Delay in Diagnosis and Treatment of Blunt Intestinal Perforation Does Not Adversely Affect Prognosis in the Pediatric Trauma Patient: Retracted

CT scan in the evaluation of pediatric abdominal trauma

OBJECTIVE

to assess the need of computed tomography (CT) for the definition of management in pediatric abdominal trauma.

METHODS

observational retrospective study with patients under 18 years old victims of blunt or penetrating abdominal trauma that underwent CT of the abdomen and pelvis at admission. We evaluated CT scan findings, indications and management. We calculated the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of clinical variables and energy of trauma for findings on CT.

RESULTS

among the 236 patients included in our study, 72% (n=170) did not present abnormal findings on CT. It was performed surgical treatment in 15% (n=10), conservative treatment in 54,5% (n=36) and 27% (n=18) did not receive treatment for abdominal injuries. In the assessment of CT indications, 28,8% (n=68) presented no justifications. In this group, 91% (n=62) did not show any abnormal findings. Among the six patients with positive findings, half were selected for conservative treatment, while the rest did not need any treatment for abdominal injuries. The presence of abdominal pain, hemodynamic alterations and high energy blunt trauma had low positive predictive values when isolated, whereas the negative predictive values were higher.

CONCLUSION

although CT is necessary in some instances, there is a possible high number of exams that did not make any difference in the management of the pediatric population.

Tomografia computadorizada na avaliação do trauma abdominal pediátrico

RESUMO Introdução: avaliar a necessidade da tomografia computadorizada (TC) para definição de condutas em trauma abdominal pediátrico. Métodos: estudo observacional retrospectivo com pacientes menores de 18 anos vítimas de trauma abdominal contuso ou penetrante e que realizaram TC de abdome e pelve na admissão. Avaliou-se achados das tomografias, condutas e justificativas para indicação da TC. Foram calculados sensibilidade, especificidade, valor preditivo positivo e valor preditivo negativo de fatores clínicos e energia do trauma para alterações na TC. Resultados: dentre os 236 pacientes incluídos, 72% (n=170) não apresentaram alterações na TC. Foi realizado tratamento cirúrgico em 15% (n=10), tratamento conservador em 54,5% (n=36) e 27% (n=18) não receberam tratamento por lesões abdominais. Na avaliação das indicações de TC, 28,8% (n=68) não apresentavam nenhuma justificativa, sendo que nesse grupo 91% (n=62) resultaram em ausência de achados. Dentre os seis pacientes com achados positivos, metade recebeu tratamento conservador, enquanto o restante não necessitou de tratamento por lesões abdominais. A presença de dor abdominal, alteração hemodinâmica e trauma contuso de alta energia apresentaram baixos valores preditivos positivos de forma isolada, enquanto os valores preditivos negativos foram mais altos. Conclusão: apesar de a TC ser necessária e justificável em alguns casos, há um possível excesso de tomografias dispensáveis para definição de condutas em população pediátrica.

Outcomes of selective surgery in patients with suspected small bowel injury from blunt trauma

Purpose

The role of initial conservative therapy with selective surgery for patients with suspected blunt bowel injury by radiologic evaluation is less clear. The aim of the study is to assess the outcomes of patients who received initial conservative therapy with selective delayed surgery, compared to emergency surgery.

Methods

During this 8-year study, a total of 77 patients who were hemodynamically stable were enrolled, in which computed tomography verified suspected bowel injury from blunt trauma (mesenteric hematoma, mesenteric fat infiltration, bowel wall thickening, and free fluid without solid organ injury) was managed with either initial conservative therapy with selective delayed surgery (group A; n = 42) or emergency surgery (group B; n = 35). The clinical outcomes including the rate of negative or nontherapeutic exploration and postoperative complications, between the groups were compared.

