Risk For Intra-abdominal Injury Research Articles

Can we reduce CT scan and hospital costs in children with blunt trauma using four parameters?

BackgroundBlunt trauma is one of the most common causes of admission to the emergency service in childhood. Children with trauma are generally evaluated in emergency services where pediatric and adult patients are together, and difficulties are experienced in managing children exposed to trauma. CT is preferred for quick detection and grading of toracoabdominal, skeleton, and neurological injury in high energy trauma. The present study aims to determine the severity of trauma and whether CT exposure can be reduced and patient cost using four parameters.This study was conducted with 586 pediatric patients exposed to blunt abdominal trauma. The clinical prediction rule consisted of four parameters, including abdominal pain, physical examination findings, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and chest x-ray (CXR, which was used to predict intraabdominal injury in patients with blunt trauma. Patients with no parameters of the clinical decision rule were considered very low risk, and those with one or more parameters were considered at risk. The hospital cost of the patients with and without clinical decision rule was calculated and compared.ResultsIn our study, according to the four-variable clinical prediction rule, 88.1% of the patients had a very low risk of intraabdominal injury and 11.9% of them were at risk. The sensitivity was 97.3%, specificity 98.2%, and accuracy was 97.4% in very low-risk patients with four variables clinical prediction rule. In the very low-risk patients, the abnormal CT rate was 0.3% and conservative treatment was performed. With the use of four variables, 0.17% of solid organ injuries may be overlooked. In the risk of patients, 2.9% of these patients were abnormal CT findings, while tube thoracostomy was performed in four patients with pneumothorax, conservative treatment was performed in other patients.It was determined that routine computed tomography scan increased the patient cost by 5.5 times.ConclusionPatients exposed to blunt trauma with a very low risk of intra-abdominal injury can be identified with a four-variable clinical prediction rule. According to the four-variable clinical prediction rule, very low-risk patients do not require immediate CT. The hospital costs can be reduced by reducing the CT scan. However, it should be kept in mind that a small proportion of intra-abdominal injuries may be overlooked.

Field triage of children with abdominal trauma

Objective Identify physical findings in children with abdominal trauma to inform prehospital providers regarding appropriate hospital destinations. Methods This is a secondary analysis of the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network Abdominal Trauma Public Use Dataset. Children involved in motor vehicle collisions; struck by motor vehicles at >20 mph; involved in all-terrain vehicle, motorcycle, or scooter accidents; or who fell from >10 ft ( n = 5575) were included. Stepwise multivariable multinomial logistic regression was used to compare clinical findings at presentation between children with no intra-abdominal injury, intra-abdominal injury without intervention, and intra-abdominal injury with intervention (laparoscopy/laparotomy, embolization, red blood cell transfusion, or admission >48 h on intravenous fluids). Results Compared to children with no intra-abdominal injury, children with intra-abdominal injury (with and without intervention) were more likely to have evidence of abdominal wall trauma, abdominal tenderness, peritoneal irritation, decreased breath sounds, distracting painful injury, and evidence of thoracic trauma. Children with intra-abdominal injury requiring intervention were more likely to have evidence of abdominal wall trauma (OR 3.32, 95% CI 2.03–5.44) and be intubated (OR 4.93, 95% CI 3.17–7.65) when compared to children with intra-abdominal injury without intervention. Conclusions The findings of abdominal tenderness, peritoneal irritation, decreased breath sounds, distracting painful injury, and thoracic trauma may be used to identify children who warrant evaluation at any trauma center because of increased risk of intra-abdominal injury, whereas intubation and evidence of abdominal wall trauma help identify children with intra-abdominal injury in need of transport to a pediatric trauma center due to risk of undergoing intervention.

