Outcomes of penetrating carotid artery injuries: A South African multicentre study.

BACKGROUND: This multicenter study examines the contemporary management of penetrating carotid artery injury (PCAI) to identify trends in management, outcomes, and to determine prognostic factors for stroke and death. METHODS: Data from three large urban trauma centers in South Africa were retrospectively reviewed for patients who presented with PCAI from 2012 to 2020. RESULTS: Of 149 identified patients, 137 actively managed patients were included. Twenty-four patients (17.9%) presented in coma and 12 (9.0%) with localizing signs (LS). CT angiography was performed on admission for 120 (87.6%) patients. Thirty patients (21.9%) underwent nonoperative management, 87 (63.5%) open surgery, and 20 (14.6%) endovascular stenting. Eighteen patients (13.1%) died, and 15 (12.6%) surviving patients had strokes. Ligation was significantly related to death and reperfusion to survival. A mechanism of gunshot wound, occlusive injuries, a threatened airway, a systolic blood pressure <90 mmHg, hard signs of vascular injury, a low GCS, coma, a CT brain demonstrating infarct, a high injury severity score and shock index, a low pH or HCO3, and an elevated lactate were significant independent prognostic factors for death. Ligation was unsurvivable in all patients with severe neurological deficits, whereas reperfusion procedures resulted in survival in 63% (12/19) patients with coma and 78% (7/9) with LS although with high stroke rates (coma: 25.0%, LS: 85.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Outcomes in PCAI, including patients with severe neurological deficit and stroke, are better when reperfused. Reperfusion holds the best promise of survival and ligation should be reserved for technically inaccessible bleeding injuries.

A decade long overview of damage control laparotomy for abdominal gunshot wounds.

PURPOSE: Over the last three decades, damage control laparotomy (DCL) has become important in the management of abdominal gunshot wounds (GSW). This paper reviews the experience of a single institution over a decade with the use of DCL for GSW of the abdomen. METHODS: Longitudinal data (2013-2022) was collected from the Hybrid Electronic Medical Registry database to identify all patients with an abdominal GSW over the study period. The data was stratified based on patients who underwent DCL and those who did not. Descriptive analysis was completed to summarise the raw data. Univariate and multivariate analysis was completed to identify variables associated with undergoing DCL. RESULTS: There were 135 patients (32%) who underwent DCL and 290 patients (68%) who did not. Colonic, small bowel, mesenteric, hepatic, pancreatic and intra-abdominal vessel injuries were associated with the need for DCL (P<0.05). In total, 85 of the 135 (63%) patients who underwent DCL required more than one damage control technique. There were 45 (33%) mortalities in the DCL group compared to 16 mortalities (6%) in the non-DCL group (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: One third of patients who underwent a laparotomy following a gunshot wound to the abdomen had a DCL. The indications for DCL include both physiological criteria and injury patterns. DCL is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Efforts need to be directed towards refining the indications for DCL in this group of patients to prevent inappropriate application of this potentially lifesaving technique.

The Efficacy of VAMMFT Compared to "Bogota Bag" in Achieving Sheath Closure Following Temporary Abdominal Closure at Index Laparotomy for Trauma.

INTRODUCTION: The open abdomen (OA) is a necessary component of damage control surgery and closure is often challenging. Our aim was to review our ten-year experience with OA in trauma patients and to compare the success of a dual closure technique termed vacuum-assisted, mesh-mediated fascial traction (VAMMFT) to an exclusively Bogota Bag (BB) approach. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed using the HEMR database from 2012 to 2022, comparing demographics, mechanism of injury, admission vitals and biochemistry between patients with BB and VAMMFT applications. Rate of secondary abdominal closure and complications were assessed in both groups. Logistic regression was used to find predictors of closure. RESULTS: OA was required by 348 patients at index laparotomy. Of these, 133 (38.2%) were managed with VAMMFT and 215 (61.8%) exclusively with a BB. There were no statistical differences between the BB and VAMMFT groups in terms of demographics, injuries, admission vitals and biochemistry. The VAMMFT group achieved a closure rate of 73% compared to 54.9% in the BB group (OR of 2.2 [1.4-3.7]). There was no significant difference in fistulation rate between the two groups (p = 0.103). Length of hospital stay was 30 versus 17 days in the VAMMFT and BB groups, respectively (OR 1.41 [1.30-1.54]). There were no independent predictors of closure identified in the VAMMFT group. Older patients were less likely to achieve closure when BB was used (OR 0.97 [0.95-0.99]). VAMMFT failure was commonly due to lack of stock (39%) and protocol violations (33%). CONCLUSION: The VAMMFT approach to the OA is efficacious and safe. VAMMFT achieves a much higher rate of secondary closure than BB alone with a low rate of enteric fistula formation.

