-
Naoko Ueda, Hideki Sakahira, Masato Fukuoka, Naoya Matsumoto, Tetsuya ...
2023Volume 13 Pages
52-56
Published: 2023
Released on J-STAGE: December 27, 2023
Advance online publication: April 10, 2023
JOURNAL
FREE ACCESS
This study reports a case of severe hepatic failure by ruptured visceral artery aneurysms, treated with a release of median arcuate ligament (MAL). A 75-year-old male was transported to the emergency medical service, due to a sudden strong epigastric pain. The computed tomography (CT) found retroperitoneal bleeding, caused by a ruptured inferior-pancreaticoduodenal-artery aneurysm. Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) was successfully performed, despite the challenges of catheter-techniques caused by median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS). The triple endovascular treatments performed within the pancreaticoduodenal arcade, decreased hepatic arterial flow that accompanies severe hepatic failure. Laparotomy for MAL release was performed after critical care improved hepatic failure to Child-Pugh Grade B, with a complete recovery of liver function. This case specifically showed that MAL release, regarded as a basic treatment for visceral artery aneurysms, contributed to improve hepatic failure by increasing hepatic arterial flow.
View full abstract
-
Seiko Miura, Nobuhiko Ueda, Daisuke Kaida, Takashi Miyata, Tomoharu Mi ...
2023Volume 13 Pages
57-61
Published: 2023
Released on J-STAGE: December 27, 2023
Advance online publication: April 10, 2023
JOURNAL
FREE ACCESS
The patient is a 63-year-old man. He developed severe acute pancreatitis after endoscopic lithotomy for common bile duct stones. He was discharged from the hospital with encapsulated necrosis, but 37 days after discharge, fever and right groin pain were observed. He was diagnosed as infected pancreatic necrosis with duodenal perforation and surgery was performed. The first surgery was necrosectomy and cholecystectomy, and open abdomen management (OAM) was performed for planned reoperation. A necrosectomy was added, the duodenal perforation was closed, and drains were placed to close the abdomen. The patient was discharged 88 sick days after reoperation. We report a case in which a planned reoperative necrosectomy with OAM was effective for infected pancreatic necrosis with duodenal perforation.
View full abstract
-
Daisuke Hara, Tomoka Hamahiro, Ryo Maeda, Takanori Ayabe, Masaki Tomit ...
2023Volume 13 Pages
62-66
Published: 2023
Released on J-STAGE: December 27, 2023
Advance online publication: April 17, 2023
JOURNAL
FREE ACCESS
The patient was a 30-year-old woman with a history of schizophrenia. She was transferred to our department due to abdominal trauma caused by suicide. She was undergone aortic clamping and cardiac massage by resuscitative thoracotomy for hemorrhagic shock and cardiac arrest. Subsequently, damage control surgery was performed for intraabdominal hemorrhage. On the second postoperative day, reoperation was scheduled for gauze depacking and gastrointestinal reconstruction, but a preoperative chest x-ray and chest CT showed decreased permeability of the left upper lobe. Postoperative pneumonia was diagnosed and reoperation was performed as scheduled. After that, a CT scan showed the same abnormality in the left lung, and left upper lobe pulmonary torsion was diagnosed by thoracic surgeon. Emergency operation was performed and the twisted upper lobe was removed. We report a rare case of pulmonary torsion that may be caused by resuscitative thoracotomy. The pulmonary torsion is required careful treatment.
View full abstract
-
Yuma Aoki, Takehiro Noji, Kimitaka Tanaka, Aya Matsui, Yoshitsugu Naka ...
2023Volume 13 Pages
67-72
Published: 2023
Released on J-STAGE: December 27, 2023
Advance online publication: April 10, 2023
JOURNAL
FREE ACCESS
A 90s-year-old man was brought to the emergency department with a chief complaint of impaired consciousness and hypotension. Blood test showed hyponatremia, and contrast-enhanced CT of the abdomen revealed marked portal venous gas, poor contrast image of the wall and pneumatosis of the left colon, and ascites. But blood test showed no elevated inflammatory response and there was no peritoneal irritation symptom. Plane CT of the chest showed gas in the brachiocephalic trunk and the left subclavian artery. He was diagnosed with portal venous gas caused by ischemic colitis and intramediastinal arterial gas. The patient was hospitalized for conservative treatment in accordance with the family's wishes. His consciousness was improved after recovery of hyponatremia. Contrast-enhanced CT of the abdomen on the 18th day showed decreasing of portal venous gas and ascites. During the hospitalization, he did not show any symptoms and could be discharged.
