Search

FAST is essential to decide whether trauma patients need laparotomy, but it has a notable decrease in accuracy in patients with pelvic fracture. Our objective is to analyze the consequences of therapeutic decision-making based on the FAST results in trauma patients with pelvic fracture.Descriptive study that includes trauma patients older than 16 with a pelvic fracture admitted to the critical care area or who died. The FAST result was compared with a true positive or negative value according to the results of laparotomy or abdominal CT. We recorded diagnosis and treatment of each injury and resolution of the case, detailing the cause of death, among all variables.Over the 13-year period, we included 263 trauma patients with pelvic fracture, with a mean ISS of 31 and mortality of 19%. FAST had a sensitivity of 65.2%, specificity of 69%, false negative rate of 34.8% and false positive rate of 30.9%. Hemodynamically unstable patients died twice as many stable patients (27% vs 14%, P .05). Patients with positive FAST died more than negative FAST (43% vs 26%); and 4 out of 10 hemodynamically unstable patients who underwent non-therapeutic laparotomy after presenting a false positive FAST died from hypovolemic shock. The mortality rate fell from 60% to 20% when preperitoneal packing was performed before angio-embolization of the pelvis.FAST has low accuracy in polytraumatized patients with pelvic fracture. Patients with false positive FAST have higher mortality, which can be reduced notably by applying preperitoneal packing.

espanolIntroduccion La exactitud del FAST disminuye notablemente en los pacientes politraumaticos con fractura pelvica. El objetivo es analizar las consecuencias de tomar decisiones terapeuticas basadas en el resultado del FAST en los pacientes politraumaticos con fractura de pelvis. Metodos Estudio descriptivo de pacientes con politraumatismos mayores de 16 anos que han ingresado en el area de criticos o que han fallecido previamente, con fractura pelvica. El resultado del FAST ha sido comparado con un valor realmente positivo o negativo segun el resultado de la laparotomia o de la tomografia computarizada. Resultados En 13 anos, se ha incluido a 263 pacientes politraumaticos con fractura pelvica (ISS medio de 31; mortalidad 19%). El FAST tenia una sensibilidad del 65,2%, una especificidad del 69%, una tasa de falsos negativos del 34,8% y una tasa de falsos positivos del 30,9%. Los pacientes hemodinamicamente inestables tenian el doble de mortalidad que los pacientes estables (27% vs. 14%, p Conclusiones La reducida eficacia del FAST en pacientes con fractura de pelvis nos obliga a cuestionarnos las consecuencias de la toma de decisiones terapeuticas con base en sus resultados. Los pacientes con FAST falsamente positivo tienen una mortalidad mayor, que se puede reducir aplicando un packing preperitoneal. EnglishIntroduction FAST is essential to decide if trauma patients need laparotomy, but has a notably decrease in accuracy in patients with pelvic fracture. Our objective is to analyze the consequences of therapeutic decision-making based on the FAST results in trauma patients with pelvic fracture. Methods Descriptive study that includes trauma patients older than 16 with a pelvic fracture admitted to the critical care area or who were fallecimiento. FAST result was compared with a true positive or negative value according to the results of laparotomy or abdominal CT. We recorded diagnosis and treatment of each injury and resolution of the case, detailing the cause of death, among all variables. Results Over the 13–year period, we included 263 trauma patients with pelvic fracture, with a mean ISS of 31 and mortality of 19%. FAST had a sensitivity of 65.2%, specificity of 69%, false negative rate of 34.8% and false positive rate of 30.9%. Hemodynamically unstable patients died twice as many stable patients (27% vs. 14%, p Conclusion FAST has low accuracy in polytraumatized patients with pelvic fracture. Patients with false positive FAST have higher mortality, which can be reduce notably applying a preperitoneal packing.

Purpose Persistent occult hypoperfusion after initial resuscitation is strongly associated with increased morbidity and mortality after severe trauma. The objective of this study was to analyze regional tissue oxygenation, along with other global markers, as potential detectors of occult shock in otherwise hemodynamically stable trauma patients. Methods Trauma patients undergoing active resuscitation were evaluated 8 h after hospital admission with the measurement of several global and local hemodynamic/metabolic parameters. Apparently hemodynamically stable (AHD) patients, defined as having SBP ≥ 90 mmHg, HR 2) was measured non-invasively by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) on the forearm. A vascular occlusion test was performed, allowing a 3-min deoxygenation period and a reoxygenation period following occlusion release. Minimal rSO2 (rSO2min), Delta-down (rSO2–rSO2min), maximal rSO2 following cuff-release (rSO2max), and Delta-up (rSO2max–rSO2min) were computed. The NIRS response to the occlusion test was also measured in a control group of healthy volunteers. Results Sixty-six consecutive trauma patients were included. After 8 h, 17 patients were classified as AHD, of whom five were finally considered to have OS and 12 THD. No hemodynamic, metabolic or coagulopathic differences were observed between the two groups, while NIRS-derived parameters showed statistically significant differences in Delta-down, rSO2min, and Delta-up. Conclusions After 8 h of care, NIRS evaluation with an occlusion test is helpful for identifying occult shock in apparently hemodynamically stable patients. Level of evidence IV, descriptive observational study. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Registration Number: NCT02772653.

