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Biomedical subjects

D Leibovici

Publications and source records attributed to D Leibovici.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

[Incomplete penile amputation: diagnostic and therapeutic challenge].

Traumatic penile amputation is a severe injury associated with a potential for multidisciplinary dysfunction. Since such injuries are rare, diagnostic and therapeutic experience is minimal. While complete penile amputation is a straight-forward diagnosis, incomplete amputations are not as evident and diagnosis may be delayed. The therapeutic endpoint includes restoration of an acceptable appearance of the phallus and a urethral meatus that allows normal voiding. Other objectives include re-establishment of sexual potency and fertility. As in other amputations, the treatment of choice is meticulous microsurgical replantation, including re-anastomosis of dorsal and cavernosal arteries, the deep dorsal vein, the urethra and nerves, as well as suturing the tunica albuginea. While appropriate cosmetic results and normal voiding can be achieved in most cases, potency is less frequently achieved due to neurological deficit leading to impaired erection and loss of sensation. Penile amputation is thus a complex therapeutic challenge, as meticulous anatomic reconstruction of blood vessels and nerves is essential for restoration of function. Since incomplete penile amputation may be overlooked when other more obvious injuries draw attention, this injury should be suspected in all cases of penetrating injury of the male genitalia. We present a 17-year-old man who sustained an incomplete penile amputation in a traffic accident.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed1997

Ketamine in the field: the use of ketamine for induction of anaesthesia before intubation in injured patients in the field.

Intubating the subconscious, struggling patient in a pre-hospital setting can be a difficult task even in experienced hands. We performed a clinical prospective study to evaluate the applicability of ketamine for induction of anaesthesia before intubation in the field. Ketamine was distributed to all air medical rescue teams--trained reserve army volunteers from various medical specialties. Lectures and literature concerning the use of ketamine for anaesthesia induction before intubation were given. The physicians were instructed to administer ketamine, in a dose of 2 mg/kg intravenously, if a single intubation attempt failed. Following the administration of ketamine, a questionnaire was filled in by the physician. Analysis of the data was performed after 24 months. During the study period, intubation was indicated in 161 injured patients evacuated by air in Israel. In 29 patients (18 per cent) the first intubation attempt had failed and they were given ketamine. The reasons for failure of the first intubation attempt were restlessness or trismus in 23 patients and traumatic distortion of the upper airway anatomical landmarks in six. Following ketamine administration, intubation was successful in 19 patients (65.5 per cent) in all of whom the indication for ketamine administration was restlessness or trismus. All patients with upper airway anatomy distortion were given a cricothyroidotomy. There were no complications attributed to ketamine. All patients reached hospital alive. This preliminary study suggests that the use of ketamine in this pre-hospital setting is safe. The drug is effective in cases where the primary reason for failure to intubate is restlessness or trismus. The drug is not effective in cases of anatomical damage to the upper airway. In these cases, cricothyroidotomy should probably be performed as early as possible.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Prehospital cricothyroidotomy by physicians.

To evaluate cricothyroidotomy in the field and the influence of physicians' medical specialty or previous experience on the success rate of this procedure, a retrospective study was conducted. Between October 1991 and April 1995, 29 cricothyroidotomies were performed in the prehospital setting in Israel. Twenty-six (89.6%) cricothyroidotomies were successfully performed. There was no evidence of higher success rate when the performers were surgeons, anesthesiologists, or intensive care specialists (100% success), compared to that of all other specialties (83.33%). All physicians had successfully completed the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) course, but only three had previously performed cricothyroidotomy. Acute complications included failure to establish an airway in 3 cases, minor bleeding in 2 cases, and an air leak around the cannula in 1 patient. These results show that following brief training (eg, the ATLS course) physicians are capable of performing emergency cricothyroidotomy in the field with a high success rate and minimal complications, regardless of medical specialty.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Interhospital patient transfer: a quality improvement indicator for prehospital triage in mass casualties.

