The Roles of Protocols and Protocolization in Improving Outcome From Severe Traumatic Brain Injury.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Our Phase-I parallel-cohort study suggested that managing severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI) in the absence of intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring using an ad hoc Imaging and Clinical Examination (ICE) treatment protocol was associated with superior outcome vs nonprotocolized management but could not differentiate the influence of protocolization from that of the specific protocol. Phase II investigates whether adopting the Consensus REVised Imaging and Clinical Examination (CREVICE) protocol improved outcome directly or indirectly via protocolization. METHODS: We performed a Phase-II sequential parallel-cohort study examining adoption of the CREVICE protocol from no protocol vs a previous protocol in patients with sTBI older than 13 years presenting ≤24 hours after injury. Primary outcome was prespecified 6-month recovery. The study was done mostly at public South American centers managing sTBI without ICP monitoring. Fourteen Phase-I nonprotocol centers and 5 Phase-I protocol centers adopted CREVICE. Data were analyzed using generalized estimating equation regression adjusting for demographic imbalances. RESULTS: A total of 501 patients (86% male, mean age 35.4 years) enrolled; 81% had 6 months of follow-up. Adopting CREVICE from no protocol was associated with significantly superior results for overall 6-month extended Glasgow Outcome Score (GOSE) (protocol effect = 0.53 [0.11, 0.95], P = .013), mortality (36% vs 21%, HR = 0.59 [0.46, 0.76], P < .001), and orientation (Galveston Orientation and Amnesia Test discharge protocol effect = 10.9 [6.0, 15.8], P < .001, 6-month protocol effect = 11.4 [4.1, 18.6], P < .005). Adopting CREVICE from ICE was associated with significant benefits to GOSE (protocol effect = 0.51 [0.04, 0.98], P = .033), 6-month mortality (25% vs 18%, HR = 0.55 [0.39, 0.77], P < .001), and orientation (Galveston Orientation and Amnesia Test 6-month protocol effect = 9.2 [3.6, 14.7], P = .004). Comparing both groups using CREVICE, those who had used ICE previously had significantly better GOSE (protocol effect = 1.15 [0.09, 2.20], P = .033). CONCLUSION: Centers managing adult sTBI without ICP monitoring should strongly consider protocolization through adopting/adapting the CREVICE protocol. Protocolization is indirectly supported at sTBI centers regardless of resource availability.

Testing the Impact of Protocolized Care of Patients With Severe Traumatic Brain Injury Without Intracranial Pressure Monitoring: The Imaging and Clinical Examination Protocol.

BACKGROUND: Most patients with severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI) in low- or-middle-income countries and surprisingly many in high-income countries are managed without intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring. The impact of the first published protocol (Imaging and Clinical Examination [ICE] protocol) is untested against nonprotocol management. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether patients treated in intensive care units (ICUs) using the ICE protocol have lower mortality and better neurobehavioral functioning than those treated in ICUs using no protocol. METHODS: This study involved nineteen mostly public South American hospitals. This is a prospective cohort study, enrolling patients older than 13 years with sTBI presenting within 24 h of injury (January 2014-July 2015) with 6-mo postinjury follow-up. Five hospitals treated all sTBI cases using the ICE protocol; 14 used no protocol. Primary outcome was prespecified composite of mortality, orientation, functional outcome, and neuropsychological measures. RESULTS: A total of 414 patients (89% male, mean age 34.8 years) enrolled; 81% had 6 months of follow-up. All participants included in composite outcome analysis: average percentile (SD) = 46.8 (24.0) nonprotocol, 56.9 (24.5) protocol. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) used to account for center effects (confounder-adjusted difference [95% CI] = 12.2 [4.6, 19.8], P = .002). Kaplan-Meier 6-month mortality (95% CI) = 36% (30%, 43%) nonprotocol, 25% (19%, 31%) protocol (GEE and confounder-adjusted hazard ratio [95% CI] = .69 [.43, 1.10], P = .118). Six-month Extended Glasgow Outcome Scale for 332 participants: average Extended Glasgow Outcome Scale score (SD) = 3.6 (2.6) nonprotocol, 4.7 (2.8) protocol (GEE and confounder-adjusted and lost to follow-up-adjusted difference [95% CI] = 1.36 [.55, 2.17], P = .001). CONCLUSION: ICUs managing patients with sTBI using the ICE protocol had better functional outcome than those not using a protocol. ICUs treating patients with sTBI without ICP monitoring should consider protocolization. The ICE protocol, tested here and previously, is 1 option.

Tratamiento quirúrgico de la enfermedad de Pott por vía anterior / Tratamento cirúrgico da tuberculose da coluna vertebral por via anterior / Surgical treatment of spinal tuberculosis by anterior approach

