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.

Low-Dose Heparin Infusion as Venous Thromboembolism Chemoprophylaxis in Patients With Blunt Cerebrovascular Injury.

INTRODUCTION: Blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI) can result in devastating stroke. Because of operative inaccessibility, the most common treatment for BCVI is aspirin or a low-dose systemic heparin infusion. While it is assumed that low dose heparin infusion imparts venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis, this has not been evaluated in the BCVI population. The purpose of this study was to evaluate VTE rates in patients receiving low-dose heparin infusion as treatment for BCVI. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with BCVI between 2014 and 2018 were reviewed for initiation of low-dose systemic heparin treatment. VTE was defined as a deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. BCVI patients without systemic heparin treatment were compared to BCVI patients with heparin treatment for overall VTE rates. Comparisons were also made to injured patients without a BCVI in our Trauma Activation Protocol (TAP) database. RESULTS: During the 5-year study period, 265 patients were identified with a BCVI. The majority (61%) were men with a median injury severity score (ISS) 22 (interquartile range [IQR]:14-33). Of these patients, 146 (55.1%) received a heparin infusion to treat BCVI. VTE was identified in eight of these patients (5.5%). Compared to TAP patients (n = 1020) who received standard dosing of VTE chemoprophylaxis, there was no difference in VTE rates compared to BCVI patients who were started on a low dose heparin infusion (3% versus 5.5%, P = 0.16). Area under the receiver operating characteristics (AUROC) was used to evaluate the predictive power of time to initiation of heparin infusion (AUC = 0.64 95% CI 0.42-0.85, P = 0.2) and time to reaching PTT goal (AUC = 0.52 95% CI 0.27-0.77, P = 0.83) as a predictor VTE events. CONCLUSIONS: Low dose heparin infusion is frequently used as an initial treatment of BCVI. In injured patients with BCVI, a low dose heparin infusion is associated with a low rate of VTE, comparable to injured patients without BCVI that received standard VTE chemoprophylaxis.

An observation-first strategy for liver injuries with "blush" on computed tomography is safe and effective.

INTRODUCTION: The management of liver injuries in hemodynamically stable patients is variable and includes primary treatment strategies of observation (OBS), angiography (interventional radiology [IR]) with angioembolization (AE), or operative intervention (OR). We aimed to evaluate the management of patients with liver injuries with active extravasation on computed tomography (CT) imaging, hypothesizing that AE will have more complications without improving outcomes compared with OBS. METHODS: This is a prospective, multicenter, observational study. Patients who underwent CT within 2 hours after arrival with extravasation (e.g., blush) on imaging were included. Exclusion criteria included cirrhosis, nontraumatic hemorrhage, transfers from outside facilities, and pregnancy. No hemodynamic exclusion criteria were used. The primary outcome was liver-specific complications. Secondary outcomes include length of stay and mortality. Angioembolization patients were compared with patients treated without AE. Propensity score matching was used to match based on penetrating mechanism, liver injury severity, arrival vital signs, and early transfusion. RESULTS: Twenty-three centers enrolled 192 patients. Forty percent of patients (n = 77) were initially OBS. Eleven OBS patients (14%) failed nonoperative management and went to IR or OR. Sixty-one patients (32%) were managed with IR, and 42 (69%) of these had AE as an initial intervention. Fifty-four patients (28%) went to OR+/- IR. After propensity score matching (n = 34 per group), there was no difference in baseline characteristics between AE and OBS. The AE group experienced more complications with a higher rate of IR-placed drains for abscess or biloma (22% vs. 0%, p = 0.01) and an increased overall length of stay ( p = 0.01). No difference was noted in transfusions or mortality. CONCLUSION: Observation is highly effective with few requiring additional interventions. Angioembolization was associated with higher rate of secondary drain placement for abscesses or biloma. Given this, a trial of OBS and avoidance of empiric AE may be warranted in hemodynamically stable, liver-injured patient with extravasation on CT. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic/Care Management; Level II.

