Time to Operation and Mortality Risk in Elderly Patients with Intestinal Fistula: Not Too Early and Not Too Late.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to ascertain the risk factors contributing to in-patient mortality in elderly patients 65 years and older who were admitted emergently, diagnosed with intestinal fistula, and underwent surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were extracted from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) spanning the years 2005-2014. Multivariable logistic regression and a generalized additive model (GAM) were employed to investigate predictors of mortality. Continuous variables are presented as mean values with standard deviations (SD). RESULTS: The study encompassed 34,853 patients with a mean age of 77.7 years-56.5% were female and 79.4% were White. Patients were categorized into three groups based on the time elapsed between admission and surgery: less than two days (17,761), two to three days (8,407), and more than three days (4,233). Mortality rates were 2.7%, 6%, and 6.1% for patients who underwent surgery within two to three days, within two days, and after more than three days of admission, respectively. Notably, the group that operated more than three days from admission experienced nearly double the hospital length of stay (12 days, SD: 7.2) compared to the other two groups (6.3, SD: 6 and 6.1, SD: 4.8). Furthermore, the association between mortality and time to operation, as indicated by the GAM model, revealed a significant non-linear relationship after adjusting for age, gender, race, zip code, hospital location, and comorbidities (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Elderly patients diagnosed with intestinal fistula should undergo operative treatment as soon as possible, once they are resuscitated. Delaying the operation more than three days after admission substantially increases the risk of mortality.

Diagnosis and treatment of epiploic appendagitis in a Middle Eastern country: An observational retrospective analysis of 156 cases.

BACKGROUND: Epiploic appendagitis (EPA) is an uncommon emergency surgical condition that causes acute abdominal pain, rendering a list of differential diagnoses. Therefore, careful examination and imaging tools are required. EPA is a self-limiting condition that can be resolved in 1-2 weeks and rarely needs surgical intervention. Its low incidence makes EPA less well-known among the public and some medical professionals, and it is frequently under-diagnosed. We aimed to explore the incidence, clinical presentation, modalities of imaging to diagnose and options for treating EPA. METHODS: An observational retrospective analysis was conducted between 2016 and 2022 at a tertiary hospital in an Arab Middle Eastern country. RESULTS: There were 156 EPA cases diagnosed over six years, with a mean age of 33 years. Males represented 82% of the cohort. The entire cohort was treated non-operatively except for eight patients who had surgical intervention using open or laparoscopic surgery. The diagnosis was made by a computerized tomographic scan (CT). However, plain X-ray, abdominal ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed initially in a few selected cases to rule out other conditions. No specific blood test indicated EPA; however, a histopathology examination was diagnostic. No mortality was reported in the study cohort. CONCLUSION: This is the most extensive study analyzing EPA patients from the Middle East. EPA is a rare and mostly self-limiting acute abdominal disorder; however, early ultrasound and CT scan can pick it up quickly after a high index of suspicion.

Cesena guidelines: WSES consensus statement on laparoscopic-first approach to general surgery emergencies and abdominal trauma.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopy is widely adopted across nearly all surgical subspecialties in the elective setting. Initially finding indication in minor abdominal emergencies, it has gradually become the standard approach in the majority of elective general surgery procedures. Despite many technological advances and increasing acceptance, the laparoscopic approach remains underutilized in emergency general surgery and in abdominal trauma. Emergency laparotomy continues to carry a high morbidity and mortality. In recent years, there has been a growing interest from emergency and trauma surgeons in adopting minimally invasive surgery approaches in the acute surgical setting. The present position paper, supported by the World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES), aims to provide a review of the literature to reach a consensus on the indications and benefits of a laparoscopic-first approach in patients requiring emergency abdominal surgery for general surgery emergencies or abdominal trauma. METHODS: This position paper was developed according to the WSES methodology. A steering committee performed the literature review and drafted the position paper. An international panel of 54 experts then critically revised the manuscript and discussed it in detail, to develop a consensus on a position statement. RESULTS: A total of 323 studies (systematic review and meta-analysis, randomized clinical trial, retrospective comparative cohort studies, case series) have been selected from an initial pool of 7409 studies. Evidence demonstrates several benefits of the laparoscopic approach in stable patients undergoing emergency abdominal surgery for general surgical emergencies or abdominal trauma. The selection of a stable patient seems to be of paramount importance for a safe adoption of a laparoscopic approach. In hemodynamically stable patients, the laparoscopic approach was found to be safe, feasible and effective as a therapeutic tool or helpful to identify further management steps and needs, resulting in improved outcomes, regardless of conversion. Appropriate patient selection, surgeon experience and rigorous minimally invasive surgical training, remain crucial factors to increase the adoption of laparoscopy in emergency general surgery and abdominal trauma. CONCLUSIONS: The WSES expert panel suggests laparoscopy as the first approach for stable patients undergoing emergency abdominal surgery for general surgery emergencies and abdominal trauma.

