2023 WSES guidelines for the prevention, detection, and management of iatrogenic urinary tract injuries (IUTIs) during emergency digestive surgery.

Iatrogenic urinary tract injury (IUTI) is a severe complication of emergency digestive surgery. It can lead to increased postoperative morbidity and mortality and have a long-term impact on the quality of life. The reported incidence of IUTIs varies greatly among the studies, ranging from 0.3 to 1.5%. Given the high volume of emergency digestive surgery performed worldwide, there is a need for well-defined and effective strategies to prevent and manage IUTIs. Currently, there is a lack of consensus regarding the prevention, detection, and management of IUTIs in the emergency setting. The present guidelines, promoted by the World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES), were developed following a systematic review of the literature and an international expert panel discussion. The primary aim of these WSES guidelines is to provide evidence-based recommendations to support clinicians and surgeons in the prevention, detection, and management of IUTIs during emergency digestive surgery. The following key aspects were considered: (1) effectiveness of preventive interventions for IUTIs during emergency digestive surgery; (2) intra-operative detection of IUTIs and appropriate management strategies; (3) postoperative detection of IUTIs and appropriate management strategies and timing; and (4) effectiveness of antibiotic therapy (including type and duration) in case of IUTIs.

Bologna guidelines for diagnosis and management of adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO): 2017 update of the evidence-based guidelines from the world society of emergency surgery ASBO working group.

Background: Adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO) is a common surgical emergency, causing high morbidity and even some mortality. The adhesions causing such bowel obstructions are typically the footprints of previous abdominal surgical procedures. The present paper presents a revised version of the Bologna guidelines to evidence-based diagnosis and treatment of ASBO. The working group has added paragraphs on prevention of ASBO and special patient groups. Methods: The guideline was written under the auspices of the World Society of Emergency Surgery by the ASBO working group. A systematic literature search was performed prior to the update of the guidelines to identify relevant new papers on epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of ASBO. Literature was critically appraised according to an evidence-based guideline development method. Final recommendations were approved by the workgroup, taking into account the level of evidence of the conclusion. Recommendations: Adhesion formation might be reduced by minimally invasive surgical techniques and the use of adhesion barriers. Non-operative treatment is effective in most patients with ASBO. Contraindications for non-operative treatment include peritonitis, strangulation, and ischemia. When the adhesive etiology of obstruction is unsure, or when contraindications for non-operative management might be present, CT is the diagnostic technique of choice. The principles of non-operative treatment are nil per os, naso-gastric, or long-tube decompression, and intravenous supplementation with fluids and electrolytes. When operative treatment is required, a laparoscopic approach may be beneficial for selected cases of simple ASBO.Younger patients have a higher lifetime risk for recurrent ASBO and might therefore benefit from application of adhesion barriers as both primary and secondary prevention. Discussion: This guideline presents recommendations that can be used by surgeons who treat patients with ASBO. Scientific evidence for some aspects of ASBO management is scarce, in particular aspects relating to special patient groups. Results of a randomized trial of laparoscopic versus open surgery for ASBO are awaited.

The open abdomen in trauma and non-trauma patients: WSES guidelines.

Damage control resuscitation may lead to postoperative intra-abdominal hypertension or abdominal compartment syndrome. These conditions may result in a vicious, self-perpetuating cycle leading to severe physiologic derangements and multiorgan failure unless interrupted by abdominal (surgical or other) decompression. Further, in some clinical situations, the abdomen cannot be closed due to the visceral edema, the inability to control the compelling source of infection or the necessity to re-explore (as a "planned second-look" laparotomy) or complete previously initiated damage control procedures or in cases of abdominal wall disruption. The open abdomen in trauma and non-trauma patients has been proposed to be effective in preventing or treating deranged physiology in patients with severe injuries or critical illness when no other perceived options exist. Its use, however, remains controversial as it is resource consuming and represents a non-anatomic situation with the potential for severe adverse effects. Its use, therefore, should only be considered in patients who would most benefit from it. Abdominal fascia-to-fascia closure should be done as soon as the patient can physiologically tolerate it. All precautions to minimize complications should be implemented.