View full abstract
-
Yoshiya Ishizawa
2023Volume 13 Pages
73-77
Published: 2023
Released on J-STAGE: December 27, 2023
Advance online publication: April 10, 2023
JOURNAL
FREE ACCESS
The patient, a 39-year-old male, was found pinned between an exterior wall and a pillar after the boiler exploded while he was changing. He sustained second-degree burns on the face, both upper extremities, and in the airway. He had an open fracture of the left lower leg and a fracture of the right lower leg. He was transported to our hospital by a medical helicopter from the nearest hospital. Upon arrival at our hospital, his blood pressure was 93/62 mmHg, pulse was 120 beats per minute, and the FAST examination was positive. He was admitted after undergoing emergency laparotomy on the same day for damage control, repair of a mesenteric injury and perforation of the ileum, vacuum pack closure, and external fixation of the left lower leg. He underwent gastrointestinal reconstruction and laparotomy closure 48 hours later. The patient's surgical course seemed to be good, but it took 3 weeks for improvement due to prolonged intestinal paralysis. It is possible that systemic inflammation caused by the shock of the explosion might have prolonged intestinal paralysis. Abdominal trauma caused by an explosion might require more careful evaluation before resumption of enteral nutrition than usual cases of acute abdomen or abdominal trauma.
View full abstract
-
Takuro Fuke, Takayoshi Kishino, Kensuke Kumamoto, Jun Uemura, Minoru O ...
2023Volume 13 Pages
78-83
Published: 2023
Released on J-STAGE: December 27, 2023
Advance online publication: June 27, 2023
JOURNAL
FREE ACCESS
Secondary aortoesophageal fistula (AEF) is a rare complication that occurs after aortic arch replacement (AAR). A 64-year-old man who developed recurrent vascular graft infections after AAR was referred to our hospital. Based on endoscopy findings, he was diagnosed with a secondary AEF. Therefore, a three-step surgery was conducted. Video-assisted subtotal esophagectomy (VATS-E) was performed, followed by replacement vascular graft application and omental coverage. Finally, esophageal reconstruction was performed, using a gastric tube. Currently, after completing antibiotic therapy, he is followed up as an outpatient. Although replacement vascular graft application and esophagectomy are highly invasive procedures, they are considered as effective treatment options for secondary AEFs. It has been reported that the staged surgical approach and VATS-E have high surgical invasiveness. In this article, we have reported a case of a secondary AEF treated successfully by performing planned omental coverage and esophageal reconstruction unusual time with those procedure.
View full abstract
-
Nobuichiro Tamura
2023Volume 13 Pages
84-88
Published: 2023
Released on J-STAGE: December 27, 2023
Advance online publication: June 27, 2023
JOURNAL
FREE ACCESS
Transverse cervical artery, a branch of thyrocervical trunk injury is rare. A 70-year-old man was transferred to our emergency department 2 hours and 30 minutes after his car crashed into a guardrail. On admission, seatbelt sign and a fist-sized hematoma around the right clavicle were detected, and his trachea was deviated due to compression by the hematoma. An enhanced computed tomography (CT) revealed a large hematoma with extravasation. We selected operative management. The hematoma was exposed through the anterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle and supraclavicular skin incision. We detected transverse cervical artery injury and ligated it. He was extubated on the same day as the operation. Active bleeding of neck arterial injury needs prompt airway management and appropriate hemostasis. The procedure should be based on the complexity of the vascular injury, associated injuries, the patientʼs clinical status, and the availability of appropriately trained interventional radiology staff.
View full abstract
-
Yasuaki Yamakawa, Ryutaro Tsuno, Taeko Furihata, Shinya Higuchi, Kohei ...
2023Volume 13 Pages
89-93
Published: 2023
Released on J-STAGE: December 27, 2023
Advance online publication: June 27, 2023
JOURNAL
FREE ACCESS
The patient was an 83-year-old woman transferred to our hospital for orthopedic surgery. Surgery was performed on the 7th day following injury. The urethral catheter was removed on the 14th day following injury. The next day, abdominal distension and muscle guarding appeared, and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) revealed ascites. She was diagnosed with bladder rupture due to a urethral catheter based on her history of radiotherapy for uterine cancer. Conservative treatment with an indwelling urethral catheter and administration of meropenem was performed, but follow-up CT confirmed that the tip of the urethral catheter protruded outside the bladder. At the time of final follow-up 2 years after the injury, the indwelling urinary catheter was continued and replaced every 2 weeks at a nearby clinic. It was speculated that bladder wall fragility caused by radiotherapy and hyperextension of the bladder wall due to the tip of the urethral catheter led to bladder rupture.
