Relationship between the anatomical location and the selective non-operative management of penetrating stab wounds in the abdomen.

INTRODUCTION: The relationship between the anatomical location of penetrating abdominal stab wounds (SW) and the rate of selective non-operative management (SNOM) based on that location is scarcely reflected in the specialized literature. Our main objective has been to assess this rate based on the anatomical location, and our results. METHODS: Retrospective review of a prospective registry of abdominal trauma from April 1993 to June 2020. The two study groups considered were the Operative Management (OM), and the SNOM, including in this one the use of diagnostic laparoscopy. Penetrating SWs in the abdomen were classified according to anatomical location. RESULTS: We identified 259 patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. SNOM was applied in 31% of the patients with a success rate of 96%, and it was more frequent in the lumbar, flank, and thoraco-abdominal regions; within the anterior abdomen it was more applicable in the RH, followed by the LH and epigastrium, respectively. An unnecessary laparotomy was done in 21% of patients, with the highest number in the epigastrium. Taking into account the unnecessary laparotomies and the rates of successful SNOM, 70.5% of lumbar, 66.5% of epigastric, 62% of flank, and 59% of RH penetrating SW could have been managed without a laparotomy. CONCLUSIONS: SNOM of penetrating SW in the abdomen has been safer and more applicable in those located in the lumbar, flank, epigastric, and RH regions.

Are Spanish surgeons prepared to treat trauma patients? Multicentre descriptive observational study.

PURPOSE: Specific training in the management of trauma patients is beneficial for surgeons. Training through specific courses in this area has a direct impact on the care of these patients. The aim of this work is to understand the participation and specific training in the care of trauma patients by Spanish surgeons. METHODS: A national survey was conducted and administered to all members of the Spanish Association of Surgeons. The survey assessed their degree of participation in emergency surgery, and therefore the probability of attending trauma patients, their assessment of the initial care of trauma patients in their centre, and their specific training in this field. RESULTS: The survey was completed by 510 surgeons from 47 Spanish provinces, with Catalonia and Andalusia being the most represented regions. In total, 456 (89.41%) of those surveyed work in the emergency department on a routine basis. Only 171 (33.53%) refer to having a registry of trauma patients in their hospital. While 79.02% of surgeons reported that general surgeons are not involved in care of severe trauma from the outset, only 66.47% have completed the ATLS course, 40.78% the DSTC course and 18.82% the MUSEC course. Despite this, 85.69% believe that the ATLS course should be compulsory during residency and 43.33% believe that severe trauma care in their hospital is poor or very poor. CONCLUSION: Only 40% have received specific training in definitive surgical management of severe trauma. Despite this, a large percentage of surgeons work in the emergency department on a routine basis and potentially face the challenge of managing these patients.

Important learning points arising from the focused issue dedicated to the Terror and Disaster Surgical Care (TDSC®) course on mass casualty incident management.

The Terror and Disaster Surgical Care (TDSC®) course on mass casualty incident management was formulated in Germany by military medical personnel, who have been deployed to conflict areas, but also work in hospitals open for the lay public. In this manuscript we discuss different concepts and ideas taught in this course as these are described in a focused issue recently published in the European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery. We provide reinforcement for some of the ideas conveyed. We provide alternative views for others. Injuries following explosions are different from blunt and penetrating trauma and at times demand a different approach. There are probably several ways to manage a mass casualty incident depending on the setup of the organization. An open discussion on the topics presented in the manuscripts included in the focused issue on military and disaster surgery should enrich everyone.

