Successful Utilization of Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta in a Pediatric Patient.

In the United States, pediatric trauma resulting in traumatic brain injury (TBI) and massive hemorrhage is the leading cause of death. Although use of Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta (REBOA) continues to gain favor, limited data exists on use and efficacy in pediatric patients. We describe a case using REBOA in a pediatric patient with blunt abdominal injury causing hemorrhagic shock. A 14-year-old female presented via air to a level 1 trauma center post motor vehicle collision with prolonged extraction. At landing, she was hemodynamically unstable with GCS and vitals indicating severe injuries. Further assessment indicated REBOA catheter placement with advancement to zone 1. Upon surgical stabilization, REBOA was deflated and distal pulses were maintained without complication. In cases where massive hemorrhage is the major threat to survival, REBOA may improve outcomes. Unfortunately, this patient had sustained a nonsurvivable TBI, and the family decided upon organ donation.

Does "Sludge" Require Cholecystectomy?

Biliary sludge is a subjective, ill-defined term. Surgery is often consulted for laparoscopic cholecystectomy, regarded as a low risk procedure.After IRB approval, a word search was used to identify "sludge" in all ultrasounds performed in 2016. The number of patients undergoing cholecystectomy, complications, pathologic findings, and risk factors were identified. Non-operative patients were evaluated for subsequent symptoms and studies or procedures related to biliary pathology.2769 patients underwent RUQ US; 253 patients were found to have sludge. Of 48 (19%) cholecystectomy patients, 9 had cholelithiasis. No deaths occurred in the cholecystectomy group. Two surgical complications occurred. Fifty (24.4%) of the 205 non-operative patients underwent subsequent US imaging: 44% residual sludge, 28% normal, 18% stones, and 10% other.Sludge may resolve 28% of the time. Repeat ultrasound is prudent before proceeding with cholecystectomy. If an abnormality is seen on repeat imaging and risk factors persist, cholecystectomy may be reasonable.

Prolonged Emergency Department Stay at Referring Facilities: A Poor Trauma Performance Improvement Tool.

BACKGROUND: Delays in the transfers of injured patients are perceived to increase morbidity and mortality and drive initiatives to limit the emergency department length of stay (LOS) at referring facilities (RF). RF LOS >4 hours is used for performance improvement (PI) with a large review burden with few improvement opportunities. METHODS: A statewide trauma registry 2013-2018 was used. Descriptive and inferential statistics including logistic regression were used to evaluate nongeriatric adult patients with ED LOS <12 hours. Paired data analyses utilizing prehospital (PH) and RF variables, vital signs (VS), Glasgow Coma Score-Motor component (GCS-M), RF LOS, mortality, trauma center hospital LOS (HLOS), and intensive care unit (ICU) LOS were performed. RESULTS: 13,721 of 56,702 transfer patients were selected. Mortality fell over time in all abbreviated injury score groups. GCS-M and systolic blood pressure (SBP) were correlated with mortality in both prehospital and RF data and highest in patients with abnormal GCS-M or SBP in both settings (38.0%, 30.1%). Examination of mortality over time in the group with abnormal VS showed SBP as the only variable with increasing mortality related to RF LOS. Average HLOS and ICU LOS were longest in patients with abnormal PH and RF SBP and GCS-M. DISCUSSION: Support for PI evaluation of RF LOS >4 hours was not identified. Increased survival over time is explained by early transfers of high mortality patients. Our data support existing efficient statewide transfers and recommend PI review of transfer patients with abnormal GCS-M and SBP in a narrower timeframe.

Evaluation of statewide utilization of helicopter emergency medical services for interfacility transfer.

