Is REBOA the Last Card to Control a Massive Gastrointestinal Bleeding?

INTRODUCTION: Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) is a potential tool for the management of massive gastrointestinal bleeding (MGB). This study aims to describe the experience of the use of REBOA as adjunctive therapy in patients with MGB and to evaluate its effectiveness. METHODS: Serial cases of patients with hemorrhagic shock secondary to MGB in whom REBOA was placed were collected. Patient demographics, bleeding severity, etiology, management, and clinical outcomes were recorded. RESULTS: Between 2017 and 2020, five cases were analyzed. All patients had a severe gastrointestinal bleeding (Glasgow Blatchford Bleeding Score range 12-17; Clinical Rockal Score range 5-9). The etiologies of MGB were perforated gastric or duodenal ulcers, esophageal varices, and vascular lesions. Systolic blood pressure increased after REBOA placement and total occlusion time was 25-60 min. REBOA provided temporary hemorrhage control in all cases and allowed additional hemostatic maneuvers to be performed. Three patients survived more than 24 h. All patients died in index hospitalization. The main cause of death was related to hemorrhagic shock. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular aortic occlusion can work as a bridge to further resuscitation and attempts at hemostasis in patients with MGB. REBOA provides hemodynamic support and may be used simultaneously with other hemostatic maneuvers, facilitating definitive hemorrhage control.

Hypertonic saline infusion does not improve the chance of primary fascial closure after damage control laparotomy: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Previous observational studies showed higher rates of abdominal wall closure with the use of hypertonic saline in trauma patients with abdominal injuries. However, no randomized controlled trials have been performed on this matter. This double-blind randomized clinical trial assessed the effect of 3% hypertonic saline (HS) solution on primary fascial closure and the timing of abdominal wall closure among patients who underwent damage control laparotomy for bleeding control. METHODS: Double-blind randomized clinical trial. Patients with abdominal injuries requiring damage control laparotomy (DCL) were randomly allocated to receive a 72-h infusion (rate: 50 mL/h) of 3% HS or 0.9 N isotonic saline (NS) after the index DCL. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with abdominal wall closure in the first seven days after the index DCL. RESULTS: The study was suspended in the first interim analysis because of futility. A total of 52 patients were included. Of these, 27 and 25 were randomly allocated to NS and HS, respectively. There were no significant differences in the rates of abdominal wall closure between groups (HS: 19 [79.2%] vs. NS: 17 [70.8%]; p = 0.71). In contrast, significantly higher hypernatremia rates were observed in the HS group (HS: 11 [44%] vs. NS: 1 [3.7%]; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This double-blind randomized clinical trial showed no benefit of HS solution in primary fascial closure rates. Patients randomized to HS had higher sodium concentrations after the first day and were more likely to present hypernatremia. We do not recommend using HS in patients undergoing damage control laparotomy. Trial registration The trial protocol was registered in clinicaltrials.gov (identifier: NCT02542241).

Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta in civilian pre-hospital care: a systematic review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) is a damage control tool with a potential role in the hemodynamic resuscitation of severely ill patients in the civilian pre-hospital setting. REBOA ensures blood flow to vital organs by early proximal control of the source of bleeding. However, there is no consensus on the use of REBOA in the pre-hospital setting. This article aims to perform a systematic review of the literature about the feasibility, survival, indications, complications, and potential candidates for civilian pre-hospital REBOA. METHODS: A literature search was conducted using Medline, EMBASE, LILACS and Web of Science databases. Primary outcome variables included overall survival and feasibility. Secondary outcome variables included complications and potential candidates for endovascular occlusion. RESULTS: The search identified 8 articles. Five studies described the use of REBOA in pre-hospital settings, reporting a total of 47 patients in whom the procedure was attempted. Pre-hospital REBOA was feasible in 68-100% of trauma patients and 100% of non-traumatic patients with cardiac arrest. Survival rates and complications varied widely. Pre-hospital REBOA requires a coordinated and integrated emergency health care system with a well-trained and equipped team. The remaining three studies performed a retrospective analysis identifying 784 potential REBOA candidates. CONCLUSIONS: Pre-hospital REBOA could be a feasible intervention for a significant portion of severely ill patients in the civilian setting. However, the evidence is limited. The impact of pre-hospital REBOA should be assessed in future studies.

Risk factors for posttraumatic empyema in diaphragmatic injuries.

