Improved chest wall trauma taxonomy: an interdisciplinary CWIS and ASER collaboration.

PURPOSE: Chest wall injury taxonomy and nomenclature are important components of chest wall injury classification and can be helpful in communicating between providers for treatment planning. Despite the common nature of these injuries, there remains a lack of consensus regarding injury description. The Chest Wall Injury Society (CWIS) developed a taxonomy among surgeons in the field; however, it lacked consensus and clarity in critical areas and collaboration with multidisciplinary partners. We believe an interdisciplinary collaboration between CWIS and American Society of Emergency Radiology (ASER) will improve existing chest wall injury nomenclature and help further research on this topic. METHODS: A collaboration between CWIS and ASER gathered feedback on the consensus recommendations. The workgroup held a series of meetings reviewing each consensus statement, refining the terminology, and contributing additional clarifications from a multidisciplinary lens. RESULTS: After identifying incomplete definitions in the CWIS survey, the workgroup expanded on and clarified the language proposed by the survey. More precise definitions related to rib and costal cartilage fracture quality and location were developed. Proposed changes include more accurate characterization of rib fracture displacement and consistent description of costal cartilage fractures. CONCLUSIONS: The 2019 consensus survey from CWIS provides a framework to discuss chest wall injuries, but several concepts remained unclear. Creating a universally accepted taxonomy and nomenclature, utilizing the CWIS survey and this article as a scaffolding, may help providers communicate the severity of chest wall injury accurately, allow for better operative planning, and provide a common language for researchers in the future.

Assessment of Discharge Analgesic Prescription Patterns for Hospitalized Patients With Rib Fractures.

INTRODUCTION: There is a paucity of data describing opioid prescribing patterns for trauma patients. We investigated pain medication regimens prescribed at discharge for patients with traumatic rib fractures, as well as potential variables predictive of opioid prescribing. METHODS: A single-center, retrospective analysis was performed of 337 adult patients presenting with ≥1 traumatic rib fractures between January and December 2019. The primary outcome was oral morphine milligram equivalents (MME) prescribed on discharge. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine factors independently associated with above median (150) MME prescription at discharge. RESULTS: The majority of patients were male (68.8%) with a median age of 53 y. Blunt trauma accounted for 97.3% of cases with a median Injury Severity Score(ISS) of 10. Locoregional pain procedures were utilized in 16.9% of patients. Opioids were the most common analgesic prescribed at discharge, and 74.1% of patients prescribed opioids on discharge were also prescribed a non-opioid adjunct. On multivariable analysis, daily MME prescribed during hospitalization (OR 1.01, 95% CI 1.01-1.02, P < 0.01) and number of rib fractures (OR 2.26, 95% CI 1.36-3.74, P < 0.01) were predictive of high MME prescribed on discharge. CONCLUSIONS: For patients with traumatic rib fractures, daily MME during hospitalization and number of rib fractures were predictive of high MME prescribing on discharge. Further prospective studies evaluating strategies for pain management and protocolized approaches to opioid prescribing are needed to reduce unnecessary and inappropriate opioid use in this patient population.

Characterization and influence of ipsilateral scapula fractures among patients who undergo surgical stabilization of sub-scapular rib fractures.

BACKGROUND: Current decision algorithms involving surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF) do not consider either specific fracture locations or other chest wall bony injuries. Our objective was to characterize the impact of scapula fractures on morbidity among patients who underwent fixation of sub-scapular rib fractures. We hypothesized that an ipsilateral scapula fracture was associated with poor acute and long-term outcomes. METHODS: Retrospective review of two institutions' prospectively maintained SSRF databases (October 2010 to January 2019). Patients who underwent repair of ≥ 1 sub-scapular rib fracture were included. Patients were grouped by the presence of an ipsilateral scapula fracture. Outcomes were acute SSRF complications, long-term rib implant removal, and quality of life via phone survey. RESULTS: A total of 144 patients were analyzed; 53 (36.8%) had an ipsilateral scapula fracture. Patients with a scapula fracture had a higher injury severity score (p = 0.02), degree of pulmonary contusion (p < 0.01), and RibScore (p < 0.01). The overall incidence of both acute re-operation (n = 4, 2.8%) and long-term implant removal (n = 5, 3.8%) following SSRF was low and did not vary by the presence of a scapula fracture. Only twenty-one patients completed phone questionnaires a median of 38 months after SSRF; both shoulder and rib outcomes were excellent and did not vary by the presence of a scapula fracture. CONCLUSION: Ipsilateral scapula fractures are common in patients who undergo surgical stabilization of sub-scapular rib fractures. Despite higher injury severity, patients with an ipsilateral scapula fracture did not incur worse outcomes.

