Management of vascular injuries on ICU patients: KZN experience.

BACKGROUND: Vascular injury management remains an extremely challenging task. The fundamental principles of management are bleeding arrest and flow restoration, to avoid death and amputation. With advances in medicine, there has been a shift from ligation to primary repair which has resulted in a fall in amputation rate from 50 % in World War II to less than 2 % in civilian injuries. METHOD: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on ICU requiring polytrauma patients with vascular trauma admitted between January 2013 and December 2021. Additional data were collected prospectively from January 2022 to December 2022. All data was from an ethics approved Trauma Registry. The injury was either confirmed by imaging or via exploration. The pre-designed data proforma acquired the following variables: age, mechanism of injury, injured vessel, associated injury, management of the vessel, and management of the associated injury. The data were analysed using Stata version 17 (StataCorp, College Station TX). Frequencies and percentages were calculated to summarise numerical data An ethical clearance was granted by the University of KwaZulu-Natal BREC (BREC 0004353/2022) and the KZN Department of Health. All data were de-identified in the data collection sheet. RESULTS: There were 154 arterial injuries and 39 venous injuries. The majority, 77 (50 %) of arterial injuries were managed via open strategies, and 36 (23 %) were managed via endovascular intervention. The majority, 20 (51 %) of venous injuries underwent open ligation, and 12 (31 %) were managed non-surgically. The highest number of endovascular interventions was observed in aortic injuries. For a total of 25 aortic injuries, 22 (83 %) were managed endovascular (TEVAR) and 2 (8 %) were managed non-operatively. CONCLUSION: The choice between the endovascular and open approach depends on the injured blood vessel. The majority of venous injuries were treated with open ligation in this cohort.

Interpretation of emergency CT angiograms in vascular trauma - vascular surgeon vs radiologist.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to investigate any discrepancy in interpretation of computed tomography (CT) angiograms (CTA) in suspected traumatic arterial injury by vascular specialists and radiology specialists, and the influence of any discrepancies on patient outcome. METHODS: A prospective observational comparative study of 6-month duration was undertaken at a tertiary hospital in Durban, South Africa. Haemodynamically stable patients with suspected isolated vascular trauma admitted to a tertiary vascular surgery service who underwent a CTA on admission were reviewed. The interpretations of CTAs were compared between vascular surgeons, vascular trainees and radiology trainees with the consultant radiologist report as the gold standard comparator. RESULTS: Of 131 CTA consultant radiologist reports, the radiology registrar concurred with 89%, which was less than the vascular surgeon who correctly interpreted 120 out of 123 negative cases with three false positives. There were no false negatives or descriptive errors. A 100% sensitivity (95% CI 63.06-100) and 97.62% (95% CI 93.20-99.51) specificity was noted for the vascular surgeon. Overall agreement was 97.71 % with Cohen's kappa value = 0.83 (95% CI 0.64-1.00) indicating very good agreement. Apart from three negative direct angiograms, patient management and outcome were not impacted by the vascular surgeons' errors in interpretation. CONCLUSION: There is very good inter-observer agreement in the interpretation of CTAs in trauma between the vascular surgeon and radiologist with no negative impact on patient outcome.

Approach to the diagnosis and management of snakebite envenomation in South Africa in humans.

Snakebites occur in the community, not in the Emergency Unit. As such it is important to understand the first-aid concepts and pre-hospital emergency care aspects of this neglected disease. This article will highlight the concepts for emergency care within the context of the current pre-hospital arena and in light of the recent South African Snakebite Symposium consensus meeting held in July 2022, where wilderness rescue, emergency medical services and other medical participants agreed through evidence review and consensus debate on the current best approaches to care of the snakebite victim outside the hospital environment.

Variables required for the audit of quality completion of patient report forms by EMS-A scoping review.

