Validation of the Twenty-Four-Hour Threshold for Bladder Repair: Impact on Infection Rates Using the National Trauma Data Bank.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to validate the previously reported association between delayed bladder repair and increased infection rates using the National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB). METHODS: Bladder injury patients with bladder repair in the NTDB from 2013 to 2015 were included. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to compare mortality, infection rates, and hospital length of stay (LOS) between patients who underwent bladder repair within 24 h and those who underwent repair after 24 h. Linear regression and multivariate logistic regression analyses were also performed. RESULTS: A total of 1658 patients were included in the study. Patients who underwent bladder repair after 24 h had significantly higher infection rates (5.4% vs. 1.2%, p = 0.032) and longer hospital LOS (17.1 vs. 14.0 days, p = 0.032) compared to those who underwent repair within 24 h after a well-balanced 1:1 PSM (N = 166). Linear regression analysis showed a positive correlation between time to bladder repair and hospital LOS for patients who underwent repair after 24 h (B-value = 0.093, p = 0.034). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that bladder repair after 24 h increased the risk of infection (odds = 3.162, p = 0.018). Subset analyses were performed on patients who underwent bladder repairs within 24 h and were used as a control group. These analyses showed that the time to bladder repair did not significantly worsen outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Delayed bladder repair beyond 24 h increases the risk of infection and prolongs hospital stays. Timely diagnosis and surgical intervention remain crucial for minimizing complications in bladder injury patients.

The Role of Open Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in Chest Trauma Patients with No Sign of Life: A National Trauma Data Bank Study.

PURPOSE: The effectiveness of open cardiopulmonary resuscitation (OCPR) remains controversial for trauma patients. In this current study, the role of OCPR in managing chest trauma patients is evaluated using nationwide real-world data. METHODS: From 2014 to 2015, the National Trauma Data Bank was retrospectively queried for chest trauma patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest status. The emergency department (ED) and overall survival of patients without signs of life were analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression (MLR) analysis was performed to evaluate independent factors of mortality for the target group. Furthermore, a subset group of patients who survived after the ED were studied, focusing on the duration of survival after leaving the ED. RESULTS: A total of 911 patients were enrolled in this study (OCPR vs. non-OCPR: 161 patients vs. 750 patients). The average overall mortality rate was 98.6% (N = 898). Among penetrating chest trauma patients, non-survivors in the ED had significantly higher proportions of gunshot injuries (83.9% vs. 69.7%, p = 0.001) and lower proportions of OCPR (20.7% vs. 44.4%, p < 0.001). MLR analysis showed that gunshot injuries and non-OCPR were significantly related to ED mortality in penetrating trauma patients without signs of life (odds ratio = 2.039, p = 0.006 and odds ratio = 2.900, p < 0.001, respectively). However, the overall survival rate of patients after ED survival (n = 99) was 9.9%, and only 21.2% (n = 21) of them survived more than 1 day after leaving the ED. CONCLUSION: OCPR could be considered in situations where appropriate indications exist. The survival benefit was observed in critically ill patients with penetrating chest trauma who show no signs of life. By enhancing ED survival, OCPR may also contribute to overall survival improvement.

Does a time threshold exist for bladder repair after which outcomes worsen? A Trauma Quality Improvement Program study.

