Ulusal travma ve acil cerrahi dergisi = Turkish journal of trauma & emergency surgery : TJTES最新文献

Background: Firearm injuries (FI) remain a significant cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Antibiotic use, supported by guideline recommendations for preventing post-injury infections in FI cases, encounters uncertainties regarding the selection of anti-microbial agents and associated outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between Injury Severity Scores (ISS) for FI cases presented to the emergency department.

Methods: We empirically revised antimicrobial treatment protocols based on culture results and mortality rates. In the study, 164 firearm injury cases, admitted to the emergency department in 2022 and subsequently hospitalized in clinics and intensive care units (ICU), were evaluated. Cases included in the study were categorized into four groups based on ISS: mild, moderate, severe, and profound injury severity. The study compared the timing of hospital presentation following the injury, hospital length of stay, tissue or blood culture positivity, empirical treatment administered, antimicrobial revision based on culture results, need for ICU admission, mortality status, and ISS among the cases. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 22.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL). Variables in trauma patients were compared among various groups using Pearson Chi-Square tests. Binary logistic regression tests were performed to identify independent risk factors. A significance level of p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: The study included 164 patients, all of whom were male. The mean age was calculated as 28.9±4.51 years. The average hospital length of stay was 25.54±21.81 days. Eighty-three patients (50.6%) required intensive care. Tissue cultures were obtained from 79 patients (48%). Bacterial growth was observed in 45 of these 79 patients (57%). The appropriate empirical antibiotic treatment rate, assessed among patients who received empirical treatment followed by culture-based antibiotic sensitivity testing, was 48.9%. It was observed that empirical antibiotic regimens were appropriate in 80% of cases in the mild group and 16.7% in the profound severe group (p=0.005). Our study compared the relationship between hospitalization duration and ISS groups. It was observed that hospitalization duration was significantly shorter in the mild group compared to the other groups (p=0.003, p=0.000, p=0.000). It was also observed that the need for ICU admission was higher in groups with higher ISS, indicating a correlation between higher ISS and increased ICU requirements (p=0.000).

Conclusion: In conclusion, for cases of firearm injuries, we believe empirical antimicrobial therapy should be initiated with narrow-spectrum agents such as beta-lactam + beta-lactamase inhibitor or third-generation cephalosporin + nitroimidazole in the mild group, considering the lack of Pseudomonal activity.

We report the case of a 49-year-old woman who suffered an envenomation from a greater weever during a seaside vacation along the Aegean coast in Izmir, Türkiye. Following the incident, she experienced intense pain and sought treatment at an emergency department, where she received analgesics and cold compresses. Unfortunately, this approach failed to alleviate her pain, which persisted for approximately 24 hours. On the twelfth day, with symptoms worsening and the emergence of a larger wound than the one sustained on the day of the incident, she visited the University Hospital for further care, where she received periodic wound cleaning and a six-week antibiotic treatment regimen for possible osteomyelitis after suspicious findings on her Magnetic Resonance Imaging. The standard treatment for piscine envenomation involves hot water immersion to neutralize thermolabile toxins, providing pain relief and preventing subsequent complications. The water temperature should be between 40 and 45 degrees Celsius, and the affected body part should be immersed for at least 60 minutes. This case underscores the critical nature of hot water immersion in managing envenomation, a step which, if omitted, can result in extended pain duration and the evolution of a wound requiring over five months to heal.

Background: Adrenal gland injury (AGI) associated with trauma is an uncommon and often overlooked condition. This study aimed to evaluate the frequency of AGI in individuals with severe trauma injuries and investigate the outcomes of patients with AGI.

Methods: All patients admitted to a tertiary trauma referral center under the trauma protocol who had a computed tomography (CT) scan between January 2012 and January 2023 were analyzed retrospectively. Patients who were dead on arrival and patients with incomplete data were excluded. They were classified into two main groups, adult and pediatric, and further subcategorized by the presence or absence of radiologically evident AGI. Demographic data, mechanism of injury, injury severity scores (ISS), presence of concurrent abdominal injury, and 30-day mortality rates were compared. A separate analysis was performed for factors affecting mortality rates.

