Final Lifelines: The Implications and Outcomes of Thoracic Damage Control Surgeries.

INTRODUCTION: There is a lack of data on the outcomes of thoracic damage control surgery (TDCS). This study aimed to describe the characteristics and outcomes of patients undergoing TDCS. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of the American College of Surgeons-Trauma Quality Improvement Program database (2017-2021). All trauma patients who underwent emergency thoracotomy and packing with temporary closure were included. Patients were stratified based on the age groups (pediatric [<18 y], adults [18-64 y], and older adults [≥65 y]). Our primary outcome measures included 6-h, 24-h, and in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes were major complications. RESULTS: We identified 14,192 thoracotomies, out of which 213 underwent TDCS (pediatric [n = 17], adults [n = 175], and older adults [n = 21]). The mean (SD) age was 37 (18), and 86% were male. The mean shock index was 1.1 (0.4) on presentation with a median [IQR] Glasgow Coma Scale of 4 [3-14], and 22.1% had a prehospital cardiac arrest. The study population was profoundly injured with a median injury severity scoreand chest-abbreviated injury scale of 26 [17-38] and 4 [3-5], respectively, with lung (76.5%) being the most injured intrathoracic organs. Overall, the rates of 6-h, 24-h, and in-hospital mortality were 22.5%, 33%, and 53%, respectively, and 51% developed major complications. There was no significant difference in terms of in-hospital mortality (P = 0.800) and major complications (0.416) among pediatrics, adults, and older adults. CONCLUSIONS: One in three patients undergoing TDCS die within the first 24 h, and more than half of them develop major complications and die in the hospital, with no difference among pediatric, adults, and older adults. Future efforts should be directed to improve the survival of these severely injured, metabolically depleted, challenging patients.

Clinical decompensation after trauma laparotomy: It's probably not a pulmonary embolus.

Introduction Computed Tomography (CT) to rule out pulmonary embolus (PE) is often ordered during post-trauma laparotomy clinical decompensation (CD) involving fever, tachycardia, tachypnea, and/or leukocytosis. We hypothesize this diagnostic modality is low-yield in the postoperative period when surgery-related sequelae are more probable. Methods This is a single-center retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent trauma laparotomy and had subsequent CT for CD from March 19, 2019 to June 30, 2022. Descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression were performed. The primary outcome was saddle and lobar PE incidence. Results 1032 adult patients underwent trauma laparotomy with 434 undergoing CT for CD: 137 CT abdomen and pelvis only, 30 CTPE, 265 both. The majority (80.2 %) was male, age 33[interquartile range (IQR) 24-45], suffered penetrating mechanism (57 %), and had ISS 23[IQR16-30]. Injuries at laparotomy included 47 % solid organ, 62 % GI tract, 7 % biliary, 11 % vascular, and 42 % other. 176 (41 %) required damage control laparotomy. Median time to CT post-laparotomy was 174 h [111-235] with saddle and lobar PE in 3 (1 %), peripheral PE 18 (5 %), and abdominal abscess, leak, fluid, or pseudoaneurysm in 222 (51 %). Clinical management was altered (40 %) by antibiotics, therapeutic anticoagulation, drainage, aspiration, filter, thrombectomy, or surgical operation. Patients for whom CT findings changed management were more likely to have had GI tract surgery (69% vs 57 %, p = 0.021), higher white blood cell (WBC) (16.4 [13.1-20.5] vs 15.1 [9.9-19.5], p = 0.002), more hours between CT and laparotomy (184 [141-245] vs 162 [89-230], p = 0.002), and lower mortality (2% vs 8 %, p = 0.008). In-hospital mortality was 5 %; none were PE-related. Predictors of clinical intervention required based on CT imaging were GI tract injury (AOR: 1.65, p = 0.0182), and elevated WBC (AOR: 1.038, p = 0.010 Conclusion Saddle and lobar PE incidence post-trauma laparotomy is low. SIRS-type symptoms prompting postoperative CT commonly have no procedural or antibiotic requirement. Postoperative decompensation is more likely related post-operative complications, and less likely a PE.

