[Treatment strategy for severe implosion injuries of the lateral chest wall]. / Versorgungsstrategie bei schweren Implosionsverletzungen der lateralen Thoraxwand.

In the majority of cases implosion injuries to the thoracic wall are caused by blunt, massive force acting on the thorax. Basically, different regions and directions of the acting energy have to be taken into account. In common usage, the term implosion injury has become established, especially for the sequelae of lateral energy impact. Particular attention should be paid to the stability of the shoulder girdle, the underlying hemithorax and its intrathoracic organs.

Circulatory Arrest for Traumatic Brachiocephalic Artery Pseudoaneurysm Repair.

Blunt traumatic injuries to the brachiocephalic artery require surgical management. The operative technique used depends on the location of the injury, the patient's hemodynamic stability, and the surgeon's experience. Perfusion strategy can facilitate vascular control of the aortic arch and branch vessels. This report presents an urgent repair of a proximal posterior blunt traumatic brachiocephalic artery injury under circulatory arrest, with an excellent outcome.

Management of Laryngotracheal Trauma During the COVID 19 Pandemic: Our Experience.

Objective To study the outcomes in terms of airway, voice and swallowing as well as the economic impact of the trauma on patients' finances and the constrained health infrastructure due to the pandemic. Materials and methods Study design Retrospective study. Setting: Tertiary care teaching hospital. Subjects and methods: A retrospective study was done of the 19 subjects who sustained acute laryngotracheal trauma during the SARS CoV-2 pandemic and was managed at our institution from January 2020 to September 2021. Results Change in voice was the most common presenting symptom and thyroid cartilage fractures were the commonest cartilage injury noted. It was found that 93% (decannulated) of the patients had good functional outcome and 90% of them required financial support to meet the medical expenses. Conclusion During the COVID 19 pandemic, it was not only, early presentation, timely detection and intervention by the treating team, but also the multidisciplinary teamwork and the support system that facilitated the recuperation and restoration of these traumatized individuals back into society with good laryngeal function.

Spectrum of injuries with "less-lethal" beanbag weapons: pictorial essay.

Beanbag weapons are gaining popularity with increasing daily use as a non-lethal or less-lethal alternative to traditional firearms. While these are considered "less-lethal," these are associated with a spectrum of serious injuries. We present a pictorial essay of these injuries ranging from mild skin contusions to more severe solid organ injuries.

Factors related to clinical outcomes in blunt thoracic injuries.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to reduce mortality and morbidity by analyzing the factors associated with blunt chest trauma. METHODS: In this study, 1020 patients with blunt thoracic trauma were analyzed retrospectively. Major surgeries, complications, admission to intensive care unit, intubation, mortality, prolonged hospital stay were considered poor clinical outcomes. Independent variables were compared with clinical outcomes and analyzed. RESULTS: The mean age was 52.7 ± 19.1. Complications (p = 0.028) and mortality (p < 0.001) were higher in patients aged 65 years and older than those aged 65 years and younger. Severe chest wall injuries, hemopneumothorax, and pulmonary contusions were associated with poor clinical outcomes (OR = 2474, p = 0.001, OR = 2229, p < 0.001 and OR = 2229, p < 0.001, respectively). The variable most related to poor clinical outcomes was New Injury Severity Score (p < 0.001, OR = 8.37). CONCLUSIONS: The most associated factor with poor clinical outcomes was injury severity. Prompt treatment of blunt chest trauma with timely chest tube thoracostomy or surgical treatment when necessary, optimal pain control, and chest physiotherapy will reduce mortality.

Lung Injuries Associated with Scapular Fractures in Adult Traumatic Patients.

