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Biomedical subjects

D D Trunkey

Publications and source records attributed to D D Trunkey.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

Pancreatic abscess: impact of computerized tomography on early diagnosis and surgery.

Pancreatic abscess continues to be a lethal complication of acute pancreatitis, with mortality rates of 40 percent in recent surgical series. A major factor contributing to this high mortality has been delay in diagnosis. When combined with diagnostic needle aspiration, computerized tomographic scanning has greatly enhanced the early detection of pancreatic abscesses. In a 4 year period at our institutions, 21 patients with proved pancreatic abscesses were evaluated early in their clinical course by computerized tomography. On follow-up ranging from 7 months to 3 1/2 years, there were only four deaths for a mortality rate of 19 percent. Many of the surviving patients had a long and protracted clinical course (mean length of hospitalization was 56 days) and reoperation for recurrent abscess or gastrointestinal complications was required in eight patients (38 percent). Computerized tomography proved to be of considerable value in localizing the site of de novo or recurrent pancreatic abscess and in detecting postoperative complications. An aggressive approach encompassing early computerized tomographic scanning with diagnostic needle aspiration appears to be a factor in the improved survival rate of these patients.

Abscess↗
PubMed1985

Report from the California Burn Registry--the causes of major burns.

In its first four years of operation, the California Burn Registry recorded 3,332 cases of burns, of which 73.1% were in male and 26.9% were in female patients of all ages. The average total body surface area burned was 15.4+/-0.3%. Flame burns were the most common (31.4%). Other common sources included scalds (24.5%) and flammable liquids (12.9%). Several other causes were cited with less frequency. Burns taking place at home occurred more commonly than at all other locations combined. In all, 221 deaths (6.6%) were reported, most (66.1%) of which were due to flame burns.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Endoscopic sclerotherapy versus portacaval shunt in patients with severe cirrhosis and variceal hemorrhage.

Fifty-two patients with severe cirrhosis (Child Class C) and variceal hemorrhage requiring six or more units of blood were randomly assigned to either sclerotherapy or portacaval shunt. Of 38 pretreatment characteristics, only the frequency of active alcoholism differed significantly between the groups. During the initial hospitalization, the patients in the shunt group required significantly more blood (21.5 +/- 3.1 units) than did those in the sclerotherapy group (12.3 +/- 1.3 units), although the latter had significantly more rebleeding during hospitalization after the procedure (14 of 28 vs. 5 of 24 patients). There was no difference in short-term survival, with 13 patients in the sclerotherapy group discharged alive, as compared with 10 patients in the shunt group. Patients were followed for a mean of 263 days after the initial discharge (range, 8 to 1117). The sclerotherapy group required significantly more days of hospitalization for rebleeding, but we failed to demonstrate any significant difference in long-term survival between the sclerotherapy and shunt groups. Total health-care costs per patient were significantly higher for the shunt group (+23,957 +/- +3,111) than for the sclerotherapy group (+15,364 +/- +2,220). We conclude that sclerotherapy is less costly than portacaval shunt and as effective for the treatment of esophageal varices associated with severe cirrhosis.

Endoscopy↗
PubMed1984

Risk of infection after penetrating abdominal trauma.

To identify the risk factors for the development of postoperative septic complications in patients with intestinal perforation after abdominal trauma, and to compare the efficacies of single-drug and dual-drug prophylactic antibiotic therapy, we studied 145 patients who presented with abdominal trauma and intestinal perforation at two hospitals between July 1979 and June 1982. Logistic-regression analysis showed that a higher risk of infection (P less than 0.05) was associated with increased age, injury to the left colon necessitating colostomy, a larger number of units of blood or blood products administered at surgery, and a larger number of injured organs. The presence of shock on arrival, which was found to increase the risk of infection when this factor was analyzed individually, did not add predictive power. Patients with postoperative sepsis were hospitalized significantly longer than were patients without infection (13.8 vs. 7.7 days, P less than 0.0001). Both treatment regimens--cefoxitin given alone and clindamycin and gentamicin given together--resulted in similar infection rates, drug toxicity, duration of hospitalization, and costs.

Abdominal Injuries↗
PubMed1984

Mechanisms of adrenocortical depression during Escherichia coli shock.

