Latest Issue

    Volume 3 Issue 2 2016

      PERSPECTIVE

    • Open abdomen in trauma patients: a double-edged sword

      Yu-hua Huang, You-sheng Li
      Vol. 3, Issue 2, Pages: 59-65(2016)
      Abstract:The use of open abdomen (OA) as a technique in the treatment of exsanguinating trauma patients was first described in the mid-19th century. Since the 1980s, OA has become a relatively new and increasingly common strategy to manage massive trauma and abdominal catastrophes. OA has been proven to help reduce the mortality of trauma. Nevertheless, the OA method may be associated with terrible and devastating complications such as enteroatmospheric fistula (EAF). As a result, OA should not be overused, and attention should be given to critical care as well as special management. The temporary abdominal closure (TAC) technique after abbreviated laparotomy was used to improve wound healing and facilitate final fascial closure of OA. Negative pressure therapy (NPT) is the most commonly used TAC method.  
      Keywords:Open abdomen;Abdominal compartment syndrome;Damage control;Enteroatmospheric fistula;Negative pressure therapy   
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      Updated:2026-03-12

      RESEARCH

    • George Edafese Alakpa, John W. Collins Jr
      Vol. 3, Issue 2, Pages: 66-72(2016)
      The effectiveness of the department of defense’s field manual 3-11 in detecting, deterring and degrading the breach of a combat base by a human-borne with bioagent (HBBA): perceptions of security personnel
      Abstract:Background:The department of defense’s field manual (FM) 3-11 is among the military’s field manuals for preparing for, reacting to and recovering from chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear attacks. Since post 9-11, U.S. military service members have been deployed in the global war on terrorism. This study attempted to determine the effectiveness of the FM 3-11 in detecting, deterring or preventing a human-borne with bioagent (HBBA) terrorist breach at an entry control point (ECP).Methods:This time-specific, cross-sectional study disseminated a validated survey tool with Cronbach’s α>0.82 to respondents who have had antiterrorism training and combat ECP experience. The return rate was greater than 75.0%; however, many of the respondents failed to meet the inclusion criteria. Consequently, only 26 questionnaires were included in the sample.Results:The results revealed that while over 60.0% of the respondents either strongly agreed or agreed that biointelligence, the deployment of biodetectors and the use of biowarning systems could be effective in preventing an ECP breach by a terrorist with a bioagent, the use of protective equipment and immunization to decontaminate service members or other tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) would never prevent a breach. A large percentage of respondents claimed that soldiers at the ECP lacked the devices or the knowledge to detect an HBBA at an ECP, and 72.0% suggested modifying current ECP TTPs to include education, training and equipment for security personnel at military base ECPs.Conclusion:If obtained from appropriate sources and communicated to the personnel at the ECP in an effective or timely manner, the possible effectiveness of certain TTPs in the FM 3-11, specifically FM 3-11.86 (intelligence), might increase.  
      Keywords:DoD FM 3-11;Bioterrorism;Breach of Combat ECP;HBBA terrorist;Security personnel;Perception   
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      Updated:2026-03-12
    • Xin Zhao, Xiao-Xu Yang, Su-Zhen Ji, Xiao-Zeng Wang, Li Wang, Chong-Huai Gu, Li-Li Ren, Ya-Ling Han
      Vol. 3, Issue 2, Pages: 73-79(2016)
      Efficacy and safety of fondaparinux versus enoxaparin in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention treated with the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor tirofiban
      Abstract:Background:In worldwide, the mortality rate of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) raises year by year. Although the applications of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and anticoagulants effectively reduce the mortality of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), but also increase the incidence of bleeding. Therefore, drugs with stable anticoagulant effects are urgently required.Methods:We enrolled 894 patients with acute coronary syndrome who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention in Shenyang Northern Hospital from February 2010 to May 2012; 430 patients were included in the fondaparinux group (2.5mg/d), and 464 were included in the enoxaparin group (1mg/kg twice daily). Fondaparinux and enoxaparin were applied for 3–7 days. All patients were treated with tirofiban [10μg/kg for 3min initially and 0.15μg/(kg·min) for 1 to 3 days thereafter]. The primary efficacy endpoint was the incidence of a major adverse cerebrovascular or cardiovascular event. The primary safety endpoint was bleeding within 30 days and 1 year after percutaneous