Association Between Geospatial Access to Trauma Center Care and Motor Vehicle Crash Mortality in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Motor vehicle crashes (MVCs) are a leading cause of preventable trauma death in the United States (US). Access to trauma center care is highly variable nationwide. The objective of this study was to measure the association between geospatial access to trauma center care and MVC mortality. METHODS: This was a population-based study of MVC-related deaths that occurred in 3,141 US counties (2017-2020). ACS and state-verified level I-III trauma centers were mapped. Geospatial network analysis estimated the ground transport time to the nearest trauma center from the population-weighted centroid for each county. In this way, the exposure was the predicted access time to trauma center care for each county population. Hierarchical negative binomial regression measured the risk-adjusted association between predicted access time and MVC mortality, adjusting for population demographics, rurality, access to trauma resources, and state traffic safety laws. RESULTS: We identified 92,398 crash fatalities over the four-year study period. Trauma centers mapped included 217 level I, 343 level II, and 495 level III trauma centers. The median county predicted access time was 47 min (IQR 26-71 min). Median county MVC mortality was 12.5 deaths/100,000 person-years (IQR 7.4-20.3 deaths/100,000 person-years). After risk-adjustment, longer predicted access times were significantly associated with higher rates of MVC mortality (>60 min vs. <15 min; MRR 1.36; 95%CI 1.31-1.40). This relationship was significantly more pronounced in urban/suburban vs. rural/wilderness counties (p for interaction, <0.001). County access to trauma center care explained 16% of observed state-level variation in MVC mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Geospatial access to trauma center care is significantly associated with MVC mortality and contributes meaningfully to between-state differences in road traffic deaths. Efforts to improve trauma system organization should prioritize access to trauma center care to minimize crash fatalities. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, Epidemiological.

Emergency department versus operating room intubation of patients undergoing immediate hemorrhage control surgery.

BACKGROUND: Hemorrhage control surgery is an essential trauma center function. Airway management of the unstable bleeding patient in the emergency department (ED) presents a challenge. Premature intubation in the ED can exacerbate shock and precipitate extremis. We hypothesized that ED versus operating room intubation of patients requiring urgent hemorrhage control surgery is associated with adverse outcomes at the patient and hospital-levels. METHODS: Patients who underwent hemorrhage control within 60 minutes of arrival at level 1 or 2 trauma centers were identified (National Trauma Data Bank 2017-2019). To minimize confounding, patients dead on arrival, undergoing ED thoracotomy, or with clinical indications for intubation (severe head/neck/face injury or Glasgow Coma Scale score of ≤8) were excluded. Two analytic approaches were used. First, hierarchical logistic regression measured the risk-adjusted association between ED intubation and mortality. Secondary outcomes included ED dwell time, units of blood transfused, and major complications (cardiac arrest, acute respiratory distress syndrome, acute kidney injury, sepsis). Second, a hospital-level analysis determined whether hospital tendency ED intubation was associated with adverse outcomes. RESULTS: We identified 9,667 patients who underwent hemorrhage control surgery at 253 trauma centers. Patients were predominantly young men (median age, 33 years) who suffered penetrating injuries (71%). The median initial Glasgow Coma Scale and systolic blood pressure were 15 and 108 mm Hg, respectively. One in five (20%) of patients underwent ED intubation. After risk-adjustment, ED intubation was associated with significantly increased odds of mortality, longer ED dwell time, greater blood transfusion, and major complications. Hospital-level analysis identified significant variation in use of ED intubation between hospitals not explained by patient case mix. After risk adjustment, patients treated at hospitals with high tendency for ED intubation (compared with those with low tendency) were significantly more likely to suffer in-hospital cardiac arrest (6% vs. 4%; adjusted odds ratio, 1.46; 95% confidence interval, 1.04-2.03). CONCLUSION: Emergency department intubation of patients who require urgent hemorrhage control surgery is associated with adverse outcomes. Significant variation in ED intubation exists between trauma centers not explained by patient characteristics. Where feasible, intubation should be deferred in favor of rapid resuscitation and transport to the operating room. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic/Care Management; Level III.

Using State Data to Predict a Single Institution Mortality for Patients That Fall.

