Coronavirus Disease 2019 and the Injured Patient: A Multicenter Review.

INTRODUCTION: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been shown to affect outcomes among surgical patients. We hypothesized that COVID-19 would be linked to higher mortality and longer length of stay of trauma patients regardless of the injury severity score (ISS). METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of trauma registries from two level 1 trauma centers (suburban and urban) from March 1, 2019, to June 30, 2019, and March 1, 2020, to June 30, 2020, comparing baseline characteristics and cumulative adverse events. Data collected included ISS, demographics, and comorbidities. The primary outcome was time from hospitalization to in-hospital death. Outcomes during the height of the first New York COVID-19 wave were also compared with the same time frame in the prior year. Kaplan-Meier method with log-rank test and Cox proportional hazard models were used to compare outcomes. RESULTS: There were 1180 trauma patients admitted during the study period from March 2020 to June 2020. Of these, 596 were never tested for COVID-19 and were excluded from the analysis. A total of 148 COVID+ patients and 436 COVID- patients composed the 2020 cohort for analysis. Compared with the 2019 cohort, the 2020 cohort was older with more associated comorbidities, more adverse events, but lower ISS. Higher rates of historical hypertension, diabetes, neurologic events, and coagulopathy were found among COVID+ patients compared with COVID- patients. D-dimer and ferritin were unreliable indicators of COVID-19 severity; however, C-reactive protein levels were higher in COVID+ relative to COVID- patients. Patients who were COVID+ had a lower median ISS compared with COVID- patients, and COVID+ patients had higher rates of mortality and longer length of stay. CONCLUSIONS: COVID+ trauma patients admitted to our two level 1 trauma centers had increased morbidity and mortality compared with admitted COVID- trauma patients despite age and lower ISS. C-reactive protein may play a role in monitoring COVID-19 activity in trauma patients. A better understanding of the physiological impact of COVID-19 on injured patients warrants further investigation.

Establishing the Prevalence of Intimate Partner Violence Among Hair Salon Clients.

This study determined prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization among female clients at three hair salons in Connecticut using an anonymous tablet based screening tool. While many may assume that women receive services at hair salons, victims of IPV are often isolated by their partners and unable to access help. Of the 203 clients who participated, 40 (20%) had experienced IPV in her lifetime. In identifying the prevalence of IPV within the salon setting, this study provides support for community-based programs and supports their legitimacy as an important locus for identifying women experiencing IPV and connecting them to resources.

Trends in Surgical Critical Care Fellowship Match: An Analysis of National Resident Matching Program Data.

INTRODUCTION: Surgical Critical Care (SCC) fellowship applications are made through March-July the year prior to the fellowship, while the match process takes place through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). There is paucity of high quality data on matching trends in SCC fellowship in the United States. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all applicants in the SCC match over a period of fifteen years (2009-2023). Publicly published data about the SCC fellowship match were retrieved from the NRMP online portal. Mann Kendall trend test was used to obtain a Tau statistic and p-values for temporal trends over time. Chi-square test was used to investigate association between categorical variables. RESULTS: From 2009 to 2023, the number of SCC fellowship positions increased from 143 to 340 (138% increase) while the number of applicants rose from 95 to 289 (204% increase). The overall match rate for applicants significantly rose from 89.5% to 93.4% (7.7% increase; t = 0.600, p = 0.002). The percentage of positions filled also increased from 59.4% in 2009 to 79.4% in 2023. The match rate over the past five years (2019-2023) was 90.8%. US-MD applicants had a significantly higher 94.8% match rate throughout the study period than non-US MD applicants (94.8% vs. 87.3%, p<0.001). While the match rate for US-MD applicants has stayed consistent from 2009 to 2023 (τ = 0.371, p = 0.054), the match rate for non-US-MD applicants increased from 77.3% in 2009 to 86.9% in 2023 (τ = 0.771, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: SCC fellowship continues to grow with more positions and applicants. Match rates into SCC fellowships have increased over the past fifteen years, primarily helping non-US MDs match successfully.

Stop the Bleed: A Prospective Evaluation and Comparison of Tourniquet Application in Security Personnel Versus Civilian Population.

