Laparoscopy or clinical follow-up to detect occult diaphragm injuries following left-sided thoracoabdominal stab wounds: A pilot randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine whether patients with left-sided thoracoabdominal (TA) stab wounds can be safely treated with clinical and chest X-ray follow up. METHOD: A prospective, randomized control study was conducted at Groote Schuur Hospital from September 2009 through to November 2014. Patients with asymptomatic left TA stab wounds included in the trial were randomized into two groups. Group A underwent diagnostic laparoscopy and Group B underwent clinical and radiological follow-up. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients were randomized to Group A (N=27) and thirty-one to Group B (N=31). All patients were young males with a median age of 26 years (range 18 to 48). The incidence of occult diaphragm injury in Group A was 29%. All diaphragm injuries found at laparoscopy were repaired. The mean hospital stay for the patients in Group A was 5 days (SD 1.3), compared to a mean hospital stay of 2.9 days (SD, 1.5), in Group B (p < 0.001). All patients in Group B had normal chest X-rays at their last visit. The mean follow-up time was 24 months (median: 24; interquartile range: 1-40). There was no morbidity or mortality in Group B. CONCLUSION: Clinical and radiological follow-up are feasible and appear to be safe, in the short term, in patients who harbour occult diaphragm injuries after left TA stab wounds. Until studies showing the natural history of diaphragm injury in humans are available, laparoscopy should remain the gold standard in treatment.

The effect of emergency medical services response on outcome of trauma laparotomy at a Level 1 Trauma Centre in South Africa.

BACKGROUND: Due to resource constrained pre-hospital emergency medical services (EMSs) there is a significant delay in injured patients arriving at Groote Schuur Hospital Trauma Centre (GSHTC). The aim of the study was to examine the effectiveness of EMSs in transferring trauma patients to GSHTC. The effect of any delay to laparotomy from injury was noted. METHOD: A prospective audit of patients presented directly from the scene to GSHTC following abdominal trauma over a four-month period was performed. Time from contact to the arrival of EMS at scene - the response time (RT) - was used as an indicator of EMS performance. Postoperative complications were graded according to Clavien-Dindo classification of surgical complications. RESULTS: A total of 118 patients were admitted to the trauma surgery ward following abdominal trauma. The mechanism was penetrating 101 (85.6%) [stab wounds in 67 (56.8%) and gunshot in 34 (28.8%)], and 17 (14.4%) with blunt injuries. EMSs transported 110 (93.2%) patients. A total of 48 index laparotomies were done during this period, of which 13 patients developed postoperative complications. The median RT of the EMS after contact was 53 min for patients who developed complications. It was significantly longer than for those without complications, 21 min (p < 0.01). The median delay to laparotomies from injury for patients with postoperative complications was 10.3 hours and for those without complications was 7.5 hours. The delay from injury to the theatre was also a significant factor in the development of complications (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: The response delay by EMS and delay from injury to the theatre increased complications. Therefore, rapid response by EMS in transferring trauma patients needs to be strengthened.

Trauma unit attendance: Is there a relationship with weather, sporting events and week/ month-end times? An audit at an urban tertiary trauma unit in Cape Town.

BACKGROUND: The Groote Schuur Hospital Trauma Unit is a high-volume referral center where patient volumes may be related to temporal and environmental factors. OBJECTIVE: This audit aimed to determine if numbers of patients presenting after motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) and interpersonal violence (IPV) were related to temporal factors, weather variables and important soccer matches. METHOD: Numbers of patients presenting to the unit per shift over 17 months were obtained from unit logs. Weather data, local soccer match locations and results, and information regarding public holidays and long weekends were obtained for the relevant shifts. Average daily attendances for IPV-related injuries and MVCs were compared across the various external factors described. Poisson regression models were fitted and used to express the relative incidence of attendances. These results are expressed using incidence rate ratios (IRRs). RESULTS: For the study period, 7 350 attendances due to IPV-related injuries, and 3 188 injuries due to MVCs were recorded. Weekdays, long-weekend nights and month-end weekends had increased MVC-related attendance. Precipitation also increased attendances related to MVCs. Public holidays had less MVC-related attendance. IPV-related attendances were increased at night, on long weekends, and on month-end weekends. Weekend shifts were busier than weekday shifts, particularly at month-end. Long weekends showed similar trends to ordinary weekends, and public holidays showed similar trends to ordinary weekdays. Increasing temperatures are associated with increased attendances. Soccer matches and their outcomes have no significant effect on IPV-related attendances. CONCLUSION: Temporal and weather factors can help predict which trauma unit shifts will be busiest.