Background: Scapular fractures are among the orthopedic injuries, which are associated with other injuries, such as lung injuries. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of lung injuries associated with scapular fractures in traumatic patients referred to a main trauma center in the south of Iran. Methods: The present retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2016 to June 2019 on adult traumatic patients, who were referred to one of the main trauma centers in the south of Iran, and their data were recorded in the hospital information system. The patients with chest computed tomography, and those whose scapula fractures were reported and confirmed by a radiologist were included in this study. All patients' data were extracted from their medical files and then analyzed. Results: A total of 100 patients were enrolled, and the majority (78%) of the cases were male. The mean±SD age of the patients was 40.71±14.071 years, and 55% of the cases had lung injuries (P=0.158). Furthermore, most of the causes of scapular fracture were due to car-motorcycle accidents (30%) and car overturning (27%). Lung contusion (31%) and hemothorax (30%) were the most types of lung injuries. The mean±SD duration of hospitalization was estimated at 4.94±7.90 days. The mean age (OR=-0.207, P=0.039) and intensive care unit admission rate (OR=0.267, P=0.007) were statistically different in patients with and without lung injuries. Conclusion: Although scapula fractures were not significantly associated with lung injuries in this study, the occurrence of 55% of the lung injuries was clinically important, which should be considered by emergency physicians.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Utilization in Blunt and Penetrating Traumatic Injuries: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has become an increasingly used treatment modality for severe respiratory insufficiency in trauma patients. Examining ECMO use specifically in blunt and penetrating traumas can aid in directing future protocols. We aim to evaluate the outcomes of ECMO use in both blunt and penetrating trauma patients through a systematic review of current literature. METHODS: An online search of 2 databases (PubMed and Google Scholar) was performed to analyze studies, which evaluated the use of ECMO in blunt and penetrating traumas. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation guidelines were followed. Data extracted included mechanism of injury, injury severity scores (ISSs), complications, and mortality rates. RESULTS: The search demonstrated 9 studies that met our review inclusion criteria. A total of 207 patients were included, of which 64 (30.9%) were non-survivors and 143 (69.1%) were survivors. There was a total of 201 blunt traumas with 61 (30.3%) deaths, whereas penetrating traumas had 2 deaths (33.3%) out of 6 total patients. Complications reported included acute renal failure, hemorrhage at the cannula site, and transient neurological deficits. Most studies found better survival rates and less complications in younger patients and those with lower ISS. CONCLUSION: Expanding the use of ECMO to include blunt and penetrating trauma patients provides the trauma surgeons with another crucial potentially lifesaving tool with an overall survival rate of 70%. Anticipating increased future use of ECMO in blunt and penetrating trauma patients, distinct protocols ought to be instilled to better address the care needed for these critically ill trauma patients.

Isolated blunt iliac artery injury successfully treated with endovascular stent.

Common or external iliac artery injury due to blunt trauma is unusual without an associated pelvic fracture. Here we report on a 62 years old man that sustained left external iliac artery thrombosis due to blunt trauma following fall from motorbike. There was no immediate circulatory compromise. Contrasted CT of abdomen revealed an associated left lower abdominal wall traumatic hernia. The iliac artery was intervened with an endovascular stent to restore luminal flow and the hernia was repaired electively. The entire clinical course and management dilemma are described in this article.

Neumomediastino en trauma contuso: ¿son siempre necesarios los estudios invasivos para descartar lesión aerodigestiva? / Pneumomediastinum in blunt trauma: Are invasive studies always necessary to rule out aerodigestive injury?

Introducción. La presencia de neumomediastino secundario a un trauma contuso es un hallazgo común, especialmente con el uso rutinario de la tomografía computarizada. Aunque en la mayoría de los casos es secundario a una causa benigna, la posibilidad de una lesión aerodigestiva subyacente ha llevado a que se recomiende el uso rutinario de estudios endoscópicos para descartarla. El propósito de este estudio fue determinar la incidencia de neumomediastino secundario a trauma contuso y de lesiones aerodigestivas asociadas y establecer la utilidad de la tomografía computarizada multidetector en el diagnóstico de las lesiones aerodigestivas. Métodos. Mediante tomografía computarizada multidetector se identificaron los pacientes con diagnóstico de neumomediastino secundario a un trauma contuso en un periodo de 4 años en un Centro de Trauma Nivel I. Resultados. Fueron incluidos en el estudio 41 pacientes con diagnóstico de neumomediastino secundario a un trauma contuso. Se documentaron en total tres lesiones aerodigestivas, dos lesiones traqueales y una esofágica. Dos de estas fueron sospechadas en tomografía computarizada multidetector y confirmadas mediante fibrobroncoscopia y endoscopia digestiva superior, respectivamente, y otra fue diagnosticada en cirugía. Conclusión. El uso rutinario de estudios endoscópicos en los pacientes con neumomediastino secundario a trauma contuso no está indicado cuando los hallazgos clínicos y tomográficos son poco sugestivos de lesión aerodigestiva.

Introduction.The presence of pneumomediastinum secondary to blunt trauma is a common finding, especially with the use of computed tomography. Although in most cases the presence of pneumomediastinum is secondary to a benign etiology, the possibility of an underlying aerodigestive injuries has led to the recommendation of the routine use of endoscopic studies to rule them out. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of pneumomediastinum secondary to blunt trauma and associated injuries and to establish the role of multidetector computed tomography in the diagnosis of aerodigestive injuries. Methods.Using multidetector computed tomography, patients with a diagnosis of pneumomediastinum secondary to blunt trauma were identified over a period of 4 years in a Level 1 Trauma Center. Results. Forty-one patients diagnosed with pneumomediastinum secondary to blunt trauma, were included in this study. Two airway ruptures were documented: two tracheal injuries and one esophageal injury. Two of them suspected on multidetector computed tomography and confirmed on bronchoscopy and esophagogastroduodenoscopy, respectively, and another was diagnosed in surgery. Conclusion.The routine use of endoscopic studies in patients with pneumomediastinum secondary to blunt trauma is not indicated when the clinical and tomographic findings are not suggestive of aerodigestive injury.