INTRODUCTION Spleen is frequently damaged in abdominal trauma. Patients with splenic injury with hemodynamic instability, peritonism signs or other surgical injuries need emergent surgery. Hemodynamically stable patients are treated conservatively. Splenic embolization is indicated in injuries with blush, pseudoaneurysms or arteriovenous fistulas. It is unclear its indication in IV and V-grade splenic injuries without contrast extravasation. Our hypothesis is that IV and V-grade splenic injuries embolization decreases conservative treatment failure. MATERIAL AND METHODS Retrospective observational study, including all patients with blunt splenic injuries, prospectively included in our registry of polytraumatic patients (>16 years) since 2006. RESULTS One hundred and seventy patients have been included since 2006. In 2006-2013, when splenic injuries with active bleeding, pseudoaneurysms or arteriovenous fistulas were embolized, 94 patients were included. 37,2% required surgery and 62,8% conservative treatment. Splenic embolization was performed in 17% of patients who were treated conservatively. Conservative treatment failure was 16,9%: 10 cases out of those who underwent medical treatment (4 required embolization and 6 needed surgery). From 2014 to the present, when IV and V-grade injuries were included in the indications for embolization, 76 patients have been included. 38,2% required surgery and 61,8% were treated conservatively (40,4% were embolized and the rest were treated medically). One case (3,6%) of those treated medically and another (5,3%) of those embolized failed. Overall failure of conservative treatment was 4,3%. CONCLUSION Embolization of IV and V-grade splenic injuries decreases conservative treatment failure from 16,9% to 4,3%.

Resumen Introduccion Las constantes vitales detectan la presencia de hemorragia al perder grandes cantidades de sangre, lo que comporta una gran morbimortalidad. El Shock Index (SI) es un parametro que detecta el sangrado con puntos de corte de 0,9. El objetivo de este estudio es valorar si un punto de corte de ≥ 0,8 es mas sensible para detectar sangrado oculto, permitiendo iniciar maniobras terapeuticas mas precoces. Metodos Estudio analitico de validacion del SI que incluye pacientes politraumatizados graves mayores de 16 anos. Se registran constantes vitales y escalas predictivas de sangrado: SI, Assessment of Blood Consumption score y Pulse Rate Over Pressure score. Se analiza la relacion del SI con 5 marcadores predictivos de sangrado: necesidad de transfusion masiva, embolizacion angiografica, control del sangrado quirurgico, muerte por shock hipovolemico y «sangrado activo» (presencia de al menos uno de los 4 marcadores anteriores en un paciente). Resultados Recogida prospectiva de datos de 1.402 pacientes politraumatizados durante 10 anos. El Injury Severity Score medio fue de 20,9 (DE 15,8). Hubo una mortalidad del 10%. El SI medio fue de 0,73 (DE 0,29). En total presentaron «sangrado activo» el 18,7% de la serie. El SI medio en los pacientes con «sangrado activo» fue de 0,87, mientras que las constantes vitales estaban dentro de la normalidad. El area bajo la curva ROC del SI para el «sangrado activo» fue de 0,749. Conclusiones El SI con un punto de corte ≥ 0,8 es mas sensible que aquel con el punto de corte ≥ 0,9 y permite iniciar maniobras de reanimacion mas precoces en los pacientes con sangrado oculto.

Introduction Vital signs indicate the presence of bleeding only after large amounts of blood have been lost, with high morbidity and mortality. The Shock Index (SI) is a hemorrhage indicator with a cut-off point for the risk of bleeding at 0.9. The aim of this study is to assess whether a cut-off of ≥0.8 is more sensitive for detecting occult bleeding, providing for early initiation of therapeutic maneuvers. Methods SI analytical validation study of severe trauma patients older than 16 years of age. Vital signs were recorded, and scales for predicting bleeding included: SI, Assessment of Blood Consumption score, and Pulse Rate Over Pressure score. The relationship between the SI and 5 markers for bleeding was analyzed: need for massive transfusion, angiographic embolization, surgical bleeding control, death due to hypovolemic shock, and the overall predictor “active bleeding” (defined as the presence of at least one of the 4 markers above). Results Data from 1402 trauma patients were collected prospectively over a period of 10 years. The mean Injury Severity Score was 20.9 (SD 15.8). The mortality rate was 10%. The mean SI was 0.73 (SD 0.29). “Active bleeding” was present in 18.7% of patients. The SI area under the ROC curve for “active bleeding” was 0.749. Conclusions An SI cut-off point ≥0.8 is more sensitive than ≥0.9 and allows for earlier initiation of resuscitation maneuvers in patients with occult active bleeding.

Introduction The aim is comparing the quality of care at a typical American trauma center (USC) vs an equivalent European referral center in Spain (SRC), through the analysis of preventable and potentially preventable deaths. Methods Comparative study that evaluated trauma patients older than 16 years old who died during their hospitalization. We cross-referenced these deaths and extracted all deaths that were classified as potentially preventable or preventable. All errors identified were then classified using the JC taxonomy. Results The rate of preventable and potentially preventable mortality was 7.7% and 13.8% in the USC and SRC respectively. According to the JC taxonomy, the main error type was clinical in both centers, due to errors in intervention (treatment). Errors occurred mostly in the emergency department and were caused by physicians. In the USC, 73% of errors were therapeutic as compared to 59% in the SRC (P = .06). The SRC had a 41% of diagnosis errors vs just 18% in the USC (P=.001). In both centers, the main cause of error was human. At the USC, the most frequent human cause was ‘knowledge-based’ (44%). In contrast, at the SRC center the most common errors were ‘rule-based’ (58%) (P Conclusions The use of a common language of errors among centers is key in establishing benchmarking standards. Comparing the quality of care of an American trauma center and a Spanish referral center, we have detected remarkably similar avoidable errors. More diagnostic and ‘ruled-based’ errors have been found in the Spanish center.