INTRODUCTION: Stop the Bleed (STB) is a national training program aiming to decrease the mortality associated with life-threatening bleeding due to injury. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and confidence level of security personnel placing a tourniquet (TQ) compared to civilians. METHODS: Pre and post questionnaires were shared with security personnel (Group 1) and civilians (Group 2). Both groups were assessed to determine comfort level with TQ placement. Time and success rate for placement was recorded pre- and post-STB training. A generalized linear mixed model or generalized estimating equations was used to compare pre and post measurements. RESULTS: There were 234 subjects enrolled. There was a statistically significant improvement between the pre- and post-training responses in both groups with respect to comfort level in placing a TQ. Participants also demonstrated increased familiarity with the anatomy and bleeding control after STB training. A higher successful TQ placement was obtained in both groups after STB training (Pre-training: Group 1 [17.4%], Group 2 [12.8%]; Post-training: Group 1 [94.8%], Group 2 [92.3%]). Both groups demonstrated improved time to TA placement with a longer mean time improvement achieved in Group 1. Although the time to TQ placement pre-and post-training was statistically significant, we found that the post-training times between Groups 1 and 2 were similar (P = .983). CONCLUSIONS: Participants improved their confidence level with the use of hemorrhage control techniques and dramatically increased the rate and time to successful placement of a TQ. While civilians had the greatest increase in comfort level, the security personnel group saw the most significant reduction in the time to successful TQ placement. These findings highlight the critical role of STB in educating and empowering both civilians and security personnel in bleeding control techniques.

Outcomes in Obese vs Non-Obese Injured Patients at a Level 1 Trauma Center and Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence.

BACKGROUND: We hypothesized that the outcomes of trauma patients with a body mass index (BMI) equal to or greater than 30 compared to patients with BMI less than 30 would not differ at a level 1 trauma center that is also a Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence in the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP). STUDY DESIGN: Patients equal to and greater than 18 years old treated between 1/1/2018 and 12/31/2020 were included. Demographics, BMI, comorbidities, and outcomes (hospital-LOS, ICU-LOS, blood products used, and mortality) were compared between 2 groups: obese (BMI ≥30) vs non-obese (BMI <30). RESULTS: Of the 4192 patients identified, 3821 met the inclusion criteria; 3019 patients had a BMI <30, and 802 had a BMI ≥30. There was a statistically significant difference between the 2 groups with respect to gender (females: 57% vs 47%, P < .0001) and age (median: 80 [IQR: 63-88] vs 69 [IQR: 55-81], P < .0001). When adjusted for age, sex, DM, dementia, ISS, and ICU admission, there was no statistically significant difference in hospital-LOS (4.30 [95% CI: 4.10, 4.52] vs 4.48 [95% CI: 4.18, 4.79]) or mortality. No statistical differences were seen between the 2 groups in blood product use. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity did not correlate with poorer outcomes at an ACS-verified level 1 Trauma Center and Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence. Further studies are needed to determine whether outcomes vary at hospitals without both designations.

Smartphone application alerts for early trauma team activation: Millennial technology in healthcare.

BACKGROUND: Data access through smartphone applications (apps) has reframed procedure and policy in healthcare, but its impact in trauma remains unclear. Citizen is a free app that provides real-time alerts curated from 911 dispatch data. Our primary objective was to determine whether app alerts occurred earlier than recorded times for trauma team activation and emergency department arrival. METHODS: Trauma registry entries were extracted from a level one urban trauma center from January 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019 and compared with app metadata from the center catchment area. We matched entries to metadata according to description, date, time, and location then compared metadata timestamps to trauma team activation and emergency department arrival times. We computed percentage of time the app reported traumatic events earlier than trauma team activation or emergency department arrival along with exact binomial 95% confidence interval; median differences between times were presented along with interquartile ranges. RESULTS: Of 3,684 trauma registry entries, 209 (5.7%) matched app metadata. App alerts were earlier for 96.1% and 96.2% of trauma team activation and emergency department arrival times, respectively, with events reported median 36 (24-53, IQR) minutes earlier than trauma team activation and 32 (25-42, IQR) minutes earlier than emergency department arrival. Registry entries for younger males, motor vehicle-related injuries and penetrating traumas were more likely to match alerts (P < .0001). CONCLUSION: Apps like Citizen may provide earlier notification of traumatic events and therefore earlier mobilization of trauma service resources. Earlier notification may translate into improved patient outcomes. Additional studies into the benefit of apps for trauma care are warranted.

Prone ventilation as treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome related to COVID-19.

