Seizure Prophylaxis in Young Patients Following Traumatic Brain Injury.

Introduction: Phenytoin is one of the commonly used anti.seizure medications in nontraumatic seizures. However, its utility and safety in young patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) for the prevention of early-onset seizures (EOS) are debatable. We sought to explore the use of phenytoin as a seizure prophylaxis following TBI. We hypothesized that administering phenytoin is not effective in preventing EOS after TBI. Methods: This was a retrospective observational study conducted on adult TBI patients. EOS was defined as a witnessed seizure within a week postinjury. Data were compared as phenytoin versus no-phenytoin use, EOS versus no-EOS, and among TBI severity groups. Results: During 1 year, 639 TBI patients were included with a mean age of 32 years; of them, 183 received phenytoin as seizure prophylaxis, and 453 received no prophylaxis medication. EOS was documented in 13 (2.0%) patients who received phenytoin, and none had EOS among the nonphenytoin group. The phenytoin group was more likely to have a higher Marshall Score (P = 0.001), lower Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) (P = 0.001), EOS (P = 0.001), and higher mortality (P = 0.001). Phenytoin was administrated for 15.2%, 43.2%, and 64.5% of mild, moderate, and severe TBI patients, respectively. EOS and no-EOS groups were comparable for age, gender, mechanism of injury, GCS, Marshall Score, serum phenytoin levels, liver function levels, hospital stay, and mortality. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that low serum albumin (odds ratio [OR] 0.81; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.676.0.962) and toxic phenytoin level (OR 43; 95% CI 2.420.780.7) were independent predictors of EOS. Conclusions: In this study, the prophylactic use of phenytoin in TBI was ineffective in preventing EOS. Large-scale matched studies and well-defined hospital protocols are needed for the proper utility of phenytoin post-TBI.

Pre- and post-implementation protocol for non-operative management of grade III-V splenic injuries: An observational study.

Background: Grade (III-V) blunt splenic injuries (BSI) in hemodynamically stable patients represent clinical challenges for successful non-operative management (NOM). In 2014, Our institution proposed a treatment protocol requiring splenic angiography and embolization for stable, intermediate, and high-grade BSI. It also included a follow-up CT scan for grade III BSI. We sought to assess the success rate of NOM in treating intermediate and high-grade BSI, following a standardized treatment protocol at a level 1 trauma center. Methods: An observational retrospective study was conducted. Data of patients with BSI from June 2011 to September 2019 were reviewed using the Qatar National Trauma Registry. Patients' demographics, CT scan and angiographic findings, grade of splenic injuries, and outcomes were analyzed. The pre- and post-implementation of treatment protocol periods were compared. Results: During the study period, a total of 552 hemodynamically stable patients with BSI were admitted, of which 240 had BSI with grade III to V. Eighty-one patients (33.8%) were admitted in the pre-protocol implementation period and 159 (66.2%) in the post-protocol implementation period. The NOM rate increased from 50.6% in the pre-protocol group to 65.6% in the post-protocol group (p = 0.02). In addition, failure of the conservative treatment did not significantly differ in the two periods, while the requirement for blood transfusion dropped from 64.2% to 45.9% (p = 0.007). The frequency of CT scan follow-up (55.3% vs. 16.3%, p = 0.001) and splenic arterial embolization (32.7% vs. 2.5%, p = 0.001) in NOM patients increased significantly in the post-protocol group compared to the pre-protocol group. Overall mortality was similar between the two periods. However, hospital and ICU length of stay and ventilatory days were higher in the post-protocol group. Conclusions: NOM is an effective and safe treatment option for grade III-V BSI patients. Using standardized treatment guidelines for intermediate-to high-grade splenic injuries could increase the success rate for NOM and limit unnecessary laparotomy. Moreover, angioembolization is a crucial adjunct to NOM that could improve the success rate.