BACKGROUND: Penetrating diaphragmatic injuries are associated with a high incidence of posttraumatic empyema. We analyzed the contribution of trauma severity, specific organ injury, contamination severity, and surgical management to the risk of posttraumatic empyema in patients who underwent surgical repair of diaphragmatic injuries at a level 1 trauma center. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of the patients who survived more than 48 h. Univariate OR calculations were performed to identify potential risk factors. Multiple logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted ORs and identify independent risk factors. RESULTS: We included 192 patients treated from 2011 to 2020. There were 169 (88.0) males. The mean interquartile range, (IQR) of age, was 27 (22-35) years. Gunshot injuries occurred in 155 subjects (80.7%). Mean (IQR) NISS and ATI were 29 (18-44) and 17 (10-27), respectively. Thoracic AIS was > 3 in 38 patients (19.8%). Hollow viscus was injured in 105 cases (54.7%): stomach in 65 (33.9%), colon in 52 (27.1%), small bowel in 42 (21.9%), and duodenum in 10 (5.2%). Visible contamination was found in 76 patients (39.6%). Potential thoracic contamination was managed with a chest tube in 128 cases (66.7%), with transdiaphragmatic pleural lavage in 42 (21.9%), and with video-assisted thoracoscopy surgery or thoracotomy in 22 (11.5%). Empyema occurred in 11 patients (5.7%). Multiple logistic regression identified thoracic AIS > 3 (OR 6.4, 95% CI 1.77-23. 43), and visible contamination (OR 5.13, 95% IC 1.26-20.90) as independent risk factors. The individual organ injured, or the method used to manage the thoracic contamination did not affect the risk of posttraumatic empyema. CONCLUSION: The severity of the thoracic injury and the presence of visible abdominal contamination were identified as independent risk factors for empyema after penetrating diaphragmatic trauma.

Maternal hemodynamics during aortic occlusion with REBOA in patients with placenta accreta spectrum disorder.

INTRODUCTION: The effectiveness of resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) in controlling pelvic bleeding has been reported with increasing frequency during surgical management of placenta accreta spectrum (PAS). The deployment of REBOA may lead to significant variations in vital signs requiring special care by anesthesiology during surgery. These modifications of blood pressure by REBOA in PAS patients have not been accurately documented. We report the changes in blood pressure that occur when the aorta is occluded and then released in patients with PAS. METHODOLOGY: This prospective, observational study includes 10 patients with preoperative PAS suspicion who underwent prophylactic REBOA device insertion between April 2018 and October 2019. REBOA procedural-related data and blood pressure fluctuations under invasive monitoring before and after inflation and deflation were recorded in the operating room. RESULTS: After prophylactic REBOA deployment in zone 3 of the aorta in PAS patients, we observed a transitory increase in blood pressure (median increase of 22.5 mmHg in SBP and 9.5 mmHg in DBP), which reached severe hypertension (SBP >160 mmHg) in 50% of patients. All patients presented a decrease in blood pressure after the removal of the aortic occlusion (median decrease of 23 mmHg in SBP and 10.5 mmHg in DBP), and 50% (five patients) required the administration of vasopressor drugs. CONCLUSION: Immediately after aortic occlusion is applied in zone 3 in PAS patients and after the occlusion is removed, significant hemodynamic changes occur, which often lead to therapeutic interventions.

Damage control in penetrating carotid artery trauma: changing a 100-year paradigm.

Carotid artery trauma carries a high risk of neurological sequelae and death. Surgical management of these injuries has been controversial because it entails deciding between repair or ligation of the vessel, for which there is still no true consensus either way. This article proposes a new management strategy for carotid artery injuries based on the principles of damage control surgery which include endovascular and/or traditional open repair techniques. The decision to operate immediately or to perform further imaging studies will depend on the patient's hemodynamic status. If the patient presents with massive bleeding, an expanding neck hematoma or refractory hypovolemic shock, urgent surgical intervention is indicated. An altered mental status upon arrival is a potentially poor prognosis marker and should be taken into account in the therapeutic decision-making. We describe a step-by-step algorithmic approach to these injuries, including open and endovascular techniques. In addition, conservative non-operative management has also been included as a potentially viable strategy in selected patients, which avoids unnecessary surgery in many cases.

El trauma de la arteria carótida tiene una alta probabilidad de muerte y de secuelas neurológicas. El manejo quirúrgico es objeto de controversia porque se tiene que decidir entre reparar la arteria carótida o ligarla, para lo cual aún no existe un consenso. El objetivo de este artículo es proponer una nueva estrategia de manejo para el trauma de la arteria carótida con los principios de la cirugía de control de daños y el uso de técnicas como el reparo endovascular o el manejo conservador. La decisión de operar el paciente inmediatamente o realizar estudios imagenológicos dependerá del estado hemodinámico del paciente. Si el paciente presenta sangrado masivo, hematoma expansivo o choque hipovolémico refractario, una intervención quirúrgica urgente esta indicada. Un déficit del estado neurológico al ingreso es un marcador de mal pronóstico en estos casos e influye en la toma de decisiones. Se describe el paso a paso del reparo vascular abierto y se incluye las estrategias de manejo tanto endovasculares como abiertas. Adicionalmente, el manejo conservador también ha sido incluido como una estrategia viable en pacientes seleccionados, evitando cirugías innecesarias.

Damage control surgery for thoracic outlet vascular injuries: the new resuscitative median sternotomy plus REBOA.

Thoracic vascular trauma is associated with high mortality and is the second most common cause of death in patients with trauma following head injuries. Less than 25% of patients with a thoracic vascular injury arrive alive to the hospital and more than 50% die within the first 24 hours. Thoracic trauma with the involvement of the great vessels is a surgical challenge due to the complex and restricted anatomy of these structures and its association with adjacent organ damage. This article aims to delineate the experience obtained in the surgical management of thoracic vascular injuries via the creation of a practical algorithm that includes basic principles of damage control surgery. We have been able to show that the early application of a resuscitative median sternotomy together with a zone 1 resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) in hemodynamically unstable patients with thoracic outlet vascular injuries improves survival by providing rapid stabilization of central aortic pressure and serving as a bridge to hemorrhage control. Damage control surgery principles should also be implemented when indicated, followed by definitive repair once the correction of the lethal diamond has been achieved. To this end, we have developed a six-step management algorithm that illustrates the surgical care of patients with thoracic outlet vascular injuries according to the American Association of the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) classification.

