Management of thoracoabdominal gunshot injuries by using minimally invasive surgery at role 2 deployed field hospitals in Ukraine.

The Russia-Ukraine war is associated with critical and severe thoracoabdominal injuries. A more specific approach to treating patients with thoracoabdominal injury should also include minimally invasive technologies. It remains unclear about the utility of using video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and laparoscopy in patients with thoracoabdominal injury. The aim of this study was to investigate and evaluate the utility of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, laparoscopy as well as magnetic tool applications for the management of severe thoracoabdominal injury in combat patients injured in the ongoing war in Ukraine and treated in the Role 2 deployed hospital. Patients and methods 36 male combat patients thoracoabdominal injury were identified for the study during the first 100 days from February, 24 2022. These individuals were diagnosed with thoracoabdominal GSW in the Role 2 hospital (i.e. deployed military hospital) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Video-assisted thoracoscopy surgery (VATS) and laparoscopy with application of surgical magnetic tools were applied with regards to the damage control resuscitation and damage control surgery. Results In 10 (28%) patients, VATS was applied to remove the metal foreign body fragments. Both thoracotomy and laparotomy were performed in 20 (56%) hemodynamically unstable patients. Of these 20 patients, the suturing of the liver was performed in 8 (22%) patients, whereas peri-hepatic gauze packing in 12 (33%) patients. Massive injury to the liver and PI 2.0-3.0 were diagnosed in 2 (6%) patients. Lethal outcome was in 1 (2.8%) patient. Conclusions Thoracoabdominal gunshot injuries might be managed at Role 2 hospitals by using video-assisted thoracoscopy (VATS) and laparoscopy accompanied by surgical magnetic tools. Damage control surgery and damage control resuscitation must be applied for patients in critical and severe conditions.

Management of a Transaxial, Tricompartmental Gunshot Injury in a Low-Resource Tertiary-Care Center in the Anglosphere Caribbean.

Trauma, both penetrating and blunt, consists of a significant percentage of surgical admissions in Caribbean hospitals. Due to financial constraints, ideal resources for optimal surgical management are not always available. Despite these disadvantages, successful outcomes for complex, emergent cases are achieved through a combination of timely clinical assessment, intervention, and ingenuity in using the resources at hand. In this case report, we describe a 17-year-old male who suffered major visceral injuries and presented in extremis from a single gunshot wound. While fleeing the scene of a crime, he was shot in his right pelvis, with the projectile exiting his left thorax. Injuries matching a transaxial gunshot trajectory that crossed the diaphragm and involved the pelvic, abdominal, and thoracic cavities were found on exploratory laparotomy. He survived through prompt surgical intervention and aggressive resuscitation during his postoperative intensivist care, a resource often unavailable in this setting. The patient's prognosis would have been guarded even in a developed country setting. This case highlights the potential that Caribbean healthcare institutes possess, and that given an improvement in resources, we can aim to match a developed country's standard of healthcare.

Injury mechanisms and injury severity scores as determinants of urban terrorism-related thoracoabdominal injuries.

Objectives: Improving the care of injuries resulting from terrorist attacks requires understanding injury mechanisms in armed conflicts. The aim of this study was to identify injury characteristics in military personnel with thoracoabdominal combat injuries resulting from terrorist attacks in urban settings. Material and Methods: A retrospective study of military personnel with thoracoabdominal injuries who were referred to a tertiary center after treating and stabilizing at a primary healthcare organization due to terror-related injuries in various urban regions of Turkey between June 2015 and December 2016 was performed. Results: A total of 70 patients were included in this study, of whom 87.1% were injured by explosives and 12.9% (n= 9) had gunshot wounds (GSWs). Mean injury severity score (ISS) was 21, blood transfusion amount was 3.7 units, and mortality rate was 8.5%. Patients injured by explosives had most commonly abdominal and extremity injuries (31.1%), whereas isolated abdominal injuries (55.6%) were observed among patients with GSWs. There were no significant differences between the mechanisms of injuries and the ISS, blood transfusion, and mortality (p= 0.635, p= 0.634, and p= 0.770, respectively). A significant correlation was observed between the ISS and transfusion amounts (r= 0.548, p <0.001). Mortality was significantly higher in those with a high ISS and those undergoing massive blood transfusions (p= 0.004 and p <0.001, respectively). Conclusion: Explosive injuries, concomitant vascular injuries, high ISS, and the need for massive transfusions increased the mortality rate in urban combat injuries. To quickly identify high-risk patients and improve the care of injuries, it is essential to use predictive models or scoring systems.

