to very low (D) and management statements from strong RECOMMENDATIONS (desirable effects clearly outweigh potential undesirable ones) to weaker SUGGESTIONS (potential risks and benefits of the intervention are less clear).ResultsIn addition to reviewing the consensus definitions proposed in 2006, the WSACS defined the open abdomen, lateralization of the abdominal musculature, polycompartment syndrome, and abdominal compliance, and proposed an open abdomen classification system. RECOMMENDATIONS included intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) measurement, avoidance of sustained IAH, protocolized IAP monitoring and management, decompressive laparotomy for overt ACS, and negative pressure wound therapy and efforts to achieve same-hospital-stay fascial closure among patients with an open abdomen. SUGGESTIONS included use of medical therapies and percutaneous catheter drainage for treatment of IAH/ACS, considering the association between body position and IAP, attempts to avoid a positive fluid balance after initial patient resuscitation, use of enhanced ratios of plasma to red blood cells and prophylactic open abdominal strategies, and avoidance of routine early biologic mesh use among patients with open abdominal wounds. NO RECOMMENDATIONS were possible regarding monitoring of abdominal perfusion pressure or the use of diuretics, renal replacement therapies, albumin, or acute component-parts separation.ConclusionAlthough IAH and ACS are common and frequently associated with poor outcomes, the overall quality of evidence available to guide development of RECOMMENDATIONS was generally low. Appropriately designed intervention trials are urgently needed for patients with IAH and ACS.

Both primary and secondary abdominal compartment syndrome can be predicted early and are harbingers of multiple organ failure

BACKGROUND Primary abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) is a known complication of damage control. Recently secondary ACS has been reported in patients without abdominal injury who require aggressive resuscitation. The purpose of this study was to compare the epidemiology of primary and secondary ACS and develop early prediction models in a high-risk cohort who were treated in a similar fashion. METHODS Major torso trauma patients underwent standardized resuscitation and had prospective data collected including occurrence of ACS, demographics, ISS, urinary bladder pressure, gastric tonometry (GAP(CO2) = gastric regional CO(2) minus end tidal CO(2)), laboratory, respiratory, and hemodynamic data. With primary and secondary ACS as endpoints, variables were tested by uni- and multivariate logistic analysis (MLA). RESULTS From 188 study patients during the 44-month period, 26 (14%) developed ACS-11 (6%) were primary ACS and 15 (8%) secondary ACS. Primary and secondary ACS had similar demographics, shock, and injury severity. Significant univariate differences included: time to decompression from ICU admit (600 +/- 112 vs. 360 +/- 48 min), Emergency Department (ED) crystalloid (4 +/- 1 vs. 7 +/- 1 L), preICU crystalloid (8 +/- 1 vs. 12 +/- 1L), ED blood administration (2 +/- 1 vs. 6 +/- 1 U), GAP(CO2) (24 +/- 3 vs. 36 +/- 3 mmHg), requiring pelvic embolization (9 vs. 47%), and emergency operation (82% vs. 40%). Early predictors identified by MLA of primary ACS included hemoglobin concentration, GAP(CO2), temperature, and base deficit; and for secondary ACS they included crystalloid, urinary output, and GAP(CO2). The areas under the receiver-operator characteristic curves calculated upon ICU admission are primary= 0.977 and secondary= 0.983. Primary and secondary ACS patients had similar poor outcomes compared with nonACS patients including ventilator days (primary= 13 +/- 3 vs. secondary= 14 +/- 3 vs. nonACS = 8 +/- 2), multiple organ failure (55% vs. 53% vs. 12%), and mortality (64% vs. 53% vs. 17%). CONCLUSION Primary and secondary ACS have similar demographics, injury severity, time to decompression from hospital admit, and bad outcome. 2 degrees ACS is an earlier ICU event preceded by more crystalloid administration. With appropriate monitoring both could be accurately predicted upon ICU admission.

Postinjury multiple organ failure

Postinjury multiple organ failure (MOF) became prevalent as the improvements in critical care during the 1970s made it possible to keep trauma patients alive with single organ injury. Enormous efforts invested in laboratory and clinical research made it possible to better understand the epidemiology and pathophysiology of the syndrome. This has translated to improved strategies in prediction, prevention and treatment of MOF. With changes in population demographics and injury mechanisms and improvements in trauma care, changes in the epidemiology of MOF are also becoming evident. Significant improvements in trauma patient management decreased the severity and mortality of MOF, but the syndrome still remains the most significant contributor of late postinjury mortality and intensive care unit resource utilisation. This review defines the essential MOF-related terminology, summarises the changing epidemiology of MOF, describes our current understanding of the pathophysiology, discusses the available strategies for prevention/treatment based on the identified independent predictors and provides future directions for research.

