Effect of alcohol intoxication on hemodynamic physiology and outcome in patients with traumatic cardiac tamponade.

BACKGROUND: Alcohol intoxication has a detrimental effect on hypovolemic shock. Our aim, was to study its effects on "pure" cardiac tamponade (i.e., without hypovolemia) in patients with penetrating chest injuries. METHODS: Thirty-five intoxicated and 15 nonintoxicated patients (blood alcohol > and < 17 mmol/L) were studied. Initial vital signs (trauma scores), special investigations (hematologic profiles, blood gases, glucose, lactate, and catecholamines), clinical progress (24- and 72-hour acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II scores) and outcome were compared. RESULTS: Intoxicated patients were older (p = 0.02) and more tachypneic on admission (p = 0.006), but no other differences were noted. Mortality was proportional to the degree of shock and was greater in patients who had "front-room" thoracotomies (p < 0.001). Despite the higher percentage of intoxicated patients who were "lifeless" or "in extremis" on admission, they fared no worse than nonintoxicated patients. CONCLUSION: Alcohol intoxication does not have an adverse affect on traumatic cardiac tamponade.

Conservative management of abdominal injuries: audit of criteria for discharge.

This prospective study was conducted to audit the discharge criteria of patients admitted for the conservative management of abdominal trauma. A total of 184 patients who were admitted to Groote Schuur Hospital (GSH) with penetrating or blunt abdominal injuries and who were conservatively managed according to the GSH protocol were assessed. The study concluded that patients with abdominal trauma who do not require emergency laparotomy can be safely discharged after a period of conservative management provided they are pain-free, hungry and passing flatus.

Evaluation of a small trauma team for major resuscitation.

There has been a great improvement in the early management of trauma patients, encapsulated by ATLS. Initial in-hospital management of significant trauma is undertaken by a trauma team, the number and content of which varies. No study has demonstrated that large trauma teams per se improve patient survival, compared to smaller teams working in the same tertiary referral centre environment. This is a retrospective study of pedestrian road traffic accident patients, who were major resuscitation cases admitted over a 6-month period to this hospital, which is a Level I Trauma Centre. Most major trauma resuscitations are undertaken by a small trauma team, led by one doctor. The performance of the small trauma team was evaluated by applying TRISS methodology and comparing our patient group with MTOS (US). There were 77 patients. The majority (52 per cent) had polytrauma, 80 per cent required intubation, the median ISS was 27 and the median RTS was 5.03. Ten per cent required resuscitative procedures and 75 per cent required urgent surgery. Using TRISS methodology the Z statistic was +0.54 and the Unit's M statistic was 0.492. There were more unexpected survivors than deaths. Seventy-one per cent were initially treated by one doctor. Only two patients had three or more doctors at the initial resuscitation. The use of small trauma teams within this Level I Trauma Centre does not appear to give results that are any worse than those of units that routinely use larger teams. This could be evaluated in other centres and may have implications for training, manpower and costing.

Injured pedestrians in Cape Town--the role of alcohol.

OBJECTIVE: To establish a profile of injured adult pedestrians and attempt to define the role which alcohol plays in this regard. DESIGN: Prospective survey of injured pedestrians who presented consecutively over 9 weeks to Groote Schuur Hospital. Data on fatally injured pedestrians were retrospectively collected from the State Mortuary. SETTING: Hospital-based study conducted at the trauma unit, Groote Schuur Hospital. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 321 pedestrians--196 injured and 35 'dead on arrival'. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Sociodemographics, blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and injury severity. RESULTS: Patients were predominantly male and, on average, 35.6 years old. They were most frequently injured at night and over weekends. The BAC was positive in 62.1% of pedestrians, and the mean BAC was 0.19 g/dl. Most pedestrians had at least one lower limb injury and nearly half had a head injury; however, BAC-positive pedestrians were 2.6 times more likely to have a head injury (P = 0.0009). Furthermore, BAC-positive pedestrians sustained more severe injuries, more frequently required admission to the ICU, had longer hospital admission and were more likely to die of their injuries. The overall case fatality rate was 19.5%. CONCLUSIONS: The influence of alcohol intoxication among injured adult pedestrians in Cape Town is high, suggesting that alcohol plays a major role in these accidents. Consequently, there should be some degree of culpability in those who cross the road while in an intoxicated state. However, equal attention should be given to safe and convenient crossing points, good lighting and education with regard to the wearing of reflective clothing after dark.

Operative strategies in pancreatic trauma.

Pancreatic injuries are relatively uncommon and the choice of an appropriate operative procedure can be difficult. Operations for pancreatic trauma from January 1990 to June 1993 have been reviewed. Fifty-one patients were studied; 13 had blunt trauma, 17 gunshot wounds and 21 stab wounds. The distribution of injuries was: pancreatic head (17), body (15) and tail (19). Most patients had associated injuries of surrounding organs. Operations performed included pancreatoduodenectomy (seven), distal pancreatectomy (seven) and external drainage (35). Five patients (10 per cent) died: two from haemorrhage, one from an acute subdural haematoma and two from multiple organ failure. Ten patients (20 per cent) developed a pancreatic fistula, four following blunt trauma, four after gunshot wounds and two with stab wounds; all but one had undergone drainage procedures. Stab wounds were associated with a low incidence of duct injury and external drainage was usually satisfactory. After blunt trauma and gunshot wounds, duct injuries were common and easily missed; careful exploration by an experienced surgeon is essential. In appropriately selected patients, pancreatic resection can be performed with good result.