View full abstract
-
Akita Kato, Yuzuru Mochida, Syu Tanizawa, Raira Nakamoto, Mitsuaki Koj ...
2023Volume 13 Pages
94-98
Published: 2023
Released on J-STAGE: December 27, 2023
Advance online publication: August 14, 2023
JOURNAL
FREE ACCESS
A 63-year-old male was admitted after neurosurgery to treat right putaminal hemorrhage and while restarting antithrombotic medications for atrial fibrillation, abdominal distention and blood pressure decrease were observed. CT showed ascites and extravasation of contrast agent around the splenic flexure of the colon. Emergency laparotomy was performed, bloody ascites and a hematoma between the omentum and the transverse mosocolon were revealed. Upon removal of the hematoma, oozing from the omentum was observed yet there were no signs of another active bleeding. Since no responsible blood vessel was confirmed, the surgery was completed with open abdomen management (OAM) due to concerns about postoperative bleeding. Second-stage surgery was performed on the following day, and the abdomen was closed after confirmation of hemostasis. Second-stage surgery with OAM is also an option when the source of bleeding is uncertain and the risk of postoperative bleeding is high.
View full abstract
-
Shin Hirayama, Takao Chishiro
2023Volume 13 Pages
99-103
Published: 2023
Released on J-STAGE: December 27, 2023
Advance online publication: August 31, 2023
JOURNAL
FREE ACCESS
A 19-year-old man with blunt right anterior chest wall trauma was transferred to our emergency department. A chest CT showed right hemopneumothorax followed by chest-tube drainage. Five hours after chest-tube insertion the patient revealed anemia and consumption of platelets in his blood work. Blood transfusion was started, and an emergent operation was performed using a 8K-video assisted thoracoscopic surgery (8K-VATS). Pulsatile bleeding from an abnormal neovascular vessel and raptured visceral pleura nearby the lung apex was observed through a 8K-VATS. Sealing of the bleeding vessel with energy device and partial resection of the lung apex using staplers was performed. The patient was discharged on post-operative day 2. To our knowledge, this is the first report with hemopneumothorax using a 8K-VATS.
View full abstract
-
Masato Kambe, Toru Nakamura, Syunsuke Kuramoto, Tomohiro Muronoi, Yosh ...
2023Volume 13 Pages
104-108
Published: 2023
Released on J-STAGE: December 27, 2023
Advance online publication: September 19, 2023
JOURNAL
FREE ACCESS
A 76-year-old male had not defecated for 4 days and was brought to our hospital by ambulance with impaired consciousness and difficulty with moving his body. He was in a state of shock and his abdomen was distended. Computed tomography revealed marked dilatation of the entire intestinal tract, especially the colon, which led to the diagnosis of abdominal compartment syndrome and septic shock. The patient underwent emergency laparotomy, abdominal decompression, and open abdomen management (OAM) using the vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) method. On the 3rd day, the patientʼs circulatory failure had improved; respiratory failure due to aspiration pneumonia and atelectasis persisted. Although the patient was undergoing OAM, prone ventilation was performed and worked well. In patients exhibiting flattened abdomen during OAM, ventilation in the prone position may be a treatment option, provided that careful attention is devoted to circulatory dynamics, device handling, and intra-abdominal pressure monitoring.
View full abstract
-
Aika Yano, Koji Amano, Hiroyuki Kayata, Yumiko Yasuhara, Yu Hashimoto, ...
2023Volume 13 Pages
109-113
Published: 2023
Released on J-STAGE: December 27, 2023
Advance online publication: September 19, 2023
JOURNAL
FREE ACCESS
A 59-year-old woman who transported with upper abdominal bruising was diagnosed with traumatic duodenal injury and underwent emergency surgery. The mucosa in the perforated area showed a saccular protrusion, and she was diagnosed with traumatic perforation of a duodenal parapapillary diverticulum. We resected the diverticulum and partially trimmed the perforation site, and the area was closed and covered using the greater omentum. We placed a drain and performed transgastric duodenostomy for decompression and a jejunostomy tube for nutritional support. The patientʼs postoperative course seemed good; however, she developed fever on postoperative day (POD) 11. We observed anastomotic leak and observed with decompression of the duodenum. Her condition improved, and she was functionally independent at discharge on POD 56. Traumatic perforation of a duodenal diverticulum is rare, and appropriate management is yet to be determined. We used transgastric duodenostomy and jejunostomy tube placement for management of complications in this case.
