Evaluate the incidence, topography, management, and outcomes in patients with polytrauma in the Suez Canal and Sinai areas

Introduction: The global prevalence of trauma-related mortality ranges from 2% to 32%; however, In Egypt, it reaches 8%. Trauma chiefly affects people in the productive age group; seriously ill patients with multiple injuries present with various levels of polytrauma. Application of incorrect triage systems and improperly trained trauma teams increase mortality and morbidity rates in non-dedicated institutions; however, these rates can decrease with appropriate infrastructure. This study aimed to improve the quality of care for patients with polytrauma through improved knowledge of the different severity levels of polytrauma and defined databases, using a suitable triage trauma system, well-trained trauma team, and appropriate infrastructure. Methods: This observational cross-sectional study was conducted at the emergency department (ED), over a study period of 7 months, from August 10, 2019, to March 09, 2020. This study included 458 patients with polytrauma who had met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and attended the ED of Suez Canal University Hospital. Results: The incidence of trauma among all emergency cases in the ED was 5.3%. However, most multiple injuries are mild, accounting for 44.4%, while 27.3% of the cases had life-threatening injuries. Moreover, 41.9% of the patients were managed non-operatively, whereas 58.1% of the patients required surgical interventions. Concerning the outcome, 56% and 6.9% of patients with and without life-threatening injuries respectively, died. Conclusion: Facilities of the highest quality should be available for patients with polytrauma, especially those with life-threatening injuries. In addition, training emergency medical service staff for trauma triage is essential, and at least one tertiary hospital is required in every major city in the Suez Canal and Sinai areas to decrease trauma-related mortality.

Interpretation of emergency CT scans in polytrauma: trauma surgeon vs radiologist

Introduction: Time is critical in the trauma setting. Emergency computed tomography (CT) scans are usually interpreted by the attending doctor and plans to manage the patient are implemented before the formal radiological report is available. This study aims to investigate the discrepancy in interpretation of emergency whole body CT scans in trauma patients by the trauma surgeon and radiologist and to determine if the difference in trauma surgeon and radiologist interpretation of emergency trauma CT scans has an impact on patient management. Method: This prospective observational comparative study was conducted over a 6 month period (01 April­30 September 2016) at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital which has a level 1 trauma department. The study population comprised 62 polytrauma patients who underwent a multiphase whole body CT scans as per the trauma imaging protocol. The trauma surgeons' initial interpretation of the CT scan and radiological report were compared. All CT scans reported by the radiology registrar were reviewed by a consultant radiologist. The time from completion of the CT scan and completion of the radiological report was analysed. Results: Since the trauma surgeon accompanied the patient to radiology and reviewed the images as soon as the scan was complete, the initial interpretation of the CT was performed within 15­30 min. The median time between the CT scan completion and reporting turnaround time was 75 (16­218) min. Critical findings were missed by the trauma surgeon in 4.8% of patients (bronchial transection, abdominal aortic intimal tear and cervical spine fracture) and non-critical/incidental findings in 41.94%. The trauma surgeon correctly detected and graded visceral injury in all cases. Conclusion: There was no significant discrepancy in the critical findings on interpretation of whole body CT scans in polytrauma patients by the trauma surgeon and radiologist and therefore no negative impact on patient management from missed injury or misdiagnosis. The turnaround time for the radiology report does not allow for timeous management of the trauma patient

Management of floating knees in adults: experience from tertiary hospital

Background: Floating knee is the term applied to the flail knee joint segment resulting from a fracture of the shaft or adjacent metaphysis of the ipsilateral femur and tibia. The fractures are often a result of high­energy trauma. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the pattern and distribution of these fracture types, mechanism of injury, associated injuries, method of treatment, complications, and the challenges encountered during the course of managing these patients. Patients and Methods: This is a retrospective study of all cases of floating knee injuries presenting to the Orthopedic Unit of Federal Medical Center and Surgery Department of Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital all in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, Northwest Nigeria, from January 2011 to December 2017. Data were extracted from the accident and emergency register, operation register, and patients' case folders. Data collected were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences for Windows version 22 (SPSS Inc. Chicago, Illinois, USA). Results: A total of 29 cases of floating knee injuries presented to the accident and emergency units. Males constituted 27 (93.1%) while females constituted 2 (6.9%). Motor vehicle accident was the most common mechanism of injury in 25 (86.3%) of the patients. The most common fracture type according to Fraser et al. classification is Type I which occurred in 12 (41.4%) of the patients. Conclusion: Floating knee injury occurs mostly in the productive age group. Head injury is the most common associated injury seen. This is mostly caused by motor vehicle accidents

