Paediatric trauma

Abstract:  Trauma remains the most common cause of death in childhood after the first year of life. It accounts for considerable morbidity that may extend into adult life at great cost to the community. Despite the scale of the disease, paediatric trauma and injury prevention research attract little funding. International data indicate that children in Australia and New Zealand would benefit from improved injury prevention strategies and the introduction of a more formalized paediatric trauma system. Such a system would need to take account of Australasian geographical and population distribution characteristics, which mandate local provision of expert and immediate care in rural areas. There would appear to be economic and clinical arguments for the introduction of an ambulance trauma bypass system for stable but severely injured children in metropolitan areas with a paediatric trauma centre.     

Pattern of pediatric ocular trauma in India

Objective : The aim of the study is to identify the causes, demographic and clinical profile and evaluate final visual outcome of pediatric ocular injuries.Methods : Two hundred and four children aged fourteen years or less presenting to the emergency services of a tertiary care centre with ocular injury were included. Demographic data, nature and cause of injury, duration between injury and presentation to an ophthalmologist and the diagnosis were recorded. Evaluation of visual acuity, anterior segment and fundus were done. All patients were appropriately managed and followed up on days 1, 7,1 month, 3 and 6 months.Result : Majority of injuries occurred in children of 5 years and older (87.7%). There were 133 (65.1%) boys and 71 (34.9%) girls. Forty-nine (24%) cases presented within 6 hours of injury while 70 (34.3%) presented after more than 24 hours after trauma. Most common cause of injury was bow and arrow (15.2%) followed by household appliances (14.3%). Closed globe injuries accounted for 42.2% injuries, open globe for 53.9% and 3.9% were chemical injuries. Best corrected visual acuity of 6/12 or better was achieved in 79 eyes (91.86%) in closed globe group. However, only 17 eyes (15.45%) in open globe group could achieve this.Conclusion : Most ocular injuries in children are preventable and occur from unsupervised games like bow and arrow and firecracker, which can lead to significant visual loss.     

Pattern of pediatric ocular trauma in India

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to identify the causes, demographic and clinical profile and evaluate final visual outcome of pediatric ocular injuries. METHODS: Two hundred and four children aged fourteen years or less presenting to the emergency services of a tertiary care centre with ocular injury were included. Demographic data, nature and cause of injury, duration between injury and presentation to an ophthalmologist and the diagnosis were recorded. Evaluation of visual acuity, anterior segment and fundus were done. All patients were appropriately managed and followed up on days 1, 7, 1 month, 3 and 6 months. RESULT: Majority of injuries occurred in children of 5 years and older (87.7%). There were 133 (65.1%) boys and 71 (34.9%) girls. Forty-nine (24%) cases presented within 6 hours of injury while 70 (34.3%) presented after more than 24 hours after trauma. Most common cause of injury was bow and arrow (15.2%) followed by household appliances(14.3%). Closed globe injuries accounted for 42.2% injuries, open globe for 53.9% and 3.9% were chemical injuries. Best corrected visual acuity of 6/12 or better was achieved in 79 eyes (91.86%) in closed globe group. However, only 17 eyes (15.45%) in open globe group could achieve this. CONCLUSION: Most ocular injuries in children are preventable and occur from unsupervised games like bow and arrow and firecracker, which can lead to significant visual loss.     

Tension pneumocranium in childhood trauma

Background  To report a case of fatal tension pneumocephalus in a 9-year-old boy following a severe motor vehicle accident. Methods  A young boy with a serious closed head injury was resuscitated in the emergency room and underwent CT scan of the head and orbits. Results  The CT-scan revealed a fracture of the orbital roof with extensive bilateral pneumocephalus. Conclusions  A high index of suspicion for tension pneumocephalus is required in patients with severe head injuries presenting with periorbital swelling and perioccular trauma. A prompt CT scan and neurosurgical intervention are indicated.     

Urethral trauma in children

We report our 12-year experience in the management of urethral injuries in nine children, six boys and three girls. The most common mechanisms of injury were motor vehicle accidents, followed by straddle injuries. All the injuries in boys involved the anterior urethra, and in girls the proximal or mid-urethra. There were associated injuries in five, including three pelvic fractures. All children were investigated with a retrograde urethrogram. Four were treated non-operatively with insertion of a urethral catheter. Of the remaining five, one had drainage of a penile haematoma, one cystourethroscopy, two insertion of urinary and suprapubic catheters, and one open cystotomy and passage of a guide wire with antegrade passage of a urethral catheter. Complications included one urinary tract infection, one urethral fistula, one urethrovaginal fistula, and two urethral strictures. Final outcome was satisfactory in all nine children. Accepted: 3 February 2000     

Catheter balloon-related urethral trauma in children

Aim:   To review urethral injuries arising from incorrect balloon inflation in children undergoing urinary catheterisation.
Method:   Retrospective review from 1995–2006. Children who sustained catheter-related injury at The Children's Hospital at Westmead were identified through medical records database and reviewed.
Results:   Six patients were identified over the 11-year period. All six were boys. Age ranged from <1 month to 16 years. All but one occurred in hospital. All injuries were confirmed by urethrogram. Bulbar and prostatic urethra was involved in an equal number of children studied. Three patients required suprapubic catheters. Follow-up imaging revealed healing without stricture in all patients.
Conclusion:   Balloon-related urethral trauma can be avoided by educating health-care professionals on proper placement and confirmation of position of catheter. Though there were no long-term complications noted, a temporary suprapubic diversion may be needed.     

