Main versus segmental hepatic artery angioembolization in patients with traumatic liver injuries: A Western Trauma Association multicenter study.

Introduction: Hepatic angioembolization is highly effective for hemorrhage control in hemodynamically stable patients with traumatic liver injuries and contrast extravasation. However, there is a paucity of data regarding the specific location of angioembolization within the hepatic arterial vasculature and its implications on patient outcomes.

Methods: A post-hoc analysis of a multicenter prospective observational study across 23 centers was performed.

Observation-first versus angioembolization-first approach in stable patients with blunt liver trauma: A WTA multicenter study.

Background: Prior studies evaluating observation versus angioembolization (AE) for blunt liver injuries (BLT) with contrast extravasation (CE) on computed tomography imaging have yielded inconsistent conclusions, primarily due to limitations in single-center and/or retrospective study design. Therefore, this multicenter study aims to compare an observation versus AE-first approach for BLT, hypothesizing decreased liver-related complications (LRCs) with observation.

Methods: We conducted a post hoc analysis of a multicenter, prospective observational study (2019-2021) across 23 centers.

Door to door in 24: factors that allow surgical stabilization of rib fractures within 24 hours of admission.

Background: Surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF) should be performed early after injury. Factors that influence timing remain unknown. Our objective was to identify inherent variables that allow for early identification and treatment.

Early Surgical Stabilization of Rib Fractures is Feasible in Patients With Non-Urgent Operative Pelvic Injuries.

Introduction: The feasibility of prioritizing surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF) in patients with other injuries is unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the timing and outcomes of SSRF between patients with and without non-urgent operative pelvic injuries.

Patients And Methods: In this retrospective observational study, all patients between 2010 and 2020 who underwent SSRF (SSRF group) and those who underwent SSRF and non-urgent operative management of pelvic fractures (SSRF + P group) were included.

A proposed clinical coagulation score for research in trauma-induced coagulopathy.

Background: Trauma-induced coagulopathy (TIC) has been the subject of intense study for greater than a century, and it is associated with high morbidity and mortality. The Trans-Agency Consortium for Trauma-Induced Coagulopathy, funded by the National Health Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, was tasked with developing a clinical TIC score, distinguishing between injury-induced bleeding from persistent bleeding due to TIC. We hypothesized that the Trans-Agency Consortium for Trauma-Induced Coagulopathy clinical TIC score would correlate with laboratory measures of coagulation, transfusion requirements, and mortality.

Low-Dose Heparin Infusion as Venous Thromboembolism Chemoprophylaxis in Patients With Blunt Cerebrovascular Injury.

Introduction: Blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI) can result in devastating stroke. Because of operative inaccessibility, the most common treatment for BCVI is aspirin or a low-dose systemic heparin infusion. While it is assumed that low dose heparin infusion imparts venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis, this has not been evaluated in the BCVI population.

Natural history and nonoperative management of penetrating cerebrovascular injury.

Introduction: There is a modern precedent for nonoperative management of select penetrating cerebrovascular injuries (PCVIs); however, there is minimal data to guide management.

Patients And Methods: This study assessed treatments, radiographic injury progression, and outcomes for all patients with PCVIs managed at an urban Level I trauma center from 2016 to 2021 that underwent initial nonoperative management (NOM).

Results: Fourteen patients were included.

An Unencumbered Acute Care Surgeon Improves Delivery of Emergent Surgical Care for Cholecystectomy Patients.

Introduction: Many patients utilize the Emergency Room (ER) for primary care, resulting in overburdened ERs, strained resources, and delays in care. To combat this, many centers have adopted a Trauma/Acute Care Surgery (TACS) service providing specialty surgeons whose primary work is the unencumbered surgical availability to emergency surgery patients. To evaluate our programs' efficacy, we investigated cholecystectomies as a common urgent procedure representative of services provided.

Muffins and Meditation: Combatting Burnout in Surgical Residents.

Objective: To quantify the prevalence of burnout in our surgical residency program and to assess the impact of a weekly wellness program for surgical residents through validated tools measuring mindfulness, self-compassion, flourishing, and burnout. Our hypothesis was that participants with more frequent attendance would: (1) be more mindful and self-compassionate and (2) experience less burnout and more flourishing.

Design: An optional one-hour weekly breakfast conference was facilitated by a senior surgical faculty member with the time protected from all clinical duties.

An observation-first strategy for liver injuries with "blush" on computed tomography is safe and effective.

