Predictors of initial management failure in traumatic hemothorax: A prospective multicenter cohort analysis.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic hemothorax is common, and management failure leads to worse outcomes. We sought to determine predictive factors and understand the role of trauma center performance in hemothorax management failure. METHODS: We prospectively examined initial hemothorax management (observation, pleural drainage, surgery) and failure requiring secondary intervention in 17 trauma centers. We defined hemothorax management failure requiring secondary intervention as thrombolytic administration, tube thoracostomy, image-guided drainage, or surgery after failure of the initial management strategy at the discretion of the treating trauma surgeon. Patient-level predictors of hemothorax management failure requiring secondary intervention were identified for 2 subgroups: initial observation and immediate pleural drainage. Trauma centers were divided into quartiles by hemothorax management failure requiring secondary intervention rate and hierarchical logistic regression quantified variation. RESULTS: Of 995 hemothoraces in 967 patients, 186 (19%) developed hemothorax management failure requiring secondary intervention. The frequency of hemothorax management failure requiring secondary intervention increased from observation to pleural drainage to surgical intervention (12%, 22%, and 35%, respectively). The number of ribs fractured (odds ratio 1.12 per fracture; 95% confidence interval 1.00-1.26) and pulmonary contusion (odds ratio 2.25, 95% confidence interval 1.03-4.91) predicted hemothorax management failure requiring secondary intervention in the observation subgroup, whereas chest injury severity (odds ratio 1.58; 95% confidence interval 1.17-2.12) and initial hemothorax volume evacuated (odds ratio 1.10 per 100 mL; 95% confidence interval 1.05-1.16) predicted hemothorax management failure requiring secondary intervention after pleural drainage. After adjusting for patient characteristics in the logistic regression model for hemothorax management failure requiring secondary intervention, patients treated at high hemothorax management failure requiring secondary intervention trauma centers were 6 times more likely to undergo an intervention after initial hemothorax management failure than patients treated in low hemothorax management failure requiring secondary intervention trauma centers (odds ratio 6.18, 95% confidence interval 3.41-11.21). CONCLUSION: Failure of initial management of traumatic hemothorax is common and highly variable across trauma centers. Assessing patient selection for a given management strategy and center-level practices represent opportunities to improve outcomes from traumatic hemothorax.

Predictors of retained hemothorax in trauma: Results of an Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma multi-institutional trial.

BACKGROUND: The natural history of traumatic hemothorax (HTX) remains unclear. We aimed to describe outcomes of HTX following tube thoracostomy drainage and to delineate factors that predict progression to a retained hemothorax (RH). We hypothesized that initial large-volume HTX predicts the development of an RH. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, observational, multi-institutional study of adult trauma patients diagnosed with an HTX identified on computed tomography (CT) scan with volumes calculated at time of diagnosis. All patients were managed with tube thoracostomy drainage within 24 hours of presentation. Retained hemothorax was defined as blood-density fluid identified on follow-up CT scan or need for additional intervention after initial tube thoracostomy placement for HTX. RESULTS: A total of 369 patients who presented with an HTX initially managed with tube thoracostomy drainage were enrolled from 17 trauma centers. Retained hemothorax was identified in 106 patients (28.7%). Patients with RH had a larger median (interquartile range) HTX volume on initial CT compared with no RH (191 [48-431] mL vs. 88 [35-245] mL, p = 0.013) and were more likely to be older with a higher burden of thoracic injury. After controlling for significant differences between groups, RH was independently associated with a larger HTX on presentation, with a 15% increase in risk of RH for each additional 100 mL of HTX on initial CT imaging (odds ratio, 1.15; 95% confidence interval, 1.08-1.21; p < 0.001). Patients with an RH also had higher rates of pneumonia and longer hospital length of stay than those with successful initial management. Retained hemothorax was also associated with worse functional outcomes at discharge and first outpatient follow-up. CONCLUSION: Larger initial HTX volumes are independently associated with RH, and unsuccessful initial management with tube thoracostomy is associated with worse patient outcomes. Future studies should use this experience to assess a range of options for reducing the risk of unsuccessful initial management. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic/care management study, level III.

Permissive hypotension does not reduce regional organ perfusion compared to normotensive resuscitation: animal study with fluorescent microspheres.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to investigate regional organ perfusion acutely following uncontrolled hemorrhage in an animal model that simulates a penetrating vascular injury and accounts for prehospital times in urban trauma. We set forth to determine if hypotensive resuscitation (permissive hypotension) would result in equivalent organ perfusion compared to normotensive resuscitation. METHODS: Twenty four (n=24) male rats randomized to 4 groups: Sham, No Fluid (NF), Permissive Hypotension (PH) (60% of baseline mean arterial pressure - MAP), Normotensive Resuscitation (NBP). Uncontrolled hemorrhage caused by a standardised injury to the abdominal aorta; MAP was monitored continuously and lactated Ringer's was infused. Fluorimeter readings of regional blood flow of the brain, heart, lung, kidney, liver, and bowel were obtained at baseline and 85 minutes after hemorrhage, as well as, cardiac output, lactic acid, and laboratory tests; intra-abdominal blood loss was assessed. Analysis of variance was used for comparison. RESULTS: Intra-abdominal blood loss was higher in NBP group, as well as, lower hematocrit and hemoglobin levels. No statistical differences in perfusion of any organ between PH and NBP groups. No statistical difference in cardiac output between PH and NBP groups, as well as, in lactic acid levels between PH and NBP. NF group had significantly higher lactic acidosis and had significantly lower organ perfusion. CONCLUSIONS: Hypotensive resuscitation causes less intra-abdominal bleeding than normotensive resuscitation and concurrently maintains equivalent organ perfusion. No fluid resuscitation reduces intra-abdominal bleeding but also significantly reduces organ perfusion.

