Trauma Management of the Pregnant Patient

Suprapatellar intramedullary nailing of tibial shaft fractures in pregnancy. A report of two cases

Background

Treatment of closed tibial shaft fractures in the 3^rd trimester of pregnancy is controversial. Since there are few case reports published in literature, there is no consensus on the appropriate management of these fractures. This case report proposes intramedullary nailing throught the suprapatellar approach for the treatment of tibial shaft fracture in pregnant women, never described before in literature.

Case presentation

We report 2 cases of a tibial diaphyseal fracture treated by intramedullary nailing in women at the 3^rd trimester of pregnancy.

Conclusion

Surgical treatment of tibial shaft fracture of pregnant women in the 3^rd trimester of pregnancy with intramedullary nailing seems to be safe. The use of the specific suprapatellar approach helps in the intra-operative management of the pregnant patients.

Trauma in pregnancy clinical practice guidelines: systematic review

PURPOSE

To objectively evaluate the methodological quality and clinical heterogeneity robustness of the published clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) on the management of trauma in pregnancy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Pubmed, Google Scholar, UpToDate, and Scopus Database were searched. The risk of bias and quality assessment of the included CPGs were performed using "The Appraisal Of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE II)" tool. The following points relating to the management of trauma during pregnancy were addressed: quality of evidence assessment, classification of recommendations, main causes of trauma in pregnancy, importance of correct use of seat belts, ultrasound scans and/or pregnancy test in every female of reproductive age, description of physiological changes in pregnancy, classification in primary and secondary survey, primary survey based on ABCD Approach, fetus viable based on the weeks, radiographic studies for maternal evaluation, duration of fetal monitoring, use of anti-D immunoglobulin in rhesus-D-negative pregnant trauma patients, description of dose of RhD-Ig, the way to define gestational age if it was undetermined, descriptions of obstetrical complications, use of tetanus vaccination, and timing to perimortem cesarean section (CS).

RESULTS

Six CPGs were included. Quality of evidence assessment was described in 16.7% of CPGs (1/6), while it was not reported in 83.3% (5/6). Classification of recommendations was reported in 50% (3/3) of the CPGs. Motor vehicle crash was reported as the main cause of trauma in pregnancy in all the CPGs included in the present review, despite that the importance of a correct use of seat belts was described only in the 50% (3/6). Definition of fetal viability was also different among the included CPGs; in 50% (3/6) defined a fetus viable when it from 23 weeks, 33.3% (2/6) from 24 weeks, and 16.7% (1/6) from 20 weeks of gestation. Regarding the type of fetal monitoring, 33.3% (2/6) CPGs recommended CTG assessment at least every 4 h, 16.7% (1/6) at least every 6 h, 33.3% for 24 h if there are not reassuring signs and 16.7% (1/6) did not specify the duration of monitoring. Recommendations about the use of anti-D-immunoglobulin in rhesus-D-negative pregnant were also heterogeneous: 50% (3/6) of the CPGs suggested administration in all rhesus-D-negative pregnant women, 16.7% (1/6) only according to gestational age at trauma or in case of significant abdominal trauma, and 16.7% (1/6) only in case of positive Kleihauer test while 16.7% (1/6) did not specify it. Administration of tetanus vaccination was suggested in in 33.3% (2/6) of CPGs. Finally, there were different descriptions of timing to perimortem CS: 33.3% (2/6) of CPGs claims to do CS no later than 4 min, 50% (3/6) no later than 5 min, and 16.7% (1/6) does not describe timing for CS. The AGREE II standardized domain scores for the first overall assessment (OA1) had a mean of 69%. Only three CPGs scored more than 60% and revealed a consensus agreement between the reviewers on recommending the use of these CPGs.

CONCLUSION

There is clinical heterogeneity in some of the most relevant aspects of the management of pregnant women with trauma. The findings from this systematic review highlight the need for up to date and shared guidelines promoted by the main body societies in order make management of pregnant women with trauma homogenous.

Splenic rupture after sexual intercourse in a pregnant woman: an extremely rare case

A 33-year-old pregnant woman presented at 36 weeks gestation to the emergency with acute abdominal pain that started after vaginal intercourse. No bruising was present on the abdominal examination. An emergent cesarean delivery was performed for resistant hypotension and collapse. A fetus with cardiac arrest was delivered, and active spleen bleeding was identified at the splenocolic and gastrosplenic ligament insertion. The patient had a conservative treatment of the spleen and an uncomplicated postoperative course. The infant was resuscitated and discharged after 18 days. In conclusion, traumatic spleen rupture is an etiology to consider in pregnant women presenting with acute abdominal pain following sexual intercourse. Early suspicion and emergent cesarean delivery are the keys to optimize maternal and perinatal outcomes.

Although sexual activity is generally considered safe in pregnancy, we present a rare case of post-coital spleen rupture in a third-trimester pregnant woman. However, rupture of the spleen is an unusual but serious cause of acute abdominal pain in pregnancy and is associated with both maternal and fetal morbidity. The aim of this article is to highlight the role of early suspicion to optimize maternal and perinatal outcomes.

Prehospital education in triage for pediatric and pregnant patients in a regional trauma system without collocated pediatric and adult trauma centers

PURPOSE

Patient triage to the appropriate destination is critical to prehospital trauma care. Triage decisions are challenging in a region without collocated pediatric and adult trauma centers.

METHODS

A regional survey was administered to emergency medical response units identifying variability and confusion regarding factors influencing patient disposition. A course was developed to guide the triage of pediatric and pregnant trauma patients. Pre- and posttests were administered to address course principles, including decision making and triage.

