Mortalidad en hospitalizados con traumatismo torácico: variables asociadas, causas y distribución temporal / Associated variables, causes and time distribution of mortality in thoracic trauma patients

Resumen Introducción: Los traumatismos están entre las diez principales causas de muerte a nivel mundial y son la primera en jóvenes. El traumatismo torácico (TT) está presente en un alto porcentaje de las muertes por traumatismos y es la segunda causa de muerte después del traumatismo encefalocraneano. Objetivos: Analizar las variables asociadas a mortalidad, las causas principales y la distribución temporal de la mortalidad en hospitalizados fallecidos con TT. Materiales y Método: Estudio observacional de hospitalizados con TT, período enero de 1981 a diciembre de 2018. Revisión de protocolos prospectivos de TT y base de datos. Se consignaron las causas de muerte sindromáticas principales y se realizó una regresión logística para variables asociadas a mortalidad. Se utilizó SPSS25® con pruebas chi-cuadrado para comparar clasificación, tipo de TT y su distribución temporal, considerando significativo p < 0,05. Resultados: Total 4.297 TT, mortalidad global de 120 (2,8%) casos. Las principales variables independientes asociadas a mortalidad fueron el deterioro fisiológico al ingreso, el hemotórax masivo y el TT por arma de fuego. La principal causa de muerte fue el shock hipovolémico, con diferencias significativas según tipo de TT en las primeras 4 y 24 horas. En la distribución temporal se observó que las muertes con TT penetrante y aislado fueron más precoces y no se evidenció un nuevo peak en la mortalidad luego de la primera semana. Conclusiones: Se observaron variables independientes asociadas a mortalidad en hospitalizados con TT, siendo el deterioro fisiológico al ingreso el factor más importante. Además, existen diferencias significativas en las causas de muerte y distribución temporal de la mortalidad entre diferentes subgrupos de hospitalizados con TT.

Background: Trauma is one of the ten leading causes of death worldwide and the first among the youth. Thoracic trauma (TT) is present in a high percentage of deaths due to trauma and is the second leading cause of death after traumatic brain injury. Aim: To analyze the mortality associated variables, major causes and temporal distribution of mortality among dead hospitalized patients with TT. Materials and Method: Observational study in hospitalized patients with TT, period January 1981 to December 2018. Review of prospective TT protocols and data base. Major syndromic causes of death were recorded and a logistic regression for variables associated with mortality was made. SPSS25® with chi-quadrat tests was used to compare classification, type of TT and temporal distribution. A p value < 0,05 was considered significant. Results: Total 4.297 TT and global mortality was 120 (2,8%) cases. The main independent variables associated with mortality were the physiological decline upon admission, massive hemothorax and TT by firearms. The leading cause of death was hypovolemic shock, with significant differences according to the type of TT in the first 4 and 24 hours. In the temporal distribution was observed that, the deaths with penetrating and isolated TT were earlier and that there was no second peak of mortality following the first week. Conclusions: Independent variables associated with mortality were observed among hospitalized patients with TT, being physiological deterioration the most important factor. Besides, there are significant differences in the death causes and temporal distribution of mortality among the different subgroups of hospitalized patients with TT.

Implementation of a new Single-Pass Whole-Body Computed Tomography Protocol: Is it safe, effective and efficient in patients with severe trauma? / Implementación de un nuevo protocolo de Tomografía Computarizada Corporal Total de un solo pase: ¿Es seguro, efectivo y eficiente en pacientes con trauma severo?

Abstract Purpose: The objective of this study was to evaluate the implementation of a new single-pass whole-body computed tomography Protocol in the management of patients with severe trauma. Methods: This was a descriptive evaluation of polytrauma patients who underwent whole-body computed tomography. Patients were divided into three groups: 1. Blunt trauma hemodynamically stable 2. Blunt trauma hemodynamically unstable and 3. Penetrating trauma. Demographics, whole-body computed tomography parameters and outcome variables were evaluated. Results: Were included 263 patients. Median injury severity score was 22 (IQR: 16-22). Time between arrival to the emergency department and completing the whole-body computed tomography was under 30 minutes in most patients [Group 1: 28 minutes (IQR: 14-55), Group 2: 29 minutes (IQR: 16-57), and Group 3: 31 minutes (IQR: 13-50; p= 0.96)]. 172 patients (65.4%) underwent non-operative management. The calculated and the real survival rates did not vary among the groups either [Group 1: TRISS 86.4% vs. real survival rate 85% (p= 0.69); Group 2: TRISS 69% vs. real survival rate 74% (p= 0.25); Group 3: TRISS 93% vs. real survival rate 87% (p= 0.07)]. Conclusion: This new single-pass whole-body computed tomography protocol was safe, effective and efficient to decide whether the patient with severe trauma requires a surgical intervention independently of the mechanism of injury or the hemodynamic stability of the patient. Its use could also potentially reduce the rate of unnecessary surgical interventions of patients with severe trauma including those with penetrating trauma.