BACKGROUND: Falls are the most common cause of injury-related death for patients older than 45.  We hypothesized that a machine learning algorithm developed from state-level registry data could make accurate outcome predictions at a level 1 trauma hospital. METHODS: Data for all patients admitted for fall injury during 2009 - 2019 in the state of Pennsylvania were derived from the state trauma registry.  Thirteen variables that were immediately available upon patient arrival were used for prediction modeling.  Data for the test institution were withheld from model creation.  Algorithms assessed included logistic regression (LR), random forest (RF), and extreme gradient boost (XGB).  Model discrimination for mortality was assessed with area under the curve (AUC) for each algorithm at our level 1 trauma center. RESULTS: 180,284 patients met inclusion criteria.  The mean age was 69 years ± 18.5 years with a mortality rate of 4.0%.  The AUC for predicting mortality in patients that fall for LR, RF, and XGB were 0.797, 0.876, and 0.880, respectively.  The variables which contributed to the prediction in descending order of importance for XGB were respiratory rate, pulse, systolic blood pressure, ethnicity, weight, sex, age, temperature, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) eye, race, GCS voice, GCS motor, and blood alcohol level. CONCLUSIONS: An extreme gradient boost model developed using state-wide trauma data can accurately predict mortality after fall at a single center within the state.  This machine learning model can be implemented by local trauma systems within the state of Pennsylvania to identify patients injured by fall that require greater attention, transfer to a higher level of care, and higher resource allocation.

Using Machine Learning to Make Predictions in Patients Who Fall.

BACKGROUND: As the population ages, the incidence of traumatic falls has been increasing. We hypothesize that a machine learning algorithm can more accurately predict mortality after a fall compared with a standard logistic regression (LR) model based on immediately available admission data. Secondary objectives were to predict who would be discharged home and determine which variables had the largest effect on prediction. METHODS: All patients who were admitted for fall between 2012 and 2017 at our level 1 trauma center were reviewed. Fourteen variables describing patient demographics, injury characteristics, and physiology were collected at the time of admission and were used for prediction modeling. Algorithms assessed included LR, decision tree classifier (DTC), and random forest classifier (RFC). Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) values were calculated for each algorithm for mortality and discharge to home. RESULTS: About 4725 patients met inclusion criteria. The mean age was 61 ± 20.5 y, Injury Severity Score 8 ± 7, length of stay 5.8 ± 7.6 d, intensive care unit length of stay 1.8± 5.2 d, and ventilator days 0.7 ± 4.2 d. The mortality rate was 3% and three times greater for elderly (aged 65 y and older) patients (5.0% versus 1.6%, P < 0.001). The AUC for predicting mortality for LR, DTC, and RFC was 0.78, 0.64, and 0.86, respectively. The AUC for predicting discharge to home for LR, DTC, and RFC was 0.72, 0.61, and 0.74, respectively. The top five variables that contribute to the prediction of mortality in descending order of importance are the Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) motor, GCS verbal, respiratory rate, GCS eye, and temperature. CONCLUSIONS: RFC can accurately predict mortality and discharge home after a fall. This predictive model can be implemented at the time of patient arrival and may help identify candidates for targeted intervention as well as improve prognostication and resource utilization.

Outcomes in Delayed Drainage of Hemothorax.

BACKGROUND: Prompt drainage of traumatic hemothorax is recommended to prevent empyema and trapped lung. Some patients do not present the day of their trauma, leading to their delayed treatment. Delayed drainage could be challenging as clotted blood may not evacuate through a standard chest tube. We hypothesized that such delays would increase the need for surgery or secondary interventions. METHODS: Our trauma registry was reviewed for patients with a hemothorax admitted to our level 1 trauma center from 1/1/00 to 4/30/19. Patients were included in the delayed group if they received a drainage procedure >24 hours after injury. These patients were matched 1:1 by chest abbreviated injury score to patients who received drainage <24 hours from injury. RESULTS: A total of 19 patients with 22 hemothoraces received delayed drainage. All but 3 patients had a chest tube placed as initial treatment. Four patients received surgery, including 3 who initially had chest tubes placed. Longer time to drainage increased the odds of requiring intrathoracic thrombolytics or surgery. In comparison, 2 patients who received prompt drainage received thrombolytics (P = .11) and none required surgery (P = .02). Patients needed surgery when initial drainage was on or after post-injury day 5, but pigtail catheter drainage was effective 26 days after injury. DISCUSSION: Longer times from injury to intervention are associated with increased likelihood of needing surgery for hemothorax evacuation, but outcomes were not uniform. A larger, multicenter study will be necessary to provide better characterization of treatment outcomes for these patients.