An urban trauma centre experience with abdominal vena cava injuries.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to present the surgical management of injuries to the abdominal vena cava (AVC) and to identify clinical and physiological factors and management strategies which affect the outcome. METHOD: A retrospective review was conducted of AVC injuries in patients attending the trauma centre at Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, from January 2003 to December 2011. Demographic data, mechanism and agent of injury, level of injury, physiological parameters, associated injuries, trauma scores, management strategy, morbidity and mortality, and length of hospital stay were taken from the trauma centre's operative databank at Groote Schuur Hospital. RESULTS: Thirty-fi ve patients with AVC injuries were identifi ed. There were 33 penetrating injuries (94%). Gunshot wounds accounted for 28 of them (85%). There were 19 (54%) infrarenal, 9 (26%) juxtarenal, 3 (7%) suprarenal and 4 (11%) retrohepatic AVC injuries. Most patients were treated with ligation (66%). There were 17 (49%) deaths. There were signifi cant differences in the preoperative systolic blood pressure (p = 0.044), number of red cell units transfused (p = 0.001), serum lactate (p = 0.007), arterial pH (p = 0.002) and preoperative temperature (p = 0.000) between the survivors and non-survivors. There was also a signifi cant difference in ligation versus repair between the two groups (p = ≤ 0.000). There was no difference in the injury severity, level of injury and the number of associated injuries between survivors and non-survivors. CONCLUSION: AVC injuries are associated with high mortality. Patients presenting with clinical and physiological evidence of shock and who require "damage control" surgery are more likely to suffer a worse outcome, particularly when multiple physiological deragements are present. Patients who died often have severe associated injuries.

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) in penetrating abdominal trauma: A prospective single-center pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programmes employed in elective surgery have provided strong evidence for decreased lengths of hospital stay without increase in postoperative complications. The aim of this study was to explore the role and benefits of ERAS implemented in patients undergoing emergency laparotomy for penetrating abdominal trauma. METHOD: Institutional University of Cape Town Human Research Ethics Committee (UCT-HREC) approved study. A prospective cohort of 38 consecutive patients with isolated penetrating abdominal trauma undergoing emergency laparotomy were included in the study. The enhanced recovery protocols (ERPs) included: early urinary catheter removal, early nasogastric tube (NGT) removal, early feeding, early mobilisation/physiotherapy, early intravenous line removal and early optimal oral analgesia. This group was compared to a historical control group of 40 consecutive patients undergoing emergency laparotomy for penetrating abdominal trauma, prior to the introduction of the ERP. Demographics, mechanism of injury, injury severity scores (ISS) and penetrating abdominal trauma index (PATI) were determined for both groups. The primary end-points were length of hospital stay (LOS) and incidence of postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo classification) in the 2 groups. The difference in means was tested using the t-test assuming unequal variances. Statistical significance was defined as p-value less than 0.05 (p < 0.05). RESULTS: The two groups were comparable with regards to age, gender, mechanism of injury, ISS and PATI scores. The mean time to solid diet, urinary catheter and nasogastric tube (NGT) removal was 3.6 (non-ERAS) and 2.8 (ERAS) days [p < 0.035], 3.3 (non-ERAS) and 1.9 (ERAS) days [p < 0.00003], 2.1 (non-ERAS) and 1.2 (ERAS) days [p < 0.0042], respectively. There was no difference in time from admission to time of laparotomy 313 (non-ERAS) vs 358 (ERAS) minutes [p < 0.07]. There were 11 and 12 complications in the non-ERAS and ERAS groups, respectively. When graded as per the Clavien-Dindo classification, there was no significant difference in the 2 groups (p < 0.59). Hospital stay was significantly shorter in the ERAS group: 5.5 (SD 1.8) days vs. 8.4 (SD 4.2) days [p < 0.00021]. CONCLUSION: This pilot study shows that ERPs can be successfully implemented with significant shorter hospital stays without any increase in postoperative complications in trauma patients undergoing emergency laparotomy for penetrating abdominal trauma.

