Optimal Timing of Cholecystectomy for Acute Cholecystitis: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background Laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed less than 72 hours from hospital admission for acute cholecystitis has shown to decrease hospital cost without an increase in length of stay (LOS). Very few studies have examined clinical and cost outcomes of performing cholecystectomy less than 24 hours from hospital admission. The aim of this study was to examine the cost and LOS of laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed on an early (less than 24 hours from admission) and late (more than 24 hours from hospital admission) basis. Methods We performed a retrospective observational study of 569 patients at Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, USA, who underwent urgent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis between January 1, 2018 and February 28, 2020. We evaluated preoperative/postoperative LOS, operative duration, hospital cost, and patient complications. Results 468 patients underwent urgent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis during our study period. Early cholecystectomy (less than 24 hours from admission) had an overall decreased LOS (43.6 hours versus 102.9 hours, p-value < 0.01) and decreased hospital cost ($23,736.70 versus $30,176.40, p-value < 0.01) compared to late cholecystectomy (more than 24 hours from admission). There was also a significantly higher rate of bile leak in patients who underwent surgery more than 24 hours from hospital admission compared to those who had surgery less than 24 hours from admission (5.9% versus 0.4%, p-value < 0.01). Additionally, those procedures performed greater than 24 hours from hospital admission were significantly more likely to be converted to an open procedure (6.9% versus 2.2%, p-value = 0.02).  Conclusion Urgent laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed within 24 hours of hospital admission for acute cholecystitis decreased hospital cost, LOS, and operative complications in our institution's patient population. Our data suggests that performing laparoscopic cholecystectomy within 24 hours of hospital admission would be beneficial from a patient and hospital standpoint.

American Helicopter Emergency Medical Service Pilots Report to Work Despite High Rates of Sleepiness.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies on helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) pilots found a positive correlation among fatigue, nodding off in flight, and accidents. We sought to quantify the amount of sleepiness in HEMS pilots using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). METHODS: An anonymous survey was sent via the National EMS Pilots Association emergency medical services listserv including demographics, the ESS, and subjective effects of fatigue on flying. Statistical analyses were performed using the t-test and analysis of variance. RESULTS: Thirty-one surveys were returned. Twenty-one (65%) reported an ESS > 10, indicating excessive daytime sleepiness. Twelve (39%) reported nodding off in flight; 20 (65%) indicated that they should have refused to fly, but only 14 (45%) actually did. En route was the most likely phase of flight to be affected by fatigue (23 [74%]), whereas takeoff (2 [7%]) and landing (2 [7%]) were the least likely to be affected. CONCLUSION: Many HEMS pilots in this small study reported excessive daytime sleepiness. Most respondents indicated that they should have turned down a flight because of fatigue. More research is necessary to quantify the burden of fatigue among HEMS pilots.

Evaluation and management of mild traumatic brain injury: an Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma practice management guideline.

BACKGROUND: An estimated 1.1 million people sustain a mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) annually in the United States. The natural history of MTBI remains poorly characterized, and its optimal clinical management is unclear. The Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma had previously published a set of practice management guidelines for MTBI in 2001. The purpose of this review was to update these guidelines to reflect the literature published since that time. METHODS: The PubMed and Cochrane Library databases were searched for articles related to MTBI published between 1998 and 2011. Selected older references were also examined. RESULTS: A total of 112 articles were reviewed and used to construct a series of recommendations. CONCLUSION: The previous recommendation that brain computed tomographic (CT) should be performed on patients that present acutely with suspected brain trauma remains unchanged. A number of additional recommendations were added. Standardized criteria that may be used to determine which patients receive a brain CT in resource-limited environments are described. Patients with an MTBI and negative brain CT result may be discharged from the emergency department if they have no other injuries or issues requiring admission. Patients taking warfarin who present with an MTBI should have their international normalized ratio (INR) level determined, and those with supratherapeutic INR values should be admitted for observation. Deficits in cognition and memory usually resolve within 1 month but may persist for longer periods in 20% to 40% of cases. Routine use of magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, nuclear magnetic resonance, or biochemical markers for the clinical management of MTBI is not supported at the present time.