BACKGROUND: Helicopter emergency medical services (HEMSs) are used with increasing frequency for the transportation of injured patients from the scene and from treatment facilities to higher levels of care. Improved outcomes have been difficult to establish, and reports of overutilization and financial harm have been published. Our study was performed to evaluate statewide utilization for interfacility transfers (IFTs). METHODS: Data from the North Carolina state trauma registry from 2013 to 2017 were evaluated and ground, and helicopter IFTs were compared. RESULTS: Overall interfacility use of HEMSs peaked at 7,861 patient transports in 2016, and the percent of all IFTs fell from 17% to 13.3% over the study period. Helicopter emergency medical services patients were more likely to be male (69.8%) and younger (48.0 vs. 56.2 years), and have higher Injury Severity Scores (14.6 vs. 9.0) and higher mortality (10.5% vs. 2.8%) than ground emergency medical services (GEMSs) patients. When adjusted for age, sex, Injury Severity Score, and transport distance, HEMSs survival was significantly higher (odds ratio, 0.353; 95% CI, 0.308-0.404; p < 0.0001). Normal prehospital vital signs (VSs) and Glasgow Coma Scale score motor component (GCS-M) were associated with low mortality rates in both groups. Abnormal prehospital VSs and GCS-M were associated with an 11.8% mortality rate in HEMSs patients and 3.1% in GEMSs patients. Normal referring facility VSs and GCS-M did not confer similar protection with a mortality rate of 10.0% in HEMSs patients and 2.8% in GEMSs. Changes in prehospital to referring facility VSs did not demonstrate a low mortality group. Abbreviated Injury Scale and changes in VSs did not identify HEMSs transport benefit groups. CONCLUSION: The proportion of HEMSs transfers fell over the study period and, while associated with a 10.5% mortality rate, had an outcome benefit compared with GEMSs. These patients could not be sorted into risk categories for transportation choice based on VSs or GCS-M derangement or by changes thereof, and opportunities for system improvement were not identified. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic/epidemiological study, level III; Care Management, level IV.

Outcomes after ultramassive transfusion in the modern era: An Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Despite the widespread institution of modern massive transfusion protocols with balanced blood product ratios, survival for patients with traumatic hemorrhage receiving ultramassive transfusion (UMT) (defined as ≥20 U of packed red blood cells [RBCs]) in 24 hours) remains low and resource consumption remains high. Therefore, we aimed to identify factors associated with mortality in trauma patients receiving UMT in the modern resuscitation era. METHODS: An Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma multicenter retrospective study of 461 trauma patients from 17 trauma centers who received ≥20 U of RBCs in 24 hours was performed (2014-2019). Multivariable logistic regression and Classification and Regression Tree analysis were used to identify clinical characteristics associated with mortality. RESULTS: The 461 patients were young (median age, 35 years), male (82%), severely injured (median Injury Severity Score, 33), in shock (median shock index, 1.2; base excess, -9), and transfused a median of 29 U of RBCs, 22 U of fresh frozen plasma (FFP), and 24 U of platelets (PLT). Mortality was 46% at 24 hours and 65% at discharge. Transfusion of RBC/FFP ≥1.5:1 or RBC/PLT ≥1.5:1 was significantly associated with mortality, most pronounced for the 18% of patients who received both RBC/PLT and RBC/FFP ≥1.5:1 (odds ratios, 3.11 and 2.81 for mortality at 24 hours and discharge; both p < 0.01). Classification and Regression Tree identified that age older than 50 years, low initial Glasgow Coma Scale, thrombocytopenia, and resuscitative thoracotomy were associated with low likelihood of survival (14-26%), while absence of these factors was associated with the highest survival (71%). CONCLUSION: Despite modern massive transfusion protocols, one half of trauma patients receiving UMT are transfused with either RBC/FFP or RBC/PLT in unbalanced ratios ≥1.5:1, with increased associated mortality. Maintaining focus on balanced ratios during UMT is critical, and consideration of advanced age, poor initial mental status, thrombocytopenia, and resuscitative thoracotomy can aid in prognostication. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic, level III.

Outcome of Surgical Management of Pancreas Neoplasms in a Large Community Hospital.

