scholarly journals P84 Optimising hand trauma care at a Major Trauma Centre (MTC) during the COVID-19 pandemic

BJS Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Apoorva Khajuria ◽  
Matthew Jones ◽  
Apoorva Khajuria

Abstract Introduction This study evaluates the management of hand injuries during COVID-19 following the prompt implementation of the BOA guidelines; reconfiguration of hand services and implementation of the ‘one-stop’ model. Methods 285 cases OVER A 1-MONTH PERIOD were RETROSPECTIVELY reviewed to evaluate the effectiveness of managing patients using the ‘one-stop’ model and the new Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC). Results 277 patients were included in the study. During Covid-19, operative cases fell by 62%. 86.3% (239/277) of cases were managed in the UTC; 54.4% (130/239) required conservative management and 45.6% (109/239) required minor procedures (in UTC). REMOVABLE SPLINT USE was optimized through design of ‘softcasts’ for non-operative management of distal radius fractures. A patient education video: ‘softcast removal at home’ was created and in cases requiring sutures, 95.1% (39/41) were absorbable, thereby avoiding COVID-19 exposure for follow-up. Only 50.5% (140/277) of patients had formal follow-up arranged and patient information follow-up cards were developed. Conclusion The one-stop model prevents delay in definitive treatment, allows effective initial treatment, and minimizes the need for face-to-face follow up. In light of a possible second wave of COVID-19 cases, this new model should be considered for implementation by all hand’s units for the foreseeable future.

2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Khajuria

Abstract Introduction This study evaluates the management of hand injuries during COVID-19 following the prompt implementation of the BOA guidelines; reconfiguration of hand services and implementation of the ‘one-stop’ model. Method 285 cases OVER A 1-MONTH PERIOD were RETROSPECTIVELY reviewed to evaluate the effectiveness of managing patients using the ‘one-stop’ model and the new Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC). Results 277 patients were included in the study. During Covid-19, operative cases fell by 62%. 86.3% (239/277) of cases were managed in the UTC; 54.4% (130/239) required conservative management and 45.6% (109/239) required minor procedures (in UTC). REMOVABLE SPLINT USE was optimized through design of ‘softcasts’ for non-operative management of distal radius fractures. A patient education video: ‘softcast removal at home’ was created and in cases requiring sutures, 95.1% (39/41) were absorbable, thereby avoiding COVID-19 exposure for follow-up. Only 50.5% (140/277) of patients had formal follow-up arranged and patient information follow-up cards were developed. Conclusions The one-stop model prevents delay in definitive treatment, allows effective initial treatment, and minimizes the need for face-to-face follow up. In light of a possible second wave of COVID-19 cases, this new model should be considered for implementation by all hand’s units for the foreseeable future.


Trauma ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 280-287 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Davies ◽  
David Wells

Introduction Since the introduction of major trauma centres and regional trauma networks in 2012, management of splenic injury has shifted, with non-operative management now favoured. For those requiring intervention, splenic artery embolisation is well established as a first-line treatment in all but the most severely injured. Follow-up is variable, with few guidelines, highlighting the paucity of data addressing the need for further imaging and antimicrobial prophylaxis. This review was undertaken to assess practice and outcomes at our centre in the context of the contemporary literature. Methods This retrospective study captured splenic embolisations over five years (January 2012–December 2016). CRIS interventional radiology codes were used to retrieve embolisation cases and Trauma Audit and Research Network and hospital event statistics data were used to identify all cases of traumatic splenic injury and to identify splenectomy and non-operative management patients. Outcomes were compared with available standards from different sources. Results Over the study period 176 splenic injuries were identified, of which 122 underwent non-operative management, 28 were laparotomy first, and 26 undergoing embolisation with an increased trend to an ‘embolisation-first’ approach over this time. In the embolisation group, the age range was 16–79 yr (mean 41), 18 were male and the median time to intervention was 2 h 9 min (range 1.1–171 h), with eight following failed non-operative management. The proportion of proximal versus selective embolisation versus both was 10:14:1 and the predominant mechanism was coiling. One patient was not embolised due to absence of contrast extravasation on initial angiogram and two proceeded to splenectomy due to failure of splenic artery embolisation. There were complications in six patients: five ongoing left upper quadrant pain, one infected haematoma requiring drainage, two chest infections with pleural effusions, one of which required drainage. There were two deaths from other injuries. Fifteen of the 25 patients who underwent splenic artery embolisation had follow-up imaging, seven did not and three were excluded due to splenectomy and/or death; five patients were vaccinated according to the hospital splenectomy protocol, and six received prophylactic antibiotics. Conclusion Our data show that non-operative management is the mainstay of treatment for the majority of splenic injury patients. Serious complications are not common but variation does exist in follow-up. The changing management trends are in line with national data. These findings will help to further implement and develop local protocols but more work is required to address splenic function after embolisation and the requirement for antimicrobial prophylaxis.