coronary intervention.Results:One-year data were available for 422 patients in the fondaparinux group and for 453 in the enoxaparin group. The incidence of a major adverse cerebrovascular or cardiovascular event (10.9% vs 12.6%, P=0.433) and cardiac mortality (0.5% vs 1.5%, P=0.116) were generally lower in the fondaparinux group than in the enoxaparin group, although the differences were not significant. Compared with the enoxaparin group, the fondaparinux group had a significantly decreased rate of bleeding at 30 days (0.9% vs 2.9%, P=0.040) and 1 year (2.4% vs 5.5%, P=0.018). In addition, the rate of major bleeding events was lower in the fondaparinux group, but this difference was not significant (0.2% vs 0.9%, 0.2% vs 1.1%).Conclusion:In tirofiban-treated patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention, fondaparinux presented similar efficacy for ischemia events as enoxaparin. However, fondaparinux significantly decreased the incidence of bleeding, thus providing safer anticoagulation therapy.  
      Keywords:Acute coronary syndrome;Fondaparinux;Enoxaparin;anticoagulation;Tirofiban   
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      Updated:2026-03-12
    • Bing Xie, Ming Liang, Da-Peng Zhou, Wen Zhao, Jing-Yang Sun, Jing-Jing Rong, Jing Tian
      Vol. 3, Issue 2, Pages: 80-86(2016)
      Effects of internal iliac artery embolization on systemic inflammatory response syndrome in dogs with simulated-pelvic-fracture combined with massive bleeding
      Abstract:Background:Pelvic fracture combined with massive bleeding (PFCMB) is a complex issue in clinical practice. Currently, the use of angiography and embolization for the treatment of PFCMB obtains good results. The aim of this study is to observe the effects of early internal iliac artery embolization on the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) in dogs with simulated-pelvic-fracture combined with massive bleeding.Methods:Twenty adult dogs were randomly divided into an embolization group (EG) and a control group (CG). For the two groups, heart rate, respiratory rate and body temperature and other physiological variables were measured, and IL-6, TNF-α and arterial blood gas levels were monitored. These variables were assayed every 30min until death in the CG, while dogs in the EG underwent arterial angiography after 60min of modeling. The internal iliac artery was embolized on the injured side.Results:The average time to SIRS in the CG was 3.56h, occurring at a rate of 90%(9/10) within 24h, with a mortality rate of 50%(5/10); the average time to SIRS for the EG was 5.33h, occurring at a rate of 30%(3/10) within 24h, with a mortality rate of 10%(1/10). When SIRS occurred in the EG, the mean plasma IL-6 level was 52.66±7.38pg/ml and the TNF-α level was 11.45±2.72ng/ml, showing a significant difference with those of the CG (P<0.05). In the two groups, the respiratory rate and leukocyte levels were higher at each monitored time after modeling than those before modeling; the mean arterial pressure, levels of hemoglobin and oxygen partial pressure were significantly lower at each time point after modeling than those before modeling except for the mean arterial pressure at 0h in EG; the platelet levels at 4 and 8h were higher than those before modeling; and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). In the EG, the mean arterial pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate and hemoglobin levels at 2, 4 and 8h were lower than those at 0h; the levels of leukocytes, platelets and carbon dioxide partial pressure at 4 and 8h after modeling were higher than those at 0h, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05, P<0.01); in the CG after modeling, the mean arterial pressure, levels of hemoglobin and carbon dioxide partial pressure at 2, 4 and 8h were lower than those at 0h; the levels of heart rate and leukocytes were higher than those before modeling; the respiratory rate and platelet levels at 4 and 8h were higher than those at 0h; and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). The levels of the mean arterial pressure and hemoglobin at 4 and 8h and the pH values at 8h after modeling in the EG were significantly higher than those in the CG, while the heart rate and respiratory rate at 4 and 8h were significantly lower than those in the CG. The pH values at 8h after modeling were significantly lower than those of the other monitored times in the CG (P<0.05, P<0.01). The two groups had elevated levels of alkaline phosphatase after injury induction.Conclusion:Through the use of an on-spot interventional treatment cabin, early internal iliac artery embolization can control bleeding associated with pelvic fractures, delay the occurrence of SIRS, and improve the success rate of the treatment of pelvic fracture combined with bleeding.  
      Keywords:Internal iliac artery embolization;Systemic inflammatory response syndrome;Interventional treatment cabin   
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      Updated:2026-03-12