Results

The enrolled patients had a mean age of 41 years including 51 men and 26 women. No difference in the clinical characteristics was found between the groups. In group A, 18 patients underwent delayed surgery and 24 recovered without surgery. Among patients who underwent surgery, 3 (17%) underwent negative or nontherapeutic explorations. In group B, 13 (37%) underwent negative or nontherapeutic explorations. Postoperative complications occurred in 21 patients and there was no difference between the groups.

Conclusion

Initial conservative therapy with selective delayed surgery did not increased severe postoperative complications and had a low rate of negative or nontherapeutic surgical explorations in hemodynamically stable patients with suspected blunt bowel injury.

Management of gastrointestinal perforation from blunt and penetrating abdominal trauma in children: analysis of 96 patients

AIM

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the diagnostic methods, concomitant organ injuries, factors affecting mortality and morbidity, treatment methods, and outcomes of patients treated for traumatic gastrointestinal (GI) perforation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review of the medical records of 96 patients who had been treated for GI perforation between January 2000 and October 2015. Data were collected and organised according to the following categories: general patient information, age, gender, hospitalisation period, trauma mechanisms, concomitant injuries, radiological assessment, diagnosis and treatment methods, treatment forms, and complications. The cases were divided into two groups, blunt and penetrating traumas, and the patients within each group were compared. Colorectal trauma cases were not included in this study. Patients suspected of a GI perforation were assessed by standing plain abdominal radiograph (SPAR) and ultrasound scan (US). Patients who had a normal SPAR, and showed free or viscous fluid in the abdomen on US underwent computed tomography (CT) scanning. Surgery was performed if patients displayed free air in the abdomen on a SPAR or CT scan, showed viscous fluid without any additional injury, provided normal radiological images but displayed signs of peritonitis, or were clinically unstable. The patients were scored according to the Injury Severity Score (ISS) system.

RESULTS

In total, 96 patients, with an average age of 10.3 ± 4 years (1-17 years) and diagnosed with a GI perforation, were reviewed retrospectively. The patients included 88 (91 %) males and 8 (9 %) females. The presence of free air on SPAR was detected in 42 (52 %) patients, whereas no free air was detected in 39 (48 %) patients. Non-specific significant findings were detected in 45 (76 %) out of 59 patients by USS, and in 78 % of patients by CT (viscous fluid, fluid, free air). The most affected organ was the ileum, which was detected in 37 (39 %) patients. Primary repair was performed on 71 (74 %) patients, while resection was performed on 22 (23 %); 3 (3 %) patients underwent an ostomy. Ten (10 %) patients experienced complications and five (5 %) patients died. The ISS scores for blunt and penetrating traumas were 14, 15 and no significant difference was detected between the scores (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Although the complication rate for patients with penetrating trauma was higher than for those with blunt trauma, the rate of mortality increased in patients with blunt trauma. Free air may not be detected by SPAR even if a GI perforation exists. Since diagnostic challenges may increase the rate of mortality and morbidity in GI perforations, we believe that a combination of radiological imaging and rapid abdominal examination is important in cases where SPAR cannot detect free air.

Accuracy of the abdominal examination for identifying children with blunt intra-abdominal injuries

OBJECTIVE

To determine the accuracy of complaints of abdominal pain and findings of abdominal tenderness for identifying children with intra-abdominal injury (IAI) stratified by Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a prospective, multicenter observational study of children with blunt torso trauma and a GCS score ≥13. We calculated the sensitivity of abdominal findings for IAI with 95% CI stratified by GCS score. We examined the association of isolated abdominal pain or tenderness with IAI and that undergoing acute intervention (therapeutic laparotomy, angiographic embolization, blood transfusion, or ≥2 nights of intravenous fluid therapy).

