Exploring changes in violence across two waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in Richmond, VA.

The first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic carried with it an increase in violence in the United States and abroad. The proportion of violence cases involving firearms also increased during this time, yet little research has examined these effects using data from the second wave of COVID infections. Explanations for these documented increases in gun violence put forward by scholars include increased firearm purchases, alcohol consumption, unemployment, and organized crime activity. The current work examined these trends in Richmond, VA. We collected data on patients (N = 1744) presenting with violent injuries from 2018 to 2022 from the emergency department of a Level-1 Trauma Center in Richmond, VA. Data were coded on the basis of whether they presented before the pandemic, during the first wave, or during the second wave. Logistic binomial regressions revealed that the risk of gunshot wounds increased by 32% during the first wave and 44% during the second wave, relative to the pre-COVID period, but that the increase between the first and second wave was not significant. These findings held after controlling for victim age, race, sex, and injury severity. Further analyses revealed that these effects were specific to violent injury, as we found no increase in firearm use among self-injury cases. The heightened violence reported during the COVID-19 pandemic was also observed in Richmond, VA. Gun violence in particular increased over time as other forms of violence (i.e., assaults, stabbings, and self-harm) decreased.

A randomized trial comparing the intraoperative durability of double-gloving with Biogel® surgical gloves to 3 comparators.

Objective: To determine and compare the intraoperative durability of 4 major surgical glove brands. Design Setting and Participants: This study is a randomized open-label clinical trial in which surgical gloves from 4 manufacturers are randomized to 5 surgical subspecialty study groups: (1) orthopedic surgery, (2) neurosurgery, (3) colorectal surgery, (4) trauma or acute general surgery, and (5) cardiac and plastic surgeries. The study was divided into 10 periods, with a cross-over design, and was conducted at a tertiary care academic medical center. Participants were licensed and certified physicians, physicians-in-training, scrub nurses, or technicians working within the sterile field. Interventions: Participants from each study group were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 surgical glove manufacturer types and subsequently rotated through the other 3 glove brands such that each participant acted as their own control in the sequential cross-over design. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was to determine and compare the intraoperative failure rate of Biogel® Sterile Surgical undergloves against sterile surgical undergloves from 3 other manufacturers, both as a combined competitor group and individually. Results: There were no differences between brands with respect to the primary outcome of underglove intraoperative failures. Brand 1 wearers were slightly more likely to detect glove failures when they occurred. Conclusion: The durability of surgical gloves intraoperatively is similar across 4 major glove manufacturers. Detection of intraoperative failures is infrequent, though specific glove characteristics may promote enhanced detection. Recognition of glove perforations intraoperatively is important in the maintenance of a maximally sterile field. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03344354.

Propensity weighted analysis of chemical venous thromboembolism prophylaxis agents in isolated severe traumatic brain injury: An EAST sponsored multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: In patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), clinicians must balance preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE) with the risk of intracranial hemorrhagic expansion (ICHE). We hypothesized that low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) would not increase risk of ICHE or VTE as compared to unfractionated heparin (UH) in patients with severe TBI. METHODS: Patients ≥ 18 years of age with isolated severe TBI (AIS ≥ 3), admitted to 24 level I and II trauma centers between January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2020 and who received subcutaneous UH and LMWH injections for chemical venous thromboembolism prophylaxis (VTEP) were included. Primary outcomes were VTE and ICHE after VTEP initiation. Secondary outcomes were mortality and neurosurgical interventions. Entropy balancing (EBAL) weighted competing risk or logistic regression models were estimated for all outcomes with chemical VTEP agent as the predictor of interest. RESULTS: 984 patients received chemical VTEP, 482 UH and 502 LMWH. Patients on LMWH more often had pre-existing conditions such as liver disease (UH vs LMWH 1.7 % vs. 4.4 %, p = 0.01), and coagulopathy (UH vs LMWH 0.4 % vs. 4.2 %, p < 0.001). There were no differences in VTE or ICHE after VTEP initiation. There were no differences in neurosurgical interventions performed. There were a total of 29 VTE events (3 %) in the cohort who received VTEP. A Cox proportional hazards model with a random effect for facility demonstrated no statistically significant differences in time to VTE across the two agents (p = 0.44). The LMWH group had a 43 % lower risk of overall ICHE compared to the UH group (HR = 0.57: 95 % CI = 0.32-1.03, p = 0.062), however was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: In this multi-center analysis, patients who received LMWH had a decreased risk of ICHE, with no differences in VTE, ICHE after VTEP initiation and neurosurgical interventions compared to those who received UH. There were no safety concerns when using LMWH compared to UH. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, Therapeutic Care Management.

