Pancreaticoureteric fistula following penetrating abdominal trauma: A Case Report.

Pancreaticoureteric Fistula (PUF) is a very rare complication secondary to penetrating abdominal trauma involving the ureter and pancreatic parenchyma. Pancreatic injuries carry h igh morbidity due to the involvem ent of surrounding structures and are d ifficult to diagnose due to thei r retroperitoneal location. A case of a patient is reported at Civil Hospital, Hyderabad who presented with a history of firearm injury and missed pancreatic duct involvement on initial exploration that eventually led to the development of Pan creaticoureteric Fistula. He was managed v ia p erc ut aneous nep hrostomy ( PCN ) for the right ureteric injury and pancreatic duct (PD) stenting was done for distal main pancreatic duct injury (MPD).

To the point: Utility of laparoscopy for operative management of stabbing abdominal trauma.

BACKGROUND: Algorithms for managing penetrating abdominal trauma are conflicting or vague regarding the role of laparoscopy. We hypothesized that laparoscopy is underutilized among hemodynamically stable patients with abdominal stab wounds. METHODS: Trauma Quality Improvement Program data (2016-2019) were used to identify stable (SBP ≥110 and GCS ≥13) patients ≥16yrs with stab wounds and an abdominal procedure within 24hr of admission. Patients with a non-abdominal AIS ≥3 or missing outcome information were excluded. Patients were analyzed based on index procedure approach: open, therapeutic laparoscopy (LAP), or LAP-conversion to open (LCO). Center, clinical characteristics and outcomes were compared according to surgical approach and abdominal AIS using non-parametric analysis. RESULTS: 5984 patients met inclusion criteria with 7 â€‹% and 8 â€‹% receiving therapeutic LAP and LCO, respectively. The conversion rate for patients initially treated with LAP was 54 â€‹%. Compared to conversion or open, therapeutic LAP patients had better outcomes including shorter ICU and hospital stays and less infection complications, but were younger and less injured. Assessing by abdominal AIS eliminated ISS differences, meanwhile LAP patients still had shorter hospital stays. At time of admission, 45 â€‹% of open patients met criteria for initial LAP opportunity as indicated by comparable clinical presentation as therapeutic laparoscopy patients. CONCLUSIONS: In hemodynamically stable patients, laparoscopy remains infrequently utilized despite its increasing inclusion in current guidelines. Additional opportunity exists for therapeutic laparoscopy in trauma, which appears to be a viable alternative to open surgery for select injuries from abdominal stab wounds. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic and Epidemiological; Level IV.

Strangulated Gastric Hernia Following a Missed Traumatic Diaphragmatic Injury: A Case Report.

Traumatic diaphragmatic injuries (TDIs) are rare and can be life-threatening, depending on the size of the injury and the contents herniating through it. They usually result from blunt or penetrating trauma to the thoracoabdominal area, with an incidence of 0.8-5% and up to 30% presenting late. A high index of suspicion should be maintained when evaluating patients with a history of trauma (severe blunt or thoracoabdominal penetrating trauma) and upper abdominal symptoms. We present a case of a missed TDI after a left posterior thoracoabdominal stab injury, which was evaluated with a diagnostic laparoscopy at an outside hospital. He presented to our emergency department (ED) with sudden onset left-sided chest pain and uncontrollable vomiting. A CT scan was obtained and showed a distended stomach herniating through a defect in the left hemidiaphragm. The patient was immediately taken for laparoscopic exploration and repair. There was a 5 cm defect in the left posterolateral diaphragm containing a strangulated stomach (approximately ⅔) and necrotic omentum. Complete reduction was achieved and the diaphragmatic defect was repaired primarily. His postoperative course was uncomplicated. This case illustrates the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion for TDI, despite reports of previous exploration. Missed TDI can present with herniated intra-abdominal organs, which can become strangulated and increase morbidity and mortality.

Overview of stab injuries in Far North Queensland: A new insight into the demographics, injury patterns and management.

