Comparison between Injury Severity Score (ISS) and New Injury Severity Score (NISS) in predicting mortality of thoracic trauma in a tertiary hospital.

INTRODUCTION: measuring the severity of traumatic injuries is crucial for predicting clinical outcomes. Whereas the Injury Severity Score (ISS) has limitations in assigning scores to injuries at the same site, the New Injury Severity Score (NISS) corrects for this problem by taking into account the three most severe injuries regardless of the region of the body. This study seeks to comprehend the clinical and epidemiological profile of trauma patients while comparing the effectiveness of scales for predicting mortality. METHODS: a descriptive, observational and retrospective study using records of patients who underwent thoracotomy at the Hospital das Clínicas of the Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro between 2000 and 2019. Demographic data, mechanisms of injury, affected organs, length of stay and mortality were analyzed. Injury severity was assessed using the ISS and NISS, and statistical analyses were conducted using MedCalc and SigmaPlot. RESULTS: 101 patients were assessed, on average 29.6 years old, 86.13% of whom were men. The average duration of hospitalization was 10.9 days and the mortality rate was 28.7%. The ROC curve analysis revealed a sensitivity of 68.97%, specificity of 80.56% and area under the curve of 0.837 for the ISS, and 58.62%, 94.44% and 0.855 for the NISS, respectively. The Youden index was 0.49 for the ISS and 0.53 for the NISS. CONCLUSION: the study demonstrated comparable efficacy of NISS and ISS in predicting mortality. These findings hold significance in the hospital setting. Professionals must be familiar with these scales to utilize them competently for each patient.

Operative versus Non-Operative Management of Traumatic Thoracolumbar Injuries according to the AO Spine Thoracolumbar Spine Injury Classification System

Introduction The AOSpine Thoracolumbar Spine Injury Classification (AOSTSIC) system has been proposed to better characterize injury morphologies and improve the classification of thoracolumbar (TL) spine trauma. However, the indications for surgical treatment according to the AOSTSIC system are still debated. Additionally, the proposed Thoracolumbar AOSpine Injury Score (AOSIS) is quite complex, which may preclude its use in daily practice. The objective of this reviewis to discuss the AOSTSIC systemand its indications for initial nonoperative versus surgical management of acute TL spine trauma. Methods We analyzed the literature for each injury type (and subtype, when pertinent) according to the AOSTSIC system as well as their potential treatment options. Results Patients with AOSTSIC subtypes A0, A1, and A2 are neurologically intact in the vast majority of the cases and initially managed nonoperatively. The treatment of A3- and A4-subtype injuries (burst fractures) in neurologically-intact patients is still debated with great controversy, with initially nonoperative management being considered an option in select patients. Surgery is recommended when there are neurological deficits or failure of nonoperativemanagement,with the role of magnetic resonance findings in the Posterior Ligamentous Complex (PLC) evaluation still being considered controversial. Injuries classified as type B1 in neurologically-intact patients may be treated, initially, with nonoperative management, provided that there are no ligamentous injury and non-displacing fragments. Due to severe ligamentous injury, type-B and type-C injuries should be considered as unstable injuries that must be surgically treated, regardless of the neurological status of the patient. Conclusions Until further evidence, we provided an easy algorithm-based guide on the spinal trauma literature to help surgeons in the decision-making process for the treatment of TL spine injuries classified according to the new AOSTSIC system.

Sternal fractures in a level III trauma intensive care unit. / Fraturas de esterno em uma unidade de tratamento intensivo especializada em trauma.

OBJECTIVE: to evaluate epidemiology, anatomical characteristics, management, and prognosis of critical patients with sternum fractures. METHODS: retrospective analysis of patients admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) of a Level III trauma center in Sao Paulo, Brazil. RESULTS: 1552 trauma patients were admitted from January 2012 to April 2016. A total of 439 patients had thoracic trauma and among these, 13 patients had sternum fracture, making up 0.9% of all trauma admissions and 3% of all thoracic trauma cases. Three of these 13 patients had unstable chest, two underwent surgical management for fracture fixation, and three died (mortality was of 29%). In one of the deaths, sternum fracture was assessed as the main contributor to the outcome. CONCLUSION: sternum fracture was diagnosed in 0.9% of critical trauma patients in a specialized ICU. Only 15% of patients required specific surgical management in the acute phase. In most cases, mortality was due to other injuries.

