Does Practice Match Training? Consultation Practices in Surgical Critical Care.

INTRODUCTION: Intensive care unit (ICU) patient and provider attributes may prompt specialty consultation. We sought to determine practice patterns of surgical critical care (SCC) physicians for ICU consultation. METHODS: We surveyed American Association for the Surgery of Trauma members. Various diagnoses were listed under each of nine related specialties. Respondents were asked for which conditions they would consult a specialist. Conditions were cross-referenced with the SCC fellowship curriculum. Other perspectives on practice and consultation were queried. RESULTS: 314 physicians (18.6%) responded (68% male; 79% White; 96.2% surgical intensivist); 284 (16.8%) completed all questions. Percentage of clinical time practicing SCC was 26-50% in 57% and >50% in 14.5%. ICUs were closed (39%), open (25%), or hybrid (36%). Highest average confidence ratings (1 = least, 5 = most) for managing select conditions were ventilator, 4.64; palliative care, 4.51; infections, 4.44; organ donation, hemodynamics (tie), 4.31; lowest rating was myocardial ischemia, 3.85. Consults were more frequent for Cardiology, Hematology, and Neurology; less frequent for nephrology, palliative care, gastroenterology, infectious disease, and pulmonary; and low for curriculum topics (<25%) except for infectious diseases and palliative care. Attending staffing 24 h/day was associated with a lower mean number of topics for consultation (mean 24.03 versus 26.31, P = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: ICU consultation practices vary based on consultant specialty and patient diagnosis. Consultation is most common for specialty-specific diseases and specialist interventions, but uncommon for topics found in the SCC curriculum, suggesting that respondents' scope of practice closely matched their training.

Developing a National Trauma Research Action Plan: Results from the postadmission critical care research gap Delphi survey.

INTRODUCTION: The 2016 National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine report included a proposal to establish a National Trauma Research Action Plan. In response, the Department of Defense funded the Coalition for National Trauma Research to generate a comprehensive research agenda spanning the continuum of trauma and burn care from prehospital care to rehabilitation as part of an overall strategy to achieve zero preventable deaths and disability after injury. The Postadmission Critical Care Research panel was 1 of 11 panels constituted to develop this research agenda. METHODS: We recruited interdisciplinary experts in surgical critical care and recruited them to identify current gaps in clinical critical care research, generate research questions, and establish the priority of these questions using a consensus-driven Delphi survey approach. The first of four survey rounds asked participants to generate key research questions. On subsequent rounds, we asked survey participants to rank the priority of each research question on a 9-point Likert scale, categorized to represent low-, medium-, and high-priority items. Consensus was defined as ≥60% of panelists agreeing on the priority category. RESULTS: Twenty-five subject matter experts generated 595 questions. By Round 3, 249 questions reached ≥60% consensus. Of these, 22 questions were high, 185 were medium, and 42 were low priority. The clinical states of hypovolemic shock and delirium were most represented in the high-priority questions. Traumatic brain injury was the only specific injury pattern with a high-priority question. CONCLUSION: The National Trauma Research Action Plan critical care research panel identified 22 high-priority research questions, which, if answered, would reduce preventable death and disability after injury. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic Tests or Criteria; Level IV.

Acute Pancreatitis: Exploring Nutrition Implications.

Diseases of the pancreas vary by type, etiology, pathophysiology, and outcomes. One of the principle therapeutic considerations in all types of pancreatic diseases is nutrition. This review will consider acute pancreatitis (AP). Choice of patient, type and composition of nutrition, and timing of initiation will be discussed as components for achieving the maximum benefits of nutrition therapy in AP. The paradigm of nutrition therapy in AP has shifted to early enteral and/or oral nutrition based on disease severity to help mitigate the underlying inflammatory cascade of events leading to AP, beginning with anatomic and functional intestinal changes. Additionally, newer research investigating the inflammatory changes that instigate, maintain, and propagate AP will be discussed in terms of the nutrition effects on systemic inflammation. Nutrition therapy can mitigate the inflammatory changes in the intestinal tract and help with intestinal motility, bacterial overgrowth and translocation. It can help maintain intestinal bacterial composition and abundance similar to predisease levels. This review will also discuss the changes in the intestinal microbiome and effects of probiotics in AP.

Contemporary hemodynamic monitoring, fluid responsiveness, volume optimization, and endpoints of resuscitation: an AAST critical care committee clinical consensus.