Early surgical stabilization of rib fractures for flail chest is associated with improved patient outcomes: An ACS-TQIP review.

BACKGROUND: Rib fractures are a common in thoracic trauma. Increasingly, patients with flail chest are being treated with surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF). We performed a retrospective review of the Trauma Quality Improvement Program database to determine if there was a difference in outcomes between patients undergoing early SSRF (≤3 days) versus late SSRF (>3 days). METHODS: Patients with flail chest in Trauma Quality Improvement Program were identified by CPT code, assessing those who underwent SSRF between 2017 and 2019. We excluded those younger than 18 years and Abbreviated Injury Scale head severity scores greater than 3. Patients were grouped based on SSRF before and after hospital Day 3. These patients were case matched based on age, Injury Severity Score, Abbreviated Injury Scale head and chest, body mass index, Glasgow Coma Scale, and five modified frailty index. All data were examined using χ2, one-way analysis of variance, and Fisher's exact test within SPSS version 28.0. RESULTS: For 3 years, 20,324 patients were noted to have flail chest, and 3,345 (16.46%) of these patients underwent SSRF. After case matching, 209 patients were found in each group. There were no significant differences between reported major comorbidities. Patients with early SSRF had fewer unplanned intubations (6.2% vs. 12.0%; p = 0.04), fewer median ventilator days (6 days Q1: 3 to Q3: 10.5 vs. 9 Q1: 4.25 to Q3: 14; p = 0.01), shorter intensive care unit length of stay (6 days Q1: 4 to Q3: 11 vs. 11 Q1: 6 to Q3: 17; p < 0.01), and hospital length of stay (15 days Q1: 11.75 to Q3: 22.25 vs. 20 Q1: 15.25 - Q3: 27, p < 0.01. Early plating was associated with lower rates of deep vein thrombosis and ventilator-acquired pneumonia. CONCLUSION: In trauma-accredited centers, patients with flail chest who underwent early SSRF (<3 days) had better outcomes, including fewer unplanned intubations, decreased ventilator days, shorter intensive care unit LOS and HLOS, and fewer DVTs, and ventilator-associated pneumonia. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic/Care Management; Level IV.

Optimizing Transitions of Care and Enhancing Surgical Education on Acute Care Surgery: A Multi-Institutional Survey Study.

OBJECTIVE: Critically ill and injured patients are routinely managed on the Trauma and Acute Care Surgery (ACS) service and receive care from numerous residents during hospital admission. The Clinical Learning Environment Review (CLER) program established by the ACGME identified variability in resident transitions of care (TC) while observing quality care and patient safety concerns. The aim of our multi-institutional study was to review surgical trainees' impressions of a specialty-specific handoff format in order to optimize patient care and enhance surgical education on the ACS service. DESIGN: A survey study was conducted with a voluntary electronic 20-item questionnaire that utilized a 5 point Likert scale regarding TC among resident peers, supervised handoffs by trauma attendings, and surgical education. It also allowed for open-ended responses regarding perceived advantages and disadvantages of handoffs. SETTING: Ten American College of Surgeons-verified Level 1 adult trauma centers. PARTICIPANTS: All general surgery residents and trauma/acute/surgical critical care fellows were surveyed. RESULTS: The study task was completed by 147 postgraduate trainees (125 residents, 14 ACS fellows, and 8 surgical critical care fellows) with a response rate of 61%. Institutional responses included: university hospital (67%), community hospital-university affiliate (16%), and private hospital-university affiliate (17%). A majority of respondents were satisfied with morning TC (62.6%) while approximately half were satisfied with evening TC (52.4%). Respondees believe supervised handoffs improved TC and prevented patient care delays (80.9% and 74.8%, respectively). A total of 35% of trainees utilized the open-ended response field to highlight specific best practices of their home institutions. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical trainees view ACS morning handoff as an effective standard to provide the highest level of clinical care and an opportunity to enhance surgical knowledge. As TC continue to be a focus of certifying bodies, identifying best practices and opportunities for improvement are critical to optimizing quality patient care and surgical education.