Finding The Sweet Spot: The Association Between Whole Blood to Red Blood Cells Ratio and Outcomes of Hemorrhaging Civilian Trauma Patients.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the dose-dependent effect of Whole Blood (WB) on the outcomes of civilian trauma patients with hemorrhagic shock. METHODS: We performed a 2-year (2020-2021) retrospective analysis of the ACS-TQIP dataset. Adult (≥18) trauma patients with a shock index (SI) >1 who received at least 5 units of PRBC and one unit of WB within the first 4 hours of admission were included. Primary outcomes were 6-hr, 24-hr, and in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes were major complications and hospital and ICU length of stay (LOS). RESULTS: A total of 830 trauma patients with a mean (SD) age of 38 (16) were identified. The median [IQR] 4-hour WB and PRBC requirements were 2[2-4] U and 10[7-15] U, respectively, with a median WB:RBC ratio of 0.2 [0.1-0.3]. Every 0.1 increase in WB:RBC ratio was associated with decreased odds of 24-hour mortality (aOR:0.916, p = 0.035) and in-hospital mortality (aOR:0.878, p < 0.001). Youden's index identified 0.25 (1 U of WB for every 4 U of PRBC) as the optimal WB:PRBC ratio to reduce 24-hour mortality. High ratio (≥0.25) group had lower adjusted odds of 24-hour mortality (aOR:0.678, p = 0.021) and in-hospital mortality (aOR:0.618, p < 0.001) compared to the Low ratio group. CONCLUSIONS: A higher WB:PRBC ratio was associated with improved early and late mortality in trauma patients with hemorrhagic shock. Given the availability of WB in trauma centers across the United States, at least one unit of WB for every four units of PRBC may be administered to improve the survival of hemorrhaging civilian trauma patients.

Drugs, Delirium, and Trauma: Substance Use and Incidence of Delirium After Traumatic Brain Injury.

INTRODUCTION: There is a paucity of data on the effect of preinjury substance (alcohol, drugs) abuse on the risk of delirium in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). This study aimed to assess the incidence of delirium among patients with blunt TBI in association with different substances. METHODS: We analyzed the 2020 American College of Surgeons-Trauma Quality Improvement Program. We included all adult (≥18 y) patients with blunt TBI who had a recorded substance (drugs and alcohol) screening. Our primary outcome was the incidence of delirium. RESULTS: A total of 72,901 blunt TBI patients were identified. The mean (standard deviation) age was 56 (20) years and 68.0% were males. The median (interquartile range) injury severity score was 17 (10-25). Among the study population, 23.1% tested positive for drugs (Stimulants: 3.0%; Depressants: 2.9%, hallucinogens: 5.1%, Cannabinoids: 13.4%, TCAs: 0.1%), and 22.8% tested positive for Alcohol. Overall, 1856 (2.5%) experienced delirium. On univariate analysis, patients who developed delirium were more likely to have positive drug screening results. On multivariable regression analyses, positive screen tests for isolated stimulants (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.340, P = 0.018), tricyclic antidepressants (aOR: 3.107, P = 0.019), and cannabinoids (aOR: 1.326, P ≤ 0.001) were independently associated with higher odds of developing delirium. CONCLUSIONS: Nearly one-fourth of adult patients with blunt TBI had an initial positive substance screening test. Patients with positive results for isolated stimulants, tricyclic antidepressants, and cannabinoids were at a higher risk of developing delirium, whereas this association was not evident with other drugs and alcohol-positive tests. These findings emphasize the need for early drug screening in TBI patients and close monitoring of patients with positive screening tests.

Less is More: Dissecting Trauma Centers by Procedural Volume.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to examine the relationship between procedural volume and annual trauma volume (ATV) of ACS Level I trauma centers (TC). SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Although ATV is a hard criterion for TC verification, importance of procedural interventions as a potential quality indicator is understudied. METHODS: Patients managed at ACS level I TCs were identified from ACS-TQIP 2017-2021. TCs were identified using facility keys and stratified into quartiles based on ATV into low, low-medium, medium-high, and high volume. TCs were also stratified into tertiles (low [LV], medium [MV], high [HV]) based on procedural volume by assessing annual number of laparotomies, thoracotomies, craniotomies/craniectomies, angioembolizations, vascular repairs, and long bone fixations performed at each center. Cohen's κ statistic was used to assess concordance between ATV and procedural volume. RESULTS: 182 Level I TCs were identified: 76 low, 47 low-medium, 35 high-medium, and 24 high volume. Long bone fixation, laparotomy, and craniotomy/craniectomy were the most performed procedures with a median of 65, 59, and 46 cases/center/year respectively. 31% of HV laparotomy centers, 31% of HV thoracotomy centers, 22% of HV craniotomy/craniectomy centers, 22% of HV vascular repair centers, 32% of HV long bone fixation centers, and 33% of HV angioembolization centers contributed to the overall number of low-medium and low volume TCs. Cohen's κ statistic demonstrated poor concordance between ATV and procedural volumes for all procedures (Overall procedural volume-κ=0.378, laparotomy-κ=0.270, thoracotomy-κ=0.202, craniotomy/craniectomy- κ=0.394, vascular repair-κ=0.298, long bone fixation-κ=0.277, angioembolization-κ=0.286). CONCLUSION: ATV does not reflect the procedural interventions performed. Combination of procedural and ATV may provide a more accurate picture of the clinical experience at any given TC. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Should We Keep or Transfer Our Severely Injured Geriatric Patients to Higher Levels of Care?