The need for interhospital patient transfer after mass casualties may be a consequence of triage errors. Indications for interhospital patient transfer following seven suicidal bus bombings in Israel were reviewed to identify possible errors in triage at the scene. Medical records of victims arriving to hospitals were analyzed for age, injury description, injury Severity Score (ISS), and indication and destination of interhospital transfer. A total of 473 victims were involved, 74 of whom died at the scene (15.6%). Mean victim age was 29 +/- 16 (SD) years. Interhospital transfer was necessary for 29 patients. Indications for transfer included (1) mandatory lifesaving procedures on route to trauma center (n = 14), (2) underdiagnosis at the scene (n = 1), (3) insufficient local resources (n = 9), and (4) triage-related errors (n = 5). The ratio between interhospital transfer due to triage errors and the victim population who may need to be transferred is suggested as quality assurance (QA/QI) indicator for triage.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

The trimodal death distribution of trauma victims: military experience from the Lebanon War.

INTRODUCTION: Mortality in war is traditionally divided into two categories: killed in action and died of wounds. Mortality in civilian trauma is generally divided into three categories: immediate death (50%), early death (30%), and late death (20%). Can we identify a trimodal death distribution among war victims? METHODS: We analyzed data for casualties in the Lebanon War from June 6 to September 20, 1982. During this period a total of 1,950 soldiers were injured; 351 (18%) of them died. Time of injury and time of death of the victims was determined from real-time recordings during the battle and from hospital files. RESULTS: Analyzing the time of death revealed that 329 of the soldiers (93.7%) died within the first hour after injury, 7 soldiers died 1 to 4 hours after injury (2%), and 15 soldiers died 24 hours to 75 days after injury (4.3%). The most common causes of death during the first hour after injury were central nervous system (CNS) injuries 31%, exsanguination 30%, incineration 21%, and combined CNS injury and exsanguination 10.9%. Exsanguination was the leading cause of death 1 to 4 hours after injury (86%). CNS injury was the most common cause of late death (60%). Only 1.1% of the soldiers who reached the hospital alive died of their wounds. CONCLUSIONS: A trimodal mortality distribution with different causes of death in each peak can be identified in the mortality pattern of Israeli soldiers during the Lebanon War. The relative height of the different peaks and the causes of death in the third peak are different from those found in civilian trauma. We believe that prompt medical treatment and expeditious evacuation from the battle zone led to a very low death rate among the wounded soldiers who had reached the hospital alive. The same factors may have increased the relative portion of CNS injuries as a cause of late death.

Cause of Death↗
PubMed1997

Intravenous line diameter: is bigger really better?

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the size of an intravenous catheter influences the cannulation success rate and procedure duration among military medics. METHODS: According to a prospective, randomized, controlled crossover study design, 114 military medic cadets were paired and inserted 14-gauge (14G) and 16G intravenous catheters into veins in the antecubital fossa. Success rate and procedure duration were determined. RESULTS: The overall success rate for 14G and 16G catheters was 80 and 86%, respectively. Average procedure duration was 33 +/- 14.7 and 35.2 +/- 14.9 seconds, respectively. No significant differences were found in either success rate or procedure duration between the examined catheter sizes. CONCLUSION: Successful intravenous cannulation was unaffected by catheter size. Therefore, 14G intravenous catheters are recommended for use by military medics on the battlefield.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Penile intracorporeal infusion--possible access to the systemic circulation. Pressure flow studies in dogs and humans.

OBJECTIVE: To assess penile intracorporeal infusion as a simple alternative method of intravenous access during the initial phase of fluid resuscitation in male patients. DESIGN: Laboratory pressure flow studies in dogs and in humans. SUBJECTS: 5 male mongrel dogs, and 10 male patients who were being investigated for psychogenic impotence (n = 5) or organic impotence (n = 5). INTERVENTIONS: Dogs- two 19G needles were inserted into the canine corpora cavernosa, one for fluid infusion, and the other for cavernosal pressure monitoring. Ringer's lactate solution was infused into the corpora cavernosa, through an infusion pump. The dogs were then bled until systolic blood pressure reached 60 mmHg, and resuscitated by transfusion of autologous blood into the corpora cavernosa. HUMANS: Ringer's lactate solution was infused into a corpus cavernosum through a 19G scalp vein needle. Pressure monitoring was done through another 19 G needle. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Fluid flow rates and in humans time taken to insert an intracorporeal needle. RESULTS: Mean (SD) infusion rate through the canine corpora was 110 (22) ml/minute for Ringer's lactate solution and 109 (18) ml/minute for autologous blood. Mean infusion rate into the human corpora was 89.7 (12) ml/minute in the psychogenic impotent patients, and 88.2 (9) ml/minute in the organic impotent patients. Mean time taken to insert the needle was 15 (7) sec. CONCLUSIONS: An intracorporeal infusion line can be established in a short period of time and adequate quantities of fluids can be infused through the human and canine corpora cavernosa.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Establishing the limits and characteristics of normal age-related cognitive decline.