Implementation of Mandatory Blood Alcohol Screening in Trauma Patients: A Retrospective Study from a Tertiary Trauma Center in a Middle Eastern Country.

BACKGROUND: Alcohol consumption is a significant risk factor for several types of injuries and trauma recidivism and remains an important public health concern worldwide. We aimed to describe the implementation of mandatory alcohol screening and the AUDIT tool among trauma patients admitted to a level 1 trauma center in a country with a partial ban on alcohol consumption. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of trauma patients (>12 years old) who required hospital admission and underwent blood alcohol concentration (BAC) screening between 2014 and 2019. This was achieved via an enzymatic method using alcohol dehydrogenase for ethanol detection in the plasma and serum samples. Trauma patient with a BAC < 2.2 mmol/L was referred to as "negative," and BAC > 2.2 mmol/L was referred to as "BAC positive." A comparative analysis was performed between the two BAC groups. Alcohol Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral for Treatment [ASBIRT] program, and AUDIT were applied. RESULTS: A total of 7,326 BAC screening tests were performed in 7,284 patients during the study period. With slight variation over the years, the compliance rate was 77% (70.4%-85.3%), and the test-positivity rate was 10% (8.6%-12.5%). There were 42 repeated admissions, of which seven patients were BAC positive at every admission. Young age and non-Arab patients were more likely to test positive, and the main mechanism of injury (MOI) was road traffic-related trauma (p<0.05). Assault and self-inflicted injuries were significantly higher in BAC-positive patients than in BAC-negative patients (18% vs 4% and 2.7% vs 1.3%, respectively; p=0.001). The injury severity score (ISS) and mortality rate were comparable between the study groups. Patients with a positive BAC were significantly more likely to undergo pan-CT scan in the emergency department, intubation, and exploratory laparotomy than those with a negative BAC. In patients who sustained injuries due to assault, all-terrain vehicles, or motorcycle crashes, there was a significant association between the positivity of BAC tests and the patient' ISS. CONCLUSION: Despite improvements in BAC screening in trauma admissions over the years, almost 20% of cases were missed. Although the mortality rates were comparable, alcohol consumption burdens resources in terms of excess imaging, intubation, open abdominal surgery, and possible disability. Further studies are needed to understand the key obstacles and challenges to achieving optimum compliance for screening in trauma settings.

The Risk of Mortality in Elderly Patients with Acute Vascular Insufficiency of the Intestine is 2.5-Fold Greater than that in Adult Patients: An Analysis of 36,864 Patients.