Resumen Introduccion El objetivo del estudio es comparar la calidad asistencial de un trauma center americano (USC) vs. un centro equivalente de referencia europeo (SRC) en Espana, a traves del analisis de la mortalidad evitable. Metodos Estudio comparativo que evalua pacientes politraumatizados mayores de 16 anos que han sido exitus durante su hospitalizacion. Se han identificado las muertes evitables o potencialmente evitables, analizando los errores en el manejo, clasificandolos segun la taxonomia de la Joint Comission . Resultados La incidencia de mortalidad evitable y potencialmente evitable fue del 7,7% en el USC, y del 13,8% en el SRC. Segun la taxonomia de la Joint Comission , el principal tipo de error fue clinico en ambos centros, debido a errores de intervencion (tratamiento). Los errores ocurren en urgencias y fueron causados por medicos. En el USC, el 73% de los errores fue de tipo terapeutico comparado con el 59% en el SRC (p = 0,06). El SRC tuvo un 41% de errores diagnosticos vs. solo el 18% en el USC (p = 0,001). En ambos centros, el principal tipo de error fue humano, siendo tipo knowledge-based el mas frecuente en el USC (44%) vs. rule-based en el SRC (58%) (p Conclusiones El uso de un lenguaje comun para analizar los errores de manejo es una clave esencial para establecer puntos de referencia estandares y universales. Comparando la calidad asistencial de un trauma center americano con la de un centro de referencia espanol, hemos detectado unos errores evitables extraordinariamente parecidos. Se han hallado mas errores diagnosticos y de tipo ruled-based en el centro espanol.

Introduction An occult pneumothorax is found in 2%–15% trauma patients. Observation (without tube thoracostomy) in these patients presents still some controversies in the clinical practice. The objective of the study is to evaluate the efficacy and the adverse effects when observation is performed. Methods A retrospective observational study was undertaken in our centre (university hospital level II ). Data were obtained from a database with prospective registration. A total of 1087 trauma patients admitted in the Intensive Care Unit from 2006 to 2013 were included. Results In this period, 126 patients with occult pneumothorax were identified, 73 patients (58%) underwent immediate tube thoracostomy and 53 patients (42%) were observed. Nine patients (12%) failed observation and required tube thoracostomy for pneumothorax progression or haemothorax. No patient developed a tension pneumothorax or experienced another adverse event related to the absence of tube thoracostomy. Of the observed patients 16 were under positive pressure ventilation, in this group 3 patients (19%) failed observation. There were no differences in mortality, hospital length of stay or intensive care length of stay between the observed and non-observed group. Conclusion Observation is a safe treatment in occult pneumothorax, even in pressure positive ventilated patients.

Resumen Introduccion Alrededor del 2-15% de los pacientes politraumatizados presentan un neumotorax oculto. La aplicacion del tratamiento conservador (observacion) en la practica clinica diaria aun sigue siendo controvertido. Nuestra hipotesis es que es factible realizar un tratamiento conservador. El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar la eficacia y los efectos adversos del tratamiento conservador del neumotorax oculto en nuestro medio. Metodos Estudio observacional retrospectivo (analisis de base de datos con registro prospectivo) realizado en un hospital universitario de nivel II . Inclusion de 1.087 pacientes politraumatizados mayores de 16 anos ingresados en el area de criticos desde 2006 hasta 2013. Resultados En este periodo, 126 pacientes presentaron neumotorax oculto, en 73 (58%) se decidio observacion. En 9 pacientes (12%) fracaso la observacion (precisaron colocacion de drenaje pleural) por aumento del neumotorax o aparicion de hemotorax. De los pacientes observados, 16 fueron ventilados bajo presion positiva. En este grupo fracaso la observacion en 3 pacientes (19%). Ningun paciente presento neumotorax a tension u otro problema relacionado con la ausencia de drenaje. No hubo diferencias entre grupos (observacion vs. drenaje) respecto a mortalidad, estancia hospitalaria ni estancia en la unidad de criticos. Conclusion El tratamiento de eleccion de los pacientes con neumotorax oculto es la observacion clinica. Este tratamiento tambien es factible en los pacientes ventilados bajo presion positiva.

Background A variety of systems have been applied to identify and address errors in the management of multiple trauma patients. This lack of standardisation represents a serious problem. Objectives Detect preventable and potentially preventable deaths, and classify all the errors with universal language. Methods We studied all trauma patients over 16 admitted to the critical care unit or who died before. In multidisciplinary sessions we decided which deaths were preventable, potentially preventable and non preventable. Guided by ATLS protocols, we detected errors in their management that were classified using the taxonomy of Joint Commission. Results We registered 1236 trauma patients (ISS 20.77). Of the 115 trauma deaths, 19 were preventable or potentially preventable deaths. We recorded 130 errors in all deaths, 46 of them in preventable or potentially preventable deaths. Using our own classification, the main errors were delay in starting correct treatment or performance of CT in hemodynamically unstable patients. Using the taxonomy of Joint Commission, the main type error was clinical, during the intervention: the delay in initiating correct treatment. Mistakes were made in the emergency department by medical specialists. The incidence of therapeutic and diagnostic errors was similar. The main cause of error was human failure, specifically ‘rule-based’ errors Conclusions Measuring and recording the results is the first step on the way to improving the quality of care for trauma patients. A common language like the taxonomy of Joint Commission will help standardise patient safety data, thus improving the recording of incidents and their analysis and treatment.