Muffins and Meditation: Combatting Burnout in Surgical Residents.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify the prevalence of burnout in our surgical residency program and to assess the impact of a weekly wellness program for surgical residents through validated tools measuring mindfulness, self-compassion, flourishing, and burnout. Our hypothesis was that participants with more frequent attendance would: (1) be more mindful and self-compassionate and (2) experience less burnout and more flourishing. DESIGN: An optional one-hour weekly breakfast conference was facilitated by a senior surgical faculty member with the time protected from all clinical duties. Following a guided meditation, participants were given time for reflection and dialogue about their training experiences or led in a wellness exercise. TRANCE (tolerance, respect, anonymity, nonretaliation, compassion, egalitarianism) principles were utilized to create a safe and open environment. Residents were surveyed at the end of the study period, which was from March 2017 through June 2018. SETTING: The conference and data analysis was conducted at Denver Health Medical Center, affiliated with the University of Colorado School of Medicine. PARTICIPANTS: This study analyzed survey responses from 85 surgical residents. RESULTS: Following the wellness program, when answering the 2-question Maslach Burnout Inventory, 35.7% of residents reported feeling burned out by their work once a week or more, and 29.7% reported feeling more callous toward people once a week or more. After multivariate analysis, the only independent predictors of increased burnout were "not being married or in a committed relationship," lower positive affect, and higher negative affect. Written feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and residents expressed gratitude for the conference, the opportunity for self-reflection, and open dialogue with attendings and colleagues. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of burnout is high among surgical residents. Allowing time to practice a mindfulness meditation while providing space for residents to share their experiences may be protective, and efforts should be made to reduce barriers to participation.

Time to Look for Another Infectious Source? White Blood Cell Trends during Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia.

Background: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) continues to plague patients in intensive care units (ICUs) throughout the world. Persistent leukocytosis despite antibiotic treatment for VAP can have many etiologies including normal inflammatory response, inadequate VAP antimicrobial therapy, and the presence of additional infectious diagnoses. Hypothesis: Surgical patients with VAP and a second infectious source have a different white blood cell count (WBC) trend than patients with VAP alone. Patients and Methods: Retrospective, single-center study of surgical ICU patients diagnosed with VAP (>104 CFU/mL on semi-quantitative culture) between January 2019 and June 2020. Chart review identified additional infections diagnosed during VAP treatment. White blood cell count values were compared between patients treated for VAP alone (VAP-alone) and those with additional infections (VAP-plus) using a Wilcoxon test. Univariable analysis compared admission type, surgeries, and steroid use between cohorts. Results: Eighty-eight VAPs were included for analysis; 61 (69%) were VAP-alone and 27 (31%) VAP-plus. Average age was 47.1 ± 16.7 years, 78% were male, and 93% were trauma admissions. Median hospital day of VAP diagnosis was six (interquartile range [IQR], 4-10). Nearly all patients (99%) were started on initial antibiotic agents to which the VAP organism was sensitive. Daily WBC was higher for VAP-plus compared with VAP-alone on days five, six, and seven of treatment. The maximum WBC was higher for VAP-plus (21.6 k/mcL vs. 16.1 k/mcL; p = 0.02). There were no differences in admission types, number of surgeries, or steroid use between groups. Conclusions: Providers should have increased suspicion for additional sources of infection when ICU patients with a VAP continue to have elevated WBC despite appropriate antibiotic therapy.

A core outcome set for damage control laparotomy via modified Delphi method.

OBJECTIVES: Damage control laparotomy (DCL) remains an important tool in the trauma surgeon's armamentarium. Inconsistency in reporting standards have hindered careful scrutiny of DCL outcomes. We sought to develop a core outcome set (COS) for DCL clinical studies to facilitate future pooling of data via meta-analysis and Bayesian statistics while minimizing reporting bias. METHODS: A modified Delphi study was performed using DCL content experts identified through Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma (EAST) 'landmark' DCL papers and EAST ad hoc COS task force consensus. RESULTS: Of 28 content experts identified, 20 (71%) participated in round 1, 20/20 (100%) in round 2, and 19/20 (95%) in round 3. Round 1 identified 36 potential COS. Round 2 achieved consensus on 10 core outcomes: mortality, 30-day mortality, fascial closure, days to fascial closure, abdominal complications, major complications requiring reoperation or unplanned re-exploration following closure, gastrointestinal anastomotic leak, secondary intra-abdominal sepsis (including anastomotic leak), enterocutaneous fistula, and 12-month functional outcome. Despite feedback provided between rounds, round 3 achieved no further consensus. CONCLUSIONS: Through an electronic survey-based consensus method, content experts agreed on a core outcome set for damage control laparotomy, which is recommended for future trials in DCL clinical research. Further work is necessary to delineate specific tools and methods for measuring specific outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: V, criteria.

Multi-center validation of the Bowel Injury Predictive Score (BIPS) for the early identification of need to operate in blunt bowel and mesenteric injuries.