RESULTS

Among the 12 044 patients evaluated, 11 277 (94%) had a GCS score of ≥13 and were included in this analysis. Sensitivity of abdominal pain for IAI was 79% (95% CI, 76%-83%) for patients with a GCS score of 15, 51% (95% CI, 37%-65%) for patients with a GCS score of 14, and 32% (95% CI, 14%-55%) for patients with a GCS score of 13. Sensitivity of abdominal tenderness for IAI also decreased with decreasing GCS score: 79% (95% CI, 75%-82%) for a GCS score of 15, 57% (95% CI, 42%-70%) for a GCS score of 14, and 37% (95% CI, 19%-58%) for a GCS score of 13. Among patients with isolated abdominal pain and/or tenderness, the rate of IAI was 8% (95% CI, 6%-9%) and the rate of IAI undergoing acute intervention was 1% (95% CI, 1%-2%).

CONCLUSION

The sensitivity of abdominal findings for IAI decreases as GCS score decreases. Although abdominal computed tomography is not mandatory, the risk of IAI is sufficiently high that diagnostic evaluation is warranted in children with isolated abdominal pain or tenderness.

Diagnostic and therapeutic challenges of isolated small bowel perforations after blunt abdominal injury in low income settings: analysis of twenty three new cases

BACKGROUND

Isolated small bowel injury (ISBI) related to abdominal blunt trauma is rare. Timely diagnosis could be difficult, especially in the absence of modern imaging and laparoscopic facilities. The determinants of mortality under such circumstances are unclear.

METHODS

This study presents twenty three cases of ISBI related to blunt abdominal injury identified between January 2005 and December 2009 in a level III Hospital in Limbe, Cameroon. Data were retrieved from an ongoing prospective study on injuries and augmented by analysis of individual patient's files. We analysed information regarding modalities of diagnosis, delay between injury and diagnosis, operative findings, treatment and outcome.

RESULTS

The ages of our patients ranged from 7 to 38 years with a mean of 19 years. Thirteen patients were children below the age of 16. The most frequent mechanism of injury was a fall (n=11). Associated lesions were identified in 7 patients. Delay between injury and diagnosis was above 12h in 16 patients. Fifteen cases were admitted with obvious signs of peritonitis. Erect chest X-ray identified a pneumoperitoneum in 11 of the 17 patients for whom it was requested. Most perforations were located in the ileum. A total of 7 complications occurred in 5 patients. These included 4 cases of post-operative peritonitis. Two patients with at least one associated lesion died.

CONCLUSION

ISBI is seldom suspected. This causes delay in diagnosis and most cases present with a diffuse peritonitis. Early diagnosis and management in low income environment is likely to be improved by a greater awareness of clinicians about this injury, serial clinical assessment and repeated erect chest X-ray, rather than sophisticated tools such as CT scan or laparoscopy.

Impact of operative intervention delay on pediatric trauma outcomes

BACKGROUND

Establishing quality indicators is an essential step in improving mortality and disability among pediatric patients with trauma. We hypothesized that timing of craniotomy, intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring for traumatic brain injury, and abdominal operation for solid organ injury correlates with a reduced risk of death, shorter stay, and reduced risk of requiring assistance at discharge.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study of 99,513 pediatric patients with trauma, using the National Trauma Data Bank.

RESULTS

For patients who had an ICP monitor placed within 4 hours compared with those whose ICP monitor was delayed, there was no difference in mortality; however, there was a shorter stay in the hospital (relative risk [RR], 0.84; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.72-0.97) and in the intensive care unit (ICU) (RR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.66-0.86) in those that survived to discharge. Patients who had craniotomy within 4 hours had higher mortality (RR, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.11-3.51) compared with those that were delayed. After excluding those that died, there was a shorter overall stay (RR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.59-0.81) and ICU stay (RR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.57-0.83). Similar length of stay results were seen in pediatric patients with solid organ injuries. Excluding those that died, length of stay (RR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.47-0.73) and ICU stay (RR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.37-0.74) were shorter.

CONCLUSION

Early intervention in those who survive their initial operation is associated with shorter ICU and hospital stay for traumatic brain and solid organ injuries.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic study, level III.