Endoscopic and operative treatment of delayed complications after pancreatic trauma: An analysis of 27 civilians treated in an academic Level 1 Trauma Centre.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the efficacy of endoscopic treatment of delayed local complications including pseudocysts and persistent pancreatic fistulae in a cohort of civilian patients who had previously sustained a pancreatic injury. METHOD: A large institutional database was interrogated to identify patients who developed a delayed pancreatic complication among those with pancreatic injuries treated between January 1990 and December 2013. The degree of the pancreatic duct injury was graded using a new duct injury grading system and endoscopic therapeutic outcome assessed according to the grade of injury. RESULTS: During the period under review, 432 consecutive patients were treated for pancreatic injuries of whom 27 (20 men, 7 women, median age 31, range 15-68 years) presented with delayed complications related to the initial pancreatic injury. Sixteen patients had non-resolving symptomatic pancreatic pseudocysts, 10 had persistent pancreatic fistulae and 1 had a symptomatic duct stricture. Fourteen patients with grade 2a, 3a, 3b or 4c main pancreatic duct injuries were successfully treated endoscopically with either pancreatic duct stenting or pseudocyst drainage while 13 patients with grade 4a or 4b duct injuries who had complete duct division with a disconnected duct syndrome failed endoscopic management and required surgical intervention. The 27 patients underwent a total of 49 endoscopic procedures (47 elective, 2 emergency) of whom 4 developed complications related to the endoscopic treatment. All 4 resolved, 2 after urgent endoscopic re-intervention. CONCLUSION: In this preliminary analysis the Cape Town pancreatic ductal injury grading classification showed a close correlation with outcome after endoscopic and operative intervention.

Stent graft repair of subclavian and axillary vascular injuries: The Groote Schuur experience.

BACKGROUND: Trauma-related subclavian and axillary vascular injuries (SAVIs) are generally associated with high morbidity and mortality rates in the surgical literature. There is an emerging trend towards increasing use of stent grafts (covered stents) for repair, with evidence limited to small case series and case reports. OBJECTIVES: To report on the clinical and device-related outcomes of stent graft repair of trauma-related SAVIs at a single institution. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of all patients with trauma-related SAVIs requiring stent graft repair was performed. Outcome measures included technical success, mortality, amputation rate, device-related complications (early and late), and reintervention rates (early and late). RESULTS: A total of 31 patients was identified between June 2008 and October 2013 (30 males, 1 female). Mean age was 27.9 years (range 19-51). All 31 patients sustained a penetrating injury (93.5% stab, 6.5% gunshot injuries). There were 21 subclavian and 10 axillary artery injuries. Five patients (16%) were HIV-positive. Nine patients (29%) were shocked on presentation. Early results (30 days): There were no periprocedural deaths. Primary technical success was 83.9% (26/31). Five patients required adjunctive interventional or operative procedures. There were no early procedure-related complications, reinterventions or open conversions in this study. Overall, suboptimal results were seen in five patients (one type I endoleak and four type II endoleaks). Follow-up results (>30 days): Nineteen patients (61.3%) were available for follow-up. Mean duration of follow-up was 55.7 weeks (range 4 - 240). Overall stent graft patency was 89.5% (17/19). Four patients (21.1%) had an occluded stent graft. Stent graft salvage was possible in two patients. Three type II endoleaks were seen on follow-up. Late reinterventions were performed in five patients (26.3%). Conversion to an open procedure was not required in any patient. There was one late death and one major amputation of a stented limb in a patient who had sustained severe soft-tissue injuries during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: Perioperative, early and intermediate results suggest that stent graft repair of select trauma-related SAVIs is relatively safe and effective. Axillary arteriovenous fistulas remain a particular challenge using this treatment modality. Larger prospective studies are required to define the utility of stent grafts for select trauma-related SAVIs better.