INTRODUCTION: Vascular insufficiency of the intestine is difficult to diagnose and it has high mortality rates. Our study aimed to identify risk factors for in-hospital mortality of patients emergently admitted with the primary diagnosis of vascular insufficiency of the intestine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult (18-64 years) and elderly (>64 years) patients emergently admitted with the primary diagnosis of vascular insufficiency of the small and large intestine were analyzed using the National Inpatient Sample database from 2005-2014. Using stratified analysis and backward multivariable logistic regression analysis, the relationship between mortality and several risk factors were evaluated. RESULTS: There were 36,864 patients analyzed of which 4,994 died in hospital. Most patients were elderly, making up 23,052 of the total patients (63.4%). The mean (SD) age for adult males, adult females, elderly males, and elderly females were 50.51 (11.18), 52.12 (10.06), 77.00 (7.50), and 78.44 (7.88) years, respectively. When the data was stratified according to outcome, deceased adult patients accounted for 6.9% of all adult patients, while elderly deceased patients accounted for 17.5% of all elderly patients. Elderly patients had a 2.5 times increase in mortality compared to adult patients. When the data was stratified according to operation status, non-operation patients had 58.6% use of gastrointestinal invasive diagnostic procedures, as opposed to the operative patients with 30.3% use. In the final regression model, age (OR=1.03, 95%CI: 1.02-1.04), male sex (OR=1.12, 95%CI: 1.04-1.21), operation (OR=2.73, 95%CI: 2.50-2.97), bacterial infections (OR=3.12, 95%CI: 2.82-3.44), respiratory diseases, (OR=1.84, 95%CI: 1.71-1.99), cardiac diseases (OR=2.78, 95%CI: 2.09-2.48), liver diseases (OR=2.24, 95%CI: 1.99-2.53), genitourinary system diseases (OR=1.40, 95%CI: 1.30-1.51), fluid and electrolyte disorders (OR=1.48, 95%CI: 1.37-1.60), neurological diseases (OR=1.23, 95%CI: 1.13-1.33), and trauma, burns, and poisons (OR=1.57, 95%CI: 1.43-1.73) were the risk factors for mortality. Gastrointestinal invasive diagnostic procedures (OR=0.31, 95%CI: 0.28-0.34) and hospital length of stay (OR=0.91, 95%CI: 0.90-0.92) were protective factors for mortality in all patients. CONCLUSION: For elderly patients emergently admitted for intestinal vascular insufficiency, the odds of mortality were 2.5 times greater than in adult patients. Age, male sex, operation, and several comorbidities were risk factors for mortality; whereas, invasive diagnostic procedures and longer hospital stay were the protective factors against mortality.

Odds of Mortality in Geriatric Patients with Appendicitis is 22 Times Higher than that in Non-Geriatrics: An Analysis of 336,880 Patients from NIS Database.

RESULTS: A total of 336,880 patients were included in the cohort. Mean age was 37.7 and 73.8 years in adult and elderly patients, respectively. 97.3% of adults and 94.2% of elderly patients underwent an operation. The mortality rate in the elderly patients (1.04%, n=402/38,509) was 22 times higher (p<0.0001) than that in adult patients (0.047%, n=144/301,408). Mean (SD) hospital length of stay (HLOS) was 2.6 (2.9) days in adults and 4.9 (5.2) days in elderly patients (p<0.0001). Ninety-nine percent of adult and elderly patients were discharged within 11 and 20 days after emergent hospitalization, respectively. In the final regression model, every one year older in age increased the odds of mortality by 5% (OR=1.05, 95%CI: 1.04-1.06, p<0.001), and for every one day longer, HLOS increased the odds of mortality by 1% (OR=1.01, 95%CI: 1.001-1.02, p<0.001). The multivariable logistic regression model was built on 82,006 patients whose HLOS was ≥4 days, the odds ratio for HLOS was 1.05 (95%CI: 1.04-1.06). This means that for every additional day in hospital after day 4, the odds of mortality increase by 5%.

The open abdomen in trauma, acute care, and vascular and endovascular surgery: comprehensive, expert, narrative review.

BACKGROUND: The open abdomen is an innovation that greatly improved surgical understanding of damage control, temporary abdominal closure, staged abdominal reconstruction, viscera and enteric fistula care, and abdominal wall reconstruction. This article provides an evidence-informed, expert, comprehensive narrative review of the open abdomen in trauma, acute care, and vascular and endovascular surgery. METHODS: A group of 12 international trauma, acute care, and vascular and endovascular surgery experts were invited to review current literature and important concepts surrounding the open abdomen. RESULTS: The open abdomen may be classified using validated systems developed by a working group in 2009 and modified by the World Society of the Abdominal Compartment Syndrome-The Abdominal Compartment Society in 2013. It may be indicated in major trauma, intra-abdominal sepsis, vascular surgical emergencies, and severe acute pancreatitis; to facilitate second look laparotomy or avoid or treat abdominal compartment syndrome; and when the abdominal wall cannot be safely closed. Temporary abdominal closure and staged abdominal reconstruction methods include a mesh/sheet, transabdominal wall dynamic fascial traction, negative pressure wound therapy, and hybrid negative pressure wound therapy and dynamic fascial traction. This last method likely has the highest primary fascial closure rates. Direct peritoneal resuscitation is currently an experimental strategy developed to improve primary fascial closure rates and reduce complications in those with an open abdomen. Primary fascial closure rates may be improved by early return to the operating room; limiting use of crystalloid fluids during the surgical interval; and preventing and/or treating intra-abdominal hypertension, enteric fistulae, and intra-abdominal collections after surgery. The majority of failures of primary fascial closure and enteroatmospheric fistula formation may be prevented using effective temporary abdominal closure techniques, providing appropriate resuscitation fluids and nutritional support, and closing the abdomen as early as possible. CONCLUSION: Subsequent stages of the innovation of the open abdomen will likely involve the design and conduct of prospective studies to evaluate appropriate indications for its use and effectiveness and safety of the above components of open abdomen management.