Relevance of pneumoperitoneum in the conservative approach to complicated acute diverticulitis. A retrospective study identifying risk factors associated with treatment failure.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to evaluate the relevance of pneumoperitoneum on the success rate of non-operative management (NOM) of patients with complicated acute diverticulitis (AD), and the risk factors associated with failure. METHODS: Observational retrospective cohort study of patients attended at the emergency department for AD from January 2015-August 2019. Patient demographics, blood tests, radiological data and initial treatment strategies were registered. NOM, based on intravenous antibiotics (ATB) and bowel rest, was defined as unsuccessful when emergency surgery (ES) and/or infection-related death took place. Patients initially treated with ES were excluded. Analysis was done with the IBM SPSS statistics 23.0.0.2 software. RESULTS: According to modified Hinchey and WSES criteria, 99 (12%) of 826 AD episodes were complicated, with pneumoperitoneum on the CT scan in 89 (90.5%). NOM was undertaken in 93 (94%) cases, with a 91.5% success rate. Multivariate analysis revealed ASA class III-IV, and the presence of fluid collections >3 cm in diameter, but not distant free air, to be associated with NOM failure. However, the success rate of NOM was significantly higher in patients with pericolic pneumoperitoneum (98.5%) than in those with distant free air (80%) (P=0.02). Risk factors of NOM failure were an advanced age, high CRP and WBC values, and the presence of free fluid in >2 abdominal quadrants. CONCLUSIONS: NOM in hemodynamically stable patients with complicated AD is a safe and feasible approach, even in the context of distant free air. Nevertheless, patients with isolated pericolic air did better in our series.

Relationship between the anatomical location and the selective non-operative management of penetrating stab wounds in the abdomen. / Relación entre la localización anatómica y el manejo selectivo no operatorio de las heridas por arma blanca penetrantes en abdomen.

INTRODUCTION: The relationship between the anatomical location of penetrating abdominal stab wounds (SW) and the rate of selective non-operative management (SNOM) based on that location is scarcely reflected in the specialized literature. Our main objective has been to assess this rate based on the anatomical location, and our results. METHODS: Retrospective review of a prospective registry of abdominal trauma from April 1993 to June 2020. The two study groups considered were the Operative Management (OM), and the SNOM, including in this one the use of diagnostic laparoscopy. Penetrating SWs in the abdomen were classified according to anatomical location. RESULTS: We identified 259 patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. SNOM was applied in 31% of the patients with a success rate of 96%, and it was more frequent in the lumbar, flank, and thoraco-abdominal regions; within the anterior abdomen it was more applicable in the RUQ, followed by the LUQ and epigastrium, respectively. An unnecessary laparotomy was done in 21% of patients, with the highest number in the epigastrium. Taking into account the unnecessary laparotomies and the rates of successful SNOM, 70,5% of lumbar, el 66,5% of epigastric, 62% of flank, and 59% of RUQ penetrating SWs could have been managed without a laparotomy. CONCLUSIONS: SNOM of penetrating SWs in the abdomen has been safer and more applicable in those located in the lumbar, flank, epigastric, and RUQ regions.

[Emergency Surgery and Trauma Care During COVID-19 Pandemic. Recommendations of the Spanish Association of Surgeons]. / Atención de la urgencia quirúrgica durante la pandemia COVID-19. Recomendaciones de la Asociación Española de Cirujanos.

New coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 infection (coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19]) has determined the necessity of reorganization in many centers all over the world. Spain, as an epicenter of the disease, has been forced to assume health policy changes in all the territory. However, and from the beginning of the pandemic, every center attending surgical urgencies had to guarantee the continuous coverage adopting correct measures to maintain the excellence of quality of care. This document resumes general guidelines for emergency surgery and trauma care, obtained from the available bibliography and evaluated by a subgroup of professionals designated from the general group of investigators Cirugía-AEC-COVID-19 from the Spanish Association of Surgeons, directed to minimize professional exposure, to contemplate pandemic implications over different urgent perioperative scenarios and to adjust decision making to the occupational pressure caused by COVID-19 patients.

Prehospital triage for mass casualty incidents using the META method for early surgical assessment: retrospective validation of a hospital trauma registry.

