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Blunt traumatic aortic injury is a rare life-threatening injury. Last few decades had witnessed a paradigm shift in the management of blunt traumatic aortic injury. This study was conducted to review the clinical spectrum of thoracic aortic injuries, the different management strategies and their associated outcomes at a level 1 trauma centre. Case series analysis of all the patients admitted with blunt thoracic aortic injuries between January 2010 and December 2020 was done. The primary endpoints were in-hospital mortality and early morbidity between the different grades of aortic injury. The overall incidence of blunt thoracic aortic injury was 0.9% (n = 55). The median age of the cohort was 30 years (IQR, 23–40 years). The predominant mode of injury was road traffic injury involving the vulnerable road users (42.3%). One-third of the patients were hemodynamically unstable on arrival with odds of mortality of 4.5 (Odds ratio 16, 95%CI 2.91–87.7). Grade III aortic injury was predominant (63.5%). Of all, 31 (59.6%) patients underwent endovascular stenting, 19 (36.5%) had NOM and 2 (3.9%) had surgical repair. In-hospital mortality was 21.1%; however, aortic injury–specific mortality was 1.92%. Mortality was highest in operative followed by NOM and endovascular stenting cohorts with 50%, 26.3% and 16.1% respectively. Endovascular stent repair is the preferred mode of treatment in hemodynamically stable patients with blunt thoracic aortic injuries with reduced risk of complications. The final outcome in patients with blunt thoracic aortic injury correlates with the hemodynamic status on arrival, severity of the concomitant injuries and the grade of the aortic injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To study the role of prolonged prophylactic antibiotic therapy (PAT) in the prevention of Inter-costal drain (ICD) related infectious complications in patients with Blunt Trauma Chest (BTC). Methods: Patients of age 15 years and above with BTC requiring ICD were included. Patients with penetrating chest injuries, associated injuries/illnesses requiring antibiotic administration, need for mechanical ventilation, known pulmonary disease or immuno-compromised status and need for open thoracotomy were excluded. 120 patients were randomized equally to two groups; no prolonged PAT group (Group A) and prolonged PAT group (group B). Both group patients received one shot of injectable antibiotic prior to ICD insertion. Primary outcome measure was comparison of ICD related infectious complications (pneumonia, empyema and SSI) and secondary outcome measures included the duration of ICD, Length of Hospital stay (LOS) and in-hospital mortality in both the groups. Results: Infectious complications (pneumonia, empyema and SSI) were seen in only one patient in antibiotic group, and none in no antibiotic group (p value = 0.500). Other complications such as post ICD pain scores, respiratory failure requiring ventilatory support, retained hemothorax or recurrent pneumothorax, did not show any statistical difference between both groups. Also, no significant difference was seen in both the groups in terms of mean duration of ICD (p value = 0.600) and LOS (p value = 0.259).m Conclusion: Overall prevalence of ICD related infectious complications are low in BTC patients. Definitive role of prolonged prophylactic antibiotics in reducing infectious complications and other associated co morbidities in BTC patients with ICDs could not be established. Trial registry details: Clinical Trial Registry, India (Trial registered at ctri.nic.in/clinical trials/login.php, number REF/2019/021704 dated 18/10/2019). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This is a prospective study of the clinico-etiologic profile and factors affecting outcomes in 40 children managed for necrotizing fasciitis (NF). Materials and Methods: Demographic details, clinical characteristics, and laboratory parameters were recorded, and the Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotizing Fasciitis (LRINEC) score was calculated. Primary outcome (survival vs. nonsurvival) was noted, and prognostic factors were identified. Results: Initiating factors included boils (45%), i.v. cannula extravasations (22.5%), and blunt trauma (17.5%). Lesion (s) were predominantly on the lower limbs (35%) and trunk (25%). Twenty-two patients (55%) had <5% body surface area (BSA) involved. Severely deranged clinical and laboratory parameters were common. Ultrasound localized fluid collections. Pus cultures showed methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (52.5%), methicillin-sensitive S. aureus [27.5%], and polymicrobial growth (20%). Blood culture was positive in 24 patients (60%). Most isolates were sensitive to clindamycin and amoxy-clavulanate. Prognostic factors for mortality (n = 6; 15%) included categorization as "Sick," BSA involvement >10%, thrombocytopenia, raised serum creatinine, late debridement, and polymicrobial blood culture isolates. All six nonsurvivors had a LRINEC score of ≥8 and positive blood cultures. Six patients (20.7%) developed unsightly scars and 5 (17.24%) contractures across joints. Conclusions: Pediatric NF has significant morbidity and mortality. Patients with adverse prognostic factors can benefit from early referral to a facility with a critical care unit. Adequate wound management is essential to minimize residual deformity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Yoga as alternative form of therapy has shown positive impact on pulmonary functions, exercise capacity, behavioral changes, and inflammation in non-trauma patients. However, the efficacy of Yoga has not been studied in chest trauma patients. Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted at level-1 Trauma Centre. Isolated chest injury patients were randomized into either standard physiotherapy or Yogatherapy groups. Patients in physiotherapy group received conventional chest physiotherapy and Yogatherapy group received a set of Yogic exercises in addition to conventional chest physiotherapy. Primary outcome measure was changes in pulmonary function tests (PFT) at 4 weeks of discharge. Secondary outcomes were changes in quality of life (QoL), respiratory muscle strength and endurance, chest wall mobility, and levels of cytokines at 4 weeks. Data were analyzed using STATA v14.0. Results: A total of 89 eligible patients were randomized to physiotherapy (n = 46) and Yoga therapy (n = 43) groups. Demographic characteristics were comparable in both the groups. There were statistically significant improvements in PFT in the Yogatherapy group compared with physiotherapy with an increase in Forced vital capacity (p = 0.02) and Forced expiratory volume (p = 0.01) at 4 weeks. In addition, there were significant improvement in physical component of QoL, respiratory muscle endurance (p = 0.003) and axillary cirtometry (p = 0.009) in the Yogatherapy group. However, no statistically significant difference in the trends of cytokine markers seen between the groups. Conclusion: Yoga was found to be effective in improving pulmonary functions and QoL in patients with chest trauma. (Trial registered at ctri.nic.in/clinicaltrials/login.php, numberREF/2016/05/011,287). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We have described unidentified bright objects of spleen (UBOS), a hitherto undescribed entity, as hyperdense areas on arterial phase (AP) computed tomography (CT) seen in relation to splenic lacerations and are isodense to the normal parenchyma on portal venous phase with no correlate on digital subtraction angiography (DSA). UBOS mimic splenic vascular injuries like active contrast extravasation and pseudoaneurysm and need to be differentiated from them as it would have implications on patient management. We undertook this study to identify CT features of UBOS that can differentiate them from splenic vascular injuries and to calculate their diagnostic accuracy.Methods: This retrospective study was approved by the institutional ethical committee and the need for informed consent was waived. Patients with splenic injury who had undergone dual-phase CT and DSA were included. All the lesions that were hyperdense on AP were evaluated for their outline, their relation to the adjacent/parallel margins of a laceration (margin sign), string of beads appearance, and the presence of adjacent normal parenchyma (adjacent parenchyma sign). The Hounsfield unit (HU) of the lesion and the aorta on the AP were also noted. The diagnostic accuracy of various signs for distinguishing UBOS from splenic vascular injuries was calculated using DSA as the reference standard.Results: Of 48 patients, 5 were excluded due to suboptimal quality of the examination or a time difference of more than 6 hours between the CT and DSA. A total of 54 hyperdense lesions were detected on AP in 43 patients. These were classified as vascular injuries (pseudoaneurysm, n=11; active contrast extravasation, n=11) and UBOS (n=32) based on DSA. The margin sign, string of beads appearance, and ill-defined outline had high specificity (95%, 86%, and 82%, respectively) but low sensitivity (50%, 65%, and 63%, respectively). The adjacent parenchyma sign had a moderate sensitivity and specificity of 84% and 77%, respectively. ROC analysis showed that a difference of 50 HU between the aorta and the lesion had a high sensitivity and specificity of 88.9% and 90.6%, respectively, with an area under the curve of 0.90.Conclusion: An attenuation difference of over 50 HU between the aorta and the lesion and the presence of normal adjacent parenchyma had the highest diagnostic accuracy, while an ill-defined outline, string of beads appearance, and margin sign had high specificity but low sensitivity for differentiating UBOS from splenic