Despite Major Therapeutic Advances, Vena Caval Trauma Remains Associated with Significant Morbidity and Mortality.

BACKGROUND: Penetrating inferior vena caval injuries remain a challenging operative entity. This study reviews our local experience with the injury over a nine-year period and attempts to contextualize it within the published literature that emanates from South Africa on the topic. METHODS: A single-centre retrospective review of prospectively collected data was performed of all patients who underwent a laparotomy for a penetrating IVC injury. Descriptive statistics were calculated for demographics, clinical and biochemical parameters, intraoperative data, ICU admission and outcomes. RESULTS: During the nine-year period, thirty-five patients sustained penetrating injuries to the IVC. Mechanism of injury included 25 low velocity gunshots (71%) and 10 stab wounds (29%). The anatomical location included two (6%) supra-renal, six (17%) juxta-renal and 27 (77%) infra-renal injuries. Venorrhaphy was performed in 22 cases (63%) and ligation in 13 (37%). Average ICU stay was 5.4 days. Thirteen patients died (37%), of which six (46%) died within 24 h of arrival. CONCLUSION: Despite dramatic improvements in surgical trauma care over the last four decades, penetrating injury to the IVC carries a high mortality rate ranging from 31 to 37%. It is unlikely that further improvements can be achieved by refining operative techniques and approaches to resuscitation. Future endeavours must focus on applying the burgeoning understanding of endovascular surgery to these injuries.

In-Hospital Mortality Following Traumatic Injury in South Africa.

Trauma is a leading cause of death worldwide and in South Africa. We aimed to quantify the in-hospital trauma mortality rate in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. Background: The in-hospital trauma mortality rate in South Africa remains unknown, and it is unclear whether deficits in hospital care are contributing to the high level of trauma-related mortality. Methods: All patients hospitalized because of trauma at the Department of Surgery at Grey's Hospital, Pietermaritzburg Metropolitan Trauma Service, were prospectively entered in an electronic database starting in 2013 and the data were retrospectively analyzed. The trauma service adheres to Advanced Trauma Life Support and the doctors have attended basic and advanced courses in trauma care. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Results: Of 9795 trauma admissions, 412 (4.2%) patients died during hospital care between January 2013 and January 2019. Forty-six percent died after road traffic accidents, 19% after gunshot wounds, 13% after stab wounds, and 10% after assaults. Sixteen percent were classified as avoidable deaths due to inappropriate care and resource limitations. Fifty percent died because of traumatic brain injury and 80% of them were unavoidable. Conclusions: In conclusion, the in-hospital trauma mortality rate at a South African trauma center using systematic trauma care is lower than that reported from other trauma centers in the world during the past 20 years. Nevertheless, 16% of death cases were assessed as avoidable if there had been better access to intensive care, dialysis, advanced respiratory care, blood for transfusion, and improvements in surgery and medical care.

Retrospective cohort study of paediatric splenic injuries at a major adult trauma centre in South Africa identifies areas of success and improvement.

This study reviews our experience with paediatric splenic trauma in a major trauma centre in South Africa. We reviewed the management and outcomes of 66 paediatric patients and concluded that selective non-operative management of paediatric splenic trauma can be undertaken successfully in a middle-income country such as South Africa. The grade of splenic injury itself is rarely the sole determinant of operative or non-operative treatment and clinical outcome.