Early VTE prophylaxis in severe traumatic brain injury: A propensity score weighted EAST multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) are at high risk of venous thromboembolism events (VTE). We hypothesized that early chemical VTE prophylaxis initiation (≤24 hours of a stable head CT) in severe TBI would reduce VTE without increasing risk of intracranial hemorrhage expansion (ICHE). METHODS: A retrospective review of adult patients 18 years or older with isolated severe TBI (Abbreviated Injury Scale score, ≥ 3) who were admitted to 24 Level I and Level II trauma centers from January 1, 2014 to December 31 2020 was conducted. Patients were divided into those who did not receive any VTE prophylaxis (NO VTEP), who received VTE prophylaxis ≤24 hours after stable head CT (VTEP ≤24) and who received VTE prophylaxis >24 hours after stable head CT (VTEP>24). Primary outcomes were VTE and ICHE. Covariate balancing propensity score weighting was utilized to balance demographic and clinical characteristics across three groups. Weighted univariate logistic regression models were estimated for VTE and ICHE with patient group as predictor of interest. RESULTS: Of 3,936 patients, 1,784 met inclusion criteria. Incidences of VTE was significantly higher in the VTEP>24 group, with higher incidences of DVT in the group. Higher incidences of ICHE were observed in the VTEP≤24 and VTEP>24 groups. After propensity score weighting, there was a higher risk of VTE in patients in VTEP >24 compared with those in VTEP≤24 (odds ratio, 1.51; 95% confidence interval, 0.69-3.30; p = 0.307), however was not significant. Although, the No VTEP group had decreased odds of having ICHE compared with VTEP≤24 (odds ratio, 0.75; 95% confidence interval, 0.55-1.02, p = 0.070), the result was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: In this large multi-center analysis, there were no significant differences in VTE based on timing of initiation of VTE prophylaxis. Patients who never received VTE prophylaxis had decreased odds of ICHE. Further evaluation of VTE prophylaxis in larger randomized studies will be necessary for definitive conclusions. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Care Management; Level III.

Early video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for non-emergent thoracic trauma remains underutilized in trauma accredited centers despite evidence of improved patient outcomes.

PURPOSE: Thoracic injury is a major contributor to morbidity in trauma patients. There is limited data regarding practice patterns of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) across trauma-accredited hospitals in the United States. We hypothesized that early VATS remains underutilized affecting patient outcomes. METHOD: We evaluated a cohort of patients who underwent non-urgent thoracic surgical intervention for trauma from the ACS-TQIP database in 2017 excluding patients who were discharged within 48-h or died within 72-h. We selected patients who underwent partial lung resection and decortication to assess the effect of early (day 2-5) versus late VATS. Univariate followed by multivariate regression analyses were utilized to evaluate the independent impact of timing. RESULTS: Over 12 months, 997,970 patients were admitted to 850 trauma-accredited centers. Thoracic injury occurred in 23.5% of patients, 1% of whom had non-urgent thoracic procedures. A total of 406 patients underwent VATS for pulmonary decortication with/out partial resection, 39% were Early VATS (N = 159) compared to 61% late VATS (N = 247). Both groups had comparable demographics and comorbidities with exception of a higher ISS score in the late surgical group (17.9 ± 9.8 vs 14.9 ± 7.6, p < 0.01). The late VATS patients' group had higher rates of superficial site infection, unplanned intubation, and pneumonia. Early VATS was associated with shorter ICU stay and HLOS. Multivariate analysis confirmed the independent effect of surgical timing on postoperative complications and LOS. The conversion rate from VATS to thoracotomy was 1.9% in early group compared to 6.5%, p = 0.03. There was no difference in surgical pattern among participating facilities. CONCLUSION: Despite established practice guidelines supporting early VATS for thoracic trauma management, there is underutilization with less than half of patients undergoing early VATS. Early VATS is associated with improved patient outcomes.