INTRODUCTION: Interfacility transfer to higher levels of care is becoming increasingly common. This study aims to evaluate the association between transfer to higher levels of care and prolonged transfer times with outcomes of severely injured geriatric trauma patients compared to those who are managed definitively at lower-level trauma centers. METHODS: Severely injured (Injury Severity Score >15) geriatric (≥60 y) trauma patients in the 2017-2018 American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Improvement Program database managing at an American College of Surgeons/State Level III trauma center or transferring to a level I or II trauma center were included. Outcome measures were 24-h and in-hospital mortality and major complications. RESULTS: Forty thousand seven hundred nineteen patients were identified. Mean age was 75 ± 8 y, 54% were male, 98% had a blunt mechanism of injury, and the median Injury Severity Score was 17 [16-21]. Median transfer time was 112 [79-154] min, and the most common transport mode was ground ambulance (82.3%). Transfer to higher levels of care within 90 min was associated with lower 24-h mortality (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 0.493, P < 0.001) and similar odds of in-hospital mortality as those managed at level III centers. However, every 30-min delay in transfer time beyond 90 min was progressively associated with increased odds of 24-h (aOR: 1.058, P < 0.001) and in-hospital (aOR: 1.114, P < 0.001) mortality and major complications (aOR: 1.127, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Every 30-min delay in interfacility transfer time beyond 90 min is associated with 6% and 11% higher risk-adjusted odds of 24-h and in-hospital mortality, respectively. Estimated interfacility transfer time should be considered while deciding about transferring severely injured geriatric trauma patients to a higher level of care.

Impact of Concomitant Traumatic Pancreatic and Colon Injuries on Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Colon and pancreatic injuries have both long been independently associated with intraabdominal infectious complications in trauma patients. The goal of this study was to evaluate the impact of concomitant pancreatic injury on outcomes in patients with traumatic colon injuries. METHODS: Consecutive patients over a 3-year period who underwent operative management of colon injuries were identified. Patient characteristics, severity of injury and shock, presence and grade of pancreatic injury, and intraoperative packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusions were recorded. Outcomes including intraabdominal abscess formation and suture line failure were collected and compared. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was then performed to determine the impact of concomitant pancreatic injury on intraabdominal abscess formation. RESULTS: 243 patients with traumatic colon injuries were identified. 17 of these also had pancreatic injuries. Patients with combined colon and pancreatic injuries were clinically similar to those with isolated colon injuries with respect to age, gender, penetrating mechanism of injury, admission lactate, ISS, suture line failure, and admission systolic blood pressure. Both intraabdominal abscess rates (88.2% vs 29.6%, P < .001) and intraoperative PRBC transfusions (8 vs 1 units, P = .004) were higher in the combined pancreatic and colon injury group. Multivariable logistic regression identified both intraoperative PRBC transfusions (odds ratio, 1.09; 95% confidence interval, 1.04-1.15; P < .001) and concomitant pancreatic injury (odds ratio, 14.8; 95% confidence interval, 3.92-96.87; P < .001) as independent predictors of intraabdominal abscess formation. DISCUSSION: Both intraoperative PRBC transfusions and presence of concomitant pancreatic injury are independent predictors of intraabdominal abscess formation in patients with traumatic colon injuries.

Predicting the time of mortality among older adult trauma patients: Is frailty the answer?

