Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (FAST) Exam: Image Acquisition.

Over the past twenty years, the Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (FAST) exam has transformed the care of patients presenting with a combination of trauma (blunt or penetrating) and hypotension. In these hemodynamically unstable trauma patients, the FAST exam permits rapid and noninvasive screening for free pericardial or peritoneal fluid, the latter of which implicates intra-abdominal injury as a likely contributor to the hypotension and justifies emergent abdominal surgical exploration. Further, the abdominal portion of the FAST exam can also be used outside of the trauma setting to screen for free peritoneal fluid in patients who become hemodynamically unstable in any context, including after procedures that may inadvertently injure abdominal organs. These "non-trauma" situations of hemodynamic instability are often triaged by providers from specialties other than emergency medicine or trauma surgery who are not familiar with the FAST exam. Therefore, there is a need to promulgate knowledge about the FAST exam to all clinicians caring for critically ill patients. Toward this end, this article describes FAST exam image acquisition: patient positioning, transducer selection, image optimization, and exam limitations. Since the free fluid is likely to be found in specific anatomic locations that are unique for each canonical FAST exam view, this work centers on the unique image acquisition considerations for each window: subcostal, right upper quadrant, left upper quadrant, and pelvis.

Utilizing the Army Physical Fitness Test as a Primary Outcome in Surgical Clinical Research.

Functional data as part of clinical outcomes such as Activities of Daily Living and Quality of Life (QOL) frequently depend on surveys and are thus inherently limited by self-reporting and patient subjectivity. Specifically, the 12-Item Short Form Survey (SF-12), 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36), and Carolinas Comfort Scale are validated instruments for assessing medical and surgical QOL outcomes. However, performance-based measures of disability are lacking. We propose the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) as a novel clinical measure of function following surgical intervention. We believe that studies using the APFT as a surgical outcome can potentially provide novel, relevant insights that may guide the utilization of specific surgical interventions and that the use of APFT data in surgical research will meet contemporary ethical standards.

Mucormycosis attributed mortality: a seven-year review of surgical and medical management.

INTRODUCTION: Historically, mucormycosis infections have been associated with high mortality. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence, associated mortality, and management strategies of mucormycosis in a major burn center. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed via obtaining all patients with mucormycosis admitted from January 2003 to November 2009 at our adult burn center was performed obtaining demographic data relevant to fungal burn wound infection or colonization. RESULTS: The incidence of mucormycosis at our facility was 4.9 per 1000 admissions; specifically, 11 military casualties and one civilian were diagnosed with mucormycosis. The median percentage Total Body Surface Area (TBSA) burned, 11 patients, or open wound, one patient, was 60 (IQR, 54.1-80.0), and the incidence of documented inhalation injury was 66.7% (8 of 12). Ten patients had surgical amputations. A median of eight days (IQR, 3.5-74.5) elapsed from diagnosis of mucormycosis until death in the 11 patients who expired. The overall mortality was 92%; however, autopsy attributed mucormycosis mortality was 54.5% (6 of 11) with all six patients having invasive mucormycosis. CONCLUSION: Aggressive surgical intervention should be undertaken for invasive mucormycosis; additionally, implementation of standardized protocols for patients with large soft tissue injuries may mitigate mucormycosis superimposition.

Plasma-to-red cell ratio and mechanism of injury in massively transfused combat casualties.

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective review of 930 combat casualties from March 2003 to September 2009 who received a massive transfusion. Mechanism was categorized as explosion (EXPL) (712), gunshot wound (GSW) (190), and blunt trauma (28). Cohorts were also categorized by fresh frozen plasma (FFP) to red blood cell (RBC) ratio: low, ≤1:1.5 and high, >1:1.5. Patient characteristics and in-hospital mortality rates were compared among groups. Propensity matching was used to control for confounding variables. RESULTS: Cohorts were similar in demographics, admission vital signs, and laboratory values. Median injury severity score was higher in EXPL compared to GSW. High FFP:RBC ratio was associated with improved survival compared to low ratio in the EXPL group (p < 0.01). The GSW group had similar survival in the high and low FFP:RBC ratio groups (p = 0.06). After propensity matching, a high FFP:RBC ratio was associated with improved survival compared to low ratio in both the EXPL (p < 0.01) and GSW groups (p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: High FFP:RBC ratios are associated with improved survival in combat casualties regardless of injury mechanism.

