BackgroundTraumatic abdominal wall hernias or defects (TAWDs) after blunt trauma are rare and comprehensive literature on this topic is scarce. Altogether, there is no consensus about optimal methods and timing of repair, resulting in a surgeon’s dilemma. The aim of this study was to analyze current literature, comparing (1) acute versus delayed repair and (2) mesh versus no mesh repair.MethodsA broad and systematic search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library. The selected articles were assessed on methodological quality using a modified version of the CONSORT 2010 Checklist and the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Primary endpoint was hernia recurrence, diagnosed by clinical examination or CT. Random effects meta-analyses on hernia recurrence rates after acute versus delayed repair, and mesh versus no mesh repair, were conducted separately.ResultsIn total, 19 studies were evaluated, of which 6 were used in our analysis. These studies reported a total of 229 patients who developed a TAWD, of whom a little more than half underwent surgical repair. Twenty-three of 172 patients (13%) who had their TAWD surgically repaired developed a recurrence. In these studies, nearly 70% of the patients who developed a recurrence had their TAWD repaired primarily without a mesh augmentation and mostly during the initial hospitalization. Pooled analysis did not show any statistically significant favor for either use of mesh augmentation or the timing of surgical repair.ConclusionAlthough 70% of the recurrences occurred in patients without mesh augmentation, pooled analysis did not show significant differences in either mesh versus no mesh repair, nor acute versus delayed repair for the management of traumatic abdominal wall defects. Therefore, a patient’s condition (e.g., concomitant injuries) should determine the timing of repair, preferably with the use of a mesh augmentation.

Background: Far reaching sub-specialization tends to become obligatory for surgeons in most Western countries. It is suggested that exposure of surgeons to emergency laparotomy after trauma is ever declining. Therefore, it can be questioned whether a generalist (i.e., general surgery) with additional differentiation such as the trauma surgeon, will still be needed and can remain sufficiently qualified. This study aimed to evaluate volume trends and outcomes of emergency laparotomies in trauma. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed in the University Medical Center Utrecht between January 2008 and January 2018, in which all patients who underwent an emergency laparotomy for trauma were included. Collected data were demographics, trauma-related characteristics, and number of (planned and unplanned) laparotomies with their indications. Primary outcome was in-hospital mortality; secondary outcomes were complications, length of ICU, and overall hospital stay. Results: A total of 268 index emergency laparotomies were evaluated. Total number of patients who presented with an abdominal AIS > 2 remained constant over the past 10 years, as did the percentage of patients that required an emergency laparotomy. Most were polytrauma patients with a mean ISS = 27.5 (SD ± 14.9). The most frequent indication for laparotomy was hemodynamic instability or ongoing blood loss (44%).Unplanned relaparotomies occurred in 21% of the patients, mostly due to relapse of bleeding. Other complications were anastomotic leakage (8.6%), intestinal leakage after bowel contusion (4%). In addition, an incisional hernia was found in 6.3%. Mortality rate was 16.7%, mostly due to neurologic origin (42%). Average length of stay was 16 days with an ICU stay of 5 days. Conclusion: This study shows a persistent number of patients requiring emergency laparotomy after (blunt) abdominal trauma over 10 years in a European trauma center. When performed by a dedicated trauma team, this results in acceptable mortality and complication rates in this severely injured population.

Objective: After primary infection with Coxiella burnetii, patients may develop acute Q fever, which is a relatively mild disease. A small proportion of patients (1%-5%) develop chronic Q fever, which is accompanied by high mortality and can be manifested as infected arterial or aortic aneurysms or infected vascular prostheses. The disease can be complicated by arterial fistulas, which are often fatal if they are left untreated. We aimed to assess the cumulative incidence of arterial fistulas and mortality in patients with proven chronic Q fever.Methods: In a retrospective, observational study, the cumulative incidence of arterial fistulas (aortoenteric, aortobronchial, aortovenous, or arteriocutaneous) in patients with proven chronic Q fever (according to the Dutch Chronic Q Fever Consensus Group criteria) was assessed. Proven chronic Q fever with a vascular focus of infection was defined as a confirmed mycotic aneurysm or infected prosthesis on imaging studies or positive result of serum polymerase chain reaction for C. burnetii in the presence of an arterial aneurysm or vascular prosthesis.Results: Of 253 patients with proven chronic Q fever, 169 patients (67%) were diagnosed with a vascular focus of infection (42 of whom had a combined vascular focus and endocarditis). In total, 26 arterial fistulas were diagnosed in 25 patients (15% of patients with a vascular focus): aortoenteric (15), aortobronchial (2), aortocaval (4), and arteriocutaneous (5) fistulas (1 patient presented with both an aortocaval and an arteriocutaneous fistula). Chronic Q fever-related mortality was 60% for patients with and 21% for patients without arterial fistula (P < .0001). Primary fistulas accounted for 42% and secondary fistulas for 58%. Of patients who underwent surgical intervention for chronic Q fever-related fistula (n ¼ 17), nine died of chronic Q fever-related causes (53%). Of patients who did not undergo any surgical intervention (n ¼ 8), six died of chronic Q fever-related causes (75%). Conclusions:The proportion of patients with proven chronic Q fever developing primary or secondary arterial fistulas is high; 15% of patients with a vascular focus of infection develop an arterial fistula. This observation suggests that C. burnetii, the causative agent of Q fever, plays a role in the development of fistulas in these patients. Chronic Q feverrelated mortality in patients with arterial fistula is very high, in both patients who undergo surgical intervention and patients who do not.

Physicians' sex had a significant impact on pain management decisions in patients with low back pain. Female physicians prescribed more pharmacological agents as their first choice compared to male physicians.

Introduction Temporary abdominal closure is frequently used in several situations such as abbreviated surgery in damage control situations or when closing is impossible due to organ distention or increased abdominal pressure. The ultimate goal is to eventually close the fascia; however, little is known about factors predicting abdominal closure. The purpose of this study was to identify characteristics associated with the need for open abdomen as well as indicating the possibility of delayed fascial closure after a period of open abdominal treatment. Methods A retrospective review of all patients that underwent midline laparotomy between January 2008 and December 2012 was performed. Both factors predicting open abdominal treatment and possibility to close the fascia afterwards were identified and analyzed by univariate and multivariate analyses. Results 775 laparotomies in 525 patients (60% male) were included. 109 patients (21%) had an open abdomen with a mortality rate of 27%. Male gender and acidosis were associated with open abdominal treatment. In 54%, the open abdomen could be closed by delayed fascial closure. The number of laparotomies both before and during temporary abdominal treatment was associated with failure of closure. Conclusion In this study, male sex and physiological derangement, reflected by acidosis, were independent predictors of open abdominal treatment. Furthermore, the success of delayed fascial closure depends on number of abdominal surgical procedures.Moreover, based on our experiences, we suggest to change modalities early on, to prevent multiple fruitless attempts to close the abdomen.