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to evaluate the temporal trends of mortality among frail versus non-frail older adult trauma patients during index hospitalization. METHODS: We performed a 3-year (2017-2019) analysis of ACS-TQIP. We included all older adult (age ≥65 years) trauma patients. Patients were stratified into two groups (Frail vs. Non-Frail). Outcomes were acute (<24 â€‹h), early (24-72 â€‹h), intermediate (72 hours-1 week), and late (>1 week) mortality. RESULTS: A total of 1,022,925 older adult trauma patients were identified, of which 19.7 â€‹% were frail. The mean(SD) age was 77(8) years and 57.4 â€‹% were female. Median[IQR] ISS was 9[4-10] and both groups had comparable injury severity (p â€‹= â€‹0.362). On multivariable analysis, frailty was not associated with acute (aOR 1.034; p â€‹= â€‹0.518) and early (aOR 1.190; p â€‹= â€‹0.392) mortality, while frail patients had independently higher odds of intermediate (aOR 1.269; p â€‹= â€‹0.042) and late (aOR 1.835; p â€‹< â€‹0.001) mortality. On sub-analysis, our results remained consistent in mild, moderate, and severely injured patients. CONCLUSION: Frailty is an independent predictor of mortality in older adult trauma patients who survive the initial 3 days of admission, regardless of injury severity.

The Role of Whole Blood Hemostatic Resuscitation in Bleeding Geriatric Trauma Patients.

INTRODUCTION: Whole blood (WB) has recently gained increased popularity as an adjunct to the resuscitation of hemorrhaging civilian trauma patients. We aimed to assess the nationwide outcomes of using WB as an adjunct to component therapy (CT) versus CT alone in resuscitating geriatric trauma patients. METHODS: We performed a 5-y (2017-2021) retrospective analysis of the Trauma Quality Improvement Program. We included geriatric (age, ≥65 y) trauma patients presenting with hemorrhagic shock (shock index >1) and requiring at least 4 units of packed red blood cells in 4 h. Patients with severe head injuries (head Abbreviated Injury Scale ≥3) and transferred patients were excluded. Patients were stratified into WB-CT versus CT only. Primary outcomes were 6-h, 24-h, and in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes were major complications. Multivariable regression analysis was performed, adjusting for potential confounding factors. RESULTS: A total of 1194 patients were identified, of which 141 (12%) received WB. The mean ± standard deviation age was 74 ± 7 y, 67.5% were male, and 83.4% had penetrating injuries. The median [interquartile range] Injury Severity Score was 19 [13-29], with no difference among study groups (P = 0.059). Overall, 6-h, 24-h, and in-hospital mortality were 16%, 23.1%, and 43.6%, respectively. On multivariable regression analysis, WB was independently associated with reduced 24-h (odds ratio, 0.62 [0.41-0.94]; P = 0.024), and in-hospital mortality (odds ratio, 0.60 [0.40-0.90]; P = 0.013), but not with major complications (odds ratio, 0.78 [0.53-1.15]; P = 0.207). CONCLUSIONS: Transfusion of WB as an adjunct to CT is associated with improved early and overall mortality in geriatric trauma patients presenting with severe hemorrhage. The findings from this study are clinically important, as this is an essential first step in prioritizing the selection of WB resuscitation for geriatric trauma patients presenting with hemorrhagic shock.

The role of number of affected vessels on radiologic and clinical outcomes of patients with blunt cerebrovascular injury.

OBJECTIVE: There is a lack of data on the role of characteristics of injured vessels on the outcomes of patients with blunt cerebrovascular injuries (BCVIs). The aim of this study was to assess the effect of the number (single vs multiple) of injured vessels on outcomes. METHODS: This is a retrospective study at two American College of Surgeons Level I trauma centers (2017-2021). Adult (>16 years) trauma patients with BCVIs are included. Injuries were graded by the Denver Scale based on the initial computed tomography angiography (CTA). Early repeat CTA was performed 7 to 10 days after diagnosis. Patients were stratified by the number (single vs multiple) of the involved vessels. Outcomes included progression of BCVIs on repeat CTA, stroke, and in-hospital mortality attributable to BCVIs. Multivariable regression analyses were performed to identify the association between the number of injured vessels and outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 491 patients with 591 injured vessels (285 carotid and 306 vertebral arteries) were identified. Sixty percent were male, the mean age was 44 years, and the median Injury Severity Score was 18 (interquartile range, 11-25). Overall, 18% had multiple-vessel injuries, 16% had bilateral vessel injuries, and 3% had multiple injuries on the same side. The overall rates of progression to higher-grade injuries, stroke, and mortality were 23%, 7.7%, and 8.8%, respectively. On uni- and multivariable analyses, multiple BCVIs were associated with progression to higher-grade injuries on repeat imaging, stroke, and mortality compared with single-vessel injuries. CONCLUSIONS: BCVIs with multiple injured vessels are more likely to progress to higher grades on repeat CTA, with multiple injuries independently associated with worse clinical outcomes, compared with those with single injuries. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating the number of injured vessels in clinical decision-making and in defining protocols for repeat imaging.