      REVIEW

    • Indirect traumatic optic neuropathy

      Eric L. Singman, Nitin Daphalapurkar, Helen White, Thao D. Nguyen, Lijo Panghat, Jessica Chang, Timothy McCulley
      Vol. 3, Issue 2, Pages: 87-92(2016)
      Abstract:Indirect traumatic optic neuropathy (ITON) refers to optic nerve injury resulting from impact remote to the optic nerve. The mechanism of injury is not understood, and there are no confirmed protocols for prevention, mitigation or treatment. Most data concerning this condition comes from case series of civilian patients suffering blunt injury, such as from sports- or motor vehicle-related concussion, rather than military-related ballistic or blast damage. Research in this field will likely require the development of robust databases to identify patients with ITON and follow related outcomes, in addition to both in-vivo animal and virtual human models to study the mechanisms of damage and potential therapies.  
      Keywords:Indirect trauma;Optic nerve;Blunt;Blast;Neuropathy;Biomechanics;Virtual model   
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      Updated:2026-03-12
    • Christian T. Bautista, Eyako Wurapa, Warren B. Sateren, Sara Morris, Bruce Hollingsworth, Jose L. Sanchez
      Vol. 3, Issue 2, Pages: 93-103(2016)
      Bacterial vaginosis: a synthesis of the literature on etiology, prevalence, risk factors, and relationship with chlamydia and gonorrhea infections
      Abstract:Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common vaginal disorder in women of reproductive age. Since the initial work of Leopoldo in 1953 and Gardner and Dukes in 1955, researchers have not been able to identify the causative etiologic agent of BV. There is increasing evidence, however, that BV occurs when Lactobacillus spp., the predominant species in healthy vaginal flora, are replaced by anaerobic bacteria, such as Gardenella vaginalis, Mobiluncus curtisii, M. mulieris, other anaerobic bacteria and/or Mycoplasma hominis. Worldwide, it estimated that 20%–30% of women of reproductive age attending sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinics suffer from BV, and that its prevalence can be as high as 50%–60% in high-risk populations (e.g., those who practice commercial sex work (CSW). Epidemiological data show that women are more likely to report BV if they: 1) have had a higher number of lifetime sexual partners; 2) are unmarried; 3) have engaged in their first intercourse at a younger age; 4) have engaged in CSW, and 5) practice regular douching. In the past decade, several studies have provided evidence on the contribution of sexual activity to BV. However, it is difficult to state that BV is a STI without being able to identify the etiologic agent. BV has also emerged as a public health problem due to its association with other STIs, including: human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG). The most recent evidence on the association between BV and CT/NG infection comes from two secondary analyses of cohort data conducted among women attending STI clinics. Based on these studies, women with BV had a 1.8 and 1.9-fold increased risk for NG and CT infection, respectively. Taken together, BV is likely a risk factor or at least an important contributor to subsequent NG or CT infection in high-risk women. Additional research is required to determine whether this association is also present in other low-risk sexually active populations, such as among women in the US military. It is essential to conduct large scale cross-sectional or population-based case-control studies to investigate the role of BV as a risk factor for CT/NG infections. These studies could lead to the development of interventions aimed at reducing the burden associated with bacterial STIs worldwide.  
      Keywords:Bacterial vaginosis;Chlamydia;Gonorrhea;Military;epidemiology;STI   
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      Updated:2026-03-12
    • Changing paradigms in lower extremity reconstruction in war-related injuries