A modified open technique using the Veress needle through facial defect for port insertion in pediatric laparoscopy

Laparoscopic procedures are being performed in infants and children much more frequently. Nevertheless, there is anxiety about complications resulting from port insertion due to the smaller abdominal cavity in children. Most complications are related to the entry of the first port. In this study, we present our patients who underwent laparoscopy using our modified Veress needle technique. The hospital records of the patients who underwent laparoscopy between 2010 and 2015 were evaluated retrospectively regarding intraoperative and postoperative complications. In all patients, the first port was inserted using our modified Veress needle technique. Laparoscopic procedures were performed on 139 patients. There were no major intraoperative or postoperative complications such as visceral or vascular injury in our patients. Only 5 (3.5%) minor complications were determined intraoperatively. Minor intraoperative complications included port dislocation (n = 2), intra-abdominal gas leakage (n = 1), subcutaneous emphysema (n = 1), and abdominal wall bleeding (n = 1). There were no minor complications postoperatively. In our technique, the umbilicus is pulled upwards strongly, reducing the risk of intra-abdominal injury.

Mandatory Laparotomy in Penetrating Abdominal Injuries with Omental Evisceration: Experience in a Major Trauma Center in the Philippines.

Background: Omental evisceration due to abdominal stab injuries connotes peritoneal penetration and translates to around 70% risk of intra-abdominal injury. Such cases are being managed with mandatory laparotomy at the Philippine General Hospital. This study aims to review the patient profile and laparotomy outcomes in such cases.Methods: This is a retrospective review of 98 consecutive laparotomies performed for patients with omental evisceration secondary to abdominal stab wounds between January 2004 to April 2018.Results: Almost all patients were male (99%) with a mean age of 32.1 years (range 14-70). The majority (81%) had a therapeutic laparotomy, and only 19 patients (19%) had a non-therapeutic laparotomy. The most commonly injured organs include the small bowel, stomach, colon, diaphragm, and liver. There was no significant difference in age, sex, duration of injury, systolic blood pressure and heart rate at presentation between the two groups. There were significantly more patients who presented with peritonism in the therapeutic laparotomy group compared to the non-therapeutic laparotomy group (82% vs 53%, p=0.005). Patients who presented with peritonism were six times more likely to have a therapeutic laparotomy. There was no significant difference between morbidity and mortality rates in the two groups. The length of hospital stay for the non-therapeutic laparotomy group was significantly shorter compared to the therapeutic laparotomy group (3.6 vs 5.7 days, p=0.006).Conclusion: The rate of therapeutic laparotomy remains to be significantly higher among patients with omental evisceration. Hence, omental evisceration, particularly those associated with peritonism, should continue to prompt operative management.

Frequency of intra-abdominal organ injury is higher in patients with concomitant stab wounds to other anatomical areas

BackgroundManagement of stable patients with abdominal stab wound remains controversial, particularly for those with no clear indications for explorative laparotomy. We evaluated the risk of intra-abdominal injury in stab wound victims concomitantly stabbed in other anatomical body areas.MethodsWe performed a retrospective cohort study of patients with abdominal stab wounds recorded in the Israeli National Trauma Registry from January 1st, 1997, to December 31st, 2013. Patients with an isolated abdominal stab wound were compared to those with concomitant stab wounds to other anatomical areas. Intra-abdominal organ injury was defined by imaging or surgery findings. Multivariate analysis using a logistic regression model was conducted to assess independent risk for intra-abdominal organ injury.ResultsThe study included 3964 patients. After controlling for age, gender and hypotension on arrival, patients with multi-regional stab wounds had an increased risk of intra-abdominal injury (OR = 1.3, CI 95% 1.1–1.6, p < 0.001). These patients also had a higher rate of injury to the solid organs than patients with an isolated abdominal stab wound.ConclusionsPatients with multi-regional stab wounds have an increased risk of intra-abdominal injury. Worldwide accepted “clinical follow up” protocol may not be appropriate in management of patients with multi-regional stab wounds.

Costal Margin Tenderness and the Risk for Intraabdominal Injuries in Children With Blunt Abdominal Trauma.