RESULTS

A total of 445 participants completed the course at 22 sites representing 88 different prehospital provider agencies. Pre- and posttests were administered to 62% of participants with an average score improvement of 53.4% (pretest range 30% to 56.6%; posttest range 85% to 100%). Improvements were seen in all categories including major and minor trauma in pregnancy, major trauma in adolescence, and knowledge of age limits and triage protocols.

CONCLUSION

Education on triage guidelines and principles of pediatric resuscitation is essential for appropriate prehospital trauma management. Pre- and posttests may be used to demonstrate short term efficacy, while ongoing evaluations of practice patterns and follow-up surveys are needed to demonstrate longevity of acquired knowledge and identify areas of persistent confusion.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, Case Series without Standardized.

A term vaginal delivery by a patient with traumatic tetraplegia: A case report

RATIONALE

About 60,0000 people are involved in traffic accident each year in China and spinal cord injury (SCI) often occurs. Pregnant women with paraplegia is rare, and they face higher risk during pregnancy and childbirth.

PATIENT CONCERNS

We report a case of a 35-year-old patient with SCI, who had vaginal forceps delivery at 38 weeks and 5 days of gestation.

DIAGNOSES

The patient was diagnosed with term pregnancy with traumatic tetraplegia.

INTERVENTIONS

A vaginal forceps delivery was performed at 38 weeks and 5 days of gestation.

OUTCOMES

A vaginal forceps delivery of the patient was smooth. After delivery the patient recovered quickly, her vaginal blood was less, blood pressure was favoring.

LESSONS

This study presents a case with traumatic tetraplegia during pregnancy. We suggest that regular prenatal care is necessary.

The prediction of fetal death with a simple maternal blood test at 20-24 weeks: a role for angiogenic index-1 (PlGF/sVEGFR-1 ratio)

BACKGROUND

Fetal death is an obstetrical syndrome that annually affects 2.4 to 3 million pregnancies worldwide, including more than 20,000 in the United States each year. Currently, there is no test available to identify patients at risk for this pregnancy complication.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to determine if maternal plasma concentrations of angiogenic and antiangiogenic factors measured at 24-28 weeks of gestation can predict subsequent fetal death.

STUDY DESIGN

A case-cohort study was designed to include 1000 randomly selected subjects and all remaining fetal deaths (cases) from a cohort of 4006 women with a singleton pregnancy, enrolled at 6-22 weeks of gestation, in a pregnancy biomarker cohort study. The placentas of all fetal deaths were histologically examined by pathologists who used a standardized protocol and were blinded to patient outcomes. Placental growth factor, soluble endoglin, and soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Quantiles of the analyte concentrations (or concentration ratios) were estimated as a function of gestational age among women who delivered a live neonate but did not develop preeclampsia or deliver a small-for-gestational-age newborn. A positive test was defined as analyte concentrations (or ratios) <2.5th and 10th centiles (placental growth factor, placental growth factor/soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 [angiogenic index-1] and placental growth factor/soluble endoglin) or >90th and 97.5th centiles (soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 and soluble endoglin). Inverse probability weighting was used to reflect the parent cohort when estimating the relative risk.

RESULTS

There were 11 fetal deaths and 829 controls with samples available for analysis between 24-28 weeks of gestation. Three fetal deaths occurred <28 weeks and 8 occurred ≥28 weeks of gestation. The rate of placental lesions consistent with maternal vascular underperfusion was 33.3% (1/3) among those who had a fetal death <28 weeks and 87.5% (7/8) of those who had this complication ≥28 weeks of gestation. The maternal plasma angiogenic index-1 value was <10th centile in 63.6% (7/11) of the fetal death group and in 11.1% (92/829) of the controls. The angiogenic index-1 value was <2.5th centile in 54.5% (6/11) of the fetal death group and in 3.7% (31/829) of the controls. An angiogenic index-1 value <2.5th centile had the largest positive likelihood ratio for predicting fetal death >24 weeks (14.6; 95% confidence interval, 7.7-27.7) and a relative risk of 29.1 (95% confidence interval, 8.8-97.1), followed by soluble endoglin >97.5th centile and placental growth factor/soluble endoglin <2.5th, both with a positive likelihood ratio of 13.7 (95% confidence interval, 7.3-25.8) and a relative risk of 27.4 (95% confidence interval, 8.2-91.2). Among women without a fetal death whose plasma angiogenic index-1 concentration ratio was <2.5th centile, 61% (19/31) developed preeclampsia or delivered a small-for-gestational-age neonate; when the 10th centile was used as the cut-off, 37% (34/92) of women had these adverse outcomes.

CONCLUSION

(1) A maternal plasma angiogenic index-1 value <2.5th centile (0.126) at 24-28 weeks of gestation carries a 29-fold increase in the risk of subsequent fetal death and identifies 55% of subsequent fetal deaths with a false-positive rate of 3.5%; and (2) 61% of women who have a false-positive test result will subsequently experience adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Treatment of Pregnant Patients With Orthopaedic Trauma

Fracture management in pregnant patients is challenging. Anatomic and physiologic changes in pregnancy increase the complexity of treatment. Maternal trauma increases the risk of fetal loss, preterm birth, placental abruption, cesarean delivery, and maternal death. Initial resuscitation and treatment in a facility equipped to handle the orthopaedic injury and preterm births are paramount. Pelvic and acetabular injuries are potentially life threatening. The benefits and risks of surgical treatment must be carefully considered. The risks posed by anesthetic agents, antibiotic agents, anticoagulant agents, and radiation exposure must be understood. Positioning of the patient can affect the viability of the fetus. If surgery is necessary, the left lateral decubitus position decreases fetal hypotension. A specialized team including an obstetrician, perinatologist, orthopaedic surgeon, general trauma surgeon, critical care specialist, emergency medicine specialist, anesthesiologist, radiologist, and nurse must collaborate to improve maternal and fetal outcomes.