When public health crises collide: 5 years of pediatric firearm injury prevention opportunities.

Objectives: Prior publications on pediatric firearm-related injuries have emphasized significant social disparities. The pandemic has heightened a variety of these societal stresses. We sought to evaluate how we must now adapt our injury prevention strategies. Patients and methods: Firearm-related injuries in children 15 years old and under at five urban level 1 trauma centers between January 2016 and December 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Age, gender, race/ethnicity, Injury Severity Score, situation, timing of injury around school/curfew, and mortality were evaluated. Medical examiner data identified additional deaths. Results: There were 615 injuries identified including 67 from the medical examiner. Overall, 80.2% were male with median age of 14 years (range 0-15; IQR 12-15). Black children comprised 77.2% of injured children while only representing 36% of local schools. Community violence (intentional interpersonal or bystander) injuries were 67.2% of the cohort; 7.8% were negligent discharges; and 2.6% suicide. Median age for intentional interpersonal injuries was 14 years (IQR 14-15) compared with 12 years (IQR 6-14, p<0.001) for negligent discharges. Far more injuries were seen in the summer after the stay-at-home order (p<0.001). Community violence and negligent discharges increased in 2020 (p=0.004 and p=0.04, respectively). Annual suicides also increased linearly (p=0.006). 5.5% of injuries were during school; 56.7% after school or during non-school days; and 34.3% were after legal curfew. Mortality rate was 21.3%. Conclusions: Pediatric firearm-related injuries have increased during the past 5 years. Prevention strategies have not been effective during this time interval. Prevention opportunities were identified specifically in the preteenage years to address interpersonal de-escalation training, safe handling/storage, and suicide mitigation. Efforts directed at those most vulnerable need to be reconsidered and examined for their utility and effectiveness. Level of evidence: Level III; epidemiological study type.

Outcomes in Blunt vs Penetrating Pelvic Vascular Injuries.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to determine if there is a difference in outcomes for patients with blunt and penetrating vascular injuries of the pelvis. METHODS: Data were abstracted from the Trauma Quality Improvement Program database from 2011 to 2015. Patients >18 years with hypogastric, iliac, uterine, or ovarian arterial or venous injuries were included. Individuals with an AIS head or chest score >3 were excluded. RESULTS: Of the 2559 patients included, the mean age was 43 years (±19), 75.25% were male, and 32.6% had a comorbidity. 64.9% presented with blunt injury (mean ISS of 23 (±12)). 74.9% experienced a complication. The median hospital length of stay (LOS) and ICU LOS were 10 days and 4 days, respectively. 6.7% had an adverse discharge. Mortality occurred in 8.3%. On bivariate analysis, patients who sustained blunt trauma were older (51 vs 31 years), female (32.7% vs 10.1%), had a higher ISS (25.71 vs 17.65), and had a longer hospital LOS (16.65 vs 13.88). Patients with penetrating trauma had an increased chance of complications (78.4% vs 73.0%) and mortality (10.7% vs 7.0%). Multivariate analysis revealed in patients with blunt injuries have more complications (OR: 1.950 CI: 0.886-4.291 P = .097), a lower ISS (OR: 0.919, CI: 0.908-0.930, P < .001, were more likely to have an adverse discharge (OR: 2.05, CI: 1.62-2.60, P = .000), and had a higher risk of mortality (OR: 4.08 CI: 2.78-6.41 P < .000). CONCLUSION: Patients with blunt pelvic vessel injuries are at risk for an increased number of complications and have a higher risk of mortality. Those who survive are more likely to have an adverse discharge.

Initial Laboratory Values Can Predict Mortality in Burn Patients.

