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J Landercasper

Publications and source records attributed to J Landercasper.

36 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Acute posttraumatic renal failure: a multicenter perspective.

UNLABELLED: Acute renal failure (ARF) following trauma is rare. Historically, ARF has been associated with a high mortality rate. To investigate this entity we conducted a retrospective review of 72,757 admissions treated at nine regional trauma centers over a 5-year period. Seventy-eight patients (0.098%) developed acute renal failure requiring hemodialysis. Detailed demographic, clinical, and outcome data were collected. Patients with pre-existing medical conditions (group I) had a 70% increase in mortality over those without pre-existing conditions (p less than 0.004). Twenty-four patients (31%) developed ARF less than 6 days after injury (group II). The remainder (group III) developed late renal failure (mean time to first dialysis, 23 days). The predominant cause of death was multiple organ failure (82%). There were no differences in mortality because of multiple organ failure among the three groups of patients. Of the 33 survivors, six (18%) were discharged with renal insufficiency, three (9%) were discharged on dialysis, 23 (70%) were discharged home or to rehabilitation, and 27 (82%) had no significant evidence of renal insufficiency. CONCLUSION: Posttraumatic renal failure requiring hemodialysis is rare (incidence, 107 per 100,000 trauma center admissions), but the mortality rate remains high (57%). Two thirds of the cases of posttraumatic renal failure develop late and are secondary to multiple organ failure; one third of the cases of posttraumatic renal failure develop early and may result from inadequate resuscitation.

Acute Kidney Injury↗

Death and disability from agricultural injuries in Wisconsin: a 12-year experience with 739 patients.

During a 12-year period, 739 patients were admitted to a referral trauma center as the result of injuries incurred while farming. There were 608 (82%) male patients and 131 female patients. Ages ranged from 1 to 89 years including 160 patients (22%) less than 16 years old and 78 patients (11%) more than 65 years old. The injury mechanism was a farm animal in 225 (30%), farm machinery in 168 (23%), a tractor in 120 (16%), a fall in 77 (10%), a power take-off in 47 (7%), a cornpicker in 42 (6%), and miscellaneous in 60 (8%). There were 16 (2%) deaths attributable to the agricultural accident. Tractors were involved in eight of these deaths, falls in four, power take-offs in three, and farm machinery in one. Furthermore, 159 (22%) patients were left with significant permanent disability including orthopedic problems in 131 patients, neurologic deficits in 22, and pulmonary disability in 6. Agricultural trauma is frequent and diverse with unique injury mechanisms. Life-threatening injuries are often seen and permanent disability is common. Effective injury prevention must focus on farmer education, additional mandatory safety features on agricultural equipment, and appropriate design of rural trauma systems.

Accidents, Occupational↗

Perioperative stroke risk in 173 consecutive patients with a past history of stroke.

During an 8-year period ending in 1988, 173 consecutive patients with a history of previous cerebrovascular accident underwent general anesthesia for surgery. Five patients (2.9%) had documented postoperative cerebrovascular accidents from 3 to 21 days (mean, 12.2 days) after surgery. The risk of postoperative cerebrovascular accident did not correlate with age, sex, history of multiple cerebrovascular accidents, poststroke transient ischemic attacks, American Society for Anesthesia physical status, aspirin use, coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, intraoperative blood pressure, time since previous cerebrovascular accident, or cause of previous cerebrovascular accident. Postoperative stroke was more common in patients given preoperative heparin sodium. We conclude that the risk of perioperative stroke is low (2.9%) but not easily predicted and that the risk continues beyond the first week of convalescence. Unlike myocardial infarction, cerebral reinfarction risk does not seem to depend on time since previous infarct.

Adult↗

Delayed diagnosis of flail chest.