This article, on hemodynamic monitoring, fluid responsiveness, volume assessment, and endpoints of resuscitation, is part of a compendium of guidelines provided by the AAST (American Association for the Surgery of Trauma) critical care committee. The intention of these guidelines is to inform practitioners with practical clinical guidance. To do this effectively and contemporarily, expert consensus via the critical care committee was obtained. Strict guideline methodology such a GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) was purposefully NOT used so as not to limit the possible clinical guidance. The critical care committee foresees this methodology as practically valuable to the bedside clinician.

Feasibility of a trauma quality-of-life follow-up clinic.

BACKGROUND: Little effort has been made to address long-term quality of life, chronic pain (CP), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and functional disability in trauma survivors. This quality initiative was developed to determine feasibility of a coordinated, comprehensive, patient-centered follow-up clinic for those at risk for poor long-term outcomes. METHODS: A convenience sample from 649 hospitalized trauma patients at a Midwestern level 1 trauma center between February 2018 and August 2018 was screened for risk of PTSD and CP. Thirty-six patients were randomized into a standard follow-up clinic (standard of care [SOC]) (2-week postdischarge surgical clinic) or a new trauma quality of life clinic (TQOL). The TQOL was developed to provide comprehensive care to patients at high risk for PTSD (Injured Trauma Survivor Score, ≥2) and/or CP (discharge pain score, ≥4). Trauma quality of life clinic included a nurse practitioner or surgeon (physician), psychologist, social worker, and physical therapist at 1-week post discharge. All providers saw the patient independently, developed a care plan collaboratively, and communicated the plan to the patient. The SOC involved a visit only with a nurse practitioner or surgeon (medical doctor). Measures of pain, PTSD, depression, quality of life, physical functioning, and life satisfaction were completed at time of the TQOL/SOC or over the phone. RESULTS: There were no differences in demographics, readmissions, or emergency department visits after discharge between groups. However, no show rates were almost twice as high in SOC (40%) compared with TQOL (22%) and those in TQOL completed 23 additional psychology visits versus one psychology visit in SOC. This clinic structure is feasible for high-risk patients, and TQOL patients demonstrated improved engagement in their care. CONCLUSIONS: A comprehensive multidisciplinary TQOL addressing issues affecting convalescence for trauma patients at high risk for developing PTSD and CP can improve follow-up rates to ensure patients are recovering successfully. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, Level IV.

AAST Critical Care Committee clinical consensus: ECMO, nutrition.

The American Association for the Surgery of Trauma Critical Care Committee has developed clinical consensus guides to help with practical answers based on the best evidence available. These are focused in areas in which the levels of evidence may not be that strong and are based on a combination of expert consensus and research. Overall, quality of the research is mixed, with many studies suffering from small numbers and issues with bias. The first two of these focus on the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in trauma patients and nutrition for the critically ill surgical/trauma patient.

Observing pneumothoraces: The 35-millimeter rule is safe for both blunt and penetrating chest trauma.

BACKGROUND: As more pneumothoraxes (PTX) are being identified on chest computed tomography (CT), the empiric trigger for tube thoracostomy (TT) versus observation remains unclear. We hypothesized that PTX measuring 35 mm or less on chest CT can be safely observed in both penetrating and blunt trauma mechanisms. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of all patients diagnosed with PTX by chest CT between January 2011 and December 2016. Patients were excluded if they had an associated hemothorax, an immediate TT (TT placed before the initial chest CT), or if they were on mechanical ventilation. Size of PTX was quantified by measuring the radial distance between the parietal and visceral pleura/mediastinum in a line perpendicular to the chest wall on axial imaging of the largest air pocket. Based on previous work, a cutoff of 35 mm on the initial CT was used to dichotomize the groups. Failure of observation was defined as the need for a delayed TT during the first week. A univariate analysis was performed to identify predictors of failure in both groups, and multivariate analysis was constructed to assess the independent impact of PTX measurement on the failure of observation while controlling for demographics and chest injuries. RESULTS: Of the 1,767 chest trauma patients screened, 832 (47%) had PTX, and of those meeting inclusion criteria, 257 (89.0%) were successfully observed until discharge. Of those successfully observed, 247 (96%) patients had a measurement of 35 mm or less. The positive predictive value for 35 mm as a cutoff was 90.8% to predict successful observation. In the univariant analyses, rib fractures (p = 0.048), Glasgow Coma Scale (p = 0.012), and size of the PTX (≤35 mm or >35 mm) (P < 0.0001) were associated with failed observation. In multivariate analysis, PTX measuring 35 mm or less was an independent predictor of successful observation (odds ratio, 0.142; 95% confidence interval, 0.047-0.428)] for the combined blunt and penetrating trauma patients. CONCLUSION: A 35-mm cutoff is safe as a general guide with only 9% of stable patients failing initial observation regardless of mechanism. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, level III.