How Do We Physicians and Surgeons Deal With our Own Disease?

It is a "known secret" that physicians and surgeons do not make good patients and neglect their own health by ignoring early warning signs of physical and psychological problems. Moreover, often, they seek help late. What are the reasons for this self-neglect? Is it because we think we are "super humans," or we think that we will not get sick, cannot get sick, should not get sick, have no "right" to get sick, as we must care for others? Do we ignore ourselves because we must go to one more meeting, do one more thing, write or present one more paper, give one more lecture, or take the call even with a fever, cough, and chills? Why can't we call in sick? Is this the "macho" effect? Is this culture of denial pervasive everywhere, even though we should know better? Yes, it is! Don't we need to remember the advice given by airlines to put on an oxygen mask on yourself first before helping others? Unfortunately, many of us do not do it. In this article, we will present a personal reflection as an example and review how we physicians and surgeons neglect our own health, ignoring the early warning signs of physical and psychological problems, and how we often seek help late. We also discuss potential reasons for this becoming a "norm" for many of us. Lastly, we review measures taken by some healthcare systems to remedy this situation.

Acellular Fish Skin Graft Use in Open Abdomen Management.

INTRODUCTION: Open abdomen (OA) management post damage control laparotomy (DCL) is common in complex abdominal trauma and intra-abdominal catastrophe (IAC). Use of polyglactin 910 mesh (VICRYL™, Johnson & Johnson, New Brunswick, New Jersey) to cover the intra-abdominal contents and wound vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) is current practice in the management of temporary abdominal closure (TAC). This may have complications and requires two to three weeks for granulations to be ready for skin grafting. Acellular fish skin graft (AFSG; Kerecis™, Reykjavik, Iceland), use in wound care management has proven beneficial in the management of both chronic and acute wounds, such as burns, by increasing wound granulation. However, to our knowledge, its utility in OA management has not been reported. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this report is to introduce a novel use of AFSG (Kerecis™) in open abdomen to decrease the time of TACs by accelerating formation of granulation tissue and placement of skin grafts in patients with post damage control laparotomy (DCL) for trauma and IAC when committed to open abdomen management is presented. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Illustration of application of AFSG (Kerecis™) in two patients who underwent DCL for IAC and OA management is presented. RESULTS: Two patients with intra-abdominal catastrophe post-DCL and fistulae were enrolled; one with postoperative enteric fistula and the other with post-anastomotic ileo-colonic fistula breakdown and major intra-abdominal sepsis resulting in multiple organ system failure (MOSF). In both cases, a hostile abdomen was present. The application of AFSG accelerated the placement of skin grafts in both patients and decreased the use of wound VAC and hospital length of stay. CONCLUSION: This report illustrates the use of AFSG (Kerecis™) to accelerate placement of skin grafts in patients post-DCL and OA management. AFSG (Kerecis™) could be considered as part of the OA management strategy.

Predictive Risk Factors for Childbirth-Associated Breast Infections in the United States: A 10-Year Perspective.

Infectious mastitis is a common condition that affects up to 33% of lactating women. Several risk factors have been suggested to be strongly associated with breast abscess, nipple infection, and non-purulent mastitis associated with childbirth. In this retrospective cohort study, we gathered data from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) between 2005 and 2014 and utilized data stratification and backward linear regression to analyze the predictive factors associated with patients hospitalized with breast infection after childbirth, with special consideration of risk factors affecting hospital length of stay (LOS). In the ten-year period, 4614 women were hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of breast abscess, nipple infection, or non-purulent mastitis associated with childbirth. Mean (SD) age was 26.75 (6) years. The highest frequency distribution of cases was observed in patients aged 22-30 years (49.82%). Mean (SD) LOS was 2.83 (1.95) days. Mean (SD) LOS in patients with procedure was 3.53 (2.47) days, which was significantly longer than that in those with no procedure (2.39 (1.36) days, p < 0.001). Primary diagnosis of breast abscess and occurrence of a hospital procedure were most significantly associated with prolonged LOS. Factors such as age, socioeconomic position, severity of functional loss, as well as comorbidities were also contributing risk factors to the development of breast infection and increased hospital LOS. Further studies should examine these findings, as they relate to breastfeeding practices and concentrate on establishing best practices for risk reduction and prevention of childbirth-associated breast and nipple infections and hospitalizations.