OBJETIVO: avaliar epidemiologia, características anatômicas, manejo e prognóstico de pacientes críticos com fraturas de esterno. MÉTODOS: análise retrospectiva de pacientes internados em unidade de terapia intensiva (UTI) de emergências cirúrgicas e trauma de um centro de trauma Tipo III em São Paulo, Brasil. RESULTADOS: foram admitidos 1552 pacientes traumatizados no período de janeiro de 2012 a abril de 2016. Desses, 439 apresentavam trauma torácico e 13 apresentavam fratura de esterno, configurando 0,9% das admissões de trauma e 3% dos traumas torácicos. Desses pacientes, três apresentavam tórax instável e dois foram submetidos à conduta cirúrgica para fixação da fratura. A mortalidade de pacientes com fratura de esterno foi de 29% (três pacientes). Em um dos óbitos pôde-se atribuir a fratura do esterno como contribuinte principal para o desfecho. CONCLUSÃO: a fratura de esterno foi diagnosticada em 0,9% dos pacientes críticos vítimas de trauma em UTI especializada. Somente 15% dos pacientes necessitaram de conduta cirúrgica específica na fase aguda e a mortalidade foi decorrente das outras lesões na maior parte dos casos.

Fraturas de esterno em uma unidade de tratamento intensivo especializada em trauma / Sternal fractures in a level III trauma intensive care unit

RESUMO Objetivo: avaliar epidemiologia, características anatômicas, manejo e prognóstico de pacientes críticos com fraturas de esterno. Métodos: análise retrospectiva de pacientes internados em unidade de terapia intensiva (UTI) de emergências cirúrgicas e trauma de um centro de trauma Tipo III em São Paulo, Brasil. Resultados: foram admitidos 1552 pacientes traumatizados no período de janeiro de 2012 a abril de 2016. Desses, 439 apresentavam trauma torácico e 13 apresentavam fratura de esterno, configurando 0,9% das admissões de trauma e 3% dos traumas torácicos. Desses pacientes, três apresentavam tórax instável e dois foram submetidos à conduta cirúrgica para fixação da fratura. A mortalidade de pacientes com fratura de esterno foi de 29% (três pacientes). Em um dos óbitos pôde-se atribuir a fratura do esterno como contribuinte principal para o desfecho. Conclusão: a fratura de esterno foi diagnosticada em 0,9% dos pacientes críticos vítimas de trauma em UTI especializada. Somente 15% dos pacientes necessitaram de conduta cirúrgica específica na fase aguda e a mortalidade foi decorrente das outras lesões na maior parte dos casos.

ABSTRACT Objective: to evaluate epidemiology, anatomical characteristics, management, and prognosis of critical patients with sternum fractures. Methods: retrospective analysis of patients admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) of a Level III trauma center in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Results: 1552 trauma patients were admitted from January 2012 to April 2016. A total of 439 patients had thoracic trauma and among these, 13 patients had sternum fracture, making up 0.9% of all trauma admissions and 3% of all thoracic trauma cases. Three of these 13 patients had unstable chest, two underwent surgical management for fracture fixation, and three died (mortality was of 29%). In one of the deaths, sternum fracture was assessed as the main contributor to the outcome. Conclusion: sternum fracture was diagnosed in 0.9% of critical trauma patients in a specialized ICU. Only 15% of patients required specific surgical management in the acute phase. In most cases, mortality was due to other injuries.

Fatal cardiac trauma in the city of Manaus, Amazonas state, Brazil. / Trauma cardíaco fatal na cidade de Manaus/AM, Brasil.