Resumen Introducción: El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la implementación de un nuevo protocolo de tomografía computarizada corporal total para el manejo de pacientes con trauma severo. Métodos: Este estudio es una evaluación descriptiva de pacientes que recibieron tomografía computarizada corporal total. Los pacientes fueron divididos en 3 grupos: 1. Trauma cerrado hemodinámicamente estables, 2. Trauma cerrado hemodinámicamente inestables y 3. Trauma penetrante. Se evaluaron las características demográficas, parámetros relacionados con la técnica y los desenlaces de los pacientes. Resultados: Se incluyeron 263 pacientes. La mediana del puntaje de severidad de la lesión fue 22 (RIQ: 16-22). El tiempo entre el ingreso a urgencias y completar la tomografía corporal total fue menor a 30 minutos en la mayoría de pacientes [Grupo 1: 28 minutos (RIQ: 14-55), Grupo 2: 29 minutos (RIQ: 16-57), y Grupo 3: 31 minutos (RIQ: 13-50; p= 0.96). 172 pacientes (65.4%) recibieron manejo no operatorio. Las tasas de supervivencia calculadas y reales no difirieron entre ninguno de los grupos [Grupo 1: TRISS 86.4% vs. Tasa real de supervivencia 85% (p= 0.69); Grupo 2: TRISS 69% vs. Tasa real de supervivencia 74% (p= 0.25); Grupo 3: TRISS 93% vs. Tasa real de supervivencia 87% (p= 0.07)]. Conclusión: Este nuevo protocolo de tomografía corporal total de un solo pase fue seguro, efectivo y eficiente para definir si los pacientes con trauma severo requieren o no una intervención quirúrgica. Su uso podría reducir la tasa de intervenciones quirúrgicas innecesarias en estos pacientes incluyendo los que se presentan con trauma penetrante.

Traumatismo torácico contuso / Blunt Thoracic Trauma

INTRODUCCIÓN: El traumatismo torácico (TT) es una causa importante de morbilidad y mortalidad, presente en el 25-50% de la mortalidad por traumatismo. El TT contuso (TTC) es el tipo más frecuente de TT según las diferentes publicaciones internacionales. OBJETIVO: Nuestros objetivos son describir las características, tratamientos, morbilidad y mortalidad en pacientes hospitalizados por TTC en nuestra institución. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio descriptivo transversal desde enero-1981 a diciembre-2017. Revisión de una base de datos prospectiva, protocolos quirúrgicos y fichas clínicas. Se describen y comparan las características de los TTC. Se calcularon índices de gravedad de traumatismo (IGT): Injury Severity Score (ISS), Revised Trauma Score (RTS-T), Trauma Injury Severity Score (TRISS). RESULTADOS: Total 4.163 pacientes hospitalizados por TT, 1.719 (41,3%) TTC. Hombres 1.327 (77,2%), edad promedio 46,7±18,8 años. Se consideró TT aislado 966 (56,2%), asociado a lesiones extratorácicas 753 (43,8%) y de estos 508 (29,6%) eran politraumatizados. Mecanismo: Accidente de tránsito 838 (48,7%), caída de altura 279 (16,2%). Lesiones y hallazgos torácicos: fractura costal 1.294 (75,3%), neumotórax 752 (43,1%). Tratamiento: médico 874 (50,8%), pleurotomía 704 (41%) y cirugía torácica 141 (8,2%). Período de hospitalización 9,2 ± 9,5 días. Según IGT: ISS promedio 14,1 ± 11,1, RTS-Tpromedio 11,5 ± 1,5, TRISS promedio 6,6. Morbilidad en 297 (17,3%), mortalidad en 68 (4%). DISCUSIÓN: La causa principal de los TTC fue el accidente de tránsito. La fractura costal correspondió a la lesión torácica más frecuente. La mayoría requirió solo tratamiento médico. La mortalidad fue menor a la esperada según IGT.

BACKGROUND: Thoracic trauma (TT) is a major cause of morbimortality, involved in 25-50% of trauma deaths. Internationally, blunt thoracic trauma (BTT) is the most frequent type of TT. OBJECTIVE: Our objectives are to describe the clinical characteristics, treatments, morbidity and mortality in patients hospitalized by blunt thoracic trauma (BTT) in our institution. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional descriptive study from january-1981 to december-2017. Prospective database review, surgical protocols and clinical files. The characteristics of the BTT are described and compared. The following trauma severity indices (TSI) were calculated: Injury Severity Score (ISS), Revised Trauma Score (RTS-T) and Trauma Injury Severity Score (TRISS). RESULTS: 4,163 patients were hospitalized because of TT, 1.719 (41.3%) of them with BTT. 1,327 (77.2%)patients were men, average age 46.7 ± 18.8 years-old. We considered isolated TT 966 (56.2%), associated with extrathoracic lesions 753 (43,8%) and 508 (29.6%)with polytraumatism. Mechanism: Traffic accident 838 (48.7%), fall down from a height 279 (16.2%). Lesions and intrathoracic findings: rib fracture 1.294 (75.3%), pneumothorax 752 (43.7%). Treatment: Medical 876 (50.8%), pleurotomy 704 (41%) and thoracic surgery 141 (8.2%). Average hospitalized period 9.2 ± 9.5 days. According to TSI: ISS average 14.1 ± 11.1, RTS-T average 11.5 ± 1.5, TRISS average 6.6. Morbidity in 297 (17.3%), mortality in 68 (4%). DISCUSSION: The TTC was mainly attributed to the traffic accident. Rib fracture was the most common chest injury. The majority of patients required only medical treatment. Mortality was lower than expected according to TSI.