Resumen Introduccion El politraumatismo sigue siendo una de las principales causas de muerte entre los 10 y los 40 anos, causando graves incapacidades en los pacientes que sobreviven. El objetivo de nuestro estudio es realizar un analisis de calidad de la atencion del paciente politraumatizado mediante un estudio epidemiologico. Metodo Registro prospectivo de todos los pacientes politraumaticos atendidos en nuestro hospital, mayores de 16 anos, que ingresan en el area de criticos o mueren antes del ingreso. Resultados Desde marzo del 2006 hasta agosto del 2014, registramos 1.200 politraumatizados. La mayoria fueron hombres (75%), con una mediana de edad de 45 anos. El ISS medio fue de 20,9 ± 15,8 y el mecanismo de accion mas frecuente fue cerrado (94% casos). La mortalidad global fue del 9,8% (117 casos), siendo la muerte neurologica la principal causa de fallecimiento (45,3%), seguida de la muerte por shock hipovolemico (29,1%). En 17 casos (14,5% fallecimiento) la mortalidad fue considerada como evitable o potencialmente evitable un total de 327 pacientes (27,3%) precisaron de tratamiento quirurgico urgente y 106 pacientes (8,8%) precisaron de un tratamiento mediante radiologia intervencionista de caracter urgente. El 18,5% de los pacientes (222) presentaron alguna lesion inadvertida, con un total de 318 lesiones inadvertidas. Conclusion La atencion ofrecida en nuestro centro es correcta. La necesidad de una recogida de datos prospectiva de la atencion global a los pacientes politraumatizados es necesaria e imprescindible para poder evaluar la calidad ofrecida y mejorar los resultados.

Resumen Introduccion La principal causa de mortalidad en los politraumatizados con fracturas pelvicas es el shock hipovolemico. Analizamos la asociacion entre el origen de la hemorragia, mecanismo de accion y tipo de fractura. Metodos Estudio descriptivo y prospectivo que incluye a pacientes politraumatizados mayores de 16 anos, ingresados en el area de criticos o que han fallecido antes de su ingreso, con fractura pelvica e inestabilidad hemodinamica. Se define inestabilidad hemodinamica como PAS 100 latidos/min. La fractura pelvica se define segun la clasificacion de Tile. Resultados Un total de 157 de 1.088 politraumatizados tenian fractura pelvica. Se ha incluido a 63 pacientes, todos hemodinamicamente inestables. En el 85% de los pacientes precipitados la hemorragia procedia de la propia fractura pelvica, comparado con solo el 44% de las victimas que sufrieron un (choque). El 65% de los pacientes con fractura de pelvis estable sangraban de lesiones asociadas; el 70% de los pacientes con fractura inestable sangraban de la propia fractura. Existe una interaccion entre el mecanismo de accion y el tipo de fractura. La probabilidad de sangrar de la pelvis es mayor en los precipitados (>80%), independientemente del tipo de fractura. La hemorragia de las lesiones asociadas es mayor en un impacto, duplicandose cuando la fractura es estable (91%). Conclusiones El mecanismo de accion es un factor clave para determinar el origen de la hemorragia en pacientes con fractura de pelvis. Los pacientes precipitados sangran de la propia fractura, mientras que los pacientes con un impacto (choque) pueden sangrar tanto de la propia fractura como de las lesiones asociadas, dependiendo del tipo de fractura.

Study objectives are to determine whether quality of life is recovered completely after major injury and to identify determinants associated with a worse quality of life. Prospective 12-month follow-up of injured patients admitted to the intensive care unit in a Spanish level 1 trauma centre. The main outcome (quality of life) was measured using the EQ-5D-5L. The relationships between sociodemographic factors, injury severity and location, and quality of life scores were evaluated. Mean comparison analysis (95% confidence interval) was performed with the student “t” test for quantitative variables and with chi-squared for proportion comparison (qualitative variables). A multivariate logistic regression (odds ratio and 95% confidence interval) was performed to identify determinants of each dimension, and a multivariate linear regression (regression coefficient and 95% confidence interval) to identify the determinants of EQus and EQvas. Over a 2-year period, 304 patients who met the inclusion criteria were identified, and 200 patients (65.8%) were finally included. Most of patients suffered blunt trauma (91.5%), 72.5% were men, mean age was 47.8, mean ISS was 15.2. The overall health index (EQvas) improved slightly, but its mean value at 12 months was below the Spanish population norm (P

Resumen Los politraumatismos constituyen una importante causa de morbimortalidad en la poblacion joven. El objetivo del estudio fue recoger y analizar el efecto de una estrategia de caracter colaborativo para mejorar la aplicacion de 6 indicadores clinicos reconocidos a nivel internacional como imprescindibles en el correcto tratamiento de los pacientes politraumatizados. Estudio prospectivo multicentrico pre y postintervencion en 10 hospitales de referencia en la atencion de pacientes politraumatizados de Catalunya. Se reclutaron respectivamente 378 y 501 pacientes en el periodo pre y postintervencion. Para ser incluidos debian tener antecedentes de un traumatismo de alta energia, siendo preciso su ingreso en una unidad de criticos o semicriticos. Intervencion: estrategia colaborativa dirigida a profesionales de los hospitales participantes, que incluyo la constitucion de un grupo de expertos, asignacion de responsables para incentivar mejoras en cada centro, formacion, distribucion de material informativo y reuniones para intercambio de experiencias. Principales medidas de resultado: frecuencia y caracteristicas del politraumatismo y porcentaje en el cumplimiento de indicadores clinicos. Analisis de 879 pacientes politraumatizados. Los mecanismos de lesion fueron mayoritariamente causados por trauma cerrado en ambas fases del estudio. El ISS (injury severity score) medio global de toda la muestra fue de 21 ± 12,8 y el TRISS (trauma and injury severity score) medio global de la serie del 26,4 ± 11,4. No hubo diferencias en cuanto a la gravedad entre los 2 periodos del estudio. La mortalidad global de la muestra fue del 11,5%. En cuanto a los indicadores clinicos, se identificaron mejoras significativas en los periodos pre y postintervencion en la realizacion de radiografias de torax (el 45 frente al 62%) y de pelvis (el 27 frente al 62%) en cubiculo de trauma y en la fijacion de la pelvis en pacientes con fractura a este nivel (el 24 frente al 49%). En el traslado de pacientes hemodinamicamente inestables a radiologia diagnostica no se observaron cambios, manteniendose valores de cumplimiento bajos (33%). La estrategia colaborativa ha sido efectiva para mejorar algunos indicadores de manejo clinico.

