Venous thromboembolism in transfer trauma patients: A global problem.

Background: As air travel and immobility are risk factors for venous thromboembolism, we aimed to test the hypothesis that internationally transferred trauma patients have a high incidence of venous thromboembolism on arrival.

Methods: A prospectively maintained registry of all international transferred trauma patients who presented to our level I trauma center from January 2023 to June 2024 was retrospectively reviewed. Patients with either lower extremity venous duplex ultrasound or computed tomography scan of the chest with contrast on arrival were included.

Small versus large-bore thoracostomy for traumatic hemothorax: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Traumatic hemothorax (HTX) is common, and while it is recommended to drain it with a tube thoracostomy, there is no consensus on the optimal catheter size. We performed a systematic review to test the hypothesis that small bore tube thoracostomy (SBTT) (≤14 F) is as effective as large-bore tube thoracostomy (LBTT) (≥20F) for the treatment of HTX.

Methods: Pubmed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Cochrane review were searched from inception to November 2022 for randomized controlled trials or cohort studies that included adult trauma patients with HTX who received a tube thoracostomy.

Early Detection of Ventilator-associated Pneumonia From Exhaled Breath in Intensive Care Unit Patients.

Objective: Evaluate associations between volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in heat and moisture exchange (HME) filters and the presence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).

Background: Clinical diagnostic criteria for VAP have poor interobserver reliability, and cultures are slow to result. Exhaled breath contains VOCs related to gram-negative bacterial proliferation, the most identified organisms in VAP.

Adequate Reporting Among Ventral Hernia Repair Operative Reports: A Cross-Sectional Study of Prevalence of Details and Association With Clinical Outcomes.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of highly detailed ventral hernia repair (VHR) operative reports and associations between operative report detail and postoperative outcomes in a medico-legal dataset.

Background: VHR are one of the most common surgical procedures performed in the United States. Previous work has shown that VHR operative reports are poorly detailed, however, the relationship between operative report detail and patient outcomes is unknown.

Optimal Timing for Initiation of Thromboprophylaxis After Hepatic Angioembolization.

Objective: To evaluate the optimal timing of thromboprophylaxis (TPX) initiation after hepatic angioembolization in trauma patients.

Background: TPX after hepatic trauma is complicated by the risk of bleeding, but the relative risk after hepatic angioembolization is unknown.

Methods: Patients who underwent hepatic angioembolization within 24 hours were retrospectively identified from the 2017 to 2019 American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Improvement Project data sets.

A 20-year retrospective analysis of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism among combat casualties requiring damage-control laparotomy at US military Role 2 surgical units.

Background: Combat casualties receiving damage-control laparotomy at forward deployed, resource-constrained US military Role 2 (R2) surgical units require multiple evacuations, but the added risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in this population has not been defined. To fill this gap, we retrospectively analyzed 20 years of Department of Defense Trauma Registry data to define the VTE rate in this population.

Methods: Department of Defense Trauma Registry from 2002 to 2023 was queried for US military combat casualties requiring damage-control laparotomy at R2.

Initial Hemorrhage Control Procedure for Splenic Injuries May Affect Risk of Venous Thromboembolism.

Introduction: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) continues to be a major cause of morbidity in trauma. It is unclear whether the type of hemorrhage control procedure (i.e.

Survival of In-Hospital Cardiopulmonary Arrest in Trauma Patients.

Introduction: Relative to other hospitalized patients, trauma patients are younger with fewer comorbidities, but the incidence and outcomes of in-hospital cardiopulmonary arrest (IHCA) with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in this population is unknown. Therefore, we aimed to investigate factors associated with survival in trauma patients after IHCA to test the hypothesis that compared to other hospitalized patients, trauma patients with IHCA have improved survival.

Methods: Retrospective review of the Trauma Quality Improvement Program database 2017 to 2019 for patients who had IHCA with CPR.

The Enigma That is Rectal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Case Series.

Introduction: Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer and the third leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. As rectal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is an uncommon colorectal cancer, there is limited data on this clinical entity. We aimed to evaluate the tumor characteristics, treatment, and clinical outcomes of this rare deadly disease.

When is it safe to start thromboprophylaxis after splenic angioembolization?

Background: Thromboprophylaxis after blunt splenic trauma is complicated by the risk of bleeding, but the risk after angioembolization is unknown. We hypothesized that earlier thromboprophylaxis initiation was associated with increased bleeding complications without mitigating venous thromboembolism events.