Preditores de mortalidade em pacientes com fratura de pelve por trauma contuso / Mortality predictors in patients with pelvic fractures from blunt trauma

RESUMO Objetivo: analisar a associação de mortalidade com variáveis sociodemográficas, clínicas, lesões e complicações em pacientes com trauma de pelve decorrente de trauma contuso. Métodos: estudo retrospectivo e observacional com dados de registro de trauma obtidos durante cinco anos. O óbito foi a variável de estratificação das análises. Para verificar se as variáveis de interesse tinham associação com o óbito, foi realizado o teste t de Student e teste do Qui-quadrado (ou Fisher) e Wilcoxon-Mann Whitney. Os fatores independentemente associados ao óbito foram analisados por modelo logístico binomial, e com base nos testes de Wald e por Critérios de Informação de Akaike (AIC) e Bayesiano de Schwarz (BIC). Resultados: dos 28 pacientes com fratura de pelve por trauma contuso, 23 (82,1%) eram homens; 16 (57,1%) com média de idade de 38,8 anos (desvio padrão 17,3). Houve 98 lesões ou fraturas nos 28 pacientes. Quanto à gravidade, sete pacientes tiveram Injury Severity Score superior a 24 (25%). O tempo de internação hospitalar médio foi 26,8 dias (DP=22,4). Quinze pacientes (53,6%) tiveram internação em UTI. A incidência de óbito foi de 21,4%. A análise mostrou que idade igual ou maior do que 50 anos e presença de coagulopatia foram fatores independentemente associados ao óbito. Conclusão: as fraturas de pelve podem ter mortalidade elevada. Neste estudo a mortalidade foi superior ao que é descrito na literatura. A idade acima de 50 anos e a coagulopatia se revelaram fatores de risco nessa população.

ABSTRACT Objective: to analyze the association of mortality with sociodemographic and clinical variables, as well as lesions and complication in patients with pelvic trauma due to blunt trauma. Methods: we conducted a retrospective, observational study with five-year trauma record data. Death was considered as the main stratification variable for the analyzes. We used the Student t test to compare means, the Chi-Square or Fisher exact test for proportions, and the Wilcoxon-Mann Whitney test for medians. We analyzed the independent factors using a logistic regression model with penalized likelihood, based on the Wald tests, the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) and the Schwarz Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC). Results: of the 28 patients with blunt trauma fracture, 23 (82.1%) were men; 16 (57.1%) were, in average, 38.8 years old (±17.3). There were 98 lesions or fractures in the 28 patients. As for severity, seven people had Injury Severity Score higher than 24 (25%). The mean hospital stay was 26.8 days (±22.4). Fifteen patients (53.6%) had ICU admission. Mortality was 21.4%. The analysis showed that age 50 years or more and presence of coagulopathy were factors independently associated with death. Conclusion: pelvic fractures can have high mortality. In this study, mortality was higher than that described in the literature. Age above 50 years and the presence of coagulopathy are risk factors in this population.

Risk factors for mortality in blunt abdominal trauma with surgical approach / Fatores de risco para óbito no trauma abdominal fechado com abordagem cirúrgica

ABSTRACTObjective:identify risk factors for mortality in patients who underwent laparotomy after blunt abdominal trauma.Methods:retrospective study, case-control, which were reviewed medical records of blunt trauma victims patients undergoing laparotomy, from March 2013 to January 2015, and compared the result of the deaths group with the group healed.Results:of 86 patients, 63% were healed, 36% died, and one patient was excluded from the study. Both groups had similar epidemiology and trauma mechanism, predominantly young adults males, automobilistic accident. Most cases that evolved to death had hemodynamic instability as laparotomy indication - 61% against 38% in the other group (p=0.02). The presence of solid organ injury was larger in the group of deaths - 80% versus 48% (p=0.001) and 61% of them had other associated abdominal injury compared to 25% in the other group (p=0.01). Of the patients who died 96% had other serious injuries associated (p=0.0003). Patients requiring damage control surgery had a higher mortality rate (p=0.0099). Only one of 18 patients with isolated hollow organ lesion evolved to death (p=0.0001). The mean injury score of TRISS of cured (91.70%) was significantly higher than that of deaths (46.3%) (p=0.002).Conclusion:the risk factors for mortality were hemodynamic instability as an indication for laparotomy, presence of solid organ injury, multiple intra-abdominal injuries, need for damage control surgery, serious injury association and low index of trauma score.