BACKGROUND: Over the last 50 years, the gold standard for paediatric trauma management has grown to be non-operative management. This study reviews a South African experience with paediatric splenic trauma in order to benchmark this against the international standard and to identify discrepancies in access to care and in surgical outcomes. METHODS: This was a retrospective study conducted at a major trauma centre in South Africa. All children less than 18 years of age who were admitted to our trauma centre following trauma between December 2012 and October 2020 were identified and all those who sustained splenic trauma were reviewed. RESULTS: Of the 66 patients reviewed, 48 (72%) were male, and the median age was 12 years (0-18 years). Thirty-three (51%) were of rural origin and 61 (93%) sustained blunt trauma. Only eight (12%) had an isolated splenic injury, while the remaining 58 (88%) had other associated injuries. Forty-five patients (68%) were managed non-operatively whilst the remainder were subjected to laparotomy. Five (7%) required a splenectomy and one required angio-embolisation. Twenty-six patients (39%) required intensive care unit (ICU) admission: 15 (37%) in the non-operative cohort required ICU admission and eight (40%) in the laparotomy group required ICU admission. Twenty-eight (42%) patients required ventilatory support. Median length of stay was 5.5 days. Four (6%) patients died. CONCLUSIONS: Although non-operative management of paediatric splenic trauma can be undertaken successfully by adult trauma surgeons in a middle-income country such as South Africa, there remains room for improvement. To achieve splenic salvage rates comparable to those in dedicated paediatric trauma centres in high-income countries will require systematic quality improvement programmes.

Predicting the Outcome of Non-operative Management of Splenic Trauma in South Africa.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to expand on the global surgical discussion around splenic trauma in order to understand locally and clinically relevant factors for operative (OP) and non-operative management (NOM) of splenic trauma in a South African setting. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed using 2013-2017 data from the Pietermaritzburg Metropolitan Trauma Service. All adult patients (≥15 years) were included. Those managed with OP or NOM for splenic trauma were identified and analyzed descriptively. Multiple logistic regression analysis identified patients and clinical factors associated with management type. RESULTS: There were 127 patients with splenic injury. Median age was 29 [19-35] years with 42 (33%) women and 85 (67%) men. Blunt injuries occurred in the majority (81, 64%). Organ Injury Scale (OIS) grades included I (25, 20%), II (43, 34%), III (36, 28%), IV (15, 11%), and V (8, 6%). Nine patients expired. On univariate analysis, increasing OIS was associated with OP management, need for intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and hospital and ICU duration of stay, but not mortality. In patients with a delayed compared to early presentation, ICU utilization (62% vs. 36%, p = 0.008) and mortality (14% vs. 4%, p = 0.03) were increased. After adjusting for age, sex, presence of shock, and splenic OIS, penetrating trauma (adjusted odds ratio, 5.7; 95%CI, 1.7-9.8) and admission lactate concentration (adjusted odds ratio, 1.4; 95%CI 1.1-1.9) were significantly associated with OP compared to NOM (p = 0.002; area under the curve 0.81). CONCLUSIONS: We have identified injury mechanism and admission lactate as factors predictive of OP in South African patients with splenic trauma. Timely presentation to definitive care affects both ICU duration of stay and mortality outcomes. Future global surgical efforts may focus on expanding non-operative management protocols and improving pre-hospital care in patients with splenic trauma.

Developing a blueprint for a civilian-military collaborative program in trauma training for Northern European countries: A South African experience.

BACKGROUND: Recent terrorist attacks and mass shooting incidents in major European and North American cities have shown the unexpected influx of large volumes of patients with complex multi-system injuries. The rise of subspecialisation and the low violence-related penetrating injuries among European cities, show the reality that most surgical programs are unable to provide sufficient exposure to penetrating and blast injuries. The aim of this study is to describe and create a collaborative program between a major South African trauma service and a NATO country military medical service, with synergistic effect on both partners. This program includes comprehensive cross-disciplinary training & teaching, and scientific research. METHODS: This is a retrospective descriptive study. The Pietermaritzburg hospital and Netherlands military trauma register databases were used for analysing patient data: Pietermaritzburg between September 2015 and August 2016, Iraq between May and July 2018 and Afghanistan from 2006 to 2010. Interviews were held to analyse the mutual benefits of the program. RESULTS: From the Pietermaritzburg study, mutual benefits focus on social responsibility, exchange of knowledge and experience and further mutual exploration. The comparison showed the numbers of surgical procedures over a one-month period performed in Iraq 12.7, in Afghanistan 68.8 and in Pietermaritzburg 152. CONCLUSION: This study has shown a significant volume of penetrating trauma in South Africa, that can provide substantial exposure over a relatively short period. This help to prepare civilian and military surgeons and deployable military medical personnel for casualties with blast - and/or penetrating injuries. The aforementioned findings and the willingness to shape the mutual benefits, create a platform for trauma electives, research, education and training.

