Telemedicine Improves Performance of a Two-Incision Lower Leg Fasciotomy by Combat Medics:A Randomized Controlled Trial

Introduction:The primary aim of this randomized controlled trial was to assess if a head-mounted display (HMD) providing telemedicine support improves performance of a two-incision lower leg fasciotomy by a NATO special operations combat medic (combat medic).Materials and Methods:Thirty-six combat medics were randomized into two groups: One group performed a two-incision lower leg fasciotomy with the assistance of an HMD, while the control group completed the procedure without guidance. A Mann-Whitney U test was used to determine the possible differences in release of compartments and performance scores, as assessed by a supervising medical specialist. A Fisher's exact test was used to compare the proportions of collateral damage between groups. An independent-samples t-test was used to interpret total procedure times. The usability and technical factors involving HMD utilization were also assessed.Results:Combat medics in the HMD group released the anterior compartment (P <= .001) and deep posterior compartment (P = .008) significantly better. There was significantly more iatrogenic muscle (P <= .001) and venous damage (P <= .001) in the control group. The overall performance of combat medics in the HMD group was significantly better than that of the control group (P < .001). Combat medics in the control group were significantly faster (P = .012). The combat medics were very satisfied with the HMD. The HMD showed no major technical errors.Conclusions:This randomized controlled trial shows that a HMD providing telemedicine support leads to significantly better performance of a two-incision lower leg fasciotomy by a combat medic with less iatrogenic muscle and venous damage

Telemedicine Improves Performance of a Two-Incision Lower Leg Fasciotomy by Combat Medics:A Randomized Controlled Trial

Introduction:The primary aim of this randomized controlled trial was to assess if a head-mounted display (HMD) providing telemedicine support improves performance of a two-incision lower leg fasciotomy by a NATO special operations combat medic (combat medic).Materials and Methods:Thirty-six combat medics were randomized into two groups: One group performed a two-incision lower leg fasciotomy with the assistance of an HMD, while the control group completed the procedure without guidance. A Mann-Whitney U test was used to determine the possible differences in release of compartments and performance scores, as assessed by a supervising medical specialist. A Fisher's exact test was used to compare the proportions of collateral damage between groups. An independent-samples t-test was used to interpret total procedure times. The usability and technical factors involving HMD utilization were also assessed.Results:Combat medics in the HMD group released the anterior compartment (P <= .001) and deep posterior compartment (P = .008) significantly better. There was significantly more iatrogenic muscle (P <= .001) and venous damage (P <= .001) in the control group. The overall performance of combat medics in the HMD group was significantly better than that of the control group (P < .001). Combat medics in the control group were significantly faster (P = .012). The combat medics were very satisfied with the HMD. The HMD showed no major technical errors.Conclusions:This randomized controlled trial shows that a HMD providing telemedicine support leads to significantly better performance of a two-incision lower leg fasciotomy by a combat medic with less iatrogenic muscle and venous damage

Contralateral hip fractures and other osteoporosis-related fractures in hip fracture patients: Incidence and risk factors. An observational cohort study of 1,229 patients

Purpose: To report risk factors, 1-year and overall risk for a contralateral hip and other osteoporosis-related fractures in a hip fracture population. Methods: An observational study on 1,229 consecutive patients of 50 years and older, who sustained a hip fracture between January 2005 and June 2009. Fractures were scored retrospectively for 2005-2008 and prospectively for 2008-2009. Rates of a contralateral hip and other osteoporosis- related fractures were compared between patients with and without a history of a fracture. Previous fractures, gender, age and ASA classification were analysed as possible risk factors. Results: The absolute risk for a contralateral hip fracture was 13.8 %, for one or more osteoporosis-related fracture( s) 28.6 %. First-, second- and third-year risk for a second hip fracture was 2, 1 and 0 %. Median (IQR) interval between both hip fractures was 18.5 (26.6) months. One-year incidence of other fractures was 6 %. Only age was a risk factor for a contralateral hip fracture, hazard ratio (HR) 1.02 (1.006-1.042, p = 0.008). Patients with a history of a fracture (33.1 %) did not have a higher incidence of fractures during follow-up (16.7 %) than patients without fractures in their history (14 %). HR for a contralateral hip fracture for the fracture versus the non-fracture group was 1.29 (0.75-2.23, p = 0.360). Conclusion: The absolute risk of a contralateral hip fracture after a hip fracture is 13.8 %, the 1-year risk was 2 %, with a short interval between the 2 hip fractures. Age was a risk factor for sustaining a contralateral hip fracture; a fracture in history was not

Ultrasound guided arterial access for combat medics:A blinded proof-of-concept study using echogenic needles