vascular injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Complex perineal injuries pose a major diagnostic and therapeutic challenge to trauma surgeons. A retrospective review of the hospital records of 29 patients with complex perineal injury following blunt trauma was done. Demographic profile, management and outcomes were collected. Quality of life analysis was conducted for patients with complex perineal injuries who were discharged. The most predominant mode of injury was a road crash: being a pedestrian run over by a heavy motor vehicle. Pelvic fracture was seen in 20, anorectal involvement in 22 and urogenital injuries in 14. Urgent surgical debridement was done in all patients, faecal diversion in 27 and urinary diversion in 14. There were nine deaths, three from haemorrhage, and the remainder from sepsis and multi-organ dysfunction. Complex perineal injury remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in trauma patients. There is a need to ensure adequate rehabilitation services for such patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abdominal trauma management has seen a paradigm shift over the last few decades. There is wide variation in the treatment depending on the level of healthcare facilities available. With an aim to standardise the treatment of solid organ injuries in blunt abdominal trauma, Indian Society for Trauma and Acute Care (ISTAC®) formulated consensus guidelines to benefit doctors engaged in trauma care in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thoracic trauma severity score (TTSS) has been used to assess severity and risk of pulmonary complications in patients with chest trauma. The role of cytokines and biomarkers in patients with chest trauma and its association with TTSS is not well elucidated. The aim of the study was to assess the cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and TNF-α) and biomarkers (vWF, CC-16) in patients of thoracic trauma and correlate it with TTSS and patient's outcome. This was a prospective observational study. Serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples were collected from chest trauma patients. TTSS was calculated in all patients. Suitable controls for serum and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) sample were selected. The outcome parameters included patient discharge or death, duration of hospital, and intensive care unit (ICU) stay. Forty-three patients were included. There was no significant correlation between the measured cytokines and biomarkers and TTSS. The mean TTSS of patients who had a fatal outcome was significantly higher than the patients who recovered. Patients with a high TTSS score had a significant prolonged ICU stay. Patients with a prolonged hospital stay had lower values of CC-16. TTSS is a useful tool to predict severity of chest trauma and prolonged ICU stay. Lower levels of CC-16 in BAL fluid of chest trauma patients were associated with prolonged hospital stay suggestive of its protective role in the airway. Longer prospective studies are required to determine the role of cytokines and biomarkers in patients with thoracic trauma in predicting the patient's outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To determine whether an additional arterial phase (AP) leads to a change in the grade of splenic injury according to the 2018 revision of the AAST Organ Injury Scale, which has incorporated vascular injuries into the grading system and also to study its impact on management. Methods: In this retrospective study, 527 patients who sustained blunt abdominal trauma and had underwent dual-phase CT (AP and portal venous phase (PVP)) from December 2014 to October 2016 (23 months) were included. Two experienced radiologists independently graded the splenic injury according to the revised system in 2 blinded ways (AP + PVP and PVP alone). Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves were generated for grade of injury on both the phases for all splenic interventions. Results: Splenic injuries were detected in 154 patients, and splenic vascular injuries were detected in 52 of them. Of these, 22 vascular injuries were detected only on the AP, leading to a change in the grade of injury according to the new system in 18 patients. The AUC for ROC curves was generated for the grade of injury on AP + PVP vs. PVP alone for angioembolization (0.80 vs. 0.71, p value 0.002), and all splenic interventions (0.89 vs. 0.83, p value 0.003) showed higher AUC for AP + PVP. Conclusion: Addition of AP leads to a significant change in the grading of splenic injuries according to the revised grading system due to increased detection of vascular injuries. Accurate classification of splenic injuries using additional AP would lead to better triage of patients for splenic interventions or conservative management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Emergency department (ED) overcrowding