scholarly journals Single center experience of war-related thoracic injury in Syria

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmet Ulusan ◽  
Ibrahim Emre Tunca ◽  
Maruf Sanli ◽  
Ahmet Feridun Isik

Abstract Background: The Syrian civil war caused serious deaths and injuries. Thoracic surgery has shown its effectiveness in this war as it is a war surgery. In this study, we analyzed war related chest trauma patients to describe the profile of chest trauma, determine the predictors’ morbidity and mortality. Methods: From 2012 to 2017, 47 consecutive patients underwent surgical treatment for chest trauma at the Gaziantep University Sahinbey Research and Practice Hospital, in Turkey. The demographic and relevant clinical information were retrospectively collected from the hospital records. Data included mechanism of injury, gender, and age, findings, treatment modality complications, and length of hospital stay, morbidity and mortality. Injuries were classified as penetrating (gunshot or shrapnel wounds) and blunt injuries. Results: The average age of patients was 25.4 years (range, 4 to 43 years) and 40 patients were males (85%). Sadly, 6 patients were under 18 years old. There were 41 patients (%87,2) penetrating and 6 patients (%12,8) blunt injuries. The most penetrating injuries of the chest were caused by shrapnel (61,7%). Eleven patients had already had emergency thoracotomy in another hospital before admission. As multiple diagnoses, there were 50 (45,45%) pneumothorax, hemothorax, or both in patients. However, there were 26 (23,64%) lung contusions in patients. No surgery-related deaths or major morbidity occurred. One patient died 35 days after admission; the causes of death in this patient included bronchobiliary fistula, hypovolemic shock, and sepsis. So, all cases mortality rate was 2,13%. Conclusion : Intervention in thoracic trauma patients is life-saving and satisfying compared to other system injuries. War surgery is a multidisciplinary approach, which is vital.

Ultrasound ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1742271X2199460
Author(s):  
Serena Rovida ◽  
Daniele Orso ◽  
Salman Naeem ◽  
Luigi Vetrugno ◽  
Giovanni Volpicelli

Introduction Bedside lung sonography is recognized as a reliable diagnostic modality in trauma settings due to its ability to detect alterations both in lung parenchyma and in pleural cavities. In severe blunt chest trauma, lung ultrasound can identify promptly life-threatening conditions which may need direct intervention, whereas in minor trauma, lung ultrasound contributes to detection of acute pathologies which are often initially radio-occult and helps in the selection of those patients that might need further investigation. Topic Description We did a literature search on databases EMBASE, PubMed, SCOPUS and Google Scholar using the terms ‘trauma’, ‘lung contusion’, ‘pneumothorax’, ‘hemothorax’ and ‘lung ultrasound’. The latest articles were reviewed and this article was written using the most current and validated information. Discussion Lung ultrasound is quite accurate in diagnosing pneumothorax by using a combination of four sonographic signs; absence of lung sliding, B-lines, lung pulse and presence of lung point. It provides a rapid diagnosis in hemodynamically unstable patients. Lung contusions and hemothorax can be diagnosed and assessed with lung ultrasound. Ultrasound is also very useful for evaluating rib and sternal fractures and for imaging the pericardium for effusion and tamponade. Conclusion Bedside lung ultrasound can lead to rapid and accurate diagnosis of major life-threatening pathologies in blunt chest trauma patients.


Trauma ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 146040862098811
Author(s):  
Anith Nadzira Riduan ◽  
Narasimman Sathiamurthy ◽  
Benedict Dharmaraj ◽  
Diong Nguk Chai ◽  
Narendran Balasubbiah

Introduction Traumatic bronchial injury (TBI) is uncommon, difficult to diagnose and often missed. The incidence of TBI among blunt trauma patients is estimated to be around 0.5–2%. Bronchoplastic surgery is indicated in most cases to repair the tracheobronchial airway and preserve lung capacity. There is limited existing literature addressing the management of this condition in view of its rarity. The comprehensive management and outcomes of these patients are discussed. Methods The case notes of all patients who presented with persistent lung collapse due to trauma since July 2017 were reviewed retrospectively. Those patients requiring surgical intervention were included in the review. The mode of injury, clinical, radiological and bronchoscopy findings, concurrent injuries, type of surgery, length of stay (LOS) and operative outcomes were reviewed. Results Out of 11 patients who presented with persistent lung collapse post-blunt trauma, four (36%) were found to have structural bronchial disruption. All of them underwent successful repair of the injured bronchus, without the need of a pneumonectomy. The other seven patients were successfully treated conservatively. Conclusion The repair of the injured bronchus is essential in improving respiratory function and to prevent a pneumonectomy. Routine bronchoscopic evaluation should be performed for all suspected airway injuries as recommended in our management algorithm. Delayed presentations should not hinder urgent referral to thoracic centers for tracheobronchial reconstruction.