Results: A total of 1,253 patients were included: 950 adults and 303 pediatric patients. In the adult group, AGI was detected in 45 (4.7%) patients and was more commonly associated with the following mechanisms of injury: motor vehicle accidents (26.7% vs. 14.3%) and pedestrian accidents (37.8% vs. 15.5%). Injury to the right side was more common (55.6%). Patients with AGI had higher rates of concurrent liver (17.8% vs. 3.9%), spleen (11.1% vs. 3.6%), and kidney injuries (15.6% vs. 1.3%). In the pediatric population, AGI was detected in 30 patients (14.8%), a significantly higher rate compared to the adult group. Similar to the adult group, AGI was more commonly associated with concurrent abdominal injuries and had a right-sided dominance (60%), but the rate of concurrent abdominal injuries was higher in the pediatric group (80% vs. 46%). The 30-day mortality was significantly higher in both adult and pediatric AGI groups compared to patients without AGI (adult: 15.6% vs. 2.9%, pediatric: 10% vs. 1.8%). In patients with AGI, major head and neck injuries and chest injuries were associated with mortality.

Conclusion: Adrenal gland injuries due to trauma are not uncommon. They are usually associated with blunt trauma and other concurrent abdominal organ injuries. The major contributors to mortality in patients with AGI were major head and neck injuries and chest injuries.

Background: Intimal hyperplasia is a normal adaptive feature of arteries in response to injuries, which include invasive vascular interventions. Its development limits the long-term success of bypass grafts. Various pharmacological agents have been successfully employed in experimental models to reduce the degree of intimal hyperplasia. In our study, we investigated the efficacy of dexamethasone in reducing intimal hyperplasia in rat abdominal aortas after partial transection and primary repair.

Methods: In this study, 20 Wistar Albino rats were randomly selected and divided into four groups to compare the effects of low- and high-dose dexamethasone on intima and media thickness compared to the control. Group A (n=5) was the control group, where only skin incision and laparotomy were performed. For Group B (n=5), a median laparotomy was performed, the abdominal aorta was partially transected, and repaired with an 8.0 prolene suture. Doses of 0.1 mg/kg and 0.2 mg/kg dexamethasone were administered in Group C (n=5) and Group D (n=5), respectively. After two weeks, all rats were euthanized, and the repaired abdominal aortas were excised and examined histopathologically. Intima and media thicknesses were measured using the 'Olympus AnalySIS 5' program (Olympus Corporation, Japan) after digital photos were taken.

Results: Based on the measurements, we demonstrated that after transection and repair of the abdominal aorta, the intima/media ratio was not significantly different between the low-dose dexamethasone and non-dexamethasone groups. The intima/media ratio was significantly lower in the high-dose dexamethasone group than in the non-dexamethasone and low-dose dexamethasone groups.

Conclusion: After vascular interventions, dexamethasone treatment may reduce intimal hyperplasia and increase patency by providing vascular remodeling.

Background: This study aims to discuss the characteristics, origins, degree of injury, results, reporting, and forensic medical aspects of penetrating abdominal injuries.

Methods: In this study, 28,619 cases who applied to the emergency department of Kutahya Health Sciences University Evliya Celebi Training and Research Hospital between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2020 were reviewed. The forensic reports and medical documents of 85 cases with penetrating abdominal injuries were evaluated retrospectively, with the approval of the ethics committee.

Results: Among the patients included in the study, 87.1% were male and 12.9% were female. The mean age was found to be 31±13 years. When the origins of the cases were analyzed, 87.1% were found to have developed as a result of intentional injury. The incidents predominantly occurred between 20: 00 and 04: 00 hours. As a result of the examinations performed at the hospital after the incident, alcohol was detected in 36.5% of the cases, while 30.6% of the individuals did not consume alcohol. It was observed that 32.9% of the cases were not tested for alcohol. The most common injuries identified were sharp injuries, accounting for 69.4% of cases, and firearm injuries, comprising 27.1%. Organ damage was noted in 68.2% of the cases, with the small intestine being the most frequently damaged organ. The average number of wounds present was 3.6. Intra-abdominal hemorrhage was detected in 61.2% of the cases, and intra-abdominal artery injuries were found in 8.2%. The mortality rate for penetrating abdominal injuries was 8.2%.

Conclusion: In forensic traumatology, penetrating abdominal injuries commonly lead to life-threatening conditions and loss of organ function, which represent the most severe category in trauma severity assessment. Penetrating abdominal injuries most often result from violent incidents, as observed in our study and in the literature.