Complex Abdominal Wall Reconstruction with Biologic Mesh for Ventral/Umbilical Hernias in Patients with Cirrhosis: Technique and Outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with cirrhosis undergoing non-liver transplant surgery have a higher risk or adverse events than those without cirrhosis. The main objectives of this study were to describe characteristics, outcomes, and outcome predictors of cirrhotic patients undergoing complex abdominal wall reconstruction (CAWR) with biologic mesh. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study had retrospective and prospective components, including all cirrhotic patients at our center with CAWR for ventral/umbilical hernia repair with biologic mesh between December 2016 and November 2021. RESULTS: We studied 37 patients with cirrhosis. Their mean age was 57.2 years, and 64.9% were male. The median body mass index (BMI) was 28.1kg/m2. Ascites was present in 83.3% of patients. The other most common comorbidities were alcohol abuse (67.6%), hypertension (37.8%), and diabetes (24.3%). All complications in aggregate occurred in 11 patients (29.7%). Six patients (16.2%) underwent reoperation. Surgical site infections (SSIs) occurred in five patients (13.5%). Four deaths occurred within 90 days (11.2% cumulative mortality). By 120 days, there were five deaths (14.2% mortality, but none due to the operation). Seven predictor variables achieved an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) for SSI of 0.963, and two predictors yielded an AUROC of 0.825 for 120-day mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that CAWR for ventral/umbilical hernias among cirrhotic patients is feasible given a dedicated CAWR team in collaboration with transplant surgeons and a transplant hepatologist. The rates of adverse outcomes were low or at the midpoint of the range of the study-specific estimates.

Elderly Patients Managed Non-Operatively with Abscesses of the Anorectal Region Have Five Times Higher Rate of Mortality Compared to Non-Elderly.

This study's purpose was to investigate risk factors for mortality from anorectal abscesses through a more comprehensive examination. This was a retrospective study that evaluated National Inpatient Sample patient data of adult and elderly patients emergently admitted with a primary diagnosis of anorectal abscess. Data was stratified by variables of interest and examined through statistical analysis, including backward logistic regression modelling. Roughly 40,000 adult patients and nearly 7000 elderly patients were admitted emergently with a primary diagnosis of abscess in anorectal regions. The mean age of adult male patients was 43 years while elderly male patients were, on average, 73 years old. Both adult males (69.0%) and elderly males (63.9%) were more frequently seen in the hospital for anorectal abscess compared to females. Mortality rates were lower in adult patients as only 0.2% (n = 62) of adult patients and 1.0% (n = 73) of elderly patients died in the hospital. Age increased the odds of mortality (OR = 1.03; 95% CI: 1.02-1.04, p < 0.001) as did hospital length of stay (OR = 1.02; 95% CI: 1.01-1.03, p < 0.001). Surgical procedure decreased the odds of mortality by more than 50% (OR = 0.49; 95% CI: 0.33-0.71, p < 0.001). Risk factors for mortality from anorectal abscess included age and non-operative management, which leads to prolonged hospital length of stay. Surgical management of anorectal abscesses offered protective benefits.

Hospital Length of Stay Independently Predicts Mortality in Patients Emergently Admitted for Esophageal Hemorrhage: Sex, Frailty, and Age as Additional Mortality Factors.