RESUMOObjetivo:identificar fatores de risco para óbito em pacientes submetidos à laparotomia exploradora após trauma abdominal contuso.Métodos:estudo retrospectivo, caso-controle, no qual foram revisados prontuários dos pacientes vítimas de trauma contuso submetidos à laparotomia. Foram avaliados: variáveis epidemiológicas, mecanismo de trauma, lesões anatômicas das vísceras abdominais, lesões associadas, necessidade de operação para controle de danos reoperação e desfecho.Resultados:dos 86 pacientes, 63% foram curados, 36% foram a óbito e um paciente foi excluído do estudo. Ambos os grupos possuíam epidemiologia e mecanismo de trauma semelhantes, predominantemente adultos jovens do sexo masculino, vítimas de acidente automobilístico. A maioria dos casos que evoluíram a óbito teve instabilidade hemodinâmica como indicação de laparotomia - 61% contra 38% do outro grupo. A presença de lesão de víscera maciça foi maior no grupo óbitos - 80% vs. 48%, e 61% destes tinham outra lesão abdominal associada contra 25% dos curados. Dos pacientes que faleceram, 96% apresentavam lesões graves associadas. Pacientes que necessitaram de cirurgia de controle de danos tiveram maior taxa de mortalidade. Apenas um de 18 pacientes com lesão de víscera oca isolada evoluiu a óbito. A média do escore de trauma TRISS dos curados (91,7%) foi significativamente maior do que a dos óbitos (46,3%).Conclusão:os fatores de risco para óbito encontrados para vítimas de trauma abdominal fechado que necessitam de laparotomia exploradora são: instabilidade hemodinâmica como indicação para laparotomia, presença de lesão de víscera maciça, múltiplas lesões intra-abdominais, necessidade de cirurgia de controle de danos, lesões graves associadas e índice de trauma baixo.

Effective Transport for Trauma Patients under Current Circumstances in Korea: A Single Institution Analysis of Treatment Outcomes for Trauma Patients Transported via the Domestic 119 Service

In Korea, which still lacks a well-established trauma care system, the inability to transport patients to adequate treatment sites in a timely manner is a cause of low trauma patient survival. As such, this study was conducted to serve as a basis for the establishment of a future trauma transport system. We performed a comparative analysis of the transport time, and treatment outcomes between trauma victims transported by ground ambulance (GAMB) and those transported via the helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) through the National Emergency Management Agency's 119 reporting system, which is similar to the 911 system of the United States, from March 2011 to May 2014. The HEMS-transported patients received treatment instructions, by remote communication, from our trauma specialists from the time of accident reporting; in certain instances, members of the trauma medical staff provided treatment at the scene. A total of 1,626 patients were included in the study; the GAMB and HEMS groups had 1,547 and 79 patients, respectively. The median transport time was different between 2 groups (HEMS, 60 min vs. GAMB, 47 min, P<0.001) but for all patients was 49 min (less than the golden hour). Outcomes were significantly better in the HEMS compared to the GAMB, using the trauma and injury severity score (survival rate, 94.9% vs. 90.5%; Z score, 2.83 vs. -1.96; W score, 6.7 vs. -0.8). A unified 119 service transport system, which includes helicopter transport, and the adoption of a trauma care system that allows active initial involvement of trauma medical personnel, could improve the treatment outcome of trauma patients.

Effective Transport for Trauma Patients under Current Circumstances in Korea: A Single Institution Analysis of Treatment Outcomes for Trauma Patients Transported via the Domestic 119 Service

In Korea, which still lacks a well-established trauma care system, the inability to transport patients to adequate treatment sites in a timely manner is a cause of low trauma patient survival. As such, this study was conducted to serve as a basis for the establishment of a future trauma transport system. We performed a comparative analysis of the transport time, and treatment outcomes between trauma victims transported by ground ambulance (GAMB) and those transported via the helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) through the National Emergency Management Agency's 119 reporting system, which is similar to the 911 system of the United States, from March 2011 to May 2014. The HEMS-transported patients received treatment instructions, by remote communication, from our trauma specialists from the time of accident reporting; in certain instances, members of the trauma medical staff provided treatment at the scene. A total of 1,626 patients were included in the study; the GAMB and HEMS groups had 1,547 and 79 patients, respectively. The median transport time was different between 2 groups (HEMS, 60 min vs. GAMB, 47 min, P<0.001) but for all patients was 49 min (less than the golden hour). Outcomes were significantly better in the HEMS compared to the GAMB, using the trauma and injury severity score (survival rate, 94.9% vs. 90.5%; Z score, 2.83 vs. -1.96; W score, 6.7 vs. -0.8). A unified 119 service transport system, which includes helicopter transport, and the adoption of a trauma care system that allows active initial involvement of trauma medical personnel, could improve the treatment outcome of trauma patients.

Extensive soft tissue injuries as a cause of death.