      Margaret Connolly, Zuhaib R. Ibrahim, Owen N. Johnson III
      Vol. 3, Issue 2, Pages: 104-109(2016)
      Abstract:Background:Ballistic high-energy trauma has substantially increased the severity of non-fatal extremity injuries incurred in modern warfare. Expedient medical care, refinement in surgical techniques, and soft tissue coverage have brought about a paradigm shift in the management of lower extremity wounds during the last decade with an increased emphasis on limb salvage.Methods:A literature-based study was conducted to analyze reconstructive modalities based on the location, depth, and severity of wounds, as well as mechanism of injury, concomitant vascular injuries and open fractures, choice of flap, timing of definitive reconstruction, and complications.Results:Extremity injuries account for over 60% of injuries in the recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, with the majority secondary to explosive devices. The severity of these injuries is profound compared with civilian registries, and conventional injury scoring systems have failed to accurately predict outcomes in combat trauma. The mainstay of treatment is serial debridement, negative pressure therapy, fracture stabilization, and treatment of concomitant injuries by the forward medical teams with subsequent definitive reconstruction after transport to an advanced military treatment facility. Autologous reconstruction with free tissue transfer and pedicled flaps remains the primary modality for soft tissue coverage in limb salvage. Adjunct innovative modalities, such as external tissue expansion, dermal substitutes, and regenerative matrices, have also been successfully utilized for limb salvage.Conclusion:Lower extremity injuries account for the vast majority of injuries in modern warzones. Explosive devices represent the most common mechanism of injury, with blast impact leading to extensive soft tissue injuries necessitating complex reconstructive strategies. Serial debridement, negative pressure therapy, and autologous reconstruction with free tissue transfer and pedicled flaps remain the mainstay of treatment in recent conflicts.  
      Keywords:Limb salvage;Free flap;Pedicled flap;Lower extremity;Blast injury;Combat;Battlefield;Reconstruction   
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      Updated:2026-03-12

      CASE REPORT

    • Exertional heat stroke in a young military trainee: is it preventable?

      Buddhika T. B. Wijerathne, Senaka D. Pilapitiya, Vadivel Vijitharan, Mohammed M. F. Farah, Yashodhara V. M. Wimalasooriya, Sisira H Siribaddana
      Vol. 3, Issue 2, Pages: 110-113(2016)
      Exertional heat stroke in a young military trainee: is it preventable?
      Abstract:Background:Heat stroke is a life-threatening condition with exertional heat stroke occurring frequently among soldiers and athletes. Because of its common occurrence, many military trainees practice preventive measures prior to any activity requiring severe exertion. Although it is said to be common in practice, different presentations of heat stroke are scarcely described in literature.Case Presentation:We describe a case of an exertional heat stroke in a 23-year-old male Sinhalese soldier who developed early changes of renal failure, liver failure and rhabdomyolysis. The patient initially presented with convulsions, delirium and loss of consciousness to an outside health care facility before being transferred to our institution.Conclusion:It is clear that heat stroke does occur in military trainees while preventive strategies are being practiced. It is important for those who provide healthcare to soldiers to provide proper advice on how to identify impending heat stroke prior to any exercises resulting in severe physical exertion. Further, treating physicians should educate all military trainees about preventive strategies.  
      Keywords:Heat stroke;Military trainee;Asymptomatic infection   
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      Updated:2026-03-12
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