Indications for surgical stabilization of rib fractures in patients without flail chest: surveyed opinions of members of the Chest Wall Injury Society.

PURPOSE: There are currently no evidence-based indications for surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF) in patients without flail chest. The purpose of this survey was to identify patients for whom there is relative equipoise (operative vs. non-operative) in order to assist in designing a randomized clinical trial. METHODS: Members of the Chest Wall Injury Society were sent an online survey, in which 18 patient scenarios were presented. The baseline patient had ≥ three displaced, contiguous fractures and had no other contraindications for surgery. This default scenario was then varied based upon patient age, degree of traumatic brain injury (TBI), fracture series location, and number of abnormal pulmonary physiologic variables (oxygen requirement, respiratory rate, incentive spirometry ability, cough, and numeric pain score). RESULTS: Thirty respondents provided a total of 540 answers. Overall, the majority of responses were in favor of SSRF (n = 413, 84.1%). Furthermore, the vast majority of responses indicated that some degree of pulmonary compromise was necessary to recommend SSRF (n = 44, 90.4%), with ≥ two abnormal parameters being the most common threshold (n = 156, 31.8%). Decision to recommend SSRF varied significantly by number of abnormal clinical variables, age, and degree of TBI, but not by fracture series location. Patients aged 85 years old and those with moderate TBI were the least likely to be recommended for SSRF, regardless of abnormal pulmonary physiologic variables. The most appropriate cutoff for equipoise appeared to be a patient aged 21-79 years old, with no or mild TBI, ≥ two abnormal pulmonary parameters, and regardless of fracture location (44.8% consensus for SSRF). CONCLUSIONS: SSRF was recommended for most patients with non-flail, displaced rib fractures. However, this recommendation was contingent upon patient age, degree of TBI, and pulmonary clinical status. Results of this survey may be used to inform inclusion criteria for a future randomized, clinical trial.

Fat emboli syndrome and the orthopaedic trauma surgeon: lessons learned and clinical recommendations.

PURPOSE: Fat emboli syndrome is a rare but well-described complication of long-bone fractures classically characterised by a triad of respiratory failure, mental status changes and petechial rash. In this paper, we present the case of a patient who sustained bilateral femoral fractures and subsequently developed FES. Our aim was to review and summarise the current literature regarding the pathophysiology and management of fat emboli syndrome (FES) and propose an algorithm for treating patients with bilateral femoral fractures to reduce the risk of FES. METHODS: A literature analysis was performed to determine implications in the clinical setting. RESULTS: Currently, there exists little high-quality evidence to guide the orthopaedic surgeon in identifying patients at highest risk of FES or in preventing FES in patients with multiple long-bone fractures. However, the literature does suggest that the risk is directly related to the volume of marrow displaced and inversely related to both the time to fracture stabilisation and the respiratory reserve of the patient. Based on these correlations, we propose an algorithm for treating patients with bilateral femoral fractures, taking into consideration haemodynamic and pulmonary stability. CONCLUSIONS: Our algorithm for managing bilateral femoral fractures prioritises early stabilisation with external fixation, staged intramedullary nailing and conversion to plate fixation if FES develops. This protocol is meant to be the basis of future investigations of optimal treatment strategies.

Goal-directed Hemostatic Resuscitation of Trauma-induced Coagulopathy: A Pragmatic Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing a Viscoelastic Assay to Conventional Coagulation Assays.

BACKGROUND: Massive transfusion protocols (MTPs) have become standard of care in the management of bleeding injured patients, yet strategies to guide them vary widely. We conducted a pragmatic, randomized clinical trial (RCT) to test the hypothesis that an MTP goal directed by the viscoelastic assay thrombelastography (TEG) improves survival compared with an MTP guided by conventional coagulation assays (CCA). METHODS: This RCT enrolled injured patients from an academic level-1 trauma center meeting criteria for MTP activation. Upon MTP activation, patients were randomized to be managed either by an MTP goal directed by TEG or by CCA (ie, international normalized ratio, fibrinogen, platelet count). Primary outcome was 28-day survival. RESULTS: One hundred eleven patients were included in an intent-to-treat analysis (TEG = 56, CCA = 55). Survival in the TEG group was significantly higher than the CCA group (log-rank P = 0.032, Wilcoxon P = 0.027); 20 deaths in the CCA group (36.4%) compared with 11 in the TEG group (19.6%) (P = 0.049). Most deaths occurred within the first 6 hours from arrival (21.8% CCA group vs 7.1% TEG group) (P = 0.032). CCA patients required similar number of red blood cell units as the TEG patients [CCA: 5.0 (2-11), TEG: 4.5 (2-8)] (P = 0.317), but more plasma units [CCA: 2.0 (0-4), TEG: 0.0 (0-3)] (P = 0.022), and more platelets units [CCA: 0.0 (0-1), TEG: 0.0 (0-0)] (P = 0.041) in the first 2 hours of resuscitation. CONCLUSIONS: Utilization of a goal-directed, TEG-guided MTP to resuscitate severely injured patients improves survival compared with an MTP guided by CCA and utilizes less plasma and platelet transfusions during the early phase of resuscitation.