Intensive Care Physician-Led Clearance of the Cervical Spine: A Retrospective Review of the Utility of a Normal Cervical CT Scan for Safe Removal of Hard Collars by Critical Care Physicians.

Background: Cervical spine clearance in intubated patients due to blunt trauma remains contentious. Accumulating evidence suggests that a normal computed tomography (CT) cervical spine can be used to clear the cervical spine and remove the collar in unconscious patients presenting to the emergency department. However, whether this strategy can safely be employed by critical care physicians with intubated patients admitted to the trauma intensive care unit (TICU) with cervical collars in situ, has not been definitively studied. Methods: A retrospective review of 730 intubated victims of trauma who presented to the Level 1 Trauma center of a tertiary hospital was conducted. The rates of missed cervical injuries in patients who had their cervical collars removed by intensive care physicians based on a normal CT scan of the cervical spine, were reviewed. Secondary outcomes included rates of collar-related complications. Results: Three hundred and fifty patients had their cervical collars removed by Trauma ICU doctors based on a high-quality, radiologist-interpreted normal CT cervical spine. Seventy percent of patients were sedated and/or comatose at the time of collar removal. Fifty-one percent of patients had concomitant traumatic brain injury. The average GCS at time of collar removal was 9. The incidence of missed neurological injury discerned clinically at time of both ICU and hospital discharge was nil (negative predictive value 100%). The rate of collar-related complications was 2%. Conclusion: Cervical collar removal by intensive care physicians on TICU following normal CT cervical spine, is safe, provided certain quality conditions related to the CT scan are met. Not removing the collar early may be associated with increased complications. An algorithm is suggested to assist critical care decision-making in this patient cohort.

Efficacy and safety of the second in-hospital dose of tranexamic acid after receiving the prehospital dose: double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial in a level 1 trauma center.

BACKGROUND: Prehospital administration of tranexamic acid (TXA) to injured patients is increasing worldwide. However, optimal TXA dose and need of a second infusion on hospital arrival remain undetermined. We investigated the efficacy and safety of the second in-hospital dose of TXA in injured patients receiving 1 g of TXA in the prehospital setting. We hypothesized that a second in-hospital dose of TXA improves survival of trauma patients. METHODS: A prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized, clinical trial included adult trauma patients receiving 1 g of TXA in the prehospital settings. Patients were then blindly randomized to Group I (second 1-g TXA) and Group II (placebo) on hospital arrival. The primary outcome was 24-h (early) and 28-day (late) mortality. Secondary outcomes were thromboembolic events, blood transfusions, hospital length of stay (HLOS) and organs failure (MOF). RESULTS: A total of 220 patients were enrolled, 110 in each group. The TXA and placebo groups had a similar early [OR 1.000 (0.062-16.192); p = 0.47] and late mortality [OR 0.476 (95% CI 0.157-1.442), p = 0.18].The cause of death (n = 15) was traumatic brain injury (TBI) in 12 patients and MOF in 3 patients. The need for blood transfusions in the first 24 h, number of transfused blood units, HLOS, thromboembolic events and multiorgan failure were comparable in the TXA and placebo groups. In seriously injured patients (injury severity score > 24), the MTP activation was higher in the placebo group (31.3% vs 11.10%, p = 0.13), whereas pulmonary embolism (6.9% vs 2.9%, p = 0.44) and late mortality (27.6% vs 14.3%, p = 0.17) were higher in the TXA group but did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION: The second TXA dose did not change the mortality rate, need for blood transfusion, thromboembolic complications, organ failure and HLOS compared to a single prehospital dose and thus its routine administration should be revisited in larger and multicenter studies. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03846973.

Patterns and Effects of Admission Hyperglycemia and Inflammatory Response in Trauma Patients: A Prospective Clinical Study.