Clinical Diagnosis of Infection in Surgical Intensive Care Unit: You're Not as Good as You Think!

Background: Because of the everincreasing costs and the complexity of institutional medical reimbursement policies, the necessity for extensive laboratory work-up of potentially infected patients has come into question. We hypothesized that intensivists are able to differentiate between infected and non-infected patients clinically, without the need to pan-culture, and are able to identify the location of the infection clinically in order to administer timely and appropriate treatment. Methods: Data collected prospectively on critically ill patients suspected of having an infection in the surgical intensive care unit (SICU) was obtained over a six-month period in a single tertiary academic medical center. Objective evidence of infection derived from laboratory or imaging data was compared with the subjective answers of the three most senior physicians' clinical diagnoses. Results: Thirty-nine critically ill surgical patients received 52 work-ups for suspected infections on the basis of signs and symptoms (e.g., fever, altered mental status). Thirty patients were found to be infected. Clinical diagnosis differentiated infected and non-infected patients with only 61.5% accuracy (sensitivity 60.3%; specificity 64.4%; p = 0.0049). Concordance between physicians was poor (κ = 0.33). Providers were able to predict the infectious source correctly only 60% of the time. Utilization of culture/objective data and SICU antibiotic protocols led to overall 78% appropriate initiation of antibiotics compared with 48% when treatment was based on clinical evaluation alone. Conclusion: Clinical diagnosis of infection is difficult, inaccurate, and unreliable in the absence of culture and sensitivity data. Infection suspected on the basis of signs and symptoms should be confirmed via objective and thorough work-up.

Team Assessment and Decision Making Is Associated With Outcomes: A Trauma Video Review Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Teamwork is a critical element of trauma resuscitation. Assessment tools such as T-NOTECHS (Trauma NOn-TECHnical Skills) exist, but correlation with patient outcomes is unclear. Using emergency department thoracotomy (EDT), we sought to describe T-NOTECHS scores during resuscitations. We hypothesized that patients undergoing EDT whose resuscitations had better scores would be more likely to have return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). METHODS: Continuously recording video was used to review all captured EDTs over a 24-mo period. We used a modification of the validated T-NOTECHS instrument to measure five domains on a 3-point scale (1 = best, 2 = average, 3 = worst). A total T-NOTECHS score was calculated by one of three reviewers. The primary outcome was ROSC. ROSC was defined as an organized rhythm no longer requiring internal cardiac compressions. Associations between variables and ROSC were examined using univariate regression. RESULTS: Sixty-one EDTs were captured. Nineteen patients had ROSC (31%) and 42 (69%) did not. The median T-NOTECHS score for all resuscitations was 8 [IQR 6-10]. As demographic and injury data (age, gender, mechanism, signs of life) were not associated with ROSC in univariate analysis, they were not considered for inclusion in a multivariable regression model. The association between overall T-NOTECHS score and ROSC did not reach statistical significance, but examination of the individual components of the T-NOTECHS score demonstrated that, compared to resuscitations that had "average" (2) or "worst" (3) scores on "Assessment and Decision Making," resuscitations with a "best" score were 5 times more likely to lead to ROSC. CONCLUSIONS: Although the association between overall T-NOTECHS scores and ROSC did not reach statistical significance, better scores in the domain of assessment and decision making are associated with improved rates of ROSC in patients arriving in cardiac arrest who undergo EDT. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV Therapeutic/Care Management.

Cold-stored whole blood: A better method of trauma resuscitation?