Clinical significance of computed tomography contrast extravasation in blunt trauma patients with a pelvic fracture.

INTRODUCTION: Blunt pelvic fractures can be associated with major pelvic bleeding. The significance of contrast extravasation (CE) on computed tomography (CT) is debated. We sought to update our experience with CE on CT scan for the years 2009-2014 to determine the accuracy of CE in predicting the need for angioembolization. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of the trauma registry and our electronic medical record from a Level I trauma center. Patients seen from July 1, 2009, to September 7, 2014, with blunt pelvic fractures and contrast-enhanced CT were included. Standard demographic, clinical, and injury data were obtained. Patient records were queried for CE, performance of angiography, and angioembolization. Positive patients were those where CE was associated with active bleeding requiring angioembolization. All other patients were considered negative. RESULTS: There were 497 patients during the study time period with blunt pelvic fracture meeting inclusion criteria, and 75 patients (15%) had CE. Of those patients with CE, 30 patients (40%) underwent angiography, and 17 patients (23%) required angioembolization. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of CE on CT were 100%, 87.9%, 22.7%, and 100%, respectively. Two patients without CE underwent angiography but did not undergo embolization. Patients with CE had higher mortality (13 vs. 6%, p < 0.05) despite not having higher ISS scores. CONCLUSIONS: This study reinforces that CE on CT pelvis with blunt trauma is common, but many patients will not require angioembolization. The negative predictive value of 100% should be reassuring to trauma surgeons such that if a modern CT scanner is used, and there is no CE seen on CT, then the pelvis will not be a source of hemorrhagic shock. All of these findings are likely due to both increased comfort with observing CEs and the increased sensitivity of modern CT scanners. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic/care management study, level IV.

The Critical Care Obesity Paradox and Implications for Nutrition Support.

Obesity is a leading cause of preventable death worldwide. The prevalence of obesity has been increasing and is associated with an increased risk for other co-morbidities. In the critical care setting, nearly one third of patients are obese. Obese critically ill patients pose significant physical and on-physical challenges to providers, including optimization of nutrition therapy. Intuitively, obese patients would have worse critical care-related outcome. On the contrary, emerging data suggests that critically ill obese patients have improved outcomes, and this phenomenon has been coined "the obesity paradox." The purposes of this review will be to outline the historical views and pathophysiology of obesity and epidemiology of obesity, describe the challenges associated with obesity in the intensive care unit setting, review critical care outcomes in the obese, define the obesity-critical care paradox, and identify the challenges and role of nutrition support in the critically ill obese patient.

Should We Aim for Full Enteral Feeding in the First Week of Critical Illness?

Recent clinical trials have challenged the concept that aggressive full feeding as close to goal requirements as possible is necessary in the first week following admission to the intensive care unit. While the data suggesting that permissive underfeeding is better than full feeds are methodologically flawed, other data do indicate that in certain well-defined patient populations, outcomes may be similar. The most important issues for clinicians in determining optimal nutrition therapy for critically ill patients are to carefully determine nutrition risk and differentiate nutrition from nonnutrition benefits of early enteral feeding. Management decisions in the first week of hospitalization should be made in the context of both short- and long-term outcomes. Patients at highest nutrition risk may require advancement to goal feeds as soon as tolerated to maximize benefit from nutrition therapy.

Controversies in Critical Care Nutrition Support.

Critical illness predisposes individuals to highly variable metabolic and immune responses, leading to muscle mass loss, impaired healing, immobility, and susceptibility to infections and cognitive impairment. Recommendations for nutrition in critically ill patients are supported by observational studies, small randomized controlled trials, and mechanistic data. There is no standardization of nutritional therapy in critically ill patients and controversies in the type, quantity, and timing of nutrition support persist. This article reviews the physiologic basis for nutrition support, the concept of nutritional risk, and various controversies in critical care nutrition support.

Surgery residency curriculum examination scores predict future American Board of Surgery in-training examination performance.

