Impact of maternal antenatal nutrition and infection treatment interventions on Longitudinal Infant Development and Growth in rural Ethiopia: protocol of the LIDG child follow-up study.

Introduction: Maternal undernutrition and inflammation in utero may significantly impact the neurodevelopmental potential of offspring. However, few studies have investigated the effects of pregnancy interventions on long-term child growth and development. This study will examine the effects of prenatal nutrition and infection management interventions on long-term growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes of offspring.

Mild and Severe Blood Alcohol Concentration Effects on Trauma and Traumatic Brain Injury Outcomes.

Introduction: Reported outcomes for trauma patients (TPs) with elevated blood alcohol concentration (BAC) have been mixed. Previous studies suggest that positive BAC might lead to lower venous thromboembolism (VTE) rates and mortality. This study expands upon these findings by examining the association of various levels of BAC, with additional emphasis on traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients.

Surgical Care Through a Community Free Clinic-Ambulatory Surgical Center Partnership.

Background: Disparities secondary to underinsurance present throughout the surgical care continuum. Community free clinics are uniquely capable to provide health care services to the medically underserved, but surgery often falls outside their scope of care.

Methods: Retrospective chart review was conducted on consecutive community free clinic patients receiving free surgical services via referral to a partnering ambulatory surgery center between March 2016 and September 2021.

Review of machine learning for optical imaging of burn wound severity assessment.

Significance: Over the past decade, machine learning (ML) algorithms have rapidly become much more widespread for numerous biomedical applications, including the diagnosis and categorization of disease and injury.

Aim: Here, we seek to characterize the recent growth of ML techniques that use imaging data to classify burn wound severity and report on the accuracies of different approaches.

Approach: To this end, we present a comprehensive literature review of preclinical and clinical studies using ML techniques to classify the severity of burn wounds.

Domestic firearm violence against women (2018-2021).

Background: Over 50 % of US female homicides occur during domestic violence, with half involving firearms. Public health measures to control COVID-19 may have isolated individuals with abusive partners at a time when firearm sales and new firearm ownership surged. This study sought to evaluate trends in domestic firearm violence (DFV) over time, hypothesizing that rates of DFV increased in the wake of COVID-19.

Maximizing wound coverage in full-thickness skin defects: A randomized-controlled trial of autologous skin cell suspension and widely meshed autograft versus standard autografting.

Background: Traumatic insults, infection, and surgical procedures can leave skin defects that are not amenable to primary closure. Split-thickness skin grafting (STSG) is frequently used to achieve closure of these wounds. Although effective, STSG can be associated with donor site morbidity, compounding the burden of illness in patients undergoing soft tissue reconstruction procedures.

Engaging Underrepresented Youth: Remote Transition of the Health Career Collaborative Program.

Introduction: Pipeline programs can help increase diversity in health care by engaging underrepresented minority groups to pursue higher education and training in medical fields. Here we describe the implementation of Health Career Collaborative, a pipeline program designed to connect high school students with health care professionals, and the transition to remote delivery of the curriculum.

Methods: This study is a retrospective, descriptive observational study where the baseline characteristics of participating students were evaluated via preparticipation surveys.

Risk Factors for Unplanned Returns to the Operating Room in Pediatric Trauma Patients.

Background: Unplanned returns to the operating room (uROR) are associated with worse outcomes including increased complications and length of stay (LOS) in adults. However, the incidence and predictors of uROR for pediatric trauma patients (PTPs) are unknown. This study aimed to identify predictors of uROR for PTPs.

Relationship of Obesity and Severe Penetrating Thoracic and Abdominal Injuries in Adolescent Patients.

Background: Over 20% of United States adolescents are obese. A thicker layer of subcutaneous adiposity might provide a protective "armor" layer against penetrating wounds. We hypothesized that adolescents with obesity presenting after isolated thoracic and abdominal penetrating trauma have lower rates of severe injury and mortality than adolescents without obesity.

Prospective single-center paradigm shift of surgical stabilization of rib fractures with decreased length of stay and operative time with an intrathoracic approach.

Introduction: Intrathoracic surgical stabilization of rib fractures allows for a novel approach to rib fracture repair. This approach can help minimize muscle disruption, which may improve patient recovery compared with traditional extrathoracic plating. We hypothesized patients undergoing intrathoracic plating (ITP) to have a shorter length of stay (LOS) and intensive care unit (ICU) LOS compared with extrathoracic plating (ETP).

The Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Burn Clinic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to anxiety and fears for the general public. It is unclear how the behavior of people with acute burns and the services available to them has changed during the pandemic. The aim of our observational study was to evaluate our clinic's experience with patients presenting with burns during the first 10 months of the COVID-19 pandemic and determine if delays in presentation and healthcare delivery exist within our burn population.

Blunt Trauma Mortality: Does Trauma Center Level Matter?