Multiple trauma continues to have a high incidence worldwide. Trauma is the leading cause of death among people between the ages of 10 and 40. The Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) is the most widely accepted method for the initial control and treatment of multiple trauma patients. It is based on the following hypothesis: The application of the ATLS program may reduce preventable or potentially preventable deaths in trauma patients. The present article reports a retrospective study based on the records of prospectively evaluated trauma patients between January 2007 and December 2012. Trauma patients over the age of 18 admitted to the critical care unit or patients who died before hospital admission were included. A multidisciplinary committee looked for errors in the management of each patient and classified deaths into preventable, potentially preventable, or nonpreventable. We recorded the number of specialists at our center who had received training in the ATLS program. A total of 898 trauma patients were registered. The mean injury severity score was 21 (SD 15), and the mortality rate was 10.7 % (96 cases). There were 14 cases (14.6 %) of preventable or potentially preventable death. The main errors were delay in initiating suitable treatment and performing a computed tomography scan in cases of hemodynamic instability, followed by initiation of incorrect treatment or omission of an essential procedure. As the number of ATLS-trained professionals increases, the rates of potentially preventable or preventable death fall. Well-founded protocols such as the ATLS can help provide the preparation health professionals need. In our hospital environment, ATLS training has helped to reduce preventable or potentially preventable mortality among trauma patients.

Aquest treball preten valorar la utilitat del model de risc d'evisceracio desenvolupat per Van Ramshorst et al. entre els pacients sotmesos a cirurgia abdominal per laparotomia mitja en el Servei de Cirurgia General i de l'Aparell Digestiu de l'Hospital de Sabadell – Corporacio Sanitaria i Universitaria Parc Tauli – Barcelona. El model de risc inclou dades postoperatories que fan perdre capacitat pronostica clinica, per aquest motiu es proposa una modificacio d'aquest model (Van Ramshorst modificat), tenint en compte nomes les variables preoperatories. Podem concloure que mentre el model de risc d'evisceracio de Van Ramshorst et al. es util en la nostra mostra de pacients, la modificacio proposada necessitaria retocs per a millorar la seva capacitat pronostica.

The aim of this study is to determine the usefulness of the risk model developed by van Ramshorst et al., and a modification of the same, to predict the abdominal wound dehiscence's risk in patients who underwent midline laparotomy incisions.Observational longitudinal retrospective study.Patients who underwent midline laparotomy incisions in the General and Digestive Surgery Department of the Sabadell's Hospital-Parc Taulí's Health and University Corporation-Barcelona, between January 1, 2010 and June 30, 2010. Dependent variable: Abdominal wound dehiscence.Global risk score, preoperative risk score (postoperative variables were excluded), global and preoperative probabilities of developing abdominal wound dehiscence.176 patients. Patients with abdominal wound dehiscence: 15 (8.5%). The global risk score of abdominal wound dehiscence group (mean: 4.97; IC 95%: 4.15-5.79) was better than the global risk score of No abdominal wound dehiscence group (mean: 3.41; IC 95%: 3.20-3.62). This difference is statistically significant (P.001). The preoperative risk score of abdominal wound dehiscence group (mean: 3.27; IC 95%: 2.69-3.84) was better than the preoperative risk score of No abdominal wound dehiscence group (mean: 2.77; IC 95%: 2.64-2.89), also a statistically significant difference (P.05). The global risk score (area under the ROC curve: 0.79) has better accuracy than the preoperative risk score (area under the ROC curve: 0.64).The risk model developed by van Ramshorst et al. to predict the abdominal wound dehiscence's risk in the preoperative phase has a limited usefulness. Additional refinements in the preoperative risk score are needed to improve its accuracy.

Resumen Introduccion Aunque el tratamiento del traumatismo esplenico ha cambiado en las ultimas decadas, no existen datos de la actitud que los cirujanos espanoles adoptamos frente a este tipo de lesion tan frecuente. El proposito de este estudio es determinar el perfil del traumatismo esplenico en los adultos con traumatismo abdominal severo y el tratamiento que se realiza en nuestro medio. Metodo Estudio de datos de registros de trauma de 6 hospitales espanoles: Hospital Gregorio Maranon, Hospital de Getafe, Hospital Doce de Octubre, Hospital Virgen de la Vega, Hospital de Torrevieja y Corporacio Sanitaria Parc Tauli. Resultados Se analizo a 566 pacientes con lesiones esplenicas (448 hombres y 118 mujeres). El tipo de traumatismo fue fundamentalmente cerrado (94%) y el mecanismo lesional mas frecuente fue el accidente de trafico El ISS medio de la serie fue de 25,2. El tratamiento fue inicialmente quirurgico en el 56,6%, siendo en el 43,4% restante, conservador. De estos, el 6,5% de los pacientes requirio finalmente cirugia y en el 8,8% se realizo angioembolizacion esplenica. De los pacientes intervenidos al inicio, en el 85,3% de los casos se realizo esplenectomia, y cirugia conservadora de bazo en el 14,7%, de los que el 4,6% fracasaron y requirieron nueva intervencion quirurgica con esplenectomia. Conclusion El tratamiento en Espana para el traumatismo esplenico continua siendo en su mayoria quirurgico (fundamentalmente esplenectomia). La angioembolizacion y el tratamiento conservador continuan teniendo escasa presencia.