Damage control or definitive repair? A retrospective review of abdominal trauma at a major trauma center in South Africa.

BACKGROUND: This study set out to review a large series of trauma laparotomies from a single center and to compare those requiring damage control surgery (DCS) with those who did not, and then to interrogate a number of anatomic and physiologic scoring systems to see which best predicted the need for DCS. METHODS: All patients over the age of 15 years undergoing a laparotomy for trauma during the period from December 2012 to December 2017 were retrieved from the Hybrid Electronic Medical Registry (HEMR) at the Pietermaritzburg Metropolitan Trauma Service (PMTS), South Africa. They were divided into two cohorts, namely the DCS and non-DCS cohort, based on what was recorded in the operative note. These groups were then compared in terms of demographics and spectrum of injury, as well as clinical outcome. The following scores were worked out for each patient: Penetrating Abdominal Trauma Index (PATI), Injury Severity Score, Abbreviated Injury Scale-abdomen, and Abbreviated Injury Scale-chest. RESULTS: A total of 562 patients were included, and 99 of these (18%) had a DCS procedure versus 463 (82%) non-DCS. The mechanism was penetrating trauma in 81% of cases (453 of 562). A large proportion of trauma victims were male (503 of 562, 90%), with a mean age of 29.5±10.8. An overall mortality rate of 32% was recorded for DCS versus 4% for non-DCS (p<0.001). In general patients requiring DCS had higher lactate, and were more acidotic, hypotensive, tachycardic, and tachypneic, with a lower base excess and lower bicarbonate, than patients not requiring DCS. The most significant organ injuries associated with DCS were liver and intra-abdominal vascular injury. The only organ injury consistently predictive across all models of the need for DCS was liver injury. Regression analysis showed that only the PATI score is significantly predictive of the need for DCS (p=0.044). A final multiple logistic regression model demonstrated a pH <7.2 to be the most predictive (p=0.001) of the need for DCS. CONCLUSION: DCS is indicated in a subset of severely injured trauma patients. A pH <7.2 is the best indicator of the need for DCS. Anatomic injuries in themselves are not predictive of the need for DCS. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Trauma registry data as a tool for comparison of practice patterns and outcomes between low- and middle-income and high-income healthcare settings.

PURPOSE: There is a lack of data-driven, risk-adjusted mortality estimates for injured children outside of high-income countries (HIC). To inform injury prevention and quality improvement efforts, an upper middle-income country (UMIC) pediatric trauma registry was compared to that of a HIC. METHODS: Clinical data, injury details, and mortality of injured children (< 18 years) hospitalized in two centers (USA and South African (SA)) from 2013 to 2017 were abstracted. Univariate and multivariable analyses evaluated risk of mortality and were expressed as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: Of 2089 patients, SA patients had prolonged transfer times (21.1 vs 3.4 h) and were more likely referred (78.2% vs 53.9%; both p < 0.001). Penetrating injuries were more frequent in SA (23.2% vs 7.4%, p < 0.001); injury severity (9 vs 4) and shock index (0.90 vs 0.80) were greater (both p < 0.001). SA utilized cross-sectional imaging more frequently (66.4% vs 37.3%, p < 0.001). In-hospital mortality was similar (1.9% SA, 1.3% USA, p = 0.31). Upon multivariable analysis, ISS > 25 [210.50 (66.0-671.0)] and penetrating injury [5.5 (1.3-23.3)] were associated with mortality, while institution [1.7 (0.7-4.2)] was not. CONCLUSIONS: Despite transfer time, the centers demonstrated comparable survival rates. Comparison of registry data can alert clinicians to problematic practice patterns, assisting initiatives to improve trauma systems.