BACKGROUND: In mass casualty incidents (MCI), death usually occurs within the first few hours and thus early transfer to a trauma centre can be crucial in selected cases. However, most triage systems designed to prioritize the transfer to hospital of these patients do not assess the need for surgery, in part due to inconclusive evidence regarding the value of such an assessment. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the capacity of a new triage system-the Prehospital Advanced Triage Method (META)-to identify victims who could benefit from urgent surgical assessment in case of MCI. METHODS: Retrospective, descriptive, observational study of a multipurpose cohort of patients included in the severe trauma registry of the Gregorio Marañón University General Hospital (Spain) between June 1993 and December 2011. All data were prospectively evaluated. All patients were evaluated with the META system to determine whether they met the criteria for urgent transfer. The META defines patients in need of urgent surgical assessment: (a) All penetrating injuries to head, neck, torso and extremities proximal to elbow or knee, (b) Open pelvic fracture, (c) Closed pelvic fracture with mechanical or haemodynamic instability and (d) Blunt torso trauma with haemodynamic instability. Patients who fulfilled these criteria were designated as "Urgent Evacuation for Surgical Assessment" (UESA) cases; all other cases were designated as non-UESA. The following variables were assessed: patient status at the scene; severity scales [RTS, Shock index, MGAP (Mechanism, Glasgow coma scale, Age, pressure), GCS]; need for surgery and/or interventional procedure to control bleeding (UESA); and mortality. The two groups (UESA vs. non-UESA) were then compared. RESULTS: A total of 1882 cases from the database were included in the study. Mean age was 39.2 years and most (77%) patients were male. UESA patients presented significantly worse on-scene hemodynamic parameters (systolic blood pressure and heart rate) and greater injury severity (RTS, shock index, and MGAP scales). No differences were observed for respiratory rate, need for orotracheal intubation, or GCS scores. The anatomical injuries of patients in the UESA group were less severe but these patients had a greater need for urgent surgery and higher mortality rates. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the META triage classification system could be beneficial to help identify patients with severe trauma and/or in need of urgent surgical assessment at the scene of injury in case of MCI. These findings demonstrate that, in this cohort, the META fulfils the purpose for which it was designed.

Pelvic fractures with associated retroperitoneal hematoma: time until angioembolization and results. / Fracturas de pelvis con hematoma retroperitoneal asociado: tiempo hasta la angioembolización y resultados.

INTRODUCTION: Two areas of controversy in the management of bleeding pelvic fractures are the need to perform angioembolization (AE) in patients with a retroperitoneal hematoma (RPH) but no contrast extravasation (CE) on Computerized Tomography (CT) and/or angiography, and the delay to AE. Our main objective was to assess whether there had been differences in the percentage and delay to AE between patients admitted on weekdays versus off-hours (weekends and admission after 3pm) at our hospital. Our hypothesis was that angiography and AE would be more frequent on weekdays, and the time delay would be longer during off-hours, with a higher mortality in this latter group for a similar overall severity. A secondary objective was to assess the correlation between CE on CT scan and angiography. METHODS: Retrospective review of two cohorts of patients with RPH from a pelvic fracture during a period of 24 years. Patients were divided depending on the time of arrival (Group A: weekdays, and Group B: off-hours). The decision to perform angiography and AE was made by the general surgeons on call, in consensus with the interventional radiologist. We analyzed demographics, mechanism of injury, associated injuries, physiologic and anatomic trauma scores, CE on CT scan, need of AE, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) stay and mortality. RESULTS: 104 patients were admitted with RPH from a pelvic fracture. We performed AE in 63 cases (61%). The groups were comparable in the variables analyzed. In 70% of patients in group A, angiography was done, vs 57% in group B, with the same median time delay. CE on CT scan was seen in 53 out of 96 patients and confirmed by angiography in 45 (85%) of them. No significant differences were found in mortality between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: There was a short delay from admission to AE, even during off-hours, and a good correlation of CE on CT scan and angiography.

The Acute Care Surgery model in the world, and the need for and implementation of trauma and emergency surgery units in Spain. / El modelo Acute Care Surgery en el mundo y la necesidad e implantación de unidades de trauma y cirugía de urgencia en España.

The Acute Care Surgery model groups trauma and emergency surgery with surgical critical care. Conceived and extended during the last 2 decades throughout North America, the magnitude and clinical idiosyncrasy of emergency general surgery have determined that this model has been expanded to other parts of the world. In our country, this has led to the introduction and implementation of the so-called trauma and emergency surgery units, with common objectives as those previously published for the original model: to decrease the rates of emergency surgery at night, to allow surgeons linked to elective surgery to develop their activity in their own disciplines during the daily schedule, and to become the perfect link and reference for the continuity of care. This review summarizes how the original model was born and how it expanded throughout the world, providing evidence in terms of results and a description of the current situation in our country.

