Complicated intra-abdominal infections: a prospective validation study of the WSES Sepsis Severity Score

INTRODUCTION@#The World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES) recently developed and validated a sepsis severity score for complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAIs). We aimed to prospectively study the validity of this score in our local setting and compare it with global findings.@*METHODS@#In a prospective study of 100 consecutive adult patients with cIAIs treated at Al-Ain Hospital, United Arab Emirates, from October 2014 to January 2016, we studied patients' demographics, disease, risk factors, WSES Sepsis Severity Score, management, hospital stay and mortality. Our findings were compared with those from a recent global multicentre prospective study from 53 countries (n = 4,496).@*RESULTS@#Compared with global data, our patients were more likely to be male (p < 0.0001) and younger (p < 0.0001), with more appendicitis and perforated peptic ulcers (p < 0.0001), significantly lower sepsis severity score (p < 0.0001) and more delays in surgical intervention (p = 0.001). Nevertheless, they had similar adequate source control (p = 0.54) and surgical reinterventions (p = 0.63). Overall, our patients had a significantly lower mortality rate (1.0% vs. 9.3% in global data; p = 0.001). A direct logistic regression model showed that the WSES Sepsis Severity Score significantly predicted mortality (p < 0.0001), but our hospital's setting was not predictive of mortality compared with other hospitals (p = 0.18).@*CONCLUSION@#Although our patient demographics and hospital's setting significantly differed from those of other international hospitals, the WSES Sepsis Severity Score was very accurate in predicting mortality among our patients, which supports its generalisability for all patient populations worldwide.

Management of computed tomography-detected pneumothorax in patients with blunt trauma: experience from a community-based hospital

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>Diagnoses of pneumothorax, especially occult pneumothorax, have increased as the use of computed tomography (CT) for imaging trauma patients becomes near-routine. However, the need for chest tube insertion remains controversial. We aimed to study the management of pneumothorax detected on CT among patients with blunt trauma, including the decision for tube thoracostomy, in a community-based hospital.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Chest CT scans of patients with blunt trauma treated at Al Rahba Hospital, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, from October 2010 to October 2014 were retrospectively studied. Variables studied included demography, mechanism of injury, endotracheal intubation, pneumothorax volume, chest tube insertion, Injury Severity Score, hospital length of stay and mortality.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>CT was performed in 703 patients with blunt trauma. Overall, pneumothorax was detected on CT for 74 (10.5%) patients. Among the 65 patients for whom pneumothorax was detected before chest tube insertion, 25 (38.5%) needed chest tube insertion, while 40 (61.5%) did not. Backward stepwise likelihood regression showed that independent factors that significantly predicted chest tube insertion were endotracheal intubation (p = 0.01), non-United Arab Emirates nationality (p = 0.01) and pneumothorax volume (p = 0.03). The receiver operating characteristic curve showed that the best pneumothorax volume that predicted chest tube insertion was 30 mL.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Chest tube was inserted in less than half of the patients with blunt trauma for whom pneumothorax was detected on CT. Pneumothorax volume should be considered in decision-making regarding chest tube insertion. Conservative treatment may be sufficient for pneumothorax of volume < 30 mL.</p>

Acute typhlitis caused by a caecal faecolith

Isolated acute typhlitis caused by a caecal faecolith is extremely rare. Hereby we report such a case. A 30-year-old man presented clinically as acute appendicitis. During open surgery, an inflamed caecal mass was found. A limited colectomy including the mass and grossly health margins was performed. HistopathologicaI examination confirmed that acute typhlitis was caused by an impacted caecal faecolith. The appendix was normal. Faecolith is an extremely rare cause of acute inflammation of the caecum presenting as a mass which is usualIy treated by limited right hemicolectomy

Seatbelt compliance and mortality in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries in comparison with other high-income countries

Mortality from road traffic collisions [RTC] is a major problem in the Gulf Cooperation Council [GCC] countries. Low compliance with seatbelt usage can be a contributing factor for increased mortality. The present study aimed to ascertain the presence of a relationship between seatbelt non-compliance of vehicle occupants and mortality rates in the GCC countries versus other high-income countries. Observational and descriptive study using information published by the World Health Organization Data for all GCC countries [n=6] and other high-income countries [n=37] were retrieved and compared with regard to population, gross national income, number of vehicles, seatbelt non-compliance and road traffic death rates. Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to define factors affecting the mortality rates. The median road traffic death rates, occupant death rates, and the percentage of seatbelt non-compliance were significantly higher in the GCC countries [P<.0001, P=.02, P<.001, respectively]. There was a strong correlation between occupant death rates and seatbelt non-compliance [R=.52, P=.008]. Seatbelt non-compliance percentage was the only significant factor predicting mortality in the multiple linear regression model [P=.015]. Seatbelt non-compliance percentages in the GCC countries are significantly higher than in other high-income countries. This is a contributing factor in the increased road traffic collision mortality rate in these countries. Enforcement of seatbelt usage by law should be mandatory so as to reduce the toll of death of RTC in the GCC countries

Motor vehicle collisions with large animals

Motor vehicle collisions MVC with large animals are a worldwide problem. In this review, we aim to analyze the mechanisms and patterns of human injuries caused by MVC with large animals and various ways to prevent them. Reported studies on large animals that can cause such accidents include the moose, camels, deer, and kangaroos. The moose causes a typical rear-and downward deformity of the roof of the car. The camel falls on the roof of the car causing cervical and head injury to the occupants. Injuries caused by kangaroos and deer are usually mild. Injuries may be caused by direct collision with the animal or hitting another object when trying to avoid it. Alarming signs, underpasses or overpasses for animals, and reflectors that frighten the animals were all used to prevent the collisions. Roo-bars are used in Australia to reduce the car damage when hit by a kangaroo. Fencing has proven useful in United Arab Emirates. The mechanism of injury varies with the size and height of the animal and can be serious. Increased awareness of the effects of collision with large animals and ways to reduce it has to be promoted

Adhesive intestinal obstruction following blunt abdominal trauma

Advances in diagnosis and management of multiple trauma patients have lead to adopting a conservative approach for most patients with blunt abdominal trauma. Intestinal obstruction is a rare complication for this approach. Herein, we report a 37-year-old male, who did not have an abdominal operation, and who developed adhesive intestinal obstruction 7 weeks following blunt abdominal trauma. We detected no signs of peritonitis or intra-abdominal bleeding clinically or radiologically on admission. We initially treated the intestinal obstruction conservatively, but the obstruction did not resolve. Finally, we performed laparotomy, which showed that the small bowel was matted together by thick fibrous layers of adhesions. We performed adhesiolysis, and the patient was discharged home 3 weeks later. Histopathological findings of the fibrous layer were consistent with repair due to previous trauma and hemorrhage. We review the literature of this rare condition