Author(s):  
Fouad A. Sakr ◽  
Rana H. Bachir ◽  
Mazen J. El Sayed

Abstract Introduction: Early police transport (PT) of penetrating trauma patients has the potential to improve survival rates for trauma patients. There are no well-established guidelines for the transport of blunt trauma patients by PT currently. Study Objective: This study examines the association between the survival rate of blunt trauma patients and the transport modality (police versus ground ambulance). Methods: A retrospective, matched cohort study was conducted using the National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB). All blunt trauma patients transported by police to trauma centers were identified and matched (one-to-four) to patients transported by ground Emergency Medical Services (EMS) for analysis. Descriptive analysis was carried out. This was followed by comparing all patients’ characteristics and their survival rates in terms of the mode of transportation. Results: Out of the 2,469 patients with blunt injuries, EMS transported 1,846 patients and police transported 623 patients. Most patients were 16-64 years of age (86.2%) with a male predominance (82.5%). Fall (38.4%) was the most common mechanism of injury with majority of injuries involving the head and neck body part (64.8%). Fractures were the most common nature of injury (62.1%). The overall survival rate of adult blunt trauma patients was similar for both methods of transportation (99.2%; P = 1.000). Conclusion: In this study, adult blunt trauma patients transported by police had similar outcomes to those transported by EMS. As such, PT in trauma should be encouraged and protocolized to improve resource utilization and outcomes further.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. s397-s398
Author(s):  
Ayush Lohiya ◽  
Samarth Mittal ◽  
Vivek Trikha ◽  
Surbhi Khurana ◽  
Sonal Katyal ◽  
...  

Background: Globally, surgical site infections (SSIs) not only complicate the surgeries but also lead to $5–10 billion excess health expenditures, along with the increased length of hospital stay. SSI rates have become a universal measure of quality in hospital-based surgical practice because they are probably the most preventable of all healthcare-associated infections. Although, many national regulatory bodies have made it mandatory to report SSI rates, the burden of SSI is still likely to be significant underestimated due to truncated SSI surveillance as well as underestimated postdischarge SSIs. A WHO survey found that in low- to middle-income countries, the incidence of SSIs ranged from 1.2 to 23.6 per 100 surgical procedures. This contrasted with rates between 1.2% and 5.2% in high-income countries. Objectives: We aimed to leverage the existing surveillance capacities at our tertiary-care hospital to estimate the incidence of SSIs in a cohort of trauma patients and to develop and validate an indigenously developed, electronic SSI surveillance system. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted at a 248-bed apex trauma center for 18 months. This project was a part of an ongoing multicenter study. The demographic details were recorded, and all the patients who underwent surgery (n = 770) were followed up until 90 days after discharge. The associations of occurrence of SSI and various clinico-microbiological variables were studied. Results: In total, 32 (4.2%) patients developed SSI. S. aureus (28.6%) were the predominant pathogen causing SSI, followed by E. coli (14.3%) and K. pneumoniae (14.3%). Among the patients who had SSI, higher SSI rates were associated in patients who were referred from other facilities (P = .03), had wound class-CC (P < .001), were on HBOT (P = .001), were not administered surgical antibiotics (P = .04), were not given antimicrobial coated sutures (P = .03) or advanced dressings (P = .02), had a resurgery (P < .001), had a higher duration of stay in hospital from admission to discharge (P = .002), as well as from procedure to discharge (P = .002). SSI was cured in only 16 patients (50%) by 90 days. SSI data collection, validation, and analyses are essential in developing countries like India. Thus, it is very crucial to implement a surveillance system and a system for reporting SSI rates to surgeons and conduct a robust postdischarge surveillance using trained and committed personnel to generate, apply, and report accurate SSI data.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None


2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. S3-S9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca A. Brotemarkle ◽  
Barbara Resnick ◽  
Kathleen Michaels ◽  
Patricia Morton ◽  
Chris Wells

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
pp. 1721727X1875675
Author(s):  
Jung-Youn Kim ◽  
Sung-Hyuk Choi ◽  
Young-Duck Cho ◽  
Young-Hoon Yoon ◽  
Jong-Hak Park ◽  
...  