BACKGROUND: There are several burn scores used to predict mortality in burn patients. However, minimal data exists on the role of laboratory values in risk stratification. We hypothesized that laboratory derangements seen on admission can predict mortality in burn patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted on burn patients admitted to a busy Level 1 Trauma and Burn Center from 2013 to 2019. Data analysis included patients with partial or full thickness burns and a total body surface area (TBSA) burn greater than 15%. Exclusion criteria included patients presenting with electrical burns, non-thermal conditions (Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis, or soft tissue infections) or patients with significant polytrauma. RESULTS: 112 patients were included in the analysis. Admission phosphate, creatinine, albumin, and glucose levels were associated with mortality. There was a difference in serum phosphate (3.48 and 6.04 mg/dL), creatinine (0.85 and 1.13 mg/dL), albumin (3.26 and 2.3 mg/dL), and glucose (138 and 233 mmol/L) levels for survivors and non-survivors; respectively. There were increased mortality rates seen in patients presenting with abnormal serum levels compared to normal serum levels (Phosphate: 7.5% vs. 53.3%, creatinine: 13.5% vs. 38.9%, albumin: 38.5% vs. 8.10% and glucose: 10.1% vs. 31.6% (normal vs. abnormal; respectively)). Serum sodium, potassium, and hemoglobin levels had no association with mortality. DISCUSSION: Specific laboratory derangements seen on admission are associated with an increased risk for mortality. This can be used as a framework for future studies in risk stratification of burn victims.

Surgical stabilization versus nonoperative treatment for flail and non-flail rib fracture patterns in patients with traumatic brain injury.

PURPOSE: Literature on outcomes after SSRF, stratified for rib fracture pattern is scarce in patients with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI; Glasgow Coma Scale ≤ 12). We hypothesized that SSRF is associated with improved outcomes as compared to nonoperative management without hampering neurological recovery in these patients. METHODS: A post hoc subgroup analysis of the multicenter, retrospective CWIS-TBI study was performed in patients with TBI and stratified by having sustained a non-flail fracture pattern or flail chest between January 1, 2012 and July 31, 2019. The primary outcome was mechanical ventilation-free days and secondary outcomes were in-hospital outcomes. In multivariable analysis, outcomes were assessed, stratified for rib fracture pattern. RESULTS: In total, 449 patients were analyzed. In patients with a non-flail fracture pattern, 25 of 228 (11.0%) underwent SSRF and in patients with a flail chest, 86 of 221 (38.9%). In multivariable analysis, ventilator-free days were similar in both treatment groups. For patients with a non-flail fracture pattern, the odds of pneumonia were significantly lower after SSRF (odds ratio 0.29; 95% CI 0.11-0.77; p = 0.013). In patients with a flail chest, the ICU LOS was significantly shorter in the SSRF group (beta, - 2.96 days; 95% CI - 5.70 to - 0.23; p = 0.034). CONCLUSION: In patients with TBI and a non-flail fracture pattern, SSRF was associated with a reduced pneumonia risk. In patients with TBI and a flail chest, a shorter ICU LOS was observed in the SSRF group. In both groups, SSRF was safe and did not hamper neurological recovery.

Age itself or age-associated comorbidities? A nationwide analysis of outcomes of geriatric trauma.

PURPOSE: Geriatric trauma patients present physiological challenges to care providers. A nationwide analysis was performed to evaluate the roles of age alone versus age-associated comorbidities in the morbidity and mortality of elderly patients with blunt abdominal trauma (BAT). METHODS: Patients with BAT registered in the National Trauma Data Bank from 2013 to 2015 were analyzed using propensity score matching (PSM) to evaluate the mortality rate, complication rate, hospital length of stay (LOS), intensive care unit (ICU) LOS and ventilator days between young (age < 65) and elderly (age ≥ 65) patients. An adjusted multivariate logistic regression (MLR) model was also used to evaluate the effect of age itself and age-associated comorbidities on mortality. RESULTS: There were 41,880 patients with BAT during the study period. In elderly patients, the injury severity score (ISS) decreased with age, but the mortality rate increased inversely (from 5.0 to 13.5%). Under a similar condition and proportion of age-associated comorbidities after a well-batched PSM analysis, elderly patients had significantly higher mortality rates (8.0% vs. 1.9%, p < 0.001), higher complication rates (35.1% vs. 30.6%, p < 0.001), longer hospital LOS (8.9 vs. 8.1 days, p < 0.001), longer ICU LOS (3.7 vs. 2.7 days, p < 0.001) and more ventilator days (1.1 vs. 0.5 days, p < 0.001) than young patients. Furthermore, the MLR analysis showed that age itself served as an independent factor for mortality (odds ratio: 1.049, 95% CI 1.043-1.055, p < 0.001), but age-associated comorbidity was not. CONCLUSION: In patients with BAT, age itself appeared to have an independent and deleterious effect on mortality, but age-associated comorbidity did not.

