Indications for Emergency Surgical Management in Trauma and Polytrauma Patients at Tobruk Medical Center: A Retrospective Study.

Abstract

Trauma and polytrauma contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality, particularly among young individuals, representing major global health challenges. A substantial proportion of these patients require emergency surgical intervention to control hemorrhage, manage organ injuries, and achieve physiological stabilization. This study aimed to identify the indications of emergency surgical intervention among trauma and polytrauma patients and evaluate the timing of surgical intervention at Tobruk Medical Center. Data were collected from medical records for 700 patients and included demographic characteristics, indications for surgery, and timing of intervention. Patients were categorized according to whether surgery was performed within 24 hours or more than 24 hours after presentation. A total of 88 patients underwent emergency surgical management, with 94 surgical interventions performed overall, as some patients underwent more than one procedure; of these interventions, 63 were for trauma patients, and 31 were for polytrauma patients. Males constituted 82% of the study population. Hemorrhagic shock was the most common indication for surgery, accounting for 45.45% of cases. Trauma patients represented a higher proportion of procedures performed within 24 hours compared with those performed after 24 hours; however, this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.079). In conclusion, Emergency surgical management proved to be a cornerstone in the treatment of both trauma and polytrauma patients. The findings clearly demonstrate the importance of rapid assessment and timely surgical decision-making in trauma and polytrauma patients