Minimal Aortic Injury Detected on Computed Tomography Angiography during Initial Trauma Imaging: Single Academic Level 1 Trauma Center Experience.

BACKGROUND: Minimal aortic injury (MAI), a subtype of acute traumatic aortic injury, is being increasingly recognized with better imaging techniques. Given conservative management, the role of follow-up imaging albeit important yet has to be defined. METHODS: All trauma chest computed tomography angiographies (CTAs) at our center between January 2012 and January 2019 were retrospectively reviewed for presence of MAI. MAIs were generally reimaged at 24 to 72 hours and then at a 7- and 30-day interval. Follow-up CTAs were reviewed for stability, progression, or resolution of MAI, along with assessment of injury severity scores (ISS) and concomitant injuries, respectively. RESULTS: A total of 17,569 chest CTAs were performed over this period. Incidence of MAI on the initial chest CTA was 113 (0.65%), with 105 patients receiving follow-up CTAs. The first, second, third, and fourth follow-up CTAs were performed at a median of 2, 10, 28, and 261 days, respectively. Forty five (42.9%), 22 (21%), 5 (4.8%), and 1 (1%) of the MAIs were resolved by first, second, third, and fourth follow-up CTAs. Altogether, 21 patients showed stability (mean ISS of 16.6), and 11 demonstrated improvement (mean ISS 25.8) of MAIs. Eight patients had no follow-up CTA (mean ISS 21). No progression to higher-grade injury was observed. Advancing age decreased the odds of MAI resolution on follow-up. A possible trend (p-value 0.22) between increasing ISS and time to resolution of MAIs was noted. CONCLUSION: In our series of acute traumatic MAIs diagnosed on CTA imaging, there was no progression of injuries with conservative management, questioning the necessity of sequential follow-up imaging.

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.

Bronchoalveolar lavage in the diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia: to quantitate or not, that is the question.

Quantitative bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is used to diagnose ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). We prospectively compared semiquantitative (SQ) and quantitative (Qu) culture of BAL for VAP diagnosis. Ventilated patients suspected of VAP underwent bronchoscopic BAL. BAL fluid was examined by both Qu (colony-forming units [CFUs]/mL) and SQ culture (none, sparse, moderate, or heavy) and results were compared. VAP was defined as 105 CFU/mL or greater on Qu culture. Over 36 months, 319 BALs were performed. Sixty-three of 319 (20%) showed diagnostic growth by Qu culture identifying a total of 81 organisms causing VAP. All 63 specimens showed growth of some organism(s) on SQ culture with 79 of 81 causative organisms identified and two (Pseudomonas, one; Corynebacterium, one) not identified. The remaining 256 specimens did not meet the threshold for VAP by the Qu method. Among these, 79 did not show any growth on SQ culture. Among the 240 specimens showing some growth on SQ culture, a total of 384 organisms were identified. VAP rates in relation to strength of growth on SQ culture were: sparse, 10 of 140 (7%); moderate, 24 of 147 (16%); and heavy, 45 of 97 (46%). Sensitivity (Sn), specificity (Sp), positive (PPV), and negative (NPV) predictive values of SQ culture of BAL fluid for the diagnosis of VAP were 97, 21, 21, and 97 per cent, respectively. Nonquantitative culture of BAL fluid is fairly accurate in ruling out VAP (high Sn and NPV). It however has poor Sp and PPV and using this method will lead to unnecessary antimicrobial use with its attendant complications of toxicity, cost, and resistance.

Brief violence interventions with community case management services are effective for high-risk trauma patients.