The Windlass Tourniquet: Is It Taking the Wind Out of the "Stop the Bleed" Sails?

BACKGROUND: Civilians are often first-line responders in hemorrhage control; however, windlass tourniquets are not intuitive. Untrained users reading enclosed instructions failed in 38.2% of tourniquet applications. This prospective follow-up study replicated testing following Stop the Bleed (STB) training. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One and six months following STB, first-year medical students were randomly assigned a windlass tourniquet with enclosed instructions. Each was given one minute to read instructions and two minutes to apply the windlass tourniquet on the TraumaFX HEMO trainer. Demographics, time to read instructions and stop bleeding, blood loss, and simulation success were analyzed. RESULTS: 100 students received STB training. 31 and 34 students completed tourniquet testing at one month and six months, respectively. At both intervals, 38% of students were unable to control hemorrhage (P = 0.97). When compared to the pilot study without STB training (median 48 sec, IQR 33-60 sec), the time taken to read the instructions was shorter one month following STB (P <0.001), but there was no difference at 6 months (P = 0.1). Incorrect placement was noted for 19.4% and 23.5% of attempts at 1 and 6 months. Male participants were more successful in effective placement at one month (93.3% versus 31.3%, P = 0.004) and at six months (77.8% versus 43.8%, p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Skills decay for tourniquet application was observed between 1 and 6 months following STB. Instruction review and STB produced the same hemorrhage control rates as reading enclosed instructions without prior training. Training efforts must continue; but an intuitive tourniquet relying less on mechanical advantage is needed.

The tight rope act: A multicenter regional experience of tourniquets in acute trauma resuscitation.

BACKGROUND: As tourniquets have become more prevalent, device use has been questioned. This study sought to characterize the incidence, indication, and efficacy of tourniquet placement in acute trauma resuscitation. METHODS: Nine regional level 1 trauma centers prospectively enrolled for 12 months adult patients (18 years or older) who had a tourniquet placed. Age, sex, mechanism, tourniquet type, indication, applying personnel, location placed, level of occlusion, and degree of hemostasis were collected. Major vascular injury, imaging and operations performed, and outcomes were assessed. Analyses were performed with significance at p < 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 216 tourniquet applications were reported on 209 patients. There were significantly more male patients (183 [88%]) and penetrating injuries (186 [89%]) with gunshots being most common (127 [61%]). Commercial tourniquets were most often used (205 [95%]). Ninety-two percent were placed in the prehospital setting (by fire/paramedics, 56%; police, 33%; bystanders, 2%). The most common indications were pooling (47%) and pulsatile (32%) hemorrhage. Only 2% were for amputation. The most frequent location was high proximal extremity (70%). Four percent were placed over the wound, and 0.5% were distal to the wound. Only 61% of applications were arterial occlusive. Median application time was 30 minutes (interquartile range, 20-40 minutes). Imaging was performed in 54% of patients. Overall, 36% had a named arterial injury. Tourniquet application failed to achieve hemostasis in 22% of patients with a named vascular injury. There was no difference in hemostasis between those with and without vascular injury (p = 0.12) or between who placed the tourniquet (p = 0.07). Seventy patients (34%) required vascular operations. Thirty-four percent of patients were discharged home without admission. CONCLUSION: Discerning which injuries require tourniquets over pressure dressings remains elusive. Trained responders had high rates of superfluous and inadequate deployments. As tourniquets continue to be disseminated, emphasis should be placed on improving education, device development, and quality control. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic/Epidemiologic, Level III.

