Research Articles
Study on value of Extended-Focused Abdominal Scan For Trauma (e-FAST) performed by non-radiologist emergency care doctors in Management of Trauma at Emergency Trauma Centre, Teaching Hospital, Karapitiya,Galle, Sri Lanka
Authors:
R W Seneviratne,
Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka, LK
MMAJ Kumara,
Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka, LK
JPM Kumarasinghe,
Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka, LK
R Abewickrama,
Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka, LK
K Jayasekara,
Emergency Trauma Centre, Teaching hospital Karapitiya, Galle, Sri Lanka, LK
A Abewickrama,
Emergency Trauma Centre, Teaching hospital Karapitiya, Galle, Sri Lanka, LK
PV De Silva
Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka, LK
Abstract
Background
This study was designed to evaluate the accuracy and usefulness of ultrasound in the hands of emergency physicians and medical officers who are non-radiologistsin assessing Trauma patients at Emergency Trauma Centre(ETC) at Teaching Hospital, Karapitiya, Galle, Sri Lanka
Methodology
We performed an observational study on Trauma patients admitted to Emergency Department at Teaching Hospital, Karapitiya from 1.12.2014 to 31.12.2014 who fulfilled indications for e-FAST using a specially designed performa. Accuracy of eFAST was tested by comparing the original with subsequent imaging, clinical decision by surgeons, findings at surgery or more than one of the above.
Results
69 patients fulfilled the entry criteria.Nineteen of the scans were performed by consultants while rest was done by senior medical officers. All of them were trained in eFAST. Of the 20 scans which were positive there were four pneumothoraxes and one haemothorax. 15 scans which were positive for intraperitoneal free fluid were later. Out of 49 Patients who had negative scans 47 did not require surgery or any interventions. Other two required laparotomy later. Sensitivity and specificity ofeFast was 90.4% and 97.9% respectively. Positive predictive value was 95.0% while Negative predictive value was at 95.9% .
Conclusions
eFAST is a rapidand reliable alternative in detecting free intra-abdominal fluid as well as pneumotorax and haemothorax. It is a safe decision making tool which can be used with confidence and accuracy after brief training and experience by non radiologists which will reduce morbidity and mortality in trauma patients of Sri Lanka.
How to Cite:
Seneviratne, R.W., Kumara, M., Kumarasinghe, J., Abewickrama, R., Jayasekara, K., Abewickrama, A. and De Silva, P., 2015. Study on value of Extended-Focused Abdominal Scan For Trauma (e-FAST) performed by non-radiologist emergency care doctors in Management of Trauma at Emergency Trauma Centre, Teaching Hospital, Karapitiya,Galle, Sri Lanka. Anuradhapura Medical Journal, 9(1), pp.05–08. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/amj.v9i1.7539
Published on
14 May 2015.
Peer Reviewed
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