BACKGROUND: Cold-stored whole blood (CWB) provides a balance of red blood cells, plasma, and platelets in less anticoagulant volume than standard blood component therapy (BCT). We hypothesize that patients receiving CWB along with BCT have improved survival compared with patients receiving only BCT. METHODS: We performed a dual-center case-match study of trauma patients who received CWB and BCT at two urban, Level-I Trauma Centers. Criteria to receive CWB included boys 16 years of older, women older than 50 years, SBP less than 90 mm Hg, and identifiable source of hemorrhage. We performed a 2:1 propensity match against any trauma patient who received 1 unit or greater of packed red cells during their initial trauma bay resuscitation. Endpoints included trauma bay mortality, 30-day mortality, laboratory values at 4 hours and 24 hours, and overall blood product utilization. Comparisons were made with Wilcoxon-ranked sum and Fisher's exact test, p less than 0.05 was significant. RESULTS: Between both institutions, a total of 107 patients received CWB during the study period with 91 being matched to 182 BCT patients for analysis. Hemodynamic parameters of the patients in both groups at the time of presentation were similar. The CWB patients had higher mean hemoglobin (10 ± 2 g/dL vs. 11 ± 2 g/dL; p < 0.001) and hematocrit (29.2 ± 6.1% vs. 32.1 ± 5.8%; p < 0.001) at 24 hours. Importantly, trauma bay mortality was less in CWB patients (8.8% vs. 2.2%;p = 0.039). Thirty-day mortality was not different in CWB patients, and there were no differences in the total amount of blood products transfused at the 4-hour and 24-hour periods. CONCLUSION: Cold-stored whole blood offers the benefit of a balanced resuscitation with improved trauma bay survival and higher mean hemoglobin at 24 hours. A larger, prospective study is needed to determine whether it has a longer-term survival benefit for severely injured patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, level III.

Laparoscopic Appendectomy: A Report on 1164 Operations at a Single-Institution, Safety-Net Hospital.

Laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) is the standard of care for the treatment of acute appendicitis. There is an ongoing debate regarding the optimal management of appendicitis, which led us to study outcomes after an appendectomy at a large safety-net hospital. We hypothesize that despite a high-risk population, LA remains a safe and effective treatment for acute appendicitis. A retrospective review was performed of all patients who underwent an appendectomy from 2011 to 2013. The primary end point was significant morbidity defined as a score of three or greater on the Clavien-Dindo scale of surgical morbidity. Thousand hundred and sixty-four patients underwent an appendectomy. A total of 1102 (94.7%) patients underwent either an LA or laparoscopic converted to open appendectomy, and 62 (5.3%) patients underwent an open appendectomy (OA). Two hundred and forty six patients (21.1%) had complicated appendicitis. Laparoscopic converted to OA conversion rate was 4.4 per cent and differed between years (P < 0.001). LA had a significantly shorter length of stay, shorter length of postoperative antibiotics, and less postoperative morbidity. When limited to only patients with complicated appendicitis, major morbidity was still greater in the OA group (22.6 vs 52.0%, P = 0.001). Length of stay was significantly longer in the OA group [3.42 (2.01, 5.97) vs 7.04 (5.05, 10.13), P < 0.001]. Odds for complication were 2.6 times greater in the OA group compared with the LA group. In the absence of peritonitis and systemic illness necessitating urgent laparotomy, patients who are laparoscopic surgical candidates should be offered an LA. Our study demonstrates that these patients have better outcomes and shorter hospital stays.

Can CT imaging of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis identify all vertebral injuries of the thoracolumbar spine without dedicated reformatting?

BACKGROUND: The main objective of this study was to compare detection rates of clinically significant thoracolumbar spine (TLS) fracture between computed tomography (CT) imaging of the chest, abdomen, and spine (CT CAP) and CT for the thoracolumbar spine (CT TL). METHODS: We retrospectively identified patients at our institution with a TLS fracture over a two-year period that had both CT CAP and reformatted CT TL imaging. The sensitivity of CT CAP to identify fracture was calculated for each fracture type. RESULTS: A total of 516 TLS fractures were identified in 125 patients using reformatted CT TL spine imaging. Overall, 69 of 512 fractures (13%) were missed on CT CAP that were identified on CT TL. Of those, there were no clinically significant missed fractures. CONCLUSIONS: CT CAP could potentially be used as a screening tool for clinically significant TLS injuries.

Predictors of a histopathologic diagnosis of complicated appendicitis.

