Dataset Information

Outcomes of patients with thoraco-abdominal gunshot wounds operatively managed at a district hospital in Cape Town, South Africa.

ABSTRACT:

Aim

Trauma is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the first four decades of life. Thoracoabdominal gunshot wounds carry a significant risk of mortality. This risk of death is reduced if patients are managed in dedicated units. This study examines the outcome of these patients managed in a district level hospital.

Method

In this retrospective review, patients with thoracoabdominal gunshot wounds were identified from operating room registry for the period of January 2015 to December 2018. Data was collected retrospectively from folders and analysed for the primary outcome of mortality.

Results

Sixty-eight thoracoabdominal gunshot wounds were managed operatively over the period described. Only six patients were female. The median age was 29.5 years. Fourteen patients required postoperative transfer to a level 1 trauma unit. Thirteen patients died, nine at the district hospital and four at the level 1 unit. Significant differences in organ injuries were noted in the patients that died compared to the survivors.

Discussion

The in-hospital mortality rate of patients managed at the district hospital was 13.2% which is comparable to international rates of 12-18%. However, the subset of patients that required postoperative transfer to a level 1 trauma unit had a high mortality rate of 28.6%. The DH is committed to managing unstable and unresponsive patients once they present. Improved mortality rates will only occur with better prehospital transport policies and by equipping the DH to manage these patients postoperatively.

Conclusion

Management of these patients can be successful at a district hospital. However, significant obstacles exist to their optimal care, as demonstrated by the high mortality patients requiring postoperative transfer.

SUBMITTER: Klopper J

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7808920 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Outcomes of patients with thoraco-abdominal gunshot wounds operatively managed at a district hospital in Cape Town, South Africa.

Klopper Juan J Moola Husna H Venter Jeremy J Cheddie Dylan D Luzulane Samukele S Muchenje Tinashe T van Zyl Joshua J Chambers Jessica J

African journal of emergency medicine : Revue africaine de la medecine d'urgence 20210107 1

<h4>Aim</h4>Trauma is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the first four decades of life. Thoracoabdominal gunshot wounds carry a significant risk of mortality. This risk of death is reduced if patients are managed in dedicated units. This study examines the outcome of these patients managed in a district level hospital.<h4>Method</h4>In this retrospective review, patients with thoracoabdominal gunshot wounds were identified from operating room registry for the period of January 2015 t ...[more]

PMID: 33489735

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Project description:IntroductionThe world's population is aging and this trend is also seen in South Africa. This increase will invariably affect acute care services. The geriatric population attending emergency centres have not been described in the South African setting. The objective was to describe the characteristics of geriatric patients presenting to the resuscitation unit of a district-level hospital in Cape Town.MethodsAll patients (≥65 years) managed within the resuscitation unit of Khayelitsha Hospital over an 8-month period (01 January-30 August 2018) were retrospective analysed. Data were collected from the Khayelitsha Hospital Emergency Centre database and by means of a retrospective chart review. Summary statistics are presented of all variables.ResultsA total of 225 patients were analysed. The median age was 71.1 years, 148 (65.8%) were female and all were residing in their family home. The majority (n = 162, 72%) presented outside office hours, 124 (55.1%) arrived by ambulance, and 94 (41.8%) had presented to the emergency centre within the previous year. Only half the patients (n = 114, 50.7%) were triaged as very urgent or higher. Most patients (n = 169, 75.1%) were admitted by in-hospital services and the in-hospital mortality was 21.8% (n = 49). Diseases related to the circulatory system (n = 54, 24.0%) were the most frequent primary diagnosis and acute kidney injury were the most frequent secondary diagnosis (n = 101, 44.9%). The most common comorbidities were hypertension (n = 176, 78.2%) and diabetes (n = 110, 48.9%), and 99 (44%) had three or more comorbidities. Polypharmacy (≥5 medications) occurred in 100 (44.4%) patients with 114 (50.7%) using medications from three or more different classes. The prevalence of hypernatremia was 2.6% and for hyponatremia 54.4%.ConclusionGeriatric patients managed within the resuscitation unit of a district-level hospital had a high return rate, multiple comorbidities and a high prevalence of polypharmacy and hyponatraemia.