OBJECTIVE: to determine the frequency of fatal cardiac trauma in the city of Manaus, Brazil, between November 2015 and October 2016, and to clarify the mechanisms of trauma and death, previous hospital treatment, as well as the injuries associated with cardiac trauma. METHODS: retrospective, observational, and cross-sectional study, which reviewed the necropsy reports of individuals whose cause of death was cardiac injury. RESULTS: the cardiac trauma rate was of 5.98% (138 cases) out of 2,306 necropsies performed in the study period by Instituto Médico Legal (IML) de Manaus (IML is a Brazilian institute responsible for necropsies and cadaveric reports). Males accounted for 92% of the cases. The median age was 27 years (14-83). Gunshot wounds (GSW) was the trauma mechanism in 62.3% and stab wound (SW) in 29.7%. Exsanguination was responsible for most of the deaths and cardiac tamponade was present in second place. On-site death occurred in 86.2% of the cases. The ventricles were the most common site of cardiac injury. Hemothorax was identified in 90.6% of the individuals. Only 23 patients (16.7%) were taken to the hospital (Emergency Room), but six (26.2%) were submitted only to chest drainage, not to thoracotomy. The lung was unilaterally affected in 57% of the cases and bilaterally in 43%. CONCLUSION: fatal cardiac trauma represented an index of 5.98% in the city of Manaus. Most patients die at the scene of the trauma, usually due to exsanguination caused by gunshot wound. About a quarter of patients who reached the hospital and died were not diagnosed with cardiac trauma in time.

OBJETIVO: determinar o índice de trauma cardíaco fatal na cidade de Manaus e esclarecer os mecanismos de trauma e de morte, o tratamento hospitalar prévio, assim como as lesões associadas ao trauma cardíaco. MÉTODOS: estudo retrospectivo, observacional, transversal, que revisou os laudos de necropsias do Instituto Médico Legal de Manaus entre novembro de 2015 e outubro de 2016, cuja causa mortis foi lesão cardíaca. RESULTADOS: o índice de trauma cardíaco foi de 5,98% (138 casos) dentre 2306 necropsias realizadas no período do estudo. Homens foram afetados em 92%. A mediana de idade foi de 27 anos (14 a 83). A arma de fogo foi o mecanismo de trauma em 62,3% e a arma branca em 29,7%. A exsanguinação foi responsável pela maioria das mortes e o tamponamento cardíaco esteve presente em segundo lugar. Óbito no local ocorreu em 86,2%. Os ventrículos foram as câmaras mais lesionadas. O hemotórax foi descrito em 90,6%. Apenas 23 (16,7%) doentes foram removidos até o pronto socorro, porém seis deles (26,2%) não foram submetidos à toracotomia, apenas à drenagem de tórax. O pulmão foi acometido em 57% unilateralmente e 43% bilateralmente. CONCLUSÃO: o trauma cardíaco fatal representou um índice de 5,98% na cidade de Manaus. A maioria dos doentes morre na cena do trauma, geralmente devido à exsanguinação causada por ferimento de arma de fogo. Cerca de um quarto dos pacientes que chegaram ao pronto socorro e morreram, não foram diagnosticados com trauma cardíaco em tempo hábil.

[Thoracic trauma. Experience of three decades]. / Traumatismo torácico: caracterización de hospitalizaciones durante tres décadas.

BACKGROUND: Trauma is the leading cause of death in young patients and thoracic trauma (TT) is responsible for 25-35% of trauma deaths. AIM: To describe and compare features, trauma severity indexes and morbidity of patients admitted for TT in the past three decades. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Review of a TT database, operative notes and medical records of patients. These were separated by decade of admission (1981-1990, 1991-2000, 2001-2010). TT characteristics were compared. Injury Severity Score (ISS), Revised Trauma Score (RTS-T) and Trauma Injury Severity Score (TRISS) were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 3,068 TT were reviewed. In the 1981-1990 period, 604 cases of TT were registered (19.7%), in the 1991-2000 period, 1,070 cases (34.9%) and in the 2001-2010 period, 1,394 cases (45.4%) (p < 0.05). The ages of patients in each of these periods were 34.9 ± 15.5, 33.9 ± 16.2 and 35.7 ± 18.2 years respectively (p < 0.05). The proportion of patients aged 65 years or more were 6.6, 7.7 and 10.1% respectively, the proportion of females was 6.1, 9.4 and 12.0%, respectively. The causing agents per decade were knife wounds in 51.5, 61.1 and 60.0% of cases respectively, firearms in 2.5, 3.3 and 5.0% of cases respectively, multiple trauma in 13.9, 14.5 and 9.0% respectively and morbidity in 18.7, 19.7 and 11.7%, respectively. The ISS per decade was 11.9 ± 6.5, 12.9 ± 6.9 and 10.4 ± 6.8 respectively. No significant difference were found in mortality (1.5, 3.0, 2.0% respectively) or TRISS score (2.7, 3.2 and 3.8% respectively). CONCLUSIONS: An increase in the number of hospital admission for TT has occurred in the last three decades, with an increase in the proportion of admissions of subjects aged 65 years or more, females and with firearm injuries.