INTRODUCTION: The Bowel Injury Prediction Score (BIPS) is a tool for identifying patients at risk for blunt bowel and mesenteric injury (BBMI) requiring surgery. BIPS is calculated by assigning one point for each of the following: (1) WBC ≥ 17,000, (2) abdominal tenderness, and (3) injury grade ≥ 4 (mesenteric contusion or hematoma with bowel wall thickening or adjacent interloop fluid collection) on CT scan. A total score ≥ 2 is associated with BBMI requiring surgery. We aimed to validate the BIPS as a predictor for patients with BBMIs requiring operative intervention in a multi-center prospective study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were prospectively enrolled at 15 U.S. trauma centers following blunt trauma with suspicion of BBMI on CT scan between July 1, 2018 and July 31, 2019. The BIPS was calculated for each patient enrolled in the study. RESULTS: Of 313 patients, 38% had BBMI requiring operative intervention. Patients were significantly more likely to require surgery in the presence of abdominal tenderness (OR, 3.6; 95% CI, 1.6-8.0) and CT grade ≥ 4 (OR, 11.7; 95% CI, 5.7-23.7). Patients with a BIPS ≥ 2 were more than ten times more likely to require laparotomy than those with a BIPS < 2 (OR, 10.1; 95% CI, 5.0-20.4). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of a BIPS ≥ 2 for BBMI requiring surgery was 72% (CI 0.6-0.8), 78% (CI 0.7-0.8), 67% (CI 0.6-0.8), and 82% (CI 0.8-0.9), respectively. The AUROC curve for BIPS ≥ 2 was 0.75. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of a BIPS ≥ 2 for BBMI requiring surgery in patients with severe alteration in mental status (GCS 3-8) was 70% (CI 0.5-0.9), 92% (CI 0.8-1.0), 82% (CI 0.6-1.0), and 86% (CI 0.7-1.0), respectively. CONCLUSION: This prospective multi-center trial validates BIPS as a predictor of BBMI requiring surgery. Calculation of BIPS during the initial evaluation of trauma patients is a useful adjunct to help general surgeons taking trauma call determine operative versus non-operative management of patients with BBMI including those with severe alteration in mental status.

Pelvic fracture-related hypotension: A review of contemporary adjuncts for hemorrhage control.

ABSTRACT: Major pelvic hemorrhage remains a considerable challenge of modern trauma care associated with mortality in over a third of patients. Efforts to improve outcomes demand continued research into the optimal employment of both traditional and newer hemostatic adjuncts across the full spectrum of emergent care environments. The purpose of this review is to provide a concise description of the rationale for and effective use of currently available adjuncts for the control of pelvic hemorrhage. In addition, the challenges of defining the optimal order and algorithm for employment of these adjuncts will be outlined. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Review, level IV.

A randomized clinical trial of single dose liposomal bupivacaine versus indwelling analgesic catheter in patients undergoing surgical stabilization of rib fractures.

INTRODUCTION: Locoregional analgesia (LRA) remains underused in patients with chest wall injuries. Surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF) offers an opportunity to deliver surgeon-directed LRA under direct visualization at the site of surgical intervention. We hypothesized that a single-dose liposomal bupivacaine (LB) intercostal nerve block provides comparable analgesia to an indwelling, peripheral nerve plane analgesic catheter with continuous bupivacaine infusion (IC), each placed during SSRF. METHODS: Noninferiority, single-center, randomized clinical trial (2017-2020) was performed. Patients were randomized to receive either IC or LB during SSRF. The IC was tunneled into the surgical field (subscapular space), and LB involved thoracoscopic intercostal blocks of ribs 3 to 8. The primary outcome was the Sequential Clinical Assessment of Respiratory Function score, measured daily for 5 days postoperatively. Secondary outcomes included daily narcotic equivalents and failure of primary LRA, defined as requiring a second LRA modality. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients were enrolled: 16 IC and 18 LB. Age, Injury Severity Score, RibScore, Blunt Pulmonary Contusion Score, and use of nonnarcotic analgesics was similar between groups. Duration of IC was 4.5 days. There were three failures in the IC group versus one in the LB group (p = 0.23). There was no significant difference in Sequential Clinical Assessment of Respiratory Function score between the IC and LB groups. On postoperative days 2 to 4, narcotic requirements were less than half in the LB, as compared with the IC group; however, this difference was not statistically significant. Average wholesale price was US $605 for IC and US $434 for LB. CONCLUSION: In this noninferiority trial, LB provided at least comparable and potentially superior LRA as compared with IC among patients undergoing SSRF. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, level II.

