Treatment Of Polytrauma Research Articles

Polytrauma in Children.

Inadequate clinical experience still causes uncertainty in the acute diagnostic evaluation and treatment of polytrauma in children (with or without coagulopathy). This review deals with the main aspects of the acute care of severely injured children in the light of current guidelines and other relevant literature, in particular airway control, volume and coagulation management, acute diagnostic imaging, and blood coagulation studies in the shock room. This review is based on literature retrieved by a selective search in PubMed, Medline (OVIDSP), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Epistemonikos covering the period January 2001 to August 2023. Review articles and the updated S2k clinical practice guideline on polytrauma management in childhood were considered. Most accidents in childhood occur at home and in the child's free time, with varying mechanisms and patterns of injury depending on age. The outcome of treatment depends largely on the presence or absence or traumatic brain injury, which affects 66% of children with polytrauma and is thus the most common type of injury in this group, and of hemorrhagic shock with or without coagulopathy. Acute care follows the ABCDE algorithms with attention to special features in children, including age-specific reference values. According to a registry study, coagulopathy and hypovolemic shock are associated with 22% and 17% mortality, respec - tively. Treatment in a pediatric trauma reference center of the trauma network is recommended. Computed tomography (CT) should be carried out in children in accordance with defined criteria (PECARN), as a team decision and with the use of age-specific low-dose CT protocols. In children as in adults, viscoelasticity-based point-of-care tests enable the prompt diagnosis of relevant coagulopathies and their treatment in consideration of age-specific target values. The administration of tranexamic acid remains controversial. 4% of polytrauma patients are children. Because children differ from adults both anatomically and physiologically, the diagnostic evaluation and management of polytrauma in children presents a special challenge. The evidence base for pediatric polytrauma management is still inadequate; current recommendations are based on consensus, in consideration of the special features of children compared to adults.

Diagnostics and Treatment of Polytrauma. Organizational and Tactical Aspects

Diagnostics and Treatment of Polytrauma. Organizational and Tactical Aspects

Traumatological Aspect of Polytrauma Treatment for Elderly and Senile Patients

The conducted analysis of Russian and foreign literature sources showed that the problem of diagnostics and treatment of polytrauma in elderly and senile patients is still relevant. The main discussion point is the high mortality rate in this group of patients. Although at this level of the medicine’s evolution, an active approach to the treatment offered to such patients is applicable, the mortality rate in this group of patients remains much higher than in the group of patients under 65. The priority here is to study the difficulties of diagnosing injuries in elderly and senile patients with polytrauma. Also, a fundamental issue is the development of an effective algorithm for the surgical treatment of injuries, taking into consideration age­related changes, the presence of concomitant pathology and an increased risk of complications in patients of this age group.

Acute period of polytrauma in children in the light of discriminant analysis

Introduction. The treatment of polytrauma in children requires identifying the signs that characterize the severity of the acute period and quantifying the priorities of the parameters. Collectively, these reflect the direction of drift of the leading pathophysiological manifestations at each stage of the patient withdrawal program from a state of severe shock.
 Purpose. This study uses discriminant analysis to clarify the tactics of children with polytrauma in the first days of overcoming its consequences. It is based on the pathogenetically sound idea that each of the observed parameters role, together in the form of a vector, reflects injury severity and the childs prognosis.
 Materials and methods. This analysis included 45 children (34 boys and 11 girls) with polytrauma aged from 2.5 to 17 years and hospitalized in Kemerovos intensive care unit. Two groups were analyzed: the survivors and those who were deceased. Both were dominated by severe traumatic brain injury (PMT). The injury severity score (ISS) scale was used for clinical assessment of injury severity.
 Results. Combined with objectively obtained data on the structure of polytrauma in the direction of drift, a successful outcome is defined as a whole. It borders on the day to day priorities, potassium, PH, white blood count, and hematocrit. Also, the vector orientation pattern was observed to increase organ failure. This progressive decline occurred despite timely surgical intervention to stop internal bleeding, very active efforts to compensate for hypovolemia, acidosis, and the use of adequate means of detoxification. The deterioration in the child's condition manifests itself by increased potassium losses against the background of almost no reaction from leukocytes.
 Conclusions. The application of discriminant analysis enables the better revelation of the peculiarities of a polytraumas multidimensional dynamics in children in the first few days of resuscitation. It also permits the numerical expression of the priorities of individual parameters that describe their state, and by the severity and individual patient response in real-time to optimize treatment.