Biliopleural fistula after penetrating thoracoabdominal injury: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Biliopleural fistula is a rare complication of thoraco-abdominal injury. Due to its rarity, the experience of any one surgeon is minimal, there is a paucity of literature regarding optimal treatment. This case report can be an addition to the existing reports to guide surgeons in better understanding and management of such cases. CASE PRESENTATION: A 30 yrs old male patient presented 2 weeks after he sustained gunshot injury over the right posterior chest. He was referred to our hospital because there was bilious chest tube output. Thoracotomy was done and finding was 10 cm right diaphragmatic defect with lacerated liver oozing bile and subcapsular hematoma that herniated into chest. Clotted blood had trapped the lung with pleural peel. Clot evacuation, decortication, biliary leak and liver laceration repair was done. The diaphragmatic defect was then closed. Patient had smooth postoperative course. DISCUSSION: Patients with BPF after thoracoabdominal injury can present with shortness of breath, bile output through chest tube and pleural effusion. Since bile has corrosive effect on lung with subsequent complications like empyema and bronchobiliary fistula, early diagnosis and treatment are imperative. BPF after thoracoabdominal injury can be effectively managed with thoracotomy, decortication and closure of diaphragmatic defect. CONCLUSION: Biliopleural fistula is uncommon after penetrating thoraco-abdominal injury and high index of suspicion and early diagnosis are of paramount importance to prevent complication. Surgery is best treatment option to stop biliary leak, close the diaphragmatic defect, manage further injuries in the chest and release trapped lung.

Can invasive diagnostic methods be reduced by magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of diaphragmatic injuries in left thoracoabdominal penetrating injuries?

Aim: In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in detecting diaphragmatic injury by comparing preoperative computed tomography (CT) and MRI imaging results with diagnostic laparoscopy/thoracoscopy results in patients with left thoracoabdominal penetrating injury. We investigated whether MRI reduces the rate of unnecessary surgery by examining its sensitivity and specificity. Materials and Methods: Patients with left thoracoabdominal penetrating injuries who applied to the Emergency Surgery Unit of Istanbul University Istanbul Faculty of Medicine between November 2017 and December 2020 were evaluated. Patients who underwent emergency surgery, who could not undergo MRI or CT for any reason or who could not be operated on were excluded from the study. Preoperative MRI and CT images of patients who underwent diagnostic laparoscopy/thoracoscopy due to left thoracoabdominal injury in our clinic were evaluated retrospectively by a radiologist who did not know the surgical results. MRI results of the cases were compared with surgical findings and CT images. Results: A total of 43 (41 males, mean age: 31, range: 15-57) patients were included in the study. The most common physical examination finding was lateral injury. The diaphragmatic injury was detected in 13 (30%) cases during surgical interventions. Laparoscopic repair was performed in 11 (84%) cases and thoracoscopic repair was performed in 2 (15%) cases with diaphragmatic injuries. MRI images of 14 (32%) cases were found to be compatible with diaphragmatic injury, in 1 of them no injury was observed during surgical intervention. According to these data, the sensitivity of MRI was calculated as 100%, specificity 94%, positive predictive value 86%, and negative predictive value 100%. The mean hospital stay was 6 days (1-30) in all cases. Conclusion: In our study, MRI was found to have high specificity and sensitivity in detecting diaphragmatic injuries. The number of negative laparoscopy/thoracoscopy can be reduced by performing surgical intervention only in cases with positive or suspected diaphragmatic injury on MRI. Results should be supported by conducting new studies with larger case series with normal MRI findings and long follow-ups.

