[Undetected surgical glove perforation during emergency procedures]. / Perfurações não detectadas de luvas em procedimentos de urgência.

OBJECTIVE: Gloves are the most important barriers that protect hospital personnel and patients. Unfortunately, glove perforation rates reach up to 78% in high risk procedures. The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the glove perforation rate in emergency procedures carried out in the Emergency Service of 'Santa Casa de São Paulo', School of Medicine. METHODS: The study analyzed all gloves used in the emergency room during a 2 months period. Gloves were tested immediately after the surgical procedure using the approved standardized water leak method. RESULTS: A total of 252 surgical gloves used by residents in 42 surgical procedures and 2361 gloves used in emergency procedures were tested for the presence of punctures by the water insuflation method. Forty one (16.3%) of the gloves tested showed at least one puncture, 18 (33%) in traumatic emergencies. The overall perforation rate in the emergency room was 7,3%. CONCLUSION: We concluded that the incidence of punctures in gloves during surgical procedures was high, and occurred mostly with surgeons.

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.

[Hemodynamic and respiratory changes caused by CO2 laparoscopy in an experimental model of diaphragmatic injury]. / Repercussões respiratórias e hemodinâmicas do pneumoperitônio na lesão do diafragma--estudo experimental.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to analyze the hemodynamic and respiratory changes caused by CO2 laparoscopy in an experimental model of diaphragmatic injury. METHODS: Fifteen animals chosen at random were submitted to diaphragmatic injury by means of CO2 laparoscopy. Evaluation consisted of drawing blood samples to analyze blood gases, as well as the hemodynamic and respiratory variables. RESULTS: Alterations occurred in APA, CPP, PAO2, ASO2, VSO2. CONCLUSION: We concluded that videolaparoscopy with pneumoperitoneum pressure under 15 mmHg is a safe procedure in patients with diaphragmatic injuries because this pressure level does not cause hemodynamic changes, such as decrease of the cardiac output.

Ruling out intra-abdominal injuries in blunt trauma patients using clinical criteria and abdominal ultrasound.

OBJECTIVE: to identify victims of blunt abdominal trauma in which intra-abdominal injuries can be excluded by clinical criteria and by complete abdominal ultrasonography. METHODS: retrospective analysis of victims of blunt trauma in which the following clinical variables were analyzed: hemodynamic stability, normal neurologic exam at admission, normal physical exam of the chest at admission, normal abdomen and pelvis physical exam at admission and absence of distracting lesions (Abbreviated Injury Scale >2 at skull, thorax and/or extremities). The ultrasound results were then studied in the group of patients with all clinical variables evaluated. RESULTS: we studied 5536 victims of blunt trauma. Intra-abdominal lesions with AIS>1 were identified in 144 (2.6%); in patients with hemodynamic stability they were present in 86 (2%); in those with hemodynamic stability and normal neurological exam at admission in 50 (1.8%); in patients with hemodynamic stability and normal neurological and chest physical exam at admission, in 39 (1.5%); in those with hemodynamic stability, normal neurological, chest, abdominal and pelvic physical exam at admission, in 12 (0.5%); in patients with hemodynamic stability, normal neurological, chest, abdominal and pelvic physical exam at admission, and absence of distracting lesions, only two (0.1%) had intra-abdominal lesions. Among those with all clinical variables, 693 had normal total abdominal ultrasound, and, within this group, there were no identified intra-abdominal lesions. CONCLUSION: when all clinical criteria and total abdominal ultrasound are associated, it is possible to identify a group of victims of blunt trauma with low chance of significant intra-abdominal lesions.

Trauma mechanism predicts the frequency and the severity of injuries in blunt trauma patients. / Relação entre o mecanismo de trauma e lesões diagnosticadas em vítimas de trauma fechado.

OBJECTIVE: to study the correlation of trauma mechanism with frequency and severity of injuries in blunt trauma patients. METHODS: retrospective analysis of trauma registry in a 15-month period was carried out. Trauma mechanism was classified into six types: occupants of four-wheeled vehicles involved in road traffic accidents (AUTO), pedestrians struck by road vehicles (PED), motorcyclists involved in road traffic accidents (MOTO), falls from height (FALL), physical assault with blunt instruments (ASSA) and falls on same level (FSL). Injuries with AIS>2 were considered severe. One-way ANOVA, Students t and Chi-square tests were used for statistical analysis, considering p<0.05 significant. RESULTS: trauma mechanism was classified by group for 3639 cases, comprising 337 (9.3%) AUTO, 855 (23.5%) PED, 924 (25.4%) MOTO, 455 (12.5%) FALL, 424 (11.7%) ASSA and 644 (17.7%) FSL. There was significant difference among groups when comparing the Revised Trauma Score (RTS), the Injury Severity Score (ISS) and the Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) of the head, thorax, abdomen and extremities (p<0.001). Severe injuries in the head and in the extremities were more frequent in PED patients (p<0.001). Severe injuries to the chest were more frequent in AUTO (p<0.001). Abdominal injuries were less frequent in FSL (p=0.004). Complex fractures of the pelvis and spine were more frequent in FALL (p<0.001). Lethality was greater in PED, followed by FALL and AUTO (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: trauma mechanism analysis predicted frequency and severity of injuries in blunt trauma patients.