Traumatismo torácico: caracterización de hospitalizaciones durante tres décadas / Thoracic trauma: experience of three decades

Background: Trauma is the leading cause of death in young patients and thoracic trauma (TT) is responsible for 25-35% of trauma deaths. Aim: To describe and compare features, trauma severity indexes and morbidity of patients admitted for TT in the past three decades. Material and Methods: Review of a TT database, operative notes and medical records of patients. These were separated by decade of admission (1981-1990, 1991-2000, 2001-2010). TT characteristics were compared. Injury Severity Score (ISS), Revised Trauma Score (RTS-T) and Trauma Injury Severity Score (TRISS) were calculated. Results: A total of 3,068 TT were reviewed. In the 1981-1990 period, 604 cases of TT were registered (19.7%), in the 1991-2000 period, 1,070 cases (34.9%) and in the 2001-2010 period, 1,394 cases (45.4%) (p < 0.05). The ages of patients in each of these periods were 34.9 ± 15.5, 33.9 ± 16.2 and 35.7 ± 18.2 years respectively (p < 0.05). The proportion of patients aged 65 years or more were 6.6, 7.7 and 10.1% respectively, the proportion of females was 6.1, 9.4 and 12.0%, respectively. The causing agents per decade were knife wounds in 51.5, 61.1 and 60.0% of cases respectively, firearms in 2.5, 3.3 and 5.0% of cases respectively, multiple trauma in 13.9, 14.5 and 9.0% respectively and morbidity in 18.7, 19.7 and 11.7%, respectively. The ISS per decade was 11.9 ± 6.5, 12.9 ± 6.9 and 10.4 ± 6.8 respectively. No significant difference were found in mortality (1.5, 3.0, 2.0% respectively) or TRISS score (2.7, 3.2 and 3.8% respectively). Conclusions: An increase in the number of hospital admission for TT has occurred in the last three decades, with an increase in the proportion of admissions of subjects aged 65 years or more, females and with firearm injuries.

Trauma cardíaco fatal na cidade de Manaus/AM, Brasil / Fatal cardiac trauma in the city of Manaus, Amazonas state, Brazil

RESUMO Objetivo: determinar o índice de trauma cardíaco fatal na cidade de Manaus e esclarecer os mecanismos de trauma e de morte, o tratamento hospitalar prévio, assim como as lesões associadas ao trauma cardíaco. Métodos: estudo retrospectivo, observacional, transversal, que revisou os laudos de necropsias do Instituto Médico Legal de Manaus entre novembro de 2015 e outubro de 2016, cuja causa mortis foi lesão cardíaca. Resultados: o índice de trauma cardíaco foi de 5,98% (138 casos) dentre 2306 necropsias realizadas no período do estudo. Homens foram afetados em 92%. A mediana de idade foi de 27 anos (14 a 83). A arma de fogo foi o mecanismo de trauma em 62,3% e a arma branca em 29,7%. A exsanguinação foi responsável pela maioria das mortes e o tamponamento cardíaco esteve presente em segundo lugar. Óbito no local ocorreu em 86,2%. Os ventrículos foram as câmaras mais lesionadas. O hemotórax foi descrito em 90,6%. Apenas 23 (16,7%) doentes foram removidos até o pronto socorro, porém seis deles (26,2%) não foram submetidos à toracotomia, apenas à drenagem de tórax. O pulmão foi acometido em 57% unilateralmente e 43% bilateralmente. Conclusão: o trauma cardíaco fatal representou um índice de 5,98% na cidade de Manaus. A maioria dos doentes morre na cena do trauma, geralmente devido à exsanguinação causada por ferimento de arma de fogo. Cerca de um quarto dos pacientes que chegaram ao pronto socorro e morreram, não foram diagnosticados com trauma cardíaco em tempo hábil.