Methods: All blunt trauma patients who underwent splenic angioembolization within 24 hours of arrival were identified from the American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Improvement Program datasets from 2017 to 2019.

Improper Restraint Use in Fatal Pediatric Motor Vehicle Collisions.

Purpose: Motor vehicle collisions (MVC) are the second leading cause of death in children and adolescents, but appropriate restraint use remains inadequate. Our previous work shows that about half of pediatric MVC victims presenting to our trauma center were unrestrained. This study evaluates restraint use among children and adolescents who did not survive after MVC.

Management of lower extremity vascular injuries in pediatric trauma patients: 20-year experience at a level 1 trauma center.

Introduction: Pediatric lower extremity vascular injuries (LEVI) are rare but can result in significant morbidity. We aimed to describe our experience with these injuries, including associated injury patterns, diagnostic and therapeutic challenges, and outcomes.

Methods: This was a retrospective review at a single level 1 trauma center from January 2000 to December 2019.

Admission to a Verified Pediatric Trauma Center is Associated With Improved Outcomes in Severely Injured Children.

Background: Previous studies have shown improved survival for severely injured adult patients treated at American College of Surgeons verified level I/II trauma centers compared to level III and undesignated centers. However, this relationship has not been well established in pediatric trauma centers (PTCs). We hypothesize that severely injured children will have lower mortality at verified level I/II PTCs compared to centers without PTC verification.

Nationwide Analysis of Firearm Injury Versus Other Penetrating Trauma: It's Not All the Same Caliber.

Introduction: Ballistic injuries cause both a temporary and permanent cavitation event, making them far more destructive and complex than other penetrating trauma. We hypothesized that global injury scoring and physiologic parameters would fail to capture the lethality of gunshot wounds (GSW) compared to other penetrating mechanisms.

Methods: The 2019 American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Programs participant use file was queried for the mortality rate for GSW and other penetrating mechanisms.

Immediate Versus Delayed Surgical Management of Infant Cryptorchidism With Inguinal Hernia.

Introduction: Cryptorchidism is commonly treated with orchiopexy at 6-12 months of age, often allowing time for undescended testicle(s) (UT) to descend spontaneously. However, when an inguinal hernia (IH) is also present, some surgeons perform orchiopexy and inguinal hernia repair (IHR) immediately rather than delaying surgery. We hypothesize that early surgical intervention provides no benefit for newborns with both IH and UT.

Fascial Defect Closure During Ventral Hernia Repair: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: During minimally invasive ventral hernia repair (VHR) it is unknown if a fascial defect closure, as opposed to a bridged repair (current care), is beneficial for patients. We sought to systematically review the published literature on the role of fascial defect closure during minimally invasive VHR.

Methods: PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane, and Clinicaltrials.

Mesh Type With Ventral Hernia Repair: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Trials.

Introduction: Synthetic mesh is widely utilized for clean ventral hernia repair; however, it is unclear if synthetic mesh provides the same benefits with high-risk patients or during contaminated cases. Many surgeons use biologic mesh in these settings, but there is little evidence to support this practice. Our objective was to compare the clinical outcomes of utilizing biologic mesh versus synthetic mesh during ventral hernia repair.

Correlation Between Altmetric Scores and Citation Count in 4 High-Impact Plastic Surgery Journals.

Background: The Altmetric Attention Score (AAS) aims to determine the impact of research articles throughout the internet and social media outlets. The AAS is a weighted average of the interaction on platforms including Twitter, Facebook, Reddit, and more.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the AAS and traditional bibliometrics across plastic surgery journals.

Hernia Prevention Using Biologic Mesh and/or Small Bites: A Multispecialty 2 × 2 Factorial Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Ventral incisional hernias are the most common complication after abdominal operation. Randomized trials have shown efficacy of prophylactic synthetic mesh and small bites. Adoption of these practices has been limited due to concerns with placement of synthetic mesh in contaminated cases and small bites in an overweight population.

Statistical Power of Randomized Controlled Trials in Trauma Surgery.

Background: Our purpose was to conduct a bibliometric study investigating the prevalence of underpowered randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in trauma surgery.

Study Design: A medical librarian conducted a search of RCTs in trauma published from 2000 to 2021. Data extracted included study type, sample size calculation, and power analyses.