BACKGROUND: The appropriate timing of surgical intervention for bladder injuries is not well-defined. The effect of time to surgery on the outcomes of patients with a bladder injury was assessed using data from the Trauma Quality Improvement Program. METHODS: Patients with dominant or isolated bladder injuries who underwent surgical repair from 2017 to 2019 were studied. Mortality, infection (surgical site infection or sepsis), acute kidney injury, overall length of stay, and length of stay after surgery were compared between patients who underwent bladder repair within and after 24 hours of arrival at the emergency department. The role of time to surgical repair in the outcomes of patients with a bladder injury was evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 1,507 patients with a mean time to bladder repair of 14.0 hours were studied. In total, 233 (15.5%) patients with a bladder injury underwent bladder repair more than 1 day after emergency department arrival. These patients had significantly more infections (5.6% vs 2.5%, P = .011), more acute kidney injuries (7.8% vs 1.8%, P < .001), and a longer length of stay after surgery (16.0 vs 12.3 days, P = .001) than patients who underwent bladder repair within 1 day. A time to bladder repair longer than 24 hours after emergency department arrival did not significantly affect mortality (P = .075) but significantly increased the risk of infection/acute kidney injury (odds = 1.823, P = .040). However, the infection/acute kidney injury risk did not increase with increasing time to surgery in patients who underwent bladder repair within 24 hours (P = .120). CONCLUSION: Patients with dominant or isolated bladder injuries may have a poor outcome (ie, increased infection rate, acute kidney injury, longer overall length of stay, and longer length of stay after bladder repair) if they undergo surgical repair more than 24 hours after arrival at the emergency department.

Increased intra-abdominal haemorrhage after thoracic endovascular aortic replacement in patients with concomitant blunt aortic injuries and abdominal trauma: a National Trauma Data Bank analysis.

OBJECTIVES: The role of thoracic endovascular aortic replacement (TEVAR) in patients with concomitant blunt thoracic aortic injury (BTAI) and blunt abdomen trauma (BAT) was evaluated using nationwide real-world data. The risk of post-TEVAR abdominal haemorrhage was studied. METHODS: Patients with BTAI and BAT in the National Trauma Data Bank were retrospectively studied. Propensity score matching was used to evaluate the effect of TEVAR in delayed abdominal surgeries for haemostasis and the delayed need for blood transfusion. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the independent risk factors for delayed intra-abdominal haemorrhage in these patients. RESULTS: A total of 928 concomitant BTAI and BAT patients were studied (TEVAR versus non-TEVAR, 206 vs 722). After a well-balanced propensity score matching analysis, patients who received TEVAR had significantly more delayed abdominal surgeries for haemostasis (7.7% vs 4.5%, standardized mean difference = 0.316) and delayed need for blood transfusion (11.6% vs 7.1%, standardized mean difference = 0.299) than those who did not. The multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that TEVAR increased the need for delayed abdominal surgeries (odds ratio = 2.026, P = 0.034). Among the patients who underwent TEVAR, the patients with delayed abdominal surgeries for haemostasis had a significantly higher proportion of severe abdominal injury (abdominal Abbreviated Injury Scale score of 4 or 5) than patients without delayed abdominal surgeries for haemostasis (31.6% vs 15.5%, P = 0.038). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with concomitant BTAI and BAT had a higher risk of intra-abdominal haemorrhage after TEVAR, especially patients with severe abdominal trauma.

The effect of transarterial embolization versus nephrectomy on acute kidney injury in blunt renal trauma patients.

PURPOSE: The impact of transarterial embolization (TAE) and nephrectomy on acute kidney injury (AKI) in blunt renal trauma patients remains unclear, and we used the National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB) to investigate this issue. METHODS: Adult patients from the NTDB between 2007 and 2015 who survived traumatic events with blunt injuries were eligible for inclusion. The exclusion criteria were those without outcome information, who required dialysis, or with chronic renal failure prior to the traumatic injury. Patients sustaining hepatic, splenic, or pelvic fractures or who had bilateral nephrectomy were also excluded. The patients were divided into three treatment groups, including conservative treatment, TAE, and nephrectomy. Two statistical models, logistic regression (LR) and inverse probability treatment weighting (IPTW), were used to clarify the AKI predictors. RESULTS: The study included 10,096 patients. There were 9697 (96.0%), 202 (2.0%) and 197 (2.0%) patients in the conservative, TAE and nephrectomy groups, respectively. Nephrectomy was a statistically significant predictor of AKI in blunt renal trauma patients in the standard LR (odds ratio [OR], 4.58; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.92-10.38; p < 0.001) and IPTW (OR, 5.16; 95% CI 1.07-24.85; p = 0.023) models. In addition, TAE was not a risk factor for AKI in blunt renal trauma patients (p > 0.05 in all models). CONCLUSION: AKI is less likely affect patients with blunt renal trauma with TAE than those with nephrectomy. Nephrectomy is a risk factor for AKI in blunt renal trauma patients. TAE should be considered first when blunt renal trauma patients need a hemostatic procedure.