Introduction: This review aimed to compile a list of essential variables from the patient assessment, care provided out-of-hospital and the patient handover over process that should be recorded on a Patient Report Form (PRF). A scoping review was conducted to identify articles concerning the recording of medical information on the PRF in the prehospital environment. Methods: A three-step search strategy was used to systemically search published literature. A Boolean method using synonymous phrases related to patient handover variables required for PRF competition was developed based on an initial online search of key phrases. Using the Boolean phrase, a scoping review (guided by a protocol developed a priori) was conducted. The search was conducted using PubMed, CINAHL, Summon and Scopus. A PCC framework was used to guide the inclusion criteria of identified articles. Results: The database search yielded 2461 results. Duplicates (n = 736), articles published prior to the year 2000 (n = 260), and non-English results (n = 30) were removed. The remaining 1435 articles underwent title and abstract screening to determine the relevance to the study topic. This resulted in articles apparently relevant to the study (n = 47) and these underwent full-text review. Following full-text review 25 articles were included in the study. Patient related information and variables detailing the condition of the patient, including, patient demographics, vital signs, patient assessment and treatment initiated and the manner in which this information is transferred during the patient handover are factors that are important during patient hand over. Conclusion: The information on the PRF prevents potential loss of critical patient information and details of the patient's condition and treatment from the prehospital field. The development of an appropriate checklist to quality assure PRF's by ensuring that all vital information is captured on the PRF is proposed.

The spectrum and outcome of paediatric emergency surgical admissions - a regional hospital analysis.

BACKGROUND: Improving emergency surgical care for children requires information on the causes of admissions and the variables affecting outcome. There is a lack of such data in the South African context. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted from January 2016 to December 2017. Data was collected on all children (< 12 years of age) requiring admission with emergency surgical conditions. Infrastructure and staffing ratios were determined prior to data collection. Information was sourced from admission and discharge books, patient files and theatre registers. Variables of age, sex, referral source, diagnosis, length of stay, surgical treatment and outcome including death were collected. RESULTS: Four hundred and thirty-five of the 1 048 children (42%) admitted were in the 0-2-year age group. Trauma (258), sepsis (564) and burns (226) were the main causes. The median hospital stay was 3 days (IQR 2-5), however, for burns patients, the median stay was 4 days (IQR 2-9). Surgery was performed on 279 (27%) admissions. Eight (0.8%) died, six of which were due to burns. Clinical status prior to death was poorly documented. A dedicated high care unit and burns isolation rooms were lacking. Surgeon/population and child/nurse ratios were respectively 1.48/100 000 and 7-12/1. CONCLUSION: This study found that the emergency paediatric surgical burden is significant. Sepsis and trauma combined are the leading cause of emergency admissions. Burns had the highest mortality. Although mortality was low, improvements of staff to patient ratios and the institution of an early warning system could reduce mortality.

Establishing a South African national framework for COVID-19 surgical prioritisation.

BACKGROUND: Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, surgical operations have been drastically reduced in South Africa (SA). Guidelines on surgical prioritisation during COVID-19 have been published, but are specific to high-income countries. There is a pressing need for context-specific guidelines and a validated tool for prioritising surgical cases during the COVID-19 pandemic. In March 2020, the South African National Surgical Obstetric Anaesthesia Plan Task Team was asked by the National Department of Health to establish a national framework for COVID-19 surgical prioritisation. OBJECTIVES: To develop a national framework for COVID-19 surgical prioritisation, including a set of recommendations and a risk calculatorfor operative care. METHODS: The surgical prioritisation framework was developed in three stages: (i) a literature review of international, national and local recommendations on COVID-19 and surgical care was conducted; (ii) a set of recommendations was drawn up based on the available literature and through consensus of the COVID-19 Task Team; and (iii) a COVID-19 surgical risk calculator was developed and evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 30 documents were identified from which recommendations around prioritisation of surgical care were used to draw up six recommendations for preoperative COVID-19 screening and testing as well as the use of appropriate personal protective equipment. Ninety-nine perioperative practitioners from eight SA provinces evaluated the COVID-19 surgical risk calculator, which had high acceptability and a high level of concordance (81%) with current clinical practice. CONCLUSIONS: This national framework on COVID-19 surgical prioritisation can help hospital teams make ethical, equitable and personalised decisions whether to proceed with or delay surgical operations during this unprecedented epidemic.

Intensive care unit hospitalisation costs associated with road traffic crashes at a central hospital in KwaZulu-Natal for the 2017/18 financial year.