The blunt trauma injury is the most common type, a pathologist encounter when doing medico-legal autopsies. Sometimes, while searching the main cavities of the body for the fatal injuries like lacerations and damages to the vital organs, we, the Forensic Pathologist commonly ignores the superficial small abrasions, bruises over the other parts of the body. Cutaneous injuries i.e. abrasions, contusions in most cases, are not fatal and are seemingly unimportant. However, soft tissue injuries not always are simple as mostly described in the literature but sometimes these injuries may be so extensive internally that leads to irreversible shock. In fact, these injuries prove fatal when taken collectively into consideration. Sometimes trivial circumstances lead to serious quarrel, resulting into death of the victim which apparently looking uninjured externally while conducting autopsy. Under such circumstances sometimes at primary health care centres the inexperienced autopsy surgeons are not in a position to correlate the superficial looking soft tissue injuries attributing towards death.

Analysis of homicidal deaths in and around Bastar region of Chhattisgarh.

FREEDOM FROM VIOLENCE, not necessarily proportional with development in some basic capabilities like nutrition, longevity and literacy which positively related to economic growth. So, dealing with violence in society is intrinsically a matter of public interest. In present study 79 cases of homicidal deaths due to different mechanical injuries was studied in two year period from 1/1/2009 to 31/12/2010. The incidence of homicidal death was 9.13% during this period. Males affected more in comparison to females. Majority of cases were fall in 21-40 yrs. of age comprising 50 cases (63.28%).Injuries by blunt weapons commonly observed in 30 cases (37.97%) which followed by injuries by sharp weapons 19 cases (24.05%). Totally 329 sharp injuries observed in comparison to 152 blunt injuries. Incidences were prevalent at dense forest area 26 cases (32.91%), in married persons 55 cases (69.62%), in between 6 pm to 12 midnight 24 cases (30.37%) and revenge was main motive 23 cases (29.11%).

Blunt injuries of chest: A medicolegal analysis.

Chest injuries are always a great challenge for medical professionals as two of the vital organs, which are present there, very often involved & damaged causing excessive bleeding and death. These injuries are usually caused by blunt forces or sharp penetrating weapons. Here in this paper 60 cases of chest injuries by blunt forces are studied for their epidemiological, medicolegal and clinico-pathological aspects. Most of them are adult/ middle aged male between 20-50years of age, hit or run over by heavy vehicles in road traffic accidents. Lungs are lacerated in almost all the cases and internal haemorrhage & shock is the prime cause of death. Heart, aorta & other organs were also involved in substantial number of cases. Though majority of them died within two hours, either on the spot or in the way to the hospital, an attempt is also made to correlate the prognosis & the nature of injuries.

Abdominal organ involvement in blunt injuries.

Visceral injuries of the abdomen following blunt trauma present a great medico-legal problem to the forensic experts. Thus the doctor should remain alert to the development of signs and symptom after blunt trauma to the abdomen in vehicular accident otherwise he may be charged of negligence. Among 55 fatal cases of blunt abdominal injury, maximum number of cases belongs to the age group 20-29 yrs. Males were the predominant victims with ratio 4:1. It was found that road traffic accidents by heavy vehicle like bus; car and truck were responsible for 70% of blunt abdominal injuries. Among 55 cases of blunt injury, the incidence of the involvement of liver, spleen, small intestine, kidney, stomach and urinary bladder were 67%, 30.91%, 18%, 10.9%, 9.09%, 5% cases respectively. Genitals were found injured in 3% cases of blunt injury abdomen. For Blunt Injuries of Abdomen majority of the cases i.e. 78.18% were of accidental, 18.18% were homicidal and 3.6% suicidal in nature. Immediate cause of death was shock and hemorrhage and in those cases where death was delayed, cause of death was septicemia.

Victim profile and pattern of thoraco-abdominal injuries sustained in fatal road traffic accidents.

The present research aims to highlight the pattern of thoraco-abdominal injuries sustained by the victims of fatal road traffic accidents (RTA) in Manipal, South India. The study is an autopsy based observation of thoraco-abdominal injuries in victims of fatal road traffic accidents during 1999 – 2003. Road traffic accidents accounted for most of the injury related deaths (77%) during the study period. A male preponderance (86%) was observed with a male-female ratio of 6:1. Individuals in the age group of 21 to 50 years formed the most vulnerable (83%) group. External thoracic injuries were more common than internal thoracic injuries in the thoracic region. In the abdominal region, internal injuries were more common than external injuries. Lungs (61%) and kidneys (23%) were the most commonly involved organs in the thoracic and abdominal regions respectively. Majority of the victims were two wheeler occupants (35%) followed by pedestrians (23%). The study indicates the pattern of thoraco-abdominal injuries sustained along with the trend of road traffic accidents in the region.

