Search

Background: Penetrating injuries to the buttock are relatively rare but are associated with significant morbidity. This study aimed to review our experience in managing penetrating trauma to the buttocks to contextualize the injury, document the most common associated injuries, and generate an algorithm to assist with the management of these patients. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted at a major trauma center in South Africa over 8 years (January 2012 to January 2020). All patients presenting with a penetrating buttock injury were included. Results: Our study included 40 patients. Gunshot wounds accounted for 93% (37/40), stab wounds accounted for 5% (2/40), and 1 case was gored by a cow. The majority (98%) underwent further investigation in the form of imaging or endoscopy. Forty percent (16/40) required surgical intervention. Of these 16 cases, 14 required a laparotomy, and 2 required gluteal exploration. Fifty-six percent (9/16) required a stoma. Five percent (2/40) experienced one or more complications, both of whom had stomas. The median length of stay for all patients was 3 days, whereas for the patients with stomas was 7 days. There were no ICU admissions or mortality in this study. Only 3 of the 9 stomas were reversed, and the median time to reversal was 16 months. Conclusion: Penetrating trauma to the buttock may result in injuries to surrounding vital structures, which must be actively excluded. Rectal injury was the most common injury, and most required a defunctioning colostomy as part of the management resulting in significant morbidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study reviews our experience with combined cardiac and abdominal stab wounds over 12 years and reviews how changes in technology and clinical approaches have impacted our management of these patients. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted from January 2008 to January 2020 at a major trauma centre in South Africa. All patients with concurrent SWs to the chest and the abdomen and required both a thoracotomy for cardiac injury and a laparotomy for an intra-abdominal injury at the same setting were included. Results: Twenty-two cases were identified (100% male, mean age: 27 years). Mean values of admission physiology: systolic blood pressure (SBP): 85 mmHg, pH: 7.2, base excess: −10.2 mmol/L and serum lactate 6.7 mmol/L. Thirty-two percent (7/22) of cases underwent a Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma (FAST) scan (5 positive and 2 negative). All 7 cases had intraoperatively confirmed cardiac injuries. The thoracotomy first approach was used in 18 cases (82%), and the laparotomy first approach was used in the remaining 4 cases (18%). Nineteen (86%) of the 22 laparotomies were positive. A total of 6 patients (27%) experienced one or more complications. The mean length of hospital stay was 9 days. The overall mortality was 18% (4/22) and all mortality occurred prior to 2013. Discussion: Double jeopardy is still associated with an increased risk of mortality. The use of FAST and Subxiphoid Pericardial Windows (SPWs) have reduced clinical uncertainty, decreasing the need for concomitant thoracotomy and laparotomy to be performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Thoracoabdominal gunshot wounds continue to be associated with significant morbidity and mortality in comparison with isolated chest or abdominal trauma. • There is ongoing confusion around the management of thoracoabdominal gunshot wounds due to the complexity of clinical decision-making regarding the use of CT imaging prior to cavity-opening. This is further complicated by having to decide which cavity to prioritize first. • The use of CT imaging allows for increased use of minimalistic and non-operative approaches to the management of thoracoabdominal gunshot wounds. The management of thoracoabdominal (TA) gunshot wounds (GSW) remains challenging. This study reviewed our experience with treating such injuries over a decade. A retrospective study was conducted at a major trauma centre in South Africa over a ten-year period from December 2012 to January 2022. Two hundred sixteen cases were included (male: 85 %, mean age: 33 years). Median RTS: 8 and median ISS: 17 (IQR: 10–19). The mean value of physiological parameters: Heart Rate (HR): 98/min, Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP): 119 mmHg, Temperature (T): 36.2 °C, pH: 7.35, Lactate 3.7 mmol/l. Ninety-nine (46 %) underwent a CT scan of the torso. One hundred fifty-four cases (69 %) were managed operatively: thoracotomy only [5/154 (3 %)], laparotomy only [143/154 (93 %)], and combined thoracotomy and laparotomy [6/154 (4 %)]. Those who had surgery following preoperative CT had a lower rate of dual cavity exploration (2 % vs 4 %, p = 0.51), although it did not reach statistical significance. The overall morbidity was 30 % (69). 82 % required intensive care (ICU) admission. The mean length of hospital stay was 14 days. The overall mortality was 13 % (28). Over the 10-year study period, there was a steady increase in the number of cases of TA GSWs managed at our institution. Over the study period, an increasing use of CT was noted, along with a steady reduction in the proportion of operations performed. Thoraco-abdominal GSWs remain challenging to manage and continue to be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The increased use of CT scans has reduced the degree of clinical confusion around which body cavity to prioritize, leading to an apparent decrease in dual cavity exploration, and has allowed for the increased use of minimalistic and non-operative approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Pneumoperitoneum on chest radiograph (CXR) following abdominal stab wounds (SW) is generally considered as surrogate evidence of viscus perforation and an absolute indication for laparotomy. The exact yield of this radiographic finding is unknown.Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on all patients who presented with abdominal SW with no peritoneal signs but had pneumoperitoneum alone who underwent mandatory laparotomy from December 2012 to October 2020 at a major trauma centre in South Africa.Results: During the 8-year study period, 55 patients were included (91% male, mean age: 24 years). Laparotomy was positive in 67% (37/55). Of the 37 positive laparotomies, 28 (76%) were considered therapeutic and the remaining 9 (24%) were nontherapeutic. The negative laparotomy rate was 33%. A total of 52 organ injuries were identified at laparotomy in the 37 positive laparotomies. Twenty-five per cent (14/55) of patients experienced complications. The complication rate of the subgroup of 18 patients who had a negative laparotomy was 33% (6/18). Two per cent (1/55) of all 55 patients required intensive care admission. The mean length of hospital stay was 6 days. There were no mortalities in this cohort.Conclusions: Pneumoperitoneum alone in patients with no peritoneal signs on initial assessment following abdominal SW cannot be considered an absolute indication for operative exploration. Up to one third of patients have no intra-abdominal injuries. This specific subgroup of patients can potentially be managed by a selective non-operative management approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]