with critically ill trauma patients has been a major concern globally. It has been shown that longer stays in the hospital before Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission have a higher mortality rate. Objective: The objective of this study was to find whether the delay in ICU admission from ED is associated with significant mortality in a trauma patient. Methods: A prospective trauma registry data of 232 patients collected from the ED of JPNATC trauma center between September 2015 and March 2016 were used in the study. The study participants were all admitted trauma patients. Dead-on-arrival patients were excluded from the study. Results: All included patients had a blunt injury at the time of arrival. Of 232 patients, 66 died during treatment and 166 were discharged. Of these, 196 (84.5%) were male and 36 (15.5%) were female. Most of the patients among 66 who died were referred from different hospitals; however, most survivors arrived directly at JPNATC as compared to another group (P < 0.001). Waiting time in ED was calculated by the difference between arrival time and ED disposition time. There was statistically significant difference found in ED waiting time in both the groups (P = 0.015); however, the odds ratio is closer to 1, that is, 0.998. Similarly, age, gender, oxygen saturation, Glasgow Coma Scale, ICU stay days, heart rate, referring status, and injury severity score were found to be significant at the level of 25% under univariate analysis. Conclusion: The ED delay is not associated with adverse outcome in terms of mortality. Other factors may play a much greater role in determining the prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urethral injury is a common form of urogenital trauma in males. Urethral injuries can be diagnosed with ease in emergency due to the presence of blood clot at external urethral meatus or inability to catheterize the urethra. Stricture formation is usual sequelae of such injuries. Uncontrolled urethral hemorrhage is a relatively rare complication which can present either as immediate or delayed. Such injuries can be managed conservatively in majority; however, if uncontrolled may require interventional management. Such patients usually have underlying pseudoaneurysm formation or arteriovenous fistula. Here, we are reporting a case of bulbar urethral injury which presented with delayed uncontrolled urethral hemorrhage. On angiography, pseudoaneurysm arising from left bulbourethral artery with active urethral extravasation was noted and was managed with coil embolization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulmonary artery aneurysm is a rare clinical entity with congenital or mycotic origin being most common causes. Post-traumatic pulmonary pseudoaneurysms are extremely rare. Unless diagnosed early and properly managed, these can be fatal. Only few cases have been reported in the literature with most (except the one) being diagnosed much later after the initial injury and managed surgically. Only one case has been reported following blunt trauma injury, which was diagnosed immediately using computed tomography scan and managed conservatively. Here, we report two cases of pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm one following gunshot injury and other following blunt injury which was diagnosed on contrast enhanced computed tomography chest and managed conservatively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Splenic injury is common in blunt trauma. We sought to evaluate the injury characteristics and outcomes of BSI admitted over a 10-y period to an academic trauma center. A retrospective review of adult blunt splenic injury patients admitted between January 2009 and September 2018. The 423 patients meeting inclusion criteria were divided by management: Observational (OBS, n = 261), splenic surgery (n = 114 including 4 splenorrhaphy patients), SAE (n = 43), and multiple treatment modalities (3 had SAE followed by surgery and 2 OBS patients underwent splenic surgery at readmission). The most common mechanism of injury was motor vehicle collision (47.8%). The median ISS (OBS 17, SAE 22, Surgery 34) and spleen AIS (OBS 2, SAE 3, Surgery 4) were significantly different. Complication rates (OBS 21.8%, SAE 9.3%, Surgery 45.6%) rates were significantly different, but mortality (OBS 7.3%, SAE 2.3%, Surgery 13.2%), discharge to home and readmission rates were not. Additional abdominal injuries were identified in 26.3% of the surgery group and 2.7% of OBS group. SAE rate increased from 3.0% to 28%; median spleen AIS remained 2-3. Thirty-five patients expired; 28 had severe head, chest, and/or extremity injuries (AIS ≥4). SAE rates increased over time. Splenorrhaphy rates were low. SAE was associated with relatively low rates of mortality and complications in appropriately selected patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent literature on managing