Prone ventilation refers to the delivery of mechanical ventilation with the patient lying in the prone position. The improvement of oxygenation during prone ventilation is multifactorial, but occurs mainly by reducing lung compression and improving lung perfusion. CT imaging modeling data demonstrated that the asymmetry of lung shape leads to a greater induced pleural pressure gravity gradient when supine as compared to prone positioning. Although proning is indicated in patients with severe ARDS who are not responding to other ventilator modalities, this technique has moved away from a salvage therapy for refractory hypoxemia to an upfront lung-protective strategy intended to improve survival in severe ARDS, especially due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. In view of different roles, we surgeons had to take during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is of importance to learn how to implement this therapeutic measure, especially in a surgical critical care unit setting. As such, this article aims to review the physiological principles and effects of the prone ventilation, positioning, as well as its contraindications and complications.

Teaching how to stop the bleed: does it work? A prospective evaluation of tourniquet application in law enforcement officers and private security personnel.

INTRODUCTION: Stop the Bleed (STB) program was launched by the White House, for the use of bleeding control techniques at the scene of traumatic injury. The purpose of this study was to conduct an STB course in private security and law enforcement personnel. METHODS: Pre- and post-questionnaire using the Likert scale was shared with participants on their knowledge and comfort level with the use of tourniquets. Participants were also observed while placing tourniquets and the time for placement recorded. The didactic portion and practical session of the STB was then taught and participants were again observed placing tourniquets and a questionnaire distributed. Fisher's exact tests or Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-ranks tests were used to compare pre-post measurements. RESULTS: A total of 151 subjects were enrolled over the course of seven sessions. The tourniquet was applied correctly by 17.2% (26/151) and 92.7% (140/151) at the pre- and post-instruction assessments, respectively (p < 0.001). Mean times to apply the tourniquet were 29.8 ± 18.5 and 18.7 ± 6.7 s, respectively (p < 0.001). Subjects reported their level of comfort with the tourniquet to be 5.1 ± 3.3 and 8.8 ± 2.2, respectively (p < 0.001), and their familiarity with anatomy and bleeding control to be 5.2 ± 3.1 and 8.2 ± 2.4, respectively (p < 0.001). At the end of the course, the mean score in response to a question about the extent to which the explanation had helped was 9.0 ± 1.9 (95% CI 8.7-9.4) and to a question about the extent to which teaching would make them feel more secure and safe was 9.2 ± 1.9 (95% CI 8.9-9.5). CONCLUSIONS: STB course improved correct tourniquet placement, demonstrated dramatic improvements in application time, and increased levels of comfort. These findings validate the need for ongoing teaching and education.

Management of mass casualties due to COVID-19: handling the dead.

A high number of fatalities can occur during major disasters or during events like the COVID-19 pandemic. In a natural disaster, the dead must be removed from disaster sites while rescue work is in progress; otherwise, the health and safety of the community are threatened. The COVID-19 pandemic is analogous to a natural disaster with mass casualties where the disaster sites are hospitals with morgues that are overwhelmed. As the number of the deceased rise rapidly and hospital morgues are at their full capacity, hospitals use what is called a Body Collection Point (BCP). BCP is defined as a temporary refrigeration unit used to store decedents until transport is arranged. Decedents should always be handled in a manner denoting respect, and provisions and management of resources should be properly mobilized to ensure this. Contingency plans must be created to prepare for worsening of the disaster that further overwhelms the capacity of the health care systems.

Fatal and non-fatal injuries due to suspension trauma syndrome: A systematic review of definition, pathophysiology, and management controversies.

BACKGROUND: Suspension trauma syndrome is a life-threatening event that occurs when a person is "trapped" in a prolonged passive suspension. It is most commonly seen in people who engage in occupational or sport activities that require harness suspension. The aim of this study is to identify the predisposing factors, pathophysiology, and management of suspension trauma. METHODS: A review and analysis of the literature published in English and Spanish from 1972 to 2020 on suspension trauma were performed. Search sources were PubMed, Medline, Cochrane Library, MeSH, UpToDate, and Google Scholar. Articles referring to suspension trauma associated with other injury mechanisms (traumatic impact injuries, drowning, asphyxiation, or bleeding), case reports, and pediatric population were excluded. RESULTS: Forty-one articles were identified. Of these, 29 articles related to mechanism, pathophysiology, and management of individuals who suffered prolonged suspension trauma without associated traumatic injuries were included in the study. We encountered several controversies describing the putative pathophysiology, ranging from blood sequestration in the lower extremities versus accumulation of metabolic waste and hyperkalemia to dorsal hook-type harness as a trigger cause of positional asphyxia; to vascular compression of femoral vessels exerted by the harness causing decreased venous return. Pstients suspended in a full-body harness with dorsal hook showed more hemodynamic alterations in response to the compressive effect on the rib cage, causing a reduction in perfusion by presenting a decrease in pulse pressure. Management strategies varied across studies. CONCLUSIONS: Progress has been made in individualizing the population at risk and in the management of suspension trauma. We recommend the formation of consensus definitions, larger cohort or registry studies to be conducted, and experimental animal models to better understand the mechanisms in order to develop management and life support guidelines from a trauma and emergency medicine perspective.