A multicenter, randomized clinical trial of IV iron supplementation for anemia of traumatic critical illness*.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of IV iron supplementation of anemic, critically ill trauma patients. DESIGN: Multicenter, randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled trial. SETTING: Four trauma ICUs. PATIENTS: Anemic (hemoglobin < 12 g/dL) trauma patients enrolled within 72 hours of ICU admission and with an expected ICU length of stay of more than or equal to 5 days. INTERVENTIONS: Randomization to iron sucrose 100 mg IV or placebo thrice weekly for up to 2 weeks. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 150 patients were enrolled. Baseline iron markers were consistent with functional iron deficiency: 134 patients (89.3%) were hypoferremic, 51 (34.0%) were hyperferritinemic, and 64 (42.7%) demonstrated iron-deficient erythropoiesis as evidenced by an elevated erythrocyte zinc protoporphyrin concentration. The median baseline transferrin saturation was 8% (range, 2-58%). In the subgroup of patients who received all six doses of study drug (n = 57), the serum ferritin concentration increased significantly for the iron as compared with placebo group on both day 7 (808.0 ng/mL vs 457.0 ng/mL, respectively, p < 0.01) and day 14 (1,046.0 ng/mL vs 551.5 ng/mL, respectively, p < 0.01). There was no significant difference between groups in transferrin saturation, erythrocyte zinc protoporphyrin concentration, hemoglobin concentration, or packed RBC transfusion requirement. There was no significant difference between groups in the risk of infection, length of stay, or mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Iron supplementation increased the serum ferritin concentration significantly, but it had no discernible effect on transferrin saturation, iron-deficient erythropoiesis, hemoglobin concentration, or packed RBC transfusion requirement. Based on these data, routine IV iron supplementation of anemic, critically ill trauma patients cannot be recommended (NCT 01180894).

Differentiating Pathologic from Physiologic Fibrinolysis: Not as Simple as Conventional Thrombelastography.

BACKGROUND: Conventional rapid thrombelastography (rTEG) cannot differentiate fibrinolysis shutdown from hypofibrinolysis, as both of these patient populations have low fibrinolytic activity. Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) TEG can identify depletion of fibrinolytic inhibitors, and its use in combination with rTEG has the potential to differentiate all 3 pathologic fibrinolytic phenotypes after trauma. We hypothesize tPA-TEG and rTEG in combination can further stratify fibrinolysis phenotypes postinjury to better stratify risk for mortality. STUDY DESIGN: Adult trauma patients (981) with both rTEG and tPA-TEG performed less than 2 hours postinjury were included. rTEG lysis at 30 minutes after maximum amplitude (LY30) was used to initially define fibrinolysis phenotypes (hyperfibrinolysis >3%, physiologic 0.9% to 3%, and shutdown <0.9%), with Youden Index then used to define pathologic extremes of tPA-TEG LY30 (tPA sensitive [depletion of fibrinolytic inhibitors] vs resistant) resulting in 9 groups that were assessed for risk of death. RESULTS: The median New Injury Severity Score was 22, 21% were female, 45% had penetrating injury, and overall mortality was 13%. The tPA-TEG LY30 inflection point for increased mortality was >35.5% (tPA sensitive, odds ratio mortality 9.2, p < 0.001) and <0.3% (tPA resistance, odds ratio mortality 6.3, p = 0.04). Of the 9 potential fibrinolytic phenotypes, 5 were associated with increased mortality. Overall, the 9 phenotypes provided a significantly better prediction of mortality than rTEG or tPA-TEG alone (areas under the operating characteristics curves = 0.80 vs 0.63 and 0.75, respectively, p < 0.0001). These could be condensed to 3 pathologic phenotypes (true hyperfibrinolysis, early fibrinolysis shutdown, and hypofibrinolysis). CONCLUSIONS: The combination of rTEG and tPA-TEG increases the ability to predict mortality and suggests patient-specific strategies for improved outcomes.