INTRODUCTION: Upper gastrointestinal bleeding results in greater than $7.6 billion of in-hospital economic burden in the United States yearly. With a worldwide incidence between 40-100/100,000 individuals and a mortality rate of approximately 2-10%, upper gastrointestinal bleeding represents a major source of mortality and morbidity. The goal of this study was to describe mortality risk factors in patients emergently admitted with esophageal hemorrhage, the second most common etiology of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients emergently admitted with esophageal hemorrhage between 2005-2014 were evaluated using the National Inpatient Sample database. Patient characteristics, clinical outcomes, and therapeutic trends were obtained. Relationships between morality and all other variables were determined via univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: In total, 4,607 patients were included, of which 2,045 (44.4%) were adults, 2,562 (55.6%) were elderly, 2,761 (59.9%) were males, and 1,846 (40.1%) were females. The average age of adult and elderly patients were 50.1 and 78.7 years, respectively. The multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed, for every additional day of hospitalization, the odds of mortality for nonoperatively treated adult and elderly patients increased by 7.5% (p=<0.001) and 6.6% (p=<0.001), respectively. Every additional year of age was associated with a 5.4% (p=0.012) increase in mortality odds for nonoperatively managed adult patients. Frailty increased the odds of mortality by 31.1% (p=0.009) in nonoperatively treated elderly patients. Undergoing invasive diagnostic procedures in conservatively treated adults reduced mortality significantly (odds ratio=0.400, p=0.021). Frailty, age, and hospital length of stay demonstrated no significant association with mortality in surgically managed adult and elderly patients. CONCLUSION: Nonoperatively managed patients emergently admitted for esophageal hemorrhage with longer hospital length of stay and higher modified frailty index exhibited higher odds of mortality. Invasive diagnostic procedures were negatively correlated with mortality in nonoperatively treated adult patients. Age is only associated with higher mortality rates in adults, while elderly patients revealed no association between age and mortality.

When Should We Operate on the Elderly with Acute Pancreatitis Requiring Emergency Surgery? A 10-Year Study of a National Inpatient Sample Using a Generalized Additive Model of 110,289 Patients.

INTRODUCTION: Elderly patients with acute pancreatitis have longer hospital length of stay (HLOS) and higher mortality compared to adult patients. We aimed to assess the optimal timing to operate for acute pancreatitis and to evaluate the relationship between HLOS and mortality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of 110,289 elderly patients diagnosed with acute pancreatitis requiring emergency admission using the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) between 2005-2014. The ICD9 code 577.0 was used to select patients with a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. Stratified analysis was performed to compare male versus female, survived versus deceased, and no operation versus operation. Multivariable logistic regression models were created to assess independent risk factors of mortality. Generalized additive models (GAM) were created to assess the linearity of the relationship between HLOS and in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: The mean age of the cohort was 76 years old, and 56.3% were female. The mean frailty index was 1.65. Twenty-five percent of patients underwent an operation, with a mean time to operation being 3.44 days for females and 3.77 days for males. Overall mortality was 2.3%. For patients who had an operation, each additional day of delay until operation increased the odds of mortality by 8.8%. Each additional point for the modified frailty index increased the odds of mortality by 30.2%. HLOS had a non-linear relationship with mortality, with an estimated degree of freedom of 22.05 and a nadir at three to seven days. Each additional day in hospital after day seven increased the odds of mortality by 6.7%. CONCLUSIONS: In those who required an operation, every day of delay in operation increased the odds of mortality by almost 9%. The lowest mortality for elderly patients with acute pancreatitis occurred with a hospital length of stay of three to seven days. After seven days, each additional day increased the odds of mortality by 6.7%.

Risk factors and predictors of violence: insights from the emergency department at a level 1 trauma center in the USA.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess the risk factors and predictors of violence among patients admitted to a Level 1 trauma center in a single institution. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients who were admitted with a history of violence between 2012 and 2016. RESULTS: A total of 9855 trauma patients were admitted, of whom 746 (7.6%) had a history of violence prior to the index admission. Patients who had history of violence were younger and more likely to be males, Black, Hispanic and covered by low-income primary payer in comparison to non-assault trauma patients (P < 0.001 for all). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that covariate-adjusted predictors of violence were being Black, male having low-income primary payer, Asian, drug user, alcohol intoxicated and smoker. CONCLUSIONS: Violence is a major problem among young age subjects with certain demographic, social and ethnic characteristics. Trauma centers should establish violence injury prevention programs for youth and diverse communities.

Risk Factors for Mortality in Emergently Admitted Patients with Acute Gastric Ulcer: An Analysis of 15,538 Patients in National Inpatient Sample, 2005-2014.