Spontaneous resolution of gallbladder hematoma in blunt traumatic injury: A case report.

BACKGROUND: We report a case of intragallbladder hematoma and biliary tract obstruction caused by blunt gallbladder injury. We report that the patient was safely treated by conservative treatment after the obstruction was resolved by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). CASE SUMMARY: A 67-year-old man was admitted via the emergency department due to complaints of right-sided abdominal pain that started 2 d prior. Four days prior to presentation, the patient had slipped, fallen and struck his abdomen on a motorcycle handle. His initial vital signs were stable. On physical examination, he showed right upper quadrant pain and Murphy's sign, with decreased bowel sounds. Additionally, he had had a poor appetite for 4 d. He had been on aspirin for 2 years due to underlying hypertension. Initial simple radiography revealed a slight ileus. The laboratory findings were as follows: white blood cell count, 15.5 × 103/µL (normal range 4.8 × 103-10.8 × 103); hemoglobin, 9.4 g/dL; aspartate aminotransferase/alanine transferase, 423/348 U/L; total bilirubin/direct bilirubin, 4.45/3.26 mg/dL; -GTP , 639 U/L (normal range 5-61 U/L); and C-reactive protein, 12.32 mg/dL (0-0.3). Abdominal computed tomography showed a distended gallbladder with edematous wall change and a 55 mm × 40 mm hematoma. Dilatation was observed in both the intrahepatic and common bile duct areas. Antibiotic treatment was initiated, and ERCP was performed, with hemobilia found during treatment. After cannulation, the patient's symptoms were relieved, and after conservative management, the patient was discharged with no further complications. After 1-month follow-up, the gallbladder hematoma was completely resolved. CONCLUSION: In the case of traumatic injury to the gallbladder, conservative treatment is feasible even in the presence of hematoma.

Utilization of computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging for diagnosis of traumatic C-Spine injuries at a level 1 trauma center: A retrospective Cohort analysis.

BACKGROUND: Computerized tomography (CT) is a common imaging modality for trauma patients, but there is debate regarding the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in cervical (C)-spine clearance. We aim to investigate the utilization of CT and MRI imaging in traumatic C-spine clearance and associated outcomes on patients who undergo both imaging modalities. METHODS: A 4-year retrospective review was performed to evaluate the trauma patient imaging algorithm at our institution. The algorithm required CT as a screening examination for traumatic injury patients who are unexaminable because of distracting injury, altered mental status, an abnormal neurological examination, and/or central neck pain. MRI was performed after CT in patients with C-spine injuries identified on CT, those who remained unexaminable, had an abnormal neurological examination, or experienced persistent central neck tenderness. Univariate analyses and adjusted multivariate logistic regression were performed with significance defined as p < 0.05. RESULTS: 805 patients were analyzed. Compared to MRI, CT had a sensitivity of 50.2%, specificity of 76.6%, positive predictive value of 69.7%, and negative predictive value of 59.0% in detecting C-spine injuries. CT and MRI differed significantly in their ability to detect C-spine soft tissue injuries and C1 vertebral fractures (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: MRI is more capable of detecting soft tissue injuries whereas CT is superior in detecting vertebral fractures. Our findings support the need to utilize CT and MRI in conjunction to detect both bony and soft tissue C-spine injuries in traumatically injured patients, who are either unexaminable, have an abnormal neurologic examination, or ongoing central neck tenderness.

Predictive Factors for Failure of Limb Salvage in Blunt Leg Trauma Associated with Vascular Injuries.