Increasing the Threshold to Perform Preperitoneal Pelvic Packing Decreases Morbidity Without Affecting Mortality.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effectiveness of an updated protocol that increased the transfusion threshold to perform preperitoneal pelvic packing in patients with pelvic ring injuries and hemodynamic instability (HDI). DESIGN: Retrospective review. SETTING: Urban level 1 trauma center. PATIENTS SELECTION CRITERIA: Severely injured (injury severity score > 15) patients with pelvic ring injuries treated before and after increasing the threshold to perform preperitoneal pelvic packing from 2 to 4 units of red blood cells (RBCs). HDI was defined as a systolic blood pressure <90 mm Hg. OUTCOME MEASURES AND COMPARISONS: Mortality from hemorrhage, anterior pelvic space infections, and venous thromboembolisms before and after increasing preperitoneal pelvic packing threshold. RESULTS: One hundred sixty-six patients were included: 93 treated under the historical protocol and 73 treated under the updated protocol. HDI was present in 46.2% (n = 43) of the historical protocol group and 49.3% (n = 36) of the updated protocol group (P = 0.69). The median age of patients with HDI was 35.0 years (interquartile range 26.0-52.0), 74.7% (n = 59) were men, and the median injury severity score was 41.0 (interquartile range 29.0-50.0). Patients with HDI in the updated protocol group had a lower heart rate on presentation (105.0 vs. 120.0; P = 0.004), required less units of RBCs over the first 24 hours (6.0 vs. 8.0, P = 0.03), and did not differ in age, injury severity score, systolic blood pressure on arrival, base deficit or lactate on arrival, resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta, resuscitative thoracotomy, angioembolization, or anterior pelvis open reduction internal fixation (P > 0.05). The number of PPPs performed decreased under the new protocol (8.3% vs. 65.1%, P < 0.0001), and there were fewer anterior pelvic infections (0.0% vs. 13.9%, P = 0.02), fewer VTEs (8.3% vs. 30.2%; P = 0.02), and no difference in deaths from acute hemorrhagic shock (5.6% vs. 7.0%, P = 1.00). CONCLUSIONS: Increasing the transfusion threshold from 2 to 4 units of red blood cells to perform pelvic packing in severely injured patients with pelvic ring injuries decreased anterior pelvic space infections and venous thromboembolisms without affecting deaths from acute hemorrhage. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Evolution of Pulmonary Contusions in Patients With Severe Rib Fractures: Cause for Concern?

INTRODUCTION: The progression of pulmonary contusions remains poorly understood. This study aimed to measure the radiographic change in pulmonary contusions over time and evaluate the association of the radiographic change with clinical outcomes and surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF). METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included adults admitted with three or more displaced rib fractures or flail segment on trauma CT and when a chest CT was repeated within one week after trauma. Radiographic severity of pulmonary contusions was assessed using the Blunt Pulmonary Contusion Score (BPC18). Logistic regression was performed to evaluate the relation between SSRF and worsening contusions on repeat CT, adjusted for potential confounders. RESULTS: Of 231 patients, 56 (24%) had a repeat CT scan. Of these, 55 (98%) had pulmonary contusion on the first CT scan with a median BPC18 score of 5 (P25-P75 3-7). Repeat CTs showed an overall decrease of the median BPC18 score to 4 (P25-P75 2-6, P = .02), but demonstrated a worsening of the pulmonary contusion in 16 patients (29%). All repeat CTs conducted within 12 hours post-injury demonstrated increasing BPC18. Radiographic worsening of pulmonary contusions was not associated with SSRF, nor with worse respiratory outcomes or intensive care length of stay, compared to patients with radiographically stable or improving contusions. DISCUSSION: In patients with severe rib fracture patterns who undergo repeat imaging, pulmonary contusions are prevalent and become radiographically worse within at least the first 12 hours after injury. No association between radiographic worsening and clinical outcomes was found.

Surgical stabilization of rib fractures in anticoagulated patients: Proceed with caution?

