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.

Effects of Early Altitude Exposure on the Open Abdomen After Laparotomy in Trauma.

Introduction: While damage control surgery and resuscitation techniques have revolutionized the care of injured service members who sustain severe traumatic hemorrhage, the physiologic and inflammatory consequences of hemostatic resuscitation and staged abdominal surgery in the face of early aeromedical evacuation (AE) have not been investigated. We hypothesized that post-injury AE with an open abdomen would have significant physiologic and inflammatory consequences compared to AE with a closed abdomen.

Materials And Methods: Evaluation of resuscitation and staged abdominal closure was performed using a murine model of hemorrhagic shock with laparotomy.

Do Autopsies Still Matter? The Influence of Autopsy Data on Final Injury Severity Score Calculations.

Background: Despite a proven record of identifying injuries missed during clinical evaluation, the effect of autopsy on injury severity score (ISS) calculation is unknown. We hypothesized that autopsy data would alter final ISS and improve the accuracy of outcome data analyses.

Materials And Methods: All trauma deaths from January 2010 through June 2014 were reviewed.

Proximal penetrating extremity injuries-An opportunity to decrease overtriage?

Background: Penetrating injuries to the extremity proximal to the elbow or knee are anatomic criteria for full trauma team activation (FFTA) by the American College of Surgeon's Committee on Trauma standards. This criterion lacks objective evidence-based support. Overtriage of trauma team activation may result in excessive costs and resource burden at trauma centers.