Is there a place for radionuclide bone scintigraphy in the management of radiograph-negative scaphoid trauma?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of radionuclide bone scanning in patients with suspected scaphoid trauma, particularly in those with negative radiographs. DESIGN: Prospective. Radionuclide scans and carpal bone radiography were performed on all participants in the early post-injury period. SETTING: Cape Town tertiary centre trauma unit. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty patients who presented with clinical features suggestive of scaphoid trauma. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Definitive radiographic diagnosis of fracture or persistent clinical features of scaphoid trauma. RESULTS: All patients who had fractures demonstrated on standard radiography either at the initial visit (13 patients) or at 2 weeks (8 patients) had positive scintiscans (sensitivity 100%). Four of 6 patients who had a positive scan but negative first and second radiographs had persistent tenderness on clinical examination which required extended immobilisation in a plaster cast. The overall positive predictive value of scintigraphy was 93%. All patients with a negative scan were clinically and radiologically negative at 2 weeks (negative predictive value 100%). Evidence of multifocal injury was present in 12 scans, but only 1 radiograph. Thirty-one patients (62%) were scanned within 48 hours of injury. CONCLUSION: Bone scintigraphy can be used in radiograph-negative scaphoid area injury to exclude the need for further follow-up reliably, but those with positive scans still require clinical examination and radiography at 2 weeks.

Involuntary defaecation in acutely injured patients: a useful clinical sign.

The phenomenon of involuntary defaecation following acute, severe injuries has never been documented before, but has been noted by those who work in major trauma units. The exact cause of the phenomenon is unknown. We prospectively noted 14 patients who involuntarily defaecated in a 3-month period and analysed their clinical findings retrospectively. Involuntary defaecation occurred only in patients with severe penetrating or blunt injuries. In those with precordial stabs, involuntary defaecation was particularly predictive of cardiac injury, and in all injuries was associated with higher surgical intervention and mortality rates. The occurrence of involuntary defaecation in injured patients is a useful sign that nearly always indicates the need for urgent intervention.

Patients who reattend after head injury: a high risk group.

OBJECTIVE: To assess risk factors for important neurosurgical effects in patients who reattend after head injury. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SUBJECTS: 606 patients who reattended a trauma unit after minor head injury. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Intracranial abnormality detected on computed tomography or the need for neurosurgical intervention. RESULTS: Five patients died: two from unrelated causes and three from raised intracranial pressure. On multiple regression analysis the only significant predictor for both abnormality on computed tomography (14.4% of reattenders) and the need for operation (5% of reattenders) was vault fracture seen on the skull radiograph (P < 10(-6)); predictors for abnormal computed tomogram were a Glasgow coma scale score < 15 at either first or second attendance (P < 0.0001) and convulsion at second attendance (P < 0.05); predictive for operation only was penetrating injury of the skull (P < 10(-6)). On contingency table analysis these associations were confirmed. In addition significant associations with both abnormality on computed tomography and operation were focal neurological abnormality, weakness, or speech disturbance. Amnesia or loss of consciousness at the time of initial injury, personality change, and seizures were significantly associated only with abnormality on computed tomography. Headache, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting were common in reattenders but were found to have no independent significance. CONCLUSIONS: All patients who reattend after head injury should undergo computed tomography as at least 14% of scans can be expected to yield positive results. Where this facility is not available patients with predictors for operation should be urgently referred for neurosurgical opinion. Other patients can be readmitted and need referral only if symptoms persist despite symptomatic treatment or there is neurological deterioration while under observation. These patients are a high risk group and should be treated seriously.

Immediate and delayed contact hypersensitivity to verbena plants.

Plants from the Verbenaceae family may cause contact dermatitis of unknown nature. This report describes 2 cases of allergic reactions to the Verbena species. A teenage boy developed an anaphylactic allergic response following contact with the leaves of Verbena hybrida. Characterization of the patient's specific IgE response to Verbena hybrida, using Western blots and autoradiography, identified the specific 62000 Dalton allergen present in the verbena leaves to which the patient reacted. This is the first report of an IgE-mediated immediate contact hypersensitivity reaction to Verbena hybrida, a common perennial in South African gardens. The other case was a 23-year-old female gardener who developed immediate and delayed-type contact dermatitis from Verbena elegans 'Cleopatra' produced in a Danish nursery. Prick tests to plant material were considered positive and of an allergic nature.

Closed traumatic forequarter amputation without fracture. A case report.

Closed forequarter amputation (scapulothoracic dissociation) is a rare, easily missed, life-threatening injury. The diagnosis should be suspected in patients with a pulseless, flail limb, supraclavicular haematoma, lateral scapular displacement and clavicular disruption. Early surgery is essential to control haemorrhage and completion of the amputation with attention to closure of the resulting defect is often required. Prognosis for long-term functional recovery is poor, in spite of modern prosthetic aids.