The risk of radiation exposure from computed tomography (CT) imaging in children is well recognized. Patient history and physical examination findings, including costal margin tenderness (CMT), influence a physician's decision to image a child with blunt torso trauma. The objective of this study was to determine the importance of CMT for identifying children with intraabdominal injuries (IAI) found on CT and IAI undergoing acute intervention. We conducted an analysis of the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN) IAI public use data set, representing a large prospective multicenter cohort study from May 2007 to January 2010. Isolated CMT was defined as CMT without other identified PECARN risk factors for IAI (i.e., abdominal or thoracic wall trauma, abdominal tenderness or pain, decreased breath sounds, or vomiting). Logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted odds of IAI in children presenting with isolated and nonisolated CMT. Risk differences were calculated to estimate the risk of IAI independently attributable to CMT in the setting of isolated PECARN risk factors. Finally, CT use among exposure groups was estimated to quantify potentially avoidable imaging. Among 9,174 children with Glasgow Coma Scale scores of 14 or 15 who sustained blunt torso trauma, 1,267 (13.8%) had CMT. Among those with CMT, 177 (14.0%) had isolated CMT and 1,090 (86.0%) had nonisolated CMT. No children (0/177; 0%, 95% confidence interval [CI]= 0.0%-2.1%) with isolated CMT had IAI, compared to 17.2% (187/1,090; 95% CI= 15.0%-19.5%) of those with nonisolated CMT. The risk differences were not statistically significant. 36/177 (20.3%; 95% CI= 14.7%-27.0%) children with isolated CMT underwent abdominal CT scans. The risk of IAI associated with isolated CMT is minimal. For children with blunt abdominal trauma and isolated CMT, abdominal CT scan is of low yield.

Biomarkers, Trauma, and Sepsis in Pediatrics: A Review

Context: There is a logical connection with biomarkers, trauma, and sepsis. This review paper provides new information and clinical practice implications. Biomarkers are very important especially in pediatrics. Procalcitonin and other biomarkers are helpful in identifying neonatal sepsis, defense mechanisms of the immune system. Pediatric trauma and sepsis is very important both in infants and in children. Stress management both in trauma is based upon the notion that stress causes an immune imbalance in susceptible individuals. Evidence Acquisition: Data sources included studies indexed in PubMed, a meta- analysis, predictive values, research strategies, and quality assessments. A recent paper by one of the authors stated marked increase in serum procalcitonin during the course of a septic process often indicates an exacerbation of the illness, and a decreasing level is a sign of improvement. A review of epidemiologic studies on pediatric soccer patients was also addressed. Keywords for searching included biomarkers, immunity, trauma, and sepsis. Results: Of 50 reviewed articles, 34 eligible articles were selected including biomarkers, predictive values for procalcitonin, identifying children at risk for intra-abdominal injuries, blunt trauma, and epidemiology, a meta-analysis. Of neonatal associated sepsis, the NF-kappa B pathway by inflammatory stimuli in human neutrophils, predictive value of gelsolin for the outcomes of preterm neonates, a metaanalysis interleukin-8 for neonatal sepsis diagnosis. Conclusions: Biomarkers are very important especially in pediatrics. Procalcitonin and other biomarkers are helpful in identifying neonatal sepsis, defense mechanisms, and physiological functions of the immune system. Pediatric trauma and sepsis is very important both in infants and in children. Various topics were covered such as biomarkers, trauma, sepsis, inflammation, innate immunity, role of neutrophils and IL-8, reactive oxygen species, neonatal hypoxia, NF-kappa B related to inflammation. These topics are clearly linked and are very important for pediatricians, pulmonologists, and immunologists in academic centers and in practice.

Association between the seat belt sign and intra-abdominal injuries in children with blunt torso trauma in motor vehicle collisions.