Endovascular and open repair for blunt aortic injury, treated in one clinical institution in Brazil: a case series

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this retrospective study is to analyze and compare the results of conventional surgical repair and endovascular treatment of blunt aortic injury over the past 8 years. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients (25 male; mean age, 35 years) were treated for blunt aortic injury between April 2001 and March 2009 in a university hospital in Brazil. Twenty-six patients were included in the study: five were treated with operative repair (OR) and 21 with endovascular treatment (TEVAR). Two patients were excluded from analysis: one was managed conservatively, and one was treated with endovascular treatment for chronic dissection related to aortic trauma. RESULTS: Mean age was lower in the OR group than in the endovascular treatment group (17.8 vs. 38 years, P = .003). There was one death in the OR group and four deaths in the endovascular treatment group. Mean follow-up for the overall group was 33.6 months, with 48.7 months (range 8-83 months) for the OR group, and 29.8 months (range 2-91 months) for the TEVAR group. Mean time elapsed from injury to repair was 23.4 hours (range 8-48 h, median 20 h) for the OR group and 30.3 hours (range 2-240 h, median 18 h) for the TEVAR group (P = .374). The duration of surgery was shorter in the endovascular treatment group (142 versus 237 minutes; P = .005). There were no significant differences with respect to the number of postoperative days requiring mechanical ventilation, duration of ICU stay or duration of hospital stay. CONCLUSION: In this retrospective analysis, endovascular treatment was a safe method for repair of blunt aortic trauma, with immediate and midterm results that were comparable to those results obtained with operative repair. No complications from the stent graft were identified during follow-up. Nevertheless, long-term follow-up is necessary to confirm the effectiveness of this treatment.

Indicadores clínicos e pré-hospitalares de sobrevivência no trauma fechado: uma análise multivariada / Indicadores clínicos y prehospitalarios de supervivencia al trauma cerrado: un análisis multivariado / Clinical and prehospital survival indicators in blunt trauma: a multivariate analysis

O objetivo do estudo foi identificar os indicadores clínicos e pré-hospitalares associados à sobrevivência de vítimas de trauma fechado. Foram utilizadas a análise de sobrevivência de Kaplan Meier, e de Riscos Proporcionais de Cox, para analisar a associação de 33 variáveis ao óbito precoce e tardio, propondo modelos multivariados. Os modelos finais até 48h pós-trauma evidenciaram altos coeficientes de risco promovidos pelas lesões abdominais, Injury Severity Score >25, procedimentos respiratórios avançados e compressões torácicas pré-hospitalares. No modelo até 7 dias, a pressão arterial sistólica na cena do acidente, se menor de 75mmHg, foi associada a maior risco de óbito e se ausente, foi associada ao mais elevado risco de óbito após 7 dias. A reposição de volume pré-hospitalar apresentou efeito protetor em todos os períodos. Os resultados sugerem que a magnitude da hipoxemia e da instabilidade hemodinâmica diante da hemorragia, influenciaram de forma significante o óbito precoce e tardio desse grupo de vítimas.

The aim of the study was to identify the clinical and prehospital indicators associated to the survival of blunt trauma victims. The Kaplan Meier survival analysis and the Cox proportional hazards model were used to analyze the association of 33 variables to early and late death, proposing multivariate models. The final models until 48 hours post-trauma showed high rates of risk promoted by abdominal injuries, Injury Severity Score > 25, advanced respiratory procedures and prehospital chest compressions. In the model up to 7 days, a systolic blood pressure in accident site lower than 75mmHg was associated with increased risk of death, and if absent it was associated with higher risk of death after 7 days. The prehospital volume replacement showed a protective effect in all periods. Results suggest that the magnitude of hypoxemia and hemodynamic instability due to bleeding had a significant influence on early and late death in this group of victims.

El objetivo del estudio fue identificar los indicadores clínicos y prehospitalarios asociados a la supervivencia de víctimas de trauma cerrado. Fueron utilizados el Análisis de Supervivencia de Kaplan-Meier y de Riesgos Proporcionales de Cox para examinar la asociación de 33 variables respecto de la muerte temprana y tardía, proponiéndose modelos multivariados. Los modelos finales hasta 48 horas post trauma mostraron altos coeficientes de riesgo promovidos por las lesiones abdominales, Injury Severity Score > 25, procesos respiratorias avanzados y compresiones torácicas prehospitalarias. En el modelo hasta 7 días, la presión arterial sistólica en la escena del accidente, cuando resultó inferior a 75mmHg, se asoció con mayor riesgo de muerte y, en caso de ausencia, se asoció con el mayor riesgo de muerte posterior a 7 días. La reposición de volumen prehospitalario mostró un efecto protector en todos los períodos. Los resultados sugieren que la magnitud de la hipoxemia y la inestabilidad hemodinámica debida a la hemorragia influyeron de manera significativa en la muerte temprana y tardía en este grupo de víctimas.