Hemodynamic consequences of extremity injuries following a terrorist bombing attack: retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Extremities are commonly injured following bomb explosions. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of hemorrhagic shock (HS) in victims of explosion suffering from extremity injuries. METHODS: Retrospective study based on a cohort of patient records maintained in one hospital's mass casualty registry. RESULTS: Sixty-six victims of explosion who were hospitalized with extremity injuries were identified and evaluated. Sixteen (24.2%) of these were hemodynamically unstable during the first 24 h of treatment. HS could be attributed to associated injuries in seven of the patients. In the other nine patients, extremity injury was the only injury that could explain HS in seven patients and the extremity injury was a major contributor to HS together with another associated injury in two patients. In those 9 patients, in whom the extremity injury was the sole or major contributor to HS, a median of 10 (range 2-22) pRBC was transfused during the first 24 h of treatment. Six of the nine patients were in need of massive transfusion. Fractures in both upper and lower extremities, Gustilo IIIb-c open fractures and AIS 3-4 were found to be risk factors for HS. CONCLUSIONS: Ample consideration should be given to patients with extremity injuries due to explosions, as these may be immediately life threatening. Tourniquet use should be encouraged in the pre-hospital setting. Before undertaking surgery, emergent HS should be considered in these patients and prevented by appropriate resuscitation.

Teaching courses in the management of visceral trauma. / Docencia en el manejo del traumatismo visceral.

Several changes introduced in the management of trauma during the last two decades have considerably decreased the practical exposure to bleeding trauma patients by residents and young surgeons. Hemorrhage still represents the second cause of death from trauma worldwide, and the surgical maneuvers required for its control must be learned and practised in specific courses. These courses address the "second hour" of trauma, beyond ATLS©, and also emphasize the decision-making process, communication among team members, and discussion of clinical scenarios. The significant progress made in simulation technologies and virtual reality systems have yet to replace living tissue models to train surgeons in the rapid control of active bleeding, although that replacement is probably not far away.

Treatment Options in Gastrointestinal Cutaneous Fistulas.

Enterocutaneous fistulas occur most commonly following surgery. A minority of them is caused by a myriad of other etiologies including infection, malignancy, and radiation. While some fistulas may close spontaneously, most patients will eventually need surgery to resolve this pathology. Successful treatment entails adoption of various methods of treatment aimed at control of sepsis, protection of surrounding skin and soft tissue, control of fistula output, and maintenance of nutrition, with eventual spontaneous or surgical closure of the fistula. The aim of this article is to review the various treatment options in their appropriate context.

The Impact of Age upon Contingency Planning for Multiple-casualty Incidents Based on a Single Center's Experience.

UNLABELLED: Introduction Trauma patients in the extremes of age may require a specialized approach during a multiple-casualty incident (MCI). Problem The aim of this study was to examine the type of injuries encountered in children and elderly patients and the implications of these injuries for treatment and organization. METHODS: A review of medical record files of patients admitted in MCIs in one Level II trauma center was conducted. Patients were classified according to age: children (≤12 years), adults (between 12-65 years), and elders (≥65 years). RESULTS: The files of 534 were screened: 31 (5.8%) children and 54 (10.1%) elderly patients. One-third of the elderly patients were either moderately or severely injured, compared to only 6.5% of the children and 11.1% of the adults (P<.001). Elderly patients required more blood transfusions (P=.0001), more computed tomography imaging (P=.0001), and underwent more surgery (P=.0004). Elders were hospitalized longer (P=.0003). There was no mortality among injured children, compared to nine (2.0%) of the adults and seven (13.0%) of the elderly patients (P<.0001). All the adult deaths occurred early and directly related to their injuries, whereas most of the deaths among the elderly patients (four out of seven) occurred late and were due to complications and multiple organ failure. CONCLUSIONS: Injury at an older age confers an increased risk of complications and death in victims of MCIs. Ashkenazi I , Einav S , Olsha O , Turegano-Fuentes F , Krausz MM , Alfici R . The impact of age upon contingency planning for multiple-casualty incidents based on a single center's experience. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2016;31(5):492-497.

Glasgow Coma Scale Score in Survivors of Explosion With Possible Traumatic Brain Injury in Need of Neurosurgical Intervention.