The application of the WSES classification system for open pelvic fractures-validation and supplement from a nationwide data bank.

BACKGROUND: Open pelvic fractures are rare but complex injuries. Concomitant external and internal hemorrhage and wound infection-related sepsis result in a high mortality rate and treatment challenges. Here, we validated the World Society Emergency Society (WSES) classification system for pelvic injuries in open pelvic fractures, which are quite different from closed fractures, using the National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB). METHODS: Open pelvic fracture patients in the NTDB 2015 dataset were retrospectively queried. The mortality rates associated with WSES minor, moderate and severe injuries were compared. A multivariate logistic regression model (MLR) was used to evaluate independent factors of mortality. Patients with and without sepsis were compared. The performance of the WSES classification in the prediction of mortality was evaluated by determining the discrimination and calibration. RESULTS: A total of 830 open pelvic fracture patients were studied. The mortality rates of the mild, moderate and severe WSES classes were 3.5%, 11.2% and 23.8%, respectively (p < 0.001). The MLR analysis showed that the presence of sepsis was an independent factor of mortality (odds of mortality 9.740, p < 0.001). Compared with patients without sepsis, those with sepsis had significantly higher mortality rates in all WSES classes (minor: 40.0% vs. 3.1%, p < 0.001; moderate: 50.0% vs. 9.1%, p < 0.001; severe: 66.7% vs. 22.2%, p < 0.001). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed an acceptable discrimination of the WSES classification alone for evaluating the mortality of open pelvic fracture patients [area under curve (AUC) = 0.717]. Improved discrimination with an increased AUC was observed using the WSES classification plus sepsis (AUC = 0.767). CONCLUSIONS: The WSES guidelines can be applied to evaluate patients with open pelvic fracture with accurate evaluation of outcomes. The presence of sepsis is recommended as a supplement to the WSES classification for open pelvic fractures.

Age itself or age-associated comorbidities? A nationwide analysis of outcomes of geriatric trauma.

PURPOSE: Geriatric trauma patients present physiological challenges to care providers. A nationwide analysis was performed to evaluate the roles of age alone versus age-associated comorbidities in the morbidity and mortality of elderly patients with blunt abdominal trauma (BAT). METHODS: Patients with BAT registered in the National Trauma Data Bank from 2013 to 2015 were analyzed using propensity score matching (PSM) to evaluate the mortality rate, complication rate, hospital length of stay (LOS), intensive care unit (ICU) LOS and ventilator days between young (age < 65) and elderly (age ≥ 65) patients. An adjusted multivariate logistic regression (MLR) model was also used to evaluate the effect of age itself and age-associated comorbidities on mortality. RESULTS: There were 41,880 patients with BAT during the study period. In elderly patients, the injury severity score (ISS) decreased with age, but the mortality rate increased inversely (from 5.0 to 13.5%). Under a similar condition and proportion of age-associated comorbidities after a well-batched PSM analysis, elderly patients had significantly higher mortality rates (8.0% vs. 1.9%, p < 0.001), higher complication rates (35.1% vs. 30.6%, p < 0.001), longer hospital LOS (8.9 vs. 8.1 days, p < 0.001), longer ICU LOS (3.7 vs. 2.7 days, p < 0.001) and more ventilator days (1.1 vs. 0.5 days, p < 0.001) than young patients. Furthermore, the MLR analysis showed that age itself served as an independent factor for mortality (odds ratio: 1.049, 95% CI 1.043-1.055, p < 0.001), but age-associated comorbidity was not. CONCLUSION: In patients with BAT, age itself appeared to have an independent and deleterious effect on mortality, but age-associated comorbidity did not.