Surgical Considerations for Pediatric Snake Bites in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

BACKGROUND: Snake envenomation is associated with major morbidity especially in low- and middle-income countries and may require fasciotomy. We determined patient factors associated with the need for fasciotomy after venomous snake bites in children located in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. METHODS: Single institutional review of historical data (2012-2017) for children (<18 years) sustaining snake envenomation was performed. Clinical data, management, and outcomes were abstracted. Syndromes after snake bite were classified according to Blaylock nomenclature: progressive painful swelling (PPS), progressive weakness (PW), or bleeding (B), as it is difficult to reliably identify the species of snake after a bite. Comparative and multivariable analyses to determine factors associated with fasciotomy were performed. RESULTS: There were 72 children; mean age was 7 (±3) years, 59% male. Feet were most commonly affected (n = 27, 38%) followed by legs (n = 18, 25%). Syndromes (according to Blaylock) included PPS (n = 63, 88%), PW (n = 5, 7%), and B (n = 4, 5%). Eighteen patients underwent fasciotomy, and one required above knee amputation. Nine patients received anti-venom. Few patients (15%) received prophylactic beta-lactam antibiotics. Hemoglobin < 11 mg/dL, leukocytosis, INR >1.2, and age-adjusted shock index were associated with fasciotomy. On regression, age-adjusted shock index and hemoglobin concentration < 11 mg/dL, presentation >24 h after snake bite, and INR >1.2 were independently associated with fasciotomy. Model sensitivity was 0.89 and demonstrated good fit. CONCLUSIONS: Patient factors were associated with the fasciotomy. These factors, coupled with clinical examination, may identify those who need early operative intervention. Improving time to treatment and the appropriate administration of anti-venom will minimize the need for surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Defining an intra-operative blunt mesenteric injury grading system and its use as a tool for surgical-decision making.

BACKGROUND: The mesentery may be injured in trauma and few grading systems describe mesenteric injury severity. We aimed to develop and validate an intra-operative mesenteric injury grading system. METHODS: A modified Delphi technique was used to generate an intraoperative grading system for blunt mesenteric injury called the mesenteric injury score (MIS). We performed a retrospective review (2010-2016) of patients >15 years old with blunt abdominal trauma. Patient demographics, injury severity score (ISS) and mechanism, clinical, operative, and outcome data were abstracted. The intraoperative grading system was used to describe patient outcomes including duration of stay and management approach. We compared the correlation of abdominal abbreviated injury score, Blunt Injury Prediction Score (BIPS) and the MIS with clinical outcomes using Spearman's rho. RESULTS: There were fifty-one patients of which 86% were male. Injury mechanisms included motor vehicle accidents (n = 37, 73%), pedestrian vehicle accidents (n = 7, 13%), assaults (n = 4, 8%), falls (n = 2, 4%), and a single airplane crash (2%). Median [IQR] ISS was 16 [10-25] and GCS at hospital admission was 15 [15-15]. The median [IQR] international normalized ratio was 1.2 [1.1-1.5], lactate was 2.7 [1.7-4.9], and hemoglobin was 11.4 [8.6-12.2]. The distributions of MIS included Grade I (3, 5%), Grade II (10, 20%), Grade III (10, 20%), Grade IV, 5 (10%), and Grade V (23, 45%). Increasing mesenteric injury grade was associated with longer duration of stay, need for bowel resection, and damage control laparotomy. CONCLUSIONS: We developed an intra-operative mesenteric injury grading system (MIS) and provided an initial retrospective validation using a series of patients with blunt abdominal trauma. The proposed MIS corresponded with both the AIS and the BIPS. Future study comparing cross sectional imaging and operative findings based on MIS criteria is needed.