BACKGROUND: The financial and physical impacts of road traffic crashes are borne by the individual, the extended family, society, the health sector and the economy of the country. The main contributors to these costs are the loss of productivity and the accrual of ongoing healthcare costs over a long-term period. There is limited information available on the cost of admitting seriously injured patients post accidents to a central hospital intensive care unit. METHODS: Cost data was obtained from the electronic database for all patients admitted for more than 24 hours to the trauma intensive care unit at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital. A mixed costing approach was used. Data was collected on surgical procedures, imaging, laboratory tests, trauma receiving fees, pharmaceuticals, goods and services and compensation of employees. RESULTS: The total cost of treating road traffic crash patients for the 2017/18 financial year equated to R21 140 475.49. The three main cost drivers comprised the compensation of employees (R12 135 848.41; 57.4%), goods and services (R5 083 182.12; 24%) and surgery costs (R1 429 321.00; 6.8%). The average cost per admission was R163 879.65, with the average cost per inpatient day equating to R12 727.56. Male patients admitted from motorcycle crashes had the highest cost per admission, followed by motor vehicle crashes and pedestrian vehicle crashes. CONCLUSION: The cost and burden associated with road traffic crashes is reflective of national and international trends and will require a comprehensive strategy to reduce accidents as well as better management at the scene and at lower levels of care.

Comparative outcome analysis of trauma and non-trauma emergency laparotomy using a modified NELA tool format.

BACKGROUND: Emergency laparotomy (EL) encompasses a diverse range of procedures that general surgeons commonly perform for both trauma and non-trauma related conditions in South Africa (SA). Despite differences in the underlying pathology and influence of the surgical procedure, these patients share one care pathway for preoperative, operative and postoperative care. This study reviewed patients undergoing trauma EL and non-trauma EL in a general surgery setting at a rural KwaZulu-Natal tertiary hospital to compare results between the groups using a modified National Emergency Laparotomy Audit (NELA) tool format. METHODS: Consecutive adult patients undergoing midline EL at Ngwelezana Hospital between 1 March and 31 May 2018 were included. Patient factors analysed were demographic data (age, gender) and risk factors: National Confidential Enquiry into Perioperative Deaths (NCEPOD) grade, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade, and comorbidity. Process of care factors included grade of the physician, time to surgery, time of surgery and duration of surgery. The primary outcome measure was mortality. Secondary outcome measures were intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, complications, and length of stay (LOS) > 14 days. RESULTS: The study included 110 participants who met the inclusion criteria representing a total of 174 laparotomies. The trauma EL group had lower ASA grades (p = 0.003), less comorbidities (p = 0.002), more often went to theatre within six hours (42/56; 75.0%) (p < 0.001), more admissions to ICU (23/56; 41.1%) (p < 0.001), more complications (29/56; 51.8%) (p = 0.039), and higher length of stay > 14 days (16/56; 28.6%) (p = 0.037). CONCLUSION: The trauma EL group represents a high-risk group for morbidity and mortality at Ngwelezana Hospital.

The value of immediate postoperative radiographs following fluoroscopically-guided orthopaedic surgery in a polytrauma ICU setting in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

BACKGROUND: Radiographic imaging remains a cornerstone of orthopaedic practice. Traditional control X-Rays are routinely requested after procedures. These X-rays may add little value in post-op evaluation of trauma ICU patients, in light of intra-operative screening already performed and reviewed, but has high potential morbidity risk. AIM: The aim is to determine if patients undergoing extra-articular fracture fixation, with fluoroscopic image guidance, require any management change due to immediate check x-rays findings. METHOD: Electronic patient and imaging records from January 2015 to November 2019 at a Trauma-specific ICU at a Trauma Society of South Africa accredited, Level 1 Trauma Unit were reviewed retrospectively. All patients matching the inclusion criteria were evaluated to determine if there were any complications and changes in management after the check X-Rays. RESULTS: There were 103 ICU patients identified with a mean age of 32 years (3 to 94). Fifty-seven percent had fluoroscopy images as well as post-operative check x-rays and 51.5% had only check X-rays. Only two cases needed revision surgery based on the control x-ray findings. The post-operative x-ray did not alter the management of 98.1% of our patients. CONCLUSION: In this study, routine post-op check x-rays did not add significant additional information to warrant early additional surgical intervention especially in ICU patients with adequate intra-operative fluoroscopy images. This investigation should be ordered for individual patients based on clinical grounds. This will help minimize patient exposure to avoidable radiation, labour intensive transfers to the radiology department, and decrease investigations that have financial implications but with limited benefits.

