Abdominal insufflation for prevention of exsanguination

Jack Sava, George C. Velmahos, Marios Karaiskakis, Paul Kirkman, Konstantinos Toutouzas, Grant Sarkisyan, Linda Chan, Demetrios Demetriades

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background Currently, traumatic intra-abdominal hemorrhage continues unchecked during transport and triage, and a simple technique of prehospital hemostasis might improve outcomes. The hemostatic effect of abdominal hypertension has not been studied. Purpose To examine the effect of iatrogenic abdominal insufflation on blood loss and hemodynamic performance after major abdominal vascular injury. Methods Following laparotomy, a 2.7 mm hole was created in the inferior vena cava of 10 anticoagulated pigs and controlled with a partially occlusive, laparoscopic vascular clamp. After abdominal closure the clamp was released and the pig was randomized to either control (n = 5) or immediate abdominal CO2 insufflation at 20 cm H2O pressure (n = 5). Lactated Ringer’s solution was used as needed to maintain a mean arterial pressure of 60 mm Hg. After 15 minutes of hemorrhage and hemodynamic monitoring, the animals were killed and blood loss measured. Mean blood loss was compared between groups using the Student t test, as were final values for physiologic variables. Temporal changes in physiologic parameters were compared using analysis of variance. Results Mean blood loss was reduced by 61% in insufflated pigs versus controls (695 ± 244 versus 1764 ± 328 cc, p < 0.001). Compared with controls, insufflated pigs had significantly higher mean arterial pressure (64 versus 25 mm Hg, p < 0.001), end-tidal CO2 (40.8 versus 17.8 mm Hg, p < 0.001), and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (10.2 versus 5.8 mm Hg, p = 0.026) immediately before the pigs were killed. Conclusion Iatrogenic abdominal insufflation significantly decreased blood loss and improved hemodynamics in a porcine model of traumatic venous hemorrhage. Iatrogenic abdominal insufflation may be useful in the prehospital management of abdominal injury.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)590-594
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Trauma
Volume54
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2003

Keywords

  • Hemorrhage
  • Hemostasis
  • Insufflation
  • Pneumoperitoneum
  • Prehospital

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Abdominal insufflation for prevention of exsanguination'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this