How long of a postponement in surgery can a blunt hollow viscus injury patient tolerate? A retrospective study from the National Trauma Data Bank.

BACKGROUND: In the management of patients with blunt abdominal trauma, delayed diagnosis and treatment of hollow viscus injury can occur. We assessed the effect of the time to surgery on the outcomes of blunt hollow viscus injury patients. METHODS: The National Trauma Data Bank was queried from 2012 to 2015 to identify patients with blunt hollow viscus injury for inclusion. Patients with unstable hemodynamics, concomitant intra-abdominal organ injuries, or other severe extra-abdominal injuries were excluded. Inverse probability of treatment weighting and multivariate logistic regression were used to evaluate the effect of the time to surgery on the outcomes. RESULTS: In total, 2,997 patients with blunt hollow viscus injury were studied; the mean time to abdominal surgery was 6.7 hours. Twenty-two hours was selected as a cutoff value for further analyses because of an observed transition zone at that time in the distribution of mortality and severe sepsis rates. After adjustment, patients who underwent surgery within 22 hours had a significantly lower mortality rate (1.2% vs 4.2%), lower sepsis rate (0.9% vs 4.5%), shorter hospital length of stay (8.7 vs 12.0 days), and shorter intensive care unit length of stay (1.4 vs 3.3 days). In patients who underwent surgery within 22 hours, neither mortality nor sepsis were affected significantly by the time to surgery. CONCLUSION: In the management of patients with blunt hollow viscus injury, early surgical treatment is needed. Patients with isolated blunt hollow viscus injury may have a poor outcome if they undergo abdominal surgery more than 22 hours after arrival in the emergency department.

Accuracy of the WSES classification system for pelvic ring disruptions: an international validation study.

BACKGROUND: In 2017, a novel classification for pelvic injuries was established by the World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES). We validated its effectiveness using nationwide real-world data. The roles of associated vascular injury and open fracture in this system were also evaluated. METHODS: Patients with pelvic fractures in the National Trauma Data Bank 2015 dataset were retrospectively studied. First, the mortality rates were compared by WSES classification. Second, independent predictors of mortality were evaluated using a multivariate logistic regression model. Patients with and without associated vascular injuries and the same hemodynamic and pelvic ring stability statuses were compared. Patients with associated vascular injuries were compared to the proportion of nonsurvivors and survivors with unstable pelvic ring injuries. Third, the outcomes were compared between patients with open pelvic fracture and closed pelvic fracture in the mild, moderate and severe WSES classes. RESULTS: During the 12-month study period, 44,163 blunt pelvic fracture patients were included. The mortality rates were 1.8%, 3.8% and 10.6% for the mild, moderate and severe WSES classes, respectively (p < 0.001). MLR analysis showed that unstable pelvic ring injury did not significantly affect mortality (p = 0.549), whereas open pelvic fracture and associated vascular injury were independent predictors of mortality (odds of mortality: open pelvic fracture 1.630, p < 0.001; associated vascular injury 1.602, p < 0.001). Patients with associated vascular injuries showed that there was no significant difference in the proportion of patients with unstable pelvic ring injuries between survivors and nonsurvivors (37.2% vs. 32.7%, p = 0.323). In all three classes, patients with open pelvic fractures had significantly higher mortality rates and infection rates than patients with closed fractures (mortality rates: minor 3.5% vs. 1.8%, p = 0.009, moderate 11.2% vs. 3.3%, p < 0.001, severe 23.8% vs. 9.8%, p < 0.001; infection rates: minor 3.3% vs. 0.7%, p < 0.001, moderate 6.7% vs. 2.1%, p < 0.001, severe 7.9% vs. 2.8%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Based on this nationwide study, the WSES guideline provides an accurate and reproducible classification of pelvic fractures. It is recommended that open/closed fractures and associated vascular injuries be evaluated as supplements of the WSES classification.