Acute Kidney Injury on Presentation to a Major Trauma Service is Associated with Poor Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: This study sought to describe the burden of disease of acute kidney injury (AKI) among adult South African trauma patients who presented to a tertiary level trauma service. METHODS: The trauma database was interrogated for the period from December 2012 to July 2017. All patients over the age of 18 y, who were admitted following trauma, were included. Outcome data were reviewed. This included in-hospital mortality, need for intensive care unit admission, and length of stay. AKI was defined according to the latest Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes guidelines using the presentation serum creatinine. RESULTS: A total of 7613 patients were admitted for trauma over the period under review. Four thousand two hundred sixty-six patients were suitable for analysis. A total of 238 (5.6%) patients presented with AKI, 149 (62.6%) had stage 1 AKI, 40 (16.8%) had stage 2 AKI, and 49 (20.6%) had stage 3 AKI. There was a higher incidence of AKI in patients with blunt trauma. The length of stay, need for intensive care unit admission, and mortality were significantly higher in patients presenting with AKI than in those who did not present with AKI. There were 172 deaths (4.0%). The patients who died were older and had significantly higher Injury Severity Score than survivors. They were more acidotic on presentation, had lower Glasgow Coma Scale, and were more likely to be hypotensive on presentation. They also were significantly more likely to have AKI on presentation. (30.2% versus 5.6% P < 0.001). AKI on presentation was an independent risk factor for mortality (odds ratio 3.038 95% confidence interval 1.260-7.325). CONCLUSIONS: AKI is common in patients presenting to our center with acute trauma. The presence of AKI is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Efforts must be directed to improving recognition of at-risk patients. Prompt referral and adequate resuscitation of trauma patients before transfer must be prioritized.

Management of intra-abdominal vascular injury in trauma laparotomy: a South African experience.

BACKGROUND: Intra-abdominal vascular injury (IAVI) is uncommon but continues to be associated with high mortality rates despite technological advances in the past decades. In light of these ongoing developments, we reviewed our contemporary experience with IAVI in an attempt to clarify and refine our management strategies and the outcome of these patients. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of all patients admitted between January 2011 and December 2014 at a major trauma centre in South Africa who were found to have an IAVI during laparotomy for trauma. We collected demographic and clinical data including mechanism of injury, location and severity of the injury, concurrent injuries, physiologic parameters and clinical outcome. RESULTS: We identified 110 patients with IAVIs, of whom 98 had sustained penetrating injuries (55 gunshot wounds and 43 stab wounds). There were 84 arterial injuries (including 21 renal and 17 mesenteric) and 74 venous injuries (including 21 renal and 17 inferior vena caval). Combined venous and arterial injuries were found in almost one-third of patients (34 [30.9%]). Fifty-seven patients (51.8%) required intensive care admission. The overall mortality rate was 28.2% (31 patients); the rate was 62% for aortic injuries and 47% for inferior vena cava injuries. Liver injury, large bowel injury, splenic injury and elevated lactate level were all associated with a statistically significantly higher mortality rate. CONCLUSION: The mortality rate for IAVI remains high despite decades of operative experience in high-volume centres. Open operative techniques alone are unlikely to achieve further reduction in mortality rates. Integration of endovascular techniques may provide an alternative strategy to improve outcomes.

CONTEXTE: Les lésions vasculaires intraabdominales (LVIA) sont rares, mais elles sont toujours associées à un taux de mortalité élevé, malgré les progrès technologiques des dernières décennies. À la lumière de ces renseignements, nous avons passé en revue l'expérience récente en matière de LVIA afin de clarifier et de parfaire nos stratégies de prise en charge et d'améliorer les résultats des patients. MÉTHODES: Nous avons examiné de manière rétrospective les dossiers de tous les patients admis entre janvier 2011 et décembre 2014 dans un grand centre de traumatologie d'Afrique du Sud chez qui une laparotomie a révélé la présence d'une LVIA. Nous avons recueilli des données démographiques et cliniques portant notamment sur le mécanisme lésionnel, la localisation et la gravité de la lésion, les blessures concomitantes, les paramètres physiologiques et l'issue clinique. RÉSULTATS: Nous avons recensé 110 patients atteints de LVIA, dont 98 avaient subi des blessures par pénétration (55 causées par un projectile d'arme à feu et 43 par une arme blanche). Nous avons dénombré 84 lésions artérielles (dont 21 rénales et 17 mésentériques) et 74 lésions veineuses (dont 21 rénales et 17 touchant la veine cave inférieure). Dans l'ensemble, nous avons constaté des lésions veineuses et artérielles chez près du tiers des patients (34 patients, soit 30,9 %). Cinquante-sept patients (51,8 %) ont dû être admis à l'unité des soins intensifs. Le taux de mortalité global était de 28,2 % (31 patients); il était de 62 % pour les cas de lésions aortiques et de 47 % pour les lésions touchant la veine cave inférieure. Les lésions au foie, au gros intestin et à la rate ainsi que les taux élevés de lactate ont tous été associés à une hausse statistiquement significative du taux de mortalité. CONCLUSION: Le taux de mortalité associé aux LVIA reste élevé malgré des décennies d'expérience chirurgicale dans des centres de traumatologie traitant un grand nombre de patients. Les techniques opératoires ouvertes seules sont peu susceptibles de donner lieu à une baisse de ce taux. L'intégration des techniques endovasculaires pourrait constituer une solution de rechange pour améliorer les résultats.

