No Evidence Supporting the Routine Use of Digital Rectal Examinations in Trauma Patients.

Digital rectal exams (DRE) are routinely used on trauma patients during the secondary survey as recommended by current Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) protocols. However, recent literature has called the blanket use of the DRE on each trauma patient into question. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the DRE as a diagnostic tool in the setting of urethral, spinal cord, small bowel, colon, and rectal injuries and determine if it can be eliminated from routine use in the trauma setting. Trauma patients with small bowel, colon, rectal, urethral, and spinal cord injuries, age of 18 years or older, and a noted DRE were included. Exclusion criteria included an age less than 18, patients who received paralytics, a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) of 3, and a history of paraplegia or quadriplegia. One-hundred eleven patient records were retrospectively reviewed. Ninety-two male (82.9 %) and 19 (17.1 %) females with a GCS of 13.7 were evaluated. Sixty-two (55.9 %) injuries were penetrating with 49 (44.1) being blunt. The DRE missed 100 % of urethral, 91.7 % of spinal cord, 93.1 % of small bowel, 100 % of colon, and 66.7 % of rectal injuries. For injuries confirmed with radiologic modalities, the DRE missed 93.3 %. For injuries confirmed on exploratory laparotomy, the DRE missed 94.9 %. The DRE has poor sensitivity for the diagnosis of urethral, spinal cord, small bowel, and large bowel injury. The DRE was found to be the most sensitive in the setting of rectal injuries. The DRE offers no benefit or predictive value when compared to other imaging modalities.

Utilizing quantitative measures of visceral adiposity in evaluating trauma patient outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: Body mass index (BMI) has commonly been used as a parameter to assess obesity in trauma patients. However, the variability of height and weight data in trauma patients limits the use of BMI as an accurate assessment tool in the trauma population. Quantitative radiologic measurements of visceral adiposity is an accurate method for assessing obesity in patients but requires further analysis before it can be accepted as a measurement tool for trauma patients. METHODS: A retrospective review of trauma cases with pre-operative CT scan from 2008 to 2015 produced 57 patients for evaluation. Preoperative BMI was calculated using measured height (m2) and weight (kg). Radiologic measurements of adiposity were obtained from preoperative CT scans using OsiriX DICOM viewer software. Visceral fat areas (VFA) and subcutaneous fat areas (SFA) were measured from a single axial slice at the level of L4-L5 intervertebral space. RESULTS: No statistically significant results were found relating visceral fat:subcutaneous fat ratios to length of stay or post-operative complications. Initial clinical observations noting an increased incidence of complications among patients with a V/S ≥ 0.4 demonstrates a possible link between obesity and poor outcomes in trauma patients. A statistically significant correlation was noted between length of stay, peri-nephric fat and injury severity score. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Our pilot study should be viewed as the foundation for a larger prospective study, utilizing quantitative measurements of visceral adiposity to assess outcomes in trauma patients.

Patients with blunt head trauma on anticoagulation and antiplatelet medications: can they be safely discharged after a normal initial cranial computed tomography scan?

The literature reports delayed intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) after blunt trauma in patients taking preinjury anticoagulant and antiplatelet (AC/AP) medications. We sought to evaluate the incidence of delayed ICH at our institution and hypothesize that patients taking AC/AP medications who are found to have a negative first computed tomography (CT) scan will not require a second CT scan. A total of 303 patients were retrospectively reviewed. Age, gender, mechanism of injury, international normalized ratio (INR), initial and secondary cranial CT findings, and outcomes were recorded. One hundred sixty-eight (55.4%) were found to be taking AP/AC medications. Ninety-six (57%) were male and 72 (43%) female. Aspirin use was 42.8 per cent (72 of 168), clopidogrel next (39 of 168 [23.0%]), and warfarin least (18 of 168 [10.7%]). One hundred sixty-six (98.8%) presented with significant findings on the first CT scan. Fourteen (87.5%) of the 16 patients with an INR 2.0 or higher presented with an ICH on the first CT. Ninety percent of patients with an INR 1.5 or higher presented with positive findings on the first CT scan. One hundred per cent of patients with an INR 3.0 or higher presented with an ICH on the first CT scan. The incidence of a delayed ICH was two of 168 (1.19%). Of those two patients with a delayed ICH, 100 per cent were taking warfarin and had an INR greater than 2.0. The incidence of delayed ICH was 1.19 per cent. The protocol requiring a second CT scan for all patients on AC/AP medications after a negative first CT scan should be questioned. For patients with blunt head trauma taking warfarin or a warfarin-aspirin combination, a repeat cranial CT scan after a negative initial CT is acceptable. For patients taking clopidogrel, a period of observation may be warranted.