BACKGROUND: Surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF) is increasingly performed, however the outcome of patients undergoing SSRF while on pre-injury antithrombotic therapy remains unknown. We compared surgical variables and outcomes of patients who were and were not on antithrombotic therapy. We hypothesize pre-injury anticoagulation is associated with delay in SSRF and worse outcomes. METHODS: For this retrospective cohort study, we queried the Chest Injury International Database, for patients undergoing SSRF between 08/2018 and 03/2022. Antithrombotic therapy was categorized into antiplatelet and anticoagulant use. Primary outcome was time from admission to SSRF. Secondary outcomes included SSRF duration and complications. Numerical data were presented as median (IQR), categorical data as number (%). Inverse probability weighting was used to control for confounding. RESULTS: Two hundred and eighteen SSRF patients were included, 25 (11 %) were on antithrombotic therapy. These patients were older (72 years, (65-80) versus 57 years, (43-66); p < 0.001) with lower ISS (14, (10-20) versus 21, (14-30); p = 0.002). Time from admission to SSRF was comparable (2 days, (1-4) versus 2 days, (1-4); p = 0.37) as was operative time (154 mins, (120.0-212.0) versus 177 mins, (143.0-210.0); p = 0.34). Patients using antithrombotics had fewer ICU-free days (24 (22-26) versus 28 (23-28); p = 0.003) but more ventilator free days (28, (28-28) versus 27 (27-28); p < 0.008). After adjusting for confounding, pre-injury anticoagulation was not significantly associated with delayed SSRF (Relative Risk, RR=1.37, 95 % CI 0.30-6.24), operative time (RR=1.07, 95 % CI0.88-1.31), IFD <=28 (RR=2.05, 95 %CI:0.33-12.67), VFD<=27 (RR=0.71, 95 %CI:0.15-3.48) or complications (RR=0.55, 95 % CI0.06-5.01). CONCLUSION: Pre-injury antithrombotic drug use neither delayed SSRF nor impacted operative time in patients requiring SSRF and was not associated with increased risk of complications. Our data suggest SSRF can be safely performed without delay in patients who use anticoagulation pre-injury. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV. STUDY TYPE: Therapeutic/care management.

Neutrophil-mediated Inflammatory Plasminogen Degradation, Rather Than High Plasminogen-Activator Inhibitor-1, May Underly Failures and Inefficiencies of Intrapleural Fibrinolysis.

BACKGROUND: Complex pleural space infections often require treatment with multiple doses of intrapleural tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and deoxyribonuclease, with treatment failure frequently necessitating surgery. Pleural infections are rich in neutrophils, and neutrophil elastase degrades plasminogen, the target substrate of tPA, that is required to generate fibrinolysis. We hypothesized that pleural fluid from patients with pleural space infection would show high elastase activity, evidence of inflammatory plasminogen degradation, and low fibrinolytic potential in response to tPA that could be rescued with plasminogen supplementation. RESEARCH QUESTION: Does neutrophil elastase degradation of plasminogen contribute to intrapleural fibrinolytic failure? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We obtained infected pleural fluid and circulating plasma from hospitalized adults (n = 10) with institutional review board approval from a randomized trial evaluating intrapleural fibrinolytics vs surgery for initial management of pleural space infection. Samples were collected before the intervention and on days 1, 2, and 3 after the intervention. Activity assays, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, and Western blot analysis were performed, and turbidimetric measurements of fibrinolysis were obtained from pleural fluid with and without exogenous plasminogen supplementation. Results are reported as median (interquartile range) or number (percentage) as appropriate, with an α value of .05. RESULTS: Pleural fluid elastase activity was more than fourfold higher (P = .02) and plasminogen antigen levels were more than threefold lower (P = .04) than their corresponding plasma values. Pleural fluid Western blot analysis demonstrated abundant plasminogen degradation fragments consistent with elastase degradation patterns. We found that plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1), the native tPA inhibitor, showed high antigen levels before the intervention, but the overwhelming majority of this PAI-1 (82%) was not active (P = .003), and all PAI-1 activity was lost by day 2 after the intervention in patients receiving intrapleural tPA and deoxyribonuclease. Finally, using turbidity clot lysis assays, we found that the pleural fluid of 9 of 10 patients was unable to generate a significant fibrinolytic response when challenged with tPA and that plasminogen supplementation rescued fibrinolysis in all patients. INTERPRETATION: Our findings suggest that inflammatory plasminogen deficiency, not high PAI-1 activity, is a significant contributor to intrapleural fibrinolytic failure. TRIAL REGISTRY: ClinicalTrials.gov; No.: NCT03583931; URL: www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov.