Pediatric Firearm-Related Injuries: Taking Kids Out of Harm's Way Begins with Targeted Prevention.

BACKGROUND: Firearm-related injury is a public health crisis and remains the 3rd most common cause of death from ages 1 15 years. By evaluating events surrounding such injuries, evidence-based intervention strategies efforts may be targeted to maximize impact. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed for firearm-related injuries in patients 15 years-old and under at an urban Pediatric Level 1 Trauma Center between January 2016 and December 2020. Age, gender, race/ethnicity, injury severity score (ISS), reported cause of injury, timing of injury around school and curfew, and mortality were evaluated. Medical Examiner data identified other deaths that occurred within the hospital's catchment area. RESULTS: There were 195 injuries including 14 from the Medical Examiner. Overall, 82.6% were male with median age of 14 years (range 1-15; IQR 13-15), and median ISS of 5 (IQR 1-10). African-American children comprised 74.9% of the cohort while only representing 35.9% of local schools. Intentional interpersonal injuries comprised 65.6%; 17.4% were bystanders; 7.2% were negligent discharges; and 0.5% suicide. Median age for intentional interpersonal injuries was 14 years (IQR 13-15) compared to 11 years (IQR 8-14, P = 0.03) for negligent discharges. Regarding timing, 6.9% of injuries occurred during school hours; 56.4% after school or during non-school days; and 36.7% were after legal curfew. Mortality rate was 17.4%. CONCLUSIONS: Firearm safety education and community-based violence intervention should start in the pre-teen years. Pediatric firearm-related injury prevention strategies must be multifaceted addressing structural racism, truancy, curfew violation, extra-curricular activities, childcare options, firearm safety education, violence reduction, suicide prevention, and recidivism.

Changes in trends during the COVID-19 lockdown: An urban, Level-1 trauma center's experience.

BACKGROUND: A community lockdown has a profound impact on its citizens. Our objective was to identify changes in trauma patient demographics, volume, and pattern of injury following the COVID-19 lockdown. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted at a Level-1 Trauma Center from 2017 to 2020. RESULTS: A downward trend in volume is seen December-April in 2020 (R2 = 0.9907). February through April showed an upward trend in 2018 and 2019 (R2= 0.80 and R2 = 0.90 respectively), but a downward trend in 2020 (R2 = 0.97). In April 2020, there was 41.6% decrease in total volume, a 47.4% decrease in blunt injury and no decrease in penetrating injury. In contrast to previous months, in April the majority of injuries occurred in home zip codes. CONCLUSIONS: A community lockdown decreased the number of blunt trauma, however despite social distancing, did not decrease penetrating injury. Injuries were more likely to occur in home zip codes.

Obesity May Require a Higher Level of Trauma Care: A Propensity-Matched Nationwide Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: Stable patients with less severe injuries are not necessarily triaged to high-level trauma centers according to current guidelines. Obese patients are prone to comorbidities and complications. We hypothesized that stable obese patients with low-energy trauma have lower mortality and fewer complications if treated at Level-I/II trauma centers. Methods: Blunt abdominal trauma (BAT) patients with systolic blood pressures ≥90mmHg, Glasgow coma scale ≥14, and respiratory rates at 10-29 were derived from the National Trauma Data Bank between 2013-2015. Per current triage guidelines, these patients are not necessarily triaged to high-level trauma centers. The relationship between obesity and mortality of stable BAT patients was analyzed. A subset analysis of patients with injury severity scores (ISS) <16 was performed with propensity score matching (PSM) to evaluate outcomes between Level-I/II and Level-III/IV trauma centers. Outcomes of obese patients were compared between Level-I/II and Level-III/IV trauma centers. Non-obese patients were analyzed as a control group using a similar PSM cohort analysis. Results: 48,043 stable BAT patients in 707 trauma centers were evaluated. Non-survivors had a significantly higher body mass index (BMI) (28.7 vs. 26.9, p < 0.001) and higher proportion of obesity (35.6% vs. 26.5%, p < 0.001) than survivors. After a PSM (1,502 obese patients: 751 in Level-I/II trauma centers and 751 in Level-III/IV trauma centers), obese patients treated in Level-I/II trauma centers had significantly lower complication rates than obese patients treated in other trauma centers (20.2% vs. 26.6%, standardized difference = 0.151). The complication rate of obese patients treated at Level-I/II trauma centers was 20.6% lower than obese patients treated at other trauma centers. Conclusion: Obesity plays a role in the mortality of stable BAT patients. Obese patients with ISS < 16 have lower complication rates at Level-I/II trauma centers compared to obese patients treated at other trauma centers. Obesity may be a consideration for triaging to Level-I/II trauma centers.

