Severity and treatment of "occult" intra-abdominal injuries in blunt trauma victims.

BACKGROUND: to assess the severity and treatment of "occult" intra-abdominal injuries in blunt trauma victims. METHOD: Retrospective analysis of charts and trauma register data of adult blunt trauma victims, admitted without abdominal pain or alterations in the abdominal physical examination, but were subsequently diagnosed with intra-abdominal injuries, in a period of 2 years. The severity was stratified according to RTS, AIS, OIS and ISS. The specific treatment for abdominal injuries and the complications related to them were assessed. RESULTS: Intra-abdominal injuries were diagnosed in 220 (3.8%) out of the 5785 blunt trauma victims and 76 (34.5%) met the inclusion criteria. The RTS and ISS median (lower quartile, upper quartile) were 7.84 (6.05, 7.84) and 25 (16, 34). Sixty seven percent had a GCS≥13 on admission. Injuries were identified in the spleen (34), liver (33), kidneys (9), intestines (4), diaphragm (3), bladder (3) and iliac vessels (1). Abdominal injuries scored AIS≥3 in 67% of patients. Twenty-one patients (28%) underwent laparotomy, 5 of which were nontherapeutic. The surgical procedures performed were splenectomy (8), suturing of the diaphragm (3), intestines (3), bladder (2), kidneys (1), enterectomy/anastomosis (1), ligation of the common iliac vein (1), and revascularization of the common iliac artery (1). Angiography and embolization of liver and/or spleen injuries were performed in 3 cases. Three patients developed abdominal complications, all of which were operatively treated. There were no deaths directly related to the abdominal injuries. CONCLUSION: Severe "occult" intra-abdominal injuries, requiring specific treatment, may be present in adult blunt trauma patients.

Predictors of "occult" intra-abdominal injuries in blunt trauma patients.

OBJECTIVE: to assess predictors of intra-abdominal injuries in blunt trauma patients admitted without abdominal pain or abnormalities on the abdomen physical examination. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of trauma registry data, including adult blunt trauma patients admitted from 2008 to 2010 who sustained no abdominal pain or abnormalities on physical examination of the abdomen at admission and were submitted to computed tomography of the abdomen and/or exploratory laparotomy. Patients were assigned into: Group 1 (with intra-abdominal injuries) or Group 2 (without intra-abdominal injuries). Variables were compared between groups to identify those significantly associated with the presence of intra-abdominal injuries, adopting p<0.05 as significant. Subsequently, the variables with p<0.20 on bivariate analysis were selected to create a logistic regression model using the forward stepwise method. RESULTS: A total of 268 cases met the inclusion criteria. Patients in Group I were characterized as having significantly (p<0.05) lower mean AIS score for the head segment (1.0 ± 1.4 vs. 1.8 ± 1.9), as well as higher mean AIS thorax score (1.6 ± 1.7 vs. 0.9 ± 1.5) and ISS (25.7 ± 14.5 vs. 17,1 ± 13,1). The rate of abdominal injuries was significantly higher in run-over pedestrians (37.3%) and in motorcyclists (36.0%) (p<0.001). The resultant logistic regression model provided 73.5% accuracy for identifying abdominal injuries. The variables included were: motorcyclist accident as trauma mechanism (p<0.001 - OR 5.51; 95%CI 2.40-12.64), presence of rib fractures (p<0.003 - OR 3.00; 95%CI 1.47-6.14), run-over pedestrian as trauma mechanism (p=0.008 - OR 2.85; 95%CI 1.13-6.22) and abnormal neurological physical exam at admission (p=0.015 - OR 0.44; 95%CI 0.22-0.85). CONCLUSION: Intra-abdominal injuries were predominantly associated with trauma mechanism and presence of chest injuries.