2017 WSES guidelines for the management of iatrogenic colonoscopy perforation.

Iatrogenic colonoscopy perforation (ICP) is a severe complication that can occur during both diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Although 45-60% of ICPs are diagnosed by the endoscopist while performing the colonoscopy, many ICPs are not immediately recognized but are instead suspected on the basis of clinical signs and symptoms that occur after the endoscopic procedure. There are three main therapeutic options for ICPs: endoscopic repair, conservative therapy, and surgery. The therapeutic approach must vary based on the setting of the diagnosis (intra- or post-colonoscopy), the type of ICP, the characteristics and general status of the patient, the operator's level of experience, and surgical device availability. Although ICPs have been the focus of numerous publications, no guidelines have been created to standardize the management of ICPs. The aim of this article is to present the World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES) guidelines for the management of ICP, which are intended to be used as a tool to promote global standards of care in case of ICP. These guidelines are not meant to substitute providers' clinical judgment for individual patients, and they may need to be modified based on the medical team's level of experience and the availability of local resources.

The role of open abdomen in non-trauma patient: WSES Consensus Paper.

The open abdomen (OA) is defined as intentional decision to leave the fascial edges of the abdomen un-approximated after laparotomy (laparostomy). The abdominal contents are potentially exposed and therefore must be protected with a temporary coverage, which is referred to as temporal abdominal closure (TAC). OA use remains widely debated with many specific details deserving detailed assessment and clarification. To date, in patients with intra-abdominal emergencies, the OA has not been formally endorsed for routine utilization; although, utilization is seemingly increasing. Therefore, the World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES), Abdominal Compartment Society (WSACS) and the Donegal Research Academy united a worldwide group of experts in an international consensus conference to review and thereafter propose the basis for evidence-directed utilization of OA management in non-trauma emergency surgery and critically ill patients. In addition to utilization recommendations, questions with insufficient evidence urgently requiring future study were identified.

Looking beyond discharge: clinical variables at trauma admission predict long term survival in the older severely injured patient.

BACKGROUND: Long term follow up is difficult to obtain in most trauma settings, these data are essential for assessing outcomes in the older (≥60) patient. We hypothesized that clinical data obtained during initial hospital stay could accurately predict long term survival. STUDY DESIGN: Using our trauma registry and hospital database, we reviewed all trauma admissions (age ≥60, ISS > 15) to our Level 1 center over the most recent 7 years. Mechanism of injury, co-morbidities, ICU admission, and ultimate disposition were assessed for 2-7 years post-discharge. Primary outcome was defined as long term survival to the end of the last year of the study. RESULTS: Of 342 patients discharged following initial admission, mean age was 76.2 ± 9.7, and ISS was 21.5 ± 6.9. 119 patients (34.8%) died (mean follow up 18.8 months; range 1.1-66.2 months). For 233 survivors, mean follow-up was 50.2 months (range 24.8-83.8 months). Univariate analysis disclosed post-discharge mortality was associated with age (80.1 ± 9.64 vs. 74.2 ± 9.07), mean number of co-morbidities (1.6 ± 1.1 vs. 1.0 ± 1.2), fall as a mechanism, lower GCS upon arrival (11.85 ± 4.21 vs. 13.73 ± 2.89), intubation at the scene and discharge to an assisted living facility (p < 0.001 for all). Cox regression analysis hazard ratio showed that independent predictors of mortality on long term follow-up included: older age, fall as mechanism, lower GCS at admission and discharge to assisted living facility (all = p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Nearly two-thirds of patients ≥60 who were severely injured survived >4 years following discharge; furthermore, admission data, including younger age, injury mechanism other than falls, higher GCS and home discharge predicted a favorable long term outcome. These findings suggest that common clinical data at initial admission can predict long term survival in the older trauma patient.

Acute care surgery: what's in a name? A new specialty comes of age.