BACKGROUND: The constellation of the initial hyperglycemia, proinflammatory cytokines and severity of injury among trauma patients is understudied. We aimed to evaluate the patterns and effects of on-admission hyperglycemia and inflammatory response in a level 1 trauma center. We hypothesized that higher initial readings of blood glucose and cytokines are associated with severe injuries and worse in-hospital outcomes in trauma patients. METHODS: A prospective, observational study was conducted for adult trauma patients who were admitted and tested for on-admission blood glucose, hemoglobin A1c, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-18 and hs-CRP. Patients were categorized into four groups [non-diabetic normoglycemic, diabetic normoglycemic, diabetic hyperglycemic (DH) and stress-induced hyperglycemic (SIH)]. The inflammatory markers were measured on three time points (admission, 24 h and 48 h). Generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used to account for the correlation for the inflammatory markers. Pearson's correlation test and logistic regression analysis were also performed. RESULTS: During the study period, 250 adult trauma patients were enrolled. Almost 13% of patients presented with hyperglycemia (50% had SIH and 50% had DH). Patients with SIH were younger, had significantly higher Injury Severity Score (ISS), higher IL-6 readings, prolonged hospital length of stay and higher mortality. The SIH group had lower Revised Trauma Score (p = 0.005), lower Trauma Injury Severity Score (p = 0.01) and lower GCS (p = 0.001). Patients with hyperglycemia had higher in-hospital mortality than the normoglycemia group (12.5% vs 3.7%; p = 0.02). A significant correlation was identified between the initial blood glucose level and serum lactate, IL-6, ISS and hospital length of stay. Overall rate of change in slope 88.54 (95% CI:-143.39-33.68) points was found more in hyperglycemia than normoglycemia group (p = 0.002) for IL-6 values, whereas there was no statistical significant change in slopes of age, gender and their interaction. The initial IL-6 levels correlated with ISS (r = 0.40, p = 0.001). On-admission hyperglycemia had an adjusted odds ratio 2.42 (95% CI: 1.076-5.447, p = 0.03) for severe injury (ISS > 12) after adjusting for age, shock index and blood transfusion. CONCLUSIONS: In trauma patients, on-admission hyperglycemia correlates well with the initial serum IL-6 level and is associated with more severe injuries. Therefore, it could be a simple marker of injury severity and useful tool for patient triage and risk assessment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was registered at the ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT02999386), retrospectively Registered on December 21, 2016. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02999386 .

Occult Pneumothorax in Patients Presenting with Blunt Chest Trauma: An Observational Analysis.

Background: We aimed to assess the management and outcome of occult pneumothorax and to determine the factors associated with failure of observational management in patients with blunt chest trauma (BCT). Methods: Patients with BCT were retrospectively identified from the trauma database over 4 years. Data were analyzed and compared on the basis of initial management (conservative vs. tube thoracostomy). Results: Across the study period, 1928 patients were admitted with BCT, of which 150 (7.8%) patients were found to have occult pneumothorax. The mean patient age was 32.8 ± 13.7 years, and the majority were male (86.7%). Positive-pressure ventilation (PPV) was required in 32 patients, and bilateral occult pneumothorax was seen in 25 patients. In 85.3% (n = 128) of cases, occult pneumothorax was managed conservatively, whereas 14.7% (n = 22) underwent tube thoracostomy. Five patients had failed observational treatment requiring delayed tube thoracostomy. Pneumonia was reported in 12.8% of cases. Compared with those who were treated conservatively, patients who underwent tube thoracostomy had thicker pneumothoraxes and a higher rate of lung contusion, rib fracture, pneumonia, prolonged ventilatory days, and prolonged hospital length of stay. Overall mortality was 4.0%. The deceased had more polytrauma and were treated conservatively without a chest tube. Patients who failed conservative management had a higher frequency of lung contusion, greater pneumothorax thickness, higher Injury Severity Scores (ISS), and required more PPV. Conclusions: Occult pneumothorax is not uncommon in BCT and can be successfully managed conservatively with a close clinical follow-up. Intervention should be limited to patients who have an increase in size of the pneumothorax on follow-up or become symptomatic under observation. Patients who fail conservative management may have a greater pneumothorax thickness and higher ISS. However, large prospective studies are warranted to support these findings and to establish the institutional guidelines for the management of occult pneumothorax.