Prehospital predictors of risk for pelvic fractures in pediatric trauma patients

Pelvic fractures are uncommon in children, but can occur as a result of high-energy impact injuries to the lower torso in association with blunt trauma. Pelvic fractures can be associated with significant morbidity while the work-up and treatment for these injuries is costly. The aim was to identify risk factors that help determine which pediatric trauma patients are at highest risk of sustaining a pelvic fracture to aid in the development of criteria for the targeted use of pelvic radiographic imaging. A retrospective analysis was conducted using the only pediatric trauma registry in the state of Maryland, located at The Johns Hopkins Children's Center. All blunt trauma patients who were younger than 15 years of age from 1990 to 2005 were included in the analysis (n = 13,360) with a final diagnosis of pelvic fracture as the primary outcome of interest. Comparisons were made using Pearson's chi-square for categorical and the Mann-Whitney rank sum test for non-normally distributed variables. Pelvic fractures following blunt trauma in children are associated with age, race, place and mechanism of injury. Compared to children 4 years and younger, pelvic fractures were more likely to occur in children aged 5-9 years (OR = 3; P = 0.000), as well as 10-14 years (OR = 5; P = 0.000). Compared to blunt trauma injuries from falls, children who were struck by vehicles or who were occupants in motor vehicle crashes (MVC) were six times (P = 0.000) and twice (P = 0.02) as likely to sustain a pelvic fracture, respectively. Four factors were demonstrated by this study to be significantly associated with pediatric pelvic fractures: being Caucasian, age between 5 and 14 years, being struck as a pedestrian or a motor vehicle crash occupant. Identification of these factors may aid clinicians in selecting patients who are at highest risk for pelvic fracture and may benefit most from pelvic radiography.     

Multiple trauma in pediatric patients

We analyzed the causes and diagnoses, the treatment, short and long-term outcome of a consecutive series of 70 pediatric polytrauma patients. From 1989 to 1996, 70 children (aged 10 months to 16 years, mean 7.4 years) presented with multiple trauma. A follow-up investigation was performed 4.2 years (mean) after the accident. Traffic accidents (68%) were the leading cause of injuries. Among all injuries (mean ISS 24.6 range 17–57), injuries of the head/neck area were most frequent (87%) followed by extremity fractures (76%) and 135 operations were performed on 55 children, mostly for fracture stabilisation. All multiple injured children survived. At discharge 25 children were still impaired (36% of 70). At follow-up 58 patients were revisited, 11 (19% of 58) presented with impairments, 8 of those (73% of 11) following severe head trauma. This study showed a 10% rate of late impairment due to the severity of the primary head trauma.     

A bizarre case of penetrating trauma

An unusual case of penetrating trauma to the trunk by a water pipe during a car accident is presented. The only serious internal injury was an avulsion of the lower pole of the spleen, which was suture-repaired successfully after debridement. The line of management since admission is discussed. Follow-up after 1 year shows an asymptomatic and normally functioning young man.Presented at the poster exhibit section, 32nd Annual International Congress of the British Association of Paediatric Surgeons, Vienna, 17–19 July 1985 Offprint requests to: M. S. Slim at the above address     

Splenic abscess following blunt abdominal trauma

A rare case of splenic abscess occurring after blunt abdominal trauma in a previously healthy boy is reported. The diagnosis was made by ultrasonography. The patient recovered after splenectomy and drainage of subphrenic and intraperitoneal pus.     

Laparoscopic diagnosis of blunt abdominal trauma in children

This study evaluates the safety and role of laparoscopy in the diagnosis of blunt abdominal trauma in children. Laparoscopy was performed in five patients aged 3 to 13 years because of persistent abdominal pain after blunt trauma. A laparotomy was not indicated from the physical examination, laboratory data, or radiologic findings. With the patient under general anesthesia, a 10-mm trocar was inserted through the umbilical fossa and the intra-abdominal organs were observed for 10–60 min under an insufflation pressure of 10–12 mmHg. The patients remained hemodynamically stable without pneumothorax development. Three patients underwent laparatomies: one, who had blood in the omental sac, had a duodenal injury with hemorrhagic necrosis and underwent a resection; one with ascites and high amylase levels had an injury of the main pancreatic duct and underwent resection of the pancreatic tail; and one who had fresh blood in the upper abdomen and Douglas' pouch had a splenic hemorrhage and underwent hemostasis. The other two had serous or serosanguinous ascites and recovered without surgery. In patient 1, the same amount of information might have been obtained from a barium study. In patient 2, the pancreatic transection might have been diagnosed from ascites shown on serial computed tomograms. Patient 3 might also have been treated successfully non-surgically. It hus appears that laparoscopy may be a safe diagnostic method for blunt abdominal trauma in children, however, this small series has yielded insufficient information to assess its usefulness in making the diagnosis and the decision for laparotomy. Further studies are required to ascertain whether it will make any significant difference in the form of management.     