Trauma do pâncreas: fatores preditivos de morbidade e mortalidade relacionados a índices de trauma / Trauma of pancreas: predictor's factors of morbidity and mortality related to trauma index

Contexto: Embora incomuns, lesões traumáticas do pâncreas estão associadas a significativos níveis de complicações e mortalidade. OBJETIVO: Definir os fatores preditivos de morbidade e mortalidade em pacientes vítimas de trauma pancreático. MÉTODO: Foram estudados 131 pacientes atendidos pela Disciplina de Cirurgia do Trauma no Hospital de Clínicas da Universidade Estadual de Campinas, SP, no período entre janeiro de 1994 a dezembro de 2007, com seus parâmetros epidemiológicos, fisiológicos e anatômicos, sendo comparados e analisados aos fatores preditivos de evolução, com estudo estatístico. Resultados: Trauma penetrante, com predomínio de ferimentos por projétil de arma de fogo ocorreu em 64 por cento dos casos. A maioria, 91,6 por cento, era do sexo masculino e a idade média de 29,8anos. A morbidade global foi de 64,9 por cento, com 29 por cento de complicações diretamente relacionadas ao pâncreas, como fístulas e sangramento. A mortalidade foi de 27,5 por cento, principalmente em decorrência de choque hipovolêmico e falência de múltiplos órgãos e sistemas. Houve maior morbidade e mortalidade em pacientes com lesões complexas (graus IV e V) do pâncreas quando comparadas com lesões menos graves (graus I e II), porém a morbidade e mortalidade neste grupo não foram desprezíveis, devido a valores alterados de escore de trauma revisado ("revised trauma score"), valores elevados de índice de gravidade da lesão ("injury severity score") e "abdominal trauma index". Conclusões: Valores alterados de "revised trauma score", pressão arterial sistólica menor que 90 mm Hg, valor de "injury severity score" menor ou igual a 15 e valor de "abdominal trauma index" maior ou igual a 25 são fatores relacionados a aumento da morbidade. Valores anormais de "revised trauma score", valores de "injury severity score" e "abdominal trauma index" superiores a 25, pressão arterial sistólica inferior a 90 mm Hg são fatores preditivos de aumento de mortalidade...

Context: Although relatively uncommon, traumatic pancreatic injury is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE: To define the predictors' factors of increase in the morbidity and mortality in patients with pancreatic trauma. METHOD: In this casuistic 131 patients were studied, since January 1994 through December 2007, with theirs epidemiological, physiological and anatomic parameters compared and the analysis of the predictive values for the occurrence of bad evolution, with an appropriate statistical study. Results: Penetrating trauma occurred in 64 percent and blunt trauma in 36 percent, and 91.6 percent was male. The mean age was 29,8 years. The global morbidity in this series was 64.9 percent with 29 percent prevalence of pancreas related complications, such as pancreatic fistula and bleeding occurrence. The overall mortality was 27.5 percent and occurred by hemorrhagic shock and multiple organs and system failed. CONCLUSIONS: Higher morbidity and mortality was related with complex injuries of the pancreas (grade IV and V), but morbidity and mortality in the group of injuries grade I and II are not minimal in patients with changed values of revised trauma score and high values of injury severity score and abdominal trauma index. Systolic blood pressure lower 90 mm Hg, changed values of revised trauma score index, values of injury severity score higher 15 and values of abdominal trauma index higher 25 are predictive factors of morbidity. Changed values of revised trauma score, values of injury severity score or abdominal trauma index higher 25, systolic blood pressure are predictive factors of mortality in patients with pancreatic trauma. Low values of TRISS are predictive of higher morbidity and mortality, but high values of TRISS are not predictives of satisfactory evolution.

Blunt abdominal trauma with small bowel injury: are isolated lesions riskier than associated lesions?

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to compare patients with "isolated" blunt small bowel injury (SBI) to patients with multiple intra-abdominal injuries and analyze whether delayed laparotomy affected outcome. METHODS: Medical records of patients that suffered a blunt SBI between 1994 and 2005 were reviewed. The patients were divided into two groups: those with isolated SBI and those with other associated intra-abdominal injuries ("non-isolated"). The method of diagnosis, time to operation, small bowel Organ Injury Scale (OIS) assessment (grade > 2), injury severity score (ISS), morbidity, and mortality were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 90 patients met the inclusion criteria, including 62 (68.9 percent) isolated cases and 28 (31.1 percent) non-isolated cases. Isolated cases required more supplementary diagnostic methods than the non-isolated cases. Non-isolated cases had a shorter diagnosis to treatment period (p < .01) and a higher ISS (mean 22.5 vs. 17.2 in "isolated" group). Morbidity (51.6 percent and 53.6 percent) and mortality (16.1 percent and 28.6 percent) did not differ significantly between the isolated and non-isolated groups. Delays in diagnosis were common in the isolated group, but this did not affect outcome. Patients with associated injuries, and higher ISS, had higher mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of associated intra-abdominal injuries significantly affected the presentation and time to diagnosis of patients with SBI, but not morbidity or mortality. Delayed surgical treatment in the isolated cases was not associated with an increased incidence of complications. Patients inflicted with more severe associated injuries were less likely to survive the trauma.