The objective was to determine the association between the abdominal seat belt sign and intra-abdominal injuries (IAIs) in children presenting to emergency departments with blunt torso trauma after motor vehicle collisions (MVCs). This was a planned subgroup analysis of prospective data from a multicenter cohort study of children with blunt torso trauma after MVCs. Patient history and physical examination findings were documented before abdominal computed tomography (CT) or laparotomy. Seat belt sign was defined as a continuous area of erythema, ecchymosis, or abrasion across the abdomen secondary to a seat belt restraint. The relative risk (RR) of IAI with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) was calculated for children with seat belt signs compared to those without. The risk of IAI in those patients with seat belt sign who were without abdominal pain or tenderness, and with Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores of 14 or 15, was also calculated. A total of 3,740 children with seat belt sign documentation after blunt torso trauma in MVCs were enrolled; 585 (16%) had seat belt signs. Among the 1,864 children undergoing definitive abdominal testing (CT, laparotomy/laparoscopy, or autopsy), IAIs were more common in patients with seat belt signs than those without (19% vs. 12%; RR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.3 to 2.1). This difference was primarily due to a greater risk of gastrointestinal injuries (hollow viscous or associated mesentery) in those with seat belt signs (11% vs. 1%; RR = 9.4, 95% CI = 5.4 to 16.4). IAI was diagnosed in 11 of 194 patients (5.7%; 95% CI = 2.9% to 9.9%) with seat belt signs who did not have initial complaints of abdominal pain or tenderness and had GCS scores of 14 or 15. Patients with seat belt signs after MVCs are at greater risk of IAI than those without seat belt signs, predominately due to gastrointestinal injuries. Although IAIs are less common in alert patients with seat belt signs who do not have initial complaints of abdominal pain or tenderness, the risk of IAI is sufficient that additional evaluation such as observation, laboratory studies, and potentially abdominal CT scanning is generally necessary.

Accuracy of the Abdominal Examination for Identifying Children with Blunt Intra-Abdominal Injuries

To determine the accuracy of complaints of abdominal pain and findings of abdominal tenderness for identifying children with intra-abdominal injury (IAI) stratified by Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score. This was a prospective, multicenter observational study of children with blunt torso trauma and a GCS score ≥13. We calculated the sensitivity of abdominal findings for IAI with 95% CI stratified by GCS score. We examined the association of isolated abdominal pain or tenderness with IAI and that undergoing acute intervention (therapeutic laparotomy, angiographic embolization, blood transfusion, or ≥2 nights of intravenous fluid therapy). Among the 12 044 patients evaluated, 11 277 (94%) had a GCS score of ≥13 and were included in this analysis. Sensitivity of abdominal pain for IAI was 79% (95% CI, 76%-83%) for patients with a GCS score of 15, 51% (95% CI, 37%-65%) for patients with a GCS score of 14, and 32% (95% CI, 14%-55%) for patients with a GCS score of 13. Sensitivity of abdominal tenderness for IAI also decreased with decreasing GCS score: 79% (95% CI, 75%-82%) for a GCS score of 15, 57% (95% CI, 42%-70%) for a GCS score of 14, and 37% (95% CI, 19%-58%) for a GCS score of 13. Among patients with isolated abdominal pain and/or tenderness, the rate of IAI was 8% (95% CI, 6%-9%) and the rate of IAI undergoing acute intervention was 1% (95% CI, 1%-2%). The sensitivity of abdominal findings for IAI decreases as GCS score decreases. Although abdominal computed tomography is not mandatory, the risk of IAI is sufficiently high that diagnostic evaluation is warranted in children with isolated abdominal pain or tenderness.