Pediatric Firearm-Related Injuries: Taking Kids Out of Harm's Way Begins with Targeted Prevention.

BACKGROUND: Firearm-related injury is a public health crisis and remains the 3rd most common cause of death from ages 1 15 years. By evaluating events surrounding such injuries, evidence-based intervention strategies efforts may be targeted to maximize impact. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed for firearm-related injuries in patients 15 years-old and under at an urban Pediatric Level 1 Trauma Center between January 2016 and December 2020. Age, gender, race/ethnicity, injury severity score (ISS), reported cause of injury, timing of injury around school and curfew, and mortality were evaluated. Medical Examiner data identified other deaths that occurred within the hospital's catchment area. RESULTS: There were 195 injuries including 14 from the Medical Examiner. Overall, 82.6% were male with median age of 14 years (range 1-15; IQR 13-15), and median ISS of 5 (IQR 1-10). African-American children comprised 74.9% of the cohort while only representing 35.9% of local schools. Intentional interpersonal injuries comprised 65.6%; 17.4% were bystanders; 7.2% were negligent discharges; and 0.5% suicide. Median age for intentional interpersonal injuries was 14 years (IQR 13-15) compared to 11 years (IQR 8-14, P = 0.03) for negligent discharges. Regarding timing, 6.9% of injuries occurred during school hours; 56.4% after school or during non-school days; and 36.7% were after legal curfew. Mortality rate was 17.4%. CONCLUSIONS: Firearm safety education and community-based violence intervention should start in the pre-teen years. Pediatric firearm-related injury prevention strategies must be multifaceted addressing structural racism, truancy, curfew violation, extra-curricular activities, childcare options, firearm safety education, violence reduction, suicide prevention, and recidivism.

Obesity May Require a Higher Level of Trauma Care: A Propensity-Matched Nationwide Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: Stable patients with less severe injuries are not necessarily triaged to high-level trauma centers according to current guidelines. Obese patients are prone to comorbidities and complications. We hypothesized that stable obese patients with low-energy trauma have lower mortality and fewer complications if treated at Level-I/II trauma centers. Methods: Blunt abdominal trauma (BAT) patients with systolic blood pressures ≥90mmHg, Glasgow coma scale ≥14, and respiratory rates at 10-29 were derived from the National Trauma Data Bank between 2013-2015. Per current triage guidelines, these patients are not necessarily triaged to high-level trauma centers. The relationship between obesity and mortality of stable BAT patients was analyzed. A subset analysis of patients with injury severity scores (ISS) <16 was performed with propensity score matching (PSM) to evaluate outcomes between Level-I/II and Level-III/IV trauma centers. Outcomes of obese patients were compared between Level-I/II and Level-III/IV trauma centers. Non-obese patients were analyzed as a control group using a similar PSM cohort analysis. Results: 48,043 stable BAT patients in 707 trauma centers were evaluated. Non-survivors had a significantly higher body mass index (BMI) (28.7 vs. 26.9, p < 0.001) and higher proportion of obesity (35.6% vs. 26.5%, p < 0.001) than survivors. After a PSM (1,502 obese patients: 751 in Level-I/II trauma centers and 751 in Level-III/IV trauma centers), obese patients treated in Level-I/II trauma centers had significantly lower complication rates than obese patients treated in other trauma centers (20.2% vs. 26.6%, standardized difference = 0.151). The complication rate of obese patients treated at Level-I/II trauma centers was 20.6% lower than obese patients treated at other trauma centers. Conclusion: Obesity plays a role in the mortality of stable BAT patients. Obese patients with ISS < 16 have lower complication rates at Level-I/II trauma centers compared to obese patients treated at other trauma centers. Obesity may be a consideration for triaging to Level-I/II trauma centers.

Association between Torso Gunshot Wound Volumes of Trauma Centers and Outcomes of Torso Gunshot Wound Patients. A Propensity-Matched Nationwide Cohort Study.