A quiet revolution in American surgery has occurred over the past 10-15 years, with the emergence of acute care surgery as a true specialty, and apparently the heir to general surgery. This new paradigm traces its beginning to certain core safety net hospitals in the U.S., such as Denver Health Medical Center, San Fancisco General Hospital, Detroit Receiving Hospital, and Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, and has now extended its foothold to most U.S. academic institutions as well. The discipline of acute care surgery represents a fusion of trauma surgery, surgical critical care, and emergency surgery. although the actual surgical responsibilities of the ACS surgeon may vary, depending on local institutional needs, the core principles remain the same. The new specialty appears to have broad appeal not only to the departments in which they serve, but to resident trainees and hospital administration as well. While a number of challenges need to be addressed before adaption of this system to Israel, the new paradigm appears to have potential for serving Israeli surgery in the future. In summary, there is much to a name. Just as the guardian angel of Aisov gave the new name "Israel" to the biblical patriarch Jacob to signify that he had been evaluated to a new level--"a prince in the eye of G-d and man", "Acute Care Surgery" appears poised to transform General Surgery to a new level for the next generation of surgeons.

Fatal gunshot wounds to the head: a critical appraisal of organ donation rates.

BACKGROUND: Patients sustaining fatal gunshot wounds to the head are often young, without associated comorbidities, and are potentially ideal transplantation candidates. METHODS: A 5-year review of a level I trauma center's prospective database was performed for all patients sustaining fatal gunshot wounds to the head. Demographic, physiologic, anatomic, and laboratory variables were collected. RESULTS: Sixty-eight patients were identified, of whom 10 (14.7%) were organ donors. Of 25 admitted to the intensive care unit who eventually did not become donors, 15 (60%) were due to lack of consent. CONCLUSIONS: Despite frequent intensive care unit admissions, organ donation is infrequent following fatal gunshot wounds to the head, primarily because of lack of consent. Improved communication with next of kin could improve organ recovery and reduce futile care in this group.

Effect of blood products transfusion on the development of postinjury multiple organ failure.

HYPOTHESIS: Transfusion of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) and platelets is independently associated with the development of multiple organ failure (MOF) in critically injured patients. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Academic regional level I trauma center. PATIENTS: From 1992 to 2004, a total of 1440 critically injured patients were admitted to our surgical intensive care unit and survived at least 48 hours. Of these, 1415 had complete data on age, Injury Severity Score (ISS), and units of FFP, platelets, and packed red blood cells (PRBCs) transfused. Multiple organ failure was defined using the Denver MOF score. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to adjust transfusion of FFP, platelets, and PRBCs for known MOF risk factors. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Multiple organ failure. RESULTS: The mean (SD) ISS was 29.3 (11.3), and the mean (SD) patient age was 37.4 (16.6) years. Among 1440 patients, 346 (24.0%) developed MOF, and 118 (8.2%) died. Multiple logistic regression analysis detected a significant interaction between units of FFP and PRBCs transfused (P < .001). Regardless of the units of PRBCs transfused, FFP transfusion was independently associated with the development of MOF. However, the deleterious effect associated with FFP transfusion was more prominent among patients receiving fewer than 6 U of PRBCs. Platelet transfusion was unassociated with MOF after adjustment for age, ISS, and FFP and PRBC transfusion. CONCLUSIONS: Early transfusion of FFP is associated with an increased risk of postinjury MOF, even after adjusting for age, ISS, and PRBC transfusion. Caution is warranted in developing protocols for empirical FFP transfusion. Specifically, transfusion triggers for FFP should be reexamined, as well as the practice of delivering FFP in fixed ratios to the units of PRBCs transfused.

Two-stage brachial-basilic transposition fistula provides superior patency rates for dialysis access in a safety-net population.