BACKGROUND: Cairns Hospital is the northernmost tertiary referral hospital in Far North Queensland (FNQ) and manages trauma from a large catchment area. A large burden of stab injuries occurs in at-risk patient groups, such as Indigenous and mental health patients, in this region. This research aims to present an overview of the demographics, injury patterns, management and outcomes for stabbings injuries in FNQ. METHODS: A five-year retrospective single-centre study of all patients treated for neck, torso or junctional stab wounds in Far North Queensland was performed searching for all patients with a coded diagnosis of stabbing or knife injury from 1 March 2016 to 31 March 2021. RESULTS: 214 knife injuries were identified and 50.5% of those injured identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Stabbing injury locations were most commonly the abdomen/flank/pelvis (n = 81) and the chest/thorax (n = 77). Two-thirds of injuries that breached abdominal fascia had concurrent intra-abdominal injury. Hollow viscus injury commonly involved the small bowel (n = 8), colon (n = 5) and stomach (n = 2), whilst the liver was the most frequently injured solid organ (n = 6). There were 19 vascular injuries, excluding the extremities. 89.2% received diagnostic imaging in the emergency department. FAST scan had 76% sensitivity and 100% specificity for intra-abdominal injury at operation. Overall, 35% of patients required an operation. There were only two in-hospital deaths. CONCLUSION: Stab injuries annually in FNQ are comparable to other centres in Australia. Overall injury severity was low, with excellent survival rates and outcomes for patients who reached hospital. Operative intervention rates for abdominal stab wounds were low in FNQ compared to available data and imaging again appears protective against negative laparotomy rate.

Assessment of Outcomes in Laparotomy vs Laparoscopy: A Propensity Score Matched Analysis of Patients Sustaining Single Penetrating Left Upper Quadrant Injury.

BACKGROUND: We aim to compare outcomes between laparotomy and laparoscopy in trauma patients with single penetrating left upper quadrant injuries. METHODS: Using a 1:1 propensity score match, a retrospective study was conducted utilizing data from the ACS-TQP-PUF between 2016 and 2019. Adults sustaining a single penetrating left upper quadrant injury who received either a laparotomy or laparoscopy were included for analysis. The primary outcome was inpatient mortality. Secondary outcomes included ICU-LOS, H-LOS, and complication rates. Multivariable regression and reliability adjustments were performed to control for confounding. RESULTS: 486 patients receiving laparotomy were matched to 486 patients receiving laparoscopy. No differences in inpatient mortality (1.2% vs 2.9%, aOR: 2.92, 95% CI: .32, 26.31); however, patients undergoing laparotomy experienced higher complication rates (7.0% vs 1.2%, aOR: 9.61, 95% CI: 1.94, 47.48), pRBC transfusions (21.8% vs 6.4%, aOR: 3.19, 95% CI: 1.66, 6.13), and H-LOS (Mean ± SD: 8.1 ± 9.8 vs 3.9 ± 4.0, P = .0002). Lower ISS (1 - 15) undergoing laparotomy had more complications (4.3% vs .7%, aOR: 13.52, 95% CI: 1.39, 131.69), pRBC transfusions (13.9% vs 4.9%, aOR: 3.21, 95% CI: 1.53, 6.75), and H-LOS (Mean ± SD: 6.7 ± 7.1 vs 3.6 ± 3.2, P < .0001). There were no differences in mortality among patients with a lower ISS (1.5% vs .4%, aOR: 77.2, 95% CI: (<.001, >999). CONCLUSIONS: Laparotomy is associated with increased rates of complications for single penetrating LUQ trauma. For patients with low ISS, laparoscopy is associated with better outcomes without increase in mortality.

Survival following devastating penetrating gunshots polytrauma with grade 5 liver injuries requiring multiple massive transfusion protocols: A case report and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: A devastating injury to the liver from a gunshot wound (GSW) challenges the most seasoned trauma surgeon. This challenge is intensified when patients develop severe shock with a high-grade injury. We present the case of a patient with a grade 5 liver injury after a GSW treated with operative and interventional radiology (IR) treatment simultaneously. CASE PRESENTATION: A 25-year-old male presented to our Trauma Center with hypotension, after an abdominal GSW. He was taken emergently to the operating room, which revealed a Grade 5 liver injury with massive hemorrhage. Operative intervention was initiated immediately and a non-anatomic left lobectomy with hepatorrhaphy was performed. IR was consulted intra-operatively and performed a left hepatic artery angioembolization. The patient received over 50 units of blood products during the combined procedures, with eventual bleeding control. On post-operative day 33, the patient became acutely hemodynamically unstable, and angiography revealed a splenic artery pseudoaneurysm, which was embolized but re-bled and resulted in splenectomy. The patient eventually recovered and follows up at 1-year revealed a patient doing well. DISCUSSION: High-grade liver injuries carry significant mortality. Mortality worsens when severe shock is present. Operative intervention is the standard approach for patients who remain in shock. To help improve outcomes patients may benefit from a combined approach with the interventional radiology team. CONCLUSION: The acute management of severe liver injuries when presenting with ongoing shock is beneficial to include both trauma surgeons with interventional radiologists. Further studies are needed to determine the best approach for this devastating injury.

