Impact of Trauma Verification Level on Management and Outcomes of Combined Traumatic Brain and Solid Organ Injuries: An NTDB Retrospective Review.

BACKGROUND: Level-I and level-II trauma centers are required to offer equivalent resources since "The Orange Book." This study evaluates differences between level-I and level-II management of solid organ injury (SOI) with traumatic brain injury (TBI). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of the National Trauma Data Banks from 2013 to 2021 of adult (≥18 years), blunt trauma patients with both TBI and SOI treated at level-I or level-II trauma centers. RESULTS: 48,479 TBI and SOI patients were identified, 32,611 (67.3%) at level-I centers. Unadjusted incidence of laparotomy was higher at level I (14.5% vs 11.7%, P < 0.001), and angiography rates were similar (3.3% vs 3.4%, P 0.717). Sub-group analysis of stable patients (SBP ≥100) showed an increase in nonoperative management at level II (87.3% vs 88.7%, P < 0.001) and decrease in laparotomy (9.9% vs 8.3%, P < 0.001). On logistic regression (LR), severe TBI, high-grade SOI, and level I trauma status were predictors of laparotomy. Logistic regression showed mild/moderate TBI with high-grade SOI and level II were associated with use of angiography. Unadjusted mortality rates were slightly different (14.8% vs 13.4%, P < 0.001), but there was no association with trauma level on LR. DISCUSSION: Nonoperative management was seen more at level-II centers with laparotomy at level I. Subgroup analysis showed no difference in mortality in trauma levels. Matched patients for level I and II showed no statistical difference in management. Patients were treated similarly at both levels with similar outcomes and mortality.

Pediatric Trauma During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A 3-year Retrospective Analysis.

The Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly impacted the volume and types of trauma patients encountered. We performed a retrospective analysis of pediatric trauma patients <17 years old presenting within a large US health care system from 2019 to 2021. Demographics, trauma volume, injury severity, mechanism of injury, and outcomes were compared. A total of 16 966 patients, from 88 hospitals over 18 states, were included in our analysis. Pediatric traumas decreased from 2019 to 2020 and 2021. The injury severity scores (ISSs) increased from 2019 to 2020 and 2019 to 2021. Compared with 2019, more gun-related traumas occurred in both 2020 and 2021, whereas motor vehicle collisions decreased. There were additional changes in bicycle, assault, auto versus pedestrian (AVP), playground, and sports injuries. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the volume, injury severity, and mechanism of injury of the pediatric trauma population.