Chest computed tomography imaging for blunt pediatric trauma: not worth the radiation risk.

INTRODUCTION: A child's risk of developing cancer from radiation exposure associated with computed tomography (CT) imaging is estimated to be as high as 1/500. Chest CT (CCT), often as part of a "pan-scan," is increasingly performed after blunt trauma in children. We hypothesized that routine CCT for the initial evaluation of blunt injured children does not add clinically useful information beyond chest radiograph (CXR) and rarely changes management. METHODS: Pediatric (<15 y) trauma team evaluations over 6 y at an academic Level I trauma center were reviewed. Demographic data, injuries, imaging, and management were identified for all patients undergoing CT. Effective radiation dose in milliSieverts (mSv) was calculated using age-adjusted scales. RESULTS: Fifty-seven of 174 children (33%) undergoing CT imaging had a CCT; 55 (97%) of these had a CXR. Pathology was identified in significantly fewer CXRs compared with CCTs (51% versus 83%, P < 0.001). All 7/57 (12%) emergent or urgent chest interventions were based on information from CXR. In 53 children (93%), the CCT was ordered as part of a pan-scan, resulting in a radiation dose of 37.69 ± 7.80 mSv from initial CT scans. Radiation dose was significantly greater from CCT than from CXR (8.7 ± 1.1 mSv versus 0.017 ± 0.002 mSv, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Clinically useful information found on CCT had good correlation to information obtained from CXR and did not change patient management, however, did add significantly to the radiation exposure of initial imaging. We recommend selective use of CCT, particularly in the presence of an abnormal mediastinal silhouette on CXR after a significant deceleration injury.

Duration of Antibiotic Therapy for Early VAP Trial: Study Protocol for a Surgical Infection Society Multicenter, Pragmatic, Randomized Clinical Trial of Four versus Seven Days of Definitive Antibiotic Therapy for Early Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia in Surgical Patients.

Background: Current guidelines recommend a seven-day course of antibiotic therapy for patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). However, clinical and microbiologic resolution of infection may occur much sooner than seven days, particularly in patients with early VAP. Shortening the course of antibiotic therapy for early VAP likely results in lower antibiotic-associated complications, but it is unclear whether VAP recurrence rates will be higher in patients receiving fewer days of therapy. We propose to compare four days versus seven days of antibiotic therapy for early VAP in surgical patients in a multicenter, pragmatic, randomized clinical trial. Patients and Methods: Eligible patients admitted to a surgical intensive care unit with early VAP, defined as VAP occurring within two to seven days of intubation, will be randomized to receive four or seven days of antibiotic therapy. The two primary outcomes are: VAP recurrence, defined as VAP occurring two to 14 days after completion of initial therapy and antibiotic-free days, defined as the number of days without receiving any antibiotic agents within 30 days from completion of initial therapy. Data will be analyzed using both intention-to-treat and per-protocol strategies. Power analysis was performed assuming non-inferiority of four days vs. seven days for VAP recurrence and superiority of four days versus seven days for antibiotic-free days. The total sample size to detect a 10% difference between groups with 80% power and assuming a 10% dropout rate is 458 patients. Three separate data analyses are planned throughout the trial and sample size will be re-calculated at each interim analysis. Conclusions: The Duration of Antibiotic Therapy for Early VAP (DATE) Trial will enroll surgical patients with early VAP to analyze whether a shorter duration of antibiotic therapy results in similar clinical outcomes while decreasing antibiotic exposure.

Mirizzi syndrome complicated by type IV cholecystobiliary fistula to the right hepatic duct.

Mirizzi syndrome is a rare complication of long-term chronic cholecystitis, characterized by extrinsic compression of the common hepatic duct that may progress to development of cholecystobiliary fistula. Here we report a case of a 38-year-old female patient who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy with intraoperative cholangiogram for acute cholecystitis and choledocholithiasis. Intraoperatively, the patient was found to have a Mirizzi syndrome complicated by cholecystobiliary fistula to the right hepatic duct. The gallbladder was successfully removed, cholelithiasis cleared and a ureteral stent was used in reconstruction. The patient was discharged on postoperative two and was doing well on routine follow-up. Ultimately, Mirizzi syndrome is a rare clinical entity that requires careful consideration during preoperative workup and a high suspicion when abnormal anatomy is encountered intraoperatively.

Door to door in 24: factors that allow surgical stabilization of rib fractures within 24 hours of admission.