INTRODUCTION: Blunt leg trauma is common; however, it is rarely associated with significant vascular injury. This study was undertaken to determine the risk factors attributed to failure of limb salvage in acute postoperative period in blunt leg trauma with vascular injuries after revascularization. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted of all patients with blunt leg trauma involving bone and soft tissue associated with vascular injuries. They were studied in terms of demographic data, associated comorbidities, mechanism of trauma, associated extra leg injuries, type and nature of bone fractures, soft-tissue injuries, nerve injuries, time of ischemia, Injury Severity Score (ISS), Mangled Extremity Severity Score (MESS), injured vascular segments, modality of vascular repair, modality of bone fixation, thrombosis at the site of vascular repair, complications, limb salvage failure, and mortality. RESULTS: Vascular injuries were identified in 45 arterial segments and 9 popliteal veins among 31 patients. The patients were 93% male, with a mean age of 31 years. The MESS ranged from 6 to 11, and the ISS ranged from 9 to 41. The main pathology of the injured vessels was contusion/thrombosis in 28 legs, which were repaired by interposition-reversed long saphenous vein graft. Seven patients developed postoperative thrombosis and underwent thrombectomy/embolectomy. Failure of limb salvage occurred in seven limbs with no mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Severe multi-segmental bone fractures, prolong ischemic time of >10 h, and MESS of ≥9 are significant predictors of limb loss in patients with blunt leg trauma in association with vascular injuries.

Trauma outcomes for blunt and penetrating injuries by mode of transportation and day/night shift.

BACKGROUND: Effective management of trauma patients is dependent on pre-hospital triage systems and proper in-hospital treatment regardless of time of admission. We aim to investigate any differences in adjusted all-cause mortality between day vs. night arrival for adult trauma patients who were transported to the hospital via ground emergency medical services (GEMS) and helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) and to determine if care/outcomes are inferior when admitted during the night shift as compared to the day shift. METHODS: Retrospective cohort analysis of adult blunt and penetrating injury patients requiring full team trauma activation at an American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma (ACSCOT)-verified Level 1 trauma center from 2011 to 2019. Descriptive statistical analyses, chi-square analyses, independent-sample t-tests, and Fisher's exact tests were performed. Primary measurement outcome was adjusted observed/expected (O/E) mortality ratios utilizing TRISS methodology. RESULTS: 8370 patients with blunt injuries and 1216 patients with penetrating injuries were analyzed. There were no significant differences in day vs. night O/Es overall (blunt 0.65 vs. 0.59; p = 0.46) (penetrating 0.88 vs. 0.87; p = 0.97). There also were no significant differences when stratified by GEMS (blunt 0.64 vs. 0.55; p = 0.08) (penetrating 0.88 vs. 1.10; p = 0.09) and HEMS admissions (blunt 0.76 vs. 0.75; p = 0.91) (penetrating 0.88 vs. 0.91; p = 0.85). CONCLUSIONS: At an ACSCOT-verified Level 1 Trauma Center, care/outcomes of patients admitted during the night shift were not inferior to those admitted during the day shift. Trauma Center verification by the ACSCOT and multidisciplinary collaboration may allow for consistent care despite injury type and time of day.

Segmental Bowel Hypoenhancement on CT Predicts Ischemic Mesenteric Laceration After Blunt Trauma.

OBJECTIVE. The objectives of this study were to examine the performance of CT in the diagnosis of ischemic mesenteric laceration after blunt trauma and to assess the predictive value of various CT signs for this injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS. In this retrospective study, consecutive patients with bowel and mesenteric injury diagnosed by CT or surgery from January 2011 through December 2016 were analyzed. Two radiologists evaluated CT images for nine signs of bowel injury. The outcome evaluated was ischemic mesenteric laceration. Univariable analysis followed by logistic regression was performed. RESULTS. The study included 147 patients (96 men and 51 women; median age, 35 years; age range, 23-52 years). Thirty-three patients had surgically confirmed ischemic mesenteric lacerations. CT signs that correlated with ischemic mesenteric laceration were abdominal wall injury, mesenteric contusion, free fluid, segmental bowel hypoenhancement, and bowel hyperenhancement adjacent to a hypoenhancing segment. The regression model developed after inclusion of clinical variables identified two predictors: segmental bowel hypoenhancement (adjusted odds ratio, 22.9 [95% CI, 7.9-66.2; p < .001] for reviewer 1 and 20.7 [95% CI, 7.2-59.0; p < .001] for reviewer 2) and abdominal wall injury (adjusted odds ratio, 5.26 [95% CI, 1.7-15.9; p = .003] for reviewer 1 and 5.3 [95% CI, 1.9-15.0; p = .002] for reviewer 2), which yielded an AUC of 0.87 for predicting injury. For reviewer 1 and reviewer 2, the sensitivities of CT in detecting the injury were 72.3% (95% CI, 54.5-86.7%) and 78.8% (95% CI, 61.0-91.0%), respectively, whereas the specificities were 94.7% (95% CI, 88.9-98.0%), and 92.1% (95% CI, 85.5-96.3%), respectively. CONCLUSION. CT has limited sensitivity but good specificity for detecting ischemic mesenteric laceration, with segmental bowel hypoenhancement considered the most predictive imaging sign.

Congenital Cryptorchidism Masquerading as Traumatic Dislocation of Testis.