View full abstract
-
Yutaro Yamamoto, Tomohiro Muronoi, Ryo Matsumoto, Rui Kawaguchi, Shuns ...
2023Volume 13 Pages
114-118
Published: 2023
Released on J-STAGE: December 27, 2023
Advance online publication: September 19, 2023
JOURNAL
FREE ACCESS
A 10-year-old girl fell indoors and her pencil stuck in her neck. She was admitted to our hospital, and contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed left vertebral artery injury and fracture of the 7th cervical vertebra. We immediately performed balloon-assisted coil embolization on the proximal left vertebral artery, removed the pencil from her neck, and manually applied direct pressure to achieve hemostasis. The pencil lead had broken and remained inside the vertebra, so we administered antibiotics for one month after the operation to prevent infection. In this case, foreign body removal was performed after prior catheter embolization of the vertebral artery for a good prognosis. In Japan, four cases of vertebral artery injury from a stick wound have been reported in the past. Vertebral artery injury due to cervical puncture requires a therapeutic strategy (such as balloon-assisted embolization) to prevent hemorrhage and cerebral infarction from embolism during removal of foreign objects.
View full abstract
-
Hajime Suzuki, Katsunobu Teshigahara, Daisuke Yamamoto, Saki Sakamoto, ...
2023Volume 13 Pages
119-124
Published: 2023
Released on J-STAGE: December 27, 2023
Advance online publication: December 16, 2023
JOURNAL
FREE ACCESS
After duodenal surgery, the decompression of the duodenum is critical to prevent anastomotic leakage. In this report, we describe nine cases with median predicted mortality of 72% in which duodenal tube decompression was performed using a multi-slit silicone drain (MSD) after duodenal surgery. The patients with worse general condition are at a higher risk of tube obstruction due to increased viscosity caused by the loss or increased concentration of digestive fluids associated with intravascular dehydration and decreased digestive hormones’ secretion. However, in this report, none of the patients experienced poor decompression due to tube obstruction, and the mortality rate was lower than the predicted one (22.2%). The duodenal tube decompression using a MSD may be a more effective approach with less susceptibility for obstruction.
View full abstract
-
Hiroki Matsunaga, Yusuke Shimizu, Shintaro Yanagi, Keiko Ohasi, Jun Ya ...
2023Volume 13 Pages
125-130
Published: 2023
Released on J-STAGE: December 27, 2023
Advance online publication: December 16, 2023
JOURNAL
FREE ACCESS
Tracheostomy, which is often performed in the emergency department, is associated with lethal complications, such as arterial injury and tracheostomy vascular fistula. We performed a hybrid tracheostomy with the AdjustFit
® and BLUperc
® behind the thyroid gland to avoid direct contact of the innominate and carotid arteries. In the three cases we describe herein, the innominate or common carotid artery was close to the caudal side of the thyroid gland. Therefore, we dissected the thyroid gland from the head side to the back and punctured the tracheal tube between the second and third tracheal cartilages. In both cases, a small incision (20 mm) was made without any complications. As the thyroid gland is between the tracheal tube and the adjacent artery, this technique is safe and useful for treating cervical diseases that are in close proximity to blood vessels.
View full abstract
-
Koji Kagawa, Takumi Miura, Shigeki Abeshima
2023Volume 13 Pages
131-136
Published: 2023
Released on J-STAGE: December 27, 2023
Advance online publication: December 16, 2023
JOURNAL
FREE ACCESS
A man in his 80s was brought to our hospital with abdominal pain. He had a history of laparoscopic total gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y reconstruction, and he was urgently operated on after the diagnosis of strangulated bowel obstruction due to internal hernia was made. The small intestine was found near Petersenʼs defect and was markedly congested. After it was repaired, intestinal congestion remained from near the ligament of Treitz to the anastomosis of the Y-leg. Since resection and reconstruction of the area would complicate the procedure and might cause blood flow disturbance to the lifted jejunum, Petersenʼs defect was sutured shut, and a decompression tube was placed in the Y-leg to the third part of the duodenum. The next day, the second-look operation showed improved blood flow in the small intestine. In cases of strangulated bowel obstruction due to Petersenʼs hernia with significant intestinal congestion, placement of a decompression tube and re-evaluation of small bowel blood flow in a second-look operation may be a treatment option.