BACKGROUND: Guidelines of the National Kidney Foundation recommending aggressive pursuit of autogenous fistulae for dialysis access in lieu of prosthetic arteriovenous grafts have stimulated a renewed interest in transposed brachial-basilic fistulae as an alternative technique for upper arm access in patients who may not be candidates for a lower arm radial-cephalic or forearm brachial-cephalic fistula. We hypothesized that in our safety-net population, where radial-cephalic and brachial-cephalic often are not possible, brachial-basilic would provide patency rates superior to arteriovenous grafts and equivalent to radial-cephalic and brachial-cephalic fistulae. METHODS: We analyzed retrospectively our most recent 2.5-year experience with dialysis access procedures at our metropolitan safety-net hospital. Procedures were grouped as follows: radial-cephalic, brachial-cephalic, brachial-basilic, and arteriovenous grafts. The access outcomes measured were primary failure, time to use, need for intervention, and primary as well as secondary patency. Differences in age, sex, race, renal function (Modification of Diet in Renal Disease), baseline diagnoses (diabetes mellitus, hypertension, coronary artery disease, and peripheral vascular disease), as well as the number of previous accesses, were adjusted in the analysis. Logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of primary failure, and Kaplan-Meier plots assessed differences in primary patency rates. A log of the time variables was used to approximate normal distribution. RESULTS: In all, 193 patients were included in this study as follows: radial-cephalic, 75 (39%) patients; brachial-cephalic, 35 (18%) patients; brachial-basilic, 33 (17%) patients; and arteriovenous grafts, 50 (26%) patients. Primary patency means differed marginally between groups (P = .08), and when grafts were excluded from the analysis, no difference was found between primary patency in all autogenous fistula techniques (P = .88). Kaplan-Meier plots showed that when analyzing the first 35 weeks, a significantly lower primary patency among graft recipients early after the procedure was noted, and a higher performance of BB after 20 weeks was noted (log-rank P = .05, Wilcoxon P = .004). Furthermore, secondary patency did not vary significantly between groups (P = .62). Radial-cephalic were more likely to fail primarily when compared with the other access groups (P = .03), and in a univariate analysis, underlying hypertension was associated with a lower risk of primary failure (P = .01) compared with other diagnoses. A logistic regression stepwise selection showed that the underlying diagnoses of peripheral vascular disease, diabetes mellitus, or coronary artery disease were associated with a greater risk of primary failure compared with those with HTN (P = .001; odds ratio, 4.05; 95% confidence interval, 1.71-9.59), as well as the presence of a previously failed access (P = .04; odds ratio, 2.39; 95% confidence interval, 1.08-5.67). CONCLUSION: In a safety-net population, our results suggest that 2-stage brachial-basilic transposition fistulae provide patency rates equivalent to brachial-cephalic and radial-cephalic fistulae and superior to grafts. Although 2 procedures are required, brachial-basilic fistulae provide a reliable access and should be considered the next choice when radial-cephalic and/or brachial-cephalic are not possible.

Primary fibrinolysis is integral in the pathogenesis of the acute coagulopathy of trauma.

BACKGROUND: The existence of primary fibrinolysis (PF) and a defined mechanistic link to the "Acute Coagulopathy of Trauma" is controversial. Rapid thrombelastography (r-TEG) offers point of care comprehensive assessment of the coagulation system. We hypothesized that postinjury PF occurs early in severe shock, leading to postinjury coagulopathy, and ultimately hemorrhage-related death. METHODS: Consecutive patients over 14 months at risk for postinjury coagulopathy were stratified by transfusion requirements into massive (MT) >10 units/6 hours (n = 32), moderate (Mod) 5 to 9 units/6 hours (n = 15), and minimal (Min) <5 units/6 hours (n = 14). r-TEG was performed by adding tissue factor to uncitrated whole blood. r-TEG estimated percent lysis was categorized as PF when >15% estimated percent lysis was detected. Coagulopathy was defined as r-TEG clot strength = G < 5.3 dynes/cm. Logistic regression was used to define independent predictors of PF. RESULTS: A total of 34% of injured patients requiring MT had PF, which was associated with lower emergency department systolic blood pressure, core temperature, and greater metabolic acidosis (analysis of variance, P < 0.0001). The risk of death correlated significantly with PF (P = 0.026). PF occurred early (median, 58 minutes; interquartile range, 1.2-95.9 minutes); every 1 unit drop in G increased the risk of PF by 30%, and death by over 10%. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm the existence of PF in severely injured patients. It occurs early (<1 hour), and is associated with MT requirements, coagulopathy, and hemorrhage-related death. These data warrant renewed emphasis on the early diagnosis and treatment of fibrinolysis in this cohort.

Progressive postinjury thrombocytosis is associated with thromboembolic complications.