Percutaneous versus open tracheostomy in the pediatric trauma population.

The purpose of this study was to determine the safety and efficacy of percutaneous versus open tracheostomy in the pediatric trauma population. A retrospective chart review was conducted of all tracheostomies performed on trauma patients younger than 18 years for an 8-year period. There was no difference in the incidence of brain, chest, or facial injury between the open and percutaneous tracheostomy groups. However, the open group had a significantly lower age (14.2 vs. 15.5 years; P < 0.01) and higher injury severity score (26 vs. 21; P = 0.015). Mean time from injury to tracheostomy was 9.1 days (range, 0 to 16 days) and was not different between the two methods. The majority of open tracheostomies were performed in the operating room and, of percutaneous tracheostomies, at the bedside. Concomitant feeding tube placement did not affect complication rates. There was not a significant difference between complication rates between the two methods of tracheostomy (percutaneous one of 29; open three of 20). Percutaneous tracheostomy can be safely performed in the injured older child.

Sinking skin flap syndrome in the multi-trauma patient: a paradoxical management to TBI post craniectomy.

Sinking skin flap syndrome is a rare syndrome leading to increased intracranial pressure, known to neurosurgeons, yet uncommon and hardly ever reported in trauma patients. In a hospitalized trauma patient with declining neurological status, rarely do we encounter further deterioration by elevating the patients' head, diuresis and hyperventilation. However, after craniectomy for trauma, a partially boneless cranium may be compressed by the higher atmospheric pressure, that intracranial pressure rises to dangerous levels. For such cases, paradoxical supportive management with intravenous fluid infusion, and reverse Trendelenburg positioning, is used to counteract the higher atmospheric pressure, as a bridge to definitive treatment with cranioplasty. These steps constitute an urgent and easily applied intervention to reduce further neurological deterioration, of which every trauma healthcare provider should be aware.

Bullet embolization to the heart: A rare and confounding penetrating cardiac injury case report.

Gunshot wounds to the cardiac region usually result in devastating injuries. However, if bullets embolize into the myocardium without significant damage to the organ, optimal evaluation and management remains unclear. We present the case of a hemodynamically stable gunshot wound patient who presented with a bullet to the heart. Sternotomy revealed that the bullet had embolized through the superior vena cava and embedded into the apex of the right ventricle. The patient was managed without retrieval of the bullet and continues to be well despite a retained intracardiac bullet. We discuss cases of bullet embolization to the heart and the emergence of minimally-invasive approaches for management.

Traumatic kidney injuries: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic kidney injury is an infrequent event with a wide range of injury patterns. The aim of this paper is to review the incidence, mechanisms of injury, diagnostic methods, and therapeutic indications of renal injury according to the most recent evidence and to perform an analysis of mortality rates on these patients. OBJECTIVES: To perform a systematic review of the literature and a meta-analysis on traumatic kidney injuries. DATA SOURCES: A literature search was performed using PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases. Articles published in English, French and Spanish were selected from 1963 to 2018. MeSH terms utilized were renal trauma, kidney trauma, blunt renal trauma, and penetrating renal trauma. STUDY PARTICIPANTS: The eligibility criteria included only original and human subject articles. Articles not involving human patients, cancer related, review articles, surveys, iatrogenic injuries, pediatric patients, and case reports were excluded from this search. RESULTS: Forty-six articles met the inclusion criteria of which 48,660 patients were identified and included in this review. Gender was reported in 32,918 cases, of which 75.3% of patients were male with a mean age of 33 years. Of the 44,865 patients where the mechanism of injury was described, we identified 36,086 (80.5%) patients that sustained blunt trauma, while 8,779 (19.5%) were due to penetrating mechanisms. Twenty one series with a total of 31,689 patients included the mortality rate. Overall mortality rate with exact binomial 95% confidence interval estimated via random effects model was 6.4% (4.8%-8.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Non-operative management has become the standard in renal trauma management with good results in morbidity and mortality. This has resulted in a decrease in the number of unnecessary iatrogenic nephrectomies and potential improvement in a patient's quality of life. When an invasive treatment is necessary, angioembolization for active bleeding or nephrorrhaphy is usually sufficient.

Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta (REBOA) in the Management of Trauma Patients: A Systematic Literature Review.

Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) represents an innovative method by which noncompressible bleeding in the torso can be mitigated until definitive treatment can be obtained. To perform a systematic review of the literature on the use of the REBOA in trauma patients. An English and Spanish literature search was performed using MEDLINE, PubMed, and Scopus, from 1948 to 2018. Keywords used were aortic balloon occlusion, resuscitative endovascular balloon, REBOA, hemorrhage, and resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta. The eligilibility criteria included only original and human subject articles. Nontrauma patients, nonbleeding pathology, letters, single case reports, reviews, and pediatric patients were excluded. Two hundred forty-six articles were identified, of which 17 articles were included in this review. The total number of patients was 1340; 69 per cent were men and 31 per cent women. In 465 patients, the aortic zone location was described: 83 per cent the balloon was placed in aortic zone I and 16 per cent in zone III. Systolic blood pressure increased at an average of 52 mmHg before and after aortic occlusion. Although 32 patients (2.4%) presented clinical complications derived from the procedure, no mortality was reported. The trauma-related mortality rate was 58 per cent (776/1340). REBOA is a useful resource for the management of noncompressive torso hemorrhage with promising results in systolic blood pressure and morbidity. Indications for its use include injuries in zones 1 and 3, whereas it is not clear for zone 2 injuries. Additional studies are needed to define the benefits of this procedure.

Diagnosis, management and treatment of neck trauma. / Diagnóstico, manejo y tratamiento de las lesiones cervicales traumáticas.

Trauma injuries to the neck account for 5-10% of all trauma injuries and carry a high rate of morbidity and mortality, as several vital structures can be damaged. Currently, there are several treatment approaches based on initial management by zones, initial management not based on zones and conservative management of selected patients. The objective of this systematic review is to describe the management of neck trauma.

Management of Major Blunt Renal Injury: A Twelve-Year Review at an Urban, Level I Trauma Hospital.

The aim of this study was to describe the management of severe blunt renal injuries at a Level I trauma hospital. Data were collected through a record review of patients admitted from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2011. These data were compiled as part of our hospital's participation in the Nonoperative Management of Grade IV and V Blunt Renal Injuries: A Research Consortium of New England Centers for Trauma Study. Thirty-six patients with severe blunt renal injuries were identified. Twenty-nine (80.6%) underwent nonoperative management (NOM) for their injuries. Seven (19.4%) received an immediate operation because of hemodynamic instability or CT findings of large hemoperitoneum or extravasation. No significant differences were observed on Injury Severity Score, Glasgow Coma Scale, injury grade, or systolic blood pressure on arrival to the emergency department. On arrival, the operative patients had higher heart rates and lower hematocrit and hemoglobin values relative to the NOM patients. The kidney was salvaged in three of the seven operative patients and was either saved or partially saved in all except one NOM patient. Three NOM patients died; none because of renal injuries. All other patients were successfully managed. None of the operative patients died. NOM management of high-grade renal injury was successful for these patients and should be considered in the management of grade IV and V blunt renal trauma.

Prevention of all-terrain vehicle injuries: A systematic review from The Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma.

BACKGROUND: Despite increasing usage since their introduction, there exist no evidence-based guidelines on all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and injury prevention. While the power and speed of these vehicles has increased over time, advancements in ATV safety have been rare. METHODS: A priori questions about ATV injury pattern and the effect of helmet and safety equipment use and legislation mandating use were developed. A query of MEDLINE, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase for all-terrain vehicle injury was performed. Letters to the editor, case reports, book chapters, and review articles were excluded. Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation methodology was used to perform a systematic review and create recommendations. RESULTS: Twenty-eight studies were included. Helmet use reduced traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, studies examining whether legislation mandating helmet use reduced TBI had mixed results. When ATV safety legislation was enforced, overall injury rates and mortality decreased. However, enforcement varied widely and lack of enforcement led to decreased compliance with legislation and mixed results. There was not enough evidence to determine the effectiveness of non-helmet-protective equipment. CONCLUSION: Helmet use when riding an ATV reduced the rate of TBI. ATV safety legislation, when enforced, also reduced morbidity and mortality. Compliance with laws is often low, however, possibly due to poor enforcement. We recommend helmet use when riding on an ATV to reduce TBI. We conditionally recommend implementing ATV safety legislation as a means to reduce ATV injuries, noting that enforcement must go hand in hand with enactment to ensure compliance.