Perihepatic Abscess due to a Liver Suture with Pledgets Used to Treat a Penetrating Liver Injury

Background. Selective nonoperative management has become the standard for liver injuries. Accordingly, we cannot perform surgery for liver injuries as frequently as in the past. This report is aimed at sharing a valuable experience of postoperative complications after surgery for a liver injury. Case Presentation. A 40-year-old man was stabbed in his abdomen and underwent an emergency laparotomy for a severe liver injury. Five months after the operation, he developed fever, and purulent discharge was observed from an abdominal fistula. He was diagnosed with a perihepatic abscess and duodenal perforation due to the pledgets used for the operation. He underwent a second surgery to remove the pledgets and the abscess cavity for infection control and was discharged in good condition. Conclusion. The intra-abdominal environment should be considered contaminated due to bile leakage in surgeries following liver injury. Furthermore, nonabsorbable agents should not be used in these contaminated areas.

Selective Nonoperative Management of Abdominal Stab Wounds with Isolated Omental Evisceration is Safe: A South African Experience

Background and Aims: Selective nonoperative management of abdominal stab wound is well established, but its application in the setting of isolated omental evisceration remains controversial. The aim of the study is to establish the role of selective nonoperative management in the setting of isolated omental evisceration. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted over an 8-year period from January 2010 to December 2017 at a major trauma center in South Africa to determine the outcome of selective nonoperative management. Results: A total of 405 consecutive cases were reviewed (91% male, mean age: 27 years), of which 224 (55%) cases required immediate laparotomy. The remaining 181 cases were observed clinically, of which 20 (11%) cases eventually required a delayed laparotomy. The mean time from injury to decision for laparotomy was <3 h in 92% (224/244), 3–6 h in 6% (14/244), 6–12 h 2% (4/244), and 12–18 h in 1% (2/244). There was no significant difference between the immediate laparotomy and the delayed laparotomy group in terms of length of stay, morbidity, or mortality. Ninety-eight percent (238/244) of laparotomies were positive and 96% of the positive laparotomies (229/238) were considered therapeutic. Conclusion: Selective nonoperative management for abdominal stab wound in the setting of isolated omental evisceration is safe and does not result in increased morbidity or mortality. Clinical assessment remains valid and accurate in determining the need for laparotomy but must be performed by experienced surgeons in a controlled environment.

Operative Exposure of Abdominal Injuries and Closure of the Abdomen

Operative exposure and management of significant blunt or penetrating injuries to the abdomen is a critical skill required of all surgeons caring for victims of trauma. Application of damage control resuscitation and damage control surgical principles improves survival. Advances in diagnostics, increasing experience with selective nonoperative management, and use of endovascular and angiographic techniques have all significantly decreased the frequency of laparotomies performed for trauma. This decreasing clinical experience mandates that surgeons dealing with victims of trauma remain facile with the operative approaches and techniques detailed in this chapter to achieve optimal outcomes. Detailed management of specific injuries is covered in other chapters of this text. This review contains 7 figures, 2 tables, and 41 references. Key Words: abdominal trauma, damage control resuscitation, damage control surgery, endovascular control of hemorrhage, open abdomen, REBOA, supraceliac control of aorta, trauma systems, visceral medial rotation

A selective non-operative approach to thoracic stab wounds is safe and cost effective – a South African experience

Introduction Penetrating thoracic trauma is common and costly. Injuries are frequently and selectively amenable to non-operative management. Our selective approach to penetrating thoracic trauma is reviewed and the effectiveness of our clinical algorithms confirmed. Additionally, a basic cost analysis was undertaken to evaluate the financial impact of a selective nonoperative management approach to penetrating thoracic trauma. Materials and methods The Pietermaritzburg Metropolitan Trauma Services electronic regional trauma registry hybrid electronic medical records were reviewed, highlighted all penetrating thoracic traumas. A micro-cost analysis estimated expenses for active observation, tube thoracostomy for isolated pneumothorax greater than 2 cm and tube thoracostomy for haemothorax. Routine thoracic computed tomography does not form part of these algorithms. Results Isolated thoracic stab wounds occurred in 589 patients. Eighty per cent (472 cases) were successfully managed nonoperatively. Micro-costing shows that active observation costs 4,370 ZAR (£270), tube thoracostomy for isolated pneumothorax costs 6,630 ZAR (£400) and tube thoracostomy for haemothorax costs 21,850 ZAR (£1,310). Discussion Penetrating thoracic trauma places a striking financial burden on our limited resources. Diligent and serial clinical assessments, alongside basic radiology and stringent management criteria, can accurately stratify patients to correct clinical algorithms. Conclusion Selective nonoperative management for penetrating thoracic trauma is safe and effective. Routine thoracic computed tomography is unnecessary in all patients with isolated thoracic stab wounds, which can be reserved for a select group who are identifiable clinically. Routine thoracic computed tomography would not be financially prudent across Pietermaritzburg Metropolitan Trauma Services. Government action is required to reduce the overall incidence of such trauma to save resources and patients.