Introduction Adverse event (AE) rates in general surgery vary, according to different authors and recording methods, between 2% and 30%. Six years ago we designed a prospective AE recording system to change patient safety culture in our department. We present the results of this work after a 6-year follow-up. Material and method The AE, sequelae and health care errors in a University Hospital surgery department were recorded. An analysis of each incident recorded was performed by a reviewer. The data were entered into database for rapid access and consultation. The results were routinely presented in departmental morbidity–mortality sessions. Results A total of 13 950 patients had suffered 11 254 AE, which affected 5142 of them (36.9% of admissions). A total of 920 patients were subjected to at least one health care error (6.6% of admissions). This meant that 6.6% of our patients suffered an avoidable AE. The overall mortality at 5 years in our department was 2.72% (380 deaths). An adverse event was implicated in the death of the patient in 180 cases (1.29% of admissions). In 49 cases (0.35% of admissions), mortality could be attributed to an avoidable AE. After 6 years there tends to be an increasingly lower incidence of errors. Conclusions The exhaustive and prospective recording of AE leads to changes in patient safety culture in a surgery department and helps decrease the incidence of health care errors.

e16094Background: Currently, ECF/ECX is the standard of care for peri-operative oesophagogastric adenocarcinoma (OGA), considering MAGIC trial even though the outcome still remains unsatisfactory w...

Resumen Introduccion La introduccion del libro informatico del residente, de la Asociacion Espanola de Cirujanos (LIR-AEC), nos ha permitido realizar evaluaciones particulares y generales de cada residente. El objetivo ha sido conocer la media de actividades asistenciales, cientificas y quirurgicas segun el programa de la especialidad. Material y metodo Registro de la actividad de los residentes en el LIR-AEC. Se ha cuantificado la actividad general por ano y por rotacion. Se ha analizado la relacion de intervenciones asistidas y realizadas y segun grados de complejidad. La media de actividades cientificas y asistenciales y la de guardias al mes. Resultados Desde 2004, 8 residentes han registrado su actividad en el LIR-AEC. Asisten a una media de 1.514 intervenciones, de las cuales realizan como cirujano 922 (62%). Asisten a 185 intervenciones laparoscopicas, de las que realizan 72 (39%). Como cirujanos, 864 (94%) de los 922 procedimientos son de los niveles 1, 2 y 3 (el 64, el 75 y el 53%, respectivamente). Realizan una media de 5,75 guardias por mes. Acuden de media durante la residencia a un total de 21 cursos y congresos. Participan en un total de 24 comunicaciones y posters, asi como en 6 publicaciones de media en la residencia. Conclusiones El LIR-AEC permite una evaluacion continua de la actividad del residente. Hemos podido conocer la media de actividades que realiza cada residente durante una rotacion y un ano determinados, esto permite conocer con exactitud si se cumplen los minimos definidos.

Evaluation of surgical results observed in oncologic gastric surgery with reference to estimation of risks through POSSUM (Physiological and Operative Severity Score for the enUmeration of Mortality and morbidity), P-POSSUM (Portsmouth POSSUM), and O-POSSUM (regression model based on the POSSUM and P-POSSUM, especially designed for gastric and esophagus surgery). A prospective follow-up of a cohort of 106 consecutive patients, gastrectomized because of gastric cancer. The variables studied were: age, sex, technical surgery, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, the Charlson comorbidity index, morbidity, and mortality. From January 2004 to April 2008, 131 patients were operated on for gastric neoplasia. Of these, 28 patients were excluded: 5 because of nonstandard gastrectomy, 17 because of staging laparoscopy or unresectable cancer after laparotomy, and 3 because of palliative gastroenteroanastomosis; 106 patients were included. We performed 38 total gastrectomies, 65 distal gastrectomies, 2 esophagogastrectomies, and 1 proximal gastrectomy. The mean age was 68 years (standard deviation (SD) = 12.1; range, 34–85 years). Associated comorbidity (Charlson) was 5.4 (SD = 2.7; range, 2–16); ASA 1 at 1.9%; ASA 2 at 36.8%; ASA 3 at 43.4%; and ASA 4 at 17.9%. Expected morbidity, according to POSSUM was 46.7%; observed morbidity was 50.5%. Morbidity ratio observed/expected was 1.08. Expected mortality, according to POSSUM = 13%, according to P-POSSUM = 4.9%, and according to O-POSSUM = 12.1%. Observed mortality was 7.8%. Mortality ratio observed/expected according to POSSUM, P-POSSUM, O-POSSUM was 0.6, 1.6, and 0.6, respectively. Morbidity results were within the confidence interval of the POSSUM estimation. Our results show lower mortality than the POSSUM and the O-POSSUM estimation (P

This study was designed to determine the incidence of adverse events and errors in the care of surgical patients and to demonstrate that continuous prospective collection of data on adverse events can improve quality of care and reduce the number of errors. Retrospective studies find adverse events in approximately 5% of patients admitted. Prospective studies publish figures of approximately 30%. No studies to date have tried to use continuous collection of data on adverse events to reduce the incidence of errors.Longitudinal prospective surveillance of adverse events in patients admitted to the Surgery Service during a 22-month period. Sequelae after discharge and errors during hospital stay were evaluated by peer review.A total of 3,807 patients were controlled: 1,177 patients presented 2,193 adverse events (30.9% of admissions); 330 adverse events due to errors were detected in 258 patients (6.9% of admissions). Thirty-four deaths were considered due to adverse events (0.89% of admissions), and in 11 cases mortality was deemed avoidable (0.29% of admissions). The incidence of adverse events remained constant during the study period, but errors decreased from 11.1% to 4.5% (P = 0.005).This is the first attempt to determine the prevalence of errors in surgery. Introducing systematic programs for recording adverse events can reduce error rates and promote a culture of patient safety in a General Surgery Department.

