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Biomedical subjects

J E Wiedeman

Publications and source records attributed to J E Wiedeman.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

Penetrating trauma to the diaphragm: natural history and ultrasonographic characteristics of untreated injury in a pig model.

HYPOTHESIS: Recent use of minimally invasive techniques to evaluate the chest and abdomen in patients with penetrating thoracoabdominal trauma has led to the discovery of many occult diaphragm injuries. Surgical repair of these injuries is relatively straightforward. However, diagnosis can be difficult, and the natural history of these injuries is controversial. By developing a penetrating diaphragm injury model, the ultrasonographic characteristics and natural history of this injury can be better understood. SETTING: Surgical laboratory of a tertiary care hospital. SUBJECTS: Seven pigs (Sus scrofa), weighing between 55 and 80 kg, received a 3-cm right-sided (n = 3) or left-sided (n = 4) diaphragm injury via thoracoscopy. INTERVENTIONS: Thoracoabdominal x-ray and ultrasonographic examinations were performed preoperatively; at 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks postoperatively; and when symptoms related to the diaphragm injury occurred. At 12 weeks, or at the time of earlier death, a postmortem thoracoabdominal examination was performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: x-Ray and ultrasonographic characteristics, and evidence of wound healing, in a penetrating diaphragm injury model. RESULTS: Perioperative recovery occurred in all pigs. No pigs had radiographic evidence of immediate postoperative herniation. Pigs in the right-sided injury group died early (</=10 days postoperatively). At the time of death, x-ray and ultrasonographic examination revealed hollow viscus herniation into the thorax (n = 2). Pigs in the left-sided injury group remained asymptomatic, without radiographic evidence of herniation, although subtle ultrasonographic signs of diaphragm injury were seen at the 2-week (n = 2), 4-week (n = 2), and 8-week (n = 3) intervals. Postmortem examination of the right-sided injury group revealed the liver afforded no protection against herniation. Right-sided defects (n = 3) did not change size or character despite small-bowel herniation. Conversely, the left hemidiaphragm was well protected by the relatively fixed liver, spleen, and large stomach. The 4 left-sided defects (100%) spontaneously healed. CONCLUSIONS: We developed a penetrating diaphragm injury model with high and low risk of herniation. Ultrasonography may prove to be an important diagnostic adjunct in evaluating diaphragm injuries with and without herniation. Moreover, since the "protected" diaphragm injuries in our model healed spontaneously, a role may exist for the nonoperative treatment of diaphragm injuries in clinical practice. This pig model may prove useful in further defining future management and repair techniques for such injuries.

Animals↗

Machete injuries in Haiti.

Machete-related wounds are a source of appreciable morbidity in many developing nations. We describe a case of radial nerve injury resulting from a machete attack in Haiti. Twenty-two additional cases of machete-related wounds treated during a 3-month humanitarian mission to Haiti are reported. Sixty-five percent were accidental in nature, occurring from a variety of routine activities, whereas the remainder were secondary to assaults. The upper extremity was injured in 85% of the cases, often resulting in complicated wounds with nerve, tendon, and joint injuries. A treatment protocol for peripheral nerve injuries incurred in austere conditions is presented.

Adolescent↗

Civilian versus military trauma dogma: who do you trust?

Combat trauma differs from its peacetime counterpart by involving a different spectrum of injuries, occurring in austere environments, dealing with mass casualties, and embodying inherent treatment delays. Thus, civilian trauma practices may be inappropriate in certain combat settings. A review of historical as well as current vivilian and military data is presented for four trauma topics (military antishock trousers, wound debridement, colon wounds, fluid resuscitation) in which civilian and military principles have clashed. The following recommendations are made. (1) Military antishock trousers are still useful in a combat setting. (2) Soft-tissue wound management should be directed by the wound rather than by the weapon. (3) Cautious avoidance of colostomy may be indicated in certain wartime colon wounds. (4) The majority of combat casualties require early vigorous fluid resuscitation. When civilian trauma experience challenges military dogma, it must be carefully considered before being applied to a combat setting.

Adult↗

Is tension pneumothorax a threat in trauma laparoscopy?

