Penile Degloving Injury in an Adolescent with Congenital Hypothyroid

This case follows a 17-year-old boy with congenital hypothyroidism who sustained penile skin avulsion secondary to a dog bite. Initially, an attempt was made to repair the wound using the avulsed skin flap itself as coverage. The repair was done immediately upon presentation to enhance the chances of adequate flap viability; however, the dorsal portion of the reconstruction necrosed within the following week. Ultimately a full thickness surgical graft (FTSG) repair was performed to ensure the most desirable outcome

Enhancing patient safety in the trauma/surgical intensive care unit

Preventable deaths due to errors in trauma patients with otherwise survivable injuries account for up to 10% of fatalities in Level I trauma centers, 50% of these errors occur in the intensive care unit (ICU). The root cause of 67% of the Joint Commission sentinel events is communication errors. The objective is (1) to study how critical information degrades and how it is lost over 24 hours and (2) to determine whether a structured checklist for ICU handoffs prevents information loss. Prospective cohort study of trauma and surgical ICU teams observed with and without use of the checklist. An observational period (control group) was followed by a didactic session on the science and use of a checklist (study group), which was used for patient management and handoffs. Information was tracked for a 24-hour period and all handoffs. Comparisons use chi or Fisher's exact test and a p value <0.05 was defined as significant. Three hundred and thirty-two patient ICU days were observed (119 control, 213 study) and 689 patient care items (303 control, 386 study) were followed. Seventy-five (10.9%) items were lost over 24 hours; 61 of 303 (20.1%) without checklist and 14 of 386 (3.6%) with checklist (p < 0.0001). Critical laboratory values and test results were the most frequent lost items (36.1% control vs. 4.5% study p < 0.0001). Six of 75 (8.1%) items were correctly ordered but not carried out by ICU nursing staff--all caught and corrected with checklist use. Critical information is degraded over 24 hours in the ICU. A structured checklist significantly reduces patient errors due to lost information and communication lapses between trauma ICU team members at handoffs of care

Traumatic Lung Herniation following Skateboard Fall

Lung herniation (LH) is a rare clinical entity involving the protrusion of lung outside the thoracic cage. It has a variety of etiologies and clinical presentations, making diagnosis difficult. We present a case of a 20-year-old male who reported pleuritic pain after falling from a skateboard. Evaluation through computed tomography (CT) scanning of the chest revealed an anterior lung hernia associated with rib fractures. This case emphasizes the need for clinicians to include lung herniation in the differential diagnosis of patients with trauma and inexplicable or persistent pulmonary issues

Necrotizing Fasciitis Resulting from an Anastomotic Leak after Colorectal Resection

One of the most feared complications in colorectal surgery is an anastomotic leak (AL) following a colorectal resection. While various recommendations have been proposed to prevent this potentially fatal complication, anastomotic leaks still occur. We present a case of an AL resulting in a complicated and fatal outcome. This case demonstrates the importance of high clinical suspicion, early recognition, and immediate management

Medical and Surgical Management of Postpartum Hemorrhage in a Woman with Factor XIII Deficiency

Factor XIII deficiency is a rare inherited coagulopathy. Factor XIII is the last clotting factor in the coagulation cascade to insure strength and stability to fibrin clots. Without this enzyme, the fibrous clot is unstable and nonresistant to fibrinolysis. Gravid women with this congenital disease are especially at risk for complications including miscarriages and hemorrhage without appropriate interventions. We present a case of a woman in her 20s with Factor XIII deficiency who was treated with cryoprecipitate and had a successful normal spontaneous vaginal delivery; subsequently, patient suffered from postpartum hemorrhage and consumptive coagulopathy due to consumption of Factor XIII, requiring emergency surgical intervention. Intraoperative management was challenged by an ethical dilemma involving the patient’s religious beliefs about not receiving blood. This paper will discuss the mechanism of Factor XIII and the medical and surgical management involved with this patient

Case Report Congenital Renal Fusion and Ectopia in the Trauma Patient

We present two separate cases of young male patients with congenital kidney anomalies (horseshoe and crossed fused renal ectopia) identified following blunt abdominal trauma. Despite being rare, ectopic and fusion anomalies of the kidneys are occasionally noted in a trauma patient during imaging or upon exploration of the abdomen. Incidental renal findings may influence the management of traumatic injuries to preserve and protect the patient&apos;s renal function. Renal anomalies may be asymptomatic or present with hematuria, flank or abdominal pain, hypotension, or shock, even following minor blunt trauma or low velocity impact. It is important for the trauma clinician to recognize that this group of congenital anomalies may contribute to unusual symptoms such as gross hematuria after minor trauma, are readily identifiable during CT imaging, and may affect operative management. These patients should be informed of their anatomical findings and encouraged to return for long-term follow-up

Lightning Burns and Electrical Trauma in a Couple Simultaneously Struck by Lightning

More people are struck and killed by lightning each year in Florida than any other state in the UnitedStates. This report discusses a couple that was simultaneously struck by lightning while walkingarm-in-arm. Both patients presented with characteristic lightning burns and were admitted forhemodynamic monitoring, serum labs, and observation and were subsequently discharged home.Despite the superficial appearance of lightning burns, serious internal electrical injuries are common.Therefore, lightning strike victims should be admitted and evaluated for cardiac arrhythmias, renalinjury, and neurological sequelae

Lightning Burns and Electrical Trauma in a Couple Simultaneously Struck by Lightning

More people are struck and killed by lightning each year in Florida than any other state in the UnitedStates. This report discusses a couple that was simultaneously struck by lightning while walkingarm-in-arm. Both patients presented with characteristic lightning burns and were admitted forhemodynamic monitoring, serum labs, and observation and were subsequently discharged home.Despite the superficial appearance of lightning burns, serious internal electrical injuries are common.Therefore, lightning strike victims should be admitted and evaluated for cardiac arrhythmias, renalinjury, and neurological sequelae