Importance: Head injury following explosions is common. Rapid identification of patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) in need of neurosurgical intervention is complicated in a situation where multiple casualties are admitted following an explosion. Objective: To evaluate whether Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score or the Simplified Motor Score at presentation would identify patients with severe TBI in need of neurosurgical intervention. Design, Setting, and Participants: Analysis of clinical data recorded in the Israel National Trauma Registry of 1081 patients treated following terrorist bombings in the civilian setting between 1998 and 2005. Primary analysis of the data was conducted in 2009, and analysis was completed in 2015. Main Outcomes and Measures: Proportion of patients with TBI in need of neurosurgical intervention per GCS score or Simplified Motor Score. Results: Of 1081 patients (median age, 29 years [range, 0-90 years]; 38.9% women), 198 (18.3%) were diagnosed as having TBI (48 mild and 150 severe). Severe TBI was diagnosed in 48 of 877 patients (5%) with a GCS score of 15 and in 99 of 171 patients (58%) with GCS scores of 3 to 14 (P < .001). In 65 patients with abnormal GCS (38%), no head injury was recorded. Nine of 877 patients (1%) with a GCS score of 15 were in need of a neurosurgical operation, and fewer than 51 of the 171 patients (30%) with GCS scores of 3 to 14 had a neurosurgical operation (P < .001). No difference was found between the proportion of patients in need of neurosurgery with GCS scores of 3 to 8 and those with GCS scores of 9 to 14 (30% vs 27%; P = .83). When the Simplified Motor Score and GCS were compared with respect to their ability to identify patients in need of neurosurgical interventions, no difference was found between the 2 scores. Conclusions and Relevance: Following an explosion in the civilian setting, 65 patients (38%) with GCS scores of 3 to 14 did not experience severe TBI. The proportion of patients with severe TBI and severe TBI in need of a neurosurgical intervention were similar in patients presenting with GCS scores of 3 to 8 and GCS scores of 9 to 14. In this study, GCS and Simplified Motor Score did not help identify patients with severe TBI in need of a neurosurgical intervention.

The development and features of the Spanish prehospital advanced triage method (META) for mass casualty incidents.

This text describes the process of development of the new Spanish Prehospital Advanced Triage Method (META) and explain its main features and contribution to prehospital triage systems in mass casualty incidents. The triage META is based in the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) protocols, patient's anatomical injuries and mechanism of injury. It is a triage method with four stages including early identification of patients with severe trauma that would benefit from a rapid evacuation to a surgical facility and introduces a new patient flow by-passing the advanced medical post to improve evacuation. The stages of triage META are: I) Stabilization triage that classifies patients according to severity to set priorities for initial emergency treatment; II) Identifying patients requiring urgent surgical treatment, this is done at the same time than stage I and creates a new flow of patients with high priority for evacuation; III) Implementation of Advanced Trauma Life Support protocols to patients previously classified according to stablished priority; and IV) Evacuation triage, stablishing evacuation priorities in case of lacks of appropriate transport resources. The triage META is to be applied only by prehospital providers with advanced knowledge and training in advanced trauma life support care and has been designed to be implemented as prehospital procedure in mass casualty incidents (MCI).

Predictive factors for mortality in Fournier' gangrene: a series of 59 cases.

AIMS: Fournier's gangrene (FG) is the necrotizing fasciitis of the perineum and genital area and presents a high mortality rate. The aim was to assess prognostic factors for mortality, create a new mortality predictive scale and compare it with previously published scales in patients diagnosed with FG in our Emergency Department. METHODS: Retrospective analysis study between 1998 and 2012. RESULTS: Of the 59 patients, 44 survived (74%) (S) and 15 died (26%) (D). Significant differences were found in peripheral vasculopathy (S 5 [11%]; D 6 [40%]; P=.023), hemoglobin (S 13; D 11; P=.014), hematocrit (S 37; D 31.4; P=.009), white blood cells (S 17,400; D 23,800; P=.023), serum urea (S 58; D 102; P<.001), creatinine (S 1.1; D 1.9; P=.032), potassium (S 3.7; D 4.4; P=.012) and alkaline phosphatase (S 92; D 133; P=.014). Predictive scores: Charlson index (S 1; D 4; P=.013), severe sepsis criteria (S 16 [36%]; D 13 [86%]; P=.001), Fournier's gangrene severity index score (FGSIS) (S 4; D 7; P=.002) and Uludag Fournier's Gangrene Severity Index (UFGSI) (S 9; D 13; P=.004). Independent predictive factors were peripheral vasculopathy, serum potassium and severe sepsis criteria, and a model was created with an area under the ROC curve of 0.850 (0.760-0.973), higher than FGSIS (0.746 [0.601-0.981]) and UFGSI (0.760 [0.617-0.904]). CONCLUSIONS: FG showed a high mortality rate. Independent predictive factors were peripheral vasculopathy, potassium and severe sepsis criteria creating a predictive model that performed better than those previously described.

