Anastomotic Outcomes in Military Exploratory Laparotomies in the Modern Combat Era

Background Intestinal anastomoses in military settings are performed in severely injured patients who often undergo damage control laparotomy in austere environments. We describe anastomotic outcomes of patients from recent wars. Methods Military personnel with combat-related intra-abdominal injuries (June 2009-December 2014) requiring laparotomy with resection and anastomosis were analyzed. Patients were evacuated from Iraq or Afghanistan to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (Germany) before being transferred to participating U.S. military hospitals. Results Among 341 patients who underwent 1053 laparotomies, 87 (25.5%) required ≥1 anastomosis. Stapled anastomosis only was performed in 57.5% of patients, while hand-sewn only was performed in 14.9%, and 9.2% had both stapled and hand-sewn techniques (type unknown for 18.4%). Anastomotic failure occurred in 15% of patients. Those with anastomotic failure required more anastomoses (median 2 anastomoses, interquartile range [IQR] 1-3 vs. 1 anastomosis, IQR 1-2, P = .03) and more total laparotomies (median 5 laparotomies, IQR 3-12 vs. 3, IQR 2-4, P = .01). There were no leaks in patients that had only hand-sewn anastomoses, though a significant difference was not seen with those who had stapled anastomoses. While there was an increasing trend regarding surgical site infections (SSIs) with anastomotic failure after excluding superficial SSIs, it was not significant. There was no difference in mortality. Discussion Military trauma patients have a similar anastomotic failure rate to civilian trauma patients. Patients with anastomotic failure were more likely to have had more anastomoses and more total laparotomies. No definitive conclusions can be drawn about anastomotic outcome differences between hand-sewn and stapled techniques.

Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Adult Patients Seeking Care at Military Hospitals in Thailand From 2014 to 2020

ABSTRACT Introduction The effective dual antibiotics ceftriaxone (CRO) and azithromycin (AZM) have successfully treated Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) infection, however, the CRO- and AZM-resistant strains have been sporadically detected globally and in Thailand. Furthermore, there are no currently antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of the GC isolates obtained from soldiers reported in Thailand. Hence, this is the first study to describe the antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of GC isolates obtained from predominately soldiers who seeking care at Military Camp Hospitals, in Thailand from 2014 to 2020. Materials and Methods A total of 624 symptomatic gonococcal samples were received from 10 military hospitals during 2014-2020. They were collected from urethral swabs and inoculated into selective media. The suspected GC isolates were subcultured and presumptively identified using conventional microbiology techniques. Antimicrobial susceptibility test was performed by Etest to determine minimal inhibitory concentration (μg/mL) against AZM, benzylpenicillin, cefepime, cefixime, ceftriaxone (CRO), ciprofloxacin, spectinomycin, and tetracycline using the criteria outlined in the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. This study was approved by Institutional Review Board, Royal Thai Army Medical Department under protocol number S036b/56 and Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, and Silver Spring, MD under protocol number WR #2039. Results A total of 624 samples were collected from symptomatic gonococcal infectious patients with 91.5% (571/624) of samples obtained from soldiers. Of those, 78% (488/624) were identified as GC and 92% (449/488) of them were isolated from soldiers. All GC samples collected were susceptible to CRO (first-line treatment) with only one GC isolate identified as non-susceptible to cefepime and three isolates identified as non-susceptible to AZM. Conclusion The recommended dual treatment of GC infections with CRO and AZM is currently an effective empirical treatment for patients who are seeking care at military hospitals in Thailand. Nevertheless, cefepime is a fourth-generation cephalosporin with documented high activity against GC strains equal to other “third-generation” cephalosporins such as CRO. Due to the active duty of military personnel, they concerned about the confidentiality and frequently seek treatment at civilian clinics. Additionally, due to the availability of antibiotics over the counter in Thailand, many choose the option to self-medicate without a physician’s prescription. These could be subsequently driven the gradual increase of multidrug-resistant gonococcal strains throughout the country. Thus, the GC surveillance would be needed for further Force Health Protection and public health authorities in response to the drug-resistant GC threats.

SELF-INFLICTED FIREARM INJURIES AS COMPARED TO THE ACCIDENTAL FIREARM INJURY; A COMPARATIVE ANALYTICAL STUDY TO DETERMINE THE COMMONEST SITE OF NON-SUICIDAL SELF-INFLICTED INJURIES

Objective: To determine the commonest site of non-suicidal self-inflicted firearm wound in comparison with accidental firearm wounds. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Combined Military Hospitals Jhelum, Bannu & Kharian, from Nov 2014 to Nov 2018. Methodology: Sixty-four patients with firearm injuries were observed. All the participants were males between the ages of 18- 60 years. The injuries were determined to be either self-inflicted or accidental by an independent committee. The participants’ replies and responses were assessed by dividing them into five main domains by using quantitative software SPSS version 20. Variables involving demographic characteristics of participants such as age, occupation, marital and socioeconomic status, were associated with mental health variables such as psychological stress, previous history of self-harm and clinical psychiatric illness. Result: Fifteen subjects were found to have self-inflicted injuries and 50 had accidental injuries. There was a marked preference for left foot and left lower limb as a site for non-suicidal self-inflicted injuries (94.6%) as compared to other sites (left upper extremity 1.8%, chest 1.8% and right lower extremity 1.8%). Conclusions: Left lower limb and left foot was a more common site for self-injury as compared to the other sites.