Predictors of "occult" intra-abdominal injuries in blunt trauma patients / Indicadores de lesões intra-abdominais "ocultas" em pacientes vítimas de trauma fechado admitidas sem dor abdominal ou alterações no exame físico do abdome

Objective: to assess predictors of intra-abdominal injuries in blunt trauma patients admitted without abdominal pain or abnormalities on the abdomen physical examination. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of trauma registry data, including adult blunt trauma patients admitted from 2008 to 2010 who sustained no abdominal pain or abnormalities on physical examination of the abdomen at admission and were submitted to computed tomography of the abdomen and/or exploratory laparotomy. Patients were assigned into: Group 1 (with intra-abdominal injuries) or Group 2 (without intra-abdominal injuries). Variables were compared between groups to identify those significantly associated with the presence of intra-abdominal injuries, adopting p<0.05 as significant. Subsequently, the variables with p<0.20 on bivariate analysis were selected to create a logistic regression model using the forward stepwise method. Results: A total of 268 cases met the inclusion criteria. Patients in Group I were characterized as having significantly (p<0.05) lower mean AIS score for the head segment (1.0±1.4 vs. 1.8±1.9), as well as higher mean AIS thorax score (1.6±1.7 vs. 0.9±1.5) and ISS (25.7±14.5 vs. 17,1±13,1). The rate of abdominal injuries was significantly higher in run-over pedestrians (37.3%) and in motorcyclists (36.0%) (p<0.001). The resultant logistic regression model provided 73.5% accuracy for identifying abdominal injuries. The variables included were: motorcyclist accident as trauma mechanism (p<0.001 - OR 5.51; 95%CI 2.40-12.64), presence of rib fractures (p<0.003 - OR 3.00; 95%CI 1.47-6.14), run-over pedestrian as trauma mechanism (p=0.008 - OR 2.85; 95%CI 1.13-6.22) and abnormal neurological physical exam at admission (p=0.015 - OR 0.44; 95%CI 0.22-0.85). Conclusion Intra-abdominal injuries were predominantly associated with trauma mechanism and presence of chest injuries.

Objetivo: avaliar os indicadores de lesões intra-abdominais em vítimas de trauma fechado admitidas sem dor abdominal ou alterações no exame físico do abdome. Método: estudo retrospectivo das vítimas de trauma fechado com idade superior a 13 anos, admitidas no período de 2008-2010. Selecionamos para estudo todos que foram submetidos à tomografia computadorizada de abdome e/ou laparotomia exploradora e que, à admissão, não apresentavam dor abdominal ou alterações ao exame físico do abdome. Os doentes foram separados em: Grupo 1 (com lesões intra-abdominais) e Grupo 2 (sem lesões intra-abdominais). As variáveis foram comparadas entre os grupos, considerando p<0,05 como significativo. Em um segundo passo, selecionamos as variáveis com p<0,20 na análise bivariada para criar modelo de regressão logística pelo método forward stepwise. Resultados: foram incluídos 268 casos. Os doentes com lesão abdominal caracterizaram-se por apresentar, significativamente (p<0,05), menor média de AIS em segmento cefálico (1,0 ± 1,4 vs. 1,8 ± 1,9), bem como, maior média de AIS em tórax (1,6 ± 1,7 vs. 0,9 ± 1,5) e de ISS (25,7 ± 14,5 vs. 17,1 ± 13,1). A frequência de lesões abdominais foi significativamente maior nas vítimas de atropelamentos (37,3%) e motociclistas (36%) (p<0,001). A regressão logística construiu um modelo utilizando as seguintes variáveis: motociclista como mecanismo de trauma (p<0,001- OR=5,51; IC95% 2,40-12,64), presença de fraturas de costelas (p<0,003 - OR=3,00; IC95% 1,47-6,14), atropelamento como mecanismo de trauma (p=0,008 - OR=2,85; IC95% 1,13-6,22) e exame físico neurológico anormal a admissão (p=0,015 - OR=0,44; IC95% 0,22-0,85). Conclusão: as lesões intra-abdominais foram relacionadas principalmente com o mecanismo de trauma e a presença de lesões torácicas.