Project description:IntroductionIntentional self-poisoning is a significant part of the toxicological burden experienced by emergency centres. The aim of this study was to describe all adults presenting with intentional self-poisoning over a six-month period to the resuscitation unit of Khayelitsha Hospital, Cape Town.MethodsAdult patients with a diagnosis of intentional self-poisoning between 1 November 2014 and 30 April 2015 were retrospectively analysed after eligible patients were obtained from the Khayelitsha Hospital Emergency Centre database. Missing data and variables not initially captured in the database were retrospectively collected by means of a chart review. Summary statistics were used to describe all variables.ResultsA total of 192 patients were included in the analysis. The mean age was 27.3 years with the majority being female (n = 132, 68.8%). HIV-infection was a comorbidity in 39 (20.3%) patients, while 13 (6.8%) previously attempted suicide. Presentations per day of the week were almost equally distributed while most patients presented after conventional office hours (n = 152, 79.2%), were transported from home (n = 124, 64.6%) and arrived by ambulance (n = 126, 65.6%). Patients spend a median time of 3h37m in the resuscitation unit (interquartile range 1 h 45 m-7 h 00 m; maximum 65 h 49 m). Patient acuity on admission was mostly low according to both the Triage Early Warning Score (non-urgent n = 100, 52.1%) and the Poison Severity Score (minor severity n = 107, 55.7%). Pharmaceuticals were the most common type of toxin ingested (261/343, 76.1%), with paracetamol the most frequently ingested toxin (n = 48, 25.0%). Eleven patients (5.7%) were intubated, 27 (14.1%) received N-acetylcysteine, and 18 (9.4%) received benzodiazepines. Fourteen (7.3%) patients were transferred to a higher level of care and four deaths (2%) were reported.DiscussionIntentional self-poisoning patients place a significant burden on emergency centres. The high percentage of low-grade acuity patients managed in a high-acuity area is of concern and should be investigated further.

Project description:BackgroundChronic non-communicable disease comorbidities are a major problem faced by people living with HIV (PLHIV). Obesity is an important factor contributing to such comorbidities and PLHIV face an elevated risk of obesity. However, there is data paucity on the intersection of obesity and HIV in adolescents and youth living with HIV (AYLHIV) in sub-Saharan Africa. We therefore aimed to investigate the prevalence of abdominal obesity and associated multilevel factors in AYLHIV in peri-urban Cape Town, South Africa.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study enrolling AYLHIV aged 15-24 years attending primary healthcare facilities in peri-urban Cape Town in 2019. All measures, except for physical examination measures, were obtained via self-report using a self-administered electronic form. Our outcome of interest was abdominal obesity (waist-to-height ratio ≥ 0.5). We collected individual-level data and data on community, built and food environment factors. Data was summarized using descriptive statistics, stratified by obesity status. Multilevel logistic regression was conducted to investigate factors associated with abdominal obesity, adjusted for sex and age.FindingsA total of 87 participants were interviewed, 76% were female and the median age was 20.7 (IQR 18.9-23.0) years. More than two fifths had abdominal obesity (41%; 95% CI: 31.0-51.7%), compared to published rates for young people in the general population (13.7-22.1%). In multilevel models, skipping breakfast (aOR = 5.42; 95% CI: 1.32-22.25) was associated with higher odds of abdominal obesity, while daily wholegrain consumption (aOR = 0.20; 95% CI: 0.05-0.71) and weekly physical activity (aOR = 0.24; 95% CI: 0.06-0.92) were associated with lower odds of abdominal obesity. Higher anticipated stigma was associated with reduced odds of obesity (aOR = 0.58; 95% CI: 0.33-1.00). Land-use mix diversity (aOR = 0.52; 95% CI: 0.27-0.97), access to recreational places (aOR = 0.37; 95% CI: 0.18-0.74), higher perceived pedestrian and traffic safety (aOR = 0.20; 95% CI: 0.05-0.80) and having a non-fast-food restaurant within walking distance (aOR = 0.30; 95% CI: 0.10-0.93) were associated with reduced odds of abdominal obesity. The main limitations of the study were low statistical power and possible reporting bias from self-report measures.ConclusionsOur findings demonstrate a high prevalence of abdominal obesity and highlight multilevel correlates of obesity in AYLHIV in South Africa. An intersectoral approach to obesity prevention, intervening at multiple levels is necessary to intervene at this critical life stage.

