Right hepatic vein bullet embolism: A case report.

Penetrating trauma is usually divided into stab and gunshot wounds (GSW). When considering GSW, the initial assessment involves the identification of all the wounds, to understand the projectile's trajectory as well as to determine which anatomic structures might have been damaged [1]. Rarely, the projectile might not leave the victim's body and embolize to a different region through large blood vessels. Known as Missile Embolism (ME), this uncommon complication can compromise multiple body segments, resulting in severe injuries, whether it occurs through an artery or a vein, such as pulmonary embolism, cardiac-valve incompetence, limb-threatening ischemia, coronary infarct, and stroke [2,3]. This is a case report of an 18-year-old male patient who suffered a gunshot wound and was submitted to an exploratory laparotomy which identified a laceration of the inferior vena cava. Further exams concluded that the bullet was embolized to the right hepatic vein. ME treatment will depend mostly on the bullet's placement; if located in the left circulation or arterial vessels, retrieval is the preferred treatment. It can be executed through surgical exploration or endovascular procedure [3,4,8] Venous ME has several treatment options, including conservative management if the patient remains asymptomatic [[3], [4], [5], [6], [7]]. Cases of paradoxical embolization might be managed as arterial ME [3,4].

Trauma e gestação / Trauma and pregnancy

A incidência de trauma durante a gestação é de 6% a 8% (formas graves de trauma: 3%-6%). Das gestantes que necessitam de internação por causa de um trauma, 60% evoluem para o parto. As gestantes têm 1,6 vez mais chances de morrer numa situação de trauma. As alterações anatômicas e fisiológicas da gestação interferem nas repercussões e na abordagem do trauma. A violência doméstica representa o mecanismo mais comum de trauma para a gestante e desencadeia várias complicações obstétricas, devendo ser, idealmente, identificada no pré-natal. No acidente automobilístico, atenção especial deve ser dada ao diagnóstico de descolamento prematuro de placenta (DPP). O ultrassom na sala de trauma possibilita ação na assistência ao trauma e também, como mecanismo rápido, informações necessárias sobre o feto e a gestação (FAST fetal). A maioria dos exames de imagem necessários para a boa assistência ao trauma não representa agravos à gestação. O pré-natal tem papel importante na prevenção dos traumas na gestação. A ação conjunta do cirurgião do trauma e do obstetra é recomendada no atendimento da gestante traumatizada, principalmente nos casos graves e em gestantes acima de 20-24 semanas

Methylene Blue for Refractory Shock in Polytraumatized Patient: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND: Methylene blue (MB) has been advocated for the treatment of shock refractory to standard measures. MB is proposed to increase blood pressure in shock by interfering with guanylate cyclase and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity. Several studies have evaluated the vasoconstrictive and positive inotropic effects of MB in septic shock patients. However, there is a paucity of studies involving trauma patients. CASE REPORT: A 4-year-old boy was hit by a truck while riding his bicycle and was treated with fluid resuscitation at the emergency department and then taken to the operating room for damage-control surgery. He had liver, diaphragm, rectal, and thoracic injuries. At the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), he remained hypotensive despite volume, dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine infusion. A dose of 0.5 mg/kg of i.v. MB was administered. During the next 2 h after MB administration, we were able to wean him off norepinephrine, and doses of epinephrine and dopamine were reduced. Ultimately, he was discharged from the PICU 13 days later in good condition. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Trauma patients who have experienced bleeding and survived the initial insult are still at risk of dying from continuing systemic hypoperfusion and the resultant multiple organ dysfunctions. Use of a low dose of MB as an adjuvant to treat shock might improve survival of these patients.

Jejunal diverticulitis as a cause of acute abdomen / Abdome agudo por diverticulite de jejuno

Jejunoileal diverticulosis is an uncommon and underdiagnosed condition. Most patients are asymptomatic and require no specific treatment. A few patients, however, present life-threatening complications that may require surgical intervention. The purpose of this report is to illustrate a case of jejunoileal diverticulosis manifested as an acute abdomen.

A doença diverticular do intestino delgado é uma entidade incomum e pouco diagnosticada. A maioria dos casos não apresenta sintomas e não necessita de tratamento específico. Alguns pacientes, no entanto, podem evoluir com complicações da doença e necessitar de tratamento cirúrgico. O objetivo deste relato é ilustrar um caso de diverticulose jejunal que evoluiu para um quadro de abdome agudo.