OBJETIVO: analisar a correlação do mecanismo de trauma com a frequência e a gravidade das lesões. MÉTODOS: análise retrospectiva das informações do registro de trauma em período de 15 meses. O mecanismo de trauma foi classificado em seis tipos: ocupantes de veículo de quadro rodas envolvidos em acidente de tráfego (AUTO), pedestres vítimas de atropelamento (ATRO), motociclistas vítimas de acidentes de tráfego (MOTO), vítimas de quedas de altura (QUED), vítimas de agressão física com instrumentos contundentes (AGRE) e vítimas de queda do mesmo nível (QMN). RESULTADOS: o mecanismo de trauma foi classificado em 3639 casos, sendo 337 (9,3%) AUTO, 855 (23,5%) ATRO, 924 (25,4%) MOTO, 455 (12,5%) QUED, 424 (11,7%) AGRE e 644 (17,7%) QMN. Houve diferença significativa na comparação entre os grupos das médias dos índices do Revised Trauma Score (RTS), do Injury Severity Score (ISS) e da Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) do segmento cefálico, torácico, abdominal e extremidades (p<0,05). Lesões graves em segmento cefálico foram mais frequentes nas vítimas de ATRO, seguidos de AGRE e QUED (p<0,001). Lesões graves em tórax foram mais frequentes em AUTO, seguidos de QUED e ATRO (p<0,001). As lesões abdominais foram menos frequentes nas vítimas de QMN (p=0,004). Lesões graves em extremidades foram mais frequentes em ATRO, seguidos de MOTO e QUED (p<0,001). CONCLUSÃO: com a análise do mecanismo de trauma é possível prever a frequência e a gravidade das lesões em vítimas de trauma fechado.

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.

Right hemicolectomy for nontraumatic surgical emergencies.

The objective of this study was to assess the main indications, expected complications, and mortality of right hemicolectomy in nontraumatic surgical emergencies. Fifty-eight patients were analyzed. We concluded that the mortality after right hemicolectomy in nontraumatic surgical emergencies is related to systemic rather than local complications.

Degloving injuries of trunk and limbs: comparison of outcomes of early versus delayed assessment by the plastic surgery team.

OBJECTIVE: to analyze cases of degloving of the trunk and limbs, comparing outcomes of early versus delayed assessment by the plastic surgery team. METHODS: we conducted a retrospective analysis of medical charts. Patients comprised two groups: Group I - early assessment, performed within 12 hours post trauma; and Group II - delayed assessment, performed more than 12 hours post trauma. We defined primary grafting as the use of skin from the traumatized skin flap. We excluded cases involving hands, feet or genitalia. RESULTS: there were 47 patients treated with degloving injuries between 2002 and 2010. The mean body surface area affected was 8.2%. Lower limbs were the most frequently affected site (95.7%), whether alone or in association with lesions to other sites. Delayed assessment by the plastic surgery team occurred in 25 cases. Mean hospital stay was 36.1 days for Group I and 57.1 days for Group II (p=0.026). Regarding the number of surgical operations (skin grafts), Group I received a mean of 1.3, while Group II underwent 1.6 (p=0.034). CONCLUSION: based on length of hospital stay and number of operations in trauma patients with degloving of the trunk and limbs, plastic surgery assessment should be carried out early.

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.

Comparative analysis of the frequency and the severity of diagnosed lesions between pedestrians struck by motor vehicles and other blunt trauma mechanisms victims.