Traumatic Diaphragmatic Rupture With Pericardial Tear and Transdiaphragmatic Herniation of the Stomach.

Traumatic diaphragmatic rupture is uncommon in blunt or penetrating abdominal trauma. Diaphragmatic injury associated with pericardial tear is even rarer. Here, we report a case of a 23-year-old female who presented with complaints of chest pain, abdomen pain, and breathlessness following blunt trauma abdomen. An imaging study showed the presence of transdiaphragmatic herniation of the stomach inside the thorax. Emergency exploratory laparotomy was done, and we found a large diaphragmatic defect with a pericardial tear with herniation of the stomach. Both diaphragmatic and pericardial tears were repaired primarily. Postoperatively, the patient improved well without any complications.

Surgical management of an abdominal impalement injury: a case report / Manejo quirúrgico de una lesion por empalamiento abdominal: reporte de caso

Impalement injuries are a complex and rare type of penetrating abdominal trauma that happens when an object such as a post or a pole penetrates a person injuring several organs, making it a life-threatening situation in which time and correct management play an important part in the survival of the patient. A 37-year-old man suffered abdominal impalement injury with a metal signal post, penetrating the left flank of the abdomen. On examination, there is a hypoventilated left hemithorax with intercostal retractions, increased heart rate, weak distal pulses, delayed capillary refill, and pale skin. A 1-meter-long metal post (approximately 7cm diameter) penetrates the left flank with the entry in the posterior lumbar region. Abdominal viscera, omentum, intestinal content, and ischemic loops of the small intestine are visible. An exploratory laparotomy was performed; left hemicolectomy, end colostomy and Hartmann procedure, resection of the affected jejunum, and end-to-end anastomosis were performed. On the ninth postoperative day, an abdominal tomography was performed due to the presence of fever peaks, which reported thrombosis of the left renal artery and emphysematous pyelonephritis, with the presence of a left pararenal collection. A simple left nephrectomy was performed. Postoperative surveillance was satisfactory during the following 5 days. The patient was discharged. An impaled injury is a complex lesion that needs special attention from the medical field for correct management. Although there is some literature about it, we encourage more research to be done about impalement injuries.

Las lesiones por empalamiento son un tipo de traumatismo abdominal penetrante complejo y raro de que se produce cuando un objeto, como un poste o una vara, penetra a una persona lesionando varios órganos, lo que la convierte en una situación potencialmente mortal en la que el tiempo y el manejo correcto juegan un papel importante en la supervivencia del paciente. Un hombre de 37 años sufrió una herida por empalamiento abdominal con un poste de señales de metal, penetrando el flanco izquierdo del abdomen. A la exploración física, hay un hemitórax izquierdo hipoventilado con retracciones intercostales, aumento de la frecuencia cardíaca, pulsos distales débiles, relleno capilar retrasado y piel pálida. Un poste metálico de 1 metro de largo (aproximadamente 7 cm de diámetro) penetra el flanco izquierdo con entrada en la región lumbar posterior. Son visibles las vísceras abdominales, el epiplón, el contenido intestinal y las asas isquémicas del intestino delgado. Se realizó una laparotomía exploradora; Se realizó hemicolectomía izquierda, colostomía terminal y procedimiento de Hartmann, resección del yeyuno afectado y anastomosis terminoterminal. Al noveno día postoperatorio se realiza tomografía abdominal por presencia de picos febriles, que reporta trombosis de arteria renal izquierda y pielonefritis enfisematosa, con presencia de colección pararrenal izquierda. Se realizó nefrectomía izquierda simple. La vigilancia postoperatoria fue satisfactoria durante los siguientes 5 días. El paciente fue dado de alta. Una lesión por empalamiento es una lesión compleja que necesita una atención especial desde el ámbito médico para su correcto manejo. Aunque existe cierta literatura al respecto, alentamos a que se realicen más investigaciones sobre estas lesiones.