View full abstract
-
Natsuho Maekawa, Taku Kazamaki, Naoki Matohara, Toshiki Nakazawa, Yuda ...
2023Volume 13 Pages
137-141
Published: 2023
Released on J-STAGE: December 27, 2023
Advance online publication: December 16, 2023
JOURNAL
FREE ACCESS
Gastrointestinal foreign bodies (GIFBs) are often caused by accidental ingestion in children or the elderly with dementia, or by pica secondary to psychological disorders. The surgical indication for GIFBs is limited because they could be easily removed by the upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGIE) if they remain in the upper gastrointestinal tract or naturally evacuated with feces even if they are not removable. A few cases, however, need surgical interventions due to GIFB's size, shape, location, or a number and could be associated with serious complications. We hereby report a case of massive GIFBs that could not be removed by UGIE and needs surgery, followed by a sigmoid colon perforation three months later.
View full abstract
-
Risa Meiri, Hirohito Ishii, Tomoaki Taniguchi, Katsuya Kawagoe, Shuhei ...
2023Volume 13 Pages
142-146
Published: 2023
Released on J-STAGE: December 27, 2023
Advance online publication: December 21, 2023
JOURNAL
FREE ACCESS
An 84-year-old man, who attempted suicide, sustained injuries from nails driven into his head and the anterior thoracic region by a nail gun. A computed tomography scan revealed residual nails, along with cardiac, pulmonary, and brain injuries. The patient underwent immediate cardiac surgery and craniotomy. No apparent damage to the pericardium was observed. However, the presence of dark red changes oozing near the apex of the heart was noted. These intraoperative findings suggested the possibility of blunt cardiac injury resulting from the impact of the nail gun. While injuries to organs other than the limbs caused by a nail gun are uncommon, the severity of such injuries can vary from asymptomatic to hemodynamic failure. In cases involving thoracic wounds, not only penetrating trauma but also the occurrence of blunt cardiac injury could remarkably worsen the patientʼs overall condition. Therefore, immediate evaluation and treatment are important to save the patientʼs life.
View full abstract
-
Atsushi Nanashima, Fumiaki Kawano, Hidenobu Ochiai, Takehiko Nagano
2023Volume 13 Pages
147-150
Published: 2023
Released on J-STAGE: December 27, 2023
Advance online publication: April 10, 2023
JOURNAL
FREE ACCESS
We herein describe the congress report regarding the 14th Congress of Japan Society for The Acute Care Surgery held in Aoshima, Miyazaki between September 30th and October 1st in 2022.
View full abstract
-
Daiki Eguch, Kyoko Asanuma, Hideaki Kurata, Yudai Hayama, Teppei Tokum ...
2023Volume 13 Pages
151-156
Published: 2023
Released on J-STAGE: December 27, 2023
Advance online publication: October 02, 2023
JOURNAL
FREE ACCESS
Our hospital began operating a Hybrid ER (HER) in September 2014. It was necessary to construct a HER system (HERS) that fits the characteristics of our hospital, therefore we established an in-hospital HERS study group with multiple medical professionals to discuss the system construction. First, we developed a trauma code, and when pre-hospital information met the criteria, we assembled HER staff from inside and outside of the hospital. Next, we made a set of supplies and medications for reception, and clarified staff assignments and role assignments. When patients arrive, only “A” of the primary survey is confirmed, pan-scan CT is taken to confirm the site of injury and to determine the policy for transition to “B”. We have created a database of patients accepted by HER and linked this to the Japan Trauma Data Bank. In the future, we would like to verify whether “preventable trauma deaths” can being avoided, and incorporate the problems identified in case reviews into HERS in order to improve trauma care.