Secondary abdominal compartment syndrome is an elusive early complication of traumatic shock resuscitation.

BACKGROUND The term secondary abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) has been applied to describe trauma patients who develop ACS but do not have abdominal injuries. The purpose of this study was to describe major trauma victims who developed secondary ACS during standardized shock resuscitation. METHODS Our prospective database for standardized shock resuscitation was reviewed to obtain before and after abdominal decompression shock related data for secondary ACS patients. Focused chart review was done to confirm time-related outcomes. RESULTS Over the 30 months period ending May 2001, 11 (9%) of 128 standardized shock resuscitation patients developed secondary ACS. All presented in severe shock (systolic blood pressure 85 +/- 5 mm Hg, base deficit 8.6 +/- 1.6 mEq/L), with severe injuries (injury severity score 28 +/- 3) and required aggressive shock resuscitation (26 +/- 2 units of blood, 38 +/- 3 L crystalloid within 24 hours). All cases of secondary ACS were recognized and decompressed within 24 hours of hospital admission. After decompression, the bladder pressure and the systemic vascular resistance decreased, while the mean arterial pressure, cardiac index, and static lung compliance increased. The mortality rate was 54%. Those who died failed to respond to decompression with increased cardiac index and did not maintain decreased bladder pressure. CONCLUSIONS Secondary ACS is an early but, if appropriately monitored, recognizable complication in patients with major nonabdominal trauma who require aggressive resuscitation.

Vacuum-assisted wound closure achieves early fascial closure of open abdomens after severe trauma.

BACKGROUND This study reviews the efficacy of vacuum-assisted wound closure (VAWC) to obtain primary fascial closure of open abdomens after severe trauma. METHODS The study population included shock resuscitation patients who had open abdomens treated with VAWC. The VAWC dressing was changed at 2- to 3-day intervals and downsized as fascial closure was completed with interrupted suture. The Trauma Research Database and the medical records were reviewed for pertinent data. RESULTS Over 26 months, 35 patients with open abdomens were managed by VAWC. Six died early, leaving 29 patients who were discharged. Of these, 25 (86%) were successfully closed using VAWC at a mean of 7 +/- 1 days (range, 3-18 days). Of the four patients that failed VAWC, two developed fistulas. No patients developed evisceration, intra-abdominal abscess, or wound infection. CONCLUSION VAWC achieved early fascial closure in a high percentage of open abdomens, with an acceptable rate of complications.

Haemorrhage control in severely injured patients

Most surgeons have adopted damage control surgery for severely injured patients, in which the initial operation is abbreviated after control of bleeding and contamination to allow ongoing resuscitation in the intensive-care unit. Developments in early resuscitation that emphasise rapid control of bleeding, restrictive volume replacement, and prevention or early management of coagulopathy are making definitive surgery during the first operation possible for many patients. Improved topical haemostatic agents and interventional radiology are becoming increasingly useful adjuncts to surgical control of bleeding. Better understanding of trauma-induced coagulopathy is paving the way for the replacement of blind, unguided protocols for blood component therapy with systemic treatments targeting specific deficiencies in coagulation. Similarly, treatments targeting dysregulated inflammatory responses to severe injury are under investigation. As point-of-care diagnostics become more suited to emergency environments, timely targeted intervention for haemorrhage control will result in better patient outcomes and reduced demand for blood products. Our Series paper describes how our understanding of the roles of the microcirculation, inflammation, and coagulation has shaped new and emerging treatment strategies.

Long-Term Efficacy and Safety of Infliximab plus Methotrexate for The Treatment of Polyarticular Course Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis: Findings from an Open-Label Treatment Extension

Objective To assess the long-term efficacy and safety of infliximab plus methotrexate in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). Methods Patients eligible for the open-label extension (OLE, weeks 52–204) received infliximab 3–6 mg/kg every 8 weeks plus methotrexate. Results Of the 78/122 (64%) children entering the OLE, 42 discontinued infliximab, most commonly due to consent withdrawal (11 patients), lack of efficacy (eight patients) or patient/physician/sponsor requirement (eight patients). Infliximab (mean dose 4.4 mg/kg per infusion) was generally well tolerated. Infusion reactions occurred in 32% (25/78) of patients, with a higher incidence in patients positive for antibodies to infliximab (58%, 15/26). At week 204, the proportions of patients achieving ACR-Pedi-30/50/70/90 response criteria and inactive disease status were 44%, 40%, 33%, 24% and 13%, respectively. Conclusions In the limited population of JRA patients remaining in the study at 4 years, infliximab was safe and effective but associated with a high patient discontinuation rate. Clinical trials registration number NCT00036374.