Outcome after surgical stabilization of rib fractures versus nonoperative treatment in patients with multiple rib fractures and moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (CWIS-TBI).

BACKGROUND: Outcomes after surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF) have not been studied in patients with multiple rib fractures and traumatic brain injury (TBI). We hypothesized that SSRF, as compared with nonoperative management, is associated with favorable outcomes in patients with TBI. METHODS: A multicenter, retrospective cohort study was performed in patients with rib fractures and TBI between January 2012 and July 2019. Patients who underwent SSRF were compared to those managed nonoperatively. The primary outcome was mechanical ventilation-free days. Secondary outcomes were intensive care unit length of stay and hospital length of stay, tracheostomy, occurrence of complications, neurologic outcome, and mortality. Patients were further stratified into moderate (GCS score, 9-12) and severe (GCS score, ≤8) TBI. RESULTS: The study cohort consisted of 456 patients of which 111 (24.3%) underwent SSRF. The SSRF was performed at a median of 3 days, and SSRF-related complication rate was 3.6%. In multivariable analyses, there was no difference in mechanical ventilation-free days between the SSRF and nonoperative groups. The odds of developing pneumonia (odds ratio [OR], 0.59; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.38-0.98; p = 0.043) and 30-day mortality (OR, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.11-0.91; p = 0.032) were significantly lower in the SSRF group. Patients with moderate TBI had similar outcome in both groups. In patients with severe TBI, the odds of 30-day mortality was significantly lower after SSRF (OR, 0.19; 95% CI, 0.04-0.88; p = 0.034). CONCLUSION: In patients with multiple rib fractures and TBI, the mechanical ventilation-free days did not differ between the two treatment groups. In addition, SSRF was associated with a significantly lower risk of pneumonia and 30-day mortality. In patients with moderate TBI, outcome was similar. In patients with severe TBI a lower 30-day mortality was observed. There was a low SSRF-related complication risk. These data suggest a potential role for SSRF in select patients with TBI. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, level IV.

Association between Torso Gunshot Wound Volumes of Trauma Centers and Outcomes of Torso Gunshot Wound Patients. A Propensity-Matched Nationwide Cohort Study.

Objective: The number and type of patients treated by trauma centers can vary widely because of a number of factors. There might be trauma centers with a high volume of torso GSWs that are not designated as high-level trauma centers. We proposed that, for torso gunshot wounds (GSWs), the treating hospital's trauma volume and not its trauma center level designation drives patient prognosis.Methods: The National Trauma Data Bank was queried for torso GSWs. The characteristics of torso GSWs in trauma centers with different volumes of torso GSWs were compared. The association between torso GSW volumes of trauma centers and the outcomes of torso GSWs were evaluated with propensity score matching (PSM) and multivariate logistic regression (MLR) analysis.Results: There were 618 trauma centers that treated 14,804 torso GSW patients in two years (2014-2015). In 191 level I trauma centers, 82 of them (42.9%, 82/191) treated <1 torso GSW per month. After well-balanced PSM, patients who were treated in higher volume trauma centers (≥9 torso GSWs/month) had a significantly lower mortality rate (7.9% vs. 9.7%). Patients treated in trauma centers with ≥9 torso GSWs/month had a 30.9% (odds ratio = 0.764) lower probability of death than if sent to trauma centers with <9 torso GSWs/month. Treatment in level I or II trauma centers did not significantly affect mortality.Conclusion: There is an uneven distribution of torso GSWs among trauma centers. Torso GSWs treated in trauma centers with ≥9 torso GSWs/month have significantly superior outcomes with regard to survival.