Laparoscopic Versus Laparotomy Surgical Interventions for Trauma Patients With Single Upper Left Quadrant Penetrating Injuries: Analysis of the American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Improvement Program Dataset.

BACKGROUND: We aim to identify patient cohorts where laparoscopy can be safely utilized with comparable or better outcomes to laparotomy among patients with single penetrating LUQ injuries with a hypothesis that compared to laparotomy, laparoscopy may be associated with equal or improved outcomes of low injury severity patients. METHODS: Retrospective review of the ACS-TQP-Participant Use File 2016-2019 dataset. Patients with single LUQ penetrating injuries were included. Primary outcome was risk-adjusted in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included: risk-adjusted complication rates, hospital length-of-stay (H-LOS), and ICU-LOS. Descriptive statistics and multivariable regression with reliability adjustments to account for variations in practice were performed. RESULTS: Of 4149 patients analyzed, 3571 (86.1%) underwent laparotomy, 489 (11.8%) underwent laparoscopy, and 89 (2.1%) underwent laparoscopy-to-laparotomy conversion. Adjusted mortality rates were not significantly different among all study cohorts (P > .05). Compared to laparoscopy, adjusted odds of complications were 4.3-fold higher for all patients who underwent laparotomy and 4-fold higher for laparoscopy-to-laparotomy (LtL) patients (P < .05). Diaphragmatic injuries were associated with significantly increased odds of undergoing LtL, whereas sustaining a colonic injury, gastric injury, hepatic injury, or requiring PRBC transfusions were associated with significantly increased odds of undergoing laparotomy (P < .05). H-LOS (days) was significantly longer for patients who underwent laparotomy compared to laparoscopy (3.9 ± 4.0 vs. 10.8 ± 13.4, P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopy may be considered a viable alternative to laparotomy for hemodynamically stable adult patients with single penetrating LUQ injuries of low injury burden validating our hypothesis. Laparoscopy may be less safe for patients with associated diaphragmatic, colonic, or hepatic injuries.

Trauma abdominal penetrante por heridas de arma blanca. Manejo laparoscópico vs convencional. Estudio prospectivo y comparativo / Penetrating abdominal trauma due to stab wounds. Laparoscopic vs conventional management. Prospective and comparative study

La evaluación y el manejo del trauma abdominal ha presentado cambios significativos en los últimos tiempos. La laparoscopia en el trauma abdominal penetrante ha sido de gran utilidad principalmente como método diagnóstico, sin embargo, se debería considerar como herramienta terapéutica.Objetivo: Determinar la eficacia del manejo laparoscópico vs el convencional en el tratamiento de pacientes con trauma abdominal penetrante por heridas de arma blanca.Métodos : Estudio experimental, prospectivo, comparativo. La población de estudio estuvo representada por pacientes con diagnóstico de traumatismo abdominal penetrante por herida de arma blanca que ingresaron a la emergencia de cirugía del Hospital Dr. Miguel Pérez Carreño durante el periodo enero 2019 a julio 2021.Resultados : Fueron incluidos 48 pacientes, 28 pacientes del grupo control y 20 pacientes del grupo experimental. Ambos grupos fueron comparables con respecto a edad y sexo. El índice de severidad del trauma (PATI) fue similar en ambos grupos. Las complicaciones y el tiempo quirúrgico no tuvieron diferencias estadísticamente significativas. Las cirugías negativas representaron el 15 % en el grupo laparoscópico vs 11 % en el abordaje convencional. El porcentaje de conversión fue de 15 %. La estancia hospitalaria fue menor en el grupo laparoscópico 3,25 vs 4,6 días (p = 0,04).Conclusión: La cirugía laparoscópica puede considerarse el abordaje de elección en pacientes hemodinámicamente estables con trauma abdominal penetrante por herida de arma blanca, siendo un método seguro y eficaz, brindando los beneficios propios de la cirugía mínimamente invasiva, con baja tasa de complicaciones y una recuperación más rápida(AU)