Obesity Measures as Predictors of Type 2 Diabetes and Cardiovascular Diseases among the Jordanian Population: A Cross-Sectional Study

Obesity is strongly associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). This study aimed to use obesity measures, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) to predict the CVD and T2D risk and to determine the best predictor of these diseases among Jordanian adults. A cross-sectional study was conducted at the governmental and military hospitals across Jordan. The study participants were healthy or previously diagnosed with CVD or T2D. The continuous variables were compared using ANOVA, and the categorical variables were compared using the X2 test. The multivariate logistic regression was used to predict CVD and T2D risk through their association with BMI and WC. The final sample consisted of 6000 Jordanian adults with a mean age of 41.5 ± 14.7 years, 73.6% females. The BMI (OR = 1.7, CI: 1.30–2.30, p < 0.001) was associated with a higher risk of T2D compared to WC (OR = 1.3, CI: 1.04–1.52, p = 0.016). However, our results showed that BMI was not associated with CVD risk, while the WC was significantly and positively associated with CVD risk (OR = 1.9, CI: 1.47–2.47, p < 0.001). In conclusion, an elevated BMI predicts a higher risk of T2D, while WC is more efficient in predicting CVD risk. Our results can be used to construct a population-specific intervention to reduce the risk of CVD and T2D among adults in Jordan and other countries with similar backgrounds.

Are Healthcare Providers Providing Appropriate Educational Material for People with Low Back Pain?

Introduction: One of the contributing factors to the burden of low back pain (LBP) is the failure to provide patients with appropriate education and advice about diagnosis and management. To date, no information exists about whether the content of patients’ information and educational material provided in physiotherapy clinics in Saudi Arabia is in line with the Clinical Practice Guidelines and contemporary practice. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the content of educational material provided by physiotherapy clinics, hospitals, or distributed by healthcare associations to people with LBP in Saudi Arabia, to determine whether this information is adequate to reassure patients and inform self-management. This study also seeks to explore whether these materials are consistent with CPGs for people with LBP. Methodology: A sample of educational items (English or Arabic) in Saudi Arabia was collected. Content analysis was conducted to analyze data based on manifest content. Result: Seventeen educational materials were included, originating from diverse sources; the Ministry of Health hospitals (n = 10), military hospitals (n = 4), private hospitals (n = 2), and multidisciplinary healthcare association (n = 1). Six main sub-themes were identified: epidemiological/anatomical data about LBP (n = 6); causes/risk factors (n = 10); exercise (n = 14) and physical activity-related recommendations (n = 3); treatment-related recommendations (n = 2); general health and lifestyle-related recommendations (n = 8); and postural and ergonomics-related recommendations (n = 13). Ultimately, one theme was formulated, namely, the content of educational materials was hindering reassurance and self-management for people with LBP. The items reviewed were heavily influenced by the biomedical model of pain. Conclusion: The educational materials reviewed failed to properly report information about LBP from a biopsychosocial perspective and were inadequate to assure patients or inform self-management.

1364. Microbiology of Sepsis in a Combat-Trauma Military Population

Background There are limited data on sepsis in combat casualties. We examined characteristics of sepsis, specific infections, and associated microbiology in a complex combat trauma population. Methods The Trauma Infectious Disease Outcomes Study collected infection-related data from military personnel wounded during deployment (2009-2014). Medevac patients transferred to participating US military hospitals with sepsis or septic shock based on the Sepsis-1 SIRS criteria were analyzed for associated potential sources and infection-associated clinical microbiology. Results Prevalence of sepsis was 24.7% (667 of 2699 patients) with 93 (14%) patients meeting septic shock criteria. There were 1013 sepsis/shock episodes (SSE) among 667 subjects. Infections attributed to SSE were identified in 996 (98.3%) of 1013 episodes, primarily being bloodstream infections (BSI) +/- other infections (29.5%), skin and soft tissue (SSTI)/osteomyelitis (35.3%), pneumonia (12.1%), and multiple concurrent infections (14.2%). At least 1 organism was identified in 96% of SSE and 53% were polymicrobial. Gram-positive organisms (GP) were identified in 54% of SSE: 16% with multiple GP, of monomicrobial infections 4.1% were S. aureus, 15.8% other staphylococci, and 13% Enterococcus spp. Gram-negative bacilli (GN) were identified from 74.5% of SSE: 34% with multiple GN, of monomicrobial infections 11% were Pseudomonas spp., 8% E. coli, 6% Enterobacter spp., and 6% Acinetobacter spp. Mycobacterial species were uncommon (0.9%). Yeast, mold, and anaerobes were identified from 19%, 22%, and 12.5% of SSE, respectively. Compared to sepsis, septic shock infections were more often polymicrobial (p&lt; 0.001), and had more infections with ESKAPEE pathogens, only Mucor spp., and only Bacteroides (p&lt; 0.05). More infections with only Pseudomonas spp. and only non-lugdunensis coagulase-negative Staphylococci were identified among sepsis patients (p&lt; 0.05). Conclusion Sepsis rates, using the Sepsis-1 criteria are sensitive but lack specificity supporting reclassification using updated Sepsis-3 criteria. In a complex trauma population, sepsis is common with most frequent infections related to SSTI/osteomyelitis, as well as BSI and multiple concurrent infections with a diverse spectrum of microbiology. Disclosures Dana M. Blyth, MD, Nothing to disclose

