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Biomedical subjects

D D Trunkey

Publications and source records attributed to D D Trunkey.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Nitrosothiol quantification in human plasma.

A high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) assay for measuring picomole quantities of nitrosothiol in biological samples was developed. The assay utilizes the catalytic reduction of nitrosothiol by mercuric cation (Hg2+). Released nitrogen oxide reacts with sulfanilamide (SA) and N-(1-napthyl)ethylenediamine (NNED) to form a stable azo dye. The azo dye is then separated from N-(1-napthyl)ethylenediamine and quantified by reversed-phase HPLC. In addition to nitrosothiol, nitrite and atmospheric nitrogen oxides are sources of nitrogen oxide that react with the reagents, SA and NNED, to form the azo dye. Therefore, a reference sample, which includes the nitrosothiol sample and all reagents except Hg2+, is utilized for the subtraction of nitrite and atmospheric nitrogen oxides which "contaminate" the nitrosothiol sample and reagents. This method is a sensitive (approximately 3 pmol; approximately 10(-1) microM) and accurate means to measure nitrosothiol concentration in biologic samples.

Azo Compounds

Surveyed opinion of American trauma surgeons in management of colon injuries.

BACKGROUND: Primary repair or resection and anastomosis of colon wounds have been advocated in many recent studies, but the proportion of trauma surgeons accepting these recommendations is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To determine the current preferences of American trauma surgeons for colon injury management. METHODS: Four hundred forty-nine members of the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma were surveyed regarding their preferred management of eight types of colon wounds among three options: diverting colostomy (DC), primary repair (PR), or resection and anastomosis (RA). The influence of selected patient factors and surgeons' characteristics on the choice of management was also surveyed. RESULTS: Seventy-three percent of surgeons completed the survey. Ninety-eight percent chose PR for at least one type of injury. Thirty percent never selected DC. High-velocity gunshot wound was the only injury for which the majority (54%) would perform DC. More than 55% of the surgeons favored RA when the isolated colon injury was a contusion with possible devascularization, laceration greater than 50% of the diameter, or transection. Surgeons who managed five or fewer colon wounds per year chose DC more frequently (p < 0.001) and PR less frequently (p < 0.001) than surgeons who managed six or more colon wounds per year. CONCLUSION: The prevailing opinion of trauma surgeons favors primary repair or resection of colon injuries, including anastomosis of unprepared bowel. Surgeons who manage fewer colon wounds prefer colostomy more frequently.

Adult

Prevention of abdominal compartment syndrome by absorbable mesh prosthesis closure.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether prevention of the abdominal compartment syndrome after celiotomy for trauma justifies the use of absorbable mesh prosthesis closure in severely injured patients. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of case series from July 1, 1989, to July 31, 1996. SETTING: University-based level I trauma center. PATIENTS: Seventy-three consecutive trauma patients requiring celiotomy who received absorbable mesh prosthesis closure and 73 control patients matched for injury severity and trauma type who received celiotomy without a mesh prosthesis closure. INTERVENTIONS: Absorbable mesh prosthesis closure was used in cases of excessive fascial tension, abdominal compartment syndrome, necrotizing fasciitis, traumatic defect, or planned reoperation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Demographics, Injury Severity Score, Abdominal Trauma Index, highest abdominal Abbreviated Injury Scale score, number of abdominal/pelvic injuries, highest head Abbreviated Injury Scale score, shock, indication for mesh closure, complications, number of operations and time required for closure, days in the intensive care unit, length of stay, and mortality were determined. The highest abdominal Abbreviated Injury Scale score was multiplied by the number of abdominal/pelvic injuries to calculate the abdominal pelvic trauma score. RESULTS: Group 1 consisted of 47 patients who received mesh at initial celiotomy, and group 2, 26 patients who received mesh at a subsequent celiotomy. These 2 groups were statistically similar in demographics, injury severity, and mortality. However, group 2 had a significantly higher incidence of postoperative abdominal compartment syndrome (35% vs 0%), necrotizing fasciitis (39% vs 0%), intra-abdominal abscess/peritonitis (35% vs 4%), and enterocutaneous fistula (23% vs 11%) compared with group 1 (P < .001). Group 1 patients with preoperative abdominal compartment syndrome had more abdominal/ pelvic injuries and higher abdominal trauma index than matched controls (P < .05). There was a trend toward higher abdominal pelvic trauma score in patients who developed abdominal compartment syndrome. The Pearson coefficient of correlation between the abdominal trauma index and the more easily calculated abdominal pelvic trauma score was 0.91 (P < .001). CONCLUSION: The use of absorbable mesh prosthesis closure in severely injured patients undergoing celiotomy was effective in treating and preventing the abdominal compartment syndrome.

