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Abstract Background Applying excessive force during endotracheal intubation (ETI) is associated with several complications, including dental trauma and hemodynamic alterations. A gum-elastic bougie (GEB), a type of tracheal tube introducer, is a useful airway adjunct for patients with poor laryngoscopic views. However, how the use of a GEB affects the force applied during laryngoscopy is unclear. We compared the force applied on the oral structures during ETI performed by novices using the GEB versus an endotracheal tube + stylet. Methods This prospective crossover study was conducted from April 2017 to March 2019 in a public medical university in Japan. In total, 209 medical students (4th and 5th grade, mean age of 23.7 ± 2.0 years) without clinical ETI experience were recruited. The participants used either a Macintosh direct laryngoscope (DL) or C-MAC video laryngoscope (VL) in combination with a GEB or stylet to perform ETI on a high-fidelity airway management simulator. The order of the first ETI method was randomized to minimize the learning curve effect. The outcomes of interest were the maximum forces applied on the maxillary incisors and tongue during laryngoscopy. The implanted sensors in the simulator quantified these forces automatically. Results The maximum force applied on the maxillary incisors was significantly lower when using a GEB than when using an endotracheal tube + stylet both with the Macintosh DL (39.0 ± 23.3 vs. 47.4 ± 32.6 N, P

Abstract Background Commencement of a new academic cycle is presumed to be associated with poor patient outcomes. However, supportive evidence is limited for trauma patients treated in under-resourced hospitals, especially those who require specialized interventions and with little physiological reserve. We examined whether a new academic cycle affects the survival outcomes of injured patients in a typical Japanese teaching hospital. Methods This historical cohort study was conducted at a Japanese community emergency department (ED). All injured patients brought to the ED from April 2002 to March 2018 were included in the analysis. The primary exposure was presentation to the ED during the first quartile of the academic cycle (April–June). The primary outcome measure was the hospital mortality rate. Results Of the 20,945 eligible patients, 5282 (25.2%) were admitted during the first quartile. In the univariable analysis, the hospital mortality rate was similar between patients admitted during the first quartile of the academic year and those admitted during the remaining quartiles (4.1% vs. 4.4%, respectively; odds ratio [OR], 0.931; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.796–1.088). After adjusting for the potential confounding factors of the injury severity score, age, sex, Glasgow coma scale score, systolic blood pressure, trauma etiology (blunt or penetrating), and admission phase (2002–2005, 2006–2009, 2010–2013, and 2014–2018), no statistically significant association was present between first-quartile admission and trauma death (adjusted OR 0.980; 95% CI 0.748–1.284). Likewise, when patients were subgrouped according to age of > 55 years, injury severity score of > 15, Glasgow coma scale score of

Abstract Background Clostridium septicum-infected aortic aneurysm is a fatal and rare disease. We present a fatal case of C. septicum-infected aortic aneurysm and a pertinent literature review with treatment suggestions for reducing mortality rates. Case presentation A 58-year-old Japanese man with an unremarkable medical history presented with a 3-day history of mild weakness in both legs, and experienced paraplegia and paresthesia a day before admission. Upon recognition of signs of an abdominal aortic aneurysm and paraplegia, we suspected an occluded Adamkiewicz artery and performed a contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan, which revealed an aortic aneurysm with periaortic gas extending from his chest to his abdomen and both kidneys. Antibiotics were initiated followed by emergency surgery for source control of the infection. However, owing to his poor condition and septic shock, aortic repair was not possible. We performed bilateral nephrectomy as a possible source control, after which we initiated mechanical ventilation, continuous hemodialysis, and hemoperfusion. A culture of the samples taken from the infected region and four consecutive blood cultures yielded C. septicum. His condition gradually improved postoperatively; however, on postoperative day 10, massive hemorrhage due to aortic rupture resulted in his death. Conclusions In this patient, C. septicum was thought to have entered his blood through a gastrointestinal tumor, infected the aorta, and spread to his kidneys. However, we were uncertain whether there was an associated malignancy. A literature review of C. septicum-related aneurysms revealed the following: 6-month mortality, 79.5%; periaortic gas present in 92.6% of cases; no standard operative procedure and no guidelines for antimicrobial administration established; and C. septicum was associated with cancer in 82.5% of cases. Thus, we advocate for early diagnosis via the identification of periaortic gas, as an aortic aneurysm progresses rapidly. To reduce the risk of reinfection as well as infection of other sites, there is the need for concurrent surgical management of the aneurysm and any associated malignancy. We recommend debridement of the infectious focus and in situ vascular graft with omental coverage. Postoperatively, orally administered antibiotics must be continued indefinitely (chronic suppression therapy). We believe that these treatments will decrease mortality due to C. septicum-infected aortic aneurysms.