Blunt abdominal trauma in children

Blunt abdominal trauma is the commonest cause of intra-abdominal injuries in children. The use of computerized axial tomography and non-operative management of haemoperitoneum are two significant developments in the last two decades in the management of blunt abdominal trauma in children. The concept of non-operative management was introduced in late 1979 and wherever possible remains the optimum treatment. Computerized tomography scan for paediatric abdominal trauma was first described in 1980 and remains the investigation of choice. There is no substitute, however, for a good history, astute physical examination, and strict adherence to the principles of primary and secondary survey, prompt resuscitation, vigilant monitoring and repeated evaluation.     

Current management of liver and splenic blunt trauma in children

Thirty-nine children with blunt liver and/or splenic injury were treated in our department from 1979 to 1987; 23 had a splenic injury, 10 a hepatic injury, and the remaining 6 had both. The diagnosis was suggested by the history and physical examination and was confirmed by CT and radioisotope scanning. Every hemodynamically stable patient was initially managed non-operatively. The children who failed to respond to conservative treatment and had unstable vital signs indicating intractable hemorrhage were eventually operated upon. Every effort was made to preserve the liver and spleen during the operation. Liver repair, splenorraphy alone or in combination with splenic artery ligation, and autotransplantation of splenic tissue were widely used procedures. Sixteen patients were successfully managed nonoperatively, but the remaining 23 required surgery. Only 5 children became completely asplenic and no liver lobe resection was performed. It is suggested that conservative management of children with liver and/or splenic injury is both safe and effective. When surgical intervention is inevitable great effort should be made to preserve liver and spleen.Presented at the XII International Congress of Greek Association of Paediatric Surgeons in Rhodes, 1987 Offprint requests to: G. Tryfonas     

Imaging of accidental paediatric head trauma

Head trauma is the most common form of injury sustained in serious childhood trauma and remains one of the top three causes of death despite improved road planning and safety laws. CT remains the first-line investigation for paediatric head trauma, although MRI may be more sensitive at picking up the full extent of injuries and may be useful for prognosis. Follow-up imaging should be tailored to answer the specific clinical question and to look for possible complications.     

Blunt trauma causing diaphragmatic rupture in children

Six children have been admitted over the last 10 years with blunt abdominal trauma causing diaphragmatic rupture. Four were acute presentations, with the emphasis on cardio-respiratory symptoms. There was a high incidence of associated injuries. Early laparotomy and repair of the diaphragm was performed successfully, and three out of four patients survived. Two patients presented late with gastrointestinal tract symptoms. A thoracotomy was necessary to free the adherent herniated bowel in one case. The peripheral nature of the lesion in children suggests that avulsion, aggravated by the increased elasticity and recoil of the thoracic cage, may play a major role in pathogenesis. Diaphragmatic rupture must be excluded in all severe cases of blunt abdominal trauma. Offprint requests to: R. A. Brown     

儿童重度闭合性肾挫裂伤的处理

目的 探讨儿童重度闭合性肾挫裂伤的处理.方法 回顾性总结分析2000至2008年临床诊治小儿闭合性肾损伤33例,重点是其中的15例重度肾挫裂伤(3例系肾积水合并肾挫裂伤的特殊病例)的资料.结果 全组无死亡,无早期肾切除病例,18例轻度肾损伤经保守治疗愈合.15例重度闭合性肾挫裂伤患儿中,其中8例采用保守治疗成功,1例肾蒂血管损伤早期急诊行肾静脉修补术,3例行选择性肾动脉栓塞治疗,3例肾积水外伤后肾破裂.3例肾积水肾破裂中,2例行早期肾盂成形肾周引流术,1例因合并肾功能不全,对侧肾萎缩,早期作肾造瘘,延期肾盂成形术,重度肾损伤病例随访5～28个月(平均18个月).4例继发尿性囊肿,1例早期行肾盂输尿管吻合,3例延期做尿性囊肿剥离切除;1例6个月后出现高血压、受损肾萎缩行肾切除.结论 轻度的肾损伤采用保守治疗易于治愈,重度的肾损伤因应病情选用相宜的方法 处理,绝大多数不需早期手术探查,以减少肾切除,选择性肾动脉栓塞微创止血效果好,重度肾挫裂伤需要密切随访,以处理相续可能发生的尿性囊肿和高血压等并发症.