Severe burn injury: Body Mass Index and the Baux score.

OBJECTIVE: The revised Baux score (age total body surface area (TBSA) burned and inhalation injury)) is predictive of mortality in burn patients. Our study objective was to assess whether the addition of body mass index (BMI) to the revised Baux score would be of value. We posited that increasing BMI follows a pattern similar to age and TBSA in the revised Baux score after severe burn injury. METHODS: Patient data from the burn registry was queried for patients admitted between 1/1/2013 to 8/31/2019. Patients 12 years or older with a TBSA of 20% or greater burn were included. Inpatient outcomes were analyzed based on BMI. RESULTS: 56 of 1365 patients met inclusion criteria. Mean age of the study population was 48.25 years and 64.3% of patients were male. Median BMI was 25.8 and median TBSA was 26.5. Inhalation injury was present in 44.6% (25/56) of patients. Median hospital length of stay (LOS) and ICU LOS were 21.5 and 17 days respectively. On bivariate analysis, non-survivors had higher TBSA (41.5% vs 25.5%, p = 0.034), more inhalation injury (83.3%, 10/12 vs 34.8%, 15/43 p = 0.003) and higher complication rates (91.6%, 11/12 vs 59.1 %, 25/43, p = 0.043). Survivors also had higher BMI (28.2 vs 23, p = 0.003) and increased hospital LOS (24 vs 5.5, p = 0.003). Automatic model fit in binary logistic regression showed a negative relationship between BMI and mortality. CONCLUSION: We found a negative relationship between BMI and mortality. Pre-obesity appears to have a protective role, but BMI was not found to be a useful addition to the revised Baux score. Larger sample sizes may be of benefit a for a for a more definitive understanding of the role of BMI with regards to burn survival.

Heroes in crisis: Trauma centers should be screening for and intervening on posttraumatic stress in our emergency responders.

BACKGROUND: Emergency responders face a crisis of rising suicide rates, and many resist seeking help due to the stigma surrounding mental health. We sought to evaluate the feasibility of an urban trauma center to screen for posttraumatic stress (PTS) among emergency responders and to provide mental health services. METHODS: Paramedics, firefighters, law enforcement, and corrections officers involved with patients in the trauma unit were asked to complete the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) and Post-Traumatic Checklist for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-5 (PCL-5). Additional factors known to affect PTS were correlated: occupation, age, sex, years of service, marital status, children, and pets. Willingness and barriers to seeking interventions for PTS were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 258 responded: 36.7% paramedics, 40.2% law enforcement officers, 18.4% corrections officers, 0.8% firefighters, and 3.5% with multiple positions. Responders had a mean of 14.5 years of service (SD, 9.9 years). Mean PTGI and PCL-5 scores were 52.1 (SD, 25.1) and 17.2 (SD, 16.5), respectively. Overall, 24.7% had diagnostic PTS disorder with no difference seen in rates between professions. Of these, 80.7% had not sought care. Barriers included that they were not concerned (46%), did not recognize symptoms (24%), and were worried about consequences (20%). Concern over career advancement or losing one's job was the greatest barrier cited for seeking care. Among law enforcement, 47.7% were concerned that they would lose their ability to carry a firearm if they sought care for PTS. The PTGI score, divorce, and 46 years to 50 years were the only factors examined that correlated with increased PCL-5 score. There were 82.5% that felt the trauma center was the right place to screen and intervene upon PTS. CONCLUSION: Trauma centers are an ideal and safe place to both screen for PTS and offer mental health assistance. Comprehensive trauma-informed care by hospital-based intervention programs must expand to include emergency responders. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Epidemiological study type, Level II.

Patients With Combined Thermal and Intraabdominal Injuries: More Salvageable Than Not.

