Complications of Tube Thoracostomy for Chest Trauma

Objective. To determine the insertional and positional complications encountered by the placement of intercostal chest drains (ICDs) for trauma and whether further training is warranted in operators inserting intercostal chest drains outside level 1 trauma unit settings. Methods. Over a period of 3 months; all patients with or without an ICD in situ in the front room trauma bay of Tygerberg Hospital were included in the study. Patients admitted directly via the trauma resuscitation unit were excluded. No long-term infective complications were included. A self-reporting system recorded complications; and additional data were obtained by searching the department's records and monthly statistics. Results. A total of 3 989 patients with trauma injuries were seen in the front room trauma bay during the study period; 273 (6.8) patients with an ICD in situ or requiring an ICD were assessed in the trauma unit and admitted to the chest drain ward; 24 patients were identified with 26 complications relating to the insertion and positioning of the ICD; 22 (92) of these had been referred with an ICD in situ. An overall complication rate of 9.5was seen. Insertional complications numbered 7 (27); with 19 (73) positional complications. The most common errors were insertion at the incorrect anatomical site; and extrathoracic and too shallow placement (side portal of the drain lying outside the chest cavity). Conclusion. Operators at the referral hospitals have received insufficient training in the technique for insertion of ICDs for chest trauma and would benefit from more structured instruction and closer supervision of ICD insertion

Pleuresies purulentes de l'enfant

122 cas de pleuresies purulentes de l'enfant sont rapportes. L'age moyen est de 3 ans. 33 pour cent des cas sont survenus sur un terrain de malnutrition proteino-calorique. 60 pour cent des enfants avaient un epanchement de grande abondance et 56 pour cent une pneumopathie associee. Le Staphylococcus aureus (51 pour cent) et le Streptococcus pneumoniae (18 pour cent) ont domine la bacteriologie du liquide pleural. Le taux de deces est de 6;5 pour cent. Le drainage pleural est pratique chez 53 pour cent des patients. L'exploration fonctionnelle n'a retrouve que des anomalies mineures. Le traitement de choix des pleuresies purulentes de l'enfant doit comprendre outre le drainage pleural; une association d'antibiotiques comportant un anti-staphylococcique