IMPACT OF ANTENATAL CARE ON MATERNAL MORBIDITY IN THREE MILITARY HOSPITALS OF PUNJAB, PAKISTAN

Objective: To determine the impact of antenatal care on maternal morbidity. Study Design: Comparative cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Obstetric Departments of three military hospitals in Northern Punjab cities of Rawalpindi, Jehlum and Mangla, from Jan to Mar 2019. Methodology: Data of all mothers who gave live births in the selected military hospitals were collected. These mothers were classified as booked and unbooked on the basis of number of antenatal care visits. Maternal morbidities and complications of pregnancy were recorded. The data were analyzed using Statistical Packages for Social Science (SPSS) version 20. Results: In our study, 254 (8.8%) of mothers were unbooked, 2273 (78.8%) were partially booked and 358 (12.4%) were booked. 894 (31%) mothers did not have any co-morbidity while 1991 (69%) mother had co-morbidity. Out of 749 (27.5%) mothers had anaemia, 869 (30.1%) had hypertension, 141 (30.1%) had diabetes mellitus, 24 (0.8%) cardiac disease, 39 (1.4%) had tuberculosis, 9 (0.3%) had liver disease 13 (0.5%) had kidney disease, 69 (2.4%) had allergies while 33 (1.1%) had other diseases. These complications were significantly greater in unbooked patients as compared to booked patients (p<0.001) Out of total 2885 mothers who gave live births in three military hospitals, only one (0.034%) mother died (who was unbooked) in Jhelum Hospital. Its Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) was 34.66 per 100,000 live births. Conclusion: In our study population anemia, hypertension and diabetes were the most common comorbidities in expecting mothers. Unbooked mothers had more morbidities and complications of pregnancy than.........

Early versus delayed operative management of appendicular mass

Background Acute appendicitis is one of the most common causes of acute abdomen. It may be either complicated or uncomplicated. Sometimes the acute inflammation of the appendix may be enclosed by the patient’s own defense mechanisms to form inflammatory phlegmon. Complicated appendicitis is a palpable appendiceal mass, phlegmon, or a localized abscess. A phlegmon is an inflammatory tumor consisting of the inflamed appendix, with the greater omentum and adjacent viscera. Aim of the Work To determine the preferred approach taken to the management of the appendicular mass, to compare between acute appendectomy and delayed surgical intervention for appendicular mass, and to determine patient outcome following appendectomy for appendicular mass. Material and Methods: Study A retrospective study. Study Setting The study has been conducted in Ain Shams University Hospital (El-Demerdash) and military hospitals in Cairo and Alexandria under supervision of thesis supervisors. Study Period The study retrospectively analyze data of patients diagnosed as appendicular mass between January 2017 and December 2017. Study Population: Inclusion Criteria Patients with acute abdomen, diagnosed as appendicular mass by clinical examination and imaging (US and CT). Exclusion Criteria Females with right ovarian problems. Cases with right ureteric stones. Cases of recurrence. Abdominal ultrasonography and CT did not confirm the mass. Results The present study was a descriptive, retrospective, study that included 20 patients diagnosed with appendicular mass attended to surgery clinics at El-Demerdash and Military hospitals between January 2017 and December 2017. The patients were divided into two groups: Group I including 10 patients started conservative treatment then received delayed appendectomy. Group II including 10 patients received early appendectomy. Conclusion In conclusion, early appendicectomy is a safe and superior option in patients with appendicular mass compared to delayed appendicectomy. The results indicate that early appendicectomy leads to shorter hospital stay and return to normal activities than delayed appendicectomy. Moreover, postoperative difficulties and complications were less following early appendicectomy. The early appendectomy appears to achieve more favorable outcomes in patients with more severe symptoms, high fever, and high inflammatory markers. Nonetheless, more studies are necessary to confirm our findings.