A retrospective review of 99 consecutive patients with flail chest after trauma was conducted to determine the incidence and significance of delayed presentation. Patients ranged in age from 7 to 88 yr (mean 50.3). Hospitalization ranged from 1 to 129 days (mean 23). Mean Injury Severity Score was 30. Sixty (61%) patients were managed with mechanical ventilation. Pulmonary complications developed in 48 (48%) patients and 14 (14%) patients died. The flail chest injury was documented on initial examination of 77 (78%) patients. Delayed presentation occurred in 22 (22%) patients from 1 to 10 days after injury. Reasons for delayed diagnosis included intubation and mechanical ventilation before complete physical examination, development of pulmonary complications with the attendant increased work of breathing, and physician error. The time of presentation was not associated with patient age, sex, severity of injury, need for mechanical ventilation, duration of ventilation, incidence of pulmonary morbidity, or mortality.

Adolescent↗

Prospective analysis of rural interhospital transfer of injured patients to a referral trauma center.

A 1-year prospective review of 78 multiply injured patients initially treated at local community hospitals and subsequently transported more than 25 miles to a referral trauma center was completed. Injury mechanisms were blunt in 74 (95%) patients and penetrating in four. Patient ages ranged from 6 to 88 years (mean, 33 years). Trauma Scores ranged from 6 to 16 (mean, 13.9) and Injury Severity Scores ranged from 4 to 54 (mean, 21.5). The quality of care during initial stabilization and transport was evaluated by ATLS guidelines for airway management, treatment of shock, spine and fracture immobilization, neurologic evaluation, secondary assessment, and chart documentation. Most frequent departures from these standards involved failure to place a nasogastric tube before transport (72%), failure to document neurologic status (47%), inadequate cervical spine immobilization (32%), inadequate intravenous access (29%), inadequate oxygen delivery (28%), and incomplete or absent records (22%). Life-threatening deficiencies were identified in four (5%) patients and serious deficiencies in 62 (80%). This study demonstrates the need for further education of rural physicians about priorities in trauma management. Increased emphasis on stabilization and transport should be added to ATLS training courses. Established transport protocols between institutions would enhance the quality of care and engender improved interhospital communication. The implementation of trauma systems designed specifically for rural areas must be supported.

Adolescent↗

Trauma and the veterinarian.

A survey of all American Veterinary Medical Association members in Minnesota and Wisconsin was conducted by questionnaire to document injuries resulting from animal treatment. Of 995 respondents, 64.6% had sustained a major animal-related injury. Seventeen per cent were hospitalized within the last year. Of those hospitalized, 25.3% required a surgical procedure. Hand injuries were most common in a veterinarian's career (52.6% of respondents), followed by trauma to the arms (27.6%), and the head (20.8%). The thorax (8.3%), genitalia (3.9%), and intra-abdominal viscera (2.8%) were injured less often. Operative procedures were frequently required to treat veterinarian injury from animal patients. Thirty-five per cent of veterinarians required treatment for suture of lacerations, 10% for reduction of fracture/dislocation, and 5% for dental work in their career. One craniotomy and one carotid artery repair were necessary. Mechanism of injury was animal kick (35.5%), bite (34%), crush (11.7%), scratch (3.8%), and other interesting causes (14.9%). These included the patient pushing, goring, head butting, running over, and falling on the veterinarian. Additional work-related hazards included zoonotic disease, autoinoculation of live brucella vaccine, and self-inflicted scalpel injuries from sudden patient movement. The most common animals involved were bovine (46.5%), canine (24.2%), and equine (15.2%). Lost days from work secondary to animal injury averaged 1.3 days (range, 0-180 days) in 1986 and 8.5 days (range, 0-365 days) during the veterinarian's career. Job related automobile accidents also occurred. Veterinarians averaged more than 300 miles driven per week, and only 56% reported following the speed limit. Fifteen per cent did not wear seat belts. Self-treatment of injuries was common.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Late results of peripheral vascular surgery in patients 80 years of age and older.