Our experience with totally extraperitoneal technique of laparoscopic inguinal hernia repairs modified by Stolzenburg

Two current types of laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair are known: the TransAbdominal PrePeritoneal (TAPP) and the Totally ExtraPeritoneal (TEP) method. The mesh is placed in the preperitoneal space (sublay). Usually during TAPP method we fix the mesh with tacks or staples. In case of TEP fixation it is not necessary because the intraabdominal pressure keeps the implant in position. There is no significant difference between the two methods in terms of recurrence. The advantage of TEP is that the abdominal cavity remains intact, hence reduces the risk of intraabdominal injuries and adhesions. It is unnecessary to use special stapler or tacker. Our team performed 50 TEP procedures in male patients with uni- or bilateral inguinal hernias in the period 2011-2013. We prepared the mesh in a special way according to Stolzenburg and placed it to the subfunicular area. We did not apply additional fixation (tacks, stitches) and drainage. Mean hospital stay was 1 day. We allowed complete physical activity 10-12 days after surgery. No recurrence was observed during the 2 years of follow-up. The mean operating time was 70 minutes. We performed conversion in 3 cases (Lichtenstein 2, TAPP 1). In one case there was an injury of the inferior epigastric artery. In two cases we have detected neuralgia in the postoperative period. After the learning curve the TEP method can be used safely with good functional results. The technique of mesh positioning reduces the risk of complications and provides cost-effectiveness.

G15 Validating a Clinical Prediction Rule for Identifying Children at Very Low Risk of Clinically Important Blunt Abdominal Injury in a UK Population

Study aim To validate in a UK population a clinical prediction rule which identifies children who are at very low risk of intra-abdominal injury (IAI) undergoing acute interventions following blunt torso trauma and who can therefore safely avoid computed tomography and its associated risks. Methods The study was a single centre retrospective case note analysis of children under 16 years of age who had sustained blunt torso trauma during a 3 year period at a Level 1 trauma centre. Results Of 357 trauma calls, 120 (34%, 95% CI 29% to 34%) were assessed as sustaining blunt torso trauma. Of the 120 cases, 90 patients met inclusion criteria, with 86 cases having complete data for all variables investigated. 13 (15.1%; 95% CI 7.5% to 22.7%) had IAI. The main outcome of interest, IAI requiring acute intervention, was identified in 2 of the 13 patients. In assessing the performance of the clinical prediction rule, 19 (22%) were at very low risk of IAI requiring acute intervention, as assessed by the absence of any variables in the prediction rule. The rule held true for all 19 cases, none required acute intervention for IAI. However, 1 of the 19 cases did sustain an intra-abdominal injury which did not require acute intervention. The test characteristics for the clinical prediction rule’s performance in identifying IAI (with or without acute intervention) are: sensitivity 92%, specificity 25%, negative predictive value 95%, and positive predictive value 18%. 8 of 19 (42%) patients identified by the prediction rule as being very low risk for intra-abdominal injury had an abdominal CT. This represents 14% of all abdominal CT scans in the study sample. Conclusion Our sample size was insufficient to robustly test the prediction rule for identifying those at low risk of IAI requiring acute intervention. A further assessment of the rule in identifying those at low risk with or without acute intervention was performed. Test characteristics of the rule in both instances were very similar to those reported in the original study and in our study sample the prediction rule was valid. A prospective multi-centre study is required to further assess the performance of the prediction rule.

Blunt abdominal trauma in children

This review will examine the current evidence regarding pediatric blunt abdominal trauma and the physical exam findings, laboratory values, and radiographic imaging associated with the diagnosis of intra-abdominal injuries (IAI), as well as review the current literature on pediatric hollow viscus injuries and emergency department disposition after diagnosis. The importance of the seat belt sign on physical examination and screening laboratory data remains controversial, although screening hepatic enzymes are recommended in the evaluation of nonaccidental trauma to identify occult abdominal organ injuries. Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (FAST) has modest sensitivity for hemoperitoneum and IAI in the pediatric trauma patient. Patients with concern for undiagnosed IAI, including bowel injury, may be considered for hospital admission and serial abdominal exams without an increased risk of complications, if an exploratory laparotomy is not performed emergently. Although the FAST exam is not recommended as the sole screening tool to rule out IAI in hemodynamically stable trauma patients, it may be used in conjunction with the physical exam and laboratory findings to identify children at risk for IAI. Children with a normal physical exam and normal abdominal CT may not require routine hospitalization after blunt abdominal trauma.