Auswirkung der Implementierung eines Schockraumkoordinators auf Prozessparameter der Polytraumaversorgung im Schockraum eines Maximalversorgers

In patients up to the age of40 years old severe trauma is the most frequent cause of death in Germany. According to the current S3 guidelines on treatment of polytrauma and the severely injured, since 2011 the presence of a shock room coordinator should be considered, who can improve the survival of patients by optimized treatment quality and times. The aim of the present study was to analyze various parameters of shock room treatment for polytraumatized patients before and after implementation of ashock room coordinator for treatment of polytrauma. To ensure an adequate period of time between the implementation of the shock room coordinator in 2011, data from 2009 and 2012 were included for comparative purposes. All scanned protocols of shock room treatment in the period from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2009 and from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2012 were inspected and evaluated. In total 213 shock room treatments from 2009 and 420 from 2012 were included. The mean number of shock room treatments in 2009 was 17.8 per month and in2012 the mean number was 35per month. The mean number of shock room treatments was nearly doubled in comparison (p < 0.001). The mean time for shock room treatment in 2009 was 74.8 min and in 2012 the mean time was 69 min and was therefore reduced by 5.8 min (p = 0.56). The treatment of polytraumatized patients in the presence of ashock room coordinator and after implementation of the standard operating procedure (SOP) was neither statistically nor clinically relevantly shortened.

Evaluation and care of a polytraumatized patient

Polytrauma is a simultaneous severe injury to at least two body regions where at least one injury, or a combination of multiple injuries, endangers life. The spectrum of injuries and posttraumatic disorders is extremely wide. Most commonly they include shock, hypotension due to bleeding or vital organs injury. Injuries are the leading cause of death in developed countries today, and proportion of people who experience polytrauma in the total number of the injured is 3%, with a high mortality rate of 22%. Reanimation procedures and understanding of pathophysiology have progressed remarkably, and in the last twenty years, mortality has decreased by twenty percent. Time is a very valuable factor in the treatment of a polytraumatized patient and requires initiation of injury treatment within 60 minutes of its occurrence. In the clinical approach to treatment, algorithms for the treatment of polytrauma are used to achieve the best results of treatment and to reduce posttraumatic complications. Triage is a formal process through which the condition of all the patients is evaluated right after their arrival at the Emergency Department. Triage determines the urgency of the problem and assesses the allowed and expected waiting time for the beginning of the physician’s examination and treatment of the patient. The approach to a polytraumatized patient is multidisciplinary, includes many specialties and requires continuous education and highly educated staff. High-quality skills, good communication and readiness to respond quickly and efficiently are just some of the key determinants of working with patients with life-threatening conditions.

Locking plate fixation in pediatric femur fracture: evaluation of the outcomes in our experience.

Background and Aim: Femoral shaft fracture is a common traumatic musculoskeletal injures in pediatric population. The treatment of diaphyseal femoral fractures depends on age patient and pattern fracture. We present our record about the use of locking plate fixation and their outcomes. Method: We conduct a retrospective analysis in 22 patients, surgically treated for 26 diaphyseal femur fracture between 2008 and 2013. The mean age was 13 years. All the patients underwent a clinical and radiological follow-up for two years. We recorded time to weight bearing, time to union, complication (malalignment, dysmetria, infection), time to resumption to sport, plate removal, parents’ satisfaction. Results: All the patients had a minimal clinical e radiological follow-up of 24 months. The average fracture healing time was of 7.4 weeks. All the patients had a full hip and knee range of movements. Fifteen patients developed minor malalignment (varo-valgus or procurvatum femur) without clinical effects. No cases of infections. The mean time to a full weight bearing was 12 weeks and the return to sportive activity was 24 weeks. Four patients required a plate and screws removal. The average result of parents’ satisfaction was 8/10. Conclusions: Locking plate fixation is to be considered a successful way of treatment for pediatric femur fractures, especially in patients older than 6 years, head-injured or in the treatment of polytrauma. The anatomic and functional outcomes are comparable to those of other fixation techniques for this kind of fracture. (www.actabiomedica.it)

FEATURES OF THERAPEUTIC SUPPORT FOR PATIENTS WITH POLYTRAUMA

Today, the issue of timely diagnosis and treatment of polytrauma remains highly relevant. Polytrauma is a severe pathological process that involves simultaneous onset and development of several pathological conditions and is characterized by underlying disorders of all types of metabolism, changes on the part of central nervous system, cardiovascular and respiratory tract. The given clinical case proves us expediency of developing the personified approach to management of patients with polytrauma, using the individual algorithms.