Outcomes after cardiac arrest in an adult burn center.

OBJECTIVE: Adult burn patients who experience in-hospital cardiac arrest (CA) and undergo cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) represent a unique patient population. We believe that they tend to be younger and have the added burden of the burn injury compared to other populations. Our objective was to determine the incidence, causes and outcomes following cardiac arrest (CA) and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) within this population. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review at the US Army Institute of Surgical Research (ISR) burn intensive care unit (BICU). Charts from 1st January 2000 through 31st August 2009 were reviewed for study. Data were collected all on adult burn patients who experienced in-hospital CA and CPR either in the BICU or associated burn operating room. Patients undergoing CPR elsewhere in our burn unit were excluded because we could not validate the time of CA since they are not routinely monitored with real-time rhythm strips. The study population included civilian burn patients from the local catchment area and burn casualties from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, but patients with do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders were excluded. RESULTS: We found 57 burn patients who had in-hospital CA and CPR yielding an incidence of one or more in-hospital CA of 34 per 1000 admissions (0.34%). Fourteen of these patients (25%) survived to discharge while 43 (75%) died. The most common initial cardiac rhythm was pulseless electrical activity (50.9%). The most common etiology of CA among burn patients was respiratory failure (49.1%). The most significant variable affecting survival to discharge was duration of CPR (P < 0.01) with no patient surviving more than 7 min of CPR. CONCLUSIONS: CPR in burn patients is sometimes effective, and those patients who survive are likely to have good neurological outcomes. However, prolonged CPR times are unlikely to result in return of spontaneous circulation and may be considered futile. Further, those who experience multiple CA are unlikely to survive to discharge.

Compartment syndrome performance improvement project is associated with increased combat casualty survival.

BACKGROUND: In 2008, we showed that incomplete or delayed extremity fasciotomies were associated with mortality and muscle necrosis in war casualties with limb injury. Subsequently, we developed an education program focused on surgeon knowledge gaps regarding the diagnosis of compartment syndrome and prophylactic fasciotomy. The program included educational alerts, classroom training, video instruction, and a research publication. We compared casualty data before and after the program implementation to determine whether the education altered outcomes. METHODS: Similar to the previous study, a case series was made from combat casualty medical records. Casualties were US military servicemen with fasciotomies performed in Iraq, Afghanistan, or Germany between two periods (periods 1 and 2). RESULTS: In both periods, casualty demographics were similar. Most fasciotomies were performed to the lower leg and forearm. Period 1 had 336 casualties with 643 fasciotomies, whereas Period 2 had 268 casualties with 1,221 fasciotomies (1.9 vs. 4.6 fasciotomies per casualty, respectively; p < 0.0001). The mortality rate decreased in Period 2 (3%, 8 of 268 casualties) from Period 1 (8%, 26 of 336 casualties; p = 0.0125). Muscle excision and major amputation rates were similar in both periods (p > 0.05). Rates of casualties with revision fasciotomy decreased to 8% in Period 2, (22 of 268 casualties) versus 15% in Period 1 (51 of 336 casualties; p = 0.009). CONCLUSION: Combat casualty care following implementation of a fasciotomy education program was associated with improved survival, higher fasciotomy rates, and fewer revisions. Because delayed fasciotomy rates were unchanged, further effort to educate providers may be indicated. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic study, level IV.

Combat readiness for the modern military surgeon: data from a decade of combat operations.