BACKGROUND: Despite its utilization, the intraoperative (IO) assessment of complicated appendicitis (CA) is subjective. The histopathologic (HP) diagnosis should be the gold standard in identifying patients with CA; however, it is not immediately available to guide postoperative management. The objective of this study was to identify predictors of an HP diagnosis of CA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of all patients who underwent appendectomy at our institution from 2011-2013 was conducted. CA was defined by perforation or abscess on pathology report. Predictors of an HP diagnosis of CA were evaluated using a multivariable regression model. RESULTS: A total of 239 of 1066 patients had CA based on IO assessment, whereas 143 of 239 patients (60%) had CA on HP and IO assessment. On multivariable analysis, an IO diagnosis of CA was associated with an HP diagnosis of CA (odds ratio [OR]: 10.92; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 7.19-16.58). Other risk factors were age (OR: 1.28; 95% CI: 1.09-1.49), number of days of pain (OR: 1.20; 95% CI: 1.07-1.37), increased heart rate (OR: 1.14; 95% CI: 1.02-1.26), appendix size (OR: 1.09; 95% CI: 1.03-1.16), and an appendicolith (OR: 1.74; 95% CI: 1.12-2.71) on preoperative CT imaging. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to age, increased heart rate, pain duration, appendix size and appendicolith, the IO assessment is also associated with an HP diagnosis of CA; however, 40% of patients were incorrectly classified. Using these predictors with improved IO grading may achieve more accurate diagnosis of CA.

The Effect of Illicit Drug Use on Outcomes Following Burn Injury.

Illicit drug use is common among patients admitted following burn injury. The authors sought to evaluate whether drug abuse results in worse outcomes. The National Burn Repository (NBR) was queried for data on all patients with drug testing results available. Outcomes included mortality, hospital length of stay (LOS), intensive care unit (ICU) LOS, and duration of ventilator support. Propensity score weighting was performed to control for age, alcohol use, burn size, gender, and etiology of burn. A total of 20,989 patients had drug screen data available; 11,642 (55.5%) tested positive for at least one drug of abuse. Illicit drug use was associated with a higher proportion of patients with flame burn (53.2 vs 48.4%) and larger average burn size (11.2 vs 9.5% TBSA, P < .001). Attempted suicide was more likely if the patient had used drugs (2.8 vs 1.7%, P < .001). Drug use resulted in longer hospital and ICU LOS (14.2 vs 11.4 and 8.5 vs 5.6 days, P < .001), but did not increase the risk of mortality (5.7 vs 5.2, P = .08). After propensity score weighting, drug use did not affect mortality, hospital LOS, or duration of ventilator support, but did increase the average ICU LOS by 1.2 days (P = .001). Drug use does not affect mortality, hospital LOS, or duration of ventilator support among burned patients. After controlling for burn size, age, mechanism of injury, and gender, patients with a positive drug screen had an average increase in ICU LOS by 1 day.

Future Therapies in Burn Resuscitation.

Since the 1940s, the resuscitation of burn patients has evolved with dramatic improvements in mortality. The most significant achievement remains the creation and adoption of formulae to calculate estimated fluid requirements to guide resuscitation. Modalities to attenuate the hypermetabolic phase of injury include pharmacologic agents, early enteral nutrition, and the aggressive approach of early excision of large injuries. Recent investigations into the genomic response to severe burns and the application of computer-based decision support tools will likely guide future resuscitation, with the goal of further reducing mortality and morbidity, and improving functional and quality of life outcomes.

Characterizing End-of-Life Care after Geriatric Burns at a Verified Level I Burn Center.

BACKGROUND: End-of-life (EoL) care after geriatric burns (geri-burns) is understudied. OBJECTIVE: To examine the practices of burn surgeons for initiating EoL discussions and the impact of decisions made on the courses of geri-burn patients who died after injury. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study examined all subjects ≥65 years who died on our Level I burn service from April 1, 2009, to December 31, 2014. Measurements obtained were timing of first EoL discussion (EARLY <24 hours post-admission; LATE ≥24 hours post-admission), decisions made, age, total body surface area burned, and calculated probability of death at admission. RESULTS: The cohort consisted of 57 subjects, of whom 54 had at least one documented EoL care discussion between a burn physician and the patient/surrogate. No differences were seen between groups for the likelihood of an immediate decision for comfort care after the first discussion (p = 0.73) or the mean number of total discussions (p = 0.07). EARLY group subjects (n = 38) had significantly greater magnitudes of injury (p = 0.002), calculated probabilities of death at admission (p ≤ 0.001), shorter times to death (p ≤ 0.001), and fewer trips to the operating theater for burn excision and skin grafting (p ≤ 0.001) than LATE subjects (n = 16). LATE subjects' first discussion occurred at a mean of 9.3 ± 10.0 days. DISCUSSION: The vast majority of geri-burn deaths on our burn service occur after a discussion about EoL care. The timing of these discussions is driven by magnitude of injury, and it does not lead to higher proportions of an immediate decision for comfort care. The presence and timing of EoL discussions bears further study as a quality metric for geri-burn EoL care.