During a seven-year period, 114 patients 80 years of age and older underwent 119 peripheral arterial procedures. There were 26 elective aortic reconstructions, nine ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repairs, 33 femoropopliteal bypasses, 13 femorotibial bypasses, 21 femoral embolectomies, and 17 miscellaneous procedures. Early mortality, morbidity, and Goldman cardiac risk factors were determined by chart review. All 48 survivors returned for current noninvasive vascular examination and life-style assessment. Perioperative mortality after elective AAA resection was 4.3%, vs 78% after ruptured AAA. Perioperative mortality after infrainguinal bypass was nil. Five-year survivals after elective aortic and infrainguinal reconstructions were 54% and 30%, respectively. Of 18 patients studied 19 to 68 months after infrainguinal bypass, limb salvage was achieved in 83% and graft patency in 76%. Thirty-one long-term survivors (65%) were living at home. Only seven patients (15%) were confined to a wheelchair or were bedridden, and 28 (58%) were fully ambulatory. Peripheral arterial reconstruction in patients 80 years of age and older can be performed safely with excellent long-term survival and quality of life.

Aged↗

Thrombolytic therapy of axillary-subclavian venous thrombosis.

Patients with axillary-subclavian vein thrombosis often have a poor outcome when treated with intravenous heparin sodium and oral warfarin sodium. Four patients were therefore treated with thrombolytic therapy. Good initial and excellent long-term results were achieved. In follow-up that has ranged up to four years, these patients do not have the common complaints of edema, fatigue, cramping, or weakness seen after traditional anticoagulation. Patients have returned to their previous occupations and have normal arm function. Noninvasive Doppler vascular laboratory studies suggest continued patency of axillary veins. Thrombolytic therapy should be considered in the treatment of spontaneous axillary-subclavian vein thrombosis.

Adult↗

Needle localization and biopsy of nonpalpable lesions of the breast.

Two hundred and three consecutive needle hookwire guided biopsies for nonpalpable lesions of the breast were performed upon 174 patients over a three year period. Patients ranged in age from 25 to 83 years (a mean of 55.4 years). Malignant growths of the breast were found in 44 of 203 specimens taken for biopsy. Sixty-six per cent of malignant lesions were in situ and 34 per cent were invasive carcinoma. The chance of a biopsy containing a malignant lesion was 17.5 per cent if the biopsy was done because of a discrete density on mammography, 22.1 per cent for microcalcifications and 29.6 per cent if both were present. The incidence of Stage I disease in 24 patients undergoing dissection of the axillary lymph node was 79.2 per cent. Specimen roentgenography was done in 165 biopsies. Anesthesia time was increased an average of 5.8 minutes by specimen roentgenography. In 198 instances, the mammographic lesion was present in the specimen taken for biopsy intended to remove it. Minor complications of needle hookwire insertion occurred in two patients. The mortality rate was nil.

Adult↗

Toxic shock syndrome and multiple-system organ failure after breast biopsy.

Toxic shock syndrome may result from postoperative staphylococcal wound infection. A case that occurred following a breast biopsy procedure for benign disease is reported. There was progressive multiple-system organ failure, and the patient was near death within 24 hours after a biopsy specimen of a benign fibroadenoma was obtained during an outpatient procedure. Early recognition and aggressive resuscitation are essential to prevent mortality after outpatient surgery complicated by toxic shock syndrome.

Adult↗

Blunt bovine and equine trauma.

During the past 6 years 134 patients were admitted as the result of bovine (cow) and equine (horse) trauma. The mechanism of injury was fall from horse in 45 patients, animal assault in 42, animal kick in 39, and animal-drawn vehicle accident in eight. Injury Severity Score (ISS) ranged from 1 to 41 and was greater than or equal to 25 in 11 patients. One hundred seventeen operative procedures were performed by ten groups of surgical subspecialists. Mortality was nil. Ideal management of these injuries includes treatment in a regional trauma center and an educational program of preventive measures.

Accidents↗

Reappraisal of Delorme's procedure for rectal prolapse.

Eighteen patients with second- and third-degree rectal prolapse were treated by simplified Delorme operation during a nine-year period. Operative mortality was nil and significant complications developed in three patients (17 percent). Long-term follow-up (average, 42 months) was established for all 18 patients revealing excellent results in 15 (83 percent). There was only one recurrent prolapse (6 percent) observed during this follow-up period. Technical details of the procedure are described. The simplified Delorme procedure provides acceptable results in the initial surgical management of rectal procidentia.