Pediatric Acute Compartment Syndrome in Long Bone Fractures: Who is at Risk?

INTRODUCTION: There is a paucity of large-scale data on the factors that suggest an impending or underlying extremity pediatric acute compartment syndrome (ACS). In addition, literature regarding the timing of operative fixation and the risk of ACS is mixed. We aimed to describe the factors associated with pediatric ACS. METHODS: Analysis of 2017-2019 Trauma Quality Improvement Program. We included patients aged <18 y diagnosed with upper extremity (UE) and lower extremity (LE) fractures. Burns and insect bites/stings were excluded. Multivariable regression analyses were performed to identify the predictors of ACS. RESULTS: 61,537 had LE fractures, of which 0.5% developed ACS. 76,216 had UE fractures, of which 0.16% developed ACS. Multivariable regression analyses identified increasing age, male gender, motorcycle collision, and pedestrian struck mechanisms of injury, comminuted and open fractures, tibial and concurrent tibial and fibular fractures, forearm fractures, and operative fixation as predictors of ACS (P value <0.05). Among LE fractures, 34% underwent open reduction internal fixation (time to operation = 14 [8-20] hours), and 2.1% underwent ExFix (time to operation = 9 [4-17] hours). Among UE fractures, 54% underwent open reduction internal fixation (time to operation = 11 [6-16] hours), and 1.9% underwent ExFix (time to operation = 9 [4-14] hours). Every hour delay in operative fixation of UE and LE fractures was associated with a 0.4% increase in the adjusted odds of ACS (P value <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results may aid clinicians in recognizing children who are "at risk" for ACS. Future studies are warranted to explore the optimal timing for the operative fixation of long bone fractures to minimize the risk of pediatric ACS.

The Importance of Circulation in Airway Management: Preventing Post-Intubation Hypotension in The Trauma Bay.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors associated with post-intubation hypotension (PIH) among trauma patients who required endotracheal intubation (ETI) in the trauma bay. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: ETI has been associated with hemodynamic instability, termed PIH, yet its risk factors in trauma patients remain under-investigated. METHODS: This is a prospective observational study at a level I trauma center over 4 years (2019-2022). All adult (≥18) trauma patients requiring ETI in the trauma bay were included. Blood pressure was monitored both pre- and post-intubation. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the modifiable and non-modifiable factors associated with PIH. RESULTS: 708 patients required ETI in the trauma bay, of which, 435 (61.4%) developed PIH. The mean (SD) age was 43 (21) and 71% were male. Median [IQR] arrival GCS was 7 [3-13]. Patients who developed PIH had a lower mean (SD) pre-intubation SBP (118 (46) vs. 138 (28), P<0.001) and higher median [IQR] ISS (27 [21-38] vs. 21 [9-26], P<0.001). Multivariable regression analysis identified BMI>25, increasing ISS, penetrating injury, spinal cord injury, Pre-intubation PRBC requirements, and diabetes mellitus as non-modifiable risk factors associated with increased odds of PIH. In contrast, pre-intubation administration of 3% hypertonic saline and vasopressors were identified as the modifiable factors significantly associated with reduced PIH. CONCLUSION: More than half of the patients requiring ETI in the trauma bay developed PIH. This study identified modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors that influence the development of PIH, which will help physicians when considering ETI upon patient arrival. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, Prognostic Study.

