Background: Injury to the underlying structures of the hand carries the potential for serious handicap. To reduce this risk, even the smallest hand injuries require proper medical care. Aims: To assess wound healing, mobility, and the ability to perform normal essential function post-operatively in open hand injuries associated with fracture. Materials and Methods: Thirty patients with 45 metacarpal and phalangeal fractures of the hand were divided into three groups: Group 1 (n = 13) cases with single fractures of hand, excluding thumb; Group 2 (n = 9) cases with multiple fracture of hand, excluding thumb; Group 3 (n = 8) cases with fractures involving thumb and first metacarpal. Tendon injuries were repaired. For fractures, Kirschner wire fixation was done. In two cases with multiple fractures, Joshi's external support system (JESS) fixator was applied. Patients were followed up for 12 weeks. Results: One patient with proximal phalangeal fracture developed extension lag. No stiffness was observed in any of the cases treated by intramedullary Kirschner wire fixation. No non-union or delayed union was observed following cross-wire fixation with two Kirschner wires. Two case of open fracture developed superficial infection. Two patients with multiple fractures developed angulation at fracture site after the Kirschner wires were removed 4 weeks postoperatively, and two cases of multiple fractures developed hypertrophic non-union. Conclusions: Delicate handling of tissues, preservation of gliding planes for tendons, prevention of infection, accurate reduction and fixation, and early and appropriate physiotherapy affect prognosis in case of hand injuries.

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Context: The occurence of anastomotic leakage after gastointestinal resection and anastomosis is associated with significant mortality and morbidity. Aims: There is dearth of evidence in the literature on the influence of various non-surgical factors in causing anastomotic leakage although many studies have identified their possible role. Materials and Methods: A retrospective audit of all the anastomotic leakages occurring between September 2009 and April 2012 in our institute was performed to identify the potential non-surgical factors that can influence anastomotic leakage. A total of 137 out of 1246 patients who developed anastmotic leak were analyzed. All the potential non-surgical causes of anastomotic leakage available in the literature were analyzed by univariate analysis and stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis was done after adjusting for the type of surgery. An intergroup comparison among the patients based on the type of surgery was also performed. Results: The following factors were found to be independently associated with increased risk of anastomotic leak: (1) albumin <3.5 g/dl, (2) anemia <8 g/dl, (3) hypotension (4) use of inotropes, and (5) blood transfusion. The majority of anastomotic leaks occurred after pancreatic surgeries followed by esophagectomies and occurred least after colonic resections.The risk for anastomotic leak was four times more in patients who required inotropic support in the perioperative period and three times more in patients who developed hypotension. Conclusions: Our study is the first retrospective audit to identify the influence of non-surgical factors for anastomotic leakage and the need for further observational studies in this direction.

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Aims: The aim of this study is to evaluate the drug utilization pattern and pharmacoeconomic analysis in critical care unit (CCU). Materials and Methods: Indoor case papers of patients admitted in CCU between January 2008 and December 2010 were analyzed for demographic variables; indications; duration of CCU stay; proportion of common drugs used. Use of antimicrobials was evaluated based on the culture report and empirical regimen used. Defined daily dose (DDD)/100 bed-days were calculated. Various World Health Organization prescribing indicators were evaluated. Cost of drugs was calculated from Indian Drug Review (2010). Results: A total of 397 cases were evaluated with a mean age of 44.62 years (95% confidence interval [CI]: 42.56-46.69). Average duration of CCU stay was 4.15 days (95% CI: 3.79-4.51). The average number of drugs prescribed per patient was 13.54 (95% CI: 13.05-14.04). Total drug utilization in terms of DDD/100 bed-days was 226.27. Metronidazole, cefotaxime, atropine, adrenaline, dopamine, dobutamine, deriphyllin, ranitidine, metoclopramide and furosemide were prescribed in more than 30% cases. Number of antimicrobials prescribed per patient was 2.50 (95% CI: 2.37-2.66). Cefotaxime + metronidazole (26.70%) were the most common empirical regimen used. Average cost of treatment per patient was Rs 3225.70 (95% CI: 2749.8-3701.6). Higher economic burden was noted among expired patients and admitted due to medical + surgical indication (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Poly-pharmacy and use of antimicrobials without culture report is a common problem in CCU.

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Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a commonly performed surgery for the treatment of spondylosis, radiculopathy, myelopathy, and trauma to the cervical spine. Esophageal perforation is a rare yet serious complication following ACDF with an incidence of 0.02 to 1.52%. We describe a case of a 24-year-old man who underwent ACDF and corpectomy following a motor vehicle accident who subsequently developed delayed onset esophageal perforation requiring surgical intervention. We believe that the detailed review of the surgical management of esophageal perforation following cervical spine surgery will provide a deeper understanding for the Intensivist in regards to postoperative airway management in these types of patients. Careful extubation over a soft flexible exchange catheter should take place to help reduce the risk of perforation in the event reintubation is required.