Many patients are admitted to the emergency department due to trauma. Trauma patients suffer from hypoxia due to massive hemorrhage, respiratory failure, and hypovolemic shock. Further damage is caused by reduced immune function and over-expression of inflammatory response. We conducted an experiment to determine the effects of hyperoxia and hypoxia on apoptosis and expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs). Initially, the PMNs were placed in normoxic and hypoxic conditions, and these PMNs were divided into two groups as stimulated or not stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Levels of apoptosis and TLR4 expression were measured under normoxic, hypoxic, and hyperoxic conditions. Apoptosis decreased in the hypoxic group than in the normoxic group. With LPS stimulation, apoptosis was decreased in all three treatment groups and even more reduced in the hypoxic group. TLR4 expression increased in all three treatment groups with LPS stimulation, increased further in the hypoxic group, and to a lesser degree in the hyperoxic group. Unlike the cells exposed to hypoxic conditions, the cells exposed to the hyperoxic condition reacted similarly to the cells in the control (normoxic) group. Therefore, the inflammatory reactions can be stronger in the hypoxic group than in the other two groups.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Krishna Prasad G V

Occult hypoperfusion (OH) is connected with higher levels of morbidity and mortality after trauma. Occult hypoperfusion, defined as serum lactate concentration of more than 2.5 mmol / L persisting in the intensive care unit for more than 12 hours after admission. This refers to the reversible risk factor for negative results after traumatic injury. Occult hypoperfusion can be observed and patients at risk of complications should be classified other than frequently regulated metrics (blood pressure and heart rate), central venous oxygen saturation, and blood lactate levels. An elevated hospital duration of stay (LOS) and a greater incidence of postoperative difficulties are linked with OH. The focus of this review article is to assess the different approaches and methods involved in the management of OH syndrome in trauma patients. Identification of OH treatment methods can be helpful in reducing morbidity in patients with various injuries. The outcomes from this review article may prove beneficial to patients by rapid resuscitation and aggressive monitoring of OH. These management practices will severely reduce OH-associated morbidity and mortality. LOS, ICU readmission incidence and post-operative complications per patient was decreased by early treatment of OH.


2009 ◽  
Vol 110 (2) ◽  
pp. 351-360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Onuma Chaiwat ◽  
John D. Lang ◽  
Monica S. Vavilala ◽  
Jin Wang ◽  
Ellen J. MacKenzie ◽  
...  

Background Transfusion of packed red blood cells (PRBCs) is a risk factor for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in trauma patients. Yet, there is a paucity of information regarding the risk of ARDS with incremental PRBCs exposure. Methods For this retrospective analysis, eligible patients from National Study on Costs and Outcomes of Trauma were included. Our main exposure was defined as units of PRBCs transfused during the first 24 h after admission. The main outcome was ARDS. Results A total of 521 (4.6%) of 14070 patients developed ARDS, and 331 patients (63.5%) who developed ARDS received PRBCs transfusion. Injury severity, thoracic injury, polytrauma, and pneumonia receiving more than 5 units of fresh frozen plasma and 6-10 units of PRBCs were independent predictors of ARDS. Patients receiving more than 5 units of PRBCs had higher risk of developing ARDS (patients who received 6-10 units: adjusted odds ratio 2.5, 95% CI 1.12-5.3; patients who received more than 10 units: odds ratio 2.6, 95% CI 1.1-6.4). Each additional unit of PRBCs transfused conferred a 6% higher risk of ARDS (adjusted odds ratio 1.06; 95% CI 1.03-1.10). Conclusions Early transfusion of PRBCs is an independent predictor of ARDS in adult trauma patients. Conservative transfusion strategies that decrease PRBC exposure by even 1 unit may be warranted to reduce the risk of ARDS in injured patients.


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