Abstract Background Although human and equipment resources, proper training, and the verification of endotracheal intubation are vital elements of difficult airway management (DAM), their availability in Japanese emergency departments (EDs) has not been determined. How ED type and patient volume affect DAM preparation is also unclear. We conducted the present survey to address this knowledge gaps. Methods This nationwide cross-sectional study was conducted from April to September 2016. All EDs received a mailed questionnaire regarding their DAM resources, airway training methods, and capnometry use for tube placement. Outcome measures were the availability of: (1) 24-h in-house back-up; (2) key DAM resources, including a supraglottic airway device (SGA), a dedicated DAM cart, surgical airway devices, and neuromuscular blocking agents; (3) anesthesiology rotation as part of an airway training program; and (4) the routine use of capnometry to verify tube placement. EDs were classified as academic, tertiary, high-volume (upper quartile of annual ambulance visits), and urban. Results Of the 530 EDs, 324 (61.1%) returned completed questionnaires. The availability of in-house back-up coverage, surgical airway devices, and neuromuscular blocking agents was 69.4, 95.7, and 68.5%, respectively. SGAs and dedicated DAM carts were present in 51.5 and 49.7% of the EDs. The rates of routine capnometry use (47.8%) and the availability of an anesthesiology rotation (38.6%) were low. The availability of 24-h back-up coverage was significantly higher in academic EDs and tertiary EDs in both the crude and adjusted analysis. Similarly, neuromuscular blocking agents were more likely to be present in academic EDs, high-volume EDs, and tertiary EDs; and the rate of routine use of capnometry was significantly higher in tertiary EDs in both the crude and adjusted analysis. Conclusions In Japanese EDs, the rates of both the availability of SGAs and DAM carts and the use of routine capnometry to confirm tube placement were approximately 50%. These data demonstrate the lack of standard operating procedures for rescue ventilation and post-intubation care. Academic, tertiary, and high-volume EDs were likely to be well prepared for DAM.

Abstract Background Surfing is an increasingly popular activity and surfing-related injuries have increased accordingly. However, to the best of our knowledge, there are no reports of penetrating upper airway injuries in surfers. We present a “cannot ventilate, cannot intubate” situation following penetrating neck injury by a surfboard fin. Case presentation A previously healthy 29-year-old Japanese man was swept off his board by a large wave and his left mandible, tongue root, and right epipharynx were penetrated by the surfboard fin. He presented with severe hypovolemic shock because of copious bleeding from his mouth. Direct laryngoscopy failed, as did manual ventilation, because of the exacerbated upper airway bleeding and distorted upper airway anatomy. Open cricothyrotomy was immediately performed, followed by surgical exploration, which revealed extensive ablation of his tongue root and laceration of his lingual artery. After definitive hemostasis and intensive care, he returned home with no sequelae. Conclusions The long, semi-sharp surfboard fin created both extensive crushing upper airway lesions and a sharp vascular injury, resulting in a difficult airway. This case illustrates that surfing injuries can prompt a life-threatening airway emergency and serves as a caution for both surfers and health care professionals.