Beyond the tube: Can we reduce chest tube complications in trauma patients?

BACKGROUND: We sought to identify opportunities for interventions to mitigate complications of tube thoracostomy (TT). METHODS: Retrospective review of all trauma patients undergoing TT from 6/30/2016-6/30/2019. Multivariable logistic regression identified independent predictors of complications. RESULTS: Out of 451 patients, 171 (37.9%) had at least one TT malpositioning or complication. Placement in the emergency department, placement by emergency medicine physicians, and body mass index >30 kg/m2 were independent predictors of complication. Malpositioning increased the likelihood of early complication (6.5%-53.5%), and early complication increased the likelihood of late complication (4.3%-13.6%). Patients with a late complication had, on average, a 7.56 day longer hospital stay than patients without a late complication. CONCLUSION: TT complications were associated with placement in the emergency department, placement by emergency medicine physicians, and BMI>30 kg/m2. We identified associations between malpositioning, early complications, and late complications, and demonstrated that TT complications impact patient outcomes.

The AAST prospective observational multicenter study of the initial experience with reversal of direct oral anticoagulants in trauma patients.

BACKGROUND: Drug-specific agents for the reversal of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) were recently approved. We hypothesized that the approval of these reversal agents would lead improved outcomes for trauma patients taking DOACs. METHODS: A multicenter, prospective (2015-2018), observational study of all adult trauma patients taking DOACs who were admitted to one of fifteen participating trauma centers was performed. The primary outcome was mortality. RESULTS: For 606 trauma patients on DOACs, those reversed were older (78 vs. 74, p = 0.007), more severely injured (ISS: 16 vs. 5, p < 0.0001), had more severe head injuries (Head AIS: 2.9 vs. 1.3, p < 0.0001), and higher mortality (11% vs. 3%, p = 0.001). Patients who received drug-specific agents (idarucizumab, andexanet alfa) had higher mortality (30% vs. 8%, p = 0.04) than those reversed with factor concentrates. However, the low usage of drug-specific reversal agents limits our ability to assess their efficacy and safety. CONCLUSIONS: DOAC reversal was not independently associated with mortality. At present, the overall usage of drug-specific reversal agents is too sparing to meaningfully assess outcomes in trauma.

Trust the FAST: Confirmation that the FAST examination is highly specific for intra-abdominal hemorrhage in over 1,200 patients with pelvic fractures.

BACKGROUND: Use of the focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST) examination in patients with pelvic fractures has been reported as unreliable. We hypothesized that FAST is a reliable method for detecting clinically significant intra-abdominal hemorrhage in patients with pelvic fractures. METHODS: All patients with pelvic fractures over a 10-year period were reviewed at a Level I trauma center. The predictive ability of FAST was assessed by calculating the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value against the criterion standard of either computed tomography (CT) or laparotomy findings. The FAST examination was considered "false negative" if findings at laparotomy indicated traumatic intra-abdominal hemorrhage. Likewise, the FAST examination was considered "false positive" if either CT or findings at laparotomy indicated no intra-abdominal hemorrhage. Hemodynamic instability scores were calculated for all patients. RESULTS: There were 1,456 patients with pelvic fractures and an initial FAST reviewed; 1,219 (83.7%) underwent FAST and either CT or operative exploration. Median age was 43 years (interquartile range, 26-56 years) and mean Injury Severity Score was 18.5 ± 12.3. The sensitivity and specificity for FAST in this group of patients with pelvic fracture was 85.4% and 98.1%, respectively. The positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 78.4% and 98.8%, respectively. Of 21 patients with a false-positive FAST, 15 (71.4%) were confirmed with a negative CT scan, and 6 (28.6%) underwent laparotomy without findings of intra-abdominal hemorrhage. Of 13 patients with a false-negative FAST, all were identified with positive findings at the time of laparotomy. The specificity of the FAST examination remained high regardless of hemodynamic instability score grade. CONCLUSION: The false positive rate of FAST examination for intra-abdominal hemorrhage is 1.1%. These data suggest that a positive FAST in this clinical scenario should be considered to represent intra-abdominal fluid. This series contradicts prior reports that FAST is unreliable in patients with pelvic fracture. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic, level III.

Association between Young-Burgess pelvic ring injury classification and concomitant injuries requiring urgent intervention.

