Surgeon choice in management of pediatric abdominal trauma

The Diagnosis and Management of Pediatric Blunt Abdominal Trauma-A Comprehensive Review

Blunt abdominal trauma in childhood has always been full of diagnostic and therapeutic challenges that have tested the clinical and radiological skills of pediatric surgeons and radiologists. Despite the guidelines and the studies carried out so far, to this day, there is no absolute consensus on certain points of view. Around the world, a paradigm shift towards non-operative treatment of hemodynamically stable children, with low complication rates, is noticeable. Children with blunt abdominal trauma require a standardized methodology to provide the best possible care with the best possible outcomes. This comprehensive review systematizes knowledge about all aspects of caring for children with blunt abdominal trauma, from pre-hospital to post-hospital care.

Effects of Transport to Trauma Centers on Survival Outcomes Among Severe Trauma Patients in Korea: Nationwide Age-Stratified Analysis

BACKGROUND

Previous studies showed that the prognosis for severe trauma patients is better after transport to trauma centers compared to non-trauma centers. However, the benefit from transport to trauma centers may differ according to age group. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of transport to trauma centers on survival outcomes in different age groups among severe trauma patients in Korea.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study using Korean national emergency medical service (EMS) based severe trauma registry in 2018-2019 was conducted. EMS-treated trauma patients whose injury severity score was above or equal to 16, and who were not out-of-hospital cardiac arrest or death on arrival were included. Patients were classified into 3 groups: pediatrics (age < 19), working age (age 19-65), and elderly (age > 65). The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the effect of trauma center transport on outcome after adjusting of age, sex, comorbidity, mechanism of injury, Revised Trauma Score, and Injury Severity Score. All analysis was stratified according to the age group, and subgroup analysis for traumatic brain injury was also conducted.

RESULTS

Overall, total of 10,511 patients were included in the study, and the number of patients in each age group were 488 in pediatrics, 6,812 in working age, and 3,211 in elderly, respectively. The adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval [CI]) of trauma center transport on in-hospital mortality from were 0.76 (95% CI, 0.43-1.32) in pediatrics, 0.78 (95% CI, 0.68-0.90) in working age, 0.71(95% CI, 0.60-0.85) in elderly, respectively. In subgroup analysis of traumatic brain injury, the benefit from trauma center transport was observed only in elderly group.

CONCLUSION

We found out trauma centers showed better clinical outcomes for adult and elderly groups, excluding the pediatric group than non-trauma centers. Further research is warranted to evaluate and develop the response system for pediatric severe trauma patients in Korea.

Clinical Practice Guideline Recommendations For Pediatric Multisystem Trauma Care: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for pediatric multisystem trauma, appraise their quality, synthesize the strength of recommendations and quality of evidence, and identify knowledge gaps.

BACKGROUND

Traumatic injuries are the leading cause of death and disability in children, who require a specific approach to injury care. Difficulties integrating CPG recommendations may cause observed practice and outcome variation in pediatric trauma care.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review using Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, ClinicalTrials, and grey literature, from January 2007 to November 2022. We included CPGs targeting pediatric multisystem trauma with recommendations on any acute care diagnostic or therapeutic interventions. Pairs of reviewers independently screened articles, extracted data, and evaluated the quality of CPGs using "Appraisal of Guidelines, Research, and Evaluation II."

RESULTS

We reviewed 19 CPGs, and 11 were considered high quality. Lack of stakeholder engagement and implementation strategies were weaknesses in guideline development. We extracted 64 recommendations: 6 (9%) on trauma readiness and patient transfer, 24 (38%) on resuscitation, 22 (34%) on diagnostic imaging, 3 (5%) on pain management, 6 (9%) on ongoing inpatient care, and 3 (5%) on patient and family support. Forty-two (66%) recommendations were strong or moderate, but only 5 (8%) were based on high-quality evidence. We did not identify recommendations on trauma survey assessment, spinal motion restriction, inpatient rehabilitation, mental health management, or discharge planning.

CONCLUSIONS

We identified 5 recommendations for pediatric multisystem trauma with high-quality evidence. Organizations could improve CPGs by engaging all relevant stakeholders and considering barriers to implementation. There is a need for robust pediatric trauma research, to support recommendations.