The Risk of Intra‐abdominal Injuries in Pediatric Patients with Stable Blunt Abdominal Trauma and Negative Abdominal Computed Tomography

This review examines the prevalence of intra-abdominal injuries (IAI) and the negative predictive value (NPV) of an abdominal computed tomography (CT) in children who present with blunt abdominal trauma. MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases were searched. Studies were selected if they enrolled children with blunt abdominal trauma from the emergency department (ED) with significant mechanism of injury requiring an abdominal CT. The primary outcome measure was the rate of IAI in patients with negative initial abdominal CT. The secondary outcome measure was the number of laparotomies, angiographic embolizations, or repeat abdominal CTs in those with negative initial abdominal CTs. Three studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising a total of 2,596 patients. The overall rate of IAI after a negative abdominal CT was 0.19% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.08% to 0.44%). The overall NPV of abdominal CT was 99.8% (95% CI = 99.6% to 99.9%). There were five patients (0.19%, 95% CI = 0.08% to 0.45%) who required additional intervention despite their initial negative CTs: one therapeutic laparotomy for bowel rupture, one diagnostic laparotomy for mesenteric hematoma and serosal tear, and three repeat abdominal CTs (one splenic and two renal injuries). None of the patients in the latter group required surgery or blood transfusion. The rate of IAI after blunt abdominal trauma with negative CT in children is low. Abdominal CT has a high NPV. The review shows that it might be safe to discharge a stable child home after a negative abdominal CT.

Duodenal Hematoma From a Fall Down the Stairs

Blunt abdominal trauma is not a common finding in abused children. However, there is a high rate of mortality associated with this type of injury. Recognizing the presentation of a child with abusive abdominal injuries is crucial for healthcare providers. Often these children are too young to provide a history of the injury, the caretaker accompanying the child may provide you with a misleading history or a history of minor trauma, and the child's symptoms may range from abdominal pain to vomiting to septic shock, making the diagnosis difficult. The child's anatomy puts him/her at risk for intra-abdominal injury from blunt force. They have less musculature and fat than adults and their rib cage is horizontally oriented, allowing organs to extend beyond the costal margin. Duodenal injuries are extremely uncommon in children because of the retroperitoneal location and a substantial amount of force is necessary to injure this area of abdomen. Understanding the different injury patterns and various mechanisms required to cause abdominal injury is important in determining accidental injury from nonaccidental injury.

Emergency department evaluation and management of blunt abdominal trauma in children

To discuss the emergency department evaluation and management of children with blunt abdominal trauma. The review will focus on both the clinical data that can help reduce the use of computed tomography in the evaluation of patients with blunt abdominal trauma and the evidence for the increased use of nonoperative management of patients with blunt abdominal trauma. We will examine the recent literature focusing on the utility of physical examination, laboratory data and imaging (both ultrasonography and computed tomography) in detecting intraabdominal injury. Recent research suggests that physical examination in combination with bedside ultrasonography may identify children at risk for intraabdominal injury. Screening laboratory data appears to be less sensitive to detect these injuries, but is useful in selected patients. Nonoperative management is appropriate in a majority of cases. Further research is needed to determine which low-risk patients with abdominal trauma can be managed with minimal or no exposure to radiation in the computed tomography scanner.