Introduction: Trauma centers have improved outcomes compared to nontrauma centers when caring for injured patients. A multicenter report found blunt trauma patients treated at American College of Surgeons' Level I trauma centers have improved survival compared to Level II centers. In a subsequent multicenter study, Level II centers had improved survival in all trauma patients.

Coaching for impact: successful implementation of a multi-national, multi-institutional synchronous research course in Ethiopia.

Purpose: Under the American College of Surgeons' Operation Giving Back, several US institutions collaborated with a teaching and regional referral hospital in Ethiopia to develop a surgical research curriculum.

Methods: A virtual, interactive, introductory research course which utilized a web-based classroom platform and live educational sessions via an online teleconferencing application was implemented. Surgical and public health faculty from the US and Ethiopia taught webinars and led breakout coaching sessions to facilitate participants' project development.

Alcohol is not associated with increased mortality in adolescent traumatic brain injury patients.

Purpose: Compared to adults, there is a paucity of data regarding the association of a positive alcohol screen (PAS) and outcomes in adolescent patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). We hypothesize adolescent TBI patients with a PAS on admission to have increased mortality compared to patients with a negative alcohol screen.

Methods: The 2017 Trauma Quality Improvement Program database was queried for patients aged 13-17 years presenting with a TBI and serum alcohol screen.

Vices-paradox in trauma: Positive alcohol and drug screens associated with decreased mortality.

Background: Improved survival in trauma patients with acute alcohol intoxication has been previously reported. The effect of illegal and controlled substances on mortality is less clear. We hypothesized that alcohol, illegal and controlled substances are each independently associated with lower odds of mortality in adult trauma patients.

No Difference in Morbidity or Mortality Between Octogenarians and Other Geriatric Burn Trauma Patients.

Background: Geriatric burn trauma patients (age ≥65 years) have a 5-fold higher mortality rate than younger adults. With the population of the US aging, the number of elderly burn and trauma patients is expected to increase. A past study using the National Burn Repository revealed a linear increase in mortality for those >65 years old.

Injury and Mortality Profiles in Level II and III Trauma Centers.

Background: While the benefit of admission to trauma centers compared to non-trauma centers is well-documented and differences in outcomes between Level-I and Level-II trauma centers are well-studied, data on the differences in outcomes between Level-II trauma centers (L2TCs) and Level-III trauma centers (L3TCs) are scarce.

Objectives: We sought to compare mortality risk between patients admitted to L2TCs and L3TCs, hypothesizing no difference in mortality risk for patients treated at L3TCs compared to L2TCs.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of the 2016 Trauma Quality Improvement Program (TQIP) database was performed.

Regional, Racial, and Mortality Disparities Associated With Neurosurgeon Staffing at Level I Trauma Centers.

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs in approximately 30% of trauma patients. Because neurosurgeons hold expertise in treating TBI, increased neurosurgical staffing may improve patient outcomes. We hypothesized that TBI patients treated at level I trauma centers (L1TCs) with ≥3 neurosurgeons have a decreased risk of mortality vs.

Racial and Sex Disparities in Trauma Outcomes Based on Geographical Region.

Objectives: Disparities in outcomes among trauma patients have been shown to be associated with race and sex. The purpose of this study was to analyze racial and sex mortality disparities in different regions of the United States, hypothesizing that the risk of mortality among black and Asian trauma patients, compared to white trauma patients, will be similar within all regions in the United States.

Methods: The Trauma Quality Improvement Program (2010-2016) was queried for adult trauma patients, separating by U.

Pediatric burn-trauma patients have increased length of stay compared to trauma-only patients: A propensity matched analysis.

Background: Trauma is the leading cause of mortality in children. Burn injury involves intensive resources, especially in pediatric patients. We hypothesized that among pediatric trauma patients, combined burn-trauma (BT) patients have increased length of stay (LOS) and mortality compared to trauma-only (T) patients.

Association of Risk of Mortality in Pediatric Patients Transferred From Scene by Helicopter With Major But Not Minor Injuries.

Objectives: Helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) are used for 16% of pediatric trauma. National HEMS guidelines advised that triage criteria be standardized for pediatric patients. A national report found pediatric HEMS associated with decreased mortality compared with ground emergency medical services (GEMS) but did not control for transport time.

Adult Bicycle Collisions: Impact of Helmet Use on Head and Cervical Spine Injury.

Background: No states currently require adult bicycle riders to wear helmets. Opponents of a universal helmet law argue that helmets may cause a greater torque on the neck during collisions, potentially increasing the risk of cervical spine fracture (CSF). This assumption has not been supported by data for motorcyclists.

No difference in mortality between level I and level II trauma centers performing surgical stabilization of rib fracture.

Background: A comparison of outcomes between Level I (LI) and Level II (LII) Trauma Centers (TCs) performing surgical stabilization of rib fracture (SSRF) has not been well described. We sought to compare risk of mortality for patients undergoing SSRF between LI and LII TCs.

Methods: The Trauma Quality Improvement Program was queried for patients presenting with rib fracture to LI or LII TCs from 2010 to 2015.