Outpatient Opioid Prescriptions are Associated With Future Substance Use Disorders and Overdose Following Adolescent Trauma.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine if outpatient opioid prescriptions are associated with future SUD diagnoses and overdose in injured adolescents 5 years following hospital discharge. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Approximately, 1 in 8 adolescents are diagnosed with an SUD and 1 in 10 experience an overdose in the 5 years following injury. State laws have become more restrictive on opioid prescribing by acute care providers for treating pain, however, prescriptions from other outpatient providers are still often obtained. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of patients ages 12-18 admitted to 2 level I trauma centers. Demographic and clinical data contained in trauma registries were linked to a regional database containing 5 years of electronic health records and prescription data. Regression models assessed whether number of outpatient opioid prescription fills after discharge at different time points in recovery were associated with a new SUD diagnosis or overdose, while controlling for demographic and injury characteristics, and depression and posttraumatic stress disorder diagnoses. RESULTS: We linked 669 patients (90.9%) from trauma registries to a regional health information exchange database. Each prescription opioid refill in the first 3 months after discharge increased the likelihood of new SUD diagnoses by 55% (odds ratio: 1.55, confidence interval: 1.04-2.32). Odds of overdose increased with ongoing opioid use over 2-4 years post-discharge ( P = 0.016-0.025). CONCLUSIONS: Short-term outpatient opioid prescribing over the first few months of recovery had the largest effect on developing an SUD, while long-term prescription use over multiple years was associated with a future overdose.

Thoracostomy Tube Removal in Pediatric Trauma: Film or No Film?

BACKGROUND: Use of routine chest x-rays (CXR) following thoracostomy tube (TT) removal is highly variable and its utility is debated. We hypothesize that routine post-pull chest x-ray (PP-CXR) findings following TT removal in pediatric trauma would not guide the decision for TT reinsertion. METHODS: Patients ≤ 18 y who were not mechanically ventilated and undergoing final TT removal for a traumatic hemothorax (HTX) and/or pneumothorax (PTX) at a level I pediatric trauma center from 2010 to 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. The outcomes of interest were rate of PP-CXR and TT reinsertion rate following PP-CXR. Clinical predictors for worsened findings on PP-CXR were also assessed. RESULTS: Fifty-nine patients were included. A CXR after TT removal was performed in 57 patients (97%), with 28% demonstrating worsened CXR findings compared to the prior film. Except for higher ISS (p = 0.033), there were no demographic or clinical predictors for worsened CXR findings. However, they were more likely to have additional films following the TT removal (p = 0.008) than those with stable or improved PP-CXR findings. One (1.8%) asymptomatic child with worsened PP-CXR findings had TT reinsertion based purely on their worsened PP-CXR findings. CONCLUSIONS: The vast majority of PP-CXR did not guide TT reinsertion after pediatric thoracic trauma. Treatment algorithms may aid to reduce variability and potentially unnecessary routine films.

Pediatric Handlebar Injuries: More Than Meets the Abdomen.

OBJECTIVES: Injuries associated with bicycles can generally be categorized into 2 types: injuries from falling from/off bicycles and injuries from striking the bicycle. In the second mechanism category, most occur as a result of children striking their body against the bicycle handlebar. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the presentation, body location, injury severity, and need for intervention for pediatric handlebar injuries at a single level one pediatric trauma center and contrast these against other bicycle-related injuries in children. METHODS: This work is a retrospective review of the trauma registry over an 8-year period. Individual charts were then reviewed for patients' demographic factors, injury details, and other clinical/radiographic findings. Each patient was then categorized as either having a handlebar versus nonhandlebar injury. Additionally, each patient's injuries were classified according to affected body "zone(s)" and the need for intervention in relation to these injuries. During the course of chart review, several unique radiographic and history/physical findings were noted and are also reported. RESULTS: During the study period, 385 patients were identified that met study criteria. Bicycle handlebars were involved in 27.8% (107/385) of injuries and 72.2% (278/385) were nonhandlebar injuries. There were differences in injury severity score, Head Abbreviated Injury Scale, length of stay between patients with handlebar versus nonhandlebar injuries, respectively. There were also differences in incidence of injuries across most body zones between patients with handlebar versus nonhandlebar injuries. There was statistically significant difference in need for intervention for abdominal solid organ injuries among handlebar versus nonhandlebar injuries mechanisms (21.6% vs 0%; P = 0.026), respectively. Sixteen patients with a handlebar injury underwent abdominal computed tomography (CT), which found only pericolic/pelvic free fluid or were negative for any disease and had normal/mildly elevated liver function test results at the time of arrival with otherwise normal laboratory workup results. Two patients required laparotomy for bowel injury and presented with peritonitis less than 12 hours after injury. The remaining patients did not have peritonitis on examination and were discharged without operative intervention 12 to 24 hours after injury without further event. CONCLUSIONS: The bicycle handlebar is a unique mechanism of injury. The location, need for intervention, and the nature of the injury can vary significantly compared to other bicycle injuries. Handlebar injuries are more likely to cause abdominal and soft tissue injuries, whereas nonhandlebar injuries are more likely to cause extremity and skull/neck/central nervous system injuries. Because more than 20% of the reported handlebar injuries did not involve the abdomen or thoracoabdominal/extremity soft tissue as well as the variable presentation of handlebar injuries, it is imperative for the physician to consider this mechanism in all bicycle injuries. In addition, even within the same area of the body, handlebar injuries can be very different compared to nonhandlebar (i.e., orthopedic vs vascular injuries in the extremities). Physical examination and observation remain paramount when laboratory and radiographic workups are equivocal.