This study aims to better characterize the course and outcome of the uncommon subset of trauma patients with combined thermal and intraabdominal organ injuries. The National Trauma Data Bank was queried for burn patients with intraabdominal injury treated in all U.S. trauma centers from July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2015. General demographics, Glasgow coma scale (GCS), shock index (SI), Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) for burn, Injury Severity Score (ISS), blood transfusions, and abdominal surgery were evaluated. During the 5-year study period, there were 334 burn patients with intraabdominal injury, 39 (13.2%) of which received abdominal surgery. Burn patients who underwent operations had more severe injuries reflected by higher SI, AIS, ISS, blood transfusion, and worse outcomes including higher mortality, longer hospital and ICU length of stay, and more ventilator days compared to patients who did not undergo an operation. Nonsurvivors also exhibited more severe injuries, and a higher proportion received abdominal operation compared to survivors. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that GCS on arrival, SI, AIS, ISS, blood transfusion, and abdominal operation to be independent risk factors for mortality. Propensity score matching to control covariables (mean age, systolic blood pressure on arrival, GCS on arrival, SI, ISS, time to operation, blood transfusion, and comorbidities) showed that of trauma patients who received abdominal operation, those with concomitant burn injury exhibited a higher rate of complications but no significant difference in mortality compared to those without burns, suggesting that patients with concomitant burns are not less salvageable than nonburned trauma patients.

The scales of recovery: Balancing posttraumatic stress with resilience in the violently injured.

BACKGROUND: Community violence remains a clinical concern for urban hospitals nationwide; however, research on resilience and posttraumatic growth (PTG) among survivors of violent injury is lacking. This study intends to assess survivors of violent injury for resilience and PTG to better inform mental health interventions. METHODS: Adults who presented with nonaccidental penetrating trauma to an urban level 1 trauma center and were at least 1 month, but no more than 12 months, from treatment were eligible. Participants completed the Connor-Davidson Resiliency Scale, Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), Primary Care Posttraumatic Stress Disorder screen, and a community violence exposure screen. Additional demographic, injury, and treatment factors were collected from medical record. RESULTS: A total of 88 patients participated. The mean resiliency score was 83.2, with 71.1% scoring higher than the general population and 96.4% scoring higher than the reported scores of those seeking treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Participants demonstrated a mean PTGI score of 78 (SD, 20.4) with 92.4% scoring above the significant growth threshold of 45. In addition, 60.5% of patients screened positive for significant PTSD symptoms, approximately eight times higher than general population. Exposure to other traumatic events was high; an overwhelming 94% of participants stated that they have had a family member or a close friend killed, and 42% had personally witnessed a homicide. Higher resilience scores correlated with PTGI scores (p < 0.001) and lower PTSD screen (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Victims of violent injury experience a myriad of traumatic events yet are highly resilient and exhibit traits of growth across multiple domains. Resiliency can coexist with posttraumatic stress symptoms. Practitioners should assess for resiliency and PTG in addition to PTSD. Further investigation is needed to clarify the relational balance between resilience and posttraumatic stress. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Epidemiological study type, Level II.

Obesity is Associated with Worse Outcomes Among Abdominal Trauma Patients Undergoing Laparotomy: A Propensity-Matched Nationwide Cohort Study.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in abdominal trauma patients. The characteristics of abdominal trauma patients with poor outcomes related to obesity require evaluation. We hypothesize that obesity is related to increased mortality and length of stay (LOS) among abdominal trauma patients undergoing laparotomies. METHODS: Abdominal trauma patients were identified from the National Trauma Data Bank between 2013 and 2015. Patients who received laparotomies were analyzed using propensity score matching (PSM) to evaluate the mortality rate and LOS between obese and non-obese patients. Patients without laparotomies were analyzed as a control group using PSM cohort analysis. RESULTS: A total of 33,798 abdominal trauma patients were evaluated, 10,987 of them received laparotomies. Of these patients, the proportion of obesity in deceased patients was significantly higher when compared to the survivors (33.1% vs. 26.2%, p < 0.001). Elevation of one kg/m2 of body mass index independently resulted in 2.5% increased odds of mortality. After a well-balanced PSM, obese patients undergoing laparotomies had significantly higher mortality rates [3.7% vs. 2.4%, standardized difference (SD) = 0.241], longer hospital LOS (11.1 vs. 9.6 days, SD = 0.135), and longer intensive care unit LOS (3.5 vs. 2.3 days, SD = 0.171) than non-obese patients undergoing laparotomies. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity is associated with increased mortality in abdominal trauma patients who received laparotomies versus those who did not. Obesity requires a careful evaluation of alternatives to laparotomy in injured patients.