BACKGROUND: Our previous investigation demonstrated that despite routine chemoprophylaxis, thrombelastography, which is a comprehensive test measuring the viscoelastic properties of blood, identified a hypercoagulable state in a cohort of critically ill surgical patients that was associated with thromboemobolic events. Furthermore, because thrombelastography allows for the comprehensive assessment of coagulation status, this work suggested that platelet hyperactivity is a component of the hypercoagulable state. We hypothesized that progressive postinjury thrombocytosis contributes to a hypercoagulable state that is associated with thrombelastography. METHODS: One thousand four hundred and forty severely injured patients surviving >48 h were entered into a database prospectively over 12 years. The variables that were evaluated in associated with thrombocytosis (platelet count >450,000) included age, Injury Severity Score, packed red blood cell transfusions in 12 h, and thromboemobolic complications (TE) (deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolus, mesenteric thrombosis, stroke, and arterial thrombosis). The time frame for the development of thrombocytosis was assessed at greater or less than 7 days postinjury. Logistic regression was used to identify the independent variables predictive of thrombocytosis and to adjust the association of thrombocytosis with TE for other risk factors. C-statistic was used to assess the discriminative power of thrombocytosis for prediction of TE. RESULTS: The mean age was 37.4 ± 0.4 years. The Injury Severity Score was 29.3 ± 0.3, and mean red blood cell transfusions in 12 h was 4.4 ± 0.2 units. Injury via blunt force occurred in 76% of patients, and 72% of patients were male. Thrombocytosis was identified in 447 (31%) patients and was noted almost exclusively >7 days postinjury (98%). TE developed in 35 (8%) of the 447 patients with thrombocytosis, compared with 45 (4.5%) of the remaining 993 patients who did not develop thrombocytosis. Persistent thrombocytosis >7 days was associated with TE (P > .0001). Logistic regression analysis indicated that when adjusted for intensive care unit duration of stay, transfusions, age, and Injury Severity Score, patients with sustained thrombocytosis more than 3 days were noted to have a 1.4 × increased risk of TE (odds ratio, 1.12; 95% confidence interval, 1.04-1.2; P = .002; C-statistic = 0.82). CONCLUSION: Persistent thrombocytosis in critically injured patients receiving routine chemoprophylaxis is associated with thrombotic complications. Subsequent investigation is warranted to differentiate enzymatic from platelet hypercoagulability to ascertain the role of antiplatelet therapy for prevention of TE.

Postinjury coagulopathy management: goal directed resuscitation via POC thrombelastography.

Progressive postinjury coagulopathy remains the fundamental rationale for damage control surgery, but the decision to abort operative intervention must occur before laboratory confirmation of coagulopathy. Current massive transfusion protocols have embraced pre-emptive resuscitation strategies emphasizing administration of packed red blood cells, fresh frozen plasma, and platelets in ratios approximating 1:1:1 during the first 24 hours postinjury, based on US military retrospective experience and recent noncontrolled civilian data. This policy, termed "damage control resuscitation" assumes that patients presenting with life threatening hemorrhage at risk for postinjury coagulopathy should receive component therapy in rations approximating those found in whole blood during the first 24 hours. While we concur with the concept of pre-emptive coagulation factor replacement, and initially suggested this in 1982, we remain concerned for the continued unbridled administration of fresh frozen plasma and platelets without objective evidence of their specific requirement. A major limitation of current massive transfusion protocols is the lack of real time assessment of coagulation function to guide evolving blood component requirements. Existing laboratory coagulation testing was originally designed for evaluation of hemophilia and subsequently used for monitoring anticoagulation therapy. Consequently, the applicability of these tests in the trauma setting has never been proven and the time required to conduct these assays is incompatible with prompt correction of the coagulopathy in the trauma setting. This review examines the current approach to postinjury coagulopathy, including identification of patients at risk, resuscitation strategies, design and implementation of institutional massive transfusion protocols, and the potential benefits of goal-directed therapy by real time assessment of coagulation function via point of care rapid thromboelastography.

Hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets syndrome: when is surgical help needed?