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Background: Most of the studies referring cuff tubes' issues were conducted on intubated patients. Not much is known about the cuff pressure performance in chronically tracheostomized patients disconnected from mechanical ventilation. Objective : To evaluate cuff pressure (CP) variation in tracheostomized, spontaneously breathing patients in a weaning rehabilitation center. Materials and Methods: Experimental setup to test instruments in vitro, in which the gauge (TRACOE) performance at different pressure levels was evaluated in six tracheostomy tubes, and a clinical setupin which CP variation over 24 h, every 4 h, and for 6 days was measured in 35 chronically tracheostomized clinically stable, patients who had been disconnected from mechanical ventilation for at least 72 h. The following data were recorded: Tube brand, type, and size; date of the tube placed; the patient's body position; the position of the head; axillary temperature; pulse and respiration rates; blood pressure; and pulse oximetry. Results : In vitro difference between the initial pressure (IP) and measured pressure (MP) was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The difference between the IP and MP was significant when selecting for various tube brands (P < 0.05). In the clinical set-up, 207 measurements were performed and the CP was >30 cmH ₂ O in 6.28% of the recordings, 20-30 cmH ₂ O in 42.0% of the recordings, and <20 cmH ₂ O in 51.69% of the recordings. Conclusion : The systematic CP measurement in chronically tracheostomized, spontaneously breathing patients showed high variability, which was independent of tube brand, size, type, or time of placement. Consequently, measurements should be made more frequently.

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Background and Objective: Supraglottic Airway Laryngopharyngeal Tube (S.A.L.T) is a new airway gadget conceived as an effective device to facilitate blind oro-tracheal intubation. Literature review showed no available clinical study on human subjects. The aim of our study was to evaluate S.A.L.T as an adjunct to blind oro-tracheal intubation. Methods: Study design: Single centre, Single group, Open label, Prospective, Interventional pilot study. Study Group: 30 adult patients of either sex belonging to ASA I and II, scheduled for elective surgery under General anaesthesia. Patients were pre-medicated with inj. Glycopyrrolate 0.2 mg and inj. Midazolam 2 mg and induced with Inj. Propofol 2 mg/kg IV. After inj. Suxamethonium 1.5 mg/kg IV, S.A.L.T was inserted and a size 7.0 ID cuffed ETT was inserted through it immediately. The time period, from insertion of the S.A.L.T to the insertion of the ETT was noted. A successful intubation was defined as to insert SALT and intubate through it within 2 minutes irrespective of the number of attempts. Airway trauma, if any was recorded. Results: Only 40% of the patients were successfully intubated [(20.4% to 59.6% with 95% confidence interval (CI)]. The mean number of attempts required for intubation was 1.4 ± 0.67 (CI - 0.99 to 1.8) and the mean time for intubation was 26.3 ± 19.0 seconds (CI - 14.3 to 38.4 sec). Mallampati class I had more success rate than class III (P < 0.05). No airway trauma was recorded. Conclusion: S.A.L.T shows limited usefulness as an adjunct for aided blind oro-tracheal intubation.

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Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and congestive heart failure exacerbations, as well as pneumonia benefit from the use of non-invasive ventilation (NIV), due to increased patient comfort and a reduced incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia. However, some patients do not tolerate NIV due to anxiety or agitation, and traditionally physicians have withheld sedation from these patients due to concerns of loss of airway protection and respiratory depression. We report our recent experience with a 91-year-old female who received NIV for acute respiratory distress secondary to pneumonia. The duration of NIV was a total time period of 86 h, using the bilevel positive airway pressure mode via a full face mask. The patient was initially agitated with the NIV, but with the addition of the dexmedetomidine, she tolerated it well. The dexmedetomidine was administered without a loading dose, as a continuous infusion ranging from 0.2 to 0.5 mcg/kg/hr, titrated to a Ramsey score of three. This case illustrates the safe use of dexmedetomidine to facilitate NIV, and improve compliance, which may reduce ICU length of stay.

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Context: It is predicted that injuries will be among the top 20 leading causes of death worldwide by 2030. In Egypt, injuries burden is significant as it was the fifth leading cause of death in 2004. Also, it's considered as a hidden epidemic due to under-reporting. Aims: To identify the patterns of hospitalized injury cases at Trauma Unit in Assiut University Hospitals and to provide an indication about who are at increased risk of hospitalization or death due to injury. Settings and Design: A descriptive retrospective study. Materials and Methods: Registered data of all hospitalized injuries from January 2002 to December 2009 at Trauma Unit of Assiut University Hospitals in Upper Egypt were included. Statistical Analysis: Advanced statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) program version 16 (IBM Corporation - http://www.spss.com) was used for data analysis. Descriptive statistics and tests of significance were used. P value was considered statistically significant when it was less than 0.05 and highly significant when it was less than 0.001. Results: Admitted cases of attended injuries were (31.8%). Most admissions were below the age of 30 years (58.4%). Male to female ratio was 3:1. Falls were the most common injuries (43.6%), followed by transport accidents (31.1%). More than half of deaths (56.4%) were due to transport accidents. Transport accidents, falls, interpersonal violence and gunshot injuries had an early ranking throughout the study period. Conclusion: Road traffic injuries, falls and violence are areas of priority in preventive strategies. Paying special attention for young adults is recommended.