Outcomes of non-operative management of penetrating abdominal trauma.

BACKGROUND: Selective non-operative management (SNOM) of penetrating abdominal trauma (PAT) is routinely practised in our trauma centre. This study aims to report the outcomes of patients who have failed SNOM. METHODS: Patients presenting with PAT from 1 May 2015 - 31 January 2018 were reviewed. They were categorised into immediate laparotomy and delayed operative management (DOM) groups. Outcomes compared were postoperative complications, length of hospital stay and mortality. RESULTS: A total of 944 patients with PAT were reviewed. After excluding 100 patients undergoing damage control surgery, 402 (47.6%) and 542 (52.4%) were managed non-operatively and operatively, respectively. In the SNOM cohort, 359 (89.3%) were managed successfully without laparotomy. Thirty-seven (86.0%) patients in the DOM group had a therapeutic laparotomy, and six (14.0%) had an unnecessary laparotomy. Nine (20.9%) patients in the DOM group developed complications. The DOM group had lesser complications. However, the two groups had no difference in hospital length of stay (LOS). There was no mortality in the non-operative management (NOM) group. CONCLUSION: In this study, we demonstrated no mortality and less morbidity in the DOM group when appropriately selected compared to the immediate laparotomy group. This supports the selective NOM approach for PAT in high volume trauma centres.

An analysis of referral patterns of traumatic brain injury at Groote Schuur Hospital Trauma Centre.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can result in significant morbidity and mortality if not diagnosed in a timely manner. Brain computed tomography (CT) is the diagnostic gold standard but is of limited availability in most South African public hospitals, resulting in transfer of TBI patients to tertiary hospitals. OBJECTIVE: To describe the referral patterns and outcomes of patients with TBI referred to Groote Schuur Hospital Trauma Centre. METHODS: This was a retrospective audit of all patients admitted to the Trauma Centre who had a brain CT scan for suspected TBI between 1 February 2022 and 31 March 2022. Demographic data (age, sex), mechanism of injury and Glasgow Coma Score were recorded. Referral pathways were determined, and final disposition of patients was recorded. RESULTS: A total of 522 patients had a brain CT for TBI. Of these, 314 (60.1%) were referred from other hospitals. CT scan was abnormal in 178 (34.1%) patients. Three hundred and two (58.6%) were discharged home within 24 hours. The mean time between referral and CT scan was 13 hours. CONCLUSION: More than half of patients referred for a CT scan were discharged from the Trauma Centre within 24 hours of admission, which indicates additional costs and inefficiencies in the health system. These data are useful to guide resource planning and allocation for district hospitals, since less expensive point-of-care modalities now exist to diagnose TBI, and which are useful in indicating the prognosis of patients.

Subxiphoid pericardial window to exclude occult cardiac injury after penetrating thoracoabdominal trauma.

BACKGROUND: An occult cardiac injury may be present in patients with an acute abdomen after penetrating thoracoabdominal trauma. This study assessed the use of a subxiphoid pericardial window (SPW) as a diagnostic manoeuvre in this setting. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of a trauma database (2001-2009). Patients presenting with a penetrating thoracoabdominal injury with an acute abdomen, and in whom there was concern about a potential cardiac injury from the site or tract of the injury, were included. RESULTS: Fifty patients with an indication for emergency laparotomy underwent a SPW for a possible cardiac injury. An occult haemopericardium was present at SPW in 14 patients (28 per cent) mandating, median sternotomy. Nine cardiac injuries (18 per cent) were identified including five tangential injuries and four perforations. The specific complication rate relating to the SPW was 2 per cent. CONCLUSION: The SPW is a useful technique at laparotomy to identify cardiac injuries in patients with penetrating thoracoabdominal injuries.