Renal trauma in a Trauma Intensive Care Unit population.

BACKGROUND: For the majority of renal injuries, non-operative management is the standard of care with nephrectomy reserved for those with severe trauma. This study in a dedicated Trauma Intensive Care Unit (TICU) population aimed to assess the outcomes of renal injuries and identify factors that predict the need for nephrectomy. METHODS: Patients, older than 18 years, admitted to TICU from January 2007 to December 2014 who sustained renal injuries had data extracted from the prospectively collected Class Approved Trauma Registry (BCA207-09). Patients who underwent surgical intervention for the renal injury or received non-operative management were compared. The key variables analysed were: patient demographics, mechanism of injury, grade of renal injury, presenting haemoglobin, initial systolic blood pressure, Injury Severity Score and Renal Injury AAST Grade on CT scan in patients who did not necessarily require immediate surgery, or at surgery in those patients who needed emergency laparotomy. RESULTS: There were 74 confirmed renal injuries. There were 42 low grade injuries (grade I-III) and 32 high grade injuries (5 grade IV and 27 grade V). Twenty-six (35%) had a nephrectomy: 24 with grade V injuries and 2 with grade IV injuries required nephrectomy. Six patients in the high injury grade arm had non-operative management. A low haemoglobin, low systolic blood pressure, higher injury severity score, and a high-grade renal injury, as well as increasing age were positive predictors for nephrectomy in trauma patients with renal injury. CONCLUSION: Non-operative management is a viable option with favourable survival rates in lower grade injury; however, complications should be anticipated and managed accordingly. High grade injuries predict the need for surgery.

A review of the complications encountered in a quaternary trauma intensive care unit in South Africa

Background: Due to the invasive nature required for support and multiple therapeutic interventions, critically ill patients are at high risk of complications unrelated to their underlying illness or injury. This audit aimed to describe the spectrum of complications in a trauma intensive care unit, to identify potential remedial interventions to improve quality of care and reduce morbidityMethods: Complications in the Trauma Intensive Care Unit at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital are documented prospectively on a specific proforma. A 12-month audit was performed between 2012­2013. Complications were divided into septic and non-septic adverse events and the relationship to injury severity, time of onset and outcome were analysed.Results: Of 283 patients admitted during the study period, 77 (32.5%) suffered a total of 161 adverse events. Ninety-seven (60.2%) complications were sepsis-related and 64 (39.2%) were unrelated to sespis. Ventilator-associated pneumonia was the commonest septic event (38.1%) and extubation-related events the most frequent non-septic complication (45.3%). The number of complications ranged from one in the majority of patients (49.4%) to 6 (3.9%) in 3 patients. There was no significant difference in mortality between those with (24.7%) or without (17.4%) complications (p = 0.22) however, those with complications had a significantly longer length of ICU stay (p < 0.001).Conclusion: Complications are common in the critically injured who necessitate admission to an intensive care unit. The vast majority arise from infective causes, especially ventilator-associated pneumonia. Adverse events related to the endotracheal tube are the commonest non-infective events. The identification of these adverse events should prompt interventions aimed at reducing the incidence