Background: High-energy casualties such as firearm injuries may result in extensive loss of soft tissue and bone in the lower extremities. Although the primary aim in these types of injuries is the preservation of the extremity, repeated surgical procedures for extremity salvage and subsequent restoration of function could have detrimental effects on the patient both physically and psychologically. The main aim of this study is to evaluate the physical and psychological outcomes of patients who underwent lower extremity amputation in the early period after a firearm injury compared with the results of patients who underwent amputation in the late period. We also evaluated the factors affecting the prognosis in patients undergoing late below-knee amputation (BKA).

Methods: This retrospective study included patients who underwent BKA following a lower extremity injury caused by firearms between March 2016 and March 2022. Patients who underwent emergency BKA at the first center they were taken to immediately after the injury constituted the early amputation (EA) group. Patients who were transferred to our tertiary-level referral center for continuation of treatment after the first intervention at another center and later underwent BKA constituted the late amputation (LA) group. The patients were evaluated regarding age, gender, amputation side, presence of phantom limb pain (PLP), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Results: Information was available from hospital records for a total of 35 patients; 16 in the EA group and 19 in the LA group. All patients were male. The mean age at the time of injury was 25.5±5.3 years (range, 20-45 years), and the mean follow-up period was 37±17 months (range, 25-84 months). In the comparison of PLP experienced, the difference between the groups was statistically significant, with PLP experienced by 1 (10%) patient in the EA group and by 9 (90%) in the LA group (p=0.010). PTSD was diagnosed in 3 (23%) patients in the EA group and 10 (77%) patients in the LA group (p=0.039).

Conclusion: Patients who underwent late BKA were found to be affected by PLP and PTSD at a higher rate. When deciding on extremity-preserving surgery for patients with severe open injuries to the lower extremity, it is crucial to consider the poor outcomes associated with late BKA. Patients should be thoroughly informed about these negative outcomes.

Background: Head trauma is a leading cause of death and disability. While standard treatment protocols exist for severe head trauma, no clear follow-up standards are available for mild head trauma with positive imaging findings in infants and newborns. Although routine follow-up brain computed tomography (CT) imaging is not recommended for children with moderate and mild head trauma, the necessity for follow-up imaging in infants and newborns remains uncertain.

Methods: Our study is a retrospective, observational, and descriptive study. Infants under 1 year old presenting to the emergency department with isolated head trauma were reviewed with the approval of the Ethics Committee of Ankara Etlik City Hospital. Inclusion criteria included presentation to the emergency department, undergoing more than one brain CT scan, and sustaining mild head trauma (Glasgow Coma Scale [GCS] >13). Patients with incomplete follow-up data or multiple traumas were excluded. Age, gender, mechanism of trauma, initial and follow-up brain CT findings, hospital admission, and surgical procedures were recorded and analyzed using the SPSS statistical package.

Results: Out of 238 screened patients, 154 were included in the study. Of these, 66.9% were male and the average age was 5.99 months. The most common presenting symptom was swelling at the trauma site, observed in 79.2% of cases. The most common mechanism of injury was falling from a height of less than 90 cm, accounting for 85.1% of cases. Pathological progression on follow-up CT was observed in 5.2% of the patients, and only 1.9% required surgical treatment. A total of 34.4% of the patients required hospitalization. Patients with parenchymal brain pathology had a higher rate of pathological progression on follow-up CT and a longer hospital stay.

Conclusion: Follow-up CT scans in infants with mild head trauma do not alter patient outcomes except in cases with brain parenchymal pathology. Study data indicated that repeat imaging is not beneficial for isolated skull fractures. Imaging artifacts often necessitated repeated scans, contributing to increased radiation exposure. Unnecessary repeat imaging escalates radiation exposure and healthcare costs. Only a small percentage of patients exhibited progression of intracranial pathology, justifying follow-up imaging solely in the presence of brain parenchymal injury. Larger prospective studies are necessary to confirm these findings.

Background: This study investigated the effects of three different exercise protocols on functional capacity in early-stage burn patients.

Methods: A total of 25 patients hospitalized in the Burn Center (wards and intensive care unit) were included in the study. The individuals were divided into three groups by covariate adaptive randomization according to burn percentage and type: 1 - standard treatment, 2 - standard treatment + aerobic exercise training, 3 - standard treatment + combined exercise (aerobic and resistance) determined by metabolic status. Individuals were evaluated weekly for six weeks from the first day of hospitalization using the 6-minute walk test, physiological cost index, and Medical Research Council muscle-strength measurements to assess functional capacity. A portable metabolism tracker device measured the metabolic status of all patients.