Selective nonoperative management of pharyngoesophageal injuries secondary to penetrating neck trauma: A single-center review of 86 cases.

BACKGROUND: This article describes our experience with penetrating pharyngoesophageal injuries (PEI) in the light of a selective conservative approach, and has the objective to define criteria for nonoperative management (NOM). METHODS: This retrospective single-center review of patients with penetrating neck injury treated for confirmed PEI over a 6-year period aimed to test our proposed hypothesis that NOM is safe for hemodynamically stable patients with PEI, who have no competing indications for exploration, have no established sepsis, and who have a water-soluble contrast swallow either showing no- or a contained extravasation. RESULTS: Eighty-six (9%) patients with PEI (oropharynx, 17; hypopharynx, 40; esophagus, 29) of 948 patients with penetrating neck injury were included. Of the cohort 38 (44%) underwent NOM (oropharynx, 15 [88%]; hypopharynx, 18 [45%]; esophagus, 5 [17%]), and 48 (56%) were managed operatively. The median length of stay was 12 days (interquartile range, 19-8). Fifteen (17%) had a persistent leak and six (7%) mediastinitis. Five (6%) patients died but only one (1%) had isolated PEI. Retrospectively, 27 patients fulfilled our proposed criteria for NOM of which 23 had been treated actively by NOM (oropharynx, 8; hypopharynx, 12; esophagus, 3). For these patients, the length of stay was 10.0 days (interquartile range, 13-6), and none developed deep wound sepsis, mediastinitis, persistent leaks, or died. Of the remaining patients treated by NOM without fulfilling the proposed criteria, two were palliated (esophagus) and 13 were managed actively (oropharynx, 7; hypopharynx, 6). Only four of these patients (oropharynx, 1; hypopharynx, 3) were assessed with water-soluble contrast swallow, which showed noncontained extravasation, and three complicated with persistent leaks. CONCLUSION: Nonoperative management of PEI is safe for a carefully selected subgroup of patients. However, most injuries to the caudal part of the cervical digestive tract mandate urgent exploration. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Clinical Management Study, Level V evidence.

The Selective Non-operative Management of Penetrating Cervical Venous Trauma is Safe and Effective.

BACKGROUND: This paper reviews our experience with penetrating cervical venous trauma and aims to validate the selective non-operative management (SNOM) of these injuries. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of a prospectively maintained registry. All patients presenting alive with an injury to the internal jugular vein, subclavian vein or innominate vein following a PNI were reviewed for a 6-year period. RESULTS: Among 817 patients admitted for the management of PNI, 76 (9.3%) had a venous injury. Of these, 37 (48.7%) patients were managed non-surgically, 20 (26.3%) required immediate surgical exploration, seven of whom had an associated arterial injury, and 19 (25%) underwent surgery following a diagnostic CTA, 16 of whom had an associated arterial or aero-digestive injury. In total, only 16 (21.1%) of the 76 patients required exploration for venous injury alone. The majority (63.2%) of patients had a history of severe bleeding or hemodynamic instability prior to arrival, but only 20 (26.3%) required immediate exploration. Two (2.6%) patients died as a result of venous injury. No patients developed complications related to the venous injury. CONCLUSIONS: SNOM is applicable to a well-defined subset of patients with isolated penetrating cervical venous trauma to the IJV and SCV identified on CTA.