The response of the adrenal cortex to corticotropin during sepsis is variable. We have previously demonstrated a significant decrease of corticosterone production by rat adrenocortical cells in response to corticotropin stimulation after incubation with septic shock plasma (SP) as compared with control plasma (CP). We have studied the mechanisms of this depression. The following defects were demonstrated. (1) Cells bound less radioiodinated corticotropin analog after SP treatment (2.9 +/- 0.4 femtomoles/50 micrograms DNA) than after CP treatment (6.4 +/- 0.3 fmole/50 micrograms DNA). (2) Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) production was less after SP treatment (59.3 +/- 4 pmole per 10(5) cells per two hours) compared with CP treatment (110.3 +/- 11.3 pmole per 10(5) cells per two hours). (3) Exogenously added dibutyryl cAMP was unable to correct the defect in corticosterone production after SP treatment (4.96 +/- 0.7 micrograms/24 hr) as compared with CP treatment (6.99 +/- 0.5 micrograms/24 hr). Our studies suggest this defect is located in the synthesis of pregnenolone from cholesterol. These mechanisms may be responsible for the low cortisol levels previously observed in humans during septic shock.

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMed1984

The role of prostacyclin and thromboxane in sepsis and septic shock.

Prostacyclin, or prostaglandin I2 (PGI2), and thromboxane A2 (TXA2) are potent, endogenously produced, vasoactive substances that have been implicated as mediators in the pathophysiologic nature of septic shock. We investigated the contribution and production of PGI2 and TXA2 in sepsis and septic shock, using an intact rabbit model and an in vitro rabbit isolated cardiac perfusion model. Continuous hemodynamic monitoring of both experimental models, along with serial radioimmunoassays of the metabolites of PGI2 and TXA2, indicated that myocardial depression is a common finding in subjects with septic shock and that septic shock causes a suppression of PGI2 production while augmenting TXA2 production. In addition, PGI2 and TXA2 were mediators of some cardiovascular changes in septic shock but were themselves not the toxic factor(s) responsible for the associated myocardial depression.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Myocardial depression. The effect of Ca++ and calcium flux during sepsis.

Previous studies from this laboratory described myocardial depression in an arterially perfused rabbit interventricular septum following perfusion with acute septic plasma. Calcium is critical for maintenance of cardiac contractility on a beat-to-beat basis. We have investigated calcium flux in the septal tissue to determine whether altered calcium flux explains the impaired cardiac function during sepsis. Twenty-two rabbit septa were perfused with control and septic perfusate (cryo-precipitated plasma + RBCs) and calcium flux determined in seven experiments. Perfusate cations (Ca++, Na+, K+, and H+) were measured, tissue function and arterial pressure were monitored. Developed tension decreased 46%, acceleration of tension change fell 42%, and arterial pressure decreased 26%, all highly significant. All septa recovered after return to control perfusate. The septic perfusate Ca++ was significantly lower than control perfusate, while K+ and H+ were significantly elevated. Ion flux studies, however, could not demonstrate altered calcium flux associated with the depressed contractility.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Oriental cholangitis.

Oriental cholangitis is a poorly understood syndrome consisting of intrahepatic pigment stone formation with chronically recurrent exacerbations and remissions. Endemic to Asia, it is being encountered more frequently in the United States due to increased immigration of asians. Twenty-one patients with oriental cholangitis (9 men and 12 women), 19 to 84 years of age, all of whom immigrated from asian countries, were treated between 1970 and 1983. All had histories of episodic abdominal pain, most with jaundice, chills, and fever. Laboratory results were nonspecific but frequently included leukocytosis and hyperbilirubinemia. All patients were operated on with 15 having cholecystectomy, common duct exploration, and a bilioenteric anastomosis. E. coli was cultured from specimens obtained from the biliary tracts of all patients, and 13 patients had more than one organism. Four patients had a previous history of parasitic infection, and four different patients had parasites identified in the biliary tract intraoperatively. Early recognition and appropriate operation will decrease morbidity and mortality.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Altered potassium flux and myocardial dysfunction during sepsis.