Abdominal anaphylaxis presenting as trauma: a recipe for delayed diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: Successful shock management requires prompt identification, classification, and treatment; however, the triage of patients with non-hemorrhagic shock to the trauma room can lead to delayed diagnosis with increased morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE: Our goal is to emphasize the importance of shock identification and classification to facilitate the delivery of the appropriate and timely therapy, no matter how the patient is triaged. CASE REPORT: We describe a patient triaged as a trauma patient with suspected hemorrhagic shock yet who was found to have anaphylaxis as the etiology of his condition. Abdominal anaphylaxis, a less recognized presentation of anaphylaxis, is reviewed and discussed. CONCLUSIONS: We hope to increase awareness of a less common presentation of anaphylaxis and discuss its management.

The management of the open abdomen in trauma and emergency general surgery: part 1-damage control.

BACKGROUND: The open abdomen technique, after both military and civilian trauma, emergency general or vascular surgery, has been used in some form for the past 30 years. There have been several hundred citations on the indications and the management of the open abdomen. Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma practice management committee convened a study group to organize the world's literature for the management of the open abdomen. This effort was divided into two parts: damage control and the management of the open abdomen. Only damage control is presented in this study. Part 1 is divided into indications for the open abdomen, temporary abdominal closure, staged abdominal repair, and nutrition support of the open abdomen. METHODS: A literature review was performed for more than 30 years. Prospective and retrospective studies were included. The reviews and case reports were excluded. Of 1,200 articles, 95 were selected. Seventeen surgeons reviewed the articles with four defined criteria. The Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma primer was used to grade the evidence. RESULTS: There was only one level I recommendation. A patient with documented abdominal compartment syndrome should undergo decompressive laparotomy. CONCLUSION: The open abdomen technique remains a heroic maneuver in the care of the critically ill trauma or surgical patient. For the best outcomes, a protocol for the indications, temporary abdominal closure, staged abdominal reconstruction, and nutrition support should be in place.

Factors associated with survival following blunt chest trauma in older patients: results from a large regional trauma cooperative.

HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesized that patient factors, injury patterns, and therapeutic interventions influence outcomes among older patients incurring traumatic chest injuries. DESIGN: Patients older than 50 years with at least 1 rib fracture (RF) were retrospectively studied, including institutional data, patient data, clinical interventions, and complications. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed. SETTING: Eight trauma centers. PATIENTS: A total of 1621 patients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Survival. RESULTS: Patient data collected include the following: age (mean, 70.1 years), number of RFs (mean, 3.7), Abbreviated Injury Scale chest score (mean, 2.7), Injury Severity Score (mean, 11.7), and mortality (overall, 4.6%). On univariable analysis, increased mortality was associated with admission to high-volume trauma centers and level I centers, preexisting coronary artery disease or congestive heart failure, intubation or development of pneumonia, and increasing age, Injury Severity Score, and number of RFs. On multivariable analysis, strongest predictors of mortality were admission to high-volume trauma centers, preexisting congestive heart failure, intubation, and increasing age and Injury Severity Score. Using this predictive model, tracheostomy and patient-controlled analgesia had protective effects on survival. CONCLUSIONS: In a large regional trauma cooperative, increasing age and Injury Severity Score were independent predictors of survival among older patients incurring traumatic RFs. Admission to high-volume trauma centers, preexisting congestive heart failure, and intubation added to mortality. Therapies associated with improved survival were patient-controlled analgesia and tracheostomy. Further regional cooperation should allow development of standard care practices for these challenging patients.

Practice management guidelines for identification of cervical spine injuries following trauma: update from the eastern association for the surgery of trauma practice management guidelines committee.

BACKGROUND: Injury to the cervical spine (CS) is common after major trauma. The Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma first published its Practice Management Guidelines for the evaluation of CS injury in 1998. A subsequent revision was published in 2000. Since that time a large volume of literature has been published. As a result, the Practice Management Guidelines Committee set out to develop updated guidelines for the identification of CS injury. METHODS: A search of the National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health MEDLINE database was performed using PubMed (www.pubmed.gov). The search retrieved English language articles regarding the identification of CS injury from 1998 to 2007. The questions posed were: who needs CS imaging; what imaging should be obtained; when should computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, or flexion/extension radiographs be used; and how is significant ligamentous injury excluded in the comatose patient? RESULTS: Seventy-eight articles were identified. From this group, 52 articles were selected to construct the guidelines. CONCLUSION: There have been significant changes in practice since the previous CS injury guidelines. Most significantly, computed tomography has supplanted plain radiography as the primary screening modality in those who require imaging. Clinical clearance remains the standard in awake, alert patients with trauma without neurologic deficit or distracting injury who have no neck pain or tenderness with full range of motion. Cervical collars should be removed as soon as feasible. Controversy persists regarding CS clearance in the obtunded patient without gross neurologic deficit.