Comparative analysis between identified injuries of victims of fall from height and other mechanisms of closed trauma.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the lesions diagnosed in victims of falls, comparing them with those diagnosed in other mechanisms of blunt trauma. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of trauma protocol charts (prospectively collected) from 2008 to 2010, including victims of trauma over 13 years of age admitted to the emergency room. The severity of injuries was stratified by the Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) and Injury Severity Score (ISS). Variables were compared between the group of victims of falls from height (Group 1) and the other victims of blunt trauma (Group 2). We used the Student t, chi-square and Fisher tests for comparison between groups, considering the value of p <0.05 as significant. RESULTS: The series comprised 4,532 cases of blunt trauma, of which 555 (12.2%) were victims of falls from height. Severe lesions (AISe"3) were observed in the extremities (17.5%), in the cephalic segment (8.4%), chest (5.5%) and the abdomen (2.9%). Victims of Group 1 had significantly higher mean age, AIS in extremities / pelvis, AIS in the thoracic segment and ISS (p <0.05). The group 1 had significantly (p <0.05) higher incidence of tracheal intubation on admission, pneumothorax, hemothorax, rib fractures, chest drainage, spinal trauma, pelvic fractures, complex pelvic fractures and fractures to the upper limbs. CONCLUSION: Victims of fall from height had greater anatomic injury severity, greater frequency and severity of lesions in the thoracic segment and extremities.

Comparative analysis between identified injuries of victims of fall from height and other mechanisms of closed trauma / Análise comparativa entre as lesões identificadas em vítimas de queda de altura e de outros mecanismos de trauma fechado

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the lesions diagnosed in victims of falls, comparing them with those diagnosed in other mechanisms of blunt trauma. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of trauma protocol charts (prospectively collected) from 2008 to 2010, including victims of trauma over 13 years of age admitted to the emergency room. The severity of injuries was stratified by the Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) and Injury Severity Score (ISS). Variables were compared between the group of victims of falls from height (Group 1) and the other victims of blunt trauma (Group 2). We used the Student t, chi-square and Fisher tests for comparison between groups, considering the value of p <0.05 as significant. RESULTS: The series comprised 4,532 cases of blunt trauma, of which 555 (12.2%) were victims of falls from height. Severe lesions (AISe"3) were observed in the extremities (17.5%), in the cephalic segment (8.4%), chest (5.5%) and the abdomen (2.9%). Victims of Group 1 had significantly higher mean age, AIS in extremities / pelvis, AIS in the thoracic segment and ISS (p <0.05). The group 1 had significantly (p <0.05) higher incidence of tracheal intubation on admission, pneumothorax, hemothorax, rib fractures, chest drainage, spinal trauma, pelvic fractures, complex pelvic fractures and fractures to the upper limbs. CONCLUSION: Victims of fall from height had greater anatomic injury severity, greater frequency and severity of lesions in the thoracic segment and extremities. .

OBJETIVO: analisar as lesões diagnosticadas nas vítimas de queda de altura, comparando-as com as diagnosticadas em outros mecanismos de trauma fechado. MÉTODOS: estudo retrospectivo dos protocolos de trauma (coletados prospectivamente) de 2008 a 2010, incluindo as vítimas de trauma fechado com idade superior a 13 anos, admitidas na sala de emergência. A gravidade das lesões foi estratificada pelo Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) e Injury Severity Score (ISS). As variáveis foram comparadas entre o grupo de vítimas de quedas de altura (Grupo 1) e as demais vítimas de trauma fechado (Grupo 2). Empregamos os testes t de Student, qui-quadrado e Fisher para a comparação entre os grupos, considerando o valor de p<0,05 como significativo. RESULTADOS: foram analisados 4532 casos de trauma fechado, sendo que 555 (12,2%) foram vítimas de quedas de altura. As lesões graves (AISe"3) foram observadas em extremidades (17,5%), em segmento cefálico (8,4%), torácico (5,5%) e em abdome (2,9%). As vítimas do grupo 1 apresentaram, significativamente (p<0,05), maior média etária, de AIS em extremidades/pelve, de AIS em segmento torácico e de ISS. O grupo 1 também apresentou, significativamente (p<0,05), maior frequência de intubação orotraqueal na admissão, pneumotórax, hemotórax, fraturas de costelas, drenagem de tórax, trauma raquimedular, fraturas de pelve, fraturas complexas de pelve e de fraturas em membros superiores. CONCLUSÃO: As vítimas de queda de altura apresentaram maior gravidade anatômica do trauma, maior frequência e gravidade de lesões em segmento torácico e em extremidades. .