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Here we posit for discussion the example of a reversible metabolic encephalopthy in a very elderly male that was missed clinically. A metabolic encephalopathy in extrememly elderly patients may be confused with delerium or inattention. A reversible cause of cognative dysfunction in the aged may be missed by practitioners because the aged may be assumed to have some level of impaired cognition; this may lead to a "social dismissal" of mental status changes. We highlight the need for engaged physicians in the care of the aged and vigilance against a professional bias toward the elderly patient that is dismissive.

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Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is a hematopoietic growth factor with immunostimulatory effects that include the activation and priming of neutrophils. Neutrophils are an important part of the human immune system, yet they have been implicated in the pathogenesis of acute lung injury (ALI). GM-CSF has been found to increase the amount of activated neutrophils recruited to the lung tissue as well as to increase the life span of neutrophils leading to substantial lung tissue injury and the development of ALI. While, there have been few cases reported of ALI following GM-CSF, the experience reported here is the first of ALI subsequent to local administration of GM-CSF in a patient with significant pulmonary comorbidities.

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Context: Trauma is an important health concern during pregnancy in developing nations though it is under-reported. Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the patterns of presentation and feto- maternal outcomes of trauma during pregnancy in a Nigerian setting. Settings and Design: A hospital-based retrospective analysis of database of entire patient population who presented in Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, with trauma during pregnancy. Materials and Methods: The data on demographics, obstetrics, and injury characteristic in addition to the outcome of all injured pregnant women hospitalized from January 2002 to December 2010 were analyzed. Statistical Analysis: SPSS version 16 and quantitative skills software SISA were used in data analysis. Results: Trauma-necessitated hospitalization in 12 per 1000 pregnant women admitted in antenatal ward and was a complication of pregnancy in 4.7 per 1000 live birth in the hospital. Physical assault was the predominant causative factor and accounted for 46% of injuries whereas road traffic accident (motorcycle injury related in over 80%) was involved in 30.2% of the patients. The parity of the patients was significantly related to the trimester of pregnancy at the time of injury - 73% of grand-multiparae and about 60% of primigravida involved presented with injury in the 3 ^rd and 2 ^nd trimester, respectively (P < 0.017). Preterm delivery (7.9%), abruptio placentae (4.8%), and stillbirth (4.8%) were common obstetric complications observed. Maternal mortality of 1.6% and fetal loss of 7.9% were associated with trauma. Conclusions: Injury prevention measures during pregnancy deserve a place in any policy response aimed at reducing feto-maternal morbidity and mortality in developing countries.

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Background: Diaphragmatic injury is a global diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Objectives: The study was to identify the variations in the risk factors, diagnosis, management, and outcome between blunt and penetrating injuries of the diaphragm. Materials and Methods: A prospective study was conducted on patients who were diagnosed with injury to diaphragm during preoperative, intraoperative, or postmortem period. The risk correlates and the trail of events following injury, interventions, and outcomes were studied. Results: Of the 25 cases, blunt injury was experienced by 10. Road traffic injury was the most common cause in blunt trauma and assault with knife in penetrating trauma. Acute presentation was the most common mechanism. X-rays were positive in 52% cases. The most common reason for false negative X-rays was massive effusion/hemothorax. Computed tomography (CT) improved the positivity rate to 62.5%. A total of 25% of diaphragmatic injuries were diagnosed during surgery for hemodynamic instability irrespective of initial X-rays findings. Laprotomy alone was sufficient in majority of cases. The defects were largely in the left side; mean defect size was more in blunt trauma. Associated injuries were noted in 92%. Stomach was most affected in penetrating injuries and spleen in blunt trauma. Empeyma was the most common morbidity. Mortality rate of 13% in penetrating injury was far lower than 60% in blunt injury. Mean Injury Severity Score (ISS) was significantly related to the fatal outcomes irrespective of mechanism. Diagnostic laparoscopy for asymptomatic low velocity junctional penetrating wounds revealed diaphragmatic injury in 20%. Conclusions: The incidence of multisystem injuries at our trauma center is on the rise. A high index of suspicion is needed for diagnosis of diaphragmatic injury. The need for thorough exploratory laprotomy is essential. In resource stretched setting like ours, the need for routine diagnostic laparoscopy in asymptomatic junctional wounds has to be validated further.

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