El trauma vascular torácico está asociado con una alta mortalidad y es la segunda causa más común de muerte en pacientes con trauma después del trauma craneoencefálico. Se estima que menos del 25% de los pacientes con una lesión vascular torácica alcanzan a llegar con vida para recibir atención hospitalaria y más del 50% fallecen en las primeras 24 horas. El trauma torácico penetrante con compromiso de los grandes vasos es un problema quirúrgico dado a su severidad y la asociación con lesiones a órganos adyacentes. El objetivo de este artículo es presentar la experiencia en el manejo quirúrgico de las lesiones del opérculo torácico con la creación de un algoritmo de manejo quirúrgico en seis pasos prácticos de seguir basados en la clasificación de la AAST. que incluye los principios básicos del control de daños. La esternotomía mediana de resucitación junto con la colocación de un balón de resucitación de oclusión aortica (Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta - REBOA) en zona 1 permiten un control primario de la hemorragia y mejoran la sobrevida de los pacientes con trauma del opérculo torácico e inestabilidad hemodinámica.

Primary repair: damage control surgery in esophageal trauma.

Esophageal trauma is a rare but life-threatening event associated with high morbidity and mortality. An inadvertent esophageal perforation can rapidly contaminate the neck, mediastinum, pleural space, or abdominal cavity, resulting in sepsis or septic shock. Higher complications and mortality rates are commonly associated with adjacent organ injuries and/or delays in diagnosis or definitive management. This article aims to delineate the experience obtained by the Trauma and Emergency Surgery Group (CTE) of Cali, Colombia, on the surgical management of esophageal trauma following damage control principles. Esophageal injuries should always be suspected in thoracoabdominal or cervical trauma when the trajectory or mechanism suggests so. Hemodynamically stable patients should be radiologically evaluated before a surgical correction, ideally with computed tomography of the neck, chest, and abdomen. While hemodynamically unstable patients should be immediately transferred to the operating room for direct surgical control. A primary repair is the surgical management of choice in all esophageal injuries, along with endoscopic nasogastric tube placement and immediate postoperative care in the intensive care unit. We propose an easy-to-follow surgical management algorithm that sticks to the philosophy of "Less is Better" by avoiding esophagostomas.

El trauma esofágico es un evento poco frecuente pero potencialmente mortal. Una perforación esofágica inadvertida puede ocasionar la rápida contaminación del cuello, el mediastino, el espacio pleural o la cavidad abdominal, lo cual puede resultar en sepsis o choque séptico. Las complicaciones y la mortalidad aumentan con el retraso en el diagnóstico o manejo definitivo, y la presencia de lesiones asociadas. El objetivo del presente artículo es describir la experiencia adquirida por el grupo de cirugía de Trauma y Emergencias (CTE) de Cali, Colombia en el manejo del trauma de esófago de acuerdo con los principios de la cirugía de control de daños. Las lesiones esofágicas deben sospecharse en todo trauma toraco-abdominal o cervical en el que el mecanismo o la trayectoria de la lesión lo sugieran. El paciente hemodinámicamente estable se debe estudiar con imágenes diagnósticas antes de la corrección quirúrgica del defecto, idealmente por medio de tomografía computarizada del cuello, tórax y abdomen con contraste endovenoso. Mientras que en el paciente hemodinámicamente inestable se debe explorar y controlar la lesión. El reparo primario es el manejo quirúrgico de elección, con la previa colocación de una sonda nasogástrica y el seguimiento postoperatorio estricto en la unidad de cuidado intensivo. Se propone un algoritmo de manejo quirúrgico que resulta fácil de seguir y adopta la premisa "Menos es Mejor" evitando realizar derivaciones esofágicas.

Abdominal and thoracic wall closure: damage control surgery's cinderella.

Damage control surgery principles allow delayed management of traumatic lesions and early metabolic resuscitation by performing abbreviated procedures and prompt resuscitation maneuvers in severely injured trauma patients. However, the initial physiological response to trauma and surgery, along with the hemostatic resuscitation efforts, causes important side effects on intracavitary organs such as tissue edema, increased cavity pressure, and hemodynamic collapse. Consequently, different techniques have been developed over the years for a delayed cavity closure. Nonetheless, the optimal management of abdominal and thoracic surgical closure remains controversial. This article aims to describe the indications and surgical techniques for delayed abdominal or thoracic closure following damage control surgery in severely injured trauma patients, based on the experience obtained by the Trauma and Emergency Surgery Group (CTE) of Cali, Colombia. We recommend negative pressure dressing as the gold standard technique for delayed cavity closure, associated with higher wall closure success rates and lower complication and mortality rates.