IMPORTANCE: A protected block curriculum (PBC) with postcurriculum examinations for all surgical residents has been provided to assure coverage of core curricular topics. Biannual assessment of resident competency will soon be required by the Next Accreditation System. OBJECTIVE: To identify opportunities for early medical knowledge assessment and interventions, we examined whether performance in postcurriculum multiple-choice examinations (PCEs) is predictive of performance in the American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination (ABSITE) and clinical service competency assessments. DESIGN: Retrospective single-institutional education research study. SETTING: Academic general surgery residency program. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 49 surgical residents. INTERVENTION: Data for PGY1 and PGY2 residents participating in the 2008 to 2012 PBC are included. Each resident completed 6 PCEs during each year. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The results of 6 examinations were correlated to percentage-correct ABSITE scores and clinical assessments based on the 6 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education core competencies. Individual ABSITE performance was compared between PGY1 and PGY2. Statistical analysis included multivariate linear regression and bivariate Pearson correlations. RESULTS: A total of 49 residents completed the PGY1 PBC and 36 completed the PGY2 curriculum. Linear regression analysis of percentage-correct ABSITE and PCE scores demonstrated a statistically significant correlation between the PGY1 PCE 1 score and the subsequent PGY1 ABSITE score (p = 0.037, ß = 0.299). Similarly, the PGY2 PCE 1 score predicted performance in the PGY2 ABSITE (p = 0.015, ß = 0.383). The ABSITE scores correlated between PGY1 and PGY2 with statistical significance, r = 0.675, p = 0.001. Performance on the 6 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education core competencies correlated between PGY1 and PGY2, r = 0.729, p = 0.001, but did not correlate with PCE scores during either years. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Within a mature PBC, early performance in a PGY1 and PGY2 PCE is predictive of performance in the respective ABSITE. This information can be used for formative assessment and early remediation of residents who are predicted to be at risk for poor performance in the ABSITE.

Undetected penetrating bladder injuries presenting as a spontaneously expulsed bullet during voiding: a rare entity and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Patients presenting with a penetrating missile lodged in the pelvis are at risk for having a urinary tract injury. Once in the bladder, the missile can become impacted in the urethra, causing retention that requires extraction. Rarely, the missile can be expulsed spontaneously through the urethra. OBJECTIVES: To describe the world literature regarding undetected penetrating bladder injuries presenting as spontaneously voided bullets and to contribute an additional case to the literature. CASE REPORT: We present a case report of a 37-year-old man who sustained a gunshot wound to the right buttock, with an undetected urinary system injury and subsequent spontaneous voiding of a bullet. CONCLUSION: There have been <10 cases reported in the literature of spontaneously expulsed bullets from the urethra, all of which were undetected injuries on initial presentation. Physicians should be aware of the potential for undetected urinary tract injuries in patients with penetrating missiles to the pelvis and understand the appropriate evaluation and management strategies for these injuries.

Combined rectovesicular injuries from low velocity penetrating trauma in an adult.

The most common concomitant site of injury following a penetrating anorectal injury is the genitourinary tract. In anorectal penetrating injuries, other organ injuries must be thoroughly evaluated. In the presence of concomitant rectal and posterior bladder injury, consideration should be given to omental interposition between the surgically repaired organs to prevent fistula formation. Fecal diversion may be required depending upon the integrity of the anal sphincters. Combined rectal and genitourinary trauma from stab wounds or impalement is rare, and requires an interdisciplinary approach utilizing the collaborative expertise of both trauma surgical and urology teams to optimize the intraoperative and postoperative care of the patient.

Enteral nutrition in the critically ill patient.

Timing and route of nutrition provided to critically ill patients can affect their outcome. Early enteral nutrition has been shown to decrease specifically infectious morbidity in the critically ill patient. There is a small group of patients who are malnourished on arrival to the intensive care unit and in these patients parenteral nutrition is beneficial.

A pilot study to explore the safety of perioperative postpyloric enteral nutrition.

BACKGROUND: The practice of holding enteral nutrition (EN) 8 hours prior to surgery is common. We hypothesized that it was safe to continue postpyloric EN, and we developed an institutional practice pattern to investigate our hypothesis. METHODS: Our pilot study included intubated patients in the surgical intensive care unit at Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital who received EN via a nasojejunal (NJ) feeding tube and underwent 1 or more surgical procedures. Demographic, illness, and injury information were collected as well as length of time to NJ placement, time to initiation of EN, EN interruptions, and complications. Additional hours of EN were calculated by totaling the number of hours a patient received EN past midnight on the day of surgery. RESULTS: A total of 14 patients with mean (SD) age 44.3 (19.9) were included. Patients had a mean (SD) Injury Severity Score (ISS) of 26.1 (9.2) on admission and underwent a total of 38 operations following placement of a feeding tube. The most frequent operation performed was an orthopedic procedure (n = 17; 46.1%). The mean (SD) length of EN interruptions for a single procedure was 222.4 (206.9) minutes. Patients received an additional 11.9 (4.7) hours of EN over the course of their hospitalization and an additional 1064.9 (490) kcal/d per operation. There were no adverse events. CONCLUSION: Perioperative continuation of postpyloric EN is feasible in some critically ill surgical patients and can result in additional calories provided. A multidisciplinary approach and an institutional policy can increase the likelihood of meeting nutrition goals in these patients.