Management of pediatric occult pneumothorax in blunt trauma: a subgroup analysis of the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma multicenter prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Occult pneumothorax (OPTX) represents air within the pleural space not visible on conventional chest radiographs. Increased use of computed tomography has led to a rise in the detection of OPTX. Optimal management remains undefined. METHODS: A pediatric subgroup analysis (age <18 years) from a multicenter, observational study evaluating OPTX management. Data analyzed were pneumothorax size, management outcome, and associated risk factors to characterize those that may be safely observed. RESULTS: Fifty-two OPTX (7.3 ± 6.2 mm) in 51 patients were identified. None were greater than 27 mm; all those under 16.5 mm (n = 48) were successfully managed without intervention. Two patients underwent initial tube thoracostomy (one [21 mm] and the other with bilateral OPTX [24 mm, 27 mm]). Among patients under observation (n = 49), OPTX size progressed in 2; one (6.4mm) required no treatment, while one (16.5 mm) received elective intervention. Respiratory distress occurred in one patient (10.7 mm) who did not require tube thoracostomy. Nine received positive pressure ventilation; 8 did not have a tube thoracostomy. Twenty-four patients (51%) had one or more rib fractures; 3 required tube thoracostomy. CONCLUSION: No pediatric OPTX initially observed developed a tension pneumothorax or adverse event related to observation. Pediatric patients with OPTX less than 16 mm may be safely observed. Neither the presence of rib fractures nor need for PPV alone necessitates intervention.

Blunt traumatic occult pneumothorax: is observation safe?--results of a prospective, AAST multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: An occult pneumothorax (OPTX) is found incidentally in 2% to 10% of all blunt trauma patients. Indications for intervention remain controversial. We sought to determine which factors predicted failed observation in blunt trauma patients. METHODS: A prospective, observational, multicenter study was undertaken to identify patients with OPTX. Successfully observed patients and patients who failed observation were compared. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify predictors of failure of observation. OPTX size was calculated by measuring the largest air collection along a line perpendicular from the chest wall to the lung or mediastinum. RESULTS: Sixteen trauma centers identified 588 OPTXs in 569 blunt trauma patients. One hundred twenty-one patients (21%) underwent immediate tube thoracostomy and 448 (79%) were observed. Twenty-seven patients (6%) failed observation and required tube thoracostomy for OPTX progression, respiratory distress, or subsequent hemothorax. Fourteen percent (10 of 73) failed observation during positive pressure ventilation. Hospital and intensive care unit lengths of stay, and ventilator days were longer in the failed observation group. OPTX progression and respiratory distress were significant predictors of failed observation. Most patient deaths were from traumatic brain injury. Fifteen percentage of patients in the failed observation group developed complications. No patient who failed observation developed a tension PTX, or experienced adverse events by delaying tube thoracostomy. CONCLUSION: Most blunt trauma patients with OPTX can be carefully monitored without tube thoracostomy; however, OPTX progression and respiratory distress are independently associated with observation failure.

Laparoscopic exploration and lavage in penetrating abdominal stab wounds: a preliminary report.

BACKGROUND: To determine the role of a combined laparoscopic exploration and lavage (LELA) in abdominal stab wounds (ASW). We hypothesized that peritoneal penetration (PP) is not an indication for exploratory laparotomy (EL) if LELA is negative. METHODS: A prospective study (Jan 2002-Dec 2003) was carried at our Level I Trauma Center. Patients with anterior fascia penetration in wound exploration and with systolic blood pressure greater than 90 mmHg were included. Patients with back and flank injuries, evisceration and presentation after six hours were excluded. LELA was considered positive if red blood cell count was >5000 and white blood cell count was >150 in a lavage without the presence of bile, gross blood, food fibers or stool. RESULTS: Eighty-nine patients with anterior ASW (AASW) were included. Twenty-eight patients underwent laparoscopy to rule out PP. Seventeen patients had PP and 8 demonstrated injuries that required immediate exploratory laparotomy. The remaining 9 underwent LELA. Four patients had positive LELA that demonstrated injuries (sigmoid, right colon, and small bowel [n: 2]). Five patients had a negative LELA and avoided an unnecessary EL. CONCLUSION: LELA in AASW shows a promising role to rule out mainly hollow viscus injuries. This technique could decrease the number of non-therapeutic laparotomies, length of stay and hospital costs without increasing the incidence of missed abdominal injuries.

Is primary anastomosis safe in the surgical management of complications of acute diverticulitis?