OBJECTIVE: to compare the frequency and the severity of diagnosed injuries between pedestrians struck by motor vehicles and victims of other blunt trauma mechanisms. METHODS: retrospective analysis of data from the Trauma Registry, including adult blunt trauma patients admitted from 2008 to 2010. We reviewed the mechanism of trauma, vital signs on admission and the injuries identified. Severity stratification was carried using RTS, AIS-90, ISS e TRISS. Patients were assigned into group A (pedestrians struck by motor vehicle) or B (victims of other mechanisms of blunt trauma). Variables were compared between groups. We considered p<0.05 as significant. RESULTS: a total of 5785 cases were included, and 1217 (21,0%) of which were in group A. Pedestrians struck by vehicles presented (p<0.05) higher mean age, mean heart rate upon admission, mean ISS and mean AIS in head, thorax, abdomen and extremities, as well as lower mean Glasgow coma scale, arterial blood pressure upon admission, RTS and TRISS. They also had a higher frequency of epidural hematomas, subdural hematomas, subarachnoid hemorrhage, brain swelling, cerebral contusions, costal fractures, pneumothorax, flail chest, pulmonary contusions, as well as pelvic, superior limbs and inferior limbs fractures. CONCLUSION: pedestrian struck by vehicles sustained intracranial, thoracic, abdominal and extremity injuries more frequently than victims of other blunt trauma mechanism as a group. They also presented worse physiologic and anatomic severity of the trauma.

Implementation of the trauma registry as a tool for quality improvement in trauma care in a brazilian hospital: the first 12 months.

OBJECTIVE: to analyze the implementation of a trauma registry in a university teaching hospital delivering care under the unified health system (SUS), and its ability to identify points for improvement in the quality of care provided. METHODS: the data collection group comprised students from medicine and nursing courses who were holders of FAPESP scholarships (technical training 1) or otherwise, overseen by the coordinators of the project. The itreg (ECO Sistemas-RJ/SBAIT) software was used as the database tool. Several quality "filters" were proposed to select those cases for review in the quality control process. RESULTS: data for 1344 trauma patients were input to the itreg database between March and November 2014. Around 87.0% of cases were blunt trauma patients, 59.6% had RTS>7.0 and 67% ISS<9. Full records were available for 292 cases, which were selected for review in the quality program. The auditing filters most frequently registered were laparotomy four hours after admission and drainage of acute subdural hematomas four hours after admission. Several points for improvement were flagged, such as control of overtriage of patients, the need to reduce the number of negative imaging exams, the development of protocols for achieving central venous access, and management of major TBI. CONCLUSION: the trauma registry provides a clear picture of the points to be improved in trauma patient care, however, there are specific peculiarities for implementing this tool in the Brazilian milieu.

Reductive activation of ricin and ricin A-chain immunotoxins by protein disulfide isomerase and thioredoxin reductase.

Intracellular activation of ricin and of the ricin A-chain (RTA) immunotoxins requires reduction of their intersubunit disulfide(s). This crucial event is likely to be catalyzed by disulfide oxidoreductases and precedes dislocation of the toxic subunit to the cytosol. We investigated the role of protein disulfide isomerase (EC 5.3.4.1, PDI), thioredoxin (Trx), and thioredoxin reductase (EC 1.8.1.9, TrxR) in the reduction of ricin and of a ricin A-chain immunotoxin by combining enzymatic assays, SDS-PAGE separation and immunoblotting. We found that, whereas PDI, Trx, and TrxR used separately were unable to directly reduce ricin and the immunotoxin, PDI and Trx in the presence of TrxR and NADPH could reduce both ricin and immunotoxin in vitro. PDI functioned only after pre-incubation with TrxR and the reductive activation of ricin was more efficient in the presence of glutathione. Similar results were obtained with microsomal membranes or crude cell extracts. Pre-incubation with the gold(I) compound auranofin, which irreversibly inactivates TrxR, resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of ricin and immunotoxin reduction. Reductive activation of ricin and immunotoxin decreased or was abolished in microsomes depleted of TrxR and in cell extracts depleted of both PDI and Trx. Pre-incubation of U-937, Molt-3, Jurkat, and DU145 cells with auranofin significantly decreased ricin cytotoxicity with respect to mock-treated controls (P<0.05). Conversely, auranofin failed to protect cells from the toxicity of pre-reduced ricin which does not require intracellular reduction of disulfide between the two ricin subunits. We conclude that TrxR, by activating disulfide reductase activity of PDI, can ultimately lead to reduction/activation of ricin and immunotoxin in the cell.

Lead induced DNA strand breaks in lymphocytes of exposed workers: role of reactive oxygen species and protein kinase C.