Institutional practice guidelines on management of pelvic fracture-related hemodynamic instability : Do they make a difference?

BACKGROUND The management of patients with hemodynamic instability related to pelvic fracture is a major challenge, with high morbidity and mortality. Evidence-based institutional practice guidelines (PG) were developed as a strategy to optimize the care of these patients. The aims of this study were to evaluate the adherence to the new PG and compare the outcomes before and after their implementation. METHODS Major blunt trauma patients (Injury Severity Score [ISS] > 15) with hemodynamic instability (initial base deficit > 6 mEq/L or received > 6 units of packed red blood cells [PRBCs] during the first 12 hours) related to pelvic fracture were investigated. Patients presenting with ongoing bleeding from other regions or with severe head injury (Glasgow Coma Scale score < 9) were excluded. The pre-PG group (n = 17) were patients managed during the 18 months ending on December 31, 2001. The post-PG group (n = 14) consisted of patients managed during the subsequent 18 months. Demographics, ISS, shock severity, resuscitation, and outcome data were prospectively collected. The adherence to the key steps of PG was evaluated retrospectively in the pre-PG and prospectively in the post-PG group, including abdominal clearance (AC) with diagnostic peritoneal aspiration/lavage or ultrasound (<15 minutes), noninvasive pelvic binding (PB) (<15 minutes), pelvic angiography (PA) (<90 minutes after admission), and minimally invasive orthopedic fixation (MIOF) (<24 hours). Data are presented as mean +/- SEM or percentages. RESULTS The pre-PG and post-PG groups were similar regarding age (40 +/- 4 years vs. 42 +/- 6 years), gender (both 71% male), ISS (39 +/- 3 vs. 37 +/- 4), admission base deficit (9 +/- 1 vs. 10 +/- 1) admission systolic blood pressure (116 +/- 7 vs. 112 +/- 6 mm Hg), Glasgow Coma Scale score (12 +/- 1 vs. 12 +/- 1), and PRBC transfusion in the first 12 hours (9 +/- 2 U vs. 9 +/- 2 U). The adherence to the guidelines in the post-PG period was as follows: AC, 100%; PB, 86% (p < 0.05 based on t test or chi test); PA, 93% (p < 0.05 based on t test or chi test); and MIOF, 86%. In the pre-PG period, adherence to the guidelines was as follows: AC, 65%; PB, 0%; PA, 30%; and MIOF 52%. In the post-PG period, the 24-hour PRBC transfusion decreased from 16 +/- 2 U to 11 +/- 1 U and the mortality decreased from 35% to 7% (p < 0.05 based on t test or chi test for both). CONCLUSION The adherence to the PG as a reflection of optimal management was significantly improved. PG focusing particular on timely hemorrhage control reduced the 24-hour transfusion requirements and the mortality rate in the post-PG group.

Hemodynamically Unstable Pelvic Fractures: Recent Care and New Guidelines

Consistent care of hemodynamically unstable pelvic fracture patients is a major management issue. It was uncertain whether the introduction of newly developed clinical practice guidelines would require much change in current delivery of care at our institution. Assessment of recent care was undertaken and compared with the newly developed evidence-based best practice guidelines. A multidisciplinary project team developed clinical practice guidelines for determination of early optimum management of hemodynamically unstable patients with pelvic fractures. The guidelines recommend a definitive management plan to arrest hemorrhage within 30 minutes. Intra-abdominal hemorrhage should be assessed with diagnostic peritoneal aspiration (DPA) and/or focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST). Early noninvasive stabilization of the pelvis followed by angiography within 90 minutes are recommended if intra-abdominal hemorrhage is not found. Recent care was assessed in a historical cohort of patients, identified in a prospectively maintained trauma registry, between June 1999 and December 2001. Investigations, interventions, and times were then compared with the new guidelines. The delivery of care to 30 patients (mortality 37%, mean ISS 37.8 ± 20.9) was studied. Compared with the new guidelines, the abdominal assessment rate with DPA and/or FAST was 53% and early (< 90 minutes) angiography rate was 38%. A form of pelvic external stabilization was applied in 27% of cases. Noninvasive pelvic stabilization was not performed at all. The recent care of hemodynamically unstable pelvic fracture patients was not in line with newly developed guidelines. There is an opportunity to markedly improve the rates of initial assessment of the abdomen, pelvic stabilization, and early angiography.

Damage control surgery for abdominal emergencies.

Damage control surgery is a management sequence initiated to reduce the risk of death in severely injured patients presenting with physiological derangement. Damage control principles have emerged as an approach in non‐trauma abdominal emergencies in order to reduce mortality compared with primary definitive surgery.