Intra-abdominal injury identified by CTA in stable blunt polytrauma patients

Background: Patients with multiple injuries are a challenge to evaluate and to exclude abdominal injury, especially those who are intubated and sedated. Ultrasound is a screening tool and peritoneal lavage is unreliable. The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of intra-abdominal injury and describe the subsequent management after CT "panscan" in patients sustaining blunt trauma with injuries both above the thoracic and below the pelvic diaphragm. Methods: In a retrospective analysis anonymised patient data were extracted from a prospective ethics approved database of patients admitted to the level I Trauma Unit at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital for the period from April 2007 to March 2011. Blunt polytrauma patients, aged 2 years and older with injuries above the diaphragm and below the pelvic floor were included, provided they were investigated by a full-body trauma Computed Tomography contrast study. Descriptive statistics were employed for all variables of interest, with counts/frequencies and associated percentages being reported. Results: Of 284 patients with injuries above the thoracic and below the pelvic diaphragm, 87 (30.6%) had intra-abdominal injury and 197 (69.4%) had no intra-abdominal injuries. Of those 87 patients, 54 (62.1%) were treated non-operatively and 33 (37.9%) were treated surgically with regard to their abdominal injuries. Twenty (22.9%) patients died, 4 due to intra-abdominal injuries and 16 due to of extra-abdominal injuries. Nine (45%) of the twenty patients who died were treated operatively for intra-abdominal injuries and the remaining 11 (55%) were treated non-operatively.Conclusion: Around thirty percent of patients with injuries above the thoracic and below the pelvic diaphragm had concomitant intra-abdominal injuries. Of those with abdominal injury, just over half required laparotomy. For haemodynamically stable patients CT scanning identified those who require surgical intervention and those who may be managed non-operatively, therefore liberal CT-scanning is advisable for this patient group

Five year review of open radical nephrectomies at a regional hospital in South Africa: room for improvement.

BACKGROUND: To review the presentation and outcomes of patients undergoing open radical nephrectomy (ORN) for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) at a regional hospital in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. METHOD: A retrospective chart review was performed of patients having undergone nephrectomy at St Aidan's hospital between 2010 and 2015, focusing on those with RCC. Demographic, operative, histopathology and outcomes data were collected. RESULTS: Fifty-two patients (51%) had ORN for suspected malignant disease. Forty-one RCCs were found including one incidental finding at simple nephrectomy. Data was insufficient to assess risk factors for RCC. HIV positive patients tended to present earlier (45 vs. 53 years). The mean tumour size was 10 cm and organ confined disease was present in 73.2% of patients. Only 11 patients (26.8%) had pT1 disease. The high-grade complication rate was 9.8%, in-hospital mortality rate 4.9% and transfusion rate 51.2%. The median operating time was 1h 50min and length of hospital stay 13 days. CONCLUSION: Open radical nephrectomy is the standard surgical treatment for RCC at regional level in South Africa. Patients tend to present at a younger age, particularly if HIV positive, and with large tumours. Further research into risk factors for RCC in the South African population is needed. There are high complication and transfusion rates in patients undergoing ORN. Review of accessibility of blood at St Aidan's hospital and revision of the transfusion protocol is suggested. A followup study to assess the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of laparoscopic nephrectomy in the resource-constrained South African environment is necessary.

Five year review of open radical nephrectomies at a regional hospital in South Africa: room for improvement

Background:To review the presentation and outcomes of patients undergoing open radical nephrectomy (ORN) for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) at a regional hospital in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.Methods:A retrospective chart review was performed of patients having undergone nephrectomy at St Aidan's hospital between 2010 and 2015, focusing on those with RCC. Demographic, operative, histopathology and outcomes data were collected.Results:Fifty-two patients (51%) had ORN for suspected malignant disease. Forty-one RCCs were found including one incidental finding at simple nephrectomy. Data was insufficient to assess risk factors for RCC. HIV positive patients tended to present earlier (45 vs. 53 years). The mean tumour size was 10 cm and organ confined disease was present in 73.2% of patients. Only 11 patients (26.8%) had pT1 disease. The high-grade complication rate was 9.8%, in-hospital mortality rate 4.9% and transfusion rate 51.2%. The median operating time was 1h 50min and length of hospital stay 13 days.Conclusions:Open radical nephrectomy is the standard surgical treatment for RCC at regional level in South Africa. Patients tend to present at a younger age, particularly if HIV positive, and with large tumours. Further research into risk factors for RCC in the South African population is needed. There are high complication and transfusion rates in patients undergoing ORN. Review of accessibility of blood at St Aidan's hospital and revision of the transfusion protocol is suggested. A follow-up study to assess the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of laparoscopic nephrectomy in the resource-constrained South African environment is necessary

Hepatic dysfunction: A common occurrence in severely injured patients.