Lead and lead compounds play a significant role in modern industry; a wide variety of population is at risk of occupational exposure and lead is suspected to be a human carcinogen. The biochemical and molecular mechanisms of lead toxicity are poorly understood, but emerging data suggest that some of the effects of lead may be due to its interference with calcium in the activation of protein kinase C (PKC) and/or through production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Many of these results are conducted in vitro on cell lines or ex vivo on human lymphocytes treated in vitro. We, therefore, performed a study on the induction of DNA damage, using the alkaline comet assay, in lymphocytes of battery plant workers. To elucidate in vivo the mechanism(s) responsible for this effect, we determined ROS production, and glutathione (GSH) levels in living cells using the fluorescent probe (2',7'-dichlorofluorescein and monochlorobimane, respectively). Subcellular fractions were obtained from sonicated lymphocytes; cytosolic and membrane expression of PKC isoforms (alpha, and zeta) was evaluated after electrophoresis by immunoblot analysis. The results indicate that lead-exposed workers have significantly elevated levels of DNA breaks compared to the unexposed group. A multivariate analysis of variance (ANOVA) shows that the most common confounding factors (smoking, drinking and age) have no synergistic effects with lead-exposure on the comet parameters or on GSH levels and ROS production. The logistic regression analysis distinguishing the exposed and non-exposed indicates that only GSH with tail moment are selected as significant risk factors. There is a significant positive correlation with ROS production and negative correlation with GSH levels. The content of PKC alpha in cytosol and membranes is decreased 40% (indicating a down-regulation of protein), whereas PKC zeta isoform is not modified in an evident manner. Our results suggest that lead-exposure induces an increase of DNA breakage with an alternate cellular redox state and a significant down-regulation of PKC alpha, suggesting that this metal may act as a tumor promoter.

[Damage control: a tactical alternative for the management of exanguinating trauma patients]. / Controle de danos: uma opção tática no tratamento dos traumatizados com hemorragia grave.

BACKGROUND: Despite the advances in the treatment of exanguinating patients, hemorrhage remains as the leading cause of early deaths. A great deal of attention has been given to "damage control" as a therapeutic alternative in this scenario. AIM: To appraise the definition, indications, operative techniques and results of damage control for the treatment of exanguinating trauma patients. METHOD: Bibliographic review. RESULTS: Damage control introduces the concept of breaking the vicious cycle of metabolic acidosis, hypothermia and coagulopathy which results from hemorrhagic shock. Thus, the operation has to be interrupted before this irreversible stage, even if the injured organs were not given the definitive treatment at this moment. So, damage control involves three steps: an abbreviated operation, a recovering period in the intensive care unit, and the reoperation for the definitive treatment. At the abbreviated operation, operative techniques as stapling intestinal injuries or packing liver wounds are applied, allowing rapid control of the bleeding and spillage. In the intensive care unit, the patient is warmed, oxygen delivery and consumption are restored and coagulation factors administered. As soon as the hemodynamic stability, ideal body temperature and coagulation status are reached, the definitive operation is carried out. Damage control is a helpful option if correctly used. However, there are also severe complications that can occur. Therefore, it should be employed only in centers that could provide optimum resources. CONCLUSION: Damage control is an important tactical alternative for the treatment of exanguinating trauma patients.

[Predictors of operative treatment in patients sustaining bleeding peptic ulcers]. / Fatores preditivos do tratamento operatório na úlcera péptica hemorrágica.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the predictors of operative treatment in patients sustaining bleeding peptic ulcers. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of the patients admitted owing to bleeding peptic ulcers from 1998 to 2001. Vital signs upon admission, associated diseases, endoscopy data, evolution and definitive care were evaluated. Patients who underwent surgery were compared with the others in order to identify the predictors of the operative treatment. Student's t and chi squared test were employed for statistical analysis, considering p< 0,05 as significant. RESULTS: Two hundred patients were included in the study group. The age ranged between 17 and 97 years (mean 52 + 18), and 153 patients (76.5%) were male. Shock upon admission was present in 27 (13.5%). The endoscopic exam performed at admission showed that 101 patients sustained ulcers in the duodenum and 99 in the stomach, which were classified as Forrest Ia in 5 (2.5%), Ib in 20 (10%), IIa in 48 (24%) and IIb in 48 (24%). Twenty five (12.5%) patients needed operation, and 23 (92%) were submitted to gastrectomy with Billroth's II reconstruction. The operative treatment were more frequently performed in patients sustaining chronic alcoholic intake (p=0.002), cigarette smoking (p=0.02), diabetes mellitus (p=0.01), chronic peptic disease (p=0.05), shock upon admission (p<0.001) and spurting activity at the endoscopy (p<0.001). Forrest IIb lesions which did not receive any form of endoscopic treatment at admission were more likely to rebleed (p=0.012). CONCLUSIONS: The predictors of operative treatment were chronic alcoholic intake, smoke addiction, diabetes mellitus, chronic peptic disease, shock upon admission and Forrest Ia ulcers.