BACKGROUND: Outcomes of complex pancreatic procedures have been used as an index for quality, and higher volume has been associated with improved outcomes, leading to advocacy for referral to those centers. The aim of the study was to evaluate the outcomes of pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) at a low-volume referral center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included patients who had a PD within a 7-year period. Operative performance parameters and outcomes were examined. RESULTS: Overall, there were 47 pancreatic resections, of which 38 met the inclusion criteria and were used for analyses. The overall median for blood loss, packed red blood cells units transfused, and postoperative days in hospital was as follows, respectively: 675 mL (interquartile range [IQR] = 500-900), 0 units (IQR = 0-2), 12 days (IQR = 9-18). Demographic characteristics, comorbidities, and complications align with the literature. The 30-day in-hospital mortality rate was 5%. Survival probability for those with pancreatic adenocarcinoma at 1 year was 52% and 7% for years 2 and 3. DISCUSSION: As cases increased, significant improvement was noted in process outcomes including blood loss, blood transfusion rates, and length of stay (LOS). Survival was comparable to that in the literature, with limitation of not being adjusted for adjuvant therapy. Outcomes of complex pancreatic procedures, like PD, at a low-volume center with commitment and adequate support systems, can match those at high-volume centers.

Impact of Anticoagulant and Antiplatelet Use on Outcomes in Blunt Chest Injury.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of prehospital antiplatelet and/or anticoagulant (APAC) use on treatment and outcomes in patients with severe blunt chest injury. Patients with three or more rib fractures and a hospital length of stay (LOS) > three days admitted from 2014 to 2015 were included. Demographics, mortality, complications, injuries, hospital and ICU LOS, use of blood products, and thoracostomy were studied. Of 383 patients, 27.4 per cent were on APAC medication. Patients on APAC were older (P < 0.0001), had higher Glasgow Coma Score (P < 0.0001), and had lower Injury Severity Score (P < 0.0001) and total number of fractures (P = 0.0013) than the non-APAC group. APAC was not a predictor of mortality with or without age adjustment. In multiple linear regressions, APAC did not predict an increased LOS. APAC patients did not demonstrate an increase in admission diagnosis or complication of hemothorax, blood transfusions, tube thoracostomy, tracheostomy, LOS, or mortality rates. Similar findings are present in the subgroup of patients studied with high kinetic energy mechanism of injury. Our study does not support the perceived morbidity of APAC therapy in patients with severe blunt chest injury.

End-tidal carbon dioxide underestimates plasma carbon dioxide during emergent trauma laparotomy leading to hypoventilation and misguided resuscitation: A Western Trauma Association Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND: End-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) is routinely used during elective surgery to monitor ventilation. The role of ETCO2 monitoring in emergent trauma operations is poorly understood. We hypothesized that ETCO2 values underestimate plasma carbon dioxide (pCO2) values during resuscitation for hemorrhagic shock. METHODS: Multicenter trial was performed analyzing the correlation between ETCO2 and pCO2 levels. RESULTS: Two hundred fifty-six patients resulted in 587 matched pairs of ETCO2 and pCO2. Correlation between these two values was very poor with an R of 0.04. 40.2% of patients presented to the operating room acidotic and hypercarbic with a pH less than 7.30 and a pCO2 greater than 45 mm Hg. Correlation was worse in patients that were either acidotic or hypercarbic. Forty-five percent of patients have a difference greater than 10 mm Hg between ETCO2 and pCO2. A pH less than 7.30 was predictive of an ETCO2 to pCO2 difference greater than 10 mm Hg. A difference greater than 10 mm Hg was predictive of mortality independent of confounders. CONCLUSION: Nearly one half (45%) of patients were found to have an ETCO2 level greater than 10 mm Hg discordant from their PCO2 level. Reliance on the discordant values may have contributed to the 40% of patients in the operating room that were both acidotic and hypercarbic. Early blood gas analysis is warranted, and a lower early goal of ETCO2 should be considered. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, level IV.

Relationship between initial margin status for invasive breast cancer and residual carcinoma after re-excision.

Little data exists addressing the relationship between initial margin status in a specimen from an excisional biopsy and the presence of residual carcinoma in a subsequent specimen from lumpectomy or mastectomy. We sought to determine the relationship between initial margin status and the presence of residual invasive cancer, and to identify any relationship to other variables. This study was a retrospective review of pathology reports of 582 early-stage invasive duct carcinomas with open excisional biopsies. The initial specimen was classified into one of six margin categories: multiply focally positive (n = 174), focally positive (n = 132), margins < 1 mm (n = 98), margins 1 to 2 mm (n = 20), margins > 2 mm (n = 46), and margins undetermined (n = 90). All patients had a subsequent definitive second procedure. Pathology reports from the second procedure revealed the presence of residual invasive cancer by initial margin status as follows: in 30 per cent of the initial procedures with multiply focally positive margins, in 22 per cent with focally positive margins, in 8 per cent, 15 per cent, and 4 per cent with margins of < 1 mm, 1 to 2 mm, and > 2 mm, respectively, and in 28 per cent with undetermined margins. Women with palpable tumors, larger tumor size, and positive axillary nodes were more likely to have multiply focal and focally positive margins. Multiply focally positive and focally positive margins had similar residual invasive carcinoma rates and should be re-excised. All clear margins were equivalent; thus, re-excision was not necessary.