Surgical stabilization of rib fractures: The impact of volume and the need for standardized indications.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to examine impact of trauma center (TC) surgical stabilization of rib fracture (SSRF) volume on outcomes of patients undergoing SSRF. METHODS: Blunt rib fracture patients who underwent SSRF were included from ACS-TQIP2017-2021. TCs were stratified according to tertiles of SSRF volume:low (LV), middle, and high (HV). Outcomes were time to SSRF, respiratory complications, prolonged ventilator use, mortality. RESULTS: 16,872 patients were identified (LV:5470,HV:5836). Mean age was 56 years, 74% were male, median thorax-AIS was 3. HV centers had a lower proportion of patients with flail chest (HV41% vs LV50%), pulmonary contusion (HV44% vs LV52%) and had shorter time to SSRF(HV58 vs LV76 â€‹h), less respiratory complications (HV3.2% vs LV4.5%), prolonged ventilator use (HV15% vs LV26%), mortality (HV2% vs LV2.6%) (all p â€‹< â€‹0.05). On multivariable regression analysis, HV centers were independently associated with reduced time to SSRF(ߠ​= â€‹-18.77,95%CI â€‹= â€‹-21.30to-16.25), respiratory complications (OR â€‹= â€‹0.67,95%CI â€‹= â€‹0.49-0.94), prolonged ventilator use (OR â€‹= â€‹0.49,95%CI â€‹= â€‹0.41-0.59), but not mortality. CONCLUSIONS: HV SSRF centers have improved outcomes, however, there are variations in threshold for SSRF and indications must be standardized. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III. STUDY TYPE: Therapeutic/Care Management.

Predictors of Receiving Mental Health Services in Trauma Patients With Positive Drug Screen.

INTRODUCTION: Initial interaction with health care system presents an important opportunity to provide substance use disorder (SUD) rehabilitation in the form of mental health services (MHSs). This study aims to identify predictors of receipt of MHSs among adult trauma patients with SUD and positive drug screen. METHODS: In this analysis of 2017-2021 American College of Surgeons-Trauma Quality Improvement Program (ACS TQIP), adult(≥18 y) patients with SUD and positive drug screen who survived the hospital admission were included. Outcomes measure was the receipt of MHS. Poisson regression analysis with clustering by facility was performed to identify independent predictors of receipt of MHS. RESULTS: 128,831 patients were identified of which 3.4% received MHS. Mean age was 41 y, 76% were male, 63% were White, 25% were Black, 12% were Hispanic, and 82% were insured. Median injury severity score was 9, and 54% were managed at an ACS level I trauma center. On regression analysis, female gender (aOR = 1.17, 95% CI = 1.09-1.25), age ≥65 y (aOR = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.97-0.99), White race (aOR = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.28-1.47), Hispanic ethnicity (aOR = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.76-0.93), insured status (aOR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.13-1.33), and management at ACS level I trauma centers (aOR = 1.47, 95% CI = 1.38-1.57) were independent predictors of receipt of MHS. CONCLUSIONS: Race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic factors predict the receipt of MHS in trauma patients with SUD and positive drug screens. It is unknown if these disparities affect the long-term outcomes of these vulnerable patients. Further research is warranted to expand on the contributing factors leading to these disparities and possible strategies to address them.

Defining the Problem: 53 Years of Firearm Violence Afflicting America's Schools.

BACKGROUND: Firearm violence and school shootings remain a significant public health problem. This study aimed to examine how publicly available data from all 50 states might improve our understanding of the situation, firearm type, and demographics surrounding school shootings. STUDY DESIGN: School shootings occurring in the US for 53 years ending in May 2022 were analyzed, using primary data files that were obtained from the Center for Homeland Defense and Security. Data analyzed included situation, injury, firearm type, and demographics of victims and shooters. We compared the ratio of fatalities per wounded after stratifying by type of weapon. Rates (among children) of school shooting victims, wounded, and fatalities per 1 million population were stratified by year and compared over time. RESULTS: A total of 2,056 school shooting incidents involving 3,083 victims were analyzed: 2,033 children, 5 to 17 years, and 1,050 adults, 18 to 74 years. Most victims (77%) and shooters (96%) were male individuals with a mean age of 18 and 19 years, respectively. Of the weapons identified, handguns, rifles, and shotguns accounted for 84%, 7%, and 4%, respectively. Rifles had a higher fatality-to-wounded ratio (0.45) compared with shooters using multiple weapons (0.41), handguns (0.35), and shotguns (0.30). Linear regression analysis identified a significant increase in the rate of school shooting victims (ß = 0.02, p = 0.0003), wounded (ß = 0.01, p = 0.026), and fatalities (ß = 0.01, p = 0.0003) among children over time. CONCLUSIONS: Despite heightened public awareness, the incidence of school shooting victims, wounded, and fatalities among children has steadily and significantly increased over the past 53 years. Understanding the epidemic represents the first step in preventing continued firearm violence in our schools.

Effect of PCC on outcomes of severe traumatic brain injury patients on preinjury anticoagulation.