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.

OBJECTIVE: to identify predictors of death in blunt trauma patients sustaining pelvic fractures and, posteriorly, compare them to a previously reported series from the same center. METHOD: Retrospective analysis of trauma registry data, including blunt trauma patients older than 14 y.o. sustaining pelvic fractures admitted from 2008 to 2010. Patients were assigned into group 1 (dead) or 2 (survivors). We used Student's t, qui square and Fisher's tests for statistical analysis, considering p<0.05 as significant. Posteriorly, we compared predictors of death between both periods. RESULTS: Seventy-nine cases were included. Mean RTS, ISS and TRISS were, respectively, 6.44 + 2.22, 28.0 + 15.2 e 0.74 + 0.33. Nineteen patients died (24,0%). Main cause of death was hemorrhage (42,1%). Group 1 was characterized by (p<0.05) lower systolic blood pressure and Glasgow coma scale means on admission, higher heart rate, head AIS, extremity AIS and ISS means, as well as, higher frequency of severe head injuries and complex pelvic fractures. Comparing both periods, we notice that the anatomic and physiologic severity of injury increased (RTS and ISS means). Furthermore, there was a decrease in the impact of associated thoracic and abdominal injuries on the prognosis and an association of lethality with the presence of complex pelvic fractures. CONCLUSION: There were significant changes in the predictors of death between these two periods. The impact of thoracic and abdominal associated injures decreased while the importance of severe retroperitoneal hemorrhage increased. There was also an increase in trauma severity, which accounted for high lethality.

Comparative analysis of trauma characteristics between elderly and superelderly.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the characteristics of trauma in the elderly under and over 80-years-old. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of protocols of blunt trauma victims aged over 70 years. Individuals aged between 70 and 79 years were included in group I, those aged 80 years or greater in group II. Statistical analysis was performed using the Student t, chi-square and Fisher tests, considering p <0.05 as significant. RESULTS: The study included 281 patients (group I-149, group II-132). The age ranged between 70 and 99 years (79.1 + 6.7 years), with 52.3% male. Group II had lower average abdomen AIS (0.10 + 0.59 vs. 0.00 + 0.00, p = 0.029), lower incidence of male victims (59.1% vs. 44 , 3%, p = 0.013), higher incidence of falling from standing height (44.3% vs. 65.2%, p = 0.028) and lower frequency of upper limb fractures (9.4% vs. 2.3 %, p = 0.010) than Group I. There was no significant difference in comparison of other variables between the groups. CONCLUSION: Trauma in the elderly is a serious public health problem, with a tendency to progressive worsening with population aging. Data from this study help us with a clearer picture of trauma in the over-80 elders, a subgroup that deserves special attention.

Identifying severe abdominal injuries during the initial assessment in blunt trauma patients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the predictive factors of severe abdominal injuries (SAI) identified in the initial assessment of blunt trauma victims. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of data from blunt trauma victims older than 13 years undergoing abdominal computed tomography and/or laparotomy was carried out. Serious injuries were considered with an Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) greater than or equal to three. Variables were compared between both A (SAI) and B (no SAI). We conducted an initial univariate statistical analysis to identify the variables associated with the presence of SAI. From these we selected those that had p<0.20 and could be evaluated on admission of the patient for multivariate analysis (logistic regression). RESULTS: The sample consisted of 331 cases and 140 (42.3%) patients had abdominal injuries. Of these, 101 (30.5%) had abdominal injury with AIS e" 3 (Group A). In univariate analysis, conditions significantly associated with the SAI (p<0.05): systolic blood pressure (SBP) in the pre-hospital setting (p = 0.019), SBP at admission (p<0.001), heart rate at admission (p = 0.047), altered physical examination of the abdomen (p <0.001) and the presence of pelvic fractures (p = 0.006). The following variables were significantly and independently correlated with the presence of severe abdominal injuries: SBP at admission (p = 0.034), altered abdominal physical examination (p<0.001), lower limb fracture (p<0.044), motorcycle accident as mechanism of injury (p = 0.017) and positive FAST (p <0.001). CONCLUSION: the variables present at baseline were significantly associated with the presence of SAI: SBP, physical examination, altered abdominal examination, presence of open fractures of the lower limb, motorcycle accident and positive FAST.