Long-term outcomes after pediatric peripheral revascularization secondary to trauma at an urban level I center.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this investigation was to determine our limb-related contemporary pediatric revascularization perioperative and follow-up outcomes after major blunt and penetrating trauma. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of a prospectively maintained pediatric trauma database spanning January 2010 to December 2017 to capture all level I trauma activations that resulted in a peripheral arterial revascularization procedure. All preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative continuous variables are reported as a mean ± standard deviation; categorical variables are reported as a percentage of the population of interest. RESULTS: During the study period, 1399 level I trauma activations occurred at a large-volume, urban children's hospital. The vascular surgery service was consulted in 2.6% (n = 36) of these cases for suspected vascular injury based on imaging or physical examination. Our study population included only patients who received an arterial revascularization, which was performed in 23 of the 36 consultations (1.6% of total traumas; median age, 11 years). These injuries were localized to the upper extremity in 60.9% (n = 14), lower extremity in 30.4% (n = 7), and neck in 8.7% (n = 2). The mean Injury Severity Score in the revascularized cohort was 14.0 (±7.6). Bone fractures were associated with 39.1% of the vascular injuries (90% of blunt injuries). Restoration of in-line flow was achieved by an endovascular solution in one patient and open surgery in the remainder, consisting of arterial bypass in 59.1% and direct repair in 40.9%. Within 30 days of the operation, we observed no deaths, no infections of the arterial reconstruction, and no major amputations. One patient required perioperative reintervention by the vascular team secondary to the development of a superficial seroma without evidence of graft involvement. Mean follow-up in our cohort was 43.3 (±35.4) months. During this phase, no additional deaths, amputations, chronic wounds, or limb length discrepancies were observed. All vascular repairs were patent, and all but one patient reported normal function of the affected limb at the latest clinic visit. CONCLUSIONS: Traumatic peripheral vascular injury is rare in the pediatric population but is often observed secondary to a penetrating force or after long bone fracture. However, contemporary perioperative and long-term outcomes after surgical revascularization are excellent as demonstrated in this institutional case series.

Trends in pediatric-adjusted shock index predict morbidity in children with moderate blunt injuries.

PURPOSE: Trending the pediatric-adjusted shock index (SIPA) after admission has been described for children suffering severe blunt injuries (i.e., injury severity score (ISS) ≥ 15). We propose that following SIPA in children with moderate blunt injuries, as defined by ISS 10-14, has similar utility. METHODS: The trauma registry at a single institution was queried over a 7 year period. Patients were included if they were between 4 and 16 years old at the time of admission, sustained a blunt injury with an ISS 10-14, and were admitted less than 12 h after their injury (n = 501). Each patient's SIPA was then calculated at 0, 12, 24, 36, and 48 h (h) after admission and then categorized as elevated or normal at each time frame based on previously reported values. Trends in outcome variables as a function of time from admission for patients with an abnormal SIPA to normalize as well as patients with a normal admission SIPA to abnormal were analyzed. RESULTS: In patients with a normal SIPA at arrival, elevation within the first 24 h of admission correlated with increased length of stay (LOS). Increased transfusion requirement, incidence of infectious complications, and need for in-patient rehabilitation were also seen in analyzed sub-groups. An elevated SIPA at arrival with increased length of time to normalize SIPA correlated with increased length of stay LOS in the entire cohort and in those without head injury, but not in patients with a head injury. No deaths occurred within the study cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with an ISS 10-14 and a normal SIPA at time of arrival who then have an elevated SIPA in the first 24 h of admission are at increased risk for morbidity including longer LOS and infectious complications. Similarly, time to normalize an elevated admission SIPA appears to directly correlate with LOS in patients without head injuries. No correlations with markers for morbidity could be identified in patients with a head injury and an elevated SIPA at arrival. This may be due to small sample size, as there were no relations to severity of head injury as measured by head abbreviated injury scale (head AIS) and the outcome variables reported. This is an area of ongoing analysis. This study extends the previously reported utility of following SIPA after admission into milder blunt injuries.

User-Guided Enhancements to a Technology-Facilitated Resilience Program to Address Opioid Risks Following Traumatic Injury in Youth: Qualitative Interview Study.