ABSTRACT Objective: to determine the frequency of fatal cardiac trauma in the city of Manaus, Brazil, between November 2015 and October 2016, and to clarify the mechanisms of trauma and death, previous hospital treatment, as well as the injuries associated with cardiac trauma. Methods: retrospective, observational, and cross-sectional study, which reviewed the necropsy reports of individuals whose cause of death was cardiac injury. Results: the cardiac trauma rate was of 5.98% (138 cases) out of 2,306 necropsies performed in the study period by Instituto Médico Legal (IML) de Manaus (IML is a Brazilian institute responsible for necropsies and cadaveric reports). Males accounted for 92% of the cases. The median age was 27 years (14-83). Gunshot wounds (GSW) was the trauma mechanism in 62.3% and stab wound (SW) in 29.7%. Exsanguination was responsible for most of the deaths and cardiac tamponade was present in second place. On-site death occurred in 86.2% of the cases. The ventricles were the most common site of cardiac injury. Hemothorax was identified in 90.6% of the individuals. Only 23 patients (16.7%) were taken to the hospital (Emergency Room), but six (26.2%) were submitted only to chest drainage, not to thoracotomy. The lung was unilaterally affected in 57% of the cases and bilaterally in 43%. Conclusion: fatal cardiac trauma represented an index of 5.98% in the city of Manaus. Most patients die at the scene of the trauma, usually due to exsanguination caused by gunshot wound. About a quarter of patients who reached the hospital and died were not diagnosed with cardiac trauma in time.

Traumatismo torácico en pediatría / Pediatric thoracic trauma

Thoracic trauma is the second cause of death for trauma in children. It is caused by mechanisms of high energy, principally motor vehicle collision. Multisystemic injuries are frequent. Management involves knowledge and understanding the anatomy, physiologyand the mechanism of the injuries, their change at different ages and the difference from adults. Pediatric chest trauma is caused mainly by contusion and there is increasing penetrating trauma in adolescents. The most common injuries are pulmonary contusion, hemothorax and pneumothorax with rib fractures. Airway, great vessels and heart injuries are rare but very serious. Most of thoracic injuries are solved by respiratory and hemodynamic support measurements, and tube thoracostomy. It is vital to recognize, in initial evaluation, those potentially lethal injuries, which give no time for radiological evaluation.

El traumatismo torácico es la segunda causa de muerte por trauma en niños. Es causado por mecanismos de alta energía, principalmente accidentes de tránsito, siendo frecuentes las lesiones multisistémicas, lo que aumenta su gravedad. Un manejo adecuado requiere conocer y entender como la anatomía, fisiología y los patrones de las lesiones cambian a distintas edades y difieren del comportamiento en adultos. Los traumatismos de tórax pediátricos son mayormente contusos aumentando los traumatismos penetrantes en adolescentes. Las lesiones más comunes son la contusión pulmonar, hemotórax, neumotórax y fracturas costales las cuales pueden coexistir. Las lesiones de vía aérea, corazón y grandes vasos son raras pero muy graves. La mayoría de los traumatismos torácicos se resuelven con medidas de soporte hemodinámico, respiratorio y drenaje pleural. Es vital reconocer en evaluación inicial aquellas lesiones potencialmente letales, que no dan tiempo a evaluación radiológica.

Perfuração torácica e fratura de esterno em potro – relato de caso / Thoracic drilling and sternal fracture in foal - case report

The aim of this paper is to describe an attempt to correct a thoracic trauma with drilling and sternum fracture in a filly. Cleaning the thoracic cavity was made, muscle graft placement, reduction and synthesis subcutaneous space of the skin. Recommended antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-tetanus serum and rest. Despite the efforts the animal came to death days later because of postsurgical complications.

