title: [Echography performed by surgeons in the management of patients with trauma].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ultrasonography is useful in trauma patients to detect pleural effusions or peritoneal fluid.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the value of ultrasonography performed by surgeons in the assessment of trauma patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review of ultrasonography reports and clinical history of 284 trauma patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred fifty six patients had blunt trauma and 128 had penetrating trauma. Ultrasonography detected peritoneal fluid in 20%, pericardial effusion in 1% and pleural effusion in 1%. Eight percent had visceral damage or hematomas, without peritoneal fluid. None of the patients with a normal ultrasonography required surgery for hemoperitoneum; however, four patients had intestinal perforations and required surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ultrasonography had a 100% sensitivity and specificity for the detection of clinically significant hemoperitoneum. Emergency ultrasonography performed by surgeons is useful and accurate.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004638:Emergency Treatment; D005260:Female; D005596:Fractures, Closed / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D006465:Hemoperitoneum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014193:Trauma Centers; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery
vernacular_title: Ecografía realizada por cirujanos en el manejo de pacientes con trauma.