BACKGROUND: Youth with traumatic injury experience elevated risk for behavioral health disorders, yet posthospital monitoring of patients' behavioral health is rare. The Telehealth Resilience and Recovery Program (TRRP), a technology-facilitated and stepped access-to-care program initiated in hospitals and designed to be integrated seamlessly into trauma center operations, is a program that can potentially address this treatment gap. However, the TRRP was originally developed to address this gap for mental health recovery but not substance use. Given the high rates of substance and opioid use disorders among youth with traumatic injury, there is a need to monitor substance use and related symptoms alongside other mental health concerns. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to use an iterative, user-guided approach to inform substance use adaptations to TRRP content and procedures. METHODS: We conducted individual semistructured interviews with adolescents (aged 12-17 years) and young adults (aged 18-25 years) who were recently discharged from trauma centers (n=20) and health care providers from two level 1 trauma centers (n=15). Interviews inquired about reactions to and recommendations for expanding TRRP content, features, and functionality; factors related to TRRP implementation and acceptability; and current strategies for monitoring patients' postinjury physical and emotional recovery and opioid and substance use. Interview responses were transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis to guide new TRRP substance use content and procedures. RESULTS: Themes identified in interviews included gaps in care, task automation, user personalization, privacy concerns, and in-person preferences. Based on these results, a multimedia, web-based mobile education app was developed that included 8 discrete interactive education modules and 6 videos on opioid use disorder, and TRRP procedures were adapted to target opioid and other substance use disorder risk. Substance use adaptations included the development of a set of SMS text messaging-delivered questions that monitor both mental health symptoms and substance use and related symptoms (eg, pain and sleep) and the identification of validated mental health and substance use screening tools to monitor patients' behavioral health in the months after discharge. CONCLUSIONS: Patients and health care providers found the TRRP and its expansion to address substance use acceptable. This iterative, user-guided approach yielded novel content and procedures that will be evaluated in a future trial.

Traumatic abdominal wall hernias in children: A case for early exploration.

PURPOSE: Traumatic abdominal wall hernia (TAWH) is a rare consequence of blunt abdominal trauma (BAT). We examined a series of patients suffering TAWH to evaluate its frequency, rate of associated concurrent intraabdominal injuries (CAI) and correlation with CT, management and outcomes. METHODS: A Level 1 pediatric trauma center trauma registry was queried for children less than 18 years old suffering TAWH from BAT between 2009 and 2019. RESULTS: 9370 patients were admitted after BAT. TAWH was observed in 11 children, at incidence 0.1%. Eight children (73%) were male, at mean age 10 years, and mean ISS of 16. Six cases (55%) were because of MVC, three (27%) impaled by a handlebar or pole, and two (18%) dragged under large machinery. Seven (64%) had a CAI requiring operative or interventional management. Patients with CAI were similar to those without other injury, with 20% and 50% CT scan sensitivity and specificity for detection of associated injury, respectively. Five patients had immediate hernia repair with laparotomy for repair of intraabdominal injury, three had delayed repair, two have asymptomatic unrepaired TAWH, and one resolved spontaneously. CONCLUSIONS: Children with TAWH have high rates of CAI requiring operative repair. CT scans have low sensitivity and specificity for detecting associated injuries. A high suspicion of injury and low threshold for exploration must be maintained in TAWH cases. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Linking Data on Nonfatal Firearm Injuries in Youths to Assess Disease Burden.

This cross-sectional study estimates the incidence of nonfatal firearm injuries among children and young adults after linking patient-level police and trauma registry data.

Trends in pediatric adjusted shock index predict morbidity and mortality in children with severe blunt injuries.

PURPOSE: The utility of measuring the pediatric adjusted shock index (SIPA) at admission for predicting severity of blunt injury in pediatric patients has been previously reported. However, the utility of following SIPA after admission is not well described. METHODS: The trauma registry from a level-one pediatric trauma center was queried from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2015. Patients were included if they were between 4 and 16years old at the time of admission, sustained a blunt injury with an Injury Severity Score≥15, and were admitted less than 12h after their injury (n=286). Each patient's SIPA was then calculated at 0, 12, 24, 36, and 48h after admission and then categorized as elevated or normal at each time frame based upon previously reported values. Trends in outcome variables as a function of time from admission for patients with an abnormal SIPA to normalize as well as patients with a normal admission SIPA to abnormal were analyzed. RESULTS: In patients with a normal SIPA at arrival, 18.4% of patients who developed an elevated SIPA at 12h after admission died, whereas 2.4% of patients who maintained a normal SIPA throughout the first 48h of admission died (p<0.01). Among patients with an elevated SIPA at arrival, increased length of time to normalize SIPA correlated with increased length of stay (LOS) and intensive care unit (ICU) LOS. Similarly, elevation of SIPA after arrival in patients with a normal initial SIPA correlated to increased LOS and ICU LOS. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with a normal SIPA at time of arrival who then have an elevated SIPA in the first 24h of admission are at increased risk for morbidity and mortality compared to those whose SIPA remains normal throughout the first 48h of admission. Similarly, time to normalize an elevated admission SIPA appears to directly correlate with LOS, ICU LOS, and other markers of morbidity across a mixed blunt trauma population. Whether trending SIPA early in the hospital course serves only as a marker for injury severity or if it has utility as a resuscitation metric has not yet been determined. TYPE OF STUDY: Prognostic. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II.