Traumatic dislocation of testis (TDT) is an uncommon event. During trauma, the cremasteric reflex can forcefully retract the testis out of the scrotal sac saving the testis from the injury. However, associated injuries in the form of skin degloving, penile avulsion, and amputation can be present. Early surgical intervention to locate and deposit the displaced testis to the scrotal sac is essential. We present a case of a 33-year-old man with bilateral congenital cryptorchidism who suffered blunt trauma to his genitalia following a road traffic injury. On presentation, based on a well-developed scrotum, it looked like a case of TDT. However, good history along with detailed physical and radiological evaluation helped us reach the correct diagnosis. TDT must be suspected in a case of blunt trauma to the genitalia when the scrotal sac (well-developed) is empty. This case report highlights the importance of detailed clinical and radiological evaluation in such cases.

Validation of the revised 2018 AAST-OIS classification and the CT severity index for prediction of operative management and survival in patients with blunt spleen and liver injuries.

OBJECTIVES: Non-operative management (NOM) is increasingly utilised in blunt abdominal trauma. The 1994 American Association of Surgery of Trauma grading (1994-AAST) is applied for clinical decision-making in many institutions. Recently, classifications incorporating contrast extravasation such as the CT severity index (CTSI) and 2018 update of the liver and spleen AAST were proposed to predict outcome and guide treatment, but validation is pending. METHODS: CT images of patients admitted 2000-2016 with blunt splenic and hepatic injury were systematically re-evaluated for 1994/2018-AAST and CTSI grading. Diagnostic accuracy, diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and positive and negative predictive values were calculated for prediction of in-hospital mortality. Correlation with treatment strategy was assessed by Cramer V statistics. RESULTS: Seven hundred and three patients were analysed, 271 with splenic, 352 with hepatic and 80 with hepatosplenic injury. Primary NOM was applied in 83% of patients; mortality was 4.8%. Comparing prediction of mortality in mild and severe splenic injuries, the CTSI (3.1% vs. 10.3%; diagnostic accuracy = 75.4%; DOR = 3.66; p = 0.006) and 1994-AAST (3.3% vs. 10.5%; diagnostic accuracy = 77.9%; DOR = 3.45; p = 0.010) were more accurate compared with the 2018-AAST (3.4% vs. 8%; diagnostic accuracy = 68.2%; DOR = 2.50; p = 0.059). In hepatic injuries, the CTSI was superior to both AAST classifications in terms of diagnostic accuracy (88.7% vs. 77.1% and 77.3%, respectively). CTSI and 2018-AAST correlated better with the need for surgery in severe vs. mild hepatic (Cramer V = 0.464 and 0.498) and splenic injuries (Cramer V = 0.273 and 0.293) compared with 1994-AAST (Cramer V = 0.389 and 0.255; all p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The 2018-AAST and CTSI are superior to the 1994-AAST in correlation with operative treatment in splenic and hepatic trauma. The CTSI outperforms the 2018-AAST in mortality prediction. KEY POINTS: • Non-operative management of blunt abdominal trauma is increasingly applied and correct patient stratification is crucial. • CT-based scoring systems are used to assess injury severity and guide clinical decision-making, whereby the 1994 version of the American Association of Surgery of Trauma Organ Injury Scale (AAST-OIS) is currently most commonly utilised. • Including contrast media extravasation in CT-based grading improves management and outcome prediction. While the 2018-AAST classification and the CT-severity-index (CTSI) better correlate with need for surgery compared to the 1994-AAST, the CTSI is superior in outcome-prediction to the 2018-AAST.

Minor Blunt Injury-induced Rhabdomyolysis from a Road Traffic Accident in Nigeria.

Rhabdomyolysis, though not a common complication of minor blunt trauma, may result in life-threatening acute kidney injury (AKI). Here is illustrated a case of a young male who sustained minor blunt injuries in a road traffic accident, which he overlooked and presented with features of severe AKI. The patient is a 24-year-old male, who presented with progressive weakness, difficulty in walking, and features of uremia, 14 days after he sustained minor blunt injuries and lacerations in a road traffic accident. Evaluation showed elevated serum creatine kinase, serum myoglobin, and severe azotemia. He was commenced on hemodialysis. He was also commenced on antibiotics, analgesic, and 5% dextrose/saline. He had three sessions of hemodialysis on alternate days. His condition improved remarkably after the first session of dialysis. He was discharged after 18 days on admission. Follow-up in the clinic showed a normal renal function. This case report shows rhabdomyolysis from minor blunt injuries sustained in a road traffic accident and complicated by severe AKI. The patient almost recovered full renal function with management.