2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_6) ◽  
Author(s):  
S J K Chong ◽  
M Kaur ◽  
C Palmer ◽  
S Jaunoo

Abstract Aim The recent CODA trial concluded that appendicitis patients with confirmed faecolith are at higher risk of appendicectomy and complications than those without faecolith. A retrospective case series of patients undergoing non-operative management of appendicitis at a major trauma centre was conducted to determine the success of non-operative management, defined as lack of operative management within 30 and 90 days of diagnosis, and the impact of presence of faecolith on outcomes. Method All patients who received a working diagnosis of appendicitis over a 16-week period between March and June 2020 were identified and their electronic records interrogated for: preliminary and final diagnoses; imaging modality and result; operative or non-operative initial treatment strategy; final treatment strategy; and histopathology results where applicable. Patients who received an initial operative treatment strategy were excluded. Patients for whom appendicitis was not confirmed on either imaging or histopathology were excluded. Results 24 patients received an initial non-operative treatment strategy and were eligible for inclusion. 15 patients (62.5%) underwent successful non-operative management. The remaining 9 patients (37.5%) required operative management within 30 days. Presence of faecolith was confirmed in 9 patients (37.5%). 3 patients (33%) with presence of faecolith required operative management, while 3 patients (25%) without presence of faecolith required operative management. 1 patient with confirmed faecolith developed a large intra-abdominal abscess while undergoing a non-operative treatment strategy and subsequently required right hemicolectomy. Conclusions The majority of our eligible appendicitis patients were successfully managed non-operatively. Presence of faecolith in acute appendicitis is associated with increased risk of requiring operative management.


2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maike Grootenhaar ◽  
Dominique Lamers ◽  
Karin Kamphuis-van Ulzen ◽  
Ivo de Blaauw ◽  
Edward C. Tan

Abstract Background Non-operative management (NOM) is generally accepted as a treatment method of traumatic paediatric splenic rupture. However, considerable variations in management exist. This study analyses local trends in aetiology and management of paediatric splenic injuries and evaluates the implementation of the guidelines proposed by the American Paediatric Surgical Association (APSA) in a level 1 trauma centre. Methods The charts of paediatric patients with blunt splenic injury (BSI) who were admitted or transferred to a level 1 trauma centre between 2003 and 2020 were retrospectively assessed. Information pertaining to demographics, mechanism of injury, injury description, associated injuries, intervention and outcomes were analysed and compared to international literature. Results There were 130 patients with BSI identified (63.1% male), with a mean age of 11.3 ± 4.0 and a mean Injury Severity Score (ISS) of 21.6 ± 13.7. Bicycle accidents were the most common trauma mechanism (23.1%). Sixty-four percent were multi-trauma patients, 25% received blood transfusions, and 31% were haemodynamically unstable. Mean injury grade was 3.0, with 30% of patients having a high-grade injury. In total, 75% of patients underwent NOM with a 100% efficacy rate. Total splenectomy rate was 6.2%. Four patients died due to brain damage. Patients with a high-grade BSI (grades IV–V) had a significantly higher ISS and longer bedrest and more often presented with an active blush on computed tomography (CT) scans than patients with a low-grade BSI (grades I–III). Non-operative management was mainly the choice of treatment in both groups (76.6% and 79.5%, respectively). Haemodynamic instability was a predictor for operative management (OM) (p = 0.001). Predictors for a longer length of stay (LOS) included concomitant injuries, haemodynamic instability and OM (all p < 0.02). Interobserver agreement in the grading of BSI is moderate, with a Cohens Kappa coefficient of 0.493. Conclusion Non-operative management has proven to be a realistic management approach in both low- and high-grade splenic injuries. Consideration for operative management should be based on haemodynamic instability. Compared to the anticipated length of bedrest and hospital stay outlined in the APSA guidelines, the Netherlands can reduce the length of bedrest and hospital stay through their non-operative management. Level of evidence Therapeutic study, level III


Medicina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (8) ◽  
pp. 734
Author(s):  
Ivona Djordjevic ◽  
Dragoljub Zivanovic ◽  
Ivana Budic ◽  
Ana Kostic ◽  
Danijela Djeric

Background and objectives: For the last three decades, non-operative management (NOM) has been the standard in the treatment of clinically stable patients with blunt spleen injury, with a success rate of up to 95%. However, there are no prospective issues in the literature dealing with the incidence and type of splenic complications after NOM. Materials and methods: This study analyzed 76 pediatric patients, up to the age of 18, with blunt splenic injury who were treated non-operatively. All patients were included in a posttraumatic follow-up protocol with ultrasound examinations 4 and 12 weeks after injury. Results: The mean age of the children was 9.58 ± 3.97 years (range 1.98 to 17.75 years), with no statistically significant difference between the genders. The severity of the injury was determined according to the American Association for Surgery of Trauma (AAST) classification: 7 patients had grade I injuries (89.21%), 21 patients had grade II injuries (27.63%), 33 patients had grade III injuries (43.42%), and 15 patients had grade IV injuries (19.73%). The majority of the injuries were so-called high-energy ones, which were recorded in 45 patients (59.21%). According to a previously created posttraumatic follow-up protocol, complications were detected in 16 patients (21.05%). Hematomas had the highest incidence and were detected in 11 patients (14.47%), while pseudocysts were detected in 3 (3.94%), and a splenic abscess and pseudoaneurysm were detected in 1 patient (1.31%), respectively. The complications were in a direct correlation with injury grade: seven occurred in patients with grade IV injuries (9.21%), five occurred in children with grade III injuries (6.57%), three occurred in patients with grade II injuries (3.94%), and one occurred in a patient with a grade I injury (1.31%). Conclusion: Based on the severity of the spleen injury, it is difficult to predict the further course of developing complications, but complications are more common in high-grade injuries. The implementation of a follow-up ultrasound protocol is mandatory in all patients with NOM of spleen injuries for the early detection of potentially dangerous and fatal complications.


BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. e028172
Author(s):  
Masahiro Kashiura ◽  
Noritaka Yada ◽  
Kazuma Yamakawa

IntroductionOver the past decades, the treatment for blunt splenic injuries has shifted from operative to non-operative management. Interventional radiology such as splenic arterial embolisation generally increases the success rate of non-operative management. However, the type of intervention, such as the first definitive treatment for haemostasis (interventional radiology or surgery) in blunt splenic injuries is unclear. Therefore, we aim to clarify whether interventional radiology improves mortality in patients with blunt splenic trauma compared with operative management by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis.Methods and analysisWe will search the following electronic bibliographic databases to retrieve relevant articles for the literature review: Medline, Embase and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. We will include controlled trials and observational studies published until September 2018. We will screen search results, assess the study population, extract data and assess the risk of bias. Two review authors will extract data independently, and discrepancies will be identified and resolved through a discussion with a third author where necessary. Data from eligible studies will be pooled using a random-effects meta-analysis. Statistical heterogeneity will be assessed by using the Mantel-Haenszel χ² test and the I² statistic, and any observed heterogeneity will be quantified using the I² statistic. We will conduct sensitivity analyses according to several factors relevant for the heterogeneity.Ethics and disseminationOur study does not require ethical approval as it is based on the findings of previously published articles. This systematic review will provide guidance on selecting a method for haemostasis of splenic injuries and may also identify knowledge gaps that could direct further research in the field. Results will be disseminated through publication in a peer-reviewed journal and presentations at relevant conferences.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42018108304.


Trauma ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 194-202
Author(s):  
El Yamani Fouda ◽  
Alaa Magdy ◽  
Sameh Hany Emile

Background and aim Selective non-operative management of patients with penetrating abdominal stabs is the preferred treatment strategy. The present study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of non-operative management with emphasis on the value of follow-up abdominal CT scanning in management of patients with penetrating anterior abdominal stab. Patients and methods This is a retrospective chart review of stable patients with anterior abdominal stab wounds. Patients were divided in terms of initial decisions into two groups: laparotomy group and non-operative management group. Abdominal CT scan was performed for patients in the non-operative management group on admission and follow-up CT scanning was performed in cases of clinical and/or biochemical deterioration. Results The laparotomy group included 82 patients and 68.2% of them had unnecessary laparotomies. The non-operative management group comprised 97 patients and 90.7% of them did not require subsequent laparotomy. Abdominal CT scan had a sensitivity of 88.9% and specificity of 100% in detection of intra-abdominal injuries. Follow-up CT scanning detected bowel injuries missed by initial CT scan in three patients. The non-operative management group had significantly lower post-operative complication rate than the laparotomy group (4.1% vs. 18.3%), with a significantly shorter length of stay. Conclusions Non-operative management is the optimal management strategy for stable patients with penetrating anterior abdominal stab to decrease unnecessary laparotomy rates, hospital stay and costs. Follow-up abdominal CT scanning facilitated the decision making for patients selected for non-operative management and is highly sensitive in the diagnosis of patients who require subsequent exploration.


2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_6) ◽  
Author(s):  
N Baig ◽  
M Ferrari ◽  
A Lukaszewicz

Abstract Background There is a longstanding culture of repeat x-rays after total knee replacement (TKR) as part of follow up, often combined with a clinic review. This is to check that the prosthesis is in a satisfactory position. There are inherently a number of issues with this historic approach including exposure of patients to further radiation who may be asymptomatic, time delays in busy clinics or x-ray departments and costs. Objectives The aim of this audit was to assess whether follow up plain films after TKR are methodically undertaken and of benefit to confirm satisfactory appearance if immediate post -operative x-rays were unremarkable. The findings of a six month follow up x-ray was specifically evaluated. The secondary aim was to establish the timing of further follow up x-rays within the department. Method 200 patients were included within the analysis, they all received a TKR at a major trauma centre, over a one-year period between December 2017 and December 2018. Results It was found that 100% of those patients having a post-operative film had a satisfactory appearance. 78% of patients had at least one further follow op x-ray of which 99.4% were satisfactory. Up to five follow up x-rays were taken with 53.5% of patients having a follow up x-ray at 6 months. Conclusions From the above results there is minimal, if any, evidence within the data set to support routine, additional follow up imaging if initial post-operative films are satisfactory, and the patient is asymptomatic.


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