BACKGROUND: Young-Burgess classification (YB) is a mechanistic system which classifies pelvic ring injuries into anterior-posterior compression (APC), lateral compression (LC), vertical shear (VS) injuries, and combined mechanism (CM). The objective of this study was to identify associated injuries which require urgent operative intervention by YB classification. We hypothesize that YB classification is associated with 1) need for urgent intervention for pelvic fracture-related hemorrhage and 2) patterns of injury complexes requiring surgery. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of severely injured trauma patients with pelvic ring injuries who presented to an urban Level-1 trauma center from 2007 to 2017. Associated injuries and procedures were determined by Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) and ICD-9/10 codes. YB classes were compared, followed by a cluster analysis to identify injury patterns and association with YB classifications. RESULTS: Overall, 135 patients were included. 98 (72%) of patients presented with LC, 16 (12%) with APC, 8 (6%) with VS, and 13 (10%) with CM. VS and APC groups had higher rates of REBOA use compared to LC and CM groups (38% and 31% versus 11% and 0%, respectively, p = 0.01). The CM group, compared to LC, APC, and VS, had higher rates of urgent operative intervention for bleeding control (69% versus 32%, 50% and 43%, respectively, p = 0.01). 39 (29%) patients had a concomitant injury which was identified by CT scan in initial trauma work up and altered management, 46% which merited urgent intervention. On cluster analysis, there were no distinct injury complexes which required urgent operative intervention by YB class. CONCLUSIONS: These data failed to identify unique injury complexes which merit urgent operative intervention by YB class. Nearly one in four patients had injuries identified by initial CT imaging which altered initial management, demonstrating the importance of early, full body CT imaging in severely injured patients with pelvic ring injuries.

Worth looking! venous thromboembolism in patients who undergo preperitoneal pelvic packing warrants screening duplex.

BACKGROUND: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with major pelvic fractures who undergo preperitoneal pelvic packing (PPP) has not been investigated. We hypothesized that patients who undergo PPP are at high risk for VTE, thus early prophylactic anticoagulation and screening duplex are warranted. STUDY DESIGN: All patients requiring PPP from 2015 to 2019 were reviewed. Management and outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: During the study period, 79 patients underwent PPP. Excluding the early deaths, 17 patients had deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and 6 had pulmonary emboli (PE); 4 patients had both DVT/PE. Overall mortality was 15%. Thirty-two patients underwent screening duplex within 72 h of admission and 10 were positive for DVT. CONCLUSION: Patients with complex pelvic trauma undergoing PPP have a 23% incidence of DVT and an additional 8% incidence of PE. 31% of screening ultrasounds are positive. The overall mortality was 15%. With a high incidence of VTE in this patient population, we recommend screening duplex ultrasounds.

Prehospital end-tidal carbon dioxide predicts massive transfusion and death following trauma.

BACKGROUND: The lack of an accurate marker of prehospital hemorrhagic shock limits our ability to triage patients to the correct level of care, delays treatment in the emergency department, and inhibits our ability to perform prehospital interventional research in trauma. End-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) is the measurement of alveolar carbon dioxide concentration at end expiration and is measured noninvasively in the ventilator circuit for intubated patients in continuous manner. Several hospital-based studies have been able to demonstrate that either low or decreasing levels of ETCO2 as well as disparities between ETCO2 and plasma carbon dioxide correlate with increasing mortality in trauma. We hypothesized that prehospital ETCO2 values will be predictive of mortality and need for massive transfusion following injury. METHODS: This is a single-center retrospective study from an urban level 1 trauma center. We reviewed all intubated adult patients transported for injury who had prehospital ETCO2 values available. Unadjusted comparisons of continuous variables were done with the Wilcoxon two-sample test. The predictive performance of prehospital ETCO2, the prehospital shock index, and prehospital systolic blood pressure were assessed and compared using areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves. Optimal cutoffs were estimated by maximizing the Youden index. Massive transfusion was defined as >10 U of blood or death in 24 hours. RESULTS: A total of 173 patients were identified with prehospital ETCO2 values during the 2-year study period. Population was 78.5% male with a median age of 37.5 years (interquartile range, 23.5-53.5 years). Injury mechanism was penetrating in 22.8%. This cohort had a median Injury Severity Score of 26 (interquartile range, 17-36), massive transfusion rate of 34.7%, and mortality of 42.1%. In the evaluation of prediction of postinjury mortality and massive transfusion, ETCO2 outperformed systolic blood pressure and shock index, but these differences did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION: End-tidal carbon dioxide is a novel prehospital predictor of mortality and massive transfusion after injury. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic/Epidemiologic, level III.