Perfuração torácica e fratura de esterno em potro relato de caso / Thoracic drilling and sternal fracture in foal - case report

The aim of this paper is to describe an attempt to correct a thoracic trauma with drilling and sternum fracture in a filly. Cleaning the thoracic cavity was made, muscle graft placement, reduction and synthesis subcutaneous space of the skin. Recommended antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-tetanus serum and rest. Despite the efforts the animal came to death days later because of postsurgical complications.(AU)

Lesión traumática del diafragma / Traumatic lesion of the diafragm

Se presentan 31 casos de lesiones traumáticas del diafragma, 29 pertenecían al sexo masculino y 2 al femenino. Fueron penetrantes en 27 y cerradas en 4 casos. Todos los pacientes recibieron tratamiento quirúrgico en las primeras 24 horas. Las lesiones fueron unilaterales en todos los casos, 17 en el lado izquierdo y 14 en el derecho. En 29 traumatizados la lesión diafragmática fue un hallazgo intraoperatorio, solamente en 8 de ellos se sospechó el diagnóstico. El tipo de abordaje fue la laparotomía en 25 casos, seguida por la toracotomía, el abordaje combinado y la toraco-freno-laparotomía. En 29 casos se encontraron lesiones asociadas en otros órganos (hígado 15 casos, pulmón en 14, bazo en 6, grandes vasos y riñón en 5 cada uno, colon 4, estómago 3, páncreas 2). Se complicaron 6 pacientes (atelectasia homolateral 6, hemotórax 2 y empiema pleural 1). Fallecieron 4 pacientes, 2 en el intraoperatorio y 2 en el postoperatorio inmediato.

Lesión traumática del diafragma / Traumatic lesion of the diafragm

Se presentan 31 casos de lesiones traumáticas del diafragma, 29 pertenecían al sexo masculino y 2 al femenino. Fueron penetrantes en 27 y cerradas en 4 casos. Todos los pacientes recibieron tratamiento quirúrgico en las primeras 24 horas. Las lesiones fueron unilaterales en todos los casos, 17 en el lado izquierdo y 14 en el derecho. En 29 traumatizados la lesión diafragmática fue un hallazgo intraoperatorio, solamente en 8 de ellos se sospechó el diagnóstico. El tipo de abordaje fue la laparotomía en 25 casos, seguida por la toracotomía, el abordaje combinado y la toraco-freno-laparotomía. En 29 casos se encontraron lesiones asociadas en otros órganos (hígado 15 casos, pulmón en 14, bazo en 6, grandes vasos y riñón en 5 cada uno, colon 4, estómago 3, páncreas 2). Se complicaron 6 pacientes (atelectasia homolateral 6, hemotórax 2 y empiema pleural 1). Fallecieron 4 pacientes, 2 en el intraoperatorio y 2 en el postoperatorio inmediato. (AU)

Experiencia en traumatismo torácico: Hospital Valparaíso / Experience in thoracic traumatism: Valparaiso Hospital

Las lesiones del tórax son el resultado de trauma cerrado o abierto, que generalmente ocurren como consecuencia de lesiones por arma de fuego, arma blanca, accidentes de tránsito o compresiones torácicas por aplastamientos, entre otros. Se revisaron 163 fichas clínicas del Servicio de Cirugía Torácica del Hospital de Valparaíso entre enero de 1998 y junio de 2001. Se confeccionó un protocolo con datos a obtener de la ficha. Se analizaron los datos en valores absolutos y porcentajes. Posteriormente se efectuó una comparación de algunas variables entre el grupo de trauma abierto y el de cerrado. El 94,5 por ciento (154 pactes) correspondió a hombres y 5,5 por ciento (9 pactes) a mujeres. El promedio de edad fue de 30,9 años (rango 16-86). El mecanismo de trauma más frecuente fueron lesiones por armas blancas, (125 casos), seguido de caídas de altura (19 casos), accidentes de tránsito (9 casos), y armas de fuego (6 casos). Ciento veintiséis pacientes presentaron traumatismo abierto y 37 cerrado. Las lesiones más frecuentes fueron: neumotórax, 116 casos; hemotórax, 92 casos; y fracturas costales, 28 casos. El 87,1 por ciento de los traumatismos se manejó con tubo pleural (142 pactes). Sólo 11 pacientes necesitaron toracotomía de urgencia.

