Research Article
Post Traumatic Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in the Emergency and Critical Care Units of the Douala General Hospital Cameroon
Issue:
Volume 14, Issue 1, June 2026
Pages:
1-6
Received:
14 December 2025
Accepted:
26 December 2025
Published:
23 January 2026
Abstract: Introduction: Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is a severe, life-threatening complication of major traumatic injury, contributing significantly to morbidity and mortality in emergency and critical care settings globally. Data on the specific clinical profile and outcomes in Sub-Saharan African trauma centers are scarce. Objective: The Objective was to describe the epidemiology, clinical profile, severity of injury (Injury Severity Score, ISS), surgical management, and therapeutic outcomes of post-traumatic ARDS among adult trauma patients managed at the Emergency and Critical Care Unit (ECCU) of Douala General Hospital (DGH). Materials and methods: the method was a retrospective observational study was conducted over a 24 months period (January 2022 to December 2024) at DGH, including 68 consecutive adult trauma patients who developed ARDS based on the Berlin criteria. Data collected included demographics, mechanism of injury, ISS, associated injuries (especially Thoracic Trauma and Traumatic Brain Injury [TBI]), ASA physical status, intra-operative events, ARDS severity, and final outcomes (survival vs. death). Results: The mean age was 39.8±14.7 years, with a male predominance (79.4%). Severe trauma (ISS ≥25) accounted for 79.4% of the cohort, with a mean ISS of 31.6±11.2. The most frequent injuries were Thoracic Trauma (50.0%) and Long Bone Fractures (42.6%). Early complications included shock (44.1%) and massive hemorrhage (36.8%). Urgent surgeries were performed in 67.6% of operative cases. ARDS onset occurred at a median of 2.8 days post-injury. The overall in-hospital mortality was 32.4%. Independent predictors of mortality included ISS≥35, the presence of shock on admission, and severe TBI. Therefore, post-traumatic ARDS represents a major burden in the DGH ECCU, driven by high-velocity blunt trauma and associated with a significant mortality rate of 32.4%. Conclusion: These findings emphasize the necessity of strict, multidisciplinary protocols focused on prompt hemorrhage control, optimized resuscitation, and early identification of high-risk trauma patterns to improve critical care outcomes.
Abstract: Introduction: Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is a severe, life-threatening complication of major traumatic injury, contributing significantly to morbidity and mortality in emergency and critical care settings globally. Data on the specific clinical profile and outcomes in Sub-Saharan African trauma centers are scarce. Objective: The Obj...
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Research Article
Intermittent Ozone Insufflation as an Adjuvant Therapy for Ischemic Ulcers in Lower Extremity Arterial Occlusive Disease: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Study
Issue:
Volume 14, Issue 1, June 2026
Pages:
7-12
Received:
25 December 2025
Accepted:
9 January 2026
Published:
27 January 2026
Abstract: Background: Lower extremity arterial occlusive disease (LEAOD), primarily arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO), often leads to chronic, refractory ischemic ulcers, posing significant challenges in wound management and carrying high risks of amputation and mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of intermittent local ozone insufflation as an adjuvant therapy for promoting wound healing and alleviating pain in patients with ASO-related ischemic ulcers. Methods: In this prospective randomized controlled trial, 62 eligible patients with LEAOD and lower limb ulcers admitted between July 2023 and December 2024 were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n=32) or a control group (n=30). The control group received standard wound care (debridement, dressing changes), while the experimental group received standard care plus twice-daily local ozone insufflation (50 ml per session, 20 minutes each). Wound pain (Visual Analog Scale, VAS) and wound status (Bates-Jensen Wound Assessment Tool, BWAT) were assessed before intervention and on days 1, 3, and 7 post-intervention. Results: It showed that the experimental group had significantly lower VAS scores than the control group post-intervention (P<0.001). Similarly, BWAT scores in the experimental group were significantly lower (P<0.001), indicating better wound healing. Key healing indicators, including time to granulation tissue formation and time to exudate control, were also significantly shorter in the experimental group (P<0.001). No ozone-related adverse events were observed. Conclusion: Intermittent ozone insufflation is a safe, effective, non-invasive adjuvant therapy that significantly reduces pain and accelerates early wound healing in patients with ischemic ulcers due to LEAOD, offering a valuable clinical strategy for managing these challenging wounds.
Abstract: Background: Lower extremity arterial occlusive disease (LEAOD), primarily arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO), often leads to chronic, refractory ischemic ulcers, posing significant challenges in wound management and carrying high risks of amputation and mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of intermittent local oz...
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Metogo Mbengono Junette Arlette