Thromboelastography does not provide additional information to guide resuscitation in the severely injured.

BackgroundHaemostasis assessment is essential to determine the early need for massive transfusion in the treatment of polytrauma. Strategies to guide correction of coagulopathy vary widely. In order to evaluate thromboelastography (TEG) for this goal, a prospective study was performed comparing TEG to conventional coagulation assays (CCAs) in severely injured patients.MethodsConsecutive polytrauma patients admitted to the intensive care unit of a level‐1 trauma centre were prospectively included over a 30‐month period. All patients had CCA on arrival in emergency department. Patients who needed massive transfusion and underwent urgent surgery had additionally a Kaolin‐activated TEG.ResultsOne hundred and thirty‐five patients were included, 76% male, median age 45 years, 96% blunt injuries and median injury severity score was 29. One hundred and fourteen patients had CCA only and 21 patients had both CCA and TEG. Patients who had both CCA and TEG were acidotic, hypothermic and coagulopathic on arrival in emergency department. All 21 patients had normal TEG results even though prothrombin time was prolonged.ConclusionsTEGs were normal in all polytrauma patients even though patients were severely injured. They had prolonged prothrombin time, acidosis and hypothermia both on arrival and when TEG was measured. Caution should be exercised in interpretation of TEG results in treating polytrauma patients. In our system, with aggressive early haemostatic resuscitation, TEG does not provide additional information in guiding resuscitation.

Polytrauma and concomitant traumatic brain injury : The role of the trauma surgeon

Concomitant traumatic brain injury (TBI) increases mortality and reduces quality of life of polytrauma patients. These facts demand effective treatment strategies while the growing specialization of medicine is questioning the role of the trauma surgeon in the management of these patients. Which factors influence outcome of polytrauma with concomitant TBI? Who should be responsible for the management of these patients and what is the limit of management? Aliterature search using Medline via PubMed was performed with Medical Subject Headings and text word search. The crucial factors for outcome are absence of hypotension, adherence to pre- and in-hospital standards like fast transportation to appropriate centers, priority-based diagnostic and therapeutic strategies and strict adherence to principles of damage control surgery. Patients with polytrauma and TBI are treated by different specialties around the world based on the trauma system, geographic circumstances and resources. Investigations of operative and conservative management by different medical specialties showed comparable outcomes. In an age of standardization and ahigh degree of specialization in the field of medicine, the trauma surgeon still seems to be able to ensure an optimal treatment of polytrauma and concomitant TBI by focusing on priority-based diagnostic and therapeutic strategies and adhering to principles of damage control surgery.

PHENOMENON OF MUTUAL AGGRAVATION OF INJURIES IN POLYTRAUMA

The results of modern experimental and clinical studies, regarding mutual influence of injuries on each other in case polytrauma, are presented in the review. Multiple severe injuries cause the phenomenon of their mutual aggravation, that is, the correlation of pathophysiological processes with worsening of patient’s status of health, growth of risk for development of complications and lethal outcome. Craniocerebral trauma, severe thoracic and abdominal injuries, long and pelvic bone fractures are the most significant in formation of this phenomenon. Mechanisms for realization of mutual aggravation of injuries include shock and hemorrhage, coagulopathy, systemic inflammatory reaction and posttraumatic complications. Mutual influence of injuries is to be taken into account for prediction and prevention of complications, development of pathogenetic methods of therapy and optimization of surgical tactics in treatment of polytrauma.

Тактика лечения нестабильных повреждений таза при политравме

Тактика лечения нестабильных повреждений таза при политравме

Retained Sponge: A Rare Complication in Acetabular Osteosinthesis.

Retained sponges after a surgical treatment of polytrauma may cause a broad spectrum of clinical symptoms and present a difficult diagnostic problem. We report a case of retained surgical sponge in a 35-year-old man transferred from another hospital, that sustained a open acetabular fracture. The fracture was reduced through a limited ilio-inguinal approach. After 4 days, he presented massive wound dehiscence of the surgical approach. An abdominal CT scan showed, lying adjacent to the outer aspect of the left iliac crest, a mass of 10 cm, identified as probable foreign body. The possibility of this rare complication should be in the differential diagnosis of any postoperative patient who presents with pain, infection, or palpable mass.