Introduction: The management of liver injuries in hemodynamically stable patients is variable and includes primary treatment strategies of observation (OBS), angiography (interventional radiology [IR]) with angioembolization (AE), or operative intervention (OR). We aimed to evaluate the management of patients with liver injuries with active extravasation on computed tomography (CT) imaging, hypothesizing that AE will have more complications without improving outcomes compared with OBS.

Methods: This is a prospective, multicenter, observational study.

Inflate and pack! Pelvic packing combined with REBOA deployment prevents hemorrhage related deaths in unstable pelvic fractures.

Introduction: Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) is advocated for hemorrhage control in pelvic fracture patients in shock. We evaluated REBOA in patients undergoing preperitoneal pelvic packing (PPP) for pelvic fracture-related hemorrhage.

Methods: Retrospective, single-institution study of unstable pelvic fractures (hemodynamic instability despite 2 units of red blood cells (RBCs) and fracture identified on x-ray).

Patient characteristics and diagnostic tests associated with syncopal falls: A Southwestern surgical congress multicenter study.

Background: Patients suspected of syncope frequently undergo laboratory and imaging studies to determine the etiology of the syncope. Variability exists in these workups across institutions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utilization and diagnostic yield of these workups and the patient characteristics associated with syncopal falls.

Time to Look for Another Infectious Source? White Blood Cell Trends during Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) continues to plague patients in intensive care units (ICUs) throughout the world. Persistent leukocytosis despite antibiotic treatment for VAP can have many etiologies including normal inflammatory response, inadequate VAP antimicrobial therapy, and the presence of additional infectious diagnoses. Surgical patients with VAP and a second infectious source have a different white blood cell count (WBC) trend than patients with VAP alone.

Assessment of Discharge Analgesic Prescription Patterns for Hospitalized Patients With Rib Fractures.

Introduction: There is a paucity of data describing opioid prescribing patterns for trauma patients. We investigated pain medication regimens prescribed at discharge for patients with traumatic rib fractures, as well as potential variables predictive of opioid prescribing.

Methods: A single-center, retrospective analysis was performed of 337 adult patients presenting with ≥1 traumatic rib fractures between January and December 2019.

A core outcome set for damage control laparotomy via modified Delphi method.

Objectives: Damage control laparotomy (DCL) remains an important tool in the trauma surgeon's armamentarium. Inconsistency in reporting standards have hindered careful scrutiny of DCL outcomes. We sought to develop a core outcome set (COS) for DCL clinical studies to facilitate future pooling of data via meta-analysis and Bayesian statistics while minimizing reporting bias.

A decade of surgical stabilization of rib fractures: the effect of study year on patient selection, operative characteristics, and in-hospital outcome.

Background: Many centers now perform surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF). This single center study aimed to investigate temporal trends by year in patient selection, operative characteristics, and in-hospital outcomes We hypothesized that, over time, patient selection, time to SSRF, operative time, and in-hospital outcomes varied significantly.

Methods: A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained SSRF database (2010 to 2020) was performed.

Prehospital end-tidal carbon dioxide is predictive of death and massive transfusion in injured patients: An Eastern Association for Surgery of Trauma multicenter trial.

Background: Prehospital identification of the injured patient likely to require emergent care remains a challenge. End-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) has been used in the prehospital setting to monitor respiratory physiology and confirmation of endotracheal tube placement. Low levels of ETCO2 have been demonstrated to correlate with injury severity and mortality in a number of in-hospital studies.

Comparison of clinical outcomes using activated partial thromboplastin time versus antifactor-Xa for monitoring therapeutic unfractionated heparin: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Continuous intravenous unfractionated heparin (UFH) is a mainstay of therapeutic anticoagulation in the acute setting. The two most common laboratory tests for monitoring UFH are the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and antifactor Xa (anti-Xa) heparin assay. We reviewed the available evidence to evaluate if the choice of monitoring test for UFH therapy is associated with a difference in the clinical outcomes of bleeding, thrombosis, or mortality.

Multi-center validation of the Bowel Injury Predictive Score (BIPS) for the early identification of need to operate in blunt bowel and mesenteric injuries.

Introduction: The Bowel Injury Prediction Score (BIPS) is a tool for identifying patients at risk for blunt bowel and mesenteric injury (BBMI) requiring surgery. BIPS is calculated by assigning one point for each of the following: (1) WBC ≥ 17,000, (2) abdominal tenderness, and (3) injury grade ≥ 4 (mesenteric contusion or hematoma with bowel wall thickening or adjacent interloop fluid collection) on CT scan. A total score ≥ 2 is associated with BBMI requiring surgery.