Who should we feed? Western Trauma Association multi-institutional study of enteral nutrition in the open abdomen after injury.

BACKGROUND: The open abdomen is a requisite component of a damage control operation and treatment of abdominal compartment syndrome.Enteral nutrition (EN) has proven beneficial for patients with critical injury, but its application in those with an open abdomen has not been defined. The purpose of this study was to analyze the use of EN for patients with an open abdomen after trauma and the effect of EN on fascial closure rates and nosocomial infections. METHODS: We reviewed patients with an open abdomen after injury from January 2002 to January 2009 from 11 trauma centers. RESULTS: During the 7-year study period, 597 patients required an open abdomen after trauma. Most were men (77%) sustaining blunt trauma (72%), with a mean (SD) age of 38 (0.7) years, an Injury Severity Score of 31 (0.6), an abdominal injury score of 3.8(0.1), and an Abdominal Trauma Index score of 26.8 (0.6). Of the patients, 548 (92%) had an open abdomen after a damage control operation, whereas the remainder experienced an abdominal compartment syndrome. Of the 597 patients, 230 (39%)received EN initiated before the closure of the abdomen at mean (SD) day 3.6 (1.2) after injury. EN was started with an open abdomen in one quarter of the 290 patients with bowel injuries. For the 307 patients without a bowel injury, logistic regression indicated that EN is associated with higher fascial closure rates (odds ratio [OR], 5.3; p G 0.01), decreased complication rates(OR, 0.46; p = 0.02), and decreased mortality (OR, 0.30; p = 0.01). For the 290 patients who experienced a bowel injury,regression analysis showed no significant association between EN and fascial closure rate (OR, 0.6; p = 0.2), complication rate (OR, 1.7; p = 0.19), or mortality (OR, 0.79; p = 0.69). CONCLUSION: EN in the open abdomen after injury is feasible. For patients without a bowel injury, EN in the open abdomen is associated with increased fascial closure rates, decreased complication rates, and decreased mortality. EN should be initiated in these patients once resuscitation is completed. Although EN for patients with bowel injuries did not seem to affect the outcome in this study,prospective randomized controlled trials would further clarify the role of EN in this subgroup.

Staged abdominal repairs reduce long-term quality of life.

INTRODUCTION: Damage control surgery increasingly requires serial operations and a staged abdominal repair (STAR) for ultimate abdominal closure. The effects of multiple operations on quality of life are unknown. We hypothesized that this population of patients had a lower quality of life than the general U.S. population. METHODS: Patients requiring STAR for general surgical and trauma diagnoses during a 5-year period from January 2002 to December 2006 were identified from the operative database of a single institution. Demographic, illness, and injury information were obtained from record review. Survivors were 3-7 years from their hospitalization for STAR when they were contacted and the SF-12v2 was administered by phone. The physical (PCS) and mental component (MCS) scores were calculated and compared to US population norms and a population of trauma patients. The non-STAR trauma population completed the SF-12v2 six months after injury. RESULTS: A total of 27 patients with a mean age of 46.5 years (SD = 15.9) participated in the survey. The participants were interviewed a median of 4.7 years after injury. The mechanism of injury included 8 (29.6%) general surgical causes including 4 perforated viscus, 3 intra-abdominal infections, and 1 wound dehiscence from a urological procedure. The remaining 19 (70.4%) were trauma-related, including 13 blunt and 6 penetrating injuries. Patients who had undergone a STAR procedure reported lower levels of physical quality of life [z = -15.42, p<0.001] and mental quality of life [z = -6.79, p<0.001] compared to population norms for healthy adults. Also, STAR patients reported lower physical [z = -2.22, p<0.05] and mental [z = -2.59, p<0.05] quality of life as the non-STAR trauma group. DISCUSSION: The number of patients undergoing STAR for a variety of reasons is increasing. Measurements of quality of life of STAR patients show that quality of life is reduced compared to a healthy U.S. adult population and to non-STAR trauma patients. CONCLUSIONS: The significant impact of severe abdominal injuries continues to affect the physical and mental health of patients years later. Injuries of this type are associated with lower quality of life than those observed in patients experiencing non-STAR trauma.