Postoperative complications of intestinal anastomosis after blunt abdominal trauma.

BACKGROUND: Intestinal disruption following blunt abdominal trauma (BAT) continues to be associated with significant morbidity and mortality despite the advances in resuscitation and management. We aim to analyze the management and postoperative outcomes of intestinal injuries secondary to blunt abdominal trauma. METHOD: We retrospectively reviewed all adult patients with intestinal injuries who underwent laparotomy for BAT between December 2008 and September 2015 at Level I trauma center. Data included demographics, mechanism of injury, site (small and large intestine), type of repair, (enterorrhaphy and resection with anastomosis), type of anastomosis (hand-sewn or stapled anastomoses), need for damage control laparotomy, postoperative complications, and mortality. Data were analyzed and compared for postoperative complications. RESULTS: A total of 160 patients with bowel injuries were included with mean age of 33 years, and 95.6% were males. Injuries involving small bowel, colon, and combined small and large bowel were found in 57.5%, 33.1%, and 9.4%, respectively, with only two duodenal and one rectal injury cases. There were 46.3% patients underwent debridement and primary closure, while 53.8% required resection with anastomosis. Anastomoses were side-to-side stapled in 79.1%, hand-sewn in 14.0%, and combination in 7.0% of patients. The overall postoperative complications (17.5%) in terms of wound infection (n = 16), intra-abdominal abscess (n = 13), and anastomotic leak (n = 13). There were two deaths occurred because of bowel injury complications. Need for blood transfusion, high serum lactate, number of re-laparotomies, and mortality were significantly associated with postoperative complications. On multivariate regression analysis, serum lactate (OR 1.27; 95% CI 1.01-1.60; p = 0.04) was found to be the independent predictor of postoperative complications. CONCLUSION: Repair of traumatic blunt bowel injury remains a surgical challenge.

Clinical Significance and Prognostic Implications of Quantifying Pulmonary Contusion Volume in Patients with Blunt Chest Trauma.

BACKGROUND Pulmonary contusion (PC) is the most frequent blunt chest injury which could be used to identify patients at high-risk of clinical deterioration. We aimed to investigate the clinical correlation between PC volume and outcome in patients with blunt chest trauma (BCT). MATERIAL AND METHODS BCT patients with PC were identified retrospectively from the prospectively collected trauma registry database over a 2-year period. Contusion volume was measured and expressed as percentage of total lung (CTCV) volume using three-dimensional reconstruction of thoracic CT images on admission. Data included patients' demographics, mechanism of injury (MOI) and injury severity, associated injuries, CTCV, mechanical ventilation, complications, and mortality. RESULTS A total of 226 BCT patients were identified to have PC with a mean age of 35.2 years. Motor vehicle crash (54.4%) and falls (16.4%) were the most frequent MOIs. Bilateral PC (61.5%) was more prevalent than right-sided (19.5%) and left-sided PC (19%). CTCV had a significant positive correlation with ISS; whereas, age and PaO2/FiO2 ratio showed a negative correlation (p<0.05 for all). The median CTCV was significantly higher in patients who developed in-hospital complications (p=0.02). A CTCV >20% was associated with increasedrisk of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), blood transfusion and prolonged mechanical ventilation. However, multiple linear regression analysis showed that CTCV alone was not an independent predictor of in-hospital outcomes. Presence of chest infection, CTCV, and Injury Severity Scores were predictors of ARDS. CONCLUSIONS Quantifying pulmonary contusion volume could allow identification of patients at high-risk of ARDS. CTCV has a significant correlation with injury severity in patients with BCT. Further prospective studies are needed to address the validity of CTCV in the patients care.