Background: Surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF) should be performed early after injury. Factors that influence timing remain unknown. Our objective was to identify inherent variables that allow for early identification and treatment. We hypothesized that certain demographic, injury, and logistical factors are associated with SSRF <24 hours from admission. Methods: Retrospective review from an urban level 1 trauma center (10/2010-8/2019). Patients were grouped as SSRF <24 hours from admission vs. ≥24 hours. Demographics, transfer from an outside hospital (OSH), timing documentation, injury descriptors, surgeon on-call, and operative surgeon were collected. SSRF for chronic non-union was excluded. Results: Data from 173 patients were analyzed. Eighty-five patients (49%) were in the <24 hours group and 88 (51%) were in the ≥24 hours group. Baseline demographics were similar between groups. Injury severity was significantly higher in the late group: increased Injury Severity Score (ISS; 16.5 vs. 21.0, P<0.01), lower Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS; 15 vs. 14, P<0.01), more rib fractures (7 vs. 9, P=0.01), and increased incidence of face (6% vs. 16%, P=0.03), spine (22% vs. 47%, P<0.01), and pelvis fractures (8% vs. 25%, P<0.01). Patients admitted on a Wednesday were more likely to undergo early SSRF as compared to other days of the week (P=0.01) There was also a shorter time from the decision to perform SSRF to the actual operation in the early group, as compared to the late group (13 vs. 44 hours, P<0.01). Fifty (28.9%) SSRF cases were performed by the on-call surgeon; this percentage did not differ in the early vs. late group (33% vs. 25%, P=0.25). Patients needing pelvic fixation were more likely to be in the late group. Patients transferred from an OSH for SSRF were more likely to be in the early group (29% vs. 10%, P<0.01). Finally, likelihood of early surgery increased with increasing study year. Conclusions: Approximately one-half of SSRF cases were performed within 24 hours of admission. Factors that influence surgery within 24 hours of admission appear related to overall injury severity and systems issues, including day of admission, transfer from another facility, additional urgent pelvic surgery, and institutional experience with SSRF. Surgeon availability did not drive this disparity.

Open Fixation After Preperitoneal Pelvic Packing Is Associated With a High Surgical Site Infection Rate.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the incidence of pelvic space surgical site infection (SSI) after preperitoneal pelvic packing (PPP) for persistent hemodynamic instability. DESIGN: Retrospective comparative study. SETTING: Urban Level 1 trauma center. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: 83 patients who received PPP and 55 patients who had open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of the anterior pelvic ring without PPP. INTERVENTION: Operative fixation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Pelvic space SSI. RESULTS: The SSI rate in the PPP group was 31.3% (26/83) compared with 10.9% (6/55) in the control group (proportional difference 20.4%, confidence interval (CI) 6.4-32.5, P = 0.007). Patients in the PPP group (n = 43) were 1:1 propensity score matched with patients in the control group to account for differences in Injury Severity Score and American Society of Anesthesiologists score. In this matched cohort, the rate of pelvic space SSI remained higher in the PPP group compared with that in the control group (30.2% vs. 9.3%; proportional difference 20.9%, CI, 3.7-36.3; P = 0.02). On multivariate analysis of the PPP group, anterior ORIF (odds ratio 6.56, CI, 2.00-21.47, P = 0.002) was found to be independently associated with SSI. CONCLUSIONS: PPP is an independent risk factor of space SSI. The likelihood of SSI after PPP is increased with anterior ORIF. The morbidity of SSI after PPP must be weighed against the risk of exsanguination. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Prospective single-center paradigm shift of surgical stabilization of rib fractures with decreased length of stay and operative time with an intrathoracic approach.