"Pop in a scope": attempt to decrease the rate of unnecessary nontherapeutic laparotomies in hemodynamically stable patients with thoracoabdominal penetrating injuries.

BACKGROUND: Management of patients with thoracoabdominal penetrating injuries is challenging. Thoracoabdominal penetrating trauma may harbor hollow viscus injuries in both thoracic and abdominal cavities and occult diaphragmatic lesions. While radiological tests show poor diagnostic performance in these situations, evaluation by laparoscopy is highly sensitive and specific. Furthermore, minimally invasive surgery may avoid unnecessary laparotomies, despite concerns regarding complication and missed injury rates. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the diagnostic and therapeutic performance of laparoscopy in stable patients with thoracoabdominal penetrating injuries. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of hemodynamically stable patients with thoracoabdominal penetrating wounds was managed by laparoscopy. We collected data regarding the profile of the patients, the presence of diaphragmatic injury, perioperative complications, and the conversion rate. Preoperative imaging tests were compared to laparoscopy in terms of diagnostic accuracy. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients were included, and 26 (84%) were victims of a stab wound. Mean age was 32 years. Ninety-three percent were male. Diaphragmatic lesions were present in 18 patients (58%), and 13 (42%) had associated injuries. There were no missed injuries and no conversions. Radiography and computerized tomography yielded an accuracy of 52% and 75%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopy is a safe diagnostic and therapeutic procedure in stable patients with thoracoabdominal penetrating wound, with low complication rate, and may avoid unnecessary laparotomies. The poor diagnostic performance of preoperative imaging exams supports routine laparoscopic evaluation of the diaphragm to exclude injuries in these patients.

Diaphragm and transdiaphragmatic injuries.

The incidence of traumatic diaphragmatic rupture (TDR) is around 0.5% of all trauma patients, located more frequently on the left side (80%), with penetrating trauma being more predominantly the cause (63%) than blunt injuries (37%). TDR typically develops during thoracoabdominal injuries and outcome depends on the severity of the associated organ lesion. Diagnosis is sometimes very difficult: chest X-ray can verify TDR in only 25-70% of cases, although the specificity of a multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) is 100% and 83% for left and right-sided ruptures, respectively. When TDR is a part of a polytrauma, the management of the patient must follow the ATLS (Advanced Trauma Life Support) protocol and surgery is rarely based on the primary survey. The usual scenario involves cases detected during the secondary survey. In acute cases approach is determined by the site of the life-threatening injuries. In the daily surgical routine, in cases of acute TDR, laparotomy provides the best approach to manage the associated abdominal injuries and diaphragmatic rupture. Alternatively a transthoracic approach offer access to reconstruction in cases of delayed. A transdiaphragmatic procedure is offered when during an exploration (laparotomy or thoracotomy), any sign of an injury (bleeding, perforation) is verified through the rupture of the diaphragm in the other cavity (abdomen or chest and vice versa): the injury via a transdiaphragmatic way can be managed. Usually, a simple and small rupture up to 5-6 cm can be reconstructed with No. 0 or 1 monofilament non-absorbable or absorbable interrupted sutures, while for larger defects, interrupted figure-of-eight or horizontal mattress sutures are required. Mesh prosthesis is rarely needed.

Laparoscopic approach to the management of penetrating traumatic diaphragmatic injury.