View full abstract
-
Ichiro Okada, Kazushige Inoue, Satoshi Seki
2023Volume 13 Pages
157-161
Published: 2023
Released on J-STAGE: December 27, 2023
Advance online publication: September 19, 2023
JOURNAL
FREE ACCESS
Disasters frequently result in a large number of trauma patients. Acute care surgeons as trauma specialists have a crucial function in disaster medicine. In the event of a disaster, acute care surgeons are primarily required to play two roles: one is a highly skilled surgeon who performs trauma surgery, and the other is a trauma leader who manages trauma care area. Many surgeries for extremity trauma are reported to be required in actual disasters, and acute care surgeons as highly skilled surgeons are required to be proficient not only in surgeries for torso trauma but also in the initial treatment of extremity trauma involving vascular injury. Appropriate trauma leader management is required for the success of the initial disaster response; thus, acute care surgeons who work in trauma bays, operating rooms, and intensive care units are considered appropriate for trauma leaders. It is important to participate in disaster medicine during normal times to improve the ability to respond to disasters, and acute care surgeons should play a major role in building a trauma care system that includes general and specialty surgeons during disasters.
View full abstract
-
Kazuki Mashiko, Hisashi Matsumoto, Hiroshi Yasumatsu, Taichiro Ueda, M ...
2023Volume 13 Pages
162-167
Published: 2023
Released on J-STAGE: December 27, 2023
Advance online publication: October 02, 2023
JOURNAL
FREE ACCESS
Introduction:The scope of Acute Care Surgery (ACS) is recognized as five pillars, but there are other roles that ACS should play.
Our Attempts:We have carried out the following activities as a regional surgical crisis management department. (1) IMAT agreement with Chiba Prefectural Police special forces, (2) Deployment of a trauma surgery team jointly with the Self-Defense Forces near the summit venue, (3) Formulation of a plan for mass casualty incidents common to our medical control area, and repeated multi-institutional training.
Discussion:Today, as surgery has become more specialized, ACS is the most appropriate surgical crisis management department to deal with surgical risks inside and outside the hospital. In order to develop and manage surgical crisis management system, it is necessary to have a mature ACS team with high level trauma surgery skills especially penetrating trauma, and its director might be familiar with disaster medicine and medical control. This division may collaborate with fire departments, government, police, and the Self-Defense Forces. In order to train such doctors and teams in the future, it is necessary to clarify the role of the surgical crisis management department, position it as an advanced ACS function, and create an environment where they can be exposed to the necessary experience.
View full abstract
-
Masayuki Shimizu, Ayumi Tsutiya, Hiroto Kasai, Taku Kazamaki, Nao Hiro ...
2023Volume 13 Pages
168-172
Published: 2023
Released on J-STAGE: December 27, 2023
Advance online publication: October 06, 2023
JOURNAL
FREE ACCESS
Acute Care Surgery (ACS) is a medical specialty area related to surgery and emergency care that has long been criticized for its long working hours. The upcoming work style reform for physicians, starting in April 2024, aims to appropriately regulate overtime work hours, but it is expected to be challenging to implement this reform while maintaining the level of medical care provided by ACS teams in each region. Our hospital's ACS team has three distinctive features in terms of its medical practices: 1) ACS is a specialized area within surgery, 2) ACS covers five different fields, and 3) ACS teams work in a shift system. By adhering to these practices, we believe that it is possible to implement work style reform in the ACS area without compromising the quality of medical care provided. In fact, our hospital's ACS team plans to apply for Level A (less than 100 hours of overtime work per month, less than 960 hours per year) under the work style reform for physicians starting in April 2024. This article introduces the characteristics of our hospital's ACS medical system from the perspective of work style reform.
View full abstract
-
Gen Sugawara, Yoshimi Kitagawa
2023Volume 13 Pages
173-178
Published: 2023
Released on J-STAGE: December 27, 2023
Advance online publication: October 02, 2023
JOURNAL
FREE ACCESS
In the event of a Nankai Trough earthquake, Aichi Prefecture may suffer tremendous damage and will likely require assistance with patient transportation. The Aichi Acute Care Surgery Forum, comprising emergency physicians and surgeons of Aichi Prefecture, has had several discussions on the subject of assistance with patient transportation in case disaster strikes as in the case of a Nankai Trough earthquake. The Forum categorized traumatic surgery into head, cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary pancreatic, pelvic, limbs surgery and vascular embolization and conducted a survey on the traumatic surgeries that can be performed at the 35 disaster base hospitals in Aichi Prefecture. It was found that in case a disaster event occurs, 33 of Aichiʼs disaster base hospitals can perform at least one type of traumatic surgery and 18 can perform all 8 traumatic surgeries. The compilation from this survey is called the Disaster-related Trauma Surgery Network in Aichi Prefecture. Information on the details of this network can be shared with the Aichi Prefecture DMAT Coordination Department and used to help determine patient destinations and means of patient transportation in the event of a disaster.
View full abstract