Trauma de tórax

El trauma de tórax es una de las patologías más freceutnes y es causa de un 66 por ciento de las defunciones por esta causa. Los mecanismos que los producen son entre otros: aceleración y desaceleración (accidentes automovilísticos); compresión corporal (aplastamientos); impacto a gran velocidad (armas de fuego); y otras como heridas penetrantes a baja velocidad sofocación, envenenamiento por cáusticos, quemaduras, electrocución, cuerpos extraños. Como consecuencia de este tipo de traumas se puede producir hipoxia tisular, acidosis respiratoria, insuficiencia respiratoria, ante lo cual se debe propender a mantener una vía aérea con control de la columna cervical, respiración y ventilación, circulación y control de hemorragias.

Aplicación de la Clasificación comprensiva de las fracturas tóraco-lumbares de la AO y determinación de su funcionalidad / Application of AO comprehensive classification for thoraco-lumbar fractures and an evaluation of its functionality

Se realizó un estudio prospectivo de enero a diciembre de 1996, con el objeto de conocer la utilidad de la aplicación de la clasificación de AO para las fracturas de la columna tóraco-lumbar. La clasificación se aplicó en una serie de 182 pacientes, de los cuales, el 50 por ciento se encontraba entre los 25 y los 54 años, el 72 por ciento fue del sexo masculino y casi el 70 por ciento se encontraban libres de compresión del saco dural o con un invasión menor al 25 por ciento del conducto raquídeo. Se revisa aquí la clasificación AO, misma que se utilizó como base para la toma de decisión terapéutica en la presente serie y se encontró que sí tuvo una utilidad absoluta (p=0.006)

Injuria pulmonar y distress respiratorio agudo en el politraumatizado grave / Pulmonary injury and acute respiratory distress in severely politraumatized patients

Diferentes tipos de injuria (traumática, infecciosa, etc.) pueden desencadenar la activación anárquica de los mecanismos de la inflamación, lo cual es amplificado por el sistema monocito-macrofágico, que lleva a una panendotelitis difusa maligna, conocida como respuesta inflamatoria sistémica. En este contexto, el pulmón presenta una modalidad órgano-específica conocida como Injuria Pulmonar Aguda (IPA). La acción de las células inflamatorias sobre el endotelio produce una injuria microvascular, con alteración de las uniones intercelulares y formación de membranas hialinas. Si la injuria dura más de 10 días, se ven zonas de fibrosis. El shunt, producido por el exudado de líquido desde el capilar pulmonar al intersticio y el alvéolo es el principal mecanismo de hipoxia en el edema pulmonar, sea de tipo hidrostático o inflamatorio. La hipercapnia solo aparece con altos porcentajes de shunt (>50 por ciento). Esta hipoxemia es resistente a la corrección con incrementos de la FiO2, siendo estas altas fracciones inspiradas de oxígeno potencialmente tóxicas y coadyuvantes de la injuria pulmonar que originó su empleo. La corrección de la hipoxemia suele requerir asistencia respiratoria mecánica (ARM) con empleo de presión positiva de fin de espiración (PEEP), para incrementar los volúmenes pulmonares. En la radiografía de tórax del paciente con IPA suele verse la ocupación periférica o en parches de los campos pulmonares. En la radiografía de tórax del paciente con IPA suele verse la ocupación periférica o en parches de los campos pulmonares. La IPA secundaria a neumonía puede progresar radiológicamente desde alteración focal a bilateral difusa, mientras que la secundaria a injuria extrapulmonar puede presentarse inicialmente con imagen normal. La mecánica pulmonar en la IPA se caracteriza por una caída de la compliance, lo cual requiere mayores presiones transpulmonares para mantener una adecuada ventilación. La caída de la compliance puede preceder incluso a la hipoxemia, y su presencia es signo de mal pronóstico. La IPA puede asociarse a disfunción de múltiples parénquimas, desarrollándose un estado hipermetabólico de respuesta inflamatoria, que puede llegar a la disfunción multiorgánica. La función hepática es un determinante mayor en pacientes con IPA, dada su función detoxificadora y aclaradora de mediadores sistémicos y toxinas vinculadas a procesos de translocación bacteriana...(AU)