Los principios de la cirugía de control de daños consisten en realizar procedimientos abreviados que permiten diferir el manejo de la lesión traumática para lograr una resucitación metabólica temprana en pacientes severamente comprometidos en su fisiología. Sin embargo, la respuesta fisiológica inicial al trauma y a la cirugía, junto con los esfuerzos de resucitación hemostática, pueden generar edema en los órganos abdominales o torácicos, aumento de la presión en la cavidad visceral y repercusiones hemodinámicas. En consecuencia, con el paso de los años se han desarrollado técnicas para el cierre diferido de la cavidad; aunque, existen controversias sobre la técnica más adecuada para el cierre quirúrgico tanto del abdomen, como del tórax. El objetivo de este artículo es presentar las indicaciones y técnicas quirúrgicas para el cierre diferido del abdomen y tórax respecto a la cirugía de control de daños del paciente con trauma severo, a partir de la experiencia del grupo de cirugía de Trauma y Emergencias de Cali, Colombia. Se recomienda el uso de los sistemas de presión negativa como la estrategia ideal para el cierre diferido de la pared abdominal o torácica, que se asocia con una mayor tasa de cierre definitivo, una menor tasa de complicaciones y mejores resultados clínicos.

Damage control in the intensive care unit: what should the intensive care physician know and do?

Damage control surgery has transformed the management of severely injured trauma patients. It was initially described as a three-step process that included bleeding control, abdominal cavity contamination, and resuscitation in the intensive care unit (ICU) before definitive repair of the injuries. When the patient is admitted into the ICU, the physician should identify all the physiological alterations to establish resuscitation management goals. These strategies allow an early correction of trauma-induced coagulopathy and hypoperfusion increasing the likelihood of survival. The objective of this article is to describe the physiological alterations in a severely injured trauma patient who undergo damage control surgery and to establish an adequate management approach. The physician should always be aware and correct the hypothermia, acidosis, coagulopathy and hypocalcemia presented in the severely injured trauma patients.

Cuando el paciente de trauma ingresa a la unidad de cuidado intensivo después de una cirugía de control de daños, generalmente aún presenta algún grado de hemorragia, hipoperfusión y lesiones que requieren reparo definitivo. La evaluación por parte del intensivista del grado de severidad de tales alteraciones, y las repercusiones sistémicas, permitirán establecer las necesidades de reanimación, prever potenciales complicaciones y hacer los ajustes al tratamiento con el fin de minimizar la morbilidad y mortalidad asociada al trauma. El objetivo de este artículo es describir las alteraciones que presentan los pacientes con trauma severo manejados con cirugía de control de daños y las consideraciones a tener en cuenta para su abordaje terapéutico. Se presentan los aspectos más relevantes del manejo del paciente con trauma severo y cirugía de control de daños a su ingreso a la UCI. El intensivista debe conocer las alteraciones fisiológicas que puede presentar el paciente de trauma sometido a cirugía de control de daños, especialmente las causadas por la hemorragia masiva. La evaluación de estas alteraciones, de la severidad del sangrado y del estado de choque, y estimar en qué punto de la reanimación se encuentra el paciente a su ingreso a la unidad de cuidados intensivos son fundamentales para definir la estrategia de monitoria y soporte a seguir. La corrección de la hipotermia, la acidosis y la coagulopatía es la prioridad en el tratamiento del paciente con trauma severo.

Damage control approach to refractory neurogenic shock: a new proposal to a well-established algorithm.

Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) is commonly used as an adjunct to resuscitation and bridge to definitive control of non-compressible torso hemorrhage in patients with hemorrhagic shock. It has also been performed for patients with neurogenic shock to support the central aortic pressure necessary for cerebral, coronary and spinal cord perfusion. Although volume replacement and vasopressors are the cornerstones of the management of neurogenic shock, we believe that a REBOA can be used as an adjunct in carefully selected cases to prevent prolonged hypotension and the risk of further anoxic spinal cord injury. This manuscript aims to propose a new damage control algorithmic approach to refractory neurogenic shock that includes the use of a REBOA in Zone 3. There are still unanswered questions on spinal cord perfusion and functional outcomes using a REBOA in Zone 3 in trauma patients with refractory neurogenic shock. However, we believe that its use in these case scenarios can be beneficial to the overall outcome of these patients.

El Balón de Resucitación Endovascular de Oclusión Aórtica (REBOA) se utiliza habitualmente como complemento de la reanimación y como puente para el control definitivo de la hemorragia no compresible del torso en pacientes con shock hemorrágico. También se ha implementado en pacientes con choque neurogénico para mantener la presión aórtica central necesaria para la perfusión cerebral, coronaria y de la médula espinal. Aunque la reanimación hídrica y el uso de vasopresores son los pilares en el manejo del choque neurogénico, el REBOA puede utilizarse como complemento en casos cuidadosamente seleccionados para evitar la hipotensión prolongada y el riesgo de una lesión medular anóxica mayor. El objetivo de este artículo es proponer un algoritmo para el abordaje y manejo del choque neurogénico refractario que incluye el uso del REBOA en Zona III como estrategia para el control de daños. Todavía existen interrogantes respecto a la perfusión de la médula espinal y aún se cuestionan los resultados funcionales con el uso del REBOA en pacientes con trauma y choque neurogénico refractario. No obstante, se cree que el uso adecuado del REBOA en determinados escenarios puede mejorar los resultados globales de estos pacientes.

Evolution of damage control surgery in non-traumatic abdominal pathology: a light in the darkness.