The purpose of this article is to determine whether primary anastomosis is a safe option in the surgical management of complications of acute diverticulitis in low-risk patients. Over the past century, the management of diverticulitis has evolved from a three-stage procedure to resection and primary anastomosis. In the beginning of the century, Mayo described drainage and proximal colostomy, a three-stage procedure. This was done by performing a diverting colostomy but leaving the diseased segment of colon, hoping that the inflammation would subside. Later, the patient went back for resection of the diseased segment. Then a third procedure was performed for reversal of the colostomy. Around the late 1970s to early 1980s, it was found that patients had better outcomes if the diseased segment was resected during the first operation-the Hartman procedure. During the late 1990s to early 2000s, some surgeons began performing resection and primary anastomosis in selected groups of patients with diverticulitis. There have been a number of studies published showing that resection and primary anastomosis has an acceptable morbidity and mortality. However, most of these studies are retrospective and do not achieve statistical significance. They also do not attempt to establish guidelines to help decide which patients are good candidates for resection and primary anastomosis. The goal of this study is to establish safe and reasonable practice guidelinesthat can be applied to a selected group of (low-risk) patients. This study is a retrospective review of all the patients treated surgically for complications of acute diverticulitis from 1998 to 2003 at United Hospital Medical Center in Port Chester, New York. Patients were classified as high or low risk based on their age, APACHE II score, American Society of Anesthesiologists class, and Hinchey score. There were a total of 66 patients operated on for complications of acute diverticulitis (left-sided) over this 5-year period. Thirty-six of them underwent resection and primary anastomosis and 30 underwent the Hartman procedure. Of the 36 who underwent resection and primary anastomosis, 19 were considered low risk. There were no complications in this low-risk group who underwent primary anastomosis. Patients who were low risk based on the mentioned criteria can safely undergo resection and primary anastomosis.

Practice patterns and outcomes of retrievable vena cava filters in trauma patients: an AAST multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to describe practice patterns and outcomes of posttraumatic retrievable inferior vena caval filters (R-IVCF). METHODS: A retrospective review of R-IVCFs placed during 2004 at 21 participating centers with follow up to July 1, 2005 was performed. Primary outcomes included major complications (migration, pulmonary embolism [PE], and symptomatic caval occlusion) and reasons for failure to retrieve. RESULTS: Of 446 patients (69% male, 92% blunt trauma) receiving R-IVCFs, 76% for prophylactic indications and 79% were placed by interventional radiology. Excluding 33 deaths, 152 were Gunter-Tulip (G-T), 224 Recovery (R), and 37 Optease (Opt). Placement occurred 6 +/- 8 days after admission and retrieval at 50 +/- 61 days. Follow up after discharge (5.7 +/- 4.3 months) was reported in 51%. Only 22% of R-IVCFs were retrieved. Of 115 patients in whom retrieval was attempted, retrieval failed as a result of technical issues in 15 patients (10% of G-T, 14% of R, 27% of Opt) and because of significant residual thrombus within the filter in 10 patients (6% of G-T, 4% of R, 46% Opt). The primary reason R-IVCFs were not removed was because of loss to follow up (31%), which was sixfold higher (6% to 44%, p = 0.001) when the service placing the R-IVCF was not directly responsible for follow up. Complications did not correlate with mechanism, injury severity, service placing the R-IVCF, trauma volume, use of anticoagulation, age, or sex. Three cases of migration were recorded (all among R, 1.3%), two breakthrough PE (G-T 0.6% and R 0.4%) and six symptomatic caval occlusions (G-T 0, R 1%, Opt 11%) (p < 0.05 Opt versus both G-T and R). CONCLUSION: Most R-IVCFs are not retrieved. The service placing the R-IVCF should be responsible for follow up. The Optease was associated with the greatest incidence of residual thrombus and symptomatic caval occlusion. The practice patterns of R-IVCF placement and retrieval should be re-examined.

Gastroduodenal intussusception secondary to a gastric lipoma.

Gastroduodenal intussusception caused by a gastric lipoma is an uncommon condition, and only a few cases have been reported in the medical literature. A case of a 72-year-old man who complained of weight loss and intermittent episodes of nausea and vomiting is presented. Diagnostic workup demonstrated a mass in the second portion of the duodenum. The patient underwent a diagnostic laparoscopy followed by an exploratory laparotomy that confirmed the gastroduodenal intussusception by a gastric lipoma. In addition, the anatomical and clinical presentation, diagnosis and management of this entity are discussed.

J-tip spring guidewire entrapment by an inferior vena cava filter.

The number of complications between guidewires and inferior vena cava filters is unknown and most likely underreported. Since 1993, at least 17 cases of central venous catheter guidewires entangled in inferior vena cava filters have been reported. The placement of both devices in the intensive care setting has increased the number of incidents in which a guidewire from a central venous catheter becomes entrapped in an inferior vena cava filter. The authors report a case in which entrapment of a guidewire occurred without causing displacement of the filter. In addition, a review of simple but useful recommendations to prevent and manage these complications is presented.

Isolated contralateral vertebral artery injury in a stab wound to the neck.

Ipsilateral vertebral artery injuries are a rare entity following trauma to the neck. We discuss the first case of an isolated right vertebral artery injury in a patient with a left stab wound. The patient required bilateral neck explorations and, due to massive bleeding, a median sternotomy in order to obtain control of the proximal segment of the right vertebral artery. We emphasize the importance for trauma surgeons to be familiar with basic but important vascular exposures. The anatomy, surgical exposure, and management of these rare injuries are discussed.