Objective: The number and type of patients treated by trauma centers can vary widely because of a number of factors. There might be trauma centers with a high volume of torso GSWs that are not designated as high-level trauma centers. We proposed that, for torso gunshot wounds (GSWs), the treating hospital's trauma volume and not its trauma center level designation drives patient prognosis.Methods: The National Trauma Data Bank was queried for torso GSWs. The characteristics of torso GSWs in trauma centers with different volumes of torso GSWs were compared. The association between torso GSW volumes of trauma centers and the outcomes of torso GSWs were evaluated with propensity score matching (PSM) and multivariate logistic regression (MLR) analysis.Results: There were 618 trauma centers that treated 14,804 torso GSW patients in two years (2014-2015). In 191 level I trauma centers, 82 of them (42.9%, 82/191) treated <1 torso GSW per month. After well-balanced PSM, patients who were treated in higher volume trauma centers (≥9 torso GSWs/month) had a significantly lower mortality rate (7.9% vs. 9.7%). Patients treated in trauma centers with ≥9 torso GSWs/month had a 30.9% (odds ratio = 0.764) lower probability of death than if sent to trauma centers with <9 torso GSWs/month. Treatment in level I or II trauma centers did not significantly affect mortality.Conclusion: There is an uneven distribution of torso GSWs among trauma centers. Torso GSWs treated in trauma centers with ≥9 torso GSWs/month have significantly superior outcomes with regard to survival.

Heroes in crisis: Trauma centers should be screening for and intervening on posttraumatic stress in our emergency responders.

BACKGROUND: Emergency responders face a crisis of rising suicide rates, and many resist seeking help due to the stigma surrounding mental health. We sought to evaluate the feasibility of an urban trauma center to screen for posttraumatic stress (PTS) among emergency responders and to provide mental health services. METHODS: Paramedics, firefighters, law enforcement, and corrections officers involved with patients in the trauma unit were asked to complete the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) and Post-Traumatic Checklist for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-5 (PCL-5). Additional factors known to affect PTS were correlated: occupation, age, sex, years of service, marital status, children, and pets. Willingness and barriers to seeking interventions for PTS were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 258 responded: 36.7% paramedics, 40.2% law enforcement officers, 18.4% corrections officers, 0.8% firefighters, and 3.5% with multiple positions. Responders had a mean of 14.5 years of service (SD, 9.9 years). Mean PTGI and PCL-5 scores were 52.1 (SD, 25.1) and 17.2 (SD, 16.5), respectively. Overall, 24.7% had diagnostic PTS disorder with no difference seen in rates between professions. Of these, 80.7% had not sought care. Barriers included that they were not concerned (46%), did not recognize symptoms (24%), and were worried about consequences (20%). Concern over career advancement or losing one's job was the greatest barrier cited for seeking care. Among law enforcement, 47.7% were concerned that they would lose their ability to carry a firearm if they sought care for PTS. The PTGI score, divorce, and 46 years to 50 years were the only factors examined that correlated with increased PCL-5 score. There were 82.5% that felt the trauma center was the right place to screen and intervene upon PTS. CONCLUSION: Trauma centers are an ideal and safe place to both screen for PTS and offer mental health assistance. Comprehensive trauma-informed care by hospital-based intervention programs must expand to include emergency responders. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Epidemiological study type, Level II.

The scales of recovery: Balancing posttraumatic stress with resilience in the violently injured.