Curbing Inflammation in hemorrhagic trauma: a review.

Trauma is one of the world's leading causes of death within the first 40 years of life and thus a significant health problem. Trauma accounts for nearly a third of the lost years of productive life before 65 years of age and is associated with infection, hemorrhagic shock, reperfusion syndrome, and inflammation. The control of hemorrhage, coagulopathy, optimal use of blood products, balancing hypo and hyperperfusion, and hemostatic resuscitation improve survival in cases of trauma with massive hemorrhage. This review discusses inflammation in the context of trauma-associated hemorrhagic shock. When one considers the known immunomodulatory effects of traumatic injury, allogeneic blood transfusion, and the overlap between patient populations, it is surprising that so few studies have assessed their combined effects on immune function. We also discuss the relative benefits of curbing inflammation rather than attempting to prevent it.

Diaphragmatic hernia repair more than four years after severe trauma: Four case reports.

INTRODUCTION: Diaphragmatic rupture is an infrequent complication of trauma, occurring in about 5% of those who suffer a severe closed thoracoabdominal injury and about half of the cases are diagnosed early. High morbidity and mortality from bowel strangulation and other sequelae make prompt surgical intervention mandatory. CASE PRESENTATION: Four Brazilian men with a delayed diagnosis of a rare occurrence of traumatic diaphragmatic hernia. Patient one had diaphragmatic rupture on the right side of thorax and the others three patients on the left thoracic side, all they had to approach by a laparotomy and some approach in the chest, either thoracotomy or VATS. This injuries required surgical repositioning of extensively herniated abdominal viscera and intensive postoperative medical management with a careful control of intra-abdominal pressure. DISCUSSION: The negative pressure of the thoracic cavity causes a gradually migration of abdominal contents into the chest; this sequestration reduces the abdomen's ability to maintain the viscera in their normal anatomical position. When the hernia is diagnosed early, the repair is less complicated and requires less invasive surgery. Years after the initial trauma, the diaphragmatic rupture produces dense adhesions between the chest and the abdominal contents. CONCLUSIONS: All cases demonstrated that surgical difficulty increases when diaphragmatic rupture is not diagnosed early. It should be noted that when trauma to the thoraco-abdominal transition area is blunt or penetrating, a thorough evaluation is required to rule out diaphragmatic rupture and a regular follow-up to monitor late development of this comorbidity.

Curbing Inflammation in hemorrhagic trauma: a review / "Curbing Inflammation" e hemorragia por trauma: uma revisão

Trauma is one of the world's leading causes of death within the first 40 years of life and thus a significant health problem. Trauma accounts for nearly a third of the lost years of productive life before 65 years of age and is associated with infection, hemorrhagic shock, reperfusion syndrome, and inflammation. The control of hemorrhage, coagulopathy, optimal use of blood products, balancing hypo and hyperperfusion, and hemostatic resuscitation improve survival in cases of trauma with massive hemorrhage. This review discusses inflammation in the context of trauma-associated hemorrhagic shock. When one considers the known immunomodulatory effects of traumatic injury, allogeneic blood transfusion, and the overlap between patient populations, it is surprising that so few studies have assessed their combined effects on immune function. We also discuss the relative benefits of curbing inflammation rather than attempting to prevent it.

O Trauma é uma das principais causas de morte até 40 anos de idade em todo o mundo e, portanto, um significativo problema de saúde. Esta doença é ainda responsável por quase um terço dos anos perdidos de vida produtiva até os 65 anos de idade e esta associada com infecção, choque hemorrágico, síndrome de reperfusão e inflamação. O controle da hemorragia, coagulopatia, utilização dos produtos derivados do sangue, equilibrando hipo e hiperperfusão, e reanimação hemostática melhoraram a sobrevida em casos de trauma com hemorragia volumosa. Esta revisão discute a inflamação no contexto de choque hemorrágico associado ao trauma. Quando consideradosos efeitos imunomoduladores conhecidos da lesão traumática e transfusão de sangue alogênico em relação aos doentes, é surpreendente que tão poucos estudos avaliaram os seus efeitos combinados sobre a função imunológica. Discutimos também os benefícios relativos de reduzir a inflamação ao invés de tentar impedi-la.