The suction test for oesophageal placement of the endotracheal tube using an oesophageal detector device: caution is required with inexperienced operators.

A modified oesophageal detector device made from simple universally available components was tested in a cadaver model using relatively inexperienced nurse volunteers as operators. In all but two of 71 tests the correct location of an endotracheal tube was identified in under 10 s. The errors were the result of inadequate attention to seating the device in the endotracheal tube connector. The positive predictive value for oesophageal placement was 100%. It is recommended that the device be more widely used, especially in ambulances and emergency departments, but that personnel should be specifically trained in its use.

The use of midazolam in trauma resuscitation.

Experience with the use of midazolam in the resuscitation of severely injured patients is described. All 33 patients included in the study were given midazolam to allow endotracheal intubation and/or positive pressure ventilation in the resuscitation room, prior to transfer to the operating theatre or intensive care unit. Those with possible head injury were subjected to computed tomography of the head once stabilized. Adjuvant analgesia with an intravenous opiate was required in less than 40% of patients, and the amnesic properties of midazolam were found to be excellent. Cardiorespiratory side effects were not seen. Midazolam was found to be a safe and viable alternative to muscle relaxants, allowing endotracheal intubation and ventilation, in addition to other invasive procedures, to be carried out with minimal distress to the patient.

Traumatic rhabdomyolysis from severe beating--experience of volume diuresis in 200 patients.

Fluid loading with balanced salt solution (BSS) was carried out in 200 patients with extensive soft tissue injuries from severe beatings. Urinary volume and dipstick specific gravity testing were used to monitor renal function with administration of furosemide for persistent oliguria. Acute intrinsic renal failure (AIRF) occurred in 21 patients (10.5%) and five patients died (2.5%); two of hyperkalemia, two of sepsis and one of multiple organ failure. Significantly increased rates of AIRF and death were associated with injury-admission intervals of more than 12 hours, severe metabolic acidosis, low initial hemoglobin, heavy pigmenturia, and high serum creatine kinase (CK) levels. An increased serum creatinine/BUN ratio was noted in four of the five patients who died. An average of 7.5 L fluids was needed in non-AIRF patients to achieve adequate diuresis with a mean positive fluid balance of 4.7 L. No patient without pigmenturia developed AIRF. Balanced salt solution volume diuresis supplemented with furosemide as necessary appears to be safe and effective in preventing AIRF in soft tissue injuries sustained in beatings.

Lipohaemarthrosis in knee trauma: an experience of 907 cases.

The role of the horizontal beam lateral radiograph in the investigation of knee trauma was assessed by retrospective analysis of 907 cases presenting to a tertiary trauma unit. For each case the presence of a visible lipohaemarthrosis on the horizontal beam radiograph was correlated with the presence of an intra-articular fracture. Visible lipohaemarthrosis is a very specific sign of an intra-articular fracture (88.6 per cent), occurring in 27.1 per cent of cases. The authors propose that the horizontal beam lateral radiograph should be the standard lateral view in the investigation of knee trauma. The presence of a visible lipohaemarthrosis in the absence of a visible fracture, or isolated fracture of patella or fibula on the plain radiographs, are indications for further investigation.

Preventable mortality following sharp penetrating chest trauma.

We examined the determinants of outcome following sharp penetrating chest trauma (SPCT) in Cape Town, South Africa. During a 6-month period, 248 nonsurvivors (comprising 231 prehospital and 17 in-hospital deaths) and 474 survivors admitted to the Groote Schuur Hospital Trauma Unit were located. Most (77%) of the deaths resulted from cardiac or great vessel injuries. An unexpected finding was that in 47 (19%) of the prehospital deaths, the only injury at autopsy was a unilateral lung wound. There were no deaths in the 442 patients with this injury admitted to the hospital. The survival rate following equivalent injuries was unexpectedly better in patients from poorer socioeconomic areas, possibly because of increased use of private transport to reach the hospital. The key to improved outcome after survivable SPCT lies in rapid transportation to adequate emergency care by the quickest available means.

Traumatic haemothorax--experience of a protocol for rapid turnover in 1,845 cases.

Incomplete or prolonged drainage of the pleural cavity for haemothorax may lead to the development of empyema, with long-term morbidity. Using a protocol based on vigorous physiotherapy and early withdrawal of the thoracostomy tube (average drainage time 27.1 hours), hospital stay in 1,845 patients with traumatic haemothorax was 48 hours or less in 81.8% of patients. In all, 152 haemothorax patients (8.1%) required either early or late thoracotomy, 46 of which were for associated cardiac injury. Prophylactic antibiotics were not given routinely. Severe complications occurred in 40 patients (2.2%); 15 developed empyema (0.8%) and 25 died (1.4%), mainly from ongoing haemorrhage. The early identification of patients needing operative or other intervention minimises the hospital stay and complications associated with residual blood in the pleural cavity. This study shows that the short-period drainage protocol used gives very acceptable results in the treatment of traumatic haemothorax.