Background: Patients admitted emergently with a primary diagnosis of acute gastric ulcer have significant complications including morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to assess the risk factors of mortality including the role of surgery in gastric ulcers. Methods: Adult (18−64-year-old) and elderly (≥65-year-old) patients admitted emergently with hemorrhagic and/or perforated gastric ulcers, were analyzed using the National Inpatient Sample database, 2005−2014. Demographics, various clinical data, and associated comorbidities were collected. A stratified analysis was combined with a multivariable logistic regression model to assess predictors of mortality. Results: Our study analyzed a total of 15,538 patients, split independently into two age groups: 6338 adult patients and 9200 elderly patients. The mean age (SD) was 50.42 (10.65) in adult males vs. 51.10 (10.35) in adult females (p < 0.05). The mean age (SD) was 76.72 (7.50) in elderly males vs. 79.03 (7.80) in elderly females (p < 0.001). The percentage of total deceased adults was 1.9% and the percentage of total deceased elderly was 3.7%, a difference by a factor of 1.94. Out of 3283 adult patients who underwent surgery, 32.1% had perforated non-hemorrhagic ulcers vs. 1.8% in the non-surgical counterparts (p < 0.001). In the 4181 elderly surgical patients, 18.1% had perforated non-hemorrhagic ulcers vs. 1.2% in the non-surgical counterparts (p < 0.001). In adult patients managed surgically, 2.6% were deceased, while in elderly patients managed surgically, 5.5% were deceased. The mortality of non-surgical counterparts in both age groups were lower (p < 0.001). The multivariable logistic regression model for adult patients electing surgery found delayed surgery, frailty, and the presence of perforations to be the main risk factors for mortality. In the regression model for elderly surgical patients, delayed surgery, frailty, presence of perforations, the male sex, and age were the main risk factors for mortality. In contrast, the regression model for adult patients with no surgery found hospital length of stay to be the main risk factor for mortality, whereas invasive diagnostic procedures were protective. In elderly non-surgical patients, hospital length of stay, presence of perforations, age, and frailty were the main risk factors for mortality, while invasive diagnostic procedures were protective. The following comorbidities were associated with gastric ulcers: alcohol abuse, deficiency anemias, chronic blood loss, chronic heart failure, chronic pulmonary disease, hypertension, fluid/electrolyte disorders, uncomplicated diabetes, and renal failure. Conclusions: The odds of mortality in emergently admitted geriatric patients with acute gastric ulcer was two times that in adult patients. Surgery was a protective factor for patients admitted emergently with gastric perforated non-hemorrhagic ulcers.

Longer Hospital Length of Stay and Emergency Surgical Intervention are Associated with Lower Rates of Mortality In Elderly Patients with Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: An Analysis of 7,214 Patients.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to determine predictors for in-hospital mortality for elderly patients with ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) undergoing emergency admission. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study utilizing the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) Database, 2005-2014, on elderly patients with ruptured AAA undergoing emergency admission. ICD-9 code 441.3 was used to identify patients with ruptured AAA. Male versus female sex, survived versus deceased patients, and operated versus not-operated ones were compared for various patient characteristics. A multivariable logistic regression with backward elimination and a generalized additive model (GAM) were implemented to evaluate the associations between potential risk factors and mortality. RESULTS: A total of 7,214 patients aged 65 and older with ruptured AAA were included. About 31% of total sample, 26% of survived, and 36% of deceased were female. Mortality rate was higher in older patients, females, and those who were not operated on (40.6%) versus those that were (74.5%). Age, sex, healthcare insurance, severity of illness subclass, hospital length of stay, total charges, and several comorbidities had significant association with mortality in univariable models. Multivariable logistic regression with backward elimination confirmed age (odds ratio[OR]=1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.03-1.05; p<0.001), sex (OR=1.23; 95%CI=1.07-1.41; p=0.004), hospital length of stay (OR=0.87; 95%CI=0.86-0.88; p<0.001), bacterial infection (OR=3.79; 95%CI=3.07-4.68; p<0.001), cardiac disease (OR=1.97; 95%CI=1.71-2.28; p<0.001), liver disease (OR=2.90; 95%CI=2.22-3.77; p<0.001), fluid and electrolyte disorders (OR=1.34; 95%CI=1.18-1.52; p<0.001), and coagulopathy (OR=1.96; 95%CI=1.04-1.37; p=0.01) to be the independent predictors of mortality. Age showed a linear association with mortality; whereas, hospital length of stay had a significant L-shaped association. Elderly patients emergently admitted for ruptured AAA had the lowest risk of mortality with hospital stays greater than seven days (EDF=13.91, p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Longer hospital length of stay (>7 days) of emergently admitted elderly patients with ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm was associated with better outcomes and lower risk of mortality. Surgical intervention was also associated with much lower rate of mortality, while increasing age was associated with higher rate of mortality. In elderly patients admitted for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm, every one year older than 65, increased the odds of mortality by 4% and female sex increased the odds of mortality by 23%.