BACKGROUND: Tension pneumothorax is a reported risk with pneumoperitoneum in the presence of diaphragmatic injuries. A goat model with and without diaphragmatic injury was used to determine if varying levels of intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) result in tension pneumothorax. METHODS: Twenty-four goats were divided equally into four groups: (1) 5 mm Hg IAP control, (2) 15 mm Hg IAP control, (3) 5 mm Hg IAP with diaphragmatic injury, (4) 15 mm Hg IAP with diaphragmatic injury. Chest x-ray films were made and heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure, central venous pressure (CVP), arterial blood gases, and airway pressure (AP) were measured at 10-minute intervals up to 30 minutes. Significant changes were determined by using the one-way analysis of variance and Mann-Whitney test with alpha set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: In group 4, 100% (all six goats) developed radiographic evidence of tension pneumothorax by 10 minutes. Mean changes from baseline at 20 minutes for the following parameters were all significantly different from controls: HR (p < 0.05), CVP (p < 0.0001), PaO2 (p < 0.001), and AP (p < 0.004). Mortality was 67% (four of six) at 25 minutes. In group 3, 100% (all six goats) of the animals developed radiographic evidence of a simple pneumothorax without mediastinal shift. In this group, there were significant changes in PaO2 (p < 0.003), AP (p < 0.04), and HR (p < 0.05). Mortality was 16% (one of six) at 25 minutes. CONCLUSION: In this goat model of diaphragmatic injury, tension pneumothorax is a significant threat when pneumoperitoneum is maintained at 15 mm Hg IAP. Pneumoperitoneum at 5 mm Hg IAP leads to simple pneumothorax with deleterious effects on oxygenation. Changes in AP, CVP, HR, and PaO2 provide early clues to the development of the problem.

Animals↗

Rocket grenade injuries: patient management in a field hospital setting.

An incident involving RPG-7 (rocket grenade) injuries was managed in a field hospital in the Middle East. Used by guerrilla forces worldwide, the RPG-7 is exemplary of military weapons that produce extensive fragment-related wounds and associated blast effects. The active duty or reserve military physician must be prepared to diagnose and treat such injuries in a remote setting.

Blast Injuries↗

Applying ATLS to the Gulf War.

During a 3-month deployment to Silopi, Turkey, for Operation Provide Comfort, the 39 TACG Air Transportable Hospital (ATH) managed 32 cases of severe military trauma. Fifty-two operations were necessary, 78% of which were performed at the ATH. Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) protocols were applied to all of the patients. Only 14% of the 52 procedures were ATLS-learned skills. Also, only 30% of the patients could be managed solely by ATLS in the first 6 hours, the average time of ATH responsibility. ATLS alone is insufficient wartime readiness preparation for the military physician.

Hospitals, Military↗

Special problems after iatrogenic vascular injuries.

Iatrogenic vascular injuries occurring at our institution were reviewed and several special problems not previously well described were found. These include carotid and femoral pseudoaneurysms, occult hemorrhage and knotting of the angiographic catheter. These problems are exemplified in four patient reports to illustrate how appropriate planning of operative approach and adherence to vascular surgical principles can optimize results.

Aged↗

Minimizing mortality and morbidity from iatrogenic arterial injuries: the need for early recognition and prompt repair.

Seventy-one cases of iatrogenic arterial injury requiring repair at our institution from 1972 through 1984 were retrospectively analyzed. Cardiac catheterization accounted for most of the injuries (62%). Ten injuries (14%) resulted from angiography or percutaneous transluminal angioplasty; four injuries (5.6%) occurred after invasive monitoring devices were inserted. Six injuries (8.45%) stemmed from complications of intra-aortic balloon pump insertion, whereas the remainder occurred during various surgical procedures. Most injuries were in the femoral (42.3%) and brachial (38.1%) locations. Thrombectomy (23.9%) and resection with end-to-end anastomosis (35.2%) were the repairs most commonly performed. Morbidity and mortality were low; only one case resulted in limb loss, and neither of the two deaths resulted from the vascular repair itself. On the basis of our experience, we can make certain recommendations with regard to specific injuries. First, the conservative approach to brachial artery thrombosis occurring after catheterization is early exploration and repair. Second, although most injuries can be managed simply with thrombectomy and primary repair, iliofemoral injuries are more likely to require complex reconstructive techniques. Third, large-bore catheter injuries to the carotid artery require immediate exploration and repair to prevent thrombosis, pseudoaneurysm, and cerebral embolism. Fourth, symptoms of nerve compression after transaxillary arteriography require prompt exploration. Our results indicate that, depending on the site of injury, individualized techniques of varying complexity are required for repair. In general, serious sequelae can be minimized by early recognition, prompt operation, and adherence to sound vascular surgical principles.

Adult↗

Use of the Hickman catheter for jejunal feedings in children.

A simple, safe method for creating a long term jejunal feeding route using the standard Hickman catheter is described herein. The positive results in pediatric patients suggest that this method would be suitable in selected adult instances.

Abdominal Muscles↗