Abdomen

Terrorism in America. An evolving threat.

The response of the United States to a perceived terrorist threat is dichotomous. The hyperbole and exaggeration often displayed by the media and general public lies in stark contrast to the relative indifference with which terrorism is regarded by the medical community. Quantitating the true nature of the terrorist threat in the United States is difficult, as it is not only poorly defined but rapidly changing. The intent of this commentary is to define what constitutes terrorism and what specific threats exist, including conventional, nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons. We will then outline recommendations for modest changes in our disaster medical planning to better prepare for these threats. Special attention will be directed at the emergence of nonconventional weapon use by terrorist organizations and how this might affect the civilian medical community.

Biological Warfare

Herbicide/pesticide effects on intestinal epithelial growth.

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of some common herbicides and pesticides on the growth of normal intestinal and colonic epithelial cells. Preconfluent cultures of normal rat intestinal cells (IEC-6 cell line) and normal human colonic epithelial cells were treated with 0.05-50 microM doses of atrazine, diazinon, and endosulfan. After 3 days of treatment, the change in cell proliferation was quantified by cell counting or the MTT growth assay. Both intestinal and colonic epithelial cell cultures had increases in cell growth when treated with as little as 1.0 microM atrazine, diazinon, or endosulfan. The observed changes in both cultured intestinal and colonic cell growth rates were not due to the influence of the vehicle control dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). That is, the treatment of the cell cultures with concentrations of DMSO as high as 0.5% for 3 days resulted in no change in cell growth compared with untreated control cultures. A consistent observation with all three of the compounds was that the highest doses (50 microM) had the least "proliferative potential" in stimulating either IEC-6 cell or human colonic epithelial cell growth. Within the concentration range used, none of the herbicides or pesticides caused a decrease in cell proliferation below that of the untreated control cultures. Overall, treatment of IEC-6 cell cultures with atrazine, diazinon, or endosulfan produced a biphasic growth response, whereas the same treatment in the human colonic epithelial cell cultures produced a more sustained level of growth over the same period. This culture system may provide the basis for an in vitro model to further study the cellular and molecular basis of the effects of herbicides and pesticides on intestinal epithelial proliferation.

Animals

Influence of a statewide trauma system on pediatric hospitalization and outcome.

BACKGROUND: During the years 1987-1991, a statewide trauma system was implemented in Oregon (Ore) but not in Washington (Wash). Incidence of hospitalization, frequency of death and risk-adjusted odds of death for injured children (< 19 years) in the two adjacent states were compared for two time periods (1985-1987 and 1991-1993). METHODS: State populations of injured children (International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision-Clinical Modification, code 800-959) were identified through a Hospital Discharge Index. Hospitals in counties with a population density < 50 persons/square mile were designated rural. Incidence rates are events/10,000 pediatric population per year. RESULTS: The pediatric population increased in both states (Ore: 687,000-758,000; Wash: 1,159,000-1,336,000). Incidence of hospitalization for all injured children in entire states declined (Ore: 66.5-38.5; Wash: 54-33); also in rural hospitals (Ore: 67.5-32; Wash: 48 to 31). Seriously injured children (score on the Injury Severity Scale > 15) had a lower incidence in 1991-1993 of admission to rural hospitals (Ore: 2.98; Wash: 2.82) compared with incidence for entire states (Ore: 4.61; Wash: 4.62); in 1985-1987 the incidence was not different. Furthermore risk adjusted odds of death for seriously injured children was significantly lower in Oregon than in Washington in the later time period. CONCLUSION: Both states show a similar temporal trend toward a declining frequency of death for children hospitalized with injuries. Injury prevention strategies appear to have reduced the number of serious injuries in both states. However, seriously injured children demonstrated a reduced risk of death in Oregon, consistent with benefit from a statewide trauma system.

