An analysis of referral patterns of traumatic brain injury at Groote Schuur Hospital Trauma Centre.

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can result in significant morbidity and mortality if not diagnosed in a timely manner. Brain computed tomography (CT) is the diagnostic gold standard but is of limited availability in most South African public hospitals, resulting in transfer of TBI patients to tertiary hospitals.

Objective: To describe the referral patterns and outcomes of patients with TBI referred to Groote Schuur Hospital Trauma Centre.

Outcomes of penetrating carotid artery injuries: A South African multicentre study.

Background: This multicenter study examines the contemporary management of penetrating carotid artery injury (PCAI) to identify trends in management, outcomes, and to determine prognostic factors for stroke and death.

Methods: Data from three large urban trauma centers in South Africa were retrospectively reviewed for patients who presented with PCAI from 2012 to 2020.

Results: Of 149 identified patients, 137 actively managed patients were included.

Resection and reconstruction in high-grade pancreatic head injuries.

This study by Chui adds further important evidence in the treatment of high-grade pancreatic injuries and endorses the concept of the model of pancreatic trauma care designed to optimize treatment, minimize morbidity and enhance survival in patients with complex pancreatic injuries. Although the authors have demonstrated favorable outcomes based on their limited experience of 5 patients who underwent a pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), including 2 patients who were "unstable" and did not have damage control surgery (DCS), we would caution against the general recommendations promoting index PD without DCS in "unstable" grade 5 pancreatic head injuries.

Late video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery versus thoracostomy tube reinsertion for retained hemothorax after penetrating trauma, a prospective randomized control study.

Background: Early video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is the recommended treatment of choice for retained hemothorax (RH). A prospective single-center randomized control study was conducted to compare outcomes between VATS and thoracostomy tube (TT) reinsertion for patients with RH after penetrating trauma in a resource constrained unit. Our hypothesis was that patients with a RH receiving VATS instead of TT reinsertion would have a shorter hospital stay and lesser complications.