BACKGROUND: Community violence remains a clinical concern for urban hospitals nationwide; however, research on resilience and posttraumatic growth (PTG) among survivors of violent injury is lacking. This study intends to assess survivors of violent injury for resilience and PTG to better inform mental health interventions. METHODS: Adults who presented with nonaccidental penetrating trauma to an urban level 1 trauma center and were at least 1 month, but no more than 12 months, from treatment were eligible. Participants completed the Connor-Davidson Resiliency Scale, Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), Primary Care Posttraumatic Stress Disorder screen, and a community violence exposure screen. Additional demographic, injury, and treatment factors were collected from medical record. RESULTS: A total of 88 patients participated. The mean resiliency score was 83.2, with 71.1% scoring higher than the general population and 96.4% scoring higher than the reported scores of those seeking treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Participants demonstrated a mean PTGI score of 78 (SD, 20.4) with 92.4% scoring above the significant growth threshold of 45. In addition, 60.5% of patients screened positive for significant PTSD symptoms, approximately eight times higher than general population. Exposure to other traumatic events was high; an overwhelming 94% of participants stated that they have had a family member or a close friend killed, and 42% had personally witnessed a homicide. Higher resilience scores correlated with PTGI scores (p < 0.001) and lower PTSD screen (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Victims of violent injury experience a myriad of traumatic events yet are highly resilient and exhibit traits of growth across multiple domains. Resiliency can coexist with posttraumatic stress symptoms. Practitioners should assess for resiliency and PTG in addition to PTSD. Further investigation is needed to clarify the relational balance between resilience and posttraumatic stress. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Epidemiological study type, Level II.

Obesity is Associated with Worse Outcomes Among Abdominal Trauma Patients Undergoing Laparotomy: A Propensity-Matched Nationwide Cohort Study.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in abdominal trauma patients. The characteristics of abdominal trauma patients with poor outcomes related to obesity require evaluation. We hypothesize that obesity is related to increased mortality and length of stay (LOS) among abdominal trauma patients undergoing laparotomies. METHODS: Abdominal trauma patients were identified from the National Trauma Data Bank between 2013 and 2015. Patients who received laparotomies were analyzed using propensity score matching (PSM) to evaluate the mortality rate and LOS between obese and non-obese patients. Patients without laparotomies were analyzed as a control group using PSM cohort analysis. RESULTS: A total of 33,798 abdominal trauma patients were evaluated, 10,987 of them received laparotomies. Of these patients, the proportion of obesity in deceased patients was significantly higher when compared to the survivors (33.1% vs. 26.2%, p < 0.001). Elevation of one kg/m2 of body mass index independently resulted in 2.5% increased odds of mortality. After a well-balanced PSM, obese patients undergoing laparotomies had significantly higher mortality rates [3.7% vs. 2.4%, standardized difference (SD) = 0.241], longer hospital LOS (11.1 vs. 9.6 days, SD = 0.135), and longer intensive care unit LOS (3.5 vs. 2.3 days, SD = 0.171) than non-obese patients undergoing laparotomies. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity is associated with increased mortality in abdominal trauma patients who received laparotomies versus those who did not. Obesity requires a careful evaluation of alternatives to laparotomy in injured patients.

Missing expectations: Windlass tourniquet use without formal training yields poor results.

BACKGROUND: Despite significant attempts to educate civilians in hemorrhage control, the majority remain untrained. We sought to determine if laypersons can successfully apply one of three commercially available tourniquets; including those endorsed by the United States Military and the American College of Surgeons. METHODS: Preclinical graduate health science students were randomly assigned a commercially available windless tourniquet: SAM XT, Combat Application Tourniquet (CAT), or Special Operation Forces Tactical Tourniquet (SOFT-T). Each was given up to 1 minute to read package instructions and asked to apply it to the HapMed Leg Tourniquet Trainer. Estimated blood loss was measured until successful hemostatic pressure was achieved or simulated death occurred from exsanguination. Simulation survival, time to read instructions and stop bleeding, tourniquet pressure, and blood loss were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 150 students recruited, 55, 46, and 49 were randomized to the SAM XT, CAT, SOFT-T, respectively. Mean overall simulation survival was less than 66% (65%, 72%, 61%; p = 0.55). Of survivors, all three tourniquets performed similarly in median pressure applied (319, 315, and 329 mm Hg; p = 0.54) and median time to stop bleeding (91, 70, 77 seconds; p = 0.28). There was a statistical difference in median blood loss volume favoring SOFT-T (SAM XT, 686 mL; CAT, 624 mL; SOFT-T, 433 mL; p = 0.03). All 16 participants with previous experience were able to successfully place the tourniquet compared with 81 (62%) of 131 first-time users (p = 0.008). CONCLUSION: No one should die of extremity hemorrhage, and civilians are our first line of defense. We demonstrate that when an untrained layperson is handed a commonly accepted tourniquet, failure is unacceptably high. Current devices are not intuitive and require training beyond the enclosed instructions. Plans to further evaluate this cohort after formal "Stop the Bleed" training are underway.