BACKGROUND: Research into ageing-related pathology relies not only on exploration of disease aetiology, but also a clear understanding of the normal ageing process. The present study aims to examine the characteristics of elderly subjects who lie on the borderline between normal and pathological ageing. METHOD: Cognitive functioning is examined using computerized neuropsychometric assessment in a population of 833 normal elderly from which a cohort of 397 subjects with sub-clinical cognitive impairment are followed over three years. Subjects receive a standardized neurological examination and ApoE genotypes are established. RESULTS: Analysis of covariance revealed no cross-sectional age differences for syntax comprehension (p = 0.19), articulation (p = 0.46), semantic matching (p = 0.12), reading (p = 0.79), and implicit memory (p = 0.21) while explicit memory, language skills and visuospatial skills were found to deteriorate both in the cross-sectional age comparisons and across time. An overall intellectual ability factor, derived from Principal Components Analysis, was found by regression to decline principally in persons with low education, and a high initial IQ level was observed to provide a protective effect over age 75. Persons with higher levels of education show relative stability over time on language and secondary memory tasks but deteriorate as rapidly as persons with low education on visuospatial tasks. Five separate patterns of sub-clinical cognitive deficit were isolated by cluster analysis. Two groups, with differing clinical profiles (of which only one manifested the ApoE4 allele), were found to have an increased risk of developing senile dementia (OR = 4.4 and 3.9). A third group had a high prevalence of depressive illness, and the remaining two showed very little change. CONCLUSION: Ageing does not affect all cognitive functions uniformly: a high initial education level slowing rate of decline for certain tasks. Separate patterns of cognitive change are observed in early senile dementia, benign change and changes related to depressive illness. Results suggest the need for more stringent selection of normal control groups.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1996

[Coniotomy: surgical airway management in trauma before hospitalization].

To assess the efficacy of prehospital coniotomy (cricothyrotomy), information regarding all coniotomies performed by military physicians during the last 3.5 years was analyzed. 26 were performed between October 1991 and May 1995, of which 23 were successful (88.4%). Failures were due to poor anatomic identification of the cricothyroid membrane. Most patients suffered head or neck injuries (in 61.5% and 19%, respectively). The main indications were anatomical distortion of the pharynx and larynx and failure to intubate. Intubation was attempted in 22 patients prior to coniotomy (multiple attempts in 17). Since coniotomy is a life-saving procedure, it should be part of the armamentarium of any physicians. Coniotomy in the field is associated with a high success rate. The procedure is recommended in trauma victims who need airway establishment and cannot be intubated or in whom intubation has failed.

Airway Obstruction↗
PubMed1996

Accurate anatomical location of war injuries: analysis of the Lebanon war fatal casualties and the proposition of new principles for the design of military personal armour system.

In this study we present a new approach to the design of the military personal armour system (MPAS). This approach is based on a computerized analysis of the exact anatomical location of 405 penetrating war injuries (290 shrapnel and 115 bullet injuries) in 164 soldiers killed in the Lebanon war. All the penetrating injuries (hits) were plotted on a computerized image of the human body. About 90 per cent of all hits were to the front of the body; 55 per cent of all hits were to the left side. About 45 per cent of all hits were to the torso, which is slightly more than the torso's proportion of total body-surface area (36 per cent). Of all hits to the torso, 64 per cent of the shrapnel hits and 73.3 per cent of the bullet hits were limited to the front mid torso (T4 to T9). The head at the level of the helmet received 9 per cent of all hits, most of which were over the frontal bones (72.4 per cent). The body part with the greatest density of penetrating injuries was the face, with 22.2 per cent of all penetrating wounds, and in particular the mid face, from the level of the lips to the level of the zygomatic bones, was especially vulnerable, sustaining 10 per cent of all the penetrating wounds. These findings suggest several possible modifications in the standard MPAS: an additional protective device over the front mid torso may be incorporated; the face may be protected by a transparent and lightweight face-shield; a horizontal margin added to the standard helmet may protect the upper face from missiles from above; a chin cover may protect the lower face.