Predictors of In-Hospital Mortality in Non-Elderly Adult Patients Emergently Admitted with Rhabdomyolysis: A 10-Year Analysis of 27,688 Patients from the National Inpatient Sample.

INTRODUCTION: Rhabdomyolysis is a condition where muscle damage leads to the leakage of intracellular contents such as myoglobin and creatine kinase. These leak into systemic circulation and can cause detrimental effects. Due to the detrimental effect of rhabdomyolysis on patient mortality and potential complications, identifying factors that affect patient mortality in those with rhabdomyolysis could provide valuable insight in early management strategies and potentially benefit patient outcomes. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to identify independent predictors of in-hospital mortality in non-elderly adult patients who underwent emergency admission due to rhabdomyolysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was done by analyzing 27,688 non-elderly adult patients (18-64 years) with rhabdomyolysis who underwent emergency admission using the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) during 2005-2014. Factors such as demographic information, clinical course, and comorbidities were collected to identify predictors of in-hospital mortality. Chi square and student's t-tests were utilized to evaluate various group differences on categorical and continuous variables. Backward logistic regression analyses were performed to examine factors that could affect patient mortality. RESULTS: A total number of 27,688 non-elderly adult patients (age 18-64 years) were included, of which, 20,137 patients were male (72.8%) with a mean (SD) age of 40.60 (13.34) years, and 7,551 patients were female (27.3%) with a mean (SD) age of 45.63 (13.20) years. Multivariable backward logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the associations between mortality and different variables in our patient sample. Out of different factors, respiratory diseases, cardiac disease, and genitourinary system disease demonstrated the most significant association with mortality, shown by odds ratios of 3.67, 3.59, and 3.08, respectively. Additionally, patient age, history of surgical procedure, bacterial infection (other than tuberculosis), and cerebrovascular diseases were also positively associated with mortality. Their respective odds ratios were 1.03, 2.14, 2.13, and 2.66. CONCLUSION: Each additional year in age leads to 3% increased odds of mortality in non-elderly adult patients who are emergently admitted with rhabdomyolysis.

Adult and Elderly Risk Factors of Mortality in 23,614 Emergently Admitted Patients with Rectal or Rectosigmoid Junction Malignancy.

Background: Colorectal cancer, among which are malignant neoplasms of the rectum and rectosigmoid junction, is the fourth most common cancer cause of death globally. The goal of this study was to evaluate independent predictors of in-hospital mortality in adult and elderly patients undergoing emergency admission for malignant neoplasm of the rectum and rectosigmoid junction. Methods: Demographic and clinical data were obtained from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS), 2005−2014, to evaluate adult (age 18−64 years) and elderly (65+ years) patients with malignant neoplasm of the rectum and rectosigmoid junction who underwent emergency surgery. A multivariable logistic regression model with backward elimination process was used to identify the association of predictors and in-hospital mortality. Results: A total of 10,918 non-elderly adult and 12,696 elderly patients were included in this study. Their mean (standard deviation (SD)) age was 53 (8.5) and 77.5 (8) years, respectively. The odds ratios (95% confidence interval, P-value) of some of the pertinent risk factors for mortality for operated adults were 1.04 for time to operation (95%CI: 1.02−1.07, p < 0.001), 2.83 for respiratory diseases (95%CI: 2.02−3.98), and 1.93 for cardiac disease (95%CI: 1.39−2.70), among others. Hospital length of stay was a significant risk factor as well for elderly patients­OR: 1.02 (95%CI: 1.01−1.03, p = 0.002). Conclusions: In adult patients who underwent an operation, time to operation, respiratory diseases, and cardiac disease were some of the main risk factors of mortality. In patients who did not undergo a surgical procedure, malignant neoplasm of the rectosigmoid junction, respiratory disease, and fluid and electrolyte disorders were risk factors of mortality. In this patient group, hospital length of stay was only significant for elderly patients.