Damage control surgery is based on temporal control of the injury, physiologic recovery and posterior deferred definitive management. This strategy began in the 1980s and became a formal concept in 1993. It has proven to be a strategy that reduces mortality in severely injured trauma patients. Nevertheless, the concept of damage control in non-traumatic abdominal pathology remains controversial. This article aims to gather historical experiences in damage control surgery performed in non-traumatic abdominal emergency pathology patients and present a novel management algorithm. This strategy could be a surgical option to treat hemodynamically unstable patients in catastrophic scenarios such as hemorrhagic and septic shock caused by peritonitis, pancreatitis, acute mesenteric ischemia, among others. Therefore, damage control surgery is light amid better short- and long-term results.

La cirugía de control de daños es una estrategia de control temporal del daño tisular y recuperación fisiológica para un manejo definitivo diferido. Esta estrategia tiene antecedentes en el mundo del trauma desde la década de 1980, hasta su formalización conceptual en 1993. Hasta el momento ha demostrado ser una estrategia factible y que reduce la mortalidad en los pacientes críticamente enfermos. Sin embargo, el manejo de patologías abdominales no traumáticas aun es tema de discusión sobre su factibilidad y seguridad. El presente articulo tiene como objetivo realizar un relato histórico y experiencias en la aplicación de la cirugía de control de daños en emergencias quirúrgicas abdominales no asociadas a trauma y presentar un algoritmo de manejo usando los principios de la cirugía de control de daños. La aplicabilidad del control de daños en no trauma se enfrenta a los contextos de shock hemorrágico y séptico para patologías como peritonitis generalizada, peritonitis postquirúrgica, pancreatitis, isquemia mesentérica aguda, entre otras. Se ha demostrado que el uso de control de daños representa una luz para el cirujano ante la tormenta de la incertidumbre de la descompensación metabólica en el manejo de emergencias abdominales, para crear un puente para su manejo definitivo y permitir anastomosis como estrategia de reconstrucción intestinal y mejorar los resultados a corto y largo plazo.

Reinterventions after damage control surgery.

Damage control has well-defined steps. However, there are still controversies regarding whom, when, and how re-interventions should be performed. This article summarizes the Trauma and Emergency Surgery Group (CTE) Cali-Colombia recommendations about the specific situations concerning second interventions of patients undergoing damage control surgery. We suggest packing as the preferred bleeding control strategy, followed by unpacking within the next 48-72 hours. In addition, a deferred anastomosis is recommended for correction of intestinal lesions, and patients treated with vascular shunts should be re-intervened within 24 hours for definitive management. Furthermore, abdominal or thoracic wall closure should be attempted within eight days. These strategies aim to decrease complications, morbidity, and mortality.

El control de daños es uno de los pilares de la cirugía de trauma. Sin embargo, la reintervención aún genera controversias en cuanto a quién, cuándo y cómo debe realizarse. El presente artículo presenta las recomendaciones del grupo de Cirugía de Trauma y Emergencias (CTE) de Cali, Colombia, respecto a las reintervenciones después de una cirugía de control de daños. Se recomienda el empaquetamiento como la estrategia de control de sangrado y se debe desempaquetar en un lapso entre 48 y 72 horas. La anastomosis diferida debe ser la opción de reparo en las lesiones intestinales. La reintervención vascular en los pacientes manejados con shunt vascular debe ser antes de las 24 horas para dar el manejo definitivo. En un lapso de 8 días se debe intentar realizar el cierre de la pared abdominal o torácica. Estas estrategias buscan disminuir la frecuencia de complicaciones y de morbimortalidad.

Damage control in the emergency department, a bridge to life.

Patients with hemodynamic instability have a sustained systolic blood pressure less or equal to 90 mmHg, a heart rate greater or equal to 120 beats per minute and an acute compromise of the ventilation/oxygenation ratio and/or an altered state of consciousness upon admission. These patients have higher mortality rates due to massive hemorrhage, airway injury and/or impaired ventilation. Damage control resuscitation is a systematic approach that aims to limit physiologic deterioration through strategies that address the physiologic debt of trauma. This article aims to describe the experience earned by the Trauma and Emergency Surgery Group (CTE) of Cali, Colombia in the management of the severely injured trauma patient in the emergency department following the basic principles of damage control surgery. Since bleeding is the main cause of death, the management of the severely injured trauma patient in the emergency department requires a multidisciplinary team that performs damage control maneuvers aimed at rapidly controlling bleeding, hemostatic resuscitation, and/or prompt transfer to the operating room, if required.

Un paciente politraumatizado hemodinámicamente inestable es aquel que ingresa al servicio de urgencias con una presión arterial sistólica menor o igual de 90 mmHg, una frecuencia cardiaca mayor o igual a 120 latidos por minuto y un compromiso agudo de la relación ventilación/oxigenación y/o del estado de conciencia. Por esta razón, existe una alta mortalidad dentro de las primeras horas de un trauma severo ya sea por una hemorragia masiva, una lesión de la vía aérea y/o una alteración de la ventilación. Siendo el objetivo de este artículo describir el manejo en urgencias del paciente politraumatizado hemodinámicamente inestable de acuerdo con los principios de control de daños. El manejo del paciente politraumatizado es una estrategia dinámica de alto impacto que requiere de un equipo multidisciplinario de experiencia. El cual debe de evolucionar conjunto a las nuevas herramientas de diagnóstico y tratamiento endovascular que buscan ser un puente para lograr una menor repercusión hemodinámica en el paciente y una más rápida y efectiva estabilización con mayores tasas de sobrevida.