Temporary vascular shunting in vascular trauma: a 10-year review from a civilian trauma centre.

BACKGROUND: Temporary intravascular shunts (TIVSs) can replace immediate definitive repair as a damage control procedure in vascular trauma. We evaluated their use in an urban trauma centre with a high incidence of penetrating trauma. METHOD: A retrospective chart review of all patients treated with a TIVS in a single centre between January 2000 and December 2009. RESULTS: Thirty-five TIVSs were placed during the study period: 22 were part of a damage control procedure, 7 were inserted at a peripheral hospital without vascular surgical expertise prior to transfer, and 6 were used during fixation of a lower limb fracture with an associated vascular injury. There were 7 amputations and 5 deaths, 4 of the TIVSs thrombosed, and a further 3 dislodged or migrated. Twenty-five patients underwent definitive repair with an interposition graft, 1 primary anastomosis was achieved, and 1 extra-anatomical bypass was performed. Five patients with non-viable limbs had the vessel ligated. CONCLUSIONS: A TIVS in the damage control setting is both life- and limb-saving. These shunts can be inserted safely in a facility without access to a surgeon with vascular surgery experience if there is uncontrollable bleeding or the delay to definitive vascular surgery is likely to be more than 6 hours. A definitive procedure should be performed within 24 hours.

The impact of thromboelastography on patients with penetrating abdominal trauma requiring intensive care.

BACKGROUND: Trauma-induced coagulopathy (TIC) is a complex multifaceted process which contributes to higher mortality rates in severely injured trauma patients. Thromboelastography (TEG) is effective in detecting TIC which assists in instituting goal-directed therapy as part of damage control resuscitation. METHODS: This retrospective study included all adult patients over a 36-month period with penetrating abdominal trauma who required a laparotomy, blood products and admission for critical care. Analysis included demographics, admission data, 24-hour interventions, TEG parameters and 30-day outcomes. RESULTS: Eighty-four patients with a median age of 28 years were included. The majority (93%; 78/84) suffered from a gunshot injury, with 75% (63/84) receiving a damage control laparotomy. Forty-eight patients (57%) had a TEG. Injury severity score and total fluid and blood product administered in the first 24 hours were all significantly higher in patients who had a TEG (p < 0.05). TEG profiles were: 42% (20/48) normal, 42% (20/48) hypocoagulable, 12% (6/48) hypercoagulable and 4% (2/48) mixed parameters. Fibrinolysis profiles were: 48% (23/48) normal, 44% (21/48) fibrinolysis shutdown and 8% (4/48) hyperfibrinolysis. Mortality rate was 5% (4/84) at 24 hours and 26% (22/84) at 30 days, with no difference between the two groups. High-grade complication rates, days on a ventilator and intensive care unit length of stay were all significantly higher in patients who did not have a TEG. CONCLUSION: TIC is common in severely injured penetrating trauma patients. The usage of a thromboelastogram did not impact on 24-hour or 30-day mortality but did result in a decreased intensive care stay and a decreased high-grade complication rate.

Spectrum of coagulation profiles in severely injured patients - a subgroup analysis from the fluids in resuscitation of severe trauma trial.

BACKGROUND: Trauma-induced coagulopathy (TIC) is a major contributing factor to worsening bleeding in trauma patients. The objective of this study is to describe the spectrum of coagulation profiles amongst severely injured patients. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of all patients with complete baseline TEG coagulation parameters collected prior to randomisation in the FIRST (fluids in resuscitation of severe trauma) trial between January 2007 and December 2009. Parameters recorded for this study included patient demographics, mechanism of injury, admission vital signs, lactate, base excess, coagulation studies prothrombin time (PT), international normalised ratio (INR), thromboelastography (TEG) parameters, volume, and type of fluids administered, volume of blood products administered, length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay and major outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 87 patients were included in this study, with a median injury severity score (ISS) of 20 and 57.5 had a penetrating injury mechanism. Coagulopathy was highly prevalent in this cohort, of which a majority (69%) was diagnosed with hypercoagulopathy and 24% had a hypocoagulopathy status on admission. There was no difference in age, gender and amount of pre-hospital fluids administered across the three groups. The median volume of blood products was higher in the hypocoagulopathy group, although not statistically significant. Overall, the 30-day mortality rate was 13%, with case fatalities occurring in only coagulopathic patients: hypercoagulopathy (15%) and hypocoagulopathy (10%). CONCLUSION: TIC is not an infrequent diagnosis in severely injured patients resulting in increased morbidity and mortality. Determining the coagulation profile using TEG at presentation in this group of patients may inform appropriate management guidelines in order to improve outcome.