Radiologic diagnostic procedures in severely injured patients - is only whole-body multislice computed tomography the answer?

BackgroundWhole-body multislice computed tomography (WB-MSCT) has become an important diagnostic tool in the early treatment phase of severely injured patients. The optimal moment of WB-MSCT’s use during this treatment phase remains unclear. Many trauma centers use WB-MSCT in addition to conventional radiographs, while some trauma centers use WB-MSCT as the only radiological tool. The aim of this study was to determine the differences between these two protocols and to answer the question of whether conventional radiographs can still be used in the safe treatment of polytrauma patients.MethodsPatients from the TraumaRegister DGU® with an injury severity score (ISS) of ≥16 were included. Group I received conventional radiographs and focused assessment with sonography in trauma (FAST) prior to a WB-MSCT, and group II received an initial WB-MSCT and FAST. Both groups were compared concerning treatment time and outcome.ResultsA total of 3,995 patients in group I were compared to 4,025 patients in group II. There were no differences in ISS (29.97 vs. 29.94), gender (male: 73.5% vs. 72.8%), age (45.47 vs. 45.12 years), or calculated mortality (21.41% vs. 21.44%). Time needed in the resuscitation room was slightly longer in group I (72 vs. 64 min); the durations until admittance to the ICU and arrival to the OR were not significantly different between the groups. There was no difference in mortality (18.2% vs. 18.4%) or the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) (0.85 vs. 0.86).ConclusionsWB-MSCT plays an inherent role in the treatment of multiple-injured patients. However, the use of WB-MSCT as the only diagnostic method in the resuscitation room is not needed. Conventional radiographs and FAST followed by WB-MSCT can be performed in the early resuscitation phase without impairing patient outcomes. This approach enables the emergency room team to perform life-saving procedures - chest-tube insertion, laparotomy, cardiopulmonary resuscitation -immediately and simultaneous. Nevertheless, randomized multi-center trials are needed to determine the comparability and effectiveness of these algorithms.

Normalization of blood lactate as early end-point of polytrauma treatment

The main aim of the early treatment of polytrauma is recovery of patient's physiological functions. The early achievement of therapeutic goals, mainly adequate tissue perfusion and repayment of oxygen debt, are postulated. The aim of the study was to confirm whether blood lactate level as a quantifier of oxygen deficit, as well as normalization of blood lactate level within the first 24 hours, have an impact on the mortality and morbidity of seriously injured patients. Sixty-nine mechanically ventilated patients with a severe trauma and organ dysfunction defined according to SOFA score and ISS >17, age >15 years, were enrolled into this retrospective study. 8 patients died within first 24 hours, 8 patients did not reach serum lactate level above 2 mmol/l on admission to hospital. The hypothesis that normalization of serum lactate level within 24 hours is related to lower mortality and morbidity, was assessed. Reduced mortality and morbidity were represented by lower severity of multi-organ dysfunction, the highest SOFA score during hospitalization, lower incidence of sepsis, number of days in ICU and artificial ventilation. The association between severity of multi-organ failure (p=0.0006), mortality (p=0.0022) and repayment of oxygen debt was confirmed. Hypothesis of sepsis incidence was not confirmed (p=0.34). The association between number of days on artificial ventilation and number of days in ICU to repayment of oxygen debt was not confirmed either. Multivariate significant factors were age, GCS, ISS and SOFA score on patient's admission. The patients, who repaid oxygen debt within first 24 hours, have lower morbidity and mortality (Tab. 6, Ref. 19).

(P1-105) Osteosynthesis of Children with Femur Fractures from Traffic Accidents

IntroductionThe growing number of children suffering polytrauma from traffic accidents dictates the expansion of the indications for osteosynthesis. Elastic-stable intramedullary osteosynthesis (ESIN) is the optimum treatment of fractures of long bones in children.MethodsClosed intramedullary osteosynthesis of diaphyseal femur fractures with flexible nails was performed in 74 patients (76 fractures) during 2006–2010. The patients were children ages 1–8 years. Titanium elastic nails (TEN) (Synthesis, Switzerland) were used in the procedures. AO Foundation recommendations were adhered to when selecting the size of the implant (i.e., diameter approximately 1/3 the diameter of the femur medullar canal at its narrowest part).ResultsThere was a prevalence (n = 53) of simple fractures (Ð3 by AO classification) in this group of patients. Sixteen children had Ð2-type fractures, five with spiral (Ð1), and two with slanting (Ð2) fractures. There were no type Ð1 or Ð3 complex fractures in this group. Good functional results of closed intramedullary osteosynthesis with TEN at diaphyseal fractures of the femur in children with isolated and associated damages were achieved. There were no post-operative complications. This method provided stability of osteosynthesis, which allows activating patients in the short- term, i.e., during the post-operative period.ConclusionTreating femur fractures in children with ESIN provides optimum treatment of polytrauma. Osteosynthesis without exposure to the area of damage, and the early activation of children can prevent infectious complications and contractures.