OBJETIVO: Evaluar la corrección de la deformidad cifótica, estabilidad y fusión que otorga la utilización de implantes de titanio (Synex - Ventrofix de Synthes) en la tuberculosis espinal. MÉTODOS: Entre enero de 2010 y agosto de 2012 ocho pacientes con diagnóstico de enfermedad del Pott se sometieron a intervención quirúrgica por vía anterior, con seguimiento de 18 meses. El procedimiento consistió en desbridamiento amplio del cuerpo afectado seguido de instrumentación con implantes de titanio (Synex - Ventrofix de Synthes) y autoinjerto de costilla. La indicación quirúrgica fue déficit neurológico y cifosis del segmento. Previamente recibieron tratamiento antifímico por tres semanas. Estudios de imagen como radiografía frente y perfil pre operatoria y post operatoria evaluaron la cifosis. La tomografía simple post operatoria evaluó la fusión. En el preoperatorio se realizó resonancia magnética. Además de las pruebas de imagen, se realizaron las siguientes pruebas: biometría hemática, velocidad de sedimentación globular (VSG), proteína C reactiva (PCR) y las pruebas microbiológicas baciloscopia en orina y esputo, cultivo de expectoración o de orina. RESULTADOS: Ocho pacientes se operaron a través de abordaje anterior, siendo cinco hombres con edad promedio de 37,2 años y tres mujeres con edad promedio de 56,3 años. Todos los pacientes presentaron déficit neurológico. Seis con lesiones incompletas mejoraron algún grado neurológico. Dos parapléjicos no recuperaron la función neurológica. Cifosis preoperatoria promedio 14,38 grados y postoperatoria 6,8 grados. No hubo pérdida significativa de corrección ni recurrencia de la enfermedad. CONCLUSIÓN: El abordaje anterior más instrumentación es un método eficaz para tratar infección tuberculosa vertebral al mismo tiempo de evitar la progresión o corregir la cifosis.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a correção da deformidade cifótica, a estabilidade e a fusão promovida por implantes de titânio (Synex - Ventrofix de Synthes) na tuberculose da coluna vertebral. MÉTODOS: Entre janeiro de 2010 e agosto de 2012, oito pacientes com diagnóstico de tuberculose de coluna foram submetidos à intervenção cirúrgica por acesso anterior, com acompanhamento de 18 meses. O procedimento consistiu em desbridamento amplo do corpo afetado, seguido por instrumentação com implantes de titânio (Synex - Ventrofix de Synthes) e autoenxerto de costela. A indicação cirúrgica foi déficit neurológico e cifose do segmento. Previamente, os pacientes receberam tratamento para tuberculose por três semanas. Os estudos por imagem antes e depois da cirurgia, como radiografia frontal e lateral, avaliaram a cifose. A fusão foi avaliada por tomografia simples pós-operatória. A ressonância magnética foi realizada no pré-operatório. Além dos exames de imagem, foram feitos os seguintes testes: hemograma completo, velocidade de sedimentação globular (VSG), proteína C reativa (PCR) e exames microbiológicos de baciloscopia na urina e no catarro, cultura da expectoração ou de urina. RESULTADOS: Oito pacientes foram operados por acesso anterior, sendo cinco homens com média de idade de 37,2 anos e tres mulheres média de idade de 56,3 anos. Todos os pacientes tinham déficit neurológico. Seis deles com lesões incompletas tiveram melhora de algum grau neurológico. Dois paraplégicos não recuperaram a função neurológica. A média da cifose pré-operatória foi 14,38 graus e pós-operatória, 6,8 graus. Não houve perda significativa de correção nem recorrência da doença. CONCLUSÃO: O acesso anterior com instrumentação é um método eficaz para tratar tuberculose vertebral, ao mesmo tempo em que evita a progressão da cifose ou a corrige.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the correction of kyphotic deformity, stability and fusion promoted by titanium implants (Synex - Ventrofix Synthes) in spinal tuberculosis. METHODS: Between january 2010 and august 2012, eight patients with a diagnosis of vertebral tuberculosis underwent surgery by anterior approach, with follow-up of 18 months. The procedure consisted of wide debridement of the affected body, followed by instrumentation with titanium implants (Synex - Ventrofix Synthes) and rib autograft. The indication for surgery was neurological deficit and kyphosis of the segment. Previously, patients received tuberculosis treatment for three weeks. Imaging studies before and after surgery, as frontal and lateral radiographs, evaluated the kyphosis. Fusion was assessed by postoperative simple CT. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed preoperatively. Besides imaging, the following tests were made: complete blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) and microbiological examination of urine and sputum smear, sputum or urine culture. RESULTS: Eight patients were operated by anterior approach, five males with a mean age of 37.2 years and three women mean age of 56.3 years. All patients had neurological deficit. Six had incomplete lesions and had some degree of neurological improvement. Two paraplegics did not recover neurological function. The average preoperative kyphosis was 14.38 degrees and postoperative 6.8 degrees. There was no significant loss of correction or disease recurrence. CONCLUSION: The anterior instrumentation is an effective method to treat spinal tuberculosis, while avoiding the progression of kyphosis or promotes kyphosis correction.

Hernias discales foraminales lumbares / Intervertebral disk dospalcement

En el Hospital Metropolitano de Quito, se realizó un análisis retrospectivo. El examen complementario por imagen utilizado para determinar esta patología fue, la Resonancia Nuclear Magnética (RNM), con cortes en los planos sagital y axial, su selectividad para valorar tejidos blandos permitió la localización anatómica de la hernia de disco, en la región del canal radicular lumbar, ya sea preforaminal o foraminal, lo cual ha constituido un aporte valioso en caso de una eventual cirugía. Los resultados obtenidos son: hernias preforaminales 142 casos (7,2 por ciento), foraminales 118 casos (6 por ciento) y preforaminales-foraminales 40 casos (2 por ciento).