BACKGROUND: Life-threatening hemorrhage is a rare event in hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets (HELLP) syndrome. Epidemiologic data are lacking to predict patients at risk for hemorrhage requiring surgical consultation. We sought to identify early clinical predictors of hemorrhagic complications in patients at risk for HELLP syndrome. METHODS: Patients at risk for HELLP syndrome from 1997 to 2007 were identified retrospectively. Variables evaluated in at-risk women were maternal age, gestational history, hepatic transaminase levels, and platelet count. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of poor maternal outcomes, which were defined as hemorrhage requiring transfusion of blood products, need for surgical intervention, hepatic rupture, and death. RESULTS: A total of 109 at-risk women were identified. Adverse outcomes included transfusions (18%), hemorrhage interventions (8%), damage control laparotomy (2.8%), and hepatic rupture (2.8%). Maternal and perinatal mortality were .9% and 3.7%, respectively. Median transfusion requirements for women with hepatic rupture were 56 U of packed red blood cells, 26 U of fresh-frozen plasma, 18 U of platelets, and 6 U of cryoprecipitate. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed previous gestations (P = .002), platelet count (P = .01), and aspartate aminotransferase level increase (P = .04) were independent predictors of life-threatening hemorrhage. Previous gestations increased the risk of adverse outcome 3-fold. CONCLUSIONS: Identifiable risk factors predictive of major hemorrhage are thrombocytopenia (<100,000 cells/microL), increase of aspartate aminotransferase level greater than 70 IU/L, and previous gestations.

Primary repair of civilian colon injuries is safe in the damage control scenario.

BACKGROUND: Although the safety of primary repair/anastomosis for civilian colon injuries after standard laparotomy (SL) has been established, recent civilian and military reports have questioned the advisability of this technique in the patient requiring damage control laparotomy (DL). We hypothesized that, even in the high-risk DL group, primary repair could be safely used after patient stabilization and that the open abdomen would facilitate the safety of this procedure. METHODS: All patients admitted to our level 1 trauma center with a colon injury over a 7-year period were reviewed from a prospectively collected database. Patients were categorized as having undergone either SL or DL at initial operation. Primary variables of interest were as follows: injury patterns; method of primary repair (suture repair, resection and primary anastomosis, resection and delayed anastomosis); diversion techniques (planned diversion or diversion for anastomotic dehiscence); and colon-related morbidity and mortality. High-risk status in the DL group was identified by the following physiologic variables: mean injury severity score (ISS), red blood cell (RBC) transfusions, ventilator days, and intensive care unit (ICU) duration of stay. RESULTS: During the study period, 309 patients had colonic wounds identified at laparotomy. Of these 309 patients, 280 (91%) underwent SL, of which 277 (98.9%) had primary colonic repair/anastomosis. In the SL group, 1 (0.3%) patient required diversion for subsequent leak and 2 (0.6%) patients had planned diversion The remaining 29 hemodynamically unstable patients required DL. Mean +/- standard deviation indices of injury severity in this group included: ISS = 36.2 +/- 15.8, RBC = 28.7 +/- 25.4 units, ventilator days = 20.1 +/- 16.3, ICU duration of stay = 29.5 +/- 21.6 days. Of the 29 patients in the DL group, 21 (72%) had bowel continuity successfully reestablished in 2.6 +/- 2 days after initial attempts at primary suture repair or resection/anastomosis. A total of 4 (16.6%) patients in this group developed colon-related complications, 3 of whom were treated with subsequent diversion before definitive abdominal closure. One patient developed a late leak. (day 43). Another 4 (13.8%) patients had planned diversion for injuries that were considered to be high risk for leak at subsequent reexploration. There were no colon-related deaths in either group. CONCLUSION: Primary repair of colon injuries appears safe in the majority of patients after DL. Although it is associated with a higher leak rate than SL, the open abdomen affords careful inspection of abdominal contents at reexploration to identify patients who require subsequent diversion.

Rapid thrombelastography (r-TEG) identifies hypercoagulability and predicts thromboembolic events in surgical patients.