BACKGROUND: Currently there are few data that brief violence intervention (BVI) and community case management services (CCMS) are effective for trauma patients admitted for interpersonal violence in terms of recidivism, service utilization, or alcohol abuse. The objective of this study is to assess outcomes for a cohort of young trauma patients in a prospective, randomized trial comparing BVI with BVI + CCMS. METHODS: Intentionally injured patients, aged 10 years to 24 years, admitted to a Level I trauma center were randomized to receive a brief in-hospital psychoeducational violence intervention alone (Group I) or in combination with a 6 months wraparound CCMS (Group II) that included vocational, employment, educational, housing, mental health, and recreational assistance. Recidivism, alcohol use, and hospital and community service utilization were assessed at 6 weeks (6W) and 6 months (6M). RESULTS: Seventy-five of 376 eligible injured patients were randomized into Group I and II. The two groups had similar demographics, injuries, and clinical outcomes. After discharge, percent clinic visits maintained was 57% in both the groups. Group II showed better hospital service utilization, CMS, and risk factor reduction at 6W and 6M. One patient in each group sustained a reinjury at 6M. CONCLUSIONS: In-hospital BVI with community wraparound case management interventions can improve hospital and community service utilization both short- and long-term for high-risk injured patients. Longer follow-up is needed to show sustained reduction.

Canadian Cervical Spine rule compared with computed tomography: a prospective analysis.

BACKGROUND: The Canadian cervical spine rule (CCS) has been found to be an effective tool to determine the need for radiographic evaluation of the cervical spine (c-spine) incorporating both clinical findings and mechanism. Previously, it has been validated only through clinical follow-up or selective use of X-rays. The purpose of this study was to validate it using computed tomography (CT) as the gold standard to identify fractures. METHODS: Prospective evaluation was performed on 3,201 blunt trauma patients who were screened by CCS and were compared with a complete c-spine CT. CSS positive indicated at least one positive clinical or mechanism finding, whereas CT positive indicated presence of a fracture. RESULTS: There were 192 patients with c-spine fractures versus 3,009 without fracture on CT. The fracture group was older (42.7 ± 19.0 years vs. 37.8 ± 17.5 years, p = 0.0006), had a lower Glasgow Coma Scale score (13.8 ± 4.2 vs. 14.4 ± 4.3, p < 0.0001), and lower systolic blood pressure (133.3 ± 23.8 mm Hg vs. 139.5 ± 23.1 mm Hg, p = 0.0023). The sensitivity of CCS was 100% (192/192), specificity was 0.60% (18/3009), positive predictive value was 6.03% (192/3183), and negative predictive value was 100% (18/18). Logistic regression identified only 8 of the 19 factors included in the CCS to be independent predictors of c-spine fracture. CONCLUSIONS: CCS is very sensitive but not very specific to determine the need for radiographic evaluation after blunt trauma. Based on this study, the rule should be streamlined to improve specificity while maintaining sensitivity.

National Emergency X-Radiography Utilization Study criteria is inadequate to rule out fracture after significant blunt trauma compared with computed tomography.

BACKGROUND: EAST guidelines now recommend computed tomography (CT) to evaluate cervical spine (c-spine) fractures after blunt trauma in patients who do not meet National Emergency X-Radiography Utilization Study criteria (NC), yet no imaging is required in those patients who do meet these criteria. NC are based on patients with both minor and severe (trauma team activation [TTA]) trauma. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the NC using CT as the gold standard in TTA patients. METHODS: We prospectively evaluated 2,606 blunt TTA patients at our Level I trauma center. NC defined as alertness (Glasgow Coma Scale [GCS] score = 15), evidence of intoxication, clinically distracting injury, midline c-spine tenderness, or neurologic deficits were documented. CT was used to determine the accuracy of these criteria. RESULTS: There were 157 patients with c-spine fractures and 2,449 patients without c-spine fractures. The fracture group was older (age, 43.4 years ± 19.3 years fracture group vs. 37.7 years ± 17.5 years no fracture group, p = 0.0003) with a lower GCS score (fracture group 13.7 ± 4.5 vs. no fracture group 14.4 ± 3.6, p = 0.0001) and initial systolic blood pressure (132.5 mm Hg ± 23.4 mm Hg vs. 139.9 mm Hg vs. 23.5 mm Hg, p = 0.0009). The sensitivity and specificity of clinical examination for all patients were 82.8% (130 of 157) and 45.7% (1,118 of 2,449), respectively. The positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were 8.9% (130 of 1,461) and 97.6% (1,118 of 1,145), respectively. Patients with a GCS score of 15 had a sensitivity of 77%, specificity of 52.3%, PPV of 8.5%, and NPV of 97.5% for clinical examination. In those patients with the GCS score of 15, no intoxication or distracting injury, clinical examination had a sensitivity of 59.4%, specificity of 79.5%, PPV of 12.5%, and NPV of 97.5%. Of 26 patients with missed injuries based on NC, 19 (73.1%) required further intervention (16 collars, 2 OR, 1 Halo). CONCLUSION: As in our previous trial, NC is inaccurate compared with CT to diagnose c-spine fractures in TTA patients. CT should be used in all blunt TTA patients regardless of whether they meet NC.