Nonoperative management of penetrating kidney injuries: a prospective audit.

PURPOSE: The role of nonoperative management for penetrating kidney injuries is unknown. Therefore, we review the management and outcome of penetrating kidney injuries at a center with a high incidence of penetrating trauma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from all patients presenting with hematuria and/or kidney injury discovered on imaging or at surgery admitted to the trauma center at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa during a 19-month period (January 2007 to July 2008) were prospectively collected and reviewed. These data were analyzed for demographics, injury mechanism, perioperative management, nephrectomy rate and nonoperative success. Patients presenting with hematuria and with an acute abdomen underwent a single shot excretory urogram. Those presenting with hematuria without an indication for laparotomy underwent computerized tomography with contrast material. RESULTS: A total of 92 patients presented with hematuria following penetrating abdominal trauma. There were 75 (80.4%) proven renal injuries. Of the patients 84 were men and the median age was 26 years (range 14 to 51). There were 50 stab wounds and 42 gunshot renal injuries. Imaging modalities included computerized tomography in 60 cases and single shot excretory urography in 18. There were 9 patients brought directly to the operating room without further imaging. A total of 47 patients with 49 proven renal injuries were treated nonoperatively. In this group 4 patients presented with delayed hematuria, of whom 1 had a normal angiogram and 3 underwent successful angioembolization of arteriovenous fistula (2) and false aneurysm (1). All nonoperatively managed renal injuries were successfully treated without surgery. There were 18 nephrectomies performed for uncontrollable bleeding (11), hilar injuries (2) and shattered kidney (3). Post-nephrectomy complications included 1 infected renal bed hematoma requiring percutaneous drainage. Of the injuries found at laparotomy 12 were not explored, 2 were drained and 5 were treated with renorrhaphy. CONCLUSIONS: Penetrating trauma is associated with a high nephrectomy rate (24.3%). However, a high nonoperative success rate (100%) is achievable with minimal morbidity (9%).

Surgical management and outcome of civilian gunshot injuries to the pancreas.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic injuries are uncommon but result in substantial morbidity and mortality. This study evaluated the factors associated with morbidity and mortality in civilian patients with pancreatic gunshot wounds. METHODS: This was a single-institution, retrospective review of patients with gunshot wounds of the pancreas treated from 1976 to 2009 in Cape Town, South Africa. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed. RESULTS: A total of 219 patients (205 male, median age 27 years) had pancreatic American Association for the Surgery of Trauma grade I-II (111 patients) and grade III-V (108) gunshot injuries to the pancreatic head (72), neck (8), body (75) and tail (64). The patients underwent 239 laparotomies, including drainage of the pancreas (169), distal pancreatectomy (59) and pancreaticoduodenectomy (11). Some 218 patients had 642 associated intra-abdominal and 91 vascular injuries. Forty-three (19.6 per cent) required an initial damage control procedure. A total of 150 patients (68.5 per cent) had 407 postoperative complications (median 4, range 1-7). The 46 patients (21.0 per cent) who died had a median of 3 (range 1-7) complications. Median (range) intensive care unit and total hospital stay were 5 (1-153) and 11 (1-255) days respectively. Multivariable analyses identified age, high-grade pancreatic injury, associated vascular injuries and need for repeat laparotomy as predictors of morbidity. Age, shock on admission, need for damage control surgery, high-grade pancreatic injuries and associated vascular injuries were significant factors associated with mortality. CONCLUSION: Morbidity and mortality rates were high after gunshot injuries to the pancreas. Initial shock and severe injury combined with need for damage control surgery were associated with the highest risk of death.