Adult↗

Long-term followup after traumatic asphyxia.

Victims of traumatic asphyxia syndrome were studied to determine: mechanism of injury, severity of injury, characteristic physical stigmata, treatment, and long-term disability. Consecutive patients who sustained severe crush injuries with traumatic asphyxia in the 5-year period ending November 1984 were reviewed. Followup was established by personal examination or questionnaire. Severity of injury and disability were assessed by Injury Severity Score and questionnaire, respectively. Six patients, ranging in age from 4 to 65 years, were hospitalized from 4 to 150 days for traumatic asphyxia. The mechanism of injury in each case was severe crush by an object weighing greater than 1,000 pounds. All patients had associated injuries, often involving the thorax, and the mean Injury Severity Score was 14.5. Severe craniocervical cyanosis with petechiae was present in all patients. Four patients had temporary neurologic impairment. Despite severity of injury, no long-term disability was detected at an average followup of 4.4 years. No long-term survivors demonstrated residual cyanosis, petechiae, swelling, or neurologic sequelae. All had returned to work or school.

Adolescent↗

Long-term disability after flail chest injury.

A review of 62 consecutive patients who sustained flail chest after trauma from 1971 to 1982 was conducted to document the late effects of this injury. The mechanism of injury was motor vehicle accident in 44 (71%), fall in nine (14.5%), and farming accident in nine (14.5%). Patients ranged in age from 7 to 87 years. Twenty-four (39%) patients arrived in shock and 54 (87%) had major extra-thoracic associated injuries. Thirty-seven (60%) patients were managed by intubation and mechanical ventilation and 25 (40%) by chest physiotherapy. Pulmonary complications developed in 60% of the total group. Eight patients (12.9%) died during the initial hospitalization. Five patients died 1 month to 9 years after discharge, and 17 were eventually lost to followup. Six-month to 12-year followup (mean, 5 years) was re-established for 32 patients. Twenty-one of these returned for comprehensive testing including physical examination, chest roentgenograms, spirometry, flow volume curves, diffusion testing, and calculation of dyspnea index. Of 32 patients questioned, only 12 had returned to full-time employment. Eight (25%) still had subjective chest tightness, 15 (49%) complained of thoracic cage pain, and 12 (38%) had experienced moderate or severe change in their overall level of activity. Using the British Medical Research Gradation for Dyspnea, three (9%) patients had moderate and six (19%) severe shortness of breath. Objective dyspnea index calculated from VEBTPS /MVV revealed mild dyspnea in 50% and moderate dyspnea in 20%. Formal carbon monoxide diffusion testing was normal in 90% of patients and revealed mild decrease in 10%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

Temporary blindness associated with traumatic asphyxia.

Traumatic asphyxia is an uncommon syndrome of craniocervical cyanosis, facial petechiae, and subconjunctival hemorrhages following severe crush injury to the thorax. Ocular manifestations of the syndrome have rarely been reported. A 42-year-old male sustained temporary blindness in association with traumatic asphyxia. Completely normal vision returned within 24 hours of injury. The pathogenesis of this unique finding probably involves transient retinal vein hypertension and reflex vasospasm in the retina.

Adult↗

Wounds caused by corn-harvesting machines: an unusual source of infection due to gram-negative bacilli.

The infectious complications in 23 patients with mutilating wounds due to trauma during corn harvesting were compared with those in 41 patients with factory-related hand injuries of similar severity. Initial cultures revealed bacterial growth in 89% of the agricultural wounds and in 63% of the factory wounds. A mean of 3.8 initial bacterial species were isolated per corn-harvesting wound vs. 0.9 species per factory wound. Gram-negative rods were recovered from 81% of the agricultural wounds; the commonest of these organisms were Enterobacter species and Xanthomonas maltophilia. Only 7% of factory-wound cultures grew gram-negative rods. Osteomyelitis, all with gram-negative rods, developed in five (22%) of the patients with farm injuries but did not occur in patients with factory wounds. More gram-negative rods were recovered from environmental cultures of corn-harvesting machines and corn plants than from those of factory machinery.

Adult↗