Untreated septic shock results in depletion of extracellular fluid, cellular swelling, increased intracellular sodium, and decreased intracellular potassium concentrations in primate skeletal muscle. The Langer rabbit heart interventricular septal preparation was used to determine whether similar changes occur in cardiac muscle during sepsis. Rabbit septa (n = 17) were perfused with control and septic rabbit plasma plus red blood cells. Tissue contractility (developed tension [DT] and rate of tension change [dP/dt]) was followed, plasma cations were measured (Na+, K+, Ca2+, H+), perfusion pressure (PP) was monitored, and 42K efflux was determined. The effect on 42K efflux caused by the addition of potassium chloride to control plasma was determined. During perfusion with septic plasma there was significant decline of septal function (P less than 0.001). In 12/17 experiments DT fell 77.8 +/- 21.4% and dP/dt fell 75.8 +/- 24.8% from control values (means +/- 1 SD). All septa recovered when perfusion with control plasma was resumed. If [K+] was increased in control plasma during 42K washout, the percentage increase of effluent counts per minute per minute correlated with the percentage rise of control plasma [K+] (r = 0.95, P less than 0.001). During perfusion with septic plasma there was no similar correlation (r = 0.277). 42K efflux increased during septic plasma perfusion independent of the differences between control and septic plasma [K+], demonstrating abnormal myocardial K+ efflux. An abnormal efflux of K+ is seen during septic plasma perfusion similar to that described in primate skeletal muscle. It is associated with and may be a mechanism of action for the observed fall of contractility.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Shock trauma.

Trauma - accidental or intentional injury - is a major health and social problem. It is still the chief cause of death in people between the ages of 1 and 38 years. In the United States, the mortality due to trauma between the ages of 15 and 24 years increased by 13% from 1960 to 1978. During the same period, the mortality for people aged 25 to 64 years declined by 16%. Murders have increased from 8464 in 1960, to 26 000 in 1982. The overall death rate of American teenagers and young adults is 50% higher than that of their counterparts in Britain, Sweden and Japan. Trauma affects young, productive citizens, and the estimated costs for death, disability and loss of productivity exceed $230 million a day. The most tragic statistic is that at least 40% of the deaths are needless and preventable if better treatment and prevention programs were available. Trauma deaths that might be prevented are those due to motor vehicle accidents, homicide, burns, and alcohol and drug abuse. In this paper suggestions for prevention are made. They include improved crash worthiness of motor vehicles, revocation of drunk drivers' licences, use of devices that limit drunk drivers, increased tax on alcohol and random breathalyser tests, and the use of seat belts and motorcycle helmets. Control of hand-guns and burn characteristics of cigarettes could also reduce deaths. The problems and issues in trauma care can be divided into two broad categories: system and professional. System problems include prehospital care, in-hospital care, rehabilitation and prevention. Professional problems include education, research, economics, and quality.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed1984

Trauma care systems.

In summary, I have examined the questions of why have a trauma care system and whether trauma care systems improve trauma care. I believe the evidence is overwhelming that trauma care systems are worthwhile and that they improve trauma care. They have other important values, including the training of surgeons, other specialists, and nurses in the care of the injured patient. Trauma care systems should also be integral to the regional disaster plans and to the education of the public and should be a focus for research activities in trauma care. All trauma centers should provide access to rehabilitation services so that the patient who recovers from acute injuries can return to a productive life.

Accident Prevention↗
PubMed1984

Duodenal trauma: experience of a trauma center.

In the past decade 93 patients with duodenal injury were treated at a trauma center. By chart review, the age, sex, mechanism of injury, time to initial exploration (and the reason for delay), laboratory results, associated injury, extent of duodenal injury, operative repair, use of drains and tube decompression, morbidity, and cause of death were tabulated in order to improve management of these injuries. Of 87 patients surviving until the time of operative repair 73% required no repair (four) or primary closure (59). The remainder had either resection with primary anastomosis (ten), diverticulization (12), or pancreaticoduodenectomy (two). All patients with penetrating trauma were immediately explored. Patients with blunt trauma were explored on the basis of the judgment of house staff and faculty. Overall mortality was 18%. Significant morbidity occurred in 49% of survivors. This urban experience was heavily weighted toward penetrating injury. In this group early death usually resulted from associated vascular injuries. Blunt duodenal injury was less frequently associated with immediate exsanguination. Mortality associated with blunt duodenal injury was usually the result of delayed diagnosis. In blunt duodenal trauma peritoneal lavage is not diagnostic and may often be misleading; in this series 50% of lavages were false negatives. Blunt duodenal trauma, particularly when combined with pancreatic injury or delayed repair, was a lethal combination. A high index of suspicion and aggressive diagnostic evaluation (CT contrast study/amylase) in the emergency department is required in equivocal cases to avoid morbidity and mortality.

Adolescent↗