BACKGROUND: Traditionally, laparotomy/thoracotomy is the standard approach for thoracoabdominal injuries. However, it has a non-therapeutic rate of 12-40% and 40% morbidity. Laparoscopy, as a diagnostic and therapeutic modality, has evolved to be integral to general and subspecialty surgeons in the management of patients. However, its use in the field of trauma surgery has been limited. We present a case of traumatic diaphragmatic injury from a low velocity penetrating wound successfully repaired through laparoscopic approach. CASE PRESENTATION: A 20 year old male, presented with a traumatic diaphragmatic injury secondary to a low velocity penetrating injury. A computed tomographic scan revealed a tear on the left diaphragm with the superior pole of the spleen and omentum eviscerating through. He subsequently underwent diagnostic laparoscopy and primary repair of the diaphragmatic injury. His recovery was uneventful and he was discharged on the third postoperative day. CONCLUSION: A review of current literature and our case suggest that the use of laparoscopy for the management of penetrating thoracoabdominal injuries is continually evolving and has shown to be a promising approach compared to traditional laparotomy in carefully selected patients. Laparoscopic repair of penetrating traumatic diaphragmatic injuries is a safe and expedient option for hemodynamically stable patients.

Hernia diafragmática traumática / Traumatic diaphragmatic hernia in an adult

Se describe el caso clínico de una paciente de 48 años de edad, quien había sufrido traumatismo toracoabdominal izquierdo cerrado desde hacía 8 meses, la cual fue ingresada en el Hospital "Dr. Ambrosio Grillo Portuondo" de Santiago de Cuba por presentar dolor abdominal en hipocondrio izquierdo, de un mes de evolución. Los exámenes imagenológicos realizados confirmaron que se trataba de una hernia diafragmática izquierda, con presencia del ángulo esplénico del colon en el hemitórax izquierdo. La fémina fue intervenida quirúrgicamente y egresó sin complicaciones.

The case report of a 48-year-old woman is described, who had left blunt thoracoabdominal injury for 8 months and was admitted to "Dr. Ambrosio Grillo Portuondo" Hospital of Santiago de Cuba to present with abdominal pain in left hypochondrium a month earlier. Imaging tests confirmed a left diaphragmatic hernia with presence of splenic flexure in the left hemithorax. She underwent surgery and was discharged without complications.

Early diagnosis and treatment of combined thoracoabdominal injury / 中华创伤杂志

Objective To summarize the experience in early diagnosis and emergency treatment for combined thoracoabdominal injury (CTI). Methods Clinical data of 58 cases of CTI admitted to our hospital from June 2001 to August 2009 were analyzed retrospectively.All the patients were treated by closed drainage of thoracic cavity,of which 12 cases were treated with thoracotomy,31 with laparotomy,seven with thoracic and abdominal incisions and three with combined thoracoabdominal incision.Internal fixation for long limb bones was performed in 27 cases,spinal laminectomy and pedicle screw fixation in five and amputation in one. Results After operation,six cases were found to have adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and 12 cases were complicated with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS).Fifty-three cases were cured and five died. Conclusions CTI based multiple injuries are severe and complicated.CT scan in the early stage plays a significant role in the diagnosis of CTI and closed drainage of thoracic cavity is an important assurance of the security of abdominal operation.Early diagnosis,correct choice of operation procedures and reasonable handling order of injured organs can improve the successful rescue rate for multiple injury patients.

Effects of fluid resuscitation on thoracoabdominal injury combined with hemorrhagic traumatic shock / 中华急诊医学杂志

Objective To study effects of fluid resuscitation on thoracoabdominal injury combined with hemorrhagic traumatic shock.Method A total of 98 patients,who were treated in Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University from November 2004 to December 2006,were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were diagnozed according to Surgery(fifth edition).Patients were divided into delayed fluid resuscitation group(n= 51)and immediate fluid resuscitation group(n=47).Patients in delayed fluid resuscitation group were given with balanced salt solution for the body to maintain basic requirements.Patients in immediate fluid resuscitation group were rapidly administered with a lot of isotonic crystaUoid and(or)colloid solution after admission. Hemoglobin,platelet count,hematocrit,blood lactic acid,basedeficit,preoperative resuscitation time and mortality were compared between the two groups.Paired t test and variance analysis or x~2 test were used.Results The transfusion fluid volume of delayed group and immediate group was(1586?346)ml,(3520?575)ml, respectively,with P value