Traumatismes corporels chez les femmes enceintes a Bobo-Dioulasso; Burkina Faso

Objectifs : Determiner la frequence intra-hospitaliere des traumatismes corporels sur grossesse; identifier les circonstances de survenue et les types de traumatismes puis decrire le pronostic maternel et foetal Patientes et methodes : Il s'est agi d'une etude retrospective descriptive allant de 2007 a 2009; menee dans les services des urgences chirurgicales et obstetricales du CHU de Bobo-Dioulasso. Nous avons analyse les dossiers de toutes les femmes enceintes admises pour traumatisme corporel a la periode de l'etude. L'analyse des donnees a ete realisee avec le logiciel epi info version 6.0. Resultats : A la periode d'etude; nous avons enregistre 16053 admissions de femmes enceintes; soit une prevalence de 3;6. Les traumatismes ont concerne des femmes d'age moyen egal a 24 ans; menageres (74;1); citadines (81;1) et enceintes de 25 semaines d'amenorrhee. Les circonstances de survenue des traumatismes etaient les accidents de circulation (51;7); les rixes (29;30) et les chutes d'arbres (18;96). Il s'agissait de traumatismes abdominaux fermes (19); traumatismes des membres (10); traumatismes craniens (9); pelviens (4) et rachidiens (1). Le taux global des complications foto-maternelles etait 8;6 avec 17;2 de patientes decedees et 34;5 de morts fotales in utero. Conclusion : Les traumatismes au cours de la grossesse sont rares mais graves. L'on a deplore le deces d'une patiente et deux morts in utero dans cette serie. Se deplacer avec les engins a deux ou grimper dans les arbres doivent etre deconseilles aux femmes enceintes

Missed Injuries in Multiple Trauma Patients: a Tertiary Care Experience in Tanzania

Background: Missed injuries remain a worldwide problem in all trauma centers and contribute significantly to high morbidity and mortality among trauma patients. There is paucity of information regarding missed injuries in Tanzania. The aim of this study was to establish the incidence; contributing factors; and short-term outcome of missed injuries among polytraumatized patients in our setting. Methods: This was a one-year duration (from January to December 2009) prospective cohort study involving all multiple trauma patients (ISS 16) admitted to Bugando Medical Centre. After informed consent to participate in the study; all patients were consecutively enrolled in the study. Data was collected using a pre-tested; coded questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS computer software version 11.5. Results: Ninety six of 462 patients (incidence; 20.1) had 112 missed injuries. Head and the neck (46.4) was the most common body region affected. Clinical error (57.1) was the most common factor contributed to the occurrence of missed injuries. Of the factors contributing to missed injuries; 57.4were potentially avoidable and 42.6were unavoidable. There was statistically significant difference in the mean ISS; mean GCS; orotracheal intubation; patient's arrival time and seniority of the attending doctor between patients with missed injuries and those without missed injuries (p-value 0.001). Mortality in patients with missed injuries was 19.8compared with 8.7in patients without missed injuries (p-value 0.001). Among the deaths in patients with missed injuries; 57.9were directly attributable to missed injuries (O.R. = 14.8; p-value =0.001; 95CI = 6.1- 32.46). Patients with missed injuries had longer stays in the hospital compared with patients without missed injuries (p-value 0.001). Conclusion: The incidence of missed injuries at BMC is high in patients with high ISS; low GCS; orotracheal intubation and those who reported during night hours. A high index of suspicious is needed when dealing with such a group of patients. The majority of missed injuries are potentially avoidable by repeated assessments both clinically and radiologically and by staff redistribution to address the increase of missed injuries during night hours. Implementation of a tertiary trauma survey should be routine in the Accident et Emergency department to minimize the occurrence of missed injuries.) had 112 missed injuries. Head and the neck (46.4) was the most common body region affected. Clinical error (57.1) was the most common factor contributed to the occurrence of missed injuries. Of the factors contributing to missed injuries; 57.4were potentially avoidable and 42.6were unavoidable. There was statistically significant difference in the mean ISS; mean GCS; orotracheal intubation; patient's arrival time and seniority of the attending doctor between patients with missed injuries and those without missed injuries (p-value 0.001). Mortality in patients with missed injuries was 19.8compared with 8.7in patients without missed injuries (p-value 0.001). Among the deaths in patients with missed injuries; 57.9were directly attributable to missed injuries (O.R. = 14.8; p-value =0.001; 95CI = 6.1- 32.46). Patients with missed injuries had longer stays in the hospital compared with patients without missed injuries (p-value 0.001). Conclusion: The incidence of missed injuries at BMC is high in patients with high ISS; low GCS; orotracheal intubation and those who reported during night hours. A high index of suspicious is needed when dealing with such a group of patients. The majority of missed injuries are potentially avoidable by repeated assessments both clinically and radiologically and by staff redistribution to address the increase of missed injuries during night hours. Implementation of a tertiary trauma survey should be routine in the Accident et Emergency department to minimize the occurrence of missed injuries