Adolescent

The fractured rib in chest wall trauma.

Chest wall trauma and rib fractures are significant sources of morbidity and mortality in countries in which motor vehicle accidents are prevalent. Physicians who care for injured patients should realize that patients with thoracic trauma are at significant risk for mortality, deterioration, and associated injuries. Care must be taken to avoid underestimation of the effect of the injury on subsequent respiratory mechanics. Armed with an understanding of chest injury epidemiology, biomechanics, and pain control, physicians can better serve these high-risk patients.

Adult

Ventilatory management of pulmonary contusion patients.

BACKGROUND: The goal of this study was to evaluate two modes of mechanical ventilation in patients with pulmonary contusion: pressure-controlled ventilation (PCV) and volume-controlled ventilation (VCV). METHODS: One hundred and thirty-five patients with pulmonary contusion, defined as an infiltrate on admission chest x-ray and hypoxemia, were treated over 45 months; 59 patients who required more than 48 hours of mechanical ventilation were initially managed with VCV. RESULTS: Twenty patients were converted from VCV to PCV when pulmonary function deteriorated. With PCV, peak inspiratory pressure decreased from 49 +/- 1 to 31 +/- 1 cm H2O, the alveolar-arterial oxygen difference decreased from 491 +/- 36 mm Hg to 300 +/- 36 mm Hg. These findings were significantly different (P < 0.05, by Student's paired t-test). Twenty patients managed with PCV had equivalent duration of mechanical ventilation and days in intensive care units to 39 patients with less pulmonary dysfunction managed with VCV. None of the 10 patients who died expired from pulmonary failure. CONCLUSIONS: PCV is an alternative mode to VCV in patients with poorly compliant lungs after pulmonary contusion.

Adolescent

Abdominal vascular injuries.

Injuries to major abdominal arteries and veins frequently are associated with exsanguinating hemorrhage and visceral ischemia. Expeditious management is the key to survival and good outcome. Knowledge of anatomic relationships between viscera and vessels forms the basis for directed dissection, optimal exposure, and lasting repair of vessels. Although penetrating mechanism of injury remains the most common cause of these injuries, trauma surgeons must be familiar with patterns of blunt trauma-mediated injury to avoid the devastating consequences of delayed management.

Abdominal Injuries

Influence of a statewide trauma system on location of hospitalization and outcome of injured patients.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the influence of implementing the Oregon statewide trauma system on admission distribution and risk of death. DESIGN: Retrospective pre- and posttrauma system analyses of hospital discharge data regarding injured patients with one or more of the following injuries: head, chest, spleen/liver, pelvic fracture, and femur/tibia fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Risk-adjusted odds ratio of admission to Level I or II (tertiary care) trauma centers, and odds ratio of death were determined using hospital discharge abstract data on 27,633 patients. Patients treated in 1985-1987, before trauma system establishment, were compared to patients treated in 1991-1993 after the trauma system was functioning. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: After trauma system implementation, the odds ratio of admission to Level I or II trauma centers increased (odds ratio 2.36, 95% confidence interval 2.24-2.49). In addition, the odds ratio of death for injured patients declined after trauma system establishment (odds ratio 0.82, confidence interval 0.73-0.92). CONCLUSIONS: The Oregon trauma system was successfully implemented with more patients with index injuries admitted to hospitals judged most capable of managing trauma patients. The Oregon trauma system also appears beneficial since trauma system establishment is associated with a statewide reduction in risk of death.

Abbreviated Injury Scale

New concepts in the pathophysiology of oxygen metabolism during sepsis.