Management of penetrating neck injuries.

BACKGROUND: Routine surgical exploration after penetrating neck injury (PNI) leads to a large number of negative neck explorations and potential iatrogenic injury. Selective non-operative management (SNOM) of PNI is gaining favour. The present study assessed the feasibility of SNOM in PNI. METHODS: Seventy-seven consecutive patients with PNI presenting to a tertiary trauma centre were included in this prospective study from September 2009 to December 2009. All patients were managed according to Advanced Trauma Life Support guidelines, and either underwent emergency surgery or were managed without surgery, based on clinical presentation and/or outcome of special investigations. RESULTS: Eight patients (10 per cent) were haemodynamically unstable at presentation. Foley catheter balloon tamponade (FCBT) was successful in stopping active bleeding in six of these patients, and diagnostic angiography revealed an arterial injury in five. The remaining 69 patients were managed using SNOM. Angiography or computed tomography was done in 41 patients (53 per cent), and showed arterial injury in 15. These injuries were treated surgically (7 patients), radiologically (stenting in 3) or conservatively. Contrast swallow and/or endoscopy were performed in 37 patients (48 per cent) for suspected oesophageal injury, but yielded no positive results. During follow-up no missed injuries were detected. CONCLUSION: FCBT was useful in patients with PNI and active bleeding. Stable patients should undergo additional investigation based on clinical findings only.

A ten year review of civilian iliac vessel injuries from a single trauma centre.

OBJECTIVE: To report the surgical management and outcome of iliac vessel (IV) injuries in a civilian trauma centre with a high incidence of penetrating trauma. DESIGN, PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective record review of patients with IV injuries treated between January 2000 and December 2009. RESULTS: Sixty nine patients, 59 with gunshot wounds, sustained 108 iliac vessel injuries. Mean revised trauma and injury severity scores was 7.06 and 28.4, respectively. Twenty nine patients required damage control laparotomy. Common or external iliac arteries were repaired by primary repair (10), temporary shunt with delayed graft (6), interposition graft (5) or ligation if limb non-viable (3). Forty-seven patients had injuries to the common or external iliac vein, 42 were ligated. Mortality was 25% and 6 survivors required amputation. CONCLUSIONS: In a stable patient a primary arterial repair is preferred but a temporary shunt can be a life and limb saving option in the unstable patient. Ligating the common or external iliac veins is associated with a low incidence of prolonged leg swelling.

Damage control laparotomy outcomes in a major urban trauma centre.

BACKGROUND: Damage control laparotomy (DCL) is associated with high mortality. The purpose of this study was to review the outcomes of DCL. METHODS: All patients undergoing DCL for penetrating trauma from May 2015 to July 2017 were reviewed. Data retrieved were demographics, mechanism of injury, vitals, and biochemical parameters. Injury severity was described by the revised trauma score (RTS), penetrating abdominal trauma index (PATI), injury severity score (ISS) and trauma and injury severity score (TRISS). Indications for DCL, length of ICU stay, number of procedures and primary abdominal closure rates, complications and mortality were recorded. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients underwent DCL and 47 patients sustained gunshot injuries. Indications for laparotomy were haemodynamic instability (n = 27) and peritonism in stable patients (n = 22). The medians for the different severity scores were RTS 7.36, ISS 20, and PATI 30. The organs most commonly injured, in decreasing frequency, were small bowel (33), large bowel (25), abdominal vasculature (22), liver (18), stomach (14), kidney (10), diaphragm (10), spleen (9) and pancreas (8). DCL procedures performed were abdominal packing (36), temporary bowel ligation (30), vascular (5) and ureteric (1) shunting. The median number of laparotomies performed per patient was three, with a primary fascial closure rate of 69%. The mortality rate was 29%. CONCLUSION: DCL in our centre is associated with a 29% mortality rate. Severe acidosis, massive blood transfusion in first 24 hours and median PATI score more than 47 are independent risk factors associated with increased mortality.