Ratification of IATSIC/WHO's guidelines for essential trauma care assessment in the South American region.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the usefulness of the International Association for Trauma Surgery and Intensive Care (IATSIC)/World Health Organization (WHO)'s Guidelines for Essential Trauma Care (EsTC Guidelines) in providing an internationally applicable and standardized template to assess trauma care capabilities in the South American Region. METHODS: Field assessment was conducted in seven provinces (urban and rural, pop. 2,239,509) and 24 facilities (5 large hospitals (LH); 15 small hospitals (SH); 4 basic hospitals (BH)) in Ecuador using EsTC criteria. A total of 260 individual items in Human Resources (HR- availability, clinical knowledge, skills) and physical resources (PR) were evaluated via inspection, review of local statistics, and administrative and staff interviews. EsTC was evaluated on a scale as follows: 0 (absent); 1(inadequate; < 50%); 2 (partly adequate > 50%); 3 (adequate-100%). RESULTS: 210,045 Emergency Department (ED) visits and 61,365 (29%) ED trauma visits were recorded (incidence rate 2,740/100,000 population). Deficits were noted in prehospital trauma care (inadequate coordination, communication), education and training (ATLS < 30%, TNCC 0%), facility based trauma care (poor physical resources [PR] and human resources [HR]), and quality assurance (1/27 hospitals). CONCLUSIONS: The IATSIC/WHO EsTC Guidelines provide a simple and useful template to assess trauma care capability in variable facilities and international settings, and they could serve as a valuable tool for trauma system development. Endorsement of EsTC Guidelines by the Panamerican Health Organization and lead trauma societies (the Panamerican Trauma Society) should be considered.

Do flexion extension plain films facilitate treatment after trauma?

We hypothesized that flexion extension (FE) films do not facilitate the diagnosis or treatment of ligamentous injury of the cervical spine after blunt trauma. From January 2000 to December 2008 we reviewed all patients who underwent FE films and compared five-view plain films (5 view) and cervical spine CTC with FE in the diagnosis of ligamentous injury. There were 22,929 patients with blunt trauma and of these, 271 patients underwent 303 FE films. Average age was 39.6 years, Injury Severity Score was 10.8, Glasgow Coma Score was 14.1, lactate was 2.6 mmol/L, and hospital length of stay was 6 days. Compared with FE, 5 view and CTC had a sensitivity of 80 per cent (8 of 10), positive predictive value of 47.1 per cent (8 of 17), specificity of 96.55 per cent (252 of 261), and negative predictive value of 99.21 per cent (252 of 254). For purposes of analysis, incomplete and ambiguous FE films were listed as negative; however, 20.5 per cent (62 of 303) were incomplete and 9.2 per cent (28 of 303) were ambiguous. Management did not change for the 2 patients with missed ligament injuries. The 303 studies cost $162,105.00 to obtain. FEs are often incomplete and unreliable making it difficult to use them to base management decisions. They do not facilitate treatment and may lead to increased cost and prolonged cervical collars.

Flexion-extension cervical spine plain films compared with MRI in the diagnosis of ligamentous injury.