A case for less workup in near hanging.

BACKGROUND: No guidelines exist for the evaluation of patients after near hanging. Most patients receive a comprehensive workup, regardless of examination. We hypothesize that patients with a normal neurologic examination, without major signs or symptoms suggestive of injury, require no additional workup. METHODS: We reviewed medical charts of adult trauma patients who presented to a Level I trauma center between 1995 and 2013 after an isolated near-hanging episode. Demographics, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, imaging, and management were collected. Patients were stratified by neurologic examination into normal (GCS score = 15) and abnormal (GCS score <15) groups. Comparison between the groups was completed using univariate analyses. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-five patients presented after near hanging: 42 (33.6%) had abnormal GCS score, and 83 (66.4%) were normal. Among the normal patients, seven patients (8.5%) reported cervical spine tenderness; these patients also had abnormal examination findings including dysphagia, dysphonia, stridor, or crepitus. The normal group underwent 133 computed tomography scans and seven magnetic resonance imaging scans, with only two injuries identified: C5 facet fracture and a low-grade vertebral artery dissection. Neither injury required intervention. In patients with normal GCS score, cervical spine tenderness and at least one significant examination finding were 100% sensitive and 79% specific for identifying an underlying injury. CONCLUSION: Patient with normal GCS score, without signs and symptoms of injury, are unnecessarily receiving extensive diagnostic imaging. Imaging should be reserved for patients with cervical spine tenderness and dysphagia, dysphonia, stridor, and/or crepitus without the fear of incomplete workup. All patients with signs of additional trauma or decreased GCS score should be studied based on preexisting protocols. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic/care management study, level V.

The Effect of Burn Center Volume on Mortality in a Pediatric Population: An Analysis of the National Burn Repository.

The effect of burn center volume on mortality has been demonstrated in adults. The authors sought to evaluate whether such a relationship existed in burned children. The National Burn Repository, a voluntary registry sponsored by the American Burn Association, was queried for all data points on patients aged 18 years or less and treated from 2002 to 2011. Facilities were divided into quartiles based on average annual burn volume. Demographics and clinical characteristics were compared across groups, and univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were performed to evaluate relationships between facility volume, patient characteristics, and mortality. The authors analyzed 38,234 patients admitted to 88 unique facilities. Children under age 4 years or with larger burns were more likely to be managed at high-volume and very high-volume centers (57.12 and 53.41%, respectively). Overall mortality was low (0.85%). Comparing mortality across quartiles demonstrated improved unadjusted mortality rates at the low- and high-volume centers compared with the medium-volume and very high-volume centers although univariate logistic regression did not find a significant relationship. However, multivariate analysis identified burn center volume as a significant predictor of decreased mortality after controlling for patient characteristics including age, mechanism of injury, burn size, and presence of inhalation injury. Mortality among pediatric burn patients is low and was primarily related to patient and injury characteristics, such as burn size, inhalation injury, and burn cause. Average annual admission rate had a significant but small effect on mortality when injury characteristics were considered.

An analysis of omitting biliary tract imaging in 668 subjects admitted to an acute care surgery service with biochemical evidence of choledocholithiasis.

BACKGROUND: No consensus exists for the timing and utility of biliary imaging in patients with preoperative concern for choledocholithiasis. METHODS: Admissions to an acute care surgery service with evidence of choledocholithiasis undergoing same-admission cholecystectomy without preoperative or intraoperative imaging were identified. One-way analysis of variance on the log-transformed outcomes, with the Tukey-Kramer multiple comparison procedure, were used to compare means between groups. RESULTS: A total of 668 patients with elevated but downtrending liver enzymes underwent cholecystectomy without preoperative or intraoperative imaging. Thirty-eight patients (5.7%) had postoperative biliary imaging, of whom 22 (3.3%) had definite choledocholithiasis. One case of postoperative cholangitis occurred which required readmission and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with no long-term morbidity. Presenting liver enzymes were significantly higher in the group found to have retained stones postoperatively than those without retained stones. CONCLUSIONS: Patients presenting with biochemical evidence of choledocholithiasis who downtrend preoperatively can be safely managed by cholecystectomy with omission of biliary tract imaging.