Missing expectations: Windlass tourniquet use without formal training yields poor results.

BACKGROUND: Despite significant attempts to educate civilians in hemorrhage control, the majority remain untrained. We sought to determine if laypersons can successfully apply one of three commercially available tourniquets; including those endorsed by the United States Military and the American College of Surgeons. METHODS: Preclinical graduate health science students were randomly assigned a commercially available windless tourniquet: SAM XT, Combat Application Tourniquet (CAT), or Special Operation Forces Tactical Tourniquet (SOFT-T). Each was given up to 1 minute to read package instructions and asked to apply it to the HapMed Leg Tourniquet Trainer. Estimated blood loss was measured until successful hemostatic pressure was achieved or simulated death occurred from exsanguination. Simulation survival, time to read instructions and stop bleeding, tourniquet pressure, and blood loss were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 150 students recruited, 55, 46, and 49 were randomized to the SAM XT, CAT, SOFT-T, respectively. Mean overall simulation survival was less than 66% (65%, 72%, 61%; p = 0.55). Of survivors, all three tourniquets performed similarly in median pressure applied (319, 315, and 329 mm Hg; p = 0.54) and median time to stop bleeding (91, 70, 77 seconds; p = 0.28). There was a statistical difference in median blood loss volume favoring SOFT-T (SAM XT, 686 mL; CAT, 624 mL; SOFT-T, 433 mL; p = 0.03). All 16 participants with previous experience were able to successfully place the tourniquet compared with 81 (62%) of 131 first-time users (p = 0.008). CONCLUSION: No one should die of extremity hemorrhage, and civilians are our first line of defense. We demonstrate that when an untrained layperson is handed a commonly accepted tourniquet, failure is unacceptably high. Current devices are not intuitive and require training beyond the enclosed instructions. Plans to further evaluate this cohort after formal "Stop the Bleed" training are underway.

Right hospital, right patients: Penetrating injury patients treated at high-volume penetrating trauma centers have lower mortality.

BACKGROUND: The recognition of the relationship between volume and outcomes led to the regionalization of trauma care. The relationship between trauma mechanism-subtype and outcomes has yet to be explored. We hypothesized that trauma centers with a high volume of penetrating trauma patients might be associated with a higher survival rate for penetrating trauma patients. METHODS: A retrospective cohort analysis of penetrating trauma patients presenting between 2011 and 2015 was conducted using the National Trauma Database and the trauma registry at the Stroger Cook County Hospital. Linear regression was used to determine the relationship between mortality and the annual volume of penetrating trauma seen by the treating hospital. RESULTS: Nationally, penetrating injuries account for 9.5% of the trauma cases treated. Patients treated within the top quartile penetrating-volume hospitals (≥167 penetrating cases per annum) are more severely injured (Injury Severity Score: 8.9 vs. 7.7) than those treated at the lowest quartile penetrating volume centers (<36.6 patients per annum). There was a lower mortality rate at institutions that treated high numbers of penetrating trauma patients per annum. A penetrating trauma mortality risk adjustment model showed that the volume of penetrating trauma patients was an independent factor associated with survival rate. CONCLUSION: Trauma centers with high penetrating trauma patient volumes are associated with improved survival of these patients. This association with improved survival does not hold true for the total trauma volume at a center but is specific to the volume of the penetrating trauma subtype. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic/Epidemiology Study, Level-III; Therapeutic/Care Management, Level IV.