The evaluation and management of abdominal trauma have changed significantly in recent times. Laparoscopic approach in penetrating abdominal trauma has been useful as diagnostic method, however, its therapeutic value should be considered. Objective: To determine the efficacy of laparoscopy versus laparotomy approach as treatment in patients with penetrating abdominal trauma caused by stab wounds. Methods: We conducted an experimental, prospective and comparative study. Study population was represented by patients with diagnosis of penetrating abdominal trauma due to stab wounds who were admitted to the emergency room of Dr. Miguel Pérez Carreño Hospital between January 2019 and July 2021.Results : 48 patients were included, 28 in the control group and 20 patients in the experimental group. No differences were found between groups regarding age and sex. The penetrating abdominal trauma index (PATI) was similar in both groups. Differences in complications and surgical time were not statistically significant. Non-therapeutic surgeries represented 15 % in laparoscopic group and 11 % in laparotomy group. The conversion percentage was 15 %. Hospital stay were shorter in laparoscopic group, 3.25 vs 4.6 days (p = 0.04). Conclusion: Laparoscopic surgery can be considered the approach of choice in hemodynamically stable patients with penetrating abdominal trauma due to stab wounds. It is a safe and effective method, providing the benefits of minimally invasive surgery, with a low rate of complications and faster patient recovery(AU)

Impact of laparoscopy on the perioperative outcomes of penetrating abdominal trauma.

BACKGROUND: Penetrating abdominal trauma (PAT) poses a significant challenge to trauma surgeons. Laparotomy is still the most popular procedure for managing PAT but has high morbidity and mortality rates. Presently, laparoscopy aims to provide equal or superior visualization compared to open approaches but with less morbidity, postoperative discomfort, and recovery time. The aim of this research is to assess the impact of laparoscopy on the management of PAT. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study carried out at the Emergency Hospital of Mansoura University/Egypt and at King Faisal Medical Complex, Taif/KSA from September 2014 to September 2018. All hemodynamically stable patients with PAT who were managed by laparoscopy were included in this study. Data extracted for analysis included demographic information, criteria of abdominal stabs, type of management, and perioperative outcome. RESULTS: Forty patients were recruited in this research and the male-to-female ratio was 5.6:1. The mean age of the patients was 31.4 ± 12.318 years. During the laparoscopic procedure, no peritoneal penetration was observed in 4 patients (negative laparoscopy), while peritoneal penetration was observed in the remaining 36 patients. No visceral injuries were noted in 2 patients of the 36 patients with peritoneal penetration, while the remaining 34 patients had intra-abdominal injuries. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopy performed on hemodynamically stable trauma patients was found to be safe and technically feasible. It also reduced negative and non-therapeutic laparotomies and offered paramount therapeutic and diagnostic advantages for traumatic diaphragmatic injuries.

Expectant management in delayed presentation of war casualties with penetrating abdominal trauma.

INTRODUCTION: While the management of acute civilian abdominal injuries is well established, The literature regarding the management of battle-related abdominal injuries presented in a delayed fashion is scarce. The objective of this study was to investigate the safety of non-operative management approach in delayed evacuation of battle-related abdominal injuries. METHODS: Clinical records of thirty-seven hemodynamically normal patients with battle related injuries and Computed Tomography (CT) findings of penetrating abdominal trauma were retrospectively studied. RESULTS: All 37 patients suffered penetrating abdominal injuries during the civil war in Syria. In this complex scenario, the casualties presented after a minimum 12-hour delay to our hospital. All patients had abnormal abdominal CT scans with no clinical peritoneal signs. Twenty-one [of the 37] patients exhibited 29 hard signs on CT scan. Of these, 17 patients were treated non-operatively and 4 underwent exploratory laparotomy (of which 2 were non-therapeutic). Sixteen patients exhibited a total of 75 soft signs on CT scan; 15 were treated non-operatively and one underwent non-therapeutic laparotomy. No complications were recorded in either the operative or non-operative groups. In total, 32 patients (86%) were treated non-operatively. Five patients (14%) underwent exploratory laparotomy (3 of which were non-therapeutic). Length of stay was dependent on the unique requirements of each individual patient as determined by the state department for returning across the border. CONCLUSION: We propose that in battle related casualties, acute survivable penetrating abdominal trauma may be safely treated non-operatively in selected patients who are hemodynamically normal and in whom there is an absence of abdominal pain or tenderness on repeated clinical assessment.

Avoiding Misdiagnosis of Abdominal Vascular Catastrophes.

Abdominal vascular emergencies are an uncommon entity in emergency medicine, but when they present, they are often catastrophic. These time-sensitive and life-threatening diagnoses are often hidden in nonspecific complaints such as nausea, vomiting, or flank pain, so the emergency physician must remain diligent and consider these in the differential diagnoses. The following is an overview of the more common of these abdominal vascular emergencies, in the hope that they help the Emergency Physician avoid the misdiagnosis and subsequent vascular catastrophe that would follow.