BACKGROUND: Hepatic dysfunction (HD) is a common finding in critically ill patients. The underlying pathophysiological process is one of either cholestasis or hypoxic liver injury (HLI). Using serum bilirubin, our study aimed to determine the incidence of HD in a critically ill trauma population, identify risk factors and analyse the impact on outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective observational study was performed on all patients admitted to the Level 1 Trauma Unit ICU at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital in Durban, South Africa (IALCH) from 01/01/2012 until 31/12/2012. HD was defined as a total bilirubin greater than 34.2µmol/l (2mg/dL). Additional demographic, physiological, biochemical, and pharmaceutical risk factors for hepatic dysfunction were identified and recorded. RESULTS: Two hundred and twenty five patients were included in the study of whom 48 (21.3%) developed HD. An increased duration of ventilation (median 15days [inter-quartile range 6-19] vs 6days [IQR 3-11] p<0.001), prolonged length of stay (median 19days [IQR 8.5-31] vs 7days [IQR 3-13] p<0.001), and higher mortality rate (31.3% vs. 14.7% p=0.01) were all significantly associated with HD. Shock on admission was twice as common in patients developing HD (p<0.001). The only drugs associated with HD were piperacillin-tazobactam (p<0.001) and enalapril (p=0.04). On multivariable analysis however, HD was not associated with mortality. CONCLUSION: HD was common in our study population, and was associated with other organ dysfunction, increased mortality and length of stay.

Validation of the mortality prediction equation for damage control surgery in an independent severe trauma population.

BACKGROUND: A prediction model was developed in Cape Town which utilised age, preoperative lowest pH and lowest core body temperature to derive an equation for the purpose of predicting mortality in damage control surgery. It was shown to reliably predict death despite damage control surgery. The equation derivation dataset and the validation set showed the equation to have 100% positive predictive value (PPV) for both datasets and 24% sensitivity. The aim of the study was to validate the prediction model in an independent dataset from a prospective trauma registry. METHOD: Retrospective analysis of an ethics-approved prospectively collected database and electronic medical records was performed on trauma patients undergoing damage control surgery at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, Durban, between 2007 and 2013. Age, lowest preoperative core body temperature and the pH of the patients were analysed using the previously derived equation. The output from the equation was then classified as a prediction of death, based on the obtained values, and then compared to the actual outcome of whether the patients survived or died. RESULTS: A total of 48 patient records were analysed in the study. Twenty-nine patients in the cohort died. The equation predicted mortality in only four cases, of whom three died and one survived (75% PPV and 10% sensitivity). The unexpected survivor reduced the PPV to 75%, compared to 100% PPV achieved in the original study. CONCLUSION: The results of this study were inconsistent with those of the original study, and the 0.500 cut-off value used in the equation yielded PPV and sensitivity which were relatively non-clinically useful for the average patient in this cohort.

Blunt cardiac injury in critically ill trauma patients: a single centre experience.

PURPOSE: This study describes the incidence and outcomes of blunt cardiac injury (BCI) in a single trauma intensive care unit (TICU), together with the spectrum of thoracic injuries and cardiac abnormalities seen in BCI. METHODS: We performed a retrospective observational study of 169 patients with blunt thoracic trauma admitted from January 2010 to April 2013. BCI was diagnosed using an elevated serum troponin in the presence of either clinical, ECG or transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) abnormalities in keeping with BCI. The mechanism of injury, associated thoracic injuries and TTE findings in these patients are reported. RESULTS: The incidence of BCI among patients with blunt thoracic trauma was 50% (n=84). BCI patients had higher injury severity scores (ISS) (median 37 [IQR 29-47]; p=0.001) and higher admission serum lactate levels (median 3.55 [IQR 2.4-6.2], p=0.008). In patients with BCI, the median serum TnI level was 2823ng/L (IQR 1353-6833), with the highest measurement of 64950ng/L. TTEs were performed on 38 (45%) patients with BCI, of whom 30 (79%) had abnormalities. Patients with BCI had a higher mortality (32% vs. 16%; p=0.028) and trended towards a longer length of stay (17.0 days [standard deviation (SD) 13.5] vs. 13.6 days [SD 12.0]; p=0.084). CONCLUSIONS: BCI was associated with an increased mortality and a trend towards a longer length of stay in this study. It is a clinically relevant diagnosis which requires a high index of suspicion. Screening of high risk patients with significant blunt thoracic trauma for BCI with serum troponins should be routine practise. Patients diagnosed with BCI should undergo more advanced imaging such as TTE or TOE to exclude significant cardiac structural injury.