Hybrid trauma service: on the leading edge of damage Control.

Trauma damage control seeks to limit life-threatening bleeding. Sequential diagnostic and therapeutic approaches are the current standard. Hybrid Room have reduced hemostasis time by integrating different specialties and technologies. Hybrid Rooms seek to control bleeding in an operating room equipped with specialized personnel and advanced technology including angiography, tomography, eFAST, radiography, endoscopy, infusers, cell retrievers, REBOA, etc. Trauma Hybrid Service is a concept that describes a vertical work scheme that begins with the activation of Trauma Code when admitting a severely injured patient, initiating a continuous resuscitation process led by the trauma surgeon who guides transfer to imaging, angiography and surgery rooms according to the patient's condition and the need for specific interventions. Hybrid rooms integrate different diagnostic and therapeutic tools in one same room, reducing the attention time and increasing all interventions effectiveness.

El control de daños en trauma busca limitar el sangrado que amenaza la vida. El enfoque diagnóstico y terapéutico secuenciales son el estándar actual. Las salas híbridas que integran especialidades y tecnologías han reducido el tiempo de hemostasia. Las salas híbridas buscan controlar el sangrado en un quirófano equipado con personal especializado y tecnología de punta como sistemas de angiografía, tomografía, eFAST, radiografía, endoscopia, infusores, recuperadores de células, REBOA, etc. El concepto del servicio hibrido de atención de trauma integra un trabajo vertical que inicia con la activación del código de trauma al admitir un paciente traumatizado grave, iniciando los esfuerzos de reanimación dirigida por el cirujano de trauma que orienta el traslado a salas de imágenes, angiografía y cirugía según la condición del paciente y la necesidad de intervenciones específicas. Las salas hibridas le permite al cirujano de trauma tener todas estas herramientas tanto diagnosticas como terapéuticas al alcance de una sola sala, reduciendo el tiempo de atención y aumentando la efectividad de las intervenciones realizadas.

Hemodynamically unstable non-compressible penetrating torso trauma: a practical surgical approach.

Penetrating torso trauma is the second leading cause of death following head injury. Traffic accidents, falls and overall blunt trauma are the most common mechanism of injuries in developed countries; whereas, penetrating trauma which includes gunshot and stabs wounds is more prevalent in developing countries due to ongoing violence and social unrest. Penetrating chest and abdominal trauma have high mortality rates at the scene of the incident when important structures such as the heart, great vessels, or liver are involved. Current controversies surround the optimal surgical approach of these cases including the use of an endovascular device such as the Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta (REBOA) and the timing of additional imaging aids. This article aims to shed light on this subject based on the experience earned during the past 30 years in trauma critical care management of the severely injured patient. We have found that prioritizing the fact that the patient is hemodynamically unstable and obtaining early open or endovascular occlusion of the aorta to gain ground on avoiding the development of the lethal diamond is of utmost importance. Damage control surgery starts with choosing the right surgery of the right cavity in the right patient. For this purpose, we present a practical and simple guide on how to perform the surgical approach to penetrating torso trauma in a hemodynamically unstable patient.

El trauma penetrante del torso representa la segunda causa de muerte de origen traumático después del trauma craneoencefálico. En países desarrollados existe mayor prevalencia de trauma cerrado, asociado principalmente a accidentes de tránsito o caídas de grandes alturas. Mientas, que en países en vía de desarrollo el trauma penetrante es más prevalente con heridas por arma de fuego o por arma blanca asociado a la violencia y las desigualdades sociales. El trauma penetrante torácico y abdominal pueden presentar altas tasas de mortalidad en la escena del trauma si se comprometen estructuras importantes como el corazón, los grandes vasos o el hígado. Actualmente, existen controversias sobre el adecuado abordaje quirúrgico con la implementación o no de dispositivos endovasculares como el balón de resucitación endovascular de oclusión aórtica (Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Oclussion of the Aorta - REBOA) y la realización de ayudas imagenológicas. El objetivo de este artículo es presentar el conocimiento sobre este tema, basado en la experiencia adquirida durante los últimos 30 años con el manejo del trauma, cirugía general y cuidado crítico. Sostenemos que en un paciente hemodinámicamente inestable se debe realizar una temprana oclusión aórtica endovascular o abierta con el objetivo de evitar el desarrollo o propagación del rombo de la muerte. Con este propósito, presentamos una guía práctica y sencilla sobre el abordaje quirúrgico del paciente hemodinámicamente inestable con trauma penetrante del torso.

Damage control in penetrating cardiac trauma.