The effect of HIV status on clinical outcomes of surgical sepsis in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa.

BACKGROUND: KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa (SA), has long been the epicentre of the HIV epidemic, but the impact of HIV co-infection on the clinical outcomes of emergency surgical patients with sepsis remains largely unknown. OBJECTIVE: To review our experience with the management of patients with HIV co-infection and to compare the disease spectrum and outcome with those without HIV infection. METHODS: A retrospective study was undertaken at the Pietermaritzburg Metropolitan Surgical Service (PMSS), SA over a 5-year period from January 2010 to December 2014. RESULTS: A total of 675 patients with a documented surgical source of sepsis were reviewed. Of these, 332 (49%) were male, and the mean age was 46 (standard deviation 19) years. HIV status was known in 237 (35%) patients, 146 (62%) were HIV-positive and the remaining 91 (38%) were HIV-negative. Other than tuberculosis of the abdomen being significantly more common in HIV-positive than HIV-negative patients (10% v. 2%, p=0.033), there were no differences in the spectrum of diseases between the two groups. There were no significant differences in overall morbidity or mortality. When adjusted for CD4 counts, the mortality in HIV-positive patients with a CD4 count <200 cells/µL was 60% (15/25) and in those with a CD4 count >200 cells/µL it was 2% (2/101) (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The clinical presentation and the spectrum of surgical sepsis in patients with HIV co-infection were not markedly different to those in patients who were not HIV-infected. HIV-infected patients with a CD4 count <200 cells/µL had a significantly higher mortality. Management approaches should not differ based solely on the HIV status of patients with surgical sepsis.

Civilian popliteal artery injuries.

BACKGROUND: Civilian popliteal artery injuries are associated with significant amputation rates. AIM: The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with limb loss in patients with popliteal artery injuries. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of prospectively collected data on patients with popliteal artery injuries presenting to the Trauma Centre at Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, from 1 January 1999 to 31 December 2008. Demographic data, mechanism of injury, haemodynamic status, limb viability, special investigations, associated injuries, ischaemic time, surgical treatment and amputation rates were analysed. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-six patients with popliteal artery injuries were identified. Penetrating and blunt trauma accounted for 81 (59.6%) and 55 (40.4%) injuries, respectively. Associated injuries included fractures in 66 patients (48.6%), knee dislocations in 29 (21.3%) and popliteal vein injuries in 59 (43.4%). Fifty-seven patients (41.9%) presented with a compartment syndrome. Arterial injuries were treated with reversed vein grafting in 68 patients, primary anastomosis in 33, prosthetic graft insertion in 11, and primary amputation in 7. Thirty-two patients underwent delayed amputation, giving an overall amputation rate of 37.5%. A delay of more than 7 hours of ischaemic time between injury and definitive repair (p=0.0236) and the presence of a compartment syndrome (p=0.003) were significantly associated with an increased amputation rate. CONCLUSION: The most significant factors associated with the high amputation rate of 37.5% were an ischaemic time longer than 7 hours, and the presence of a compartment syndrome.

Civilian penetrating axillary artery injuries.

BACKGROUND: The surgical management and outcome of penetrating axillary artery (AA) injuries is presented. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients presenting to Groote Schuur Hospital with penetrating AA injuries from January 2003 to December 2009 were reviewed. Demographic data, mechanism of injury, associated injuries, angiographic findings, surgical treatment, complications, and mortality were noted. RESULTS: Sixty-eight patients with AA injuries were identified from an operating trauma database. Stab and gunshot wounds accounted for 54 (79.4%) and 14 injuries, respectively. The mean Revised Trauma Score was 7.5 (range: 3.8-7.8). Angiography was done in 49 patients; false aneurysms (32) and total occlusions (15) were the two commonest findings. Primary repair of the injured AA was possible in 41 (60.3%) patients. Five AA (7.4%) injuries were ligated. Morbidity was restricted to associated brachial plexus injuries. The limb salvage rate was 100%. CONCLUSIONS: Primary repair of AA injuries was possible in 60% of patients, and ligation was life-saving in critically ill patients. The associated brachial plexus injury was the cause of major long-term morbidity.