Diagnostic accuracy of computed tomography findings for hollow viscus injuries following thoracoabdominal gunshot wounds.

BACKGROUND: Selective nonoperative management (SNOM) of abdominal gunshot wounds (GSWs) is increasingly used as computed tomography (CT) has become a diagnostic adjunct for the evaluation of intraabdominal injuries including hollow viscus injuries (HVIs). Currently, there is scarce data on the diagnostic accuracy of CT for identifying HVI. The purpose of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of different CT findings in the diagnosis of HVI following abdominal GSW. METHODS: This retrospective single-center cohort study was performed from January 2015 to April 2019. We included consecutive patients (≥18 years) with abdominal GSW for whom SNOM was attempted and an abdominal CT was obtained as a part of SNOM. Computed tomography findings including abdominal free fluid, diffuse abdominal free air, focal gastrointestinal wall thickness, wall irregularity, abnormal wall enhancement, fat stranding, and mural defect were used as our index tests. Outcomes were determined by the presence of HVI during laparotomy and test performance characteristics were analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 212 patients included for final analysis (median age: 28 years), 43 patients (20.3%) underwent a laparotomy with HVI confirmed intraoperatively whereas 169 patients (79.7%) were characterized as not having HVI. The sensitivity of abdominal free fluid was 100% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 92-100). The finding of a mural defect had a high specificity (99%, 95% CI: 97-100). Other findings with high specificity were abnormal wall enhancement (97%, 95% CI: 93-99) and wall irregularity (96%, 95% CI: 92-99). CONCLUSION: While there was no singular CT finding that confirmed the diagnosis of HVI following abdominal GSW, the absence of intraabdominal free fluid could be used to rule out HVI. In addition, the presence of a mural defect, abnormal wall enhancement, or wall irregularity is considered as a strong predictor of HVI. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic Test or Criteria; Level II.

"Safer at home": The effect of the COVID-19 lockdown on epidemiology, resource utilization, and outcomes at a large urban trauma center.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the entire global health care system. In California, because of a high burden of cases, a lockdown order was announced on March 19, 2020. This study investigated the impact of the lockdown on the epidemiology and outcomes of trauma admissions at the largest trauma center in Los Angeles. METHODS: A retrospective study comparing epidemiological and clinical characteristics and outcomes of trauma admissions during the lockdown period (March 20, 2020, to June 30, 2020) to a similar period in the previous year (March 20, 2019, to June 30, 2019) was performed. Data collection included demographics, mechanism of injury, prehospital transportation, substance use, injury severity, resource utilization, and outcomes. FINDINGS: There were 1,202 admissions during the lockdown period in 2020 and 1,143 during the same calendar period in 2019. Following the lockdown, there was a reduction in the automobile versus pedestrian admissions by 42.5%, motorcycle injuries by 38.7%, and bicycle accidents by 28.4% but no significant effect on the number of motor vehicle accident admissions. There was an increase in ground level falls by 32.5%, especially in the elderly group. The absolute number of gunshot wounds increased by 6.2% and knife injuries by 39.3%. Suicides increased by 38.5%. Positive testing for substance use increased by 20.9%. During the lockdown, patients suffered less severe trauma, with Injury Severity Score of <9 (p < 0.001), as well as less severe head (p = 0.001) and severe chest trauma (p < 0.001). Trauma deaths were reduced by 27.9%, and the crude overall mortality was significantly lower during the lockdown period (4.1% vs. 5.9%, p = 0.046). Intensive care unit admission rates, mechanical ventilation, and intensive care unit length of stay were all reduced. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 lockdown in 2020 had a significant effect on the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and critical care resource utilization of trauma admissions in a large academic trauma center. These findings may help in planning and optimization of hospital resources during the pandemic. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Epidemiological study, level III; Retrospective observational, level III.

Hybrid emergency room system improves timeliness of angioembolization for pelvic fracture.

BACKGROUND: Timely angioembolization (AE) is known to improve outcomes of patients with hemorrhage resulting from pelvic fracture. The hybrid emergency room system (HERS) is a novel trauma resuscitation room equipped with a computed tomography scanner, fluoroscopy equipment, and an operating room setup. We hypothesized that the HERS would improve the timeliness of AE for pelvic fracture. METHODS: A retrospective medical record review of patients who underwent AE for pelvic fracture at our institution from April 2015 to December 2018 was conducted. Patients' demographics, location of AE, Injury Severity Score, Revised Trauma Score, probability of survival by the trauma and injury severity score (TRISS Ps) method, presence of interventional radiologists (IRs) upon patient arrival, time from arrival to AE, and in-hospital mortality were analyzed. These data were compared between patients who underwent AE in the HERS (HERS group) and in the regular angio suite (non-HERS group). RESULTS: Ninety-six patients met the inclusion criteria. The HERS group comprised 24 patients, and the non-HERS group, 72 patients. Interventional radiologists were more frequently present upon patient arrival in the HERS than non-HERS group (IRs, 79% vs. 22%, p < 0.01). The time from arrival to AE was shorter in the HERS than non-HERS group (median [range], 46 [5-75] minutes vs. 103 [2-690] minutes, p < 0.01). There were no differences in the rate of in-hospital mortality (13% vs. 15%, p = 0.52) between the two groups. Survivors in the HERS group had a lower probability of survival by the trauma and injury severity score (median [range], 61% [1%-98%] vs. 93% [1%-99%], p < 0.01) than survivors in the non-HERS group. CONCLUSION: The HERS improved the timeliness of AE for pelvic fracture. More severely injured patients were able to survive in the HERS. The new team building involving the addition of IRs to the traditional trauma resuscitation team will enhance the benefit of the HERS. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, level IV.

Emergency trauma laparotomy and/or thoracotomy in the emergency department: risks and benefits.

BACKGROUND: It is not mandatory for Japanese trauma centers to have an operating room (OR) and OR team available 24 hours a day/7 days a week. Therefore, emergency laparotomy/thoracotomy is performed in the emergency department (ED). The present study was conducted to assess the safety of this practice. METHODS: The data were reviewed from 88 patients who underwent emergency trauma laparotomy and/or thoracotomy performed by our acute care surgery group during the period from April 2013 to December 2017. Operation was performed in the ED for 43 of 88 patients (51%, ED group), and in the OR for 45 of 88 patients (49%, OR group). The perioperative outcomes of the two groups were compared. RESULTS: Compared with the OR group, the ED group had a higher Injury Severity Score (30±15 vs. 13±10, p<0.01), greater incidence of blunt trauma (74% (32/43) vs. 36% (16/45), p<0.01), larger volume of red blood cell transfusion (18±18 units vs. 5±10 units, p<0.01), higher incidence of new-onset shock after sedation among patients who received sedation in the ED (59% (17/29) vs. 25% (6/24), p<0.01), and higher in-hospital mortality rate (49% (21/43) vs. 0, p<0.01). All five patients who underwent laparotomy followed by thoracotomy died in the ED; none of these patients underwent preoperative placement of resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA). Of the 21 patients in the ED group who died, 17 (81%) died immediately postoperatively; furthermore, 12 of the 22 patients who survived (55%) were not in shock prior to operation. DISCUSSION: Emergency trauma laparotomy and/or thoracotomy outcomes were related to injury severity. The resources for trauma operations in the ED seemed suboptimal. The outcome of trauma operations may be improved by reviewing the protocols for anesthetic care, and by the usage of REBOA rather than aortic cross-clamping. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.