Identification of children with intra-abdominal injuries after blunt trauma

Study Objective: We sought to determine the utility of laboratory testing after adjusting for physical examination findings in the identification of children with intra-abdominal injuries after blunt trauma. Methods: The study was a prospective observational series of children younger than 16 years old who sustained blunt trauma and were at risk for intra-abdominal injuries during a 2½-year period at an urban Level I trauma center. Patients were examined by faculty emergency physicians and underwent standardized laboratory testing. Clinical and laboratory findings were recorded on a standardized data sheet. Intra-abdominal injury was considered present if an injury was documented to the spleen, liver, pancreas, kidney, adrenal glands, or gastrointestinal tract. We performed multiple logistic regression and binary recursive partitioning analyses to identify which physical examination findings and laboratory variables were independently associated with intra-abdominal injury. Results: Of 1,095 enrolled patients, 107 (10%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 8% to 12%) had intra-abdominal injuries. The mean age was 8.4±4.8 years. From both analyses, we identified 6 findings associated with intra-abdominal injury: low systolic blood pressure (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 4.1; 95% CI 1.1 to 15.2), abdominal tenderness (adjusted OR 5.8; 95% CI 3.2 to 10.4), femur fracture (adjusted OR 1.3; 95% CI 0.5 to 3.7), serum aspartate aminotransferase concentration more than 200 U/L or serum alanine aminotransferase concentration more than 125 U/L (adjusted OR 17.4; 95% CI 9.4 to 32.1), urinalysis with more than 5 RBCs per high-powered field (adjusted OR 4.8; 95% CI 2.7 to 8.4), and an initial hematocrit of less than 30% (adjusted OR 2.6; 95% CI 0.9 to 7.5). Conclusion: After adjusting for physical examination findings, laboratory testing contributes significantly to the identification of children with intra-abdominal injuries after blunt trauma. [Holmes JF, Sokolove PE, Brant WE, Palchak MJ, Vance CW, Owings JT, Kuppermann N. Identification of children with intra-abdominal injuries after blunt trauma. Ann Emerg Med. May 2002;39:500-509.]

Sutureless laparoscopic extraperitoneal inguinal herniorrhaphy using reusable instruments: two hundred three repairs without recurrence.

Laparoscopic extraperitoneal hernia repair has several distinct advantages over the anterior repair and the laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal method. Laparoscopic extraperitoneal hernia repair allows detection and repair of occult contralateral defects with minimal risk of intraabdominal injury or adhesion formation and is associated with less pain and a quicker recovery. However, there are disadvantages. Circumferential mobilization of the spermatic cord and the use of staples to secure the mesh have been associated with injury to the spermatic cord and nerves. The cost of the laparoscopic approach is higher than that of open herniorrhaphy. Additionally, it is more difficult to do because there is a poor understanding of the preperitoneal fascial anatomy. A method of totally extraperitoneal inguinal herniorrhaphy emphasizing anatomic dissection and landmarks is described. The authors use only reusable instruments, no balloon dissector, and no fixation of the mesh. The wide dissection of the myopectineal orifice allows placement of a large mesh and utilizes intraabdominal pressure alone to secure the mesh on the posterior aspect of the abdominal wall, as described by Stoppa et al. (1). Operative costs are minimized. From experience with 203 sutureless extraperitoneal repairs, a low incidence of complications and no recurrences are demonstrated. It is extrapolated that the cost of this laparoscopic repair will approximate more closely that of open anterior herniorrhaphy.

Gunshot wounds of the female breast: a risk for intra-abdominal injury.

We report the results of a clinical study of female patients sustaining gunshot wounds to a breast. Thirteen homicides were reviewed by the Fulton County Medical Examiner. A prospective series of patients treated by the Grady Memorial Hospital Trauma Service included eight additional cases. Ten (48%) of the combined series of 21 patients had significant intra-abdominal injury; of these, five (24%) had injuries confined to the abdomen as a result of a missile striking a breast. A wound pattern consisting of a superior breast entrance wound, an inferior breast exit wound, and an inframammary thoracoabdominal reentry wound was noted in five patients, four of whom had intra-abdominal injuries and three only intra-abdominal injuries. Careful examination for this wound pattern should alert the clinician to the possibility of intra-abdominal injury. One should anticipate a 50% incidence of intra-abdominal injury in female patients sustaining gunshot wounds to a breast.