Safety and efficacy of prophylactic anticoagulation in patients with traumatic brain injury.

BACKGROUND: Patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) are at high risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE), but physicians are cautious with chemical prophylaxis in these patients because of concern about exacerbating intracranial hemorrhage. We hypothesized that early use of chemical thromboprophylaxis would reduce VTE incidence without increasing intracranial hemorrhage. STUDY DESIGN: Records of all patients admitted with a TBI to a Level I trauma center from 2006 to 2008 were reviewed. TBI was defined as intracranial hemorrhage, hematoma, contusion, or diffuse axonal injury with a head Abbreviated Injury Scale score >2. Patients were excluded if they were discharged or died within 72 hours of admission. Chemical prophylaxis was defined as subcutaneous or intravenous unfractionated heparin or low molecular weight heparin before any VTE diagnosis. Progression of TBI was defined by worsening CT findings. VTE was defined as deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolus confirmed by radiology reports. Primary outcomes were progression of hemorrhage and VTE events. RESULTS: Eight hundred and twelve of the 1,258 patients admitted to the trauma center with a TBI met study criteria. Chemical thromboprophylaxis was given to 49.5% (n = 402). Mean head Abbreviated Injury Scale score was 3.4 in both groups. One hundred and sixty-nine patients started prophylaxis within 48 hours and 242 patients began within 72 hours. Patients receiving chemical prophylaxis had a lower incidence of VTE (1% versus 3%; p = 0.019). Although not statistically significant, they also had a lower rate of injury progression, 3% versus 6% (p = 0.055). CONCLUSIONS: Use of chemical thromboprophylaxis in TBI patients with a stable or improved head CT after 24 hours substantially reduces the incidence of VTE and does not increase the risk of progression of intracranial hemorrhage.

Sew it up! A Western Trauma Association multi-institutional study of enteric injury management in the postinjury open abdomen.

BACKGROUND: Use of damage control surgery techniques has reduced mortality in critically injured patients but at the cost of the open abdomen. With the option of delayed definitive management of enteric injuries, the question of intestinal repair/anastomosis or definitive stoma creation has been posed with no clear consensus. The purpose of this study was to determine outcomes on the basis of management of enteric injuries in patients relegated to the postinjury open abdomen. METHODS: Patients requiring an open abdomen after trauma from January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2007 were reviewed. Type of bowel repair was categorized as immediate repair, immediate anastomosis, delayed anastomosis, stoma and a combination. Logistic regression was used to determine independent effect of risk factors on leak development. RESULTS: During the 6-year study period, 204 patients suffered enteric injuries and were managed with an open abdomen. The majority was men (77%) sustaining blunt trauma (66%) with a mean age of 37.1 years±1.2 years and median Injury Severity Score of 27 (interquartile range=20-41). Injury patterns included 81 (40%) small bowel, 37 (18%) colonic, and 86 (42%) combined injuries. Enteric injuries were managed with immediate repair (58), immediate anastomosis (15), delayed anastomosis (96), stoma (10), and a combination (22); three patients died before definitive repair. Sixty-one patients suffered intra-abdominal complications: 35 (17%) abscesses, 15 (7%) leaks, and 11 (5%) enterocutaneous fistulas. The majority of patients with leaks had a delayed anastomosis; one patient had a right colon repair. Leak rate increased as one progresses toward the left colon (small bowel anastomoses, 3% leak rate; right colon, 3%; transverse colon, 20%; left colon, 45%). There were no differences in emergency department physiology, injury severity, transfusions, crystalloids, or demographic characteristics between patients with and without leak. Leak cases had higher 12-hour heart rate (148 vs. 125, p=0.02) and higher 12-hour base deficit (13.7 vs. 9.7, p=0.04), suggesting persistent shock and consequent hypoperfusion were related to leak development. There was a significant trend toward higher incidence of leak with closure day (χ for trend, p=0.01), with closure after day 5 having a four times higher likelihood of developing leak (3% vs. 12%, p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Repair or anastomosis of intestinal injuries should be considered in all patients. However, leak rate increases with fascial closure beyond day 5 and with left-sided colonic anastomoses. Investigating the physiologic basis for intestinal vulnerability of the left colon and in the open abdomen is warranted.