Right hospital, right patients: Penetrating injury patients treated at high-volume penetrating trauma centers have lower mortality.

BACKGROUND: The recognition of the relationship between volume and outcomes led to the regionalization of trauma care. The relationship between trauma mechanism-subtype and outcomes has yet to be explored. We hypothesized that trauma centers with a high volume of penetrating trauma patients might be associated with a higher survival rate for penetrating trauma patients. METHODS: A retrospective cohort analysis of penetrating trauma patients presenting between 2011 and 2015 was conducted using the National Trauma Database and the trauma registry at the Stroger Cook County Hospital. Linear regression was used to determine the relationship between mortality and the annual volume of penetrating trauma seen by the treating hospital. RESULTS: Nationally, penetrating injuries account for 9.5% of the trauma cases treated. Patients treated within the top quartile penetrating-volume hospitals (≥167 penetrating cases per annum) are more severely injured (Injury Severity Score: 8.9 vs. 7.7) than those treated at the lowest quartile penetrating volume centers (<36.6 patients per annum). There was a lower mortality rate at institutions that treated high numbers of penetrating trauma patients per annum. A penetrating trauma mortality risk adjustment model showed that the volume of penetrating trauma patients was an independent factor associated with survival rate. CONCLUSION: Trauma centers with high penetrating trauma patient volumes are associated with improved survival of these patients. This association with improved survival does not hold true for the total trauma volume at a center but is specific to the volume of the penetrating trauma subtype. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic/Epidemiology Study, Level-III; Therapeutic/Care Management, Level IV.

Morbid Obesity's Silver Lining: An Armor for Hollow Viscus in Blunt Abdominal Trauma.

BACKGROUND: Morbid obesity is usually accompanied by both subcutaneous and visceral fat accumulation. Fat can mimic an air bag, absorbing the force of a collision. We hypothesized that morbid obesity is mechanically protective for hollow viscus organs in blunt abdominal trauma (BAT). METHODS: The National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB) was queried for BAT patients from 2013 to 2015. We looked at the rate of gastrointestinal (GI) tract injuries in all BAT patients with different BMIs. A subset analysis of BAT patients with operative GI tract injuries was performed to evaluate the need for abdominal operation. Multivariate analyses were carried out to identify factors independently associated with increased GI tract injuries and associated abdominal operations. RESULTS: A total of 100,459 BAT patients were evaluated in the NTDB. Patients with GI tract injury had a lower proportion of morbidly obese patients [body weight index (BMI) ≥ 40 kg/m2)] (3.7% vs. 4.2%, p = 0.015) and instead had more underweight patients (BMI < 18.5) (5.9% vs. 5.0%, p < 0.001). The risk of GI tract injury decreased 11.6% independently in morbidly obese patients and increased 15.7% in underweight patients. Of the patients with GI tract injuries (N = 11,467), patients who needed a GI operation had a significantly lower proportion of morbidly obese patients (3.2% vs. 5.3%, p < 0.001). The risk of abdominal operation for GI tract injury decreased 57.3% independently in morbidly obese patients. Compared with underweight patients, morbidly obese patients had significantly less GI tract injury (6.0% vs. 13.3%, p < 0.001) and associated abdominal operation rates (65.2% vs. 73.3%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Obesity is protective in BAT. This translates into lower rates of GI tract injury and operation in morbidly obese patients. In contrast, underweight patients appear to suffer a higher rate of GI tract injury and associated GI operations.