Results: Aerobic exercises and combined exercise (aerobic and resistance), when added to standard treatment and determined by metabolic status, were more effective in enhancing functional capacity than standard treatment alone (p<0.05). Patients performing the combined exercise (aerobic and resistance) showed faster improvement in functional capacity determined according to metabolic status than those in the other two groups (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Aerobic exercises, when added to standard treatment and combined with aerobic and resistance exercises based on metabolic status, are more effective at improving functional capacity than standard treatment alone. Further controlled studies are required to explore the potential long-term benefits of this approach.

Background: In earthquakes and other natural disasters, there is a significant number of injuries directly resulting from trauma. Additionally, due to the disaster's impact on overloaded health institutions, healthcare providers face significant challenges during earthquakes. In this context, nearby hospitals providing health services play a crucial role. Nonetheless, with proper planning, the health crisis can be managed in the best possible way.

Methods: A single-center retrospective study was conducted on patients admitted to Mersin City Training and Research Hospital due to injuries attributed to the earthquake that occurred in the southern and mid-eastern regions of Türkiye on February 6, 2023. A total of 2,155 patients meeting the study criteria were included in the analysis.

Results: Of the 2,155 patients enrolled in the study, 46.8% (n=1009) were male, with a mean age of 45.86±17.68 years. Falls (57.2%, n=1233) were the most common mechanism of injury, and 71.9% (n=1550) of cases presented to the hospital on their own. Among the head injuries, the most common types were soft tissue injury and lacerations, while soft tissue injury and rib fractures were most common in the thoracic region. Soft tissue injury and retroperitoneal bleeding were the most commonly recorded types among abdominal injuries, whereas soft tissue injury and fractures were most common in the upper and lower extremities. Fractures were identified in 11.1% (n=240) of cases in the upper extremities and 21.3% (n=458) in the lower extremities. Rhabdomyolysis was one of the most frequently observed injury types (n=443, 20.6%). Crush syndrome and acute kidney injury were recorded in 9.2% (n=198) of cases, leading to a total of 46 amputations in 40 (1.8%) patients and 164 fasciotomies in 132 (6.1%) patients. The orthopedics department performed the most frequent surgical interventions and hospitalizations. Mortality was noted in 2.87% (n=62) of cases.

Conclusion: This study demonstrated a significant increase in workload and patient volume following the earthquake. There is a need for a large number of healthcare professionals for expedient intervention in conditions such as fractures, crush syndrome, amputation, and fasciotomy in disasters with a high risk of serious trauma, such as earthquakes. Disaster planning and preparedness for possible consequences will mitigate the healthcare crisis involving the hospitals and lead to significant reductions in mortality and morbidity.

Background: This study aims to evaluate the accuracy and quality of prehospital assessments and preliminary diagnoses made by Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers compared to the final diagnoses given by Emergency Department physicians in a metropolitan area.

Methods: This retrospective observational study utilized records from the Yenimahalle EMS Command Center in Ankara, Türkiye, from January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2022. Data were recorded as cases rather than individual patients, with repeated EMS admissions counted separately. Cases were categorized by EMS call time, reasons for EMS requests, age, gender, nationality, and weekday of hospital arrival to assess socioeconomic impacts and congestion patterns. The study included 2.528 pediatric cases, excluding patients aged 18 and older, those who refused EMS transfer, and cases resolved at the scene. Data analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS 27.0, with statistical significance set at p<0.05.

Results: The study included 2.528 cases. The data revealed that EMS providers had an average of 9.9±4.7 years of experience. In 1.839 cases (72.7%), the EMS provider was female, and in 689 cases (27.3%), the EMS provider was male. Patients had an average age of 9.2±5.8 years, with 1.173 (46.4%) being female and 1.355 (53.6%) being male. Preliminary diagnosis accuracy was higher in cases involving younger and male patients. Additionally, a lower preliminary diagnosis accuracy rate was observed during office hours (08: 00-15: 59) compared to non-office hours (16: 00-23: 59). The majority of EMS calls were for medical reasons (1,783 cases, 70.5%), followed by trauma-related calls (745 cases, 29.5%).

Conclusion: This study highlights the need for improved on-field training for EMS providers to enhance the accuracy and quality of prehospital assessments and preliminary diagnoses. The findings suggest that younger and male patients have higher preliminary diagnosis accuracy rates, and there is a noticeable decrease in accuracy during office hours, indicating potential areas for targeted training and protocol adjustments.