Background: Obtaining percutaneous vascular access in hemodynamically unstable patients with constricted vessels can be challenging. Training combat medics in this procedure is necessary for administration of fluid and blood products and introducing endovascular bleeding control tools in pre-hospital settings. Echogenic coated needles might provide better ultrasound visibility in invasive procedures and hereby lower complications. The primary aim was to evaluate the efficacy of a microteaching program for obtaining ultrasound-guided femoral artery access for ultrasound inexperienced combat medics. The secondary aim was to assess the additional value of innovative echogenic coated needles in ultrasound-guided vascular access.Methods: Combat medics participated in a four-step microteaching program. The program consisted of a theoretical and step-by-step practical part with three different models including live and dead tissue & a REBOA Access Task Trainer. During the final test, all participants had to obtain femoral artery access on a pressurized post-mortem human specimen model with both echogenic coated and conventional needles. Self-perceived and observed performance as well as procedure times were scored.Results: All nine participants succeeded in blood vessel visualization and obtaining vascular access in the two models within 3 minutes and were significantly faster during the second attempt on the pressurized post-mortem human specimen model. Scoring comparison and usability preference by ultrasound inexperienced personnel showed a significant difference in favor of the echogenic coated needles.Conclusion: Microteaching may be an effective approach to train combat medics in obtaining ultrasound-guided percutaneous femoral artery access. The use of echogenic coatings on needles could be a valuable adjunct and provide advantage in obtaining vascular access. Future research should focus on realistic simulation of austere situations and further evaluation of the use of echogenic coated instruments for vascular access in these pre-hospital settings

Ultrasound guided arterial access for combat medics:A blinded proof-of-concept study using echogenic needles

Background: Obtaining percutaneous vascular access in hemodynamically unstable patients with constricted vessels can be challenging. Training combat medics in this procedure is necessary for administration of fluid and blood products and introducing endovascular bleeding control tools in pre-hospital settings. Echogenic coated needles might provide better ultrasound visibility in invasive procedures and hereby lower complications. The primary aim was to evaluate the efficacy of a microteaching program for obtaining ultrasound-guided femoral artery access for ultrasound inexperienced combat medics. The secondary aim was to assess the additional value of innovative echogenic coated needles in ultrasound-guided vascular access.Methods: Combat medics participated in a four-step microteaching program. The program consisted of a theoretical and step-by-step practical part with three different models including live and dead tissue & a REBOA Access Task Trainer. During the final test, all participants had to obtain femoral artery access on a pressurized post-mortem human specimen model with both echogenic coated and conventional needles. Self-perceived and observed performance as well as procedure times were scored.Results: All nine participants succeeded in blood vessel visualization and obtaining vascular access in the two models within 3 minutes and were significantly faster during the second attempt on the pressurized post-mortem human specimen model. Scoring comparison and usability preference by ultrasound inexperienced personnel showed a significant difference in favor of the echogenic coated needles.Conclusion: Microteaching may be an effective approach to train combat medics in obtaining ultrasound-guided percutaneous femoral artery access. The use of echogenic coatings on needles could be a valuable adjunct and provide advantage in obtaining vascular access. Future research should focus on realistic simulation of austere situations and further evaluation of the use of echogenic coated instruments for vascular access in these pre-hospital settings

Advanced bleeding control in combat casualty care: An international, expert-based Delphi consensus

BACKGROUND Hemorrhage from truncal and junctional injuries is responsible for the vast majority of potentially survivable deaths in combat casualties, causing most of its fatalities in the prehospital arena. Optimizing the deployment of the advanced bleeding control modalities required for the management of these injuries is essential to improve the survival of severely injured casualties. This study aimed to establish consensus on the optimal use and implementation of advanced bleeding control modalities in combat casualty care. METHODS A Delphi method consisting of three rounds was used. An international expert panel of military physicians was selected by the researchers to complete the Delphi surveys. Consensus was reached if 70% or greater of respondents agreed and if 70% or greater responded. RESULTS Thirty-two experts from 10 different nations commenced the process and reached consensus on which bleeding control modalities should be part of the standard equipment, that these modalities should be available at all levels of care, that only trained physicians should be allowed to apply invasive bleeding control modalities, but all medical and nonmedical personnel should be allowed to apply noninvasive bleeding control modalities, and on the training requirements for providers. Consensus was also reached on the necessity of international registries and guidelines, and on certain indications and contraindications for resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) in military environments. No consensus was reached on the role of a wound clamp in military settings and the indications for REBOA in patients with chest trauma, penetrating axillary injury or penetrating neck injury in combination with thoracoabdominal injuries. CONCLUSION Consensus was reached on the contents of a standard bleeding control toolbox, where it should be available, providers and training requirements, international registries and guidelines, and potential indications for REBOA in military environments

Meta-analysis on the effect of hyperbaric oxygen as adjunctive therapy in the outcome of anastomotic healing of experimental colorectal resections in rats

Background: Colorectal cancer is the third most common form of cancer and colorectal surgery is the treatment of choice in local disease. Anastomotic leakage following colorectal surgery is a major complication with a high incidence and mortality. Adjuvant hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) may be associated with reduction of anastomotic leakage. A systematic review was conducted regarding HBOT as an adjunctive therapy to colorectal surgery. Methods: Systematic review (1900–2017) using PubMed, Cochrane, EMBASE, Web of Science and EMCARE. All original published studies on the effect of HBOT as an adjunctive therapy for colorectal surgery with the creation of an anastomosis were considered. Results: Thirteen small animal trials were included for qualitative synthesis. We found no human trials. Eleven trials used bursting pressure whilst eight used hydroxyproline levels as a marker for collagen synthesis as primary outcome to assess the strength of the anastomosis. A meta-analysis performed for normal and ischaemic anastomoses showed that postoperative HBOT improves bursting pressure and hydroxyproline levels significantly in both normal (P ≤ 0.001 and P = 0.02 respectively) and ischaemic anastomoses (P ≤ 0.001 and P = 0.04 respectively). Conclusion: Postoperative HBOT has a positive effect on colorectal anastomoses in rats. Further research should focus on a larger systematic animal study