Primary closure in colon trauma.

Background: Primary repair of colon injuries is an accepted therapeutic option; however, controversy persists regarding its safety. Our objective was to report the evolution and presence of complications in patients with colon injury who underwent primary closure and to determine if the time interval (>6 h), degree of injury, contamination, anatomic site injured, PATI (Penetrating Abdominal Trauma Index) >25, and the presence of other injuries in colon trauma are associated with increased morbidity and mortality.

Methods: This was a prospective, observational, longitudinal and descriptive study conducted at the Central Hospital "Dr.

[Are antimicrobials useful in closed thoracostomy due to trauma?].

Background: Thoracic trauma accounts for 25% of deaths due to trauma. Chest trauma patients generally present to the emergency room with pneumo- or hemothorax. According to the majority of the studies, management of closed thoracostomy for trauma includes the use of antimicrobial drugs to prevent infectious complications, but this has not been proven to be beneficial.

[Surgical site infection in non-traumatic surgery].

Background: Risk factors of surgical site infection (SSI) have been widely studied, such as abdominal surgery, surgical time >2 h, contaminated or dirty surgery, three or more diagnoses at discharge, and ASA classification >II.

Methods: A prospective risk factor study was carried out for SSI in patients who underwent non-traumatic abdominal surgery, comparing an institutional (Secretary of Health) and a private third-level hospital during the period from October 2001 to May 2002.

Results: We studied 527 patients with 21 cases (3.

[Esophageal perforation].

Objective: We describe our experience in the management of esophageal perforation.

Material And Methods: Retrolective study of the esophageal perforation patients, managed from January 1999 to December 2003. Analyzed variables were age, sex, aetiology, time of diagnosis and treatment, as well as ancillary methods employed, mode of treatment and morbidity and mortality.

[Ascaris lumbricoides-caused risk factors for intestinal occlusion and subocclusion].

Objectives: Our objective was to determine risk factors and mortality for partial and complete bowel obstruction caused by Ascaris lumbricoides as well as diagnostic validity of eosinophilia in peripheral blood.

Material And Methods: We studied 50 patients with partial or complete bowel obstruction and expulsion of Ascaris lumbricoides by mouth or anus, as well as 50 patients as controls; no patient had a negative coproparasitoscopic study. The period of study was from January 1995-December 2001 at the General Hospital of Ciudad Valles, San Luis Potosí State, Mexico.