OBJECTIVE: Hundreds of general surgeons from the army, navy, and air force have been deployed during the past 10 years to support combat forces, but little data exist on their preparedness to handle the challenging injuries that they are currently encountering. Our objective was to assess operative and operational experience in theater with the goal of improving combat readiness among surgeons. METHODS: A detailed survey was sent to 246 active duty surgeons from the army, navy, and air force who have been deployed at least once in the past 10 years, requesting information on cases performed, perceptions of efficacy of predeployment training, knowledge deficits, and postdeployment emotional challenges. Survey data were kept confidential and analyzed using standard statistical methods. RESULTS: Of 246 individuals, 137 (56%) responded and 93 (68%) have been deployed two or more times. More than 18,500 operative procedures were reported, with abdominal and soft tissue cases predominating. Many surgeons identified knowledge or practice gaps in predeployment vascular (46%), neurosurgical (29.9%), and orthopedic (28.5%) training. The personal burden of deployment manifested itself with both family (approximately 10% deployment-related divorce rate) and personal (37 surgeons [27%] with two or more symptoms of posttraumatic stress syndrome) stressors. CONCLUSION: These data support modifications of predeployment combat surgical training to include increased exposure to open vascular procedures and curriculum traditionally outside general surgery (neurosurgery and orthopedics). The acute care surgical model may be ideal for the military surgeon preparing for deployment. Further research should be directed toward identifying factors contributing to psychological stress among military medics.

An experience in the management of the open abdomen in severely injured burn patients.

Few descriptions of temporary abdominal closure for planned relaparotomy have been reported in burned patients. The purpose of this study is to describe our experience and outcomes in the management of burned patients with an open abdomen. The authors performed a retrospective review of all admissions to our burn center from March 2003 to June 2008, identifying patients treated by laparotomy with temporary abdominal closure. The authors collected data on patient demographics, indication for laparotomy, methods of temporary and definitive abdominal closure, and outcomes. Of 2,104 patients admitted, 38 underwent a laparotomy with temporary abdominal closure. Their median TBSA was 55%, and the incidence of inhalation injury was 58%. Abdominal compartment syndrome was the most common indication for laparotomy (82%) followed by abdominal trauma (16%). The in-hospital mortality associated with an open abdomen was 68%. Temporary abdominal closure was performed most commonly using negative pressure wound therapy (90%). Fascial closure was performed in 21 patients but was associated with a 38% rate of failure requiring reexploration. Of 12 survivors, fascial closure was achieved in seven patients and five were managed with a planned ventral hernia. Burned patients who necessitate an open abdomen management strategy have a high morbidity and mortality. Fascial closure was associated with a high rate of failure but was successful in a select group of patients. Definitive abdominal closure with a planned ventral hernia was associated with no increased mortality and remains an option when "tension-free" fascial closure cannot be achieved.

Mechanism of injury affects acute coagulopathy of trauma in combat casualties.

BACKGROUND: Recent evidence suggests trauma involving total body tissue damage increases the acute coagulopathy of trauma (ACOT) by various mechanisms, especially in massive transfusion (MT). Our hypothesis was that MT patients injured by explosion will have a higher international normalization ratio (INR) at admission than MT patients injured by gunshot wound (GSW). METHODS: A retrospective review was performed on US military injured in Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom from March 2003 to September 2008, who received MT (≥ 10 red blood cells in 24 hours) and had an INR on admission. Two cohorts were created based on mechanism. Admission vital signs, labs, transfusion, and mortality data were compared. RESULTS: Seven hundred fifty-one MT patients were identified. Four hundred fifty patients had admission INR and were injured by either GSW or explosion. Patients demonstrated similar injury severity scale and Glasgow Coma Scale. Patients injured by explosion presented with higher INR, greater base deficit, and more tachycardic than patients injured by GSW. Transfusion of blood products was similar between both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The primary finding of this study is that patients injured by explosion presented with a higher INR than those injured by GSW, even with similar injury severity scale. In addition, patients injured by explosion presented more tachycardic and with a greater base deficit. These findings support the theory that ACOT is affected by the amount of tissue injured. Further research is needed into the pathophysiology of ACOT because this may impact care of patients with total body tissue damage/hypoxia and improve the treatment of their coagulopathy while minimizing the attendant complications.