Resuscitation with hydroxyethyl starch improves renal function and lactate clearance in penetrating trauma in a randomized controlled study: the FIRST trial (Fluids in Resuscitation of Severe Trauma).

BACKGROUND: The role of fluids in trauma resuscitation is controversial. We compared resuscitation with 0.9% saline vs hydroxyethyl starch, HES 130/0.4, in severe trauma with respect to resuscitation, fluid volume, gastrointestinal recovery, renal function, and blood product requirements. METHODS: Randomized, controlled, double-blind study of severely injured patients requiring >3 litres of fluid resuscitation. Blunt and penetrating trauma were randomized separately. Patients were followed up for 30 days. RESULTS: A total of 115 patients were randomized; of which, 109 were studied. For patients with penetrating trauma (n=67), the mean (sd) fluid requirements were 5.1 (2.7) litres in the HES group and 7.4 (4.3) litres in the saline group (P<0.001). In blunt trauma (n=42), there was no difference in study fluid requirements, but the HES group required significantly more blood products [packed red blood cell volumes 2943 (1628) vs 1473 (1071) ml, P=0.005] and was more severely injured than the saline group (median injury severity score 29.5 vs 18; P=0.01). Haemodynamic data were similar, but, in the penetrating group, plasma lactate concentrations were lower over the first 4 h (P=0.029) and on day 1 with HES than with saline [2.1 (1.4) vs 3.2 (2.2) mmol litre⁻¹; P=0.017]. There was no difference between any groups in time to recovery of bowel function or mortality. In penetrating trauma, renal injury occurred more frequently in the saline group than the HES group (16% vs 0%; P=0.018). In penetrating trauma, maximum sequential organ function scores were lower with HES than with saline (median 2.4 vs 4.5, P=0.012). No differences were seen in safety measures in the blunt trauma patients. CONCLUSIONS: In penetrating trauma, HES provided significantly better lactate clearance and less renal injury than saline. No firm conclusions could be drawn for blunt trauma. STUDY REGISTRATION: ISRCTN 42061860.

Pancreatic injuries after blunt abdominal trauma: an analysis of 110 patients treated at a level 1 trauma centre.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Injuries to the pancreas are uncommon, but may result in considerable morbidity and mortality. This study evaluated the management of blunt pancreatic injuries using a previously defined protocol to determine which factors predicted morbidity and mortality. METHODS: The study design was a retrospective chart review of all adult patients with blunt pancreatic injuries treated at a level 1 trauma centre between March 1981 and June 2009. RESULTS: One hundred and ten patients (92 men, 18 women; mean age 30 years, range 13-68 years) were treated during the study period. Forty-six patients had American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) grade 1 or 2 pancreatic injuries and 64 had AAST grade 3, 4 or 5 pancreatic injuries. Injuries involved the head (N=21), neck (N=15), body (N=48) and tail (N=26) of the pancreas. The mean number of organs injured was 2.7 per patient (range 1-4). One hundred and one patients underwent a total of 123 operations, including drainage of the pancreatic injury (N=73), distal pancreatectomy (N=39) and Whipple resection (N=5). The overall complication rate was 74.5% and the mortality rate 16.4%. Only 2 of the 18 deaths were attributable to the pancreatic injury. Shock on presentation was highly predictive of death; 17 of 39 patients with shock died, compared with 1 of 71 patients who were not shocked (p < 0.0001). Fourteen of 46 patients with grade 1 and 2 pancreatic injuries died compared with 4 of 64 patients with grades 3, 4 and 5 injuries (p < 0.001). Mortality increased exponentially as the number of associated injuries increased. Two of 57 patients with injury to the pancreas only or one associated injury died, compared with 16 of 53 with two or more associated injuries (p < 0.0013). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated a significant correlation between the AAST grade of injury and pancreas-specific morbidity and between shock on admission, the number of associated injuries and death, in patients with blunt pancreatic injuries. Although morbidity and mortality rates after blunt pancreatic trauma are high, death was usually the result of major associated injuries and not related to the pancreatic injury.