The purpose of this study was to compare flexion-extension (FE) plain films with MRI as the gold standard in the diagnosis of ligamentous injury (LI) of the cervical spine after trauma. A retrospective review of patients sustaining blunt trauma from January 2000 to December 2008 (n = 22929) who had both FE and MRI of the cervical spine was performed. Two hundred seventy-one patients had 303 FE films. Forty-nine also had MRI. The average Injury Severity Score was 15.6 +/- 10.2, Glasgow Coma Scale was 13.8 +/- 3.5, lactate 2.2 +/- 1.7 mmol/L, and hospital stay of 8 +/- 11.2 days. FE failed to identify all eight LIs seen on MRI. FE film sensitivity was 0 per cent (zero of eight), specificity 98 per cent (40 of 41), positive predictive value 0 per cent (zero of one), and negative predictive value 83 per cent (40 of 48). Although classified as negative for purposes of analysis, FE was incomplete 20.5 per cent (62 of 303) and ambiguous 9.2 per cent (28 of 303) of the time. The charge of FE is $535 so $48150 (90 incomplete/ambiguous films) could have been saved by eliminating these films. FE should no longer be used to diagnose LI. Given the rare incidence of these injuries, MRI should be used when there is high clinical suspicion of injury.

Preservation of splenic immunocompetence after splenic artery angioembolization for blunt splenic injury.

BACKGROUND: Splenic artery angioembolization (SAE) is increasingly being used as an adjunct to nonoperative management for stable patients with blunt splenic injury (BSI). However, little is known about splenic immunocompetence after SAE. This study aims at assessing splenic immunocompetence after SAE for BSI. METHODS: Peripheral blood was obtained from BSI patients (n = 8) who had SAE >6 months prior. Splenic immunocompetence was assessed by isolating mononuclear cells and incubating with CD4 and CD45RA and CD45RO antibody to analyze the proportion of T-cells expressing CD4 receptor, or coexpressing CD4 and either CD45RA or CD45RO receptors. Cells were counted by fluorescence-activated cell sorting and compared with trauma patients that had splenectomy for BSI also >6 months prior (n = 4, negative controls) and normal healthy volunteers with intact spleens (n = 4, positive controls). RESULTS: The test was discriminatory for the asplenic state. %CD4 cells were significantly lower in splenectomized patients (16 ± 1) versus normal (40 ± 2), p < 0.05. This was due to significant decrease (8 ± 2 vs. 26 ± 4, p < 0.05) in %CD4CD45RA cells whereas the proportion of CD4CD45RO cells were maintained similar to normal. SAE patients had values (CD4, 36 ± 2, and CD4CD45RA, 24 ± 2) comparable to normal (p > 0.05) and significantly higher than splenectomized patients (p < 0.05). When the SAE group was subdivided into main (total, n = 4) and branch vessel (partial, n = 4) SAE, results were the same for both types of SAE. CONCLUSION: Splenic immune function, measured by T-cell subset, generated only in the presence of an immunocompetent spleen, is preserved after SAE for BSI, main or partial.

Triage of Patients With Rib Fractures : Patient's Age and Number Don't Tell the Whole Story.

BACKGROUND: Most triage guidelines for blunt chest wall trauma focus on advanced age and multiple fractured ribs to indicate a high-risk patient population that should be admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU). Overly sensitive ICU admission criteria, however, may result in overutilization of resources. We revised our rib fracture triage guideline to de-emphasize age and number of rib fractures, hypothesizing that we could lower ICU admission rates without compromising outcomes. METHODS: Patients admitted to our level 1 trauma center over 9 months after the institution of the revised guideline (N = 248) were compared with those admitted over 6 months following the original guideline (N = 207) using Fisher's exact and Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney tests, as appropriate. Univariate followed by multivariate analyses were performed to determine risk factors for complications. RESULTS: The ICU admission rate significantly decreased from 73% to 63% (P = .02) after the institution of the revised guideline, despite an increase in the patient's age and injury acuity of the cohort. There was no significant difference in respiratory complications, unplanned ICU admission rates, and overall mortality. Poor incentive spirometer effort (750 mL or less) and dyspnea in the trauma bay were the strongest predictors of an adverse composite outcome and prolonged hospital length of stay. DISCUSSION: A revised rib fracture triage guideline with less emphasis on the patient's age and the number of fractured ribs safely lowered ICU admission rates. Poor functional status rather than age and anatomy was the strongest predictor of complications and prolonged hospital stay.