Predictors of abdominal injuries in blunt trauma.

OBJECTIVE: To identify predictors of abdominal injuries in victims of blunt trauma. METHOD: retrospective analysis of trauma protocols (collected prospectively) of adult victims of blunt trauma in a period of 15 months. Variables were compared between patients with abdominal injuries (AIS>0) detected by computed tomography or/and laparotomy (group I) and others (AIS=0, group II). Student's t, Fisher and qui-square tests were used for statistical analysis, considering p<0.05 as significant. RESULTS: A total of 3783 cases were included, with a mean age of 39.1 ± 17.7 years (14-99), 76.1% being male. Abdominal injuries were detected in 130 patients (3.4%). Patients sustaining abdominal injuries had significantly lower mean age (35.4 + 15.4 vs. 39.2 + 17.7), lower mean systolic blood pressure on admission (114.7 + 32.4 mmHg vs. 129.1 + 21.7 mmHg), lower mean Glasgow coma scale (12.9 + 3.9 vs. 14.3 + 2.0), as well as higher head AIS (0.95 + 1.5 vs. 0.67 + 1.1), higher thorax AIS (1.10 + 1.5 vs. 0.11 + 0.6) and higher extremities AIS (1.70 ± 1.8 vs. 1.03 ± 1.2). Patients sustaining abdominal injuries also presented higher frequency of severe injuries (AIS>3) in head (18.5% vs. 7.9%), thorax (29.2% vs. 2.4%) and extremities (40.0% vs. 13.7%). The highest odds ratios for the diagnosis of abdominal injuries were associated flail chest (21.8) and pelvic fractures (21.0). CONCLUSION: Abdominal injuries were more frequently observed in patients with hemodynamic instability, changes in Glasgow coma scale and severe lesions to the head, chest and extremities.

Fatores preditivos de lesões abdominais em vítimas de trauma fechado / Predictors of abdominal injuries in blunt trauma

OBJETIVO: Identificar fatores preditivos de lesões abdominais em vítimas de trauma fechado. MÉTODOS: Análise retrospectiva dos dados das vítimas de trauma fechado com idade superior a 13 anos, em um período de 15 meses. Comparamos as variáveis entre os doentes com lesões abdominais diagnosticadas por tomografia computadorizada e/ou laparotomia - grupo I (Abbreviated Injury Scale abdome>0, grupo I) e os demais - grupo II (Abbreviated Injury Scale abdome=0,). RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos 3783 casos, com média etária de 39,1 +17,7 anos (14 a 99 anos), sendo 76,1% do sexo masculino. Foram identificadas lesões abdominais em 130 doentes (3,4%). Os traumatizados com lesões abdominais apresentaram, significativamente, menor média etária (35,4 + 15,4 anos vs. 39,2 + 17,7 anos), menor média da pressão arterial sistólica à admissão (114,7 + 32,4mmHg vs. 129,1 + 21,7mmHg), menor média na escala de coma de Glasgow à admissão (12,9 + 3,9 vs. 14,3 + 2,0), maior média de AIS em segmento cefálico (0,95 + 1,5 vs. 0,67 + 1,1), maior média de AIS em segmento torácico (1,10 + 1,5 vs. 0,11 + 0,6) e maior média de AIS em extremidades (1,70 ± 1,8 vs. 1,03 ± 1,2). Os maiores Odds ratio foram presença de tórax flácido (21,8) e fraturas de pelve (21,0). CONCLUSÃO: As lesões abdominais foram mais frequentemente observadas nos doentes com instabilidade hemodinâmica, alteração na escala de coma de Glasgow, lesões graves em crânio, tórax ou extremidades.