The incidence and outcomes of acute kidney injury amongst patients admitted to a level I trauma unit.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify the incidence and outcomes of patients with trauma related acute kidney injury (AKI), as defined by RIFLE criteria, at a single level I trauma centre and trauma ICU. METHODS: We performed a retrospective observational study of 666 patients admitted to a trauma ICU from a level I trauma unit from March 2008 to March 2011. We conducted multivariable logistic regression to identify independent predictors for AKI and mortality. RESULTS: The overall incidence of AKI was 15% (n=102). Median injury severity score (ISS) was 25 (inter quartile range [IQR] 16-34) and mean age was 39 (SD 16.3) in the AKI group. Thirteen patients (13%) were referred with rhabdomyolysis associated renal Failure. Overall mortality in the AKI group was 57% (n=58) but was significantly lower in the rhabdomyolysis Failure group (23% versus 64%; p=0.012). AKI was independently associated with older age, base excess (BE)<-12 (odd ratio [OR] 22.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.89-276.16), IV contrast administration (OR 2.7 95% CI 1.39-5.11) and blunt trauma (OR 2.2 95% CI 1.04-4.71). AKI was an independent predictor of mortality (OR 8.5, 95% CI 4.51-15.95). Thirty-nine (38%) patients required renal replacement therapy. CONCLUSIONS: AKI in critically ill trauma patients is an independent risk factor for mortality and is independently associated with increasing age and low BE. Renal replacement therapy utilisation is high in this group and represents a significant health care cost burden.

Vascular injuries following blunt polytrauma.

INTRODUCTION: Motor vehicle collisions account for the majority of blunt vascular trauma. Much of the literature describes the management of these injuries in isolation, and there is little information concerning the incidence and outcome in patients suffering multiple trauma. This study was undertaken to describe the spectrum of blunt vascular injuries in polytrauma patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients who had sustained blunt vascular trauma over a 6-year period (April 2007-March 2013) were identified from a prospectively gathered database at the Level I Trauma Unit, Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, Durban, South Africa. The retrieved data consisted of age, sex, mechanism of injury, referral source, Injury Severity Score (ISS), New Injury Severity Score (NISS), time from injury to admission, surgical intervention and outcome. The initial investigation of choice for patients sustaining multiple injuries was computed tomography (CT) angiography if they were physiologically stable, followed by directed angiography if there was doubt concerning any vascular lesion. If technically feasible, endovascular stenting was the preferred option for both aortic and peripheral vascular injuries. RESULTS: Of 1,033 patients who suffered blunt polytrauma, 61 (5.9 %) sustained a total of 67 blunt vascular injuries. Motor vehicle collisions accounted for 92 % of the injuries. The median ISS was 34 [interquartile range (IQR) 24-43]. The distribution of blunt vascular injuries was extremity (21), thorax (20), abdomen and pelvis (19), and head and neck (7). Endovascular repair was employed in 12 patients (ten blunt aortic injury, one carotid-cavernous sinus fistula, one external iliac artery). Of the extremity injuries, primary amputation was undertaken in 8 (38.1 %) and secondary amputation in 2 (9.5 %). The total amputation rate was 48 %. There were 17 (28.3 %) deaths, of which 11 (64.7 %) were directly attributable to the vascular injury and 6 (35.3 %) of these occurred on the operating table from exsanguination, the majority from injuries to the abdominal vena cava. CONCLUSIONS: Blunt vascular injury is uncommon in the patient with multiple trauma but confers substantial morbidity and mortality. In those cases with peripheral injuries, delays in referral to definitive care frequently exceed the ischaemic time, resulting in a high rate of amputations. Central injuries, especially those of the vena cava, account for the majority of directly attributable deaths.