BACKGROUND: Despite routine prophylaxis, thromboembolic events (TEs) in surgical patients remain a substantial problem. Furthermore, the timing and incidence of hypercoagulability, which predisposes to these events is unknown, with institutional screening programs serving primarily to establish a diagnosis after an event has occurred. Emerging evidence suggests that point of care (POC) rapid thrombelastography (r-TEG) provides a real-time analysis of comprehensive thrombostatic function, which represents an analysis of both enzymatic and platelet components of thrombus formation. We hypothesized that r-TEG can be used as a screening tool to identify hypercoagulable states in surgical patients and would predict subsequent thromboembolic events. METHODS: Rapid thrombelastography r-TEG analyses were performed on 152 critically ill patients in the surgical intensive care unit (ICU) during 7 months. Hypercoagulability was defined as clot strength (G)>12.4 dynes/cm(2). Variables of interest for identifying hypercoagulability and thromboembolic events included sex, age, operating hospital service, specific injury patterns, injury severity score (ISS), transfusion within first 24 h, ICU duration of stay, ventilator days, hospital admission days, and thromboprophylaxis. Comparisons between the hypercoagulable and normal groups or between the groups with and without thromboembolic events were performed using Chi-square tests or the Fisher exact test for categorical variables and independent sample t tests or Wilcoxon rank sum tests for continuous variables. Multivariate logistic regression analysis (LR) was performed to identify independent predictors of thromboembolic events. A receiver operating characteristic curve was used to measure the performance of G for predicting the occurrence of a TE event. All tests were 2-sided with significance of P < .05. RESULTS: In all, 86 patients (67%) were hypercoagulable by r-TEG. More than 85% of patients in the hypercoagulable group and 79% in the normal group received thromboprophylaxis during the study period. The differences between hypercoagulable and normal groups by bivariate analysis included high-risk injuries (52% vs 35%; P = .03), spinal cord injury (27% vs 12%; P = .03), median ICU duration of stay (13 vs 7 days; P < .001), median ventilator days (6 vs 2; P < .001), and median hospital duration of stay (20 vs 13 days; P < .001). A total of 16 patients (19%) of the hypercoagulable group suffered a thromboembolic event, and 10 hypercoagulable patients (12%) had thromboembolic events predicted by prior r-TEG hypercoagulability. No patients with normal coagulability by r-TEG had an event (P < .001). LR analysis showed that the strongest predictor of TE after controlling for the presence of thromboprophylaxis was elevated G value (odds ratio: 1.25, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12-1.39). For every 1 dyne/cm(2) increase in G, the odds of a TE increased by 25%. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that the presence of hypercoagulability identified by r-TEG is predictive of thromboembolic events in surgical patients. Subsequent study is necessary to define optimal prophylactic treatment strategies for patients with r-TEG proven hypercoagulability.

Treatment for blunt cerebrovascular injuries: equivalence of anticoagulation and antiplatelet agents.

HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesize that the 2 antithrombotic treatment regimens, systemic heparin sodium vs antiplatelet agents, are equivalent for the treatment of blunt cerebrovascular injuries (BCVIs) to prevent devastating injury-related strokes. DESIGN: Retrospective review of a prospective database. SETTING: Level I trauma center. PATIENTS: Patients with BCVIs from January 1, 1997, to January 1, 2007. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence of cerebrovascular accident (CVA), stratified by treatment. RESULTS: During the study period, 422 BCVIs were identified in 301 patients (64.8% men; mean [SEM] age, 37.0 [0.8] years; mean [SEM] injury severity score, 27.0 [0.9]). A total of 22 patients presented with neurologic ischemia, and 5 patients sustained CVAs after embolization and/or stenting of an injury. Treatment was initiated for 282 asymptomatic BCVIs (heparin, 192; aspirin, 67; aspirin and/or clopidogrel, 23); 1 patient had a CVA (0.5%). Of 107 patients with untreated, asymptomatic BCVIs, 23 (21.5%) had a CVA. For untreated patients sustaining BCVI-related CVAs, the mean (SEM) time to diagnosis was 58 (10) hours. For those who did not exhibit symptoms within 2 hours of injury, mean time to diagnosis of CVA was 75 (11) hours. Injury healing rates (heparin, 39%; aspirin, 43%; aspirin/clopidogrel, 46%) and injury progression rates (12%; 10%; 15%) were equivalent between therapeutic regimens. CONCLUSIONS: With an overall CVA risk of 21% and a documented latent period, comprehensive screening, early diagnosis, and institution of antithrombotic therapy for BCVI are clearly warranted. The type of treatment, heparin vs antiplatelet agents, does not appear to affect either stroke risk or injury healing rates.

Noncitrated whole blood is optimal for evaluation of postinjury coagulopathy with point-of-care rapid thrombelastography.