Hospital characteristics affect outcomes for common pediatric surgical conditions.

Appendicitis, hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS), and intussusception are common conditions treated in most hospitals. In which hospital settings are children with these conditions treated? Are there differences in outcomes based on hospital characteristics? Our purpose was to use a nationwide database to address these questions. Data were extracted from Kids' Inpatient Database 2000. Data were queried by International Classification of Diseases procedure code for appendectomy and pyloromyotomy and by diagnosis code for intussusception. Length of stay (LOS) and hospital charges were analyzed based on hospital size, location, teaching status, and specialty designation. There were 73,618 appendectomies, with 5,910 (8%) in children's hospitals. Overall LOS was 3.1 days, and was the longest in children's hospitals (3.9). Overall charges were dollar 10,562, with the highest in children's hospitals (dollar 14,124). There were 11,070 pyloromyotomies, with 2,960 (27%) in children's hospitals. Overall LOS was 2.7 days, the shortest being in children's hospitals (2.5). Overall charges were dollar 7,938, with the highest in children's hospitals (dollar 8,676). There were 2,677 intussusceptions, with 921 (34%) in children's hospitals. Overall LOS was 3.0 days, the shortest being in children's hospitals (2.8). Overall charges were dollar 9,558, with the highest in children's hospitals (dollar 10,844). Most children with appendicitis, HPS, and intussusception are treated in nonspecialty hospitals. HPS (27%) and intussusception (34%) are more likely than appendicitis (8%) to be treated in children's hospitals. Children's hospitals have higher charges for all three conditions despite shorter LOS for HPS and intussusception.

Laparoscopic colon resection early in the learning curve: what is the appropriate setting?

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic colon resection (LCR) is a safe and effective treatment of benign and malignant colonic lesions. There is little question that a steep learning curve exists for surgeons to become skilled and proficient at LCR. Because of this steep learning curve, debate exists regarding the appropriate hospital setting for LCR. We hypothesize that outcomes of LCR performed early in the learning curve at a regional medical center (New Hanover Regional Medical Center; NHRMC) and a university medical center (Baylor College of Medicine; BCM) would not be significantly different. METHODS: The first 50 consecutive LCRs performed at each institution between August 2001 and December 2003 were reviewed. Age, mean body mass index (BMI), gender, history of previous abdominal surgery (PAS), operative approach [laparoscopic (LAP) versus hand/laparoscopic assisted (HAL)], conversions (Conv), operative time (OR time), pathology (benign vs. malignant), lymph nodes (LN) harvested in malignant cases, length of stay (LOS), morbidity and mortality were obtained. Continuous data were expressed as mean +/- SD. Data were analyzed by chi, Fisher exact test, or t test. RESULTS: NHRMC patients were on average older females with a higher incidence of PAS. A LAP approach was more frequently performed at BCM (86%), whereas HAL was used more frequently at NHRMC (24%). Conversions to open were similar at both institutions (12%). Benign disease accounted for the majority of operations at both institutions. In cases of malignancy, more LN were harvested at BCM. OR time and LOS were shorter at NHRMC. Complication rates were similar between institutions. There were no anastomotic leaks or deaths. CONCLUSIONS: LCR can be performed safely and with acceptable outcomes early in the learning curve at regional medical centers and university medical centers. Outcomes depend more on surgeons possessing advanced laparoscopic skills and adhering to accepted oncologic surgical principles in cases of malignancy, than on the size or location of the healthcare institution.

A preliminary study of imiquimod treatment in variants of basal cell carcinoma.

