ABSTRACT
Objectives: Trauma is the greatest cause of morbidity and mortality in paediatric/adolescent populations worldwide. This study aimed to describe trauma mechanisms, patterns and outcomes among children with blunt torso trauma admitted to the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital [SQUH] in Muscat, Oman
Methods: This retrospective single-centre study involved all children
Results: A total of 70 children were admitted with blunt torso trauma during the study period, including 39 [55.7%] male patients. The mean age was 5.19 +/- 2.66 years. Of the cohort, 35 children [50.0%] received their injuries after having been hit by cars as pedestrians, while 19 [27.1%] were injured by falls, 12 [17.1%] during car accidents as passengers and four [5.7%] by falling heavy objects. According to computed tomography scans, thoracic injuries were most common [65.7%], followed by abdominal injuries [42.9%]. The most commonly involved solid organs were the liver [15.7%] and spleen [11.4%]. The majority of the patients were managed conservatively [92.9%] with a good outcome [74.3%]. The mortality rate was 7.1%. Most deaths were due to multisystem involvement
Conclusion: Among children with blunt torso trauma admitted to SQUH, the main mechanism of injury was motor vehicle accidents. As a result, parental education and enforcement of infant car seat/child seat belt laws are recommended. Conservative management was the most successful approach
ABSTRACT
Objectives: This study aimed to assess the technical success, safety and immediate and delayed complications of double-lumen tunnelled cuffed central venous catheters [TVCs] at the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital [SQUH], Muscat, Oman
Methods: This retrospective study took place between January 2012 and October 2013. The clinical records and radiological data of all patients who underwent ultrasound- and fluoroscopy-guided TVC placement at SQUH during the study period were reviewed. Demographic data and information regarding catheter placement, technical success and peri- and post-procedure complications [such as catheter-related infections or thrombosis] were collected
Results: A total of 204 TVCs were placed in 161 patients. Of these, 68 were female [42.2%] and 93 were male [57.8%]. The mean age of the patients was 54.4 +/- 17.3 years. The most common reason for catheter placement was the initiation of dialysis [63.4%]. A total of 203 procedures were technically successful [99.5%]. The right internal jugular vein was the most common site of catheter placement [74.9%]. Mild haemorrhage which resolved spontaneously occurred in 11 cases [5.4%]. No other complications were observed. Subsequent follow-up data was available for 132 catheters [65.0%]; of these, thrombosis-related catheter malfunction was observed in 22 cases [16.7%] and catheter-related infection in 29 cases [22.0%]. Conclusion: Radiological-guided placement of tunnelled haemodialysis catheters can be performed safely with excellent technical success. The success rate of catheter insertion at SQUH was favourable in comparison with other studies reported in the literature