Challenges and barriers to improving care of the musculoskeletal patient of the future - a debate article and global perspective

BackgroundWith greater technological developments in the care of musculoskeletal patients, we are entering an era of rapid change in our understanding of the pathophysiology of traumatic injury; assessment and treatment of polytrauma and related disorders; and treatment outcomes. In developed countries, it is very likely that we will have algorithms for the approach to many musculoskeletal disorders as we strive for the best approach with which to evaluate treatment success. This debate article is founded on predictions of future health care needs that are solely based on the subjective inputs and opinions of the world's leading orthopedic surgeons.Hence, it functions more as a forum-based rather than a scientific-based presentation. This exposé was designed to stimulate debate about the emerging patients' needs in the future predicted by leading orthopedic surgeons that provide some hint as to the right direction for orthopedic care and outlines the important topics in this area.DiscussionThe authors aim to provide a general overview of orthopedic care in a typical developed country setting. However, the regional diversity of the United States and every other industrialized nation should be considered as a cofactor that may vary to some extent from our vision of improved orthopedic and trauma care of the musculoskeletal patient on an interregional level.In this forum, we will define the current and future barriers in developed countries related to musculoskeletal trauma, total joint arthroplasty, patient safety and injuries related to military conflicts, all problems that will only increase as populations age, become more mobile, and deal with political crisis.SummaryIt is very likely that the future will bring a more biological approach to fracture care with less invasive surgical procedures, flexible implants, and more rapid rehabilitation methods. This international consortium challenges the trauma and implants community to develop outcome registries that are managed through health care offices and to prepare effectively for the many future challenges that lie in store for those who treat musculoskeletal conditions.

Fibrinogen concentrate for management of bleeding

Fibrinogen concentrate for management of bleeding

Polytraumaversorgung auf der Intensivstation

The treatment of severely injured trauma patients (polytrauma) is one of the outstanding challenges in medical care. Early in the initial course the patient's diagnostics have to be scrupulously reevaluated by an interdisciplinary team (tertiary trauma survey) to reduce deleterious sequelae of missed injuries after the initial assessment. Severely injured patients stay in intensive care for an average of 11 days. During this time the patient's therapy has to ensure a high quality evidence-based intensive care treatment and simultaneously has to be tailored to the current individual injuries. Because of the fact that the damage control strategy is gaining increasing acceptance, the intensive care unit plays a pivotal role in the critical time between emergency and elective surgery. Therefore a close cooperation between physicians of the intensive care unit and all surgical disciplines involved is essential to reach the aim of therapeutic efforts. After survival of emergency treatment patients with severe trauma should be reintegrated into social and occupational life as soon as possible.

Use of rotation thromboelastometry (ROTEM®) to achieve successful treatment of polytrauma with fibrinogen concentrate and prothrombin complex concentrate

Goal-directed coagulation therapy is essential in the management of trauma patients with severe bleeding. Due to the complex nature of coagulation disorders in trauma, a quick and reliable diagnostic tool is essential. We report a severely injured multiple trauma patient who received haemostatic therapy with coagulation factor concentrates, guided by rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM). Initial therapy consisted of fibrinogen concentrate (Haemocomplettan P), as maximum clot firmness in the ROTEM analyses was low, whereas clotting time was normal. Later on, prothrombin complex concentrate was given to optimise thrombin generation. This approach enabled extended emergency hemihepatectomy to be performed without using fresh frozen plasma. As the EXTEM maximum clot firmness showed good clot quality, no platelets were transfused despite low platelet counts. This case shows the potential success of treatment using both fibrinogen concentrate and prothrombin complex concentrate, not only in restoring haemostasis but also in minimising requirement for transfusion of allogeneic blood products.