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to evaluate effect of 4-factor PCC on outcomes of severe TBI patients on preinjury anticoagulants undergoing craniotomy/craniectomy. METHODS: In this analysis of 2018-2020 ACS-TQIP, patients with isolated blunt severe TBI (Head-AIS≥3, nonhead-AIS<2) using preinjury anticoagulants who underwent craniotomy/craniectomy were identified and stratified into PCC and No-PCC groups. Outcomes were time to surgery and mortality. Multivariable binary logistic and linear regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: 1598 patients were identified (PCC-107[7 %], No-PCC-1491[93 %]). Mean age was 74(11) years, 65 % were male, median head AIS was 4. Median time to PCC administration was 109 â€‹min. On univariable analysis, PCC group had shorter time to surgery (PCC-341, No-PCC-620 â€‹min, p â€‹= â€‹0.002), but higher mortality (PCC35 %, No-PCC21 %,p â€‹= â€‹0.001). On regression analysis, PCC was independently associated with shorter time to surgery (ߠ​= â€‹-1934,95 %CI â€‹= â€‹-3339to-26), but not mortality (aOR â€‹= â€‹0.70,95 %CI â€‹= â€‹0.14-3.62). CONCLUSION: PCC may be a safe adjunct for urgent reversal of coagulopathy in TBI patients using preinjury anticoagulants.

Impact of Patient and Procedural Factors on Outcomes Following Mesenteric Bypass.

BACKGROUND: Mesenteric bypass (MB) for patients with acute (AMI) and chronic mesenteric ischemia (CMI) is associated with cardiovascular (CV) and pulmonary morbidity. METHODS: Patients with AMI and CMI from 2008 to 2019 were identified to determine independent predictors of CV (cardiac arrest, MI, DVT, and stroke) and pulmonary (pneumonia and ventilator time>48 h) morbidities in patients undergoing MB. RESULTS: 377 patients were identified. Patients with AMI had higher rates of preoperative SIRS/sepsis (28 vs 12%, P < .0001), were more likely to be ASA class 4/5 (55 vs 42%, P = .005), were more likely to require bowel resection (19 vs 3%, P < .0001), and were more likely to have vein utilized as their bypass conduit (30 vs 14%, P < .0001). There were no differences in use of aortic or iliac inflow (P = .707) nor in return to the OR (24 vs 19%, P = .282). Both postoperative sepsis (12 vs 2.6%, P = .003) and mortality (31.4% vs 9.8%, P < .0001) were significantly increased in patients with AMI. After adjusting for both patient and procedural factors, multivariable logistic regression (MLR) identified international normalized ratio (INR) (OR 3.16; 95% CI 1.56-6.40, P = .001) and chronic heart failure (CHF) (OR 5.88; 95% CI 1.15-29.97, P = .033) to be independent predictors of pulmonary morbidity, while preoperative sepsis (OR 1.96; 95% CI 1.45-2.66, P < .0001) alone was predictive of CV morbidity in all patients undergoing MB. DISCUSSION: Mesenteric bypass for mesenteric ischemia leads to high rates of morbidity and mortality, whether done in an acute or chronic setting. Preoperative sepsis, independent of AMI or CMI, predicts CV morbidity, regardless of bypass configuration or conduit, while elevated INR or underlying CHF carries a higher risk of pulmonary morbidity.

Geriatric trauma, frailty, and ACS trauma center verification level: Are there any correlations with outcomes?

INTRODUCTION: It remains unclear whether geriatrics benefit from care at higher-level trauma centers (TCs). We aimed to assess the impact of the TC verification level on frail geriatric trauma patients' outcomes. We hypothesized that frail patients cared for at higher-level TCs would have improved outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: Patients ≥65 years were identified from the Trauma Quality Improvement Program (TQIP) database (2017-2019). Patients transferred, discharged from emergency department (ED), and those with head abbreviated injury scale >3 were excluded. 11-factor modified frailty index was utilized. Propensity score matching (1:1) was performed. Outcomes included discharge to skilled nursing facility or rehab (SNF/rehab), withdrawal of life-supporting treatment (WLST), mortality, complications, failure-to-rescue, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, hospital length of stay (LOS), and ventilator days. RESULTS: 110,680 patients were matched (Frail:55,340, Non-Frail:55,340). Mean age was 79 (7), 90% presented following falls, and median ISS was 5 [2-9]. Level-I/II TCs had lower rates of discharge to SNF/rehab (52.6% vs. 55.8% vs. 60.9%; p < 0.001), failure-to-rescue (0.5% vs. 0.4% vs. 0.6%;p = 0.005), and higher rates of WLST (2.4% vs. 2.1% vs. 0.3%; p < 0.001) compared to level-III regardless of injury severity and frailty. Compared to Level-III centers, Level-I/II centers had higher complications among moderate-to-severely injured patients (4.1% vs. 3.3% vs. 2.7%; p < 0.001), and lower mortality only among frail patients regardless of injury severity (1.8% vs. 1.5% vs. 2.6%; p < 0.001). Patients at Level-I TCs were more likely to be admitted to ICU, and had longer hospital LOS and ventilator days compared to Level-II and III TCs (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Frailty may play an important role when triaging geriatric trauma patients. In fact, the benefit of care at higher-level TCs is particularly evident for patients who are frail. Level III centers may be underperforming in providing access to palliative and end-of-life care.