Sepsis is an intriguing pathological condition associated with many complex metabolic and physiological alterations. In this review a novel hypothesis in the pathophysiology of oxygen metabolism during sepsis is explored. It is proposed that the hypermetabolic response to sepsis results from enhanced reactive oxygen generation by phagocytes. Reactive oxygen detoxification by host enzyme systems subsequently leads to alterations in oxidative metabolism. The similarities between the metabolic consequences of reactive oxygen metabolism and the metabolic changes observed during sepsis are outlined. A unified concept is presented to help explain the pathophysiological changes in oxygen metabolism during sepsis.

Humans

Triage in an established trauma system.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to determine patient and injury characteristics that predict undertriage and overtriage. DESIGN: This study was a retrospective analysis of admissions for acute injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All admissions for acute injuries in a 2 1/2-year period were included (N = 26,025). ICD-9 clinical modification codes were converted to Injury Severity Scores. MAIN RESULTS: Seventy-nine percent of severely injured patients were admitted to level I trauma centers. Severely injured patients admitted to other hospitals (undertriage) were more likely elderly (odds ratio = 5.44) and less likely had multisystem injuries (odds ratio = 0.55). One-fourth of patients with minor injuries were admitted to level I trauma centers (overtriage). Overtriaged patients were more likely intoxicated, obese, or had an injury to the head or face. CONCLUSIONS: In a developed trauma system, severely injured elderly trauma patients (especially females) are at risk for undertriage. The characteristics of patients at risk for overtriage reflect the difficulties of prospective out-of-hospital triage.

Adult

Role of reactive O2 in phagocyte-induced hypermetabolism and pulmonary injury.

Activated phagocytes possess an enormous capacity for O2 consumption via NADPH oxidase. NADPH oxidase partially reduces O2, forming superoxide (O2-). Host enzymes rapidly complete O2- reduction to H2O, leaving little trace of its prior existence. Our objectives were to estimate the magnitude of whole body phagocyte respiration and determine the contribution of NADPH-derived O2- to the ensuing phagocyte-induced pulmonary injury. These objectives were accomplished using specific inhibitors of NADPH oxidase, diphenyl iodonium (DPI) and di-2-thienyl iodonium (DTI). Guinea pigs received intravenous injections of DPI (3.5 mg/kg), DTI (7.5 mg/kg), or vehicle followed by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). Phagocyte activation by PMA immediately increased whole body respiration from 13.6 to 16.1 ml O2.kg-1.min-1 (P < 0.05). DPI and DTI completely blocked the increase in respiration induced by PMA injection (P < 0.05). Baseline respiration was unchanged by the NADPH oxidase inhibitor alone. Likewise, there was no effect on the respiration of isolated heart and kidney mitochondria from animals receiving the inhibitor with or without PMA. DPI attenuated the pulmonary injury induced by PMA. DPI attenuated the pulmonary injury induced by PMA. The ratio of lung water weight to dry weight was lower (6.4 +/- 0.3 vs. 8.3 +/- 0.6) and arterial PO2 was higher (86 +/- 9 vs. 56 +/- 6 Torr) in animals receiving DPI plus PMA than in those receiving PMA alone. In conclusion, phagocyte activation in vivo increased total body respiration by approximately 18%. The burst in respiration is attributed to the phagocyte respiratory burst in which NADPH oxidase partially O2 to O2-.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals

Selective fecal diversion in complex open pelvic fractures from blunt trauma.

OBJECTIVE: To review the outcomes of patients with open pelvic fractures. DESIGN: Retrospective review of medical records. SETTING: Patients admitted from the injury scene or transferred within 24 hours to a level 1 trauma center. PATIENTS: Thirty-three patients sustaining blunt trauma had pelvic fractures and adjacent wounding. INTERVENTIONS: Treatment protocol that included selective fecal diversion, measures to arrest hemorrhage and prevent wound sepsis, manage associated pelvic injuries, and provide optimal orthopedic outcomes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Death and sepsis. RESULTS: Exsanguination occurred in one patient and death owing to head injuries occurred in five patients. Wound sepsis occurred in 31% of patients with colostomy and 19% without colostomy. CONCLUSIONS: Management of open pelvic fractures requires a well-coordinated group using several techniques. Selected patients with open pelvic fractures do not require fecal diversion. Incisions for orthopedic surgery should be considered when decisions are made regarding fecal diversion.

Adolescent