Definitive management of hemodynamically stable patients with penetrating cardiac injuries remains controversial between those who propose aggressive invasive care versus those who opt for a less invasive or non-operative approach. This controversy even extends to cases of hemodynamically unstable patients in which damage control surgery is thought to be useful and effective. The aim of this article is to delineate our experience in the surgical management of penetrating cardiac injuries via the creation of a clear and practical algorithm that includes basic principles of damage control surgery. We recommend that all patients with precordial penetrating injuries undergo trans-thoracic ultrasound screening as an integral component of their initial evaluation. In those patients who arrive hemodynamically stable but have a positive ultrasound, a pericardial window with lavage and drainage should follow. We want to emphasize the importance of the pericardial lavage and drainage in the surgical management algorithm of these patients. Before this concept, all positive pericardial windows ended up in an open chest exploration. With the coming of the pericardial lavage and drainage procedure, the reported literature and our experience have shown that 25% of positive pericardial windows do not benefit and/or require further invasive procedures. However, in hemodynamically unstable patients, damage control surgery may still be required to control ongoing bleeding. For this purpose, we propose a surgical management algorithm that includes all of these essential clinical aspects in the care of these patients.

El manejo definitivo de los pacientes hemodinámicamente estables con heridas cardíacas penetrantes continúa siendo controversial con abordajes invasivos versus manejos conservadores. Estas posiciones contrarias se extienden hasta aquellos casos de pacientes hemodinámicamente inestables donde se ha descrito y considerado la cirugía de control de daños como un procedimiento útil y efectivo. El objetivo de este artículo es presentar la experiencia en el manejo quirúrgico de heridas cardíacas penetrantes con la creación de un algoritmo práctico que incluye los principios básicos del control de daños. Se recomienda que a todos los pacientes con heridas precordiales penetrantes se les debe realizar un ultrasonido torácico como componente integral de la evaluación inicial. Aquellos que presenten un ultrasonido torácico positivo y se encuentren hemodinámicamente estables se les debe realizar una ventana pericárdica con posterior lavado. Se ha demostrado que el 25% de las ventanas pericárdicas positivas no se benefician ni requieren de posteriores abordajes quirúrgicos invasivos. Antes de este concepto, todos los pacientes con ventana pericárdica positiva terminaban en una exploración abierta del tórax y del pericárdico.Los pacientes hemodinámicamente inestables requieren de una cirugía de control de daños para un adecuado y oportuno control del sangrado. Con este propósito, se propone un algoritmo de manejo quirúrgico que incluye todos estos aspectos esenciales en el abordaje de este grupo de pacientes.

Damage control surgery in lung trauma.

Damage control techniques applied to the management of thoracic injuries have evolved over the last 15 years. Despite the limited number of publications, information is sufficient to scatter some fears and establish management principles. The severity of the anatomical injury justifies the procedure of damage control in only few selected cases. In most cases, the magnitude of the physiological derangement and the presence of other sources of bleeding within the thoracic cavity or in other body compartments constitutes the indication for the abbreviated procedure. The classification of lung injuries as peripheral, transfixing, and central or multiple, provides a guideline for the transient bleeding control and for the definitive management of the injury: pneumorraphy, wedge resection, tractotomy or anatomical resection, respectively. Identification of specific patterns such as the need for resuscitative thoracotomy, or aortic occlusion, the existence of massive hemothorax, a central lung injury, a tracheobronchial injury, a major vascular injury, multiple bleeding sites as well as the recognition of hypothermia, acidosis or coagulopathy, constitute the indication for a damage control thoracotomy. In these cases, the surgeon executes an abbreviated procedure with packing of the bleeding surfaces, primary management with packing of some selected peripheral or transfixing lung injuries, and the postponement of lung resection, clamping of the pulmonary hilum in the most selective way possible. The abbreviation of the thoracotomy closure is achieved by suturing the skin over the wound packed, or by installing a vacuum system. The management of the patient in the intensive care unit will allow identification of those who require urgent reintervention and the correction of the physiological derangement in the remaining patients for their scheduled reintervention and definitive management.

Las técnicas de control de daños aplicadas al manejo de lesiones torácicas han evolucionado en los últimos 15 años. A pesar de que el número de publicaciones es limitado, la información es suficiente para desvirtuar algunos temores y establecer los principios de manejo. La severidad del compromiso anatómico justifica el procedimiento de control de daños solamente en algunos casos. En la mayoría, la magnitud del deterioro fisiológico y la presencia de otras fuentes de sangrado dentro del tórax o en otros compartimientos corporales constituyen la indicación del procedimiento abreviado. La clasificación de la lesión pulmonar como periférica, transfixiante y central o múltiple, proporciona una pauta para el control transitorio del sangrado y para el manejo definitivo de la lesión: neumorrafía, resección en cuña, tractotomía o resecciones anatómicas, respectivamente. La identificación de ciertos patrones como la necesidad de toracotomía de reanimación o de oclusión aórtica, la existencia de un hemotórax masivo, de una lesión pulmonar central, una lesión traqueobronquial o una lesión vascular mayor, así como el reconocimiento de hipotermia, acidosis o coagulopatía, constituyen la indicación de una toracotomía de control de daños. En estos casos, el cirujano concluye de manera abreviada los procedimientos con empaquetamiento de las superficies sangrantes, el manejo primario con empaquetamiento de algunas lesiones pulmonares periféricas o transfixiante seleccionadas y el aplazamiento de la resección pulmonar, pinzando el hilio de la manera más selectiva posible. La abreviación del cierre de la toracotomía se logra con la sutura de la piel sobre el empaquetamiento de la herida, o mediante la instalación de un sistema de presión negativa. El manejo del paciente en cuidados intensivos permitirá identificar aquellos que requieren reintervención urgente y corregir la alteración fisiológica de los restantes para su reoperación programada y manejo definitivo.