Penetrating abdominal trauma - selected case reports.

We present 3 case-reports with penetrating abdominal injury from our practice in this article. An urgent laparotomy was performed in all cases because of haemodynamic instability or the mechanism of injury. Penetrative abdominal traumas are associated with a high risk of life-threatening intra-abdominal injuries, require urgent revision and are often accompanied by postoperative infections of the peritoneal cavity. In recent years, there has been a growing tendency towards mini-invasive approaches or even non-operative treatment. This trend is particularly evident in the United States of America, where doctors experience a higher number of penetrating injuries compared to the prevalent blunt force trauma in Europe. The authors describe the need to follow all recommended procedures in the pre-hospital and hospital phases of treatment of these patients and compare them with recent literature. Key words: penetrating abdominal trauma.

Injuries Sustained During Incarceration Among Prisoners.

BACKGROUND: The U.S. prison population has increased substantially in recent years, and violent injury is common among prisoners. We sought to describe injury patterns and other characteristics of prisoners who presented to a trauma center after injury. Because penetrating trauma from an improvised weapon (e.g., shank) is frequent, we also sought to compare characteristics and outcomes of prisoners and non-prisoners who sustained an anterior abdominal stab or shank wound (AASW). METHODS: We analyzed injured adult prisoners who presented to a Level 1 trauma center between February, 2011, and April, 2017. We described characteristics of the injured prisoners and their hospitalizations. We compared prisoners who sustained an AASW to a random sample of non-prisoners with the same mechanism of injury using the chi-square test, Student's t-test, and logistic and Poisson regression. RESULTS: Of 14,461 hospitalized injured adults, 299 (2.0%) were injured while incarcerated. 185 (62%) encounters involved interpersonal violence and 36 prisoners (12%) presented with self-inflicted injuries. 98 (33%) had a psychiatric disorder. Among 33 prisoners and 66 non-prisoners who sustained an AASW, prisoners were less likely to have undergone a laparotomy [14/33 (42%) vs 44/66 (67%); RR 0.64 (95% CI 0.41-0.98)] or sustained an injury requiring operative intervention [2/33 (6%) vs 23/66 (35%); RR 0.17 (95% CI 0.04-0.69)]. CONCLUSIONS: Many injured prisoners have psychiatric illness, are involved in interpersonal violence, or harm themselves. Among hospitalized patients, abdominal stab/shank wounds sustained in prison are less likely to result in significant injuries or operative intervention than similar wounds in non-prisoners.

Laparoscopic splenectomy as a definitive management option for high-grade traumatic splenic injury when non operative management is not feasible or failed: a 5-year experience from a level one trauma center with minimally invasive surgery expertise.

Technique, indications and outcomes of laparoscopic splenectomy in stable trauma patients have not been well described yet. All hemodynamically non-compromised abdominal trauma patients who underwent splenectomy from 1/2013 to 12/2017 at our Level 1 trauma center were included. Demographic and clinical data were collected and analysed with per-protocol and an intention-to-treat comparison between open vs laparoscopic groups. 49 splenectomies were performed (16 laparoscopic, 33 open). Among the laparoscopic group, 81% were successfully completed laparoscopically. Laparoscopy was associated with a higher incidence of concomitant surgical procedures (p 0.016), longer operative times, but a significantly faster return of bowel function and oral diet without reoperations. No significant differences were demonstrated in morbidity, mortality, length of stay, or long-term complications, although laparoscopic had lower surgical site infection (0 vs 21%).The isolated splenic injury sub-analysis included 25 splenectomies,76% (19) open and 24% (6) laparoscopic and confirmed reduction in post-operative morbidity (40 vs 57%), blood transfusion (0 vs 48%), ICU admission (20 vs 57%) and overall LOS (7 vs 9 days) in the laparoscopic group. Laparoscopic splenectomy is a safe and effective technique for hemodynamically stable patients with splenic trauma and may represent an advantageous alternative to open splenectomy in terms of post-operative recovery and morbidity.

Obesity Protects Against Operation in Pediatric Penetrating Trauma to the Torso.