traumatic duodenal injuries suggests the superiority of primary repair. We hypothesized that duodenal trauma repair by primary closure might not be a safe strategy in an environment dealing predominantly blunt injuries with limited resources. Data analysis was done from the prospectively maintained trauma registry. The study period chosen was from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2018. Data of 63 patients were analyzed for demographics, injuries, management, and outcome. Logistic regression was used to identify mortality predictors. The most common mechanism of injury was blunt (56/63, 88.9%). Forty (63.5%) patients had associated intraabdominal injuries. The most common American Association for the Surgery of Trauma grade of injury to the duodenum was three in 21 patients. Univariate analysis showed that mortality was associated with hypotension on presentation, higher duodenal grade, associated abdominal vascular injuries, primary closure, and duodenal leak. Logistic regression showed associated associated abdominal vascular injuries, primary closure, and leak remained significant predictors of mortality. Primary repair was found to be an independent predictor of mortality. A patient's physiology is a critical determinant of the outcome. Liberal use of tube duodenostomy over primary repair seems reasonable for blunt duodenal injury management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite the acceptance of non-operative management (NOM), there is no consensus on the optimal length of hospital stay in patients with blunt liver and splenic injury (BLSI). Recent studies on pediatric patients have demonstrated the safety of early discharge following NOM for BLSI. We aimed at evaluating the feasibility and safety of early discharge in adult patients with BLSI following NOM in a randomized controlled trial.Materials and Methods: After initial assessment and management, patients aged 18-60 years with BLSI planned for NOM were randomized into 2 groups: Group A (test group; discharge day 3), and Group B (control group; discharge day 5). Standard NOM protocol was followed. These patients were discharged on the proposed day if they met the pre-defined discharge criteria. All patients were followed at days 7, 15, and 30 of discharge.Results: Sixty patients were recruited, 30 randomized to each arm. Most patients were males and aged less than 30 years. Road traffic injury was the most common mode of injury. Both groups were comparable in demography and injury-related parameters. 27 patients (90%) from group A and 28 patients (93%) from group B were discharged on the proposed day. Three patients had unplanned hospital visits for reasons unrelated to BLSI. All patients were asymptomatic and had a normal examination during their scheduled follow-up visits.Conclusion: Adult patients undergoing NOM for BLSI can be safely discharged after 48 h of in-hospital observation, provided other injuries precluding discharge do not exist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chest trauma causes substantial morbidity and mortality and its severity is assessed using clinical diagnosis or scoring systems like Injury severity score (ISS) and thoracic trauma severity score (TTSS). Association of inflammatory cytokines with severity of disease and final clinical outcome is not clearly defined in patients with chest trauma. In this study, we thought to evaluate the inflammatory response in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in chest trauma patients and correlate the level of extracellular cytokines with diseases severity and final outcome. A total of 65 patients with blunt chest trauma and 30 healthy controls were enrolled in this prospective observational study. Assessment of inflammatory cytokines such as Interleukin (s) - IL-5, IL-13, IL-2, IL-6, IL-9, IL-1β, IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-17A, IL-17F,IL-4, IL-21 and IL-22 was performed in both serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid using 13-plex multiplex kit using fluorescence–encoded bead based immunoassays. A significantly higher level of IL-13, IL-2, IL-6, IL-9, IL-1β, IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-21 and IL-22 cytokines were observed in patients with blunt chest trauma compared to healthy controls. Level of IL-2, IL-6, IL-1β and IL-17A was significantly raised in the patients with blunt chest trauma who had a fatal outcome during the hospital stay. An elevated cytokine response of IL-13, IL-4, and IL-21 was noted in the group of patients with high (>5) thoracic trauma severity score. Routine monitoring of the inflammatory cytokine level in patients with chest trauma may be used routinely. Longer prospective studies should be encouraged to determine the role of cytokines in patients with chest trauma in predicting the patient final clinical outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]