Blast Injuries↗
PubMed1996

Does education level determine the course of cognitive decline?

Many studies have implicated low education as a risk factor for cognitive impairment in elderly people. Findings are, however, inconsistent and the mechanism by which education level may intervene in senescent cognitive change is uncertain. The present study examines cognitive change over a 1-year period in 283 elderly persons manifesting recent subclinical deterioration in at least one area of cognitive functioning. The results suggest that the impact of both education level and young adult IQ on the degree of cognitive change over the year is greater in the older age groups. Secondary memory and language functions were found to be more resistant to decline in the high-education group, while attention, implicit memory and visuospatial skills are found to decline irrespective of education level.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Blast injuries: bus versus open-air bombings--a comparative study of injuries in survivors of open-air versus confined-space explosions.

OBJECTIVES: To compare injury patterns resulting from explosions in the open air versus within confined spaces. METHODS: Medical charts of 297 victims of four bombing events were analyzed. Two explosions occurred in the open air and two inside buses. Similar explosive devices were applied in all four incidents. The incidence of primary blast injuries, significant penetrating trauma (Abbreviated Injury Scale score > or = 2), burns, Injury Severity Score, Revised Trauma Score, and mortality were compared between the two populations. RESULTS: A total of 204 casualties were involved in open-air bombings, 15 of whom died (7.8%). Ninety-three victims were involved in bus bombings, 46 of whom died (49%). The difference in mortality rate was highly significant, p < 0.00001. Primary blast injuries were observed in 25 and 31 victims (34.2% and 77.5% of admitted victims), respectively (p = 0.00003). Median Injury Severity Score was 4 versus 18, respectively (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Explosions in confined spaces are associated with a higher incidence of primary blast injuries, with more severe injuries and with a higher mortality rate in comparison with explosions in the open air.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

A typology of sub-clinical senescent cognitive disorder.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive impairment without dementia is commonly observed in ageing populations. The present study aims to describe types of impairment and evolution over a one-year period. METHOD: Three hundred and ninety-seven normal French elderly persons demonstrating recent, observable change in cognitive performance were examined annually using a computerised cognitive examination. RESULTS: Five subtypes were differentiated by cluster analysis. Two of the groups were predicted by logistic regression to be at high risk of senile dementia. Of 16 incident cases of senile dementia diagnosed in the following year, 13 were found to have derived from these two groups. The typology was also found to be useful in the description of age-associated memory impairment. CONCLUSIONS: Subclinical cognitive impairment was found to not constitute a unitary phenomenon and heterogeneous subgroups could be differentiated. The concept of 'normality' in elderly cohorts is reconsidered in the light of these findings.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Electrical injuries: current concepts.

Electrical injuries are often dramatic accidents and are potentially fatal. The systemic involvement which characterizes many of these injuries, requires familiarity with the broad spectrum of clinical manifestations and possible complications. While many victims of electrocution are killed before help can be provided, survivors may suffer severe injuries that need proper treatment. The pathophysiological aspects of electrical injuries and therapeutic principles are therefore discussed in this review as well as preventive measures.

Cardiovascular System↗
PubMed1995

The application of disability data from epidemiological surveys to the development of indicators of service needs for dependent elderly people.

Increases in the prevalence of disability due to the ageing of the population have given rise to the need for simple indicators which may be used to estimate service needs and to assess whether resources have been fairly distributed. The present study involved the validation of an indicator based on confinement level by reference to epidemiological studies of disability, social support, and living conditions in three regions of France. Using factorial correspondence analysis and regression methods it was found that such an indicator could adequately summarize more complex empirical observations and thus provide a means of classifying elderly populations into four dependency groups. While comparisons of the percentage of persons classified at each level with national data suggest that the observations from the three studies may be reasonably representative of France as a whole, the application of this indicator to other European countries should be preceded by a preliminary validation involving regional or national health survey data for each country. The use of this indicator should also be complemented by individual need assessment procedures.

Activities of Daily Living↗