Damage control of peripheral vascular trauma - Don't be afraid of axillary or popliteal fosses.

Peripheral vascular injuries are uncommon in civilian trauma but can threaten the patient's life or the viability of the limb. The definitive control of the vascular injury represents a surgical challenge, especially if the patient is hemodynamically unstable. This article proposes the management of peripheral vascular trauma following damage control surgery principles. It is essential to rapidly identify vascular injury signs and perform temporary bleeding control maneuvers. The surgical approaches according to the anatomical injured region should be selected. We propose two novel approaches to access the axillary and popliteal zones. The priority should be to reestablish limb perfusion via primary repair or damage control techniques (vascular shunt or endovascular approach). Major vascular surgeries should be managed post-operatively in the intensive care unit, which will allow correction of physiological derangement and identification of those developing compartmental syndrome. All permanent or temporary vascular procedures should be followed by a definitive repair within the first 8 hours. An early diagnosis and opportune intervention are fundamental to preserve the function and perfusion of the extremity.

El trauma vascular periférico no es común en el contexto civil, pero representa una amenaza para la vida del paciente o de la extremidad. El control definitivo de la lesión vascular representa un desafío quirúrgico, especialmente en pacientes con inestabilidad hemodinámica. Este artículo describe la propuesta de manejo del trauma vascular periférico de acuerdo con los principios de la cirugía de control de daños. Se debe identificar los signos sugestivos de lesión vascular y realizar oportunamente maniobras temporales para el control del sangrado. Se debe elegir el abordaje quirúrgico dependiendo del área anatómica lesionada. Se proponen dos nuevas incisiones para acceder a la región axilar y poplítea. La prioridad es restablecer la perfusión de la extremidad mediante el reparo primario o técnicas de control de daños (shunt vascular o abordaje endovascular). Los pacientes sometidos a cirugías vasculares mayores deben ser manejados postoperatoriamente en la unidad de cuidados intensivos para corregir las alteraciones fisiológicas e identificar aquellos que desarrollen un síndrome compartimental. Todos los procedimientos vasculares permanentes o temporales deben contar con un reparo definitivo en las primeras 8 horas. El diagnóstico temprano e intervención oportuna son fundamentales para salvaguardar la perfusión y funcionalidad de la extremidad.

Damage control surgery for splenic trauma: "preserve an organ - preserve a life".

The spleen is one of the most commonly injured solid organs of the abdominal cavity and an early diagnosis can reduce the associated mortality. Over the past couple of decades, management of splenic injuries has evolved to a prefered non-operative approach even in severely injured cases. However, the optimal surgical management of splenic trauma in severely injured patients remains controversial. This article aims to present an algorithm for the management of splenic trauma in severely injured patients, that includes basic principles of damage control surgery and is based on the experience obtained by the Trauma and Emergency Surgery Group (CTE) of Cali, Colombia. The choice between a conservative or a surgical approach depends on the hemodynamic status of the patient. In hemodynamically stable patients, a computed tomography angiogram should be performed to determine if non-operative management is feasible and if angioembolization is required. While hemodynamically unstable patients should be transferred immediately to the operating room for damage control surgery, which includes splenic packing and placement of a negative pressure dressing, followed by angiography with embolization of any ongoing arterial bleeding. It is our recommendation that both damage control principles and emerging endovascular technologies should be applied to achieve splenic salvage when possible. However, if surgical bleeding persists a splenectomy may be required as a definitive lifesaving maneuver.

El bazo es uno de los órganos sólidos comprometidos con mayor frecuencia en el trauma abdominal y el diagnóstico oportuno disminuye la mortalidad. El manejo del trauma esplénico ha cambiado considerablemente en las últimas décadas y hoy en día se prefiere un abordaje conservador incluso en casos de lesión severa. Sin embargo, la estrategia óptima para el manejo del trauma esplénico en el paciente severamente traumatizado aún es controvertida. El objetivo de este artículo es proponer una estrategia de manejo para el trauma esplénico en pacientes politraumatizados que incluye los principios de la cirugía de control de daños en base a la experiencia obtenida por el grupo de Cirugía de Trauma y Emergencias (CTE) de Cali, Colombia. La decisión entre un abordaje conservador o quirúrgico depende del estado hemodinámico del paciente. En pacientes hemodinámicamente estables, se debe realizar una tomografía axial computarizada con contraste endovenoso para determinar si es posible un manejo conservador y si requiere angio-embolización. Mientras que los pacientes hemodinámicamente inestables deben ser trasladados inmediatamente al quirófano para empaquetamiento esplénico y colocación de un sistema de presión negativa, seguido de angiografía con embolización de cualquier sangrado arterial persistente. Es nuestra recomendación aplicar conjuntamente los principios del control de daños y las tecnologías endovasculares emergentes para lograr la conservación del bazo, cuando sea posible. Sin embargo, si el sangrado persiste puede requerirse una esplenectomía como medida definitiva para salvaguardar la vida del paciente.