Resumen Introduccion Las lesiones inadvertidas en el paciente politraumatizado son aquellas no identificadas durante la revision primaria y la secundaria (Advanced Trauma Life Support, ATLS). La importancia de estas lesiones radica en el retraso del inicio del tratamiento adecuado. Hay un subgrupo especialmente importante constituido por las lesiones inadvertidas clinicamente relevantes, que comportan complicaciones graves o incluso la muerte del paciente. Material y metodo Estudio prospectivo de las lesiones inadvertidas y de las clinicamente relevantes, que incluye a todos los politraumatizados mayores de 16 anos ingresados en el area de criticos o aquellos que han fallecido durante las primeras 24 h. Para cada enfermo se recogen sus lesiones, el momento del diagnostico y su tratamiento. En las lesiones detectadas despues de las primeras 24 h, lesiones inadvertidas, se especifica si la lesion es clinicamente relevante y su posible causa. Resultados De marzo de 2006 a enero de 2007 se han recogido 122 politraumatizados con una media ± desviacion estandar del indice de severidad (ISS) de 20 ± 15,8. El 40,3% de los pacientes presentaba alguna lesion inadvertida, con mas frecuencia las fracturas (42,7%), seguidas por las lesiones toracicas y abdominales. El 17% de los pacientes presentaba alguna lesion inadvertida clinicamente relevante (el 38,7% de todas las lesiones inadvertidas), entre ellas, las mas frecuentes son las lesiones de columna, las abdominales y las toracicas. Hay una relacion estadisticamente significativa entre la aparicion de lesiones inadvertidas, ISS elevados y pacientes intubados antes o tras el ingreso. Conclusiones La incidencia de lesiones inadvertidas y lesiones inadvertidas clinicamente relevantes es elevada. Los politraumatizados mas graves y los intubados presentan una mayor incidencia de lesiones inadvertidas.

Resumen Introduccion La evolucion de nuestra especialidad en los ultimos anos obliga a realizar actualizaciones no solo en contenidos, sino en una evaluacion de los conocimientos aprendidos. El objetivo de este articulo es presentar nuestra experiencia en un modelo de evaluacion integral. Se basa en una valoracion de los conocimientos teoricos y las habilidades quirurgicas. Material y metodo El programa de formacion para los MIR que hemos aplicado esta fundamentado en 4 apartados: asistencial, formacion continuada, investigacion (doctorado) y control de la actividad realizada (libro informatico del residente). Permite una evaluacion de los conocimientos teoricos y las habilidades aprendidas al final de cada rotacion. Mediante la creacion del libro informatico del residente que presentamos, se practica cada 6 meses una cuantificacion de la actividad de forma continua y comparada. Resultados En julio de 2004, iniciamos la puesta en marcha de este sistema de evaluacion de la actividad de los residentes. Se entrego a cada uno de ellos su propia base de datos para que iniciara su desarrollo mediante la introduccion de todas las actividades realizadas. Se presentan los resultados de la actividad global y particular de cada residente. Conclusiones El metodo que utilizamos permite seguir la evolucion integral del residente y realizar, al final de cada ano y de la residencia, una valoracion totalmente objetiva. La generalizacion de este metodo o uno similar facilitara la realizacion de comparaciones con otros centros y bajo premisas similares. Por otra parte, podria unificar criterios y determinar desviaciones de formacion.

Introduction The main cause of mortality in trauma patients with pelvic fractures is hypovolemic shock. We analysed the association between the source of bleeding, mechanism of action and type of fracture. Methods Prospective descriptive study involving trauma patients older than 16 years old, admitted to the intensive care unit or dead before admission, with pelvic fractures and hemodynamic instability. Hemodynamic instability was defined as SBP 100 beats/min. Pelvic fracture was defined by the Tile classification. Results A total of 157 of 1088 trauma patients had pelvic fracture. We included 63 patients, all hemodynamically unstable. A total of 85% of pelvic fractures after falls from great heights bled from the fracture itself, compared to only 44% of victims of the impact (hit). A total of 65% of patients with stable pelvic fracture bled from associated lesions; 70% of patients with unstable fracture bled from the fracture itself. There is an interaction between the mechanism of action and type of fracture. The probability of pelvic bleeding is higher in the precipitated patient (>80%) regardless of the type of fracture. Bleeding from associated injuries is greater in impact victims, doubling when the fracture is stable (91%). Conclusions Mechanism of action is a key to determine the source of bleeding in patients with pelvic fracture. After falls patients bleed from the fracture itself, while patients with an impact (hit) can bleed both from the fracture and associated injuries, depending on the type of fracture.

Polytrauma continues to be one of the main causes of death in the population between 10-40 years of age, and causes severe discapability in surviving patients. The aim of this study is to perform an analysis of the quality of care of the polytrauma patient using an epidemiological study.Prospective registry of all polytrauma patients treated at our hospital over 16 years of age, admitted to the critical care area or dead before admission.From March 2006 to August 2014, we registered 1200 polytrauma patients. The majority were men (75%) with a median age of 45. The mean ISS was 20,9±15,8 and the most common mechanism of injury was blunt trauma (94% cases), The global mortality rate was 9.8% (117 cases), and neurological death was the most frequent cause (45.3%), followed by hypovolemic shock (29,1%). In 17 cases (14,5% of deaths) mortality was considered evitable or potentially evitable, A total of 327 patients (27.3%) needed emergency surgery and 106 patients (8,8%) needed emergency treatment using interventional radiology. 18,5% of patients (222) presented an inadverted injury, with a total of 318 inadverted injuries.Trauma care at our centre is adequate. A prospective registry of the global care of polytrauma patients is necessary to evaluate the quality of care and improve results.