[Spontaneous rupture of the esophagus: Boerhaave's syndrome]. / Ruptura espontânea do esôfago: síndrome de Boerhaave.

Boerhaave's syndrome, the spontaneous rupture of the esophagus, is associated with a 35% death rate. Perforated esophagus is a surgical emergency; it is the most serious, and frequently the most rapidly lethal, perforation of the gastro-intestinal tract. Three cases of Boerhaave's syndrome are presented, with their variants and resolutions. Treatment and outcome are largely determined by the time of presentation. We reviewed our experience with esophageal perforations to determine the overall mortality and whether the time of presentation should influence management strategy.

Nonoperative management for patients with grade IV blunt hepatic trauma.

INTRODUCTION: The treatment of complex liver injuries remains a challenge. Nonoperative treatment for such injuries is increasingly being adopted as the initial management strategy. We reviewed our experience, at a University teaching hospital, in the nonoperative management of grade IV liver injuries with the intent to evaluate failure rates; need for angioembolization and blood transfusions; and in-hospital mortality and complications. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis conducted at a single large trauma centre in Brazil. All consecutive, hemodynamically stable, blunt trauma patients with grade IV hepatic injury, between 1996 and 2011, were analyzed. Demographics and baseline characteristics were recorded. Failure of nonoperative management was defined by the need for surgical intervention. Need for angioembolization and transfusions, in-hospital death, and complications were also assessed RESULTS: Eighteen patients with grade IV hepatic injury treated nonoperatively during the study period were included. The nonoperative treatment failed in only one patient (5.5%) who had refractory abdominal pain. However, no missed injuries and/or worsening of bleeding were observed during the operation. None of the patients died nor need angioembolization. No complications directly related to the liver were observed. Unrelated complications to the liver occurred in three patients (16.7%); one patient developed a tracheal stenosis (secondary to tracheal intubation); one had pleural effusion; and one developed an abscess in the pleural cavity. The hospital length of stay was on average 11.56 days. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, nonoperative management of grade IV liver injury for stable blunt trauma patients is associated with high success rates without significant complications.

Fatal motorcycle crashes: a serious public health problem in Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: The numbers of two-wheel vehicles are growing across the world. In comparison to other vehicles, motorcycles are cheaper and thus represent a significant part of the automobile market. Both the mobility and speed are attractive factors to those who want to use them for work or leisure. Crashes involving motorcyclists have become an important issue, especially fatal ones. Specific severe injuries are responsible for the deaths. Defining them is necessary in order to offer better prevention and a more suitable medical approach. METHODS: All fatal motorcycle crashes between January 2001 and December 2009 in Campinas, Brazil, were analyzed in this study. Official data have been collected from police incident reports, hospitals' registers and autopsies. Both incidents and casualties were analyzed according to relevant variables. The Injury Severity Score (ISS) was calculated, describing the most potentially fatal injuries. RESULTS: There were 479 deaths; 90.8% were male; the mean age was 27.8 (range 0-73); 86.4% were conductors of the vehicles; blood alcohol was positive in 42.3%; 49.7% died at a hospital; 32.6% died at the scene; 26.1% of the accidents occurred at night, 69.1% were urban and 30.9% occurred on highways. The main causes of injury were collisions (63%) and falls (14%). The mean ISS was 38.5 (range 9-75). With regard to injuries, head trauma (67%) and thoracic trauma (40%) were the most common, followed by abdominal trauma (35%). Traumatic brain injury (67%) and hypovolemic shock (38%) were the most frequent causes of death. CONCLUSIONS: Alcohol was a significant factor in relation to the accidents. Head trauma was the most frequent and severe injury. Half of the victims died before receiving adequate medical attention, suggesting that prevention programs and laws should be implemented and applied in order to save future lives.

Ruptura espontânea do esôfago: síndrome de Boerhaave / Spontaneous rupture of the esophagus: boerhaave's syndrome

Boerhaave's syndrome, the spontaneous rupture of the esophagus, is associated with a 35% death rate. Perforated esophagus is a surgical emergency; it is the most serious, and frequently the most rapidly lethal, perforation of the gastro-intestinal tract. Three cases of Boerhaave's syndrome are presented, with their variants and resolutions. Treatment and outcome are largely determined by the time of presentation. We reviewed our experience with esophageal perforations to determine the overall mortality and whether the time of presentation should influence management strategy.