BACKGROUND: Studies in the adult population are conflicting regarding whether obesity is protective in penetrating trauma. In the pediatric population, data on obesity and penetrating trauma are limited. We sought to determine if there is a different rate of operation or of survival in pediatric and adolescent patients with obesity. METHODS: We queried the National Trauma Data Bank research data set from 2013 to 2016 for all patients aged 2-18 who sustained traumatic penetrating injuries to the thorax and abdomen. The cohort was divided into body mass index percentiles for gender and age using Center for Disease Control definitions. Outcomes included overall survival, whether or not an operative procedure was performed, and hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay. RESULTS: We analyzed 9611 patients with penetrating trauma, of which 4285 had an operative intervention. When adjusted for other variables (age, gender, race, ICU length of stay, hospital length of stay, and Injury Severity Score), children of every body mass index percentile had similar survival. Healthy weight patients were more likely to get an operation than patients in the obese category. Length of hospital stay was similar between groups, but the ICU length of stay was longer in the overweight and obese groups compared with healthy weight and underweight groups. CONCLUSIONS: Children and adolescents with obesity are less likely to undergo operation after penetrating thoracoabdominal trauma. Further study is needed to determine the reason for this difference.

Should the management approach to the anterior abdominal stab wound be different in patients with self-inflicted abdominal injury?

BACKGROUND: Self-inflicted injury is a leading cause of death worldwide. It is hypothesized that due to instincts for self-preservation, the severity of abdominal injury would be decreased following suicidal self-stabbing in comparison to stab wounds from assault, and therefore a more conservative management might be considered. METHODS: All patients with isolated abdominal stab wound (SW) admitted to 19 Trauma Centers in Israel between the years 1997 and 2018 were included in the study. Patients with self-inflicted abdominal SW (Group I) were compared to victims with abdominal SW following assault (Group II). RESULTS: Group I included 9.4% (314/3324) of patients eligible for this study. Compared to Group II, Group I patients were older (median: 39 years, IQR 28,52 vs. 24 years, IQR 19,33; p<0.001), had more females (28.7% vs 4.9%, p <0.001), had longer length of hospitalization (median: 3 days vs. 2 days; p<0.001), underwent surgery more frequently (55.4% vs. 37.4%; p<0.001), and had higher mortality (2.9% vs. 0.7%; p=0.003). Possible covariates for mortality were examined and following logistic regression, self-inflicted injury remained associated with higher death rates compared to assault (OR 4.027, CI95% 1.380, 11.749; p=0.011). CONCLUSION: In this study, patients with isolated self-inflicted abdominal injuries had higher mortality and more frequently underwent abdominal surgery.

Readmission With Major Abdominal Complications After Penetrating Abdominal Trauma.

BACKGROUND: Despite improvements in operative techniques, major abdominal complications (MACs) continue to occur after penetrating abdominal trauma (PAT). This study aimed to evaluate the burden of MAC after PAT. METHODS: The (2012-2015) National Readmission Database was queried for all adult (age ≥18 y) trauma patients with penetrating injuries who underwent exploratory laparotomy and were readmitted within 6 mo of index hospitalization discharge. Patients were stratified by firearm injuries (FIs) and stab injuries (SIs). Primary outcomes were rates of MAC: intra-abdominal abscesses (IAAs), superficial surgical site infection (SSI), and fascial dehiscence within 6 mo after discharge. Secondary outcomes were both nonabdominal complications and mortality, postdischarge, and 6-mo readmission. Regression analysis was performed. RESULTS: A total of 4473 patients (FI, 2326; SI, 2147) were included in the study; the mean age was 32 ± 14 y, the Injury Severity Score was 19 (15-25), and 23% underwent damage control laparotomy (DCL). The rate of MAC within 6 mo was 22% (IAA 19%, SSI 7%, and fascial dehiscence 4%). Patients with FIs had a higher rate of IAA (27% versus 10%; P < 0.01), SSI (11% versus 3%; P < 0.01), fascial dehiscence (5% versus 3%; P = 0.03), nonabdominal complications (54% versus 24%; P < 0.01), and postdischarge mortality (8% versus 6%; P < 0.01) compared with patients with SIs . On regression analysis, DCL (P < 0.01), large bowel perforation (P < 0.01), biliary-pancreatic injury (P < 0.01), hepatic injury (P < 0.01), and blood transfusion (P = 0.02) were predictors of MAC. CONCLUSIONS: MAC developed in one in five patients after PAT. FIs have a higher potential for hollow viscus injury and peritoneal contamination, and are more predictive of MAC and nonabdominal complications, especially after DCL. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III Prognostic.