The role of computerized tomography in penetrating abdominal trauma

ABSTRACT Objective: to evaluate the role of abdominal computed tomography in the management of penetrating abdominal trauma. Methods: we conducted a historical cohort study of patients treated for penetrating trauma in the anterior abdomen, dorsum or thoracoabdominal transition, that were submitted to a computed tomography carried out on admission. We evaluated the location of the wound and the presence of tomographic findings, and the management of these patients as for nonoperative treatment or laparotomy. We calculated the sensitivity and specificity of computed tomography according to the evolution of the nonoperative treatment or the surgical findings. Results: we selected 61 patients, 31 with trauma to the anterior abdomen and 30 to the dorsum or thoracoabdominal transition. The mortality rate was 6.5% (n=4), all in the late postoperative period. Eleven patients with trauma to the anterior abdomen were submitted to nonoperative treatment, and 20, to laparotomy. Of the 30 patients with trauma to the dorsum or thoracoabdominal transition, 23 underwent nonoperative treatment and seven, laparotomy. There were three nonoperative treatment failures. In penetrating trauma of the anterior abdomen, the sensitivity of computed tomography was 94.1% and the negative predictive value was 93.3%. In dorsal or thoracoabdominal transition lesions, the sensitivity was 90% and the negative predictive value was 95.5%. In both groups, the specificity and the positive predictive value were 100%. Conclusion: the accuracy of computed tomography was adequate to guide the management of stable patients who could be treated conservatively, avoiding mandatory surgery in 34 patients and reducing the morbidity and mortality of non-therapeutic laparotomies

Damage control surgery: are we losing control over indications?

ABSTRACT Objective: to analyze the surgeons’ subjective indications for damage control surgery, correlating with objective data about the patients’ physiological state at the time the surgery was chosen. Methods: we carried out a prospective study between January 2016 and February 2017, with 46 trauma victims who were submitted to damage control surgery. After each surgery, we applied a questionnaire to the attending surgeon, addressing the motivations for choosing the procedure. We collected data in the medical records to assess hemodynamic conditions, systolic blood pressure and heart rate on arrival at the emergency room (grade III or IV shock on arrival at the emergency room would partially justify the choice). We considered elevation of serum lactate level, prolonged prothrombin time and blood pH below 7.2 as laboratory indicators of worse prognosis, objectively corroborating the subjective choice of the procedure. Results: the main indications for damage control surgery were hemodynamic instability (47.8%) and high complexity lesions (30.4%). Hemodynamic and laboratory changes corroborated the choice in 65.2% of patients, regardless of the time; 23.9% presented hemodynamic changes compatible with degree III and IV shock, but without laboratory alterations; 4.3% had only laboratory abnormalities and 6.5% had no alterations at all. Conclusion: in the majority of cases, there was early indication for damage control surgery, based mainly on hemodynamic status and severity of lesions, and in 65.2%, the decision was compatible with alterations in objective hemodynamic and laboratory data

Efeito do extrato hidroalcoólico de Aroeira (Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi) na cicatrização de anastomoses colônicas: estudo experimental em ratos Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi and it's influence in the healing process of colonic anastomosis: experimental study in rats

INTRODUÇÃO: A cicatrização é evento biológico complexo envolvendo inflamação, quimiotaxia, proliferação celular, diferenciação e remodelação. Na medicina popular brasileira, utiliza-se a Aroeira para tratar as mais diversas situações patológicas No Estado do Maranhão - Brasil, a Aroeira é extensivamente utilizada no tratamento de afecções do aparelho respiratório, digestivo e ginecológico. As anastomoses intestinais sempre foram motivo de preocupação para cirurgiões e constituem, até hoje assunto polêmico e repleto de controvérsias. Entre as causas de insucesso da anastomose intestinal destacam-se as fístulas e deiscências. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o efeito do extrato hidroalcoólico de Aroeira (Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi) no processo de cicatrização de anastomoses colônicas em ratos. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados 40 ratos da linhagem Wistar divididos em dois grupos (grupo Aroeira e grupo controle), aleatoriamente, composto de 20 animais cada, de acordo com o tratamento recebido (extrato da Aroeira ou solução salina a 0,9%) após a anastomose, e subdividiu-se cada grupo em dois subgrupos (C3 e C7 e A3 e A7,) de acordo com o dia de eutanásia (ao 3º e 7º dias). As variáveis utilizadas para mensuração foram: análise macroscópica, microscópica e tensiométrica. As interações entre os grupos foram analisadas pelo teste não-paramétrico de Mann-Whitney. RESULTADOS: Quanto ao grau de adesão, não foi observado diferença significativa entre os grupos Aroeira e controle tanto no 3º quanto no 7º dia. Quando se comparam os subgrupos do ponto de vista microscópico no 3º dia, a diferença entre o grupo que recebeu o extrato da Aroeira e o grupo controle foi significativa nas variáveis congestão (p = 0,005), polimorfonucleares (p = 0,034), mononucleares (p = 0,023), proliferação fibroblástica (p = 0,023) e na fase de cicatrização (p = 0,001). Na análise do 7º dia, todas as variáveis da análise microscópica foram significativas o que levou a 100% dos ratos do grupo Aroeira apresentarem inflamação crônica contra 20% do grupo controle. Em relação ao teste de pressão de ruptura, não houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre os grupos controle e Aroeira. CONCLUSÃO: Observou-se efeito favorável da Aroeira, a nível microscópico, no processo de cicatrização de anastomoses de cólon.<br>INTRODUCTION: The healing is a complex biological event that involves inflammation, chemotaxis, cells proliferation, differentiation and remodelation. In Brazilian popular medicine, the "Aroeira" is used to treat different situations The anastomotic healing is always a preoccupation among surgeons. The fail in intestinal anastomosis leads to fistulas and dehiscences. PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of the hidroalcoholic extract of Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (brazilian peppertree) in the healing of colonic anastomosis. METHODS: Forty Wistar rats were randomly divided in two groups (Aroeira and control), each one with 20 animals, according to the treatment received after the anastomosis (Aroeira extract or saline solution 0,9%) and each group was divided in two subgroups (C3 and C7 and A3 and A7,) according to the euthanasia day (at 3rd and at 7th). The macroscopic, microscopic and bursting pressure measurements were performed. To evaluate the groups, the non-parametric test of Mann-Whitney was applied. RESULTS: In the macroscopic aspects, there was no significant difference between the Aroeira and the control group, both at the 3rd and the 7th days. When compared the subgroups of microscopic analysis at the 3rd day, the difference between the Aroeira and the control group was significant in the variables congestion (p = 0,005), polymorphonuclears (p = 0,034), mononuclears (p = 0,023), fibroblastic proliferation (p = 0,023) and at the healing stage (p = 0,001). At the 7th day analysis, the difference between the Aroeira and the control group was significant in all the variables of microscopic analysis. No significant differences were found in the bursting pressure. CONCLUSION: It was observed a favorable effect of Aroeira, at microscopic level, in the healing process of colonic anastomosis