OBJECTIVE: To identify predictors of abdominal injuries in victims of blunt trauma. METHOD: retrospective analysis of trauma protocols (collected prospectively) of adult victims of blunt trauma in a period of 15 months. Variables were compared between patients with abdominal injuries (AIS>0) detected by computed tomography or/and laparotomy (group I) and others (AIS=0, group II). Student's t, Fisher and qui-square tests were used for statistical analysis, considering p<0.05 as significant. RESULTS: A total of 3783 cases were included, with a mean age of 39.1 ± 17.7 years (14-99), 76.1% being male. Abdominal injuries were detected in 130 patients (3.4%). Patients sustaining abdominal injuries had significantly lower mean age (35.4 + 15.4 vs. 39.2 + 17.7), lower mean systolic blood pressure on admission (114.7 + 32.4 mmHg vs. 129.1 + 21.7 mmHg), lower mean Glasgow coma scale (12.9 + 3.9 vs. 14.3 + 2.0), as well as higher head AIS (0.95 + 1.5 vs. 0.67 + 1.1), higher thorax AIS (1.10 + 1.5 vs. 0.11 + 0.6) and higher extremities AIS (1.70 ± 1.8 vs. 1.03 ± 1.2). Patients sustaining abdominal injuries also presented higher frequency of severe injuries (AIS>3) in head (18.5% vs. 7.9%), thorax (29.2% vs. 2.4%) and extremities (40.0% vs. 13.7%). The highest odds ratios for the diagnosis of abdominal injuries were associated flail chest (21.8) and pelvic fractures (21.0). CONCLUSION: Abdominal injuries were more frequently observed in patients with hemodynamic instability, changes in Glasgow coma scale and severe lesions to the head, chest and extremities.

Morbimortality indicators in severe acute pancreatitis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the factors related to the development of systemic complications, mortality and pancreatic necrosis in patients with severe acute pancreatitis. PATIENTS: Thirty-nine patients (22.3%) out of 175 patients with acute pancreatitis who were admitted to our center, had an APACHE II score greater than 8; they were classified as having severe acute pancreatitis and were evaluated in the study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) and Marshall scores were obtained. The variables analyzed were age, sex, etiology, hematocrit, leukocyte count, CRP level, CT findings and length of hospital stay. These variables were related to the development of systemic complications, mortality and necrotizing pancreatitis. RESULTS: The mean APACHE II value of the patients included was 11.6+/-3.1, the mean SOFA score was 3.2+/-2.0 and the Marshall score was 1.5+/-1.9. Eleven patients developed necrotizing pancreatitis. The mortality rate among severe acute pancreatitis patients was 3 out of 39 (7.7%). Variables found to be related to systemic complications were the APACHE II score as well as SOFA and Marshall scores greater than 3. The variables related to mortality were SOFA score greater than 3 and leukocytosis greater than 19,000 mm(-3). CRP greater than 19.5 mg/dL and length of hospital stay were related to necrotizing pancreatitis. CONCLUSIONS: The scoring systems, especially the SOFA score, were related to the development of systemic complications and mortality. CRP showed a relationship to necrotizing pancreatitis. There was no relationship between the evaluated scoring systems and necrotizing pancreatitis in patients with severe acute pancreatitis.

Natural course of penetrating diaphragmatic injury: an experimental study in rats.

There are controversies about the fate of penetrating diaphragmatic injuries not diagnosed and treated. The objective was to evaluate the evolution of untreated diaphragmatic injury on an experimental model. Fifty-six rats suffered diaphragmatic injuries. Two groups were submitted to sternotomy and laparotomy--A (at 11-60 days) and B (at 120-160 days)--and all animals underwent diaphragm anatomopathologic analysis. The macroscopic results revealed diaphragmatic hernia in five animals (8.9%). Our results showed that histologic response was not the factor for this occurrence. We conclude that spontaneous healing of diaphragmatic injury occurs naturally.