[Echography performed by surgeons in the management of patients with trauma]. / Ecografía realizada por cirujanos en el manejo de pacientes con trauma.

BACKGROUND: Ultrasonography is useful in trauma patients to detect pleural effusions or peritoneal fluid. AIM: To assess the value of ultrasonography performed by surgeons in the assessment of trauma patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective review of ultrasonography reports and clinical history of 284 trauma patients. RESULTS: One hundred fifty six patients had blunt trauma and 128 had penetrating trauma. Ultrasonography detected peritoneal fluid in 20%, pericardial effusion in 1% and pleural effusion in 1%. Eight percent had visceral damage or hematomas, without peritoneal fluid. None of the patients with a normal ultrasonography required surgery for hemoperitoneum; however, four patients had intestinal perforations and required surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasonography had a 100% sensitivity and specificity for the detection of clinically significant hemoperitoneum. Emergency ultrasonography performed by surgeons is useful and accurate.