What Is Going on in Our Schools? Review of Injuries Among School Children Across the United States.

INTRODUCTION: Children spend most of their time at school and participate in many activities that have the potential for causing injury. This study aims to describe the nationwide epidemiology of pediatric trauma sustained in school settings in the United States. METHODS: In the 3-y analysis of 2017-2019 American College of Surgeons-Trauma Quality Program, all pediatric trauma patients (≤18 y) injured in a school setting were included and stratified based on place of injury, into elementary, middle, and high school (HS) groups. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression analysis were performed to identify the independent predictors of intentional injuries. RESULTS: 23,215 pediatric patients were identified, of which 15,264 patients were injured at elementary (57.6%), middle (17.5%), and high (25%) schools. The mean age was 9.5 y, 66.9% were male, 63.9% were white, the median injury severity score was 2 [1-4], and 95.6% had a blunt injury. Elementary school students were more likely to sustain falls (85%) and humerus fractures (43%) whereas HS students were more likely to be injured by assaults (17%). Overall, 7% of the students sustained intentional injuries. On multivariable logistic regression, male gender (odds ratio [OR] 1.54), Black race (OR 2.94), American Indian race (OR 1.88), Hispanic ethnicity (OR 1.77), positive drug screen (OR 4.9), middle (OR 5.2), and HSs (OR 10.6) were identified as independent predictors of intentional injury (all P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Injury patterns vary across elementary, middle, and HSs. Racial factors appear to influence intentional injuries along with substance abuse. Further studies to understand these risk factors and efforts to reduce school injuries are warranted to provide a safe learning environment for children.

It is not all black and white: The effect of increasing severity of frailty on outcomes of geriatric trauma patients.

BACKGROUND: Frailty is associated with poor outcomes in trauma patients. However, the spectrum of physiologic deficits, once a patient is identified as frail, is unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the dynamic association between increasing frailty and outcomes among frail geriatric trauma patients. METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of the American Association of Surgery for Trauma Frailty Multi-institutional Trial. Patients 65 years or older presenting to one of the 17 trauma centers over 3 years (2019-2022) were included. Frailty was assessed within 24 hours of presentation using the Trauma-Specific Frailty Index (TSFI) questionnaire. Patients were stratified by TSFI score into six groups: nonfrail (<0.12), Grade I (0.12-0.19), Grade II (0.20-0.29), Grade III (0.30-0.39), Grade IV (0.40-0.49), and Grade V (0.50-1). Our Outcomes included in-hospital and 3-month postdischarge mortality, major complications, readmissions, and fall recurrence. Multivariable regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: There were 1,321 patients identified. The mean (SD) age was 77 years (8.6 years) and 49% were males. Median [interquartile range] Injury Severity Score was 9 [5-13] and 69% presented after a low-level fall. Overall, 14% developed major complications and 5% died during the index admission. Among survivors, 1,116 patients had a complete follow-up, 16% were readmitted within 3 months, 6% had a fall recurrence, 7% had a complication, and 2% died within 3 months postdischarge. On multivariable regression, every 0.1 increase in the TSFI score was independently associated with higher odds of index-admission mortality and major complications, and 3 months postdischarge mortality, readmissions, major complications, and fall recurrence. CONCLUSION: The frailty syndrome goes beyond a binary stratification of patients into nonfrail and frail and should be considered as a spectrum of increasing vulnerability to poor outcomes. Frailty scoring can be used in developing guidelines, patient management, prognostication, and care discussions with patients and their families. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic and Epidemiological; Level III.