Multiple injuries are a major source of morbidity and mortality in young people. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a collaborative strategy to improve the implementation of six clinical indicators, recognized internationally, for the treatment of trauma patient. Prospective, multicentre, pre-and post-intervention study, in ten referral hospitals, offering polytrauma care in Catalonia. 378 patients were recruited for the pre-intervention study and 501 for the post-intervention study. All patients had a history of high-energy trauma requiring admission to critical or semi-critical care unit.collaborative strategy aimed at participating professionals, involving the creation of a panel of experts, appointment of monitors to encourage improvements at each centre, training, distribution of information, material and meetings, to exchange impressions.frequency and characteristics of trauma and percentage of compliance with clinical indicators. Study of 879 trauma patients. The injury mechanism was overall blunt trauma, in both pre and post intervention phases. The medium ISS (injury severity score) was 21 ± 12,8 and the medium TRISS (trauma and injury severity score) was 26,4 ± 11,4. We didn't find differences between both study phases, in relation to the severity of injury. The mortality rate was 11.5%. We observed significant improvement in the performance of chest X-rays (45% vs. 62%) and pelvis X-rays (27% vs. 62%) in the trauma box and in the fixation of the pelvis in patients with a fracture at this site (24% vs. 49%). The use of diagnostic radiology in hemodynamically unstable patients remained low (33%). The collaborative strategy was effective in improving certain indicators of clinical management.

Background. D2 lymphadenectomy is a demanding technique which is associated with high morbidity in the West. We report our experience with D2 lymphadenectomy after a training period in Japan. Methods. Prospective, descriptive study in 133 consecutive patients undergoing radical gastrectomy for gastric adenocarcinoma from 2005 to 2011. We analysed the number of lymph nodes removed, observed morbidity/mortality compared with the predictions of POSSUM and O-POSSUM, survival, and disease-free interval for patients with D1 and D2 lymphadenectomy. Results. The morbidity rate in patients with D1 lymphadenectomy was 59.4%. For D2 it was 47.7%. The mortality rate in patients with D1 was 6.7%. In the D2 group it was 6.8%. Median survival was 42.9 months in D1 and 55 months in D2. The disease-free interval was 49 months for D1 and 58 months for D2. Conclusion. The learning curve for D2 lymphadenectomy presents acceptable rates of morbidity and mortality, providing that the technique is learnt at a center with extensive experience.

The use of lactic acid as marker of occult hyperfusion and its relationship with multiorgan failure (MOF) and/or mortality is a subject of debate.A prospective study was conducted on multiple injury patients over 16 years of age in critical care areas. The lactic acid was measured at the beginning and at 24 hours of the trauma and associating it with the patient morbidity and mortality.A total of 342 patients, with a mean injury severity score of 24.1, were included. The patients who survived had an initial, and 24 hours after the trauma, lactic acid of 27.8 mg/dl and 17.9 mg/dl, respectively, (normal values less than 22 mg/dl), increasing to 36.5mg/dl and 40.2mg/dl, respectively, in those who died. There were no differences between the initial lactic acid in patients with and without MOF, being increased at 24 hours in those who had MOF (17.8 vs 26.7). The patients with a lactic acid that got worse or remained abnormal at 24 hours had a higher mortality than those in which it remained the same or improved (25% - 17.1% vs 6.3% - 0.8%), with the percentage of patients with MOF also increasing (40.6% - 32.8% vs 14.9% - 11.1%). In haemodynamically stable patients, there was also a higher mortality when the lactic acid got worse or remained abnormal in the first 24 hours (23.8% - 19.2% vs 8.8% - 0%), as well as a higher percentage of MOF (38.1% - 26.9% vs 10.9% - 7.6%).The lactic acid results in the first 24 hours of the multiple injury patient are associated with mortality and MOF, even when the patient is haemodynamically stable.

Introduction The introduction of the Spanish Association of Surgeons resident's electronic book (AEC-E-Book), has meant that we can perform particular and overall assessments of each resident. The objective of this article has been to find out the mean health care, scientific, and surgical activities according to the speciality program. Material and method A register of the activities of residents in the AEC-E-Book. The overall activity per year and per rotation has been measured. The relationships of assisted interventions performed and their level of complexity have been analysed. The mean scientific and health care activities and the mean on-call periods per month. Results A total of 8 residents have registered their activity in the AEC-E-Book since the year 2004. They assisted in a mean of 1514 operations, of which 922 were performed as surgeon (62%). They assisted in 185 laparoscopic interventions, of which they performed 72 (39%). As surgeon, 864 (94%) of the 922 procedures 64% were level 1, 75% level 2, and 53% were level 3. They were on-call a mean of 5.75 times per month. They attended a total of 21 courses and congresses during residency. They took part in 24 presentations and posters, as well as in 6 journal publications during residence. Conclusions The AEC-E-Book enables the activity of the resident to be continually assessed. We have been able to find out the mean activities carried out by each resident during a particular rotation and year, thus being able to know exactly if they have fulfilled the defined minimums

Missed injuries in trauma patients are injuries not identified during a primary and secondary trauma survey (Advanced Trauma Life Support, ATLS). These injuries are important because of the delay in correct treatment. There is a particularly important sub-group consisting of clinically significant missed injuries, which may cause serious complications in the patient or even death.A prospective study on missed injuries and clinically significant missed injuries. The study includes all trauma patients older than 16 years admitted to the resuscitation area or who had died during the first 24 hours. We collected injuries, time of their diagnosis and their treatment for each patient. For injuries detected later than 24 hours (i.e. missed injuries) we specified whether it was a clinically significant missed injury and its possible cause.From March of 2006 to January of 2007, 122 trauma patients were recorded with a mean Injury Severity Store of 20 +/- 15.8. Of those, 40.3% had some missed injury, fractures being the most frequent miss (42.7%), followed by chest and abdominal injuries. A clinically significant injury (38.7% of all missed injuries) were found in 17% of trauma patients, the most frequent being spine, abdominal and chest injuries. There is a statistically significant relationship between the presence of missed injuries, high ISS and intubation before or after admission to hospital.The rate of missed injuries and clinically significant missed injuries is high. Severe trauma patients and intubated patients have higher rates of missed injuries.