OBJETIVO: Comparar pacientes com lesão "isolada" de intestino delgado com pacientes com lesões abdominais "associadas" e analisar o quanto o retardo para indicação de laparotomia influenciou na evolução dos pacientes. MÉTODOS: Foram revisados os prontuários de pacientes com trauma abdominal fechado e lesão de intestino delgado no período de 1994 a 2005, sendo os pacientes divididos em dois grupos: lesão "isolada" e lesões abdominais "associadas". Foram analisados os métodos diagnósticos, intervalo de tempo para a cirurgia, gravidade da lesão de delgado (grau > 2), ISS e morbimortalidade dos pacientes. RESULTADOS: Noventa pacientes preencheram os critérios de inclusão, 62 (68,9 por cento) no grupo "isolada" e 28 (31,1 por cento) no "associada". Pacientes do grupo "isolada" necessitaram mais de métodos diagnósticos complementares. O tempo de diagnóstico até o tratamento foi significantemente menor no grupo "associada", e estes pacientes apresentavam ISS mais elevado (média de 22,5 versus 17,2 no grupo "isolada"). A morbidade e mortalidade nos grupos foram, respectivamente, 51,6 por cento e 16,1 por cento no grupo "isolada", e 53,6 por cento e 28,6 por cento no "associada", sem diferença estatística. Demora para o diagnóstico foi comum no grupo "isolada", porém sem agravar a evolução dos pacientes. Pacientes com lesões "associadas", quantificadas pelo ISS, tiveram maior mortalidade. CONCLUSÃO: A presença de lesões abdominais "associadas" significativamente interferiu no quadro clínico e momento do diagnóstico em pacientes com lesão de delgado, porém não influenciou na morbimortalidade. No grupo "isolada" a demora para tratamento cirúrgico foi freqüente, porém sem interferir nas complicações. A elevada mortalidade foi reflexo da gravidade de lesões associadas.

Blunt cerebrovascular injuries

Durante a década passada, o reconhecimento e tratamento do traumatismo cerebrovascular contuso, sofreu importante evolução. Este tipo de ferimento era considerado como ocorrência rara, mas atualmente o quadro é diagnosticado em cerca de 1% dos pacientes. O reconhecimento da existência de um período clínico silencioso permite uma seleção angiográfica baseada no mecanismo de trauma e na sistematização dos ferimentos dos pacientes. A avaliação sistemática e a suspeita diagnóstica precoce destes pacientes tem resultado em rápido confirmação durante a fase assintomática, permitindo a instauração de tratamento cuja meta é impedir o desenvolvimento de seqüelas neurológicas. Embora o tratamento ideal, antitrombótico, ainda precise ser determinado, o uso de agentes antiplaquetários ou anticoagulantes reduz a incidência de lesões cerebrovasculares relacionada a fenômenos tromboembolíticos. O traumatismo cerebrovascular contuso é raro, porém devastador. A seleção angiográfica apropriada em pacientes de alto risco deve ser realizada e o tratamento deve ser imediatamente iniciado para impedir eventos neurológicos isquêmicos.

A postmortem study of blunt cardiac injuries.

35 cases of blunt cardiac trauma following vehicular accidents brought for autopsy to the morgue of Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal have been studied to find out types of cardiac injuries, their association with sternal and rib fractures, mechanism of causation, risk factors, etc. It was observed that 48.57% of the cases with blunt cardiac trauma had associated sternal and rib fractures. Maximum number (60%) of the cardiac rupture was seen in run-over cases. 40% of the cases had injury to the right ventricle. All the injuries were located on the anterior surface of the heart. In one (2.86%) case, laceration of the right atrium without any external injury of the chest region was observed. In assessing blunt cardiac trauma victims in vehicular accidents, knowledge about the commonest sites, types and degrees of injuries as has been highlighted in the present study will be of great help in a timely intervention.

Laceration of the heart without significant external injury: A case report.

In a case of vehicular accident the heart was found lacerated, when there were only some scratch abasions on the chest externally without fracture of the ribs or sternum. This case is reported to highlight the possiblitity of a serious fatal internal injury without significant external injury in the chest.

Medical problems in surgical patients.

OBJECTIVES: There has been an increase in surgical cases due to physical violence, accidents and weapon related injuries. This study was undertaken to assess the medical problems in general surgical cases and due to various injuries. METHODS: All general surgical cases and casualties arising out of weapon related, accidents and blunt injuries admitted to a zonal hospital over a period of one and half years were studied. Only cases who developed a medical illness due to surgical cause, anaesthetic or surgery were included. Evaluation and treatment was done alongwith the surgeon till discharge/death. Details were analysed to ascertain the type of surgical illness, medical complication and the outcome of treatment. RESULTS: There were seven hundred sixty two (53.8%) general surgery cases and six hundred fifty four (46.2%) cases due to various injuries. After excluding cases with prior known medical illness, thirty seven patients were studied. There were eight (1.05%) patients out of seven hundred sixty two general surgery cases and twenty nine (4.43%) out of six hundred fifty four injury cases. Weapon related injury cases were the maximum. Their medical problems related to the organ injury, fat embolism and sepsis. Soft tissue injury was next common, they all developed renal failure. Vehicle accident victim(3) were few and developed fat embolism, aspiration. Two patients out of thirty seven succumbed to post anaesthetic complications. CONCLUSION: The incidence of medical problem in injury related cases are more than in general surgery cases. The type of injury contributes to the medical problem. Increase in mortality and morbidity is because of emergency nature of surgery. This problem needs special study.