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Project description:BackgroundAlthough mandatory laparotomy has been standard of care for patients with abdominal gunshot wounds (GSWs) for decades, this approach is associated with non-therapeutic operations, morbidity, and long hospital stays. This systematic review and meta-analysis sought to summarize outcomes of selective nonoperative management (SNOM) of civilian abdominal GSWs.MethodsWe searched electronic databases (March 1966-April 1, 2017) and reference lists of articles included in the systematic review for studies reporting outcomes of SNOM of civilian abdominal GSWs. We meta-analyzed the associated risks of SNOM-related failure (defined as laparotomy during hospital admission), mortality, and morbidity across included studies using DerSimonian and Laird random-effects models. Between-study heterogeneity was assessed by calculating I 2 statistics and conducting tests of homogeneity.ResultsOf 7155 citations identified, we included 41 studies [n?=?22,847 patients with abdominal GSWs, of whom 6777 (29.7%) underwent SNOM]. The pooled risk of failure of SNOM in hemodynamically stable patients without a reduced level of consciousness or signs of peritonitis was 7.0% [95% confidence interval (CI)?=?3.9-10.1%; I 2 =?92.6%, homogeneity p?<?0.001] while the pooled mortality associated with use of SNOM in this patient population was 0.4% (95% CI?=?0.2-0.6%; I 2 =?0%, homogeneity p?>?0.99). In patients who failed SNOM, the pooled estimate of the risk of therapeutic laparotomy was 68.0% (95% CI?=?58.3-77.7%; I 2 =?91.5%; homogeneity p?<?0.001). Risks of failure of SNOM were lowest in studies that evaluated patients with right thoracoabdomen (3.4%; 95% CI?=?0-7.0%; I 2 =?0%; homogeneity p?=?0.45), flank (7.0%; 95% CI?=?3.9-10.1%), and back (3.1%; 95% CI?=?0-6.5%) GSWs and highest in those that evaluated patients with anterior abdomen (13.2%; 95% CI?=?6.3-20.1%) GSWs. In patients who underwent mandatory abdominopelvic computed tomography (CT), the pooled risk of failure was 4.1% versus 8.3% in those who underwent selective CT (p?=?0.08). The overall sample-size-weighted mean hospital length of stay among patients who underwent SNOM was 6 days versus 10 days if they failed SNOM or developed an in-hospital complication.ConclusionsSNOM of abdominal GSWs is safe when conducted in hemodynamically stable patients without a reduced level of consciousness or signs of peritonitis. Failure of SNOM may be lower in patients with GSWs to the back, flank, or right thoracoabdomen and be decreased by mandatory use of abdominopelvic CT scans.