Transmediastinal and transcardiac gunshot wound with hemodynamic stability.

Cardiac injuries caused by knives and firearms are slightly increasing in our environment. We report the case of a 43-year-old male patient with a transmediastinal gunshot wound (TGSW) and a through-and-through cardiac wound who was hemodynamically stable upon his admission. He had an entrance wound below the left clavicle, with no exit wound, and decreased breath sounds in the right hemithorax. Chest X-ray showed the bullet in the right hemithorax and large right hemothorax. The ultrasound revealed pericardial effusion, and a chest tube produced 1500 cc. of blood, but he remained hemodynamically stable. Considering these findings, a median sternotomy was carried out, the through-and-through cardiac wounds were suture-repaired, lung laceration was sutured, and a pacemaker was placed in the right ventricle. The patient had uneventful recovery and was discharged home on the twelfth postoperative day. The management and prognosis of these patients are determined by the hemodynamic situation upon arrival to the Emergency Department (ED), as well as a prompt surgical repair if needed. Patients with a TGSW have been divided into three groups according to the SBP: group I, with SBP >100 mmHg; group II, with SBP 60-100 mmHg; and group III, with SBP <60 mmHg. The diagnostic workup and management should be tailored accordingly, and several series have confirmed high chances of success with conservative management when these patients are hemodynamically stable.

Linfoma no Hodgkin suprarrenal primario / Primary Non Hodgkin´s Lymphoma of the Adrenal Gland

El linfoma no Hodgkin primario de la glándula suprarrenal es una patología muy poco común. Su diagnóstico inicial es difícil siendo este histológico. El linfoma B difuso de células grandes es el tipo histológico más frecuente. Se presenta el caso mujer de 62 años a la que se le realiza tomografía axial computarizada abdominal que muestra una masa de 18 cms dependiente de la glándula suprarrenal y con características de carcinoma. Se realiza exéresis de la tumoración, siendo la anatomía patológica linfoma difuso de célula grande B. Este tipo de linfoma tiene mal pronóstico describiéndose supervivencias medias en torno a los 13 meses. No existe un régimen terapéutico bien definido; aunque el tratamiento más aceptado es el esquema R-CHOP. El papel de la radioterapia y de la exéresis tumoral no está claramente establecido. El linfoma suprarrenal primario debe tenerse en cuenta en el diagnóstico diferencial de pacientes que presentan una masa suprarrenal. Ante la sospecha de esta patología es preferible realizar una biopsia con aguja guiada por prueba de imagen para evitar una intervención quirúrgica innecesaria(AU)

Primary non- Hodgkin`s lymphoma of the adrenal gland is very rare. Its initial diagnosis is difficult and needs to be histological. Diffuse large B- cell lymphoma is the most common histological type. This is the report of a 62 years old woman, who was performed abdominal tomography to disclose a 18 cm tumor in the adrenal gland with carcinoma characteristics. The tumor was removed and the final pathologic diagnosis was diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. This type of lymphoma has poor prognosis since the average survival rates are roughly 13 months. There is no well-defined therapeutic regimen, although the most widely accepted treatment is R-CHOP scheme. The roles of radiotherapy and tumor resection are not clearly established. Primary adrenal lymphoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with an adrenal mass. When this condition is suspected, then it is advisable to perform a imaging-guided needle biopsy to avoid unnecessary surgery(AU)