INTRODUCTION: Intrathoracic surgical stabilization of rib fractures allows for a novel approach to rib fracture repair. This approach can help minimize muscle disruption, which may improve patient recovery compared with traditional extrathoracic plating. We hypothesized patients undergoing intrathoracic plating (ITP) to have a shorter length of stay (LOS) and intensive care unit (ICU) LOS compared with extrathoracic plating (ETP). METHODS: A prospective observational paradigm shift study was performed from November 2017 until September 2021. Patients 18 and older who underwent surgical stabilization of rib fractures were included. Patients with ahead Abbreviated Injury Scale score ≥3 were excluded. Patients undergoing ETP (July 2017 to October 2019) were compared with ITP (November 2019 to September 2021) with Pearson χ 2 tests and Mann-Whitney U tests, with the primary outcome being LOS and ICU LOS. RESULTS: Ninety-six patients were included, 59 (61%) underwent ETP and 37 (38%) underwent ITP. The most common mechanism of injury was motor vehicle collision (29%) followed by falls (23%). There were no differences between groups in age, comorbidities, insurance, discharge disposition and injury severity score (18 vs. 19, p = 0.89). Intrathoracic plating had a shorter LOS (10 days vs. 8 days, p = 0.04) when compared with ETP but no difference in ICU LOS (4 days vs. 3 days, p = 0.12) and ventilator days. Extrathoracic plating patients more commonly received epidural anesthesia (56% vs. 24%, p < 0.001) and intercostal nerve block (56% vs. 29%, p = 0.01) compared with ITP. However, there was no difference in median morphine equivalents between cohorts. Operative time was shorter for ITP with ETP (279 minutes vs. 188 minutes, p < 0.001) after adjusting for numbers of ribs fixed. CONCLUSION: In this single-center study, patients who underwent ITP had a decreased LOS and operative time in comparison to ETP in patients with similar injury severity. Future prospective multicenter research is needed to confirm these findings and may lead to further adoption of this minimally invasive technique. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic/Care Management; Level IV.

Early Surgical Stabilization of Rib Fractures is Feasible in Patients With Non-Urgent Operative Pelvic Injuries.

INTRODUCTION: The feasibility of prioritizing surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF) in patients with other injuries is unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the timing and outcomes of SSRF between patients with and without non-urgent operative pelvic injuries. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this retrospective observational study, all patients between 2010 and 2020 who underwent SSRF (SSRF group) and those who underwent SSRF and non-urgent operative management of pelvic fractures (SSRF + P group) were included. Demographics, injury characteristics, operative details, and outcomes were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: Over 11 years, 154 SSRF patients were identified, with 143 patients in the SSRF group (93%) and 11 patients in the SSRF + P group (7%). Median number of rib fractures (7 vs 9, P = .04), total number of fractures (11 vs 15, P < .01), and flail segment (54% vs 91%, P = .02) were higher in SSRF + P group. Median time to SSRF was similar (0 vs 1 day, P = .20) between the 2 groups. Median time to pelvic fixation was 3 days in SSRF + P group and 8 out of 11 patients (73%) underwent SSRF prior to pelvic fixation. Median operative time (137 vs 178 mins, P = .14) and median number of ribs plated (4 vs 5, P = .05) were higher in SSRF + P group. There was no difference in SSRF-related complications, pelvic fracture-related complications from operative positioning, rates of pneumonia, or mortality between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: SSRF can be performed early in patients with non-urgent operative pelvic injuries without a difference in pelvic fracture-related complications, SSRF-related complications, pneumonia, or mortality.

Development and validation of a pulmonary complications prediction model based on the Yang's index.

Background: Blunt chest trauma patients with pulmonary contusion are susceptible to pulmonary complications, and severe cases may develop respiratory failure. Some studies have suggested the extent of pulmonary contusion to be the main predictor of pulmonary complications. However, no simple and effective method to assess the severity of pulmonary contusion has been available yet. A reliable prognostic prediction model would facilitate the identification of high-risk patients, so that early intervention can be given to reduce pulmonary complications; however, no suitable model based on such an assumption has been available yet. Methods: In this study, a new method for assessing lung contusion by the product of the three dimensions of the lung window on the computed tomography (CT) image was proposed. We conducted a retrospective study on patients with both thoracic trauma and pulmonary contusion admitted to 8 trauma centers in China from January 2014 to June 2020. Using patients from 2 centers with a large number of patients as the training set and patients from the other 6 centers as the validation set, a prediction model for pulmonary complications was established with Yang's index and rib fractures, etc., being the predictors. The pulmonary complications included pulmonary infection and respiratory failure. Results: This study included 515 patients, among whom 188 developed pulmonary complications, including 92 with respiratory failure. Risk factors contributing to pulmonary complications were identified, and a scoring system and prediction model were constructed. Using the training set, models for adverse outcomes and severe adverse outcomes were developed, and area under the curve (AUC) of 0.852 and 0.788 were achieved in the validation set. In the model performance for predicting pulmonary complications, the positive predictive value of the model is 0.938, the sensitivity of the model is 0.563 and the specificity of the model is 0.958. Conclusions: The generated indicator, called Yang's index, was proven to be an easy-to-use method for the evaluation of pulmonary contusion severity. The prediction model based on Yang's index could facilitate early identification of patients at risk of pulmonary complications, yet the effectiveness of the model remains to be validated and its performance remains to be improved in further studies with larger sample sizes.