Project description:Pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) is the only definitive and potentially curative therapy for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), associated with impressive improvements in symptoms and haemodynamics. However, it is only offered at a few centres in South Africa. The characteristics and outcomes of patients undergoing PEA in Cape Town have not been reported previously. To assess the difference in World Health Organization functional class (WHO-FC) before and at least 6 weeks after surgery. We interrogated the adult cardiothoracic surgery database at the University of Cape Town between December 2005 and April 2021 for patients undergoing PEA at Groote Schuur Hospital and a private hospital. A total of 32 patients underwent PEA, of whom 8 were excluded from the final analysis owing to incomplete data or a histological diagnosis other than CTEPH. The work-up of these patients for surgery was variable: all had a computed tomography pulmonary angiogram, 7 (29%) had a ventilation/perfusion scan, 5 (21%) underwent right heart catheterisation, and none had a pulmonary angiogram. The perioperative mortality was 4/24 (17%): 1 patient (4%) had a cardiac arrest on induction of anaesthesia, 2 patients (8%) died of postoperative pulmonary haemorrhage, and 1 patient (4%) died of septic complications in the intensive care unit. Among the survivors, the median (interquartile range) improvement in WHO-FC was 2 (1 - 3) classes (p=0.0004); 10/16 patients (63%) returned to a normal baseline (WHO-FC I). Even in a low-volume centre, PEA is associated with significant improvements in WHO-FC and a return to a normal baseline in survivors. What the study adds. South African patients undergoing pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) have a marked improvement in functional status, with many returning to a normal functional baseline. However, the small number of patients included in this study indicates that PEA is probably underutilised. Pre- and postoperative assessment is inconsistent, despite availability of established guidelines.Implications of the findings. More patients should be referred to specialist centres for assessment for this potentially curative procedure. Use of guidelines to standardise investigations and monitoring of patients with CTEPH may improve patient selection for surgery.

Project description:BackgroundIn civilian life, from 11 to 40% of patients suffer from chronic pain after receiving injuries. There are almost no data on chronic pain in patients with gunshot wounds, isolated clinical cases have been published. The purpose of our study is to determine the factors that can potentially affect the results of treatment of such patients, namely the frequency of development of chronic pain, acute stress reactions, satisfaction with the results of treatment and the number of wound localizations.MethodsThe treatment of 769 patients was analyzed. Pain intensity was diagnosed using a visual analog scale (VAS). To detect neuropathic pain, the Douleur Neuropathique 4 questions (DN4). The presence of an acute stress reaction (ASR) was diagnosed using The hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) and medical history, the diagnosis was established by a psychiatrist. Satisfaction with treatment results was studied using the Chaban quality of life scale (CQLS). Group comparisons were made using the Mann-Whitney test and the chi-square test, taking into account continuity correction.ResultsChronic pain was observed in 538 (70% 95% CI 66.7%-73.1%) patients with gunshot wounds: of them, 439 patients had wounds in 1, 2 anatomical parts of the body, here the frequency of pain chronicity is 69.7% (95% CI 66.0%-78.5%), and 99 patients had wounds in 3 or more anatomical parts of the body - 71.2% (95%CI 63.4%-78.5%). DN4 data suggest the presence of a neuropathic pain component in these patients. Also, all patients were diagnosed with ASR upon admission: the number of HADS points ranged from 9 to 25 points. CQLS data indicate that satisfaction with treatment outcomes was high (76 points) before hospital discharge, but subsequently decreased to a low level (64 points).ConclusionsPatients with gunshot wounds have a high risk of chronic pain, averaging 45% higher than the general population in civilian trauma patients. A greater frequency of the neuropathic component of pain and acute stress reactions is the reason for such chronicity. A decrease in the level of satisfaction with the results of treatment, in the remote period of observation, compared to the level at the time of discharge from the hospital, is probably a consequence of the formation of chronic pain.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov: Retrospectively registered on August 1, 2022, NCT05489029.

Dataset Information

Outcomes of patients with thoraco-abdominal gunshot wounds operatively managed at a district hospital in Cape Town, South Africa.

Aim

Method

Results

Discussion

Conclusion

Publications

Outcomes of patients with thoraco-abdominal gunshot wounds operatively managed at a district hospital in Cape Town, South Africa.

Similar Datasets

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