Analysis of the efficacy and safety of conservative treatment of blunt abdominal trauma in children: retrospective study. Conservative treatment of blunt abdominal trauma in children

INTRODUCTION

in Brazil, trauma is responsible for 40% of deaths in the age group between 5 and 9 years old, and 18% between 1 and 4 years, and bleeding is the leading cause of preventable death in the traumatized child. Conservative management of blunt abdominal trauma with solid organs injury - started in the 60s - is the current world trend, with studies showing survival rates above 90%. The objective was to assess the efficacy and safety of conservative treatment in children with blunt abdominal trauma treated at the Clinical Hospital of the University of Campinas, in the last five years.

METHODS

retrospective analysis of medical records of patients classified by levels of injury severity, in 27 children.

RESULTS

only one child underwent surgery for initial failure of conservative treatment (persistent hemodynamic instability), resulting in a 96% overall success rate of the conservative treatment. Five other children (22%) developed late complications that required elective surgery: a bladder injury, two cases of infected perirenal collections (secondary to injury of renal collecting system), a pancreatic pseudocyst and a splenic cyst. Resolution of the complications was attained in all children, with anatomical and functional preservation of the affected organ. There were no deaths in this series.

CONCLUSION

the conservative initial approach in the treatment of blunt abdominal trauma was effective and safe with high resolution and low rate of complications leading to a high preservation rate of the affected organs. Level of evidence III - prognostic and therapeutic study.

Análise de eficácia e segurança do tratamento conservador do trauma abdominal contuso em crianças: estudo retrospectivo. Tratamento conservador de trauma abdominal contuso em crianças

RESUMO Introdução: no Brasil, o trauma é responsável por 40% dos óbitos na faixa etária entre 5 e 9 anos, e 18% entre 1 e 4 anos, e o sangramento é a principal causa de prevenção morte na criança traumatizada. O manejo conservador de trauma abdominal contuso com lesão de órgãos sólidos - iniciado na década de 60 - é a tendência mundial atual, com estudos mostrando taxas de sobrevivência acima de 90%. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar a eficácia e segurança do tratamento conservador em crianças com trauma abdominal contuso tratado no Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade de Campinas, nos últimos cinco anos. Métodos: análise retrospectiva de prontuários de pacientes classificados por níveis de gravidade da lesão, em 27 crianças. Resultados: apenas uma criança foi submetida a cirurgia por falha inicial do tratamento conservador (instabilidade hemodinâmica persistente), resultando em uma taxa de sucesso global de 96% do tratamento conservador inicial. Outras cinco crianças (22%) desenvolveram complicações tardias que exigiram cirurgias eletivas: lesão na bexiga, dois casos de coleção perirenal infectada (secundária à lesão de sistema de coleta renal), um pseudocisto pancreático e um cisto esplênico. Resolução da complicação foi atingida em todas as crianças, com preservação anatômica e funcional do órgão afetado. Não houve mortes nesta série. Conclusão: a abordagem inicial conservadora no tratamento de trauma abdominal contundente foi eficaz e segura com alta resolução e baixa taxa de complicações levando a uma alta taxa de preservação dos órgãos afetados. Nível de evidência III - estudo prognóstico e terapêutico.

Traumatic Abdominal Wall Hernia in Children: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Traumatic abdominal wall hernia (TAWH) in children is an uncommon injury and most commonly occurs after blunt abdominal trauma. There is no consensus on the management of these rare cases. We performed a systematic review of the literature to describe injuries, management, and outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a systematic literature search of PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Google Scholar was performed to identify English-language publications of blunt TAWH in patients <18 y old. Conflicts were resolved by consensus. Data were collected on demographics, associated injuries, management, and outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 71 articles were reviewed with 100 cases of TAWH. A total of 82.5% of patients were male, and the median age was 9 y old (range 2-15). Injury by bicycle handlebars was most common (72%) followed by motor vehicle collision (14%). Forty patients had intraabdominal injuries, most commonly bowel (70%) or mesentery (37.5%). Rate of intraabdominal injury was significantly higher in patients with injuries due to nonbicycle handlebar injuries when compared with bicycle handlebar injuries (60.7% versus 33.3%, P = 0.02). Most patients were managed operatively (85%), most commonly via laparotomy (68/85, 80%), with six laparoscopic repairs and five laparoscopic converted to open repairs. There were three reported complications and no recurrences over a median of follow-up of 5 mo in patients who underwent repair.

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatric TAWH is a rare injury with a high rate of intraabdominal injuries, particularly when due to high-impact mechanisms such as motor vehicle collision. Although open repair is more commonly performed, laparoscopic repair has been described with success. Recurrence rates appear low, but follow-up has been short term.