A technical modification for percutaneous tracheostomy: prospective case series study on one hundred patients.

The purpose of this study is to describe a technical modification of percutaneous tracheostomy that combines principles of the Percu Twist™ and the Griggs-Portex® methods in a reusable kit. One hundred patients underwent the procedure. There were no false passage, tube misplacement, or deaths related to the procedure. There were two minor bleedings managed conservatively. The technical modification described in this study is safe and simple to execute.

Cobertura temporária da cavidade abdominal com curativo a vácuo / Vacuum pack technique for temporary abdominal wound closure

OBJETIVO: Descrever técnica de curativo para cobertura temporária da cavidade abdominal que utiliza sistema de vácuo. MÉTODO: A técnica foi aplicada em 12 pacientes. Inicialmente coloca-se sobre a laparostomia a bolsa plástica fenestrada, em seguida a primeira camada de compressas. Sobre esta, coloca-se o tubo de látex. Este é recoberto por outra camada de compressas as quais são fixadas sobre o curativo com o campo cirúrgico auto-aderente. O tubo de látex é conectado ao sistema de vácuo com pressão de -10 a -50 mmHg. Trocam-se os curativos a cada 12 horas. Material utilizado bolsa plástica de solução salina, compressas cirúrgicas, tubo de látex, campo cirúrgico auto-aderente de 50cm x 30cm e vácuo do sistema de gases hospitalares. RESULTADOS:A peritonite grave foi a indicação mais freqüente para laparostomia, seguida da síndrome de compartimento abdominal. Fechamento definitivo da cavidade abdominal foi possível em oito pacientes (67 por cento) em média após 11 dias (9 a 21 dias) da laparostomia. Não houve complicações associadas ao método. O custo diário aproximado do curativo foi de R$ 50,00. CONCLUSÃO: O curativo a vácuo proporcionou boa contenção das vísceras abdominais, controlou o extravasamento de secreções e o edema. Permitiu o fechamento definitivo da cavidade abdominal na maioria dos casos e foi de baixo custo.

BACKGROUND: We describe a vacuum pack technique for a temporary abdominal wound closure. METHODS: The vacuum pack materials were a plastic sheet, laparotomy pads, latex tube, 50cm x 30cm adhesive-backed plastic, and a vacuum source. Twelve patients underwent the procedure as follows: we cut several slits in the plastic sheet, which is applied directly over the abdominal contents. We put laparotomy pads over the plastic sheet, and then a latex tube is placed over the laparotomy pads. Another layer of laparotomy pads is placed over the latex tube, which is stuck by an adhesive-backed plastic. We connect the tube to a vacuum source with negative pressure between -10 to -50 mmHg. The pack is changed every 12 hours. RESULTS: Severe peritonitis was the most common indication followed by the abdominal compartment syndrome. Definitive abdominal closure was performed in eight patients (67 percent) after an average of 11 days (9 to 21 days) from the first day of laparostomy. There were no complications directly associated with the method. Daily cost was approximately R$ 50.00. CONCLUSION: The vacuum pack kept the underlying abdominal viscera secure beneath the dressing; in addition, it controlled fluid leakage and edema. Definitive abdominal wound closure was possible in the majority of the patients. This was achieved at a reasonable financial cost.

Systemic inflammatory response secondary to abdominal compartment syndrome: stage for multiple organ failure.

BACKGROUND: The abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of postinjury multiple organ failure. The ACS is defined as intra-abdominal hypertension causing adverse physiologic response. This study was designed to determine the effects of IAH on the production of interleukin-1b (IL-1beta), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha), and the effects on remote organ injury. METHODS: IAH was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats which were divided into 5 groups, 10 animals each. Intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) was increased to 20 mm Hg for 60 and 90 minutes in two different groups. In a third group following IAP of 20 mm Hg the abdomen was decompressed for 30 minutes before samples were collected. The other animals were used as controls. Hemodynamic response was monitored throughout the procedure. Cytokine levels were assessed in the plasma. Remote organ injury was assessed by histopathology and myeloperoxidase activity. RESULTS: IAH caused a significant decrease in MAP. After abdominal decompression MAP returned to baseline levels. A significant decrease in arterial pH was also noted. Increase in the levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6 was noted 30 minutes after abdominal decompression. Plasma concentration of IL-1b was elevated after 60 minutes of IAH. Abdominal decompression, however, did not cause a significant increase in the levels of this cytokine. Lung neutrophil accumulation was significantly elevated only after abdominal decompression. Histopathological findings showed intense pulmonary inflammatory infiltration including atelectasis and alveolar edema. CONCLUSIONS: IAH provokes the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines which may serve as a second insult for the induction of MOF.