INTRODUCTION: Progressive postinjury coagulopathy has become the fundamental rationale for damage control surgery, and the decision to abort operative intervention must occur prior to overt laboratory confirmation of coagulopathy. Current coagulation testing is most commonly performed for monitoring anticoagulation therapy, the results are delayed, and the applicability of these tests in the trauma setting is questionable. Point-of-care (POC) rapid thrombelastography (r-TEG) provides real time analysis of thrombostatic function, which may allow for accurate, goal directed therapy. The test differs from standard thrombelastography (TEG) because the clotting process and subsequent analysis is accelerated by the addition of tissue factor to the whole blood sample, but is limited by the requirement that the analysis be performed within 4 min of blood draw to prevent clot formation. Consequently, citrated specimens have been proposed to obviate this time limitation. We hypothesized that the speed of r-TEG analysis following tissue factor addition to citrated blood might compromise accurate determinations compared with noncitrated whole blood. Additionally, we sought to compare the use of r-TEG with conventional coagulation tests in analysis of postinjury coagulopathy. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of severely injured patients entered into our trauma database between January and June 2008 who were at risk for postinjury coagulopathy. Patients needed simultaneous conventional coagulation (INR, fibrinogen, platelet count) and r-TEG specimens with either fresh or citrated whole blood for inclusion in the study. kappa-Statistics were used to determine the agreement between the tests in predicting hypocoagulability. McNemar's chi(2) tests were used to compare theoretical blood product administration between r-TEG and conventional coagulation tests for noncitrated specimens. Therapeutic transfusion triggers were: INR (>1.5) and r-TEG ACT (>125 s) for FFP administration; fibrinogen (<133 mg/dL) and alpha-angle (<63 degrees ) for cryoprecipitate; and platelet count (<100K) and maximum amplitude (MA) (<52 mm) for aphaeresis platelets. Statistical significance was established as P<0.05 using two-sided tests. RESULTS: Forty-four patients met the inclusion criteria. kappa-Values (correlation) were higher in noncitrated versus citrated specimens for all comparisons between conventional and r-TEG tests, indicating better performance of r-TEG with the noncitrated specimens. FFP would have been administered to significantly more patients based on conventional transfusion triggers (61.5% by INR transfusion triggers versus 26.9% by r-TEG-ACT triggers, P=0.003). There was no statistically significant difference in potential cryoprecipitate or aphaeresis platelet administration. CONCLUSION: POC r-TEG is superior when performed with uncitrated versus citrated whole blood for evaluation of postinjury coagulation status. As a real time measure of total thrombostatic function, our preliminary data suggest that r-TEG may effectively guide transfusion therapy and result in reduced FFP administration compared with conventional coagulation tests.

Lower extremity compartment syndrome in the acute care surgery paradigm: safety lessons learned.

BACKGROUND: Prompt diagnosis and decompression of acute lower extremity compartment syndrome (LECS) in the multisystem injured patient is essential to avoid the devastating complications of progressive tissue necrosis and amputation. Despite collaborative trauma and orthopedic management of these difficult cases, significant delays in diagnosis and treatment occur. Periodic system review of our trauma and orthopedic data for complications of LECS led us to hypothesize that delayed diagnosis and limb loss were potentially preventable events in our trauma center. SETTING: Academic level 1 trauma center. METHODS: We performed a prospective review of our trauma registry for all cases of LECS over a 7 year period (2/98-10/2005). Variables reviewed included demographics, injury patterns, tissue necrosis, amputation and mortality. RESULTS: Eighty-three (10 female, 73 male) cases were reviewed. Mean age = 33.3 years (range 1-78). Mean ISS = 19.4, GCS = 12.5. Five (6.0%) had amputations; 7 (8.4%) died. Fractures occurred in 68.7% (n = 57), and vascular injuries were present in 38.6% (n = 32). In 7 patients (8.4%), a delayed compartment release resulted in muscle necrosis requiring multiple debridements, subsequent wound closure problems, and long term disability. Of note, none of these patients had prior compartment pressure measurements. Furthermore, 6 patients (7%) had superficial peroneal nerve transections as complications of their fasciotomy. CONCLUSION: In the multisystem injured patient, LECS remains a major diagnostic and treatment challenge with significant risks of limb loss as well as complications from decompressive fasciotomy. These data underscore the importance of routine surveillance for LECS. In addition, a thorough knowledge of regional anatomy is essential to avoid technical morbidity.