Imiquimod is a topical immune response modifier that has proved efficacious in the treatment of the superficial variant of basal cell carcinoma. The nodular variant of basal cell carcinoma has shown moderate response to imiquimod; other variants have not been tested. The mechanism of action is largely unknown; however, studies indicate the mechanism involves alteration of local cytokine production. The objective of this study is to evaluate the cytokine response of imiquimod in all variants of basal cell carcinoma. Ten patients were selected who had clinically and histologically proven basal cell carcinoma. All lesions were treated with imiquimod once a day, 5 days a week, for 3 weeks. After a 3-week rest period, the lesions were rebiopsied. All biopsy specimens were analyzed via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for various cytokines. Nine of 10 lesions resolved clinically, which included nodular, superficial, infiltrative, adenoid, and micronodular variants. The cytokine with the greatest change pre- and post-treatment was IL-8, which decreased an average of 44 per cent (P = 0.06). We concluded that topical 5 per cent imiquimod is an effective treatment of various subtypes of basal cell carcinoma. IL-8, which plays an important role in the development and metastasis of melanoma, may be involved in the mechanism of action of imiquimod on cutaneous malignancies. Larger studies are needed to prove the efficacy of imiquimod on nonsuperficial variants of basal cell carcinoma and cutaneous melanoma metastasis.

Local and national trends over a decade in the surgical treatment of ductal carcinoma in situ.

BACKGROUND: Ductal cancer in situ (DCIS) is an increasingly frequent diagnosis in breast cancer, and management continues to challenge surgeons and oncologists. The purpose of our study was to examine local and national rates of breast conservation surgery and breast reconstruction surgery and to explore patient and surgeon factors associated with the procedures. METHODS: Review of the 1,342 patients in our institutional breast cancer database yielded 211 patients with DCIS. The sample of 211 patients was compared with a national (Nationwide Inpatient Sample [NIS]) database. Patient and surgeon factors associated with the use of breast conservative surgery (BCS) and breast reconstruction (BR) postmastectomy were identified. RESULTS: At our institution, the use of BCS steadily increased over ten years. Younger women with nonpalpable tumors, nonprivate insurance, and younger surgeons were more likely to have BCS. In 28 patients, breast reconstruction was performed: younger Caucasian women with private insurance and younger surgeons were more likely to undergo reconstruction. NIS data revealed that BCS was performed in 20% but that BCS did not increase over the 12-year period. CONCLUSIONS: There was a steady increase in the use of BCS for DCIS at our institution, but a consistent, and much lower, use nationally. To increase breast conservation and reconstruction for DCIS, educational efforts should especially be directed toward elderly women and elderly surgeons.

A preliminary investigation of balloon angioplasty versus surgical treatment of thrombosed dialysis access grafts.

It has been estimated that 180,000 patients in the United States have end-stage renal disease requiring hemodialysis, and this number is currently increasing at a rate of 10 per cent per year. With the growing number of patients requiring hemodialysis the insertion and maintenance of dialysis access has become a common task for vascular surgeons. In fact dialysis access is now the most common vascular operation and may account for as much as 40 to 50 per cent of the practice of a busy vascular surgeon. The two major techniques for repairing thrombosed dialysis access grafts are open surgical revision and balloon angioplasty. Surgical revisions of access sites include patch angioplasty and interposition jump grafts. Balloon angioplasty involves declotting the graft mechanically or chemically followed by dilation of the stenotic segment by an angioplasty balloon under fluoroscopy. Few studies have compared the two methods of repair, and the studies that have been done reveal conflicting results. A retrospective chart review of patients treated at the New Hanover Regional Medical Center for repair of thrombosed dialysis access grafts was conducted. The final sample available for analysis consisted of 16 patients with balloon angioplasty and 44 patients with surgical revision. These two groups were compared in terms of demographics, past medical history, surgery time, complications, length of stay, length of graft patency, and typical costs. Overall balloon angioplasty as compared with surgical revision was associated with longer patency (5.5 vs 3.2 months), shorter surgical time (43.9 vs 64.5 minutes), shorter length of hospital stay (less than one day vs one day or more), and fewer complications (12% vs 30% of the patients). We concluded from this analysis that endovascular treatment of thrombosed dialysis grafts is an acceptable alternative to surgical revision and should be the first option after primary failure of the grafts caused by stenotic lesions.