Consistency is Key: Additional Education and Outreach in a Rural Trauma System Reduces Excess Imaging Studies.

BACKGROUND: Repeat imaging for trauma patients is common in rural health care systems after transfer to a tertiary trauma center which subjects patients to increased radiation, excess costs, and delays to definitive care. A previous retrospective review at our regional trauma center found that pre-transfer CT scans were frequently performed with little change in management. To improve this rate, additional emphasis was placed on (1) best imaging practices during Rural Trauma Team Development Courses (RTTDC), (2) management feedback during regional trauma case reviews, and (3) implementation of practice management guidelines for an inter-provider telehealth system. METHODS: Two hundred consecutive adult trauma patients transferred to a regional trauma center were retrospectively evaluated after trauma system improvements were implemented and compared to the previous cohort in the same system as identified by the regional trauma database. RESULTS: 140 (70%) had a pre-transfer CT scan compared to 152 (77.2%) in the prior study (P = .0112). Additionally, 52 (37.1%) of those with pre-transfer CT scans had at least one repeat scan on arrival which decreased from (55.3%) in the prior study (P < .0001). The most common reason for repeat CT scans was incomplete initial imaging. Those with a repeat scan were more likely to have a head injury (51.9% vs 35.8%, P = .0413). DISCUSSION: With regional trauma system maturation and implementation of internal telemedicine guidelines, there was a statistically significant decrease in both pre-transfer as well as repeat CT scans in a rural trauma system. Additional research exploring patient outcomes and cost savings is recommended.

Current Trends in Surgical Procedures Performed in Rural General Surgery Practice.

BACKGROUND: The procedures that rural general surgeons perform may be changing. It is important to recognize the trends and practices of the current rural general surgeon in efforts to better prepare general surgeons who desire to enter a practice in a rural environment. The aim of this review is to detail the recent operative case volumes of 6 rural locations in the upper Midwest where general surgery is practiced. METHODS: The Enterprise Data and Analytics department of Sanford Health compiled all surgical procedures performed within the Sanford Health System between January 1, 2013 and August 31, 2018. Procedures performed by a total of 58 general surgeons in locations of under 50 000 people are included in this review. RESULTS: From January 1, 2013 to August 31, 2018, 38 958 surgical procedures were performed in rural locations. Endoscopic procedures made up 61.6% of a rural general surgeon's practice. Cholecystectomy (6.3%), hernia repair (6.3%), and appendectomy (3.7%) were the principle nonendoscopic procedures performed by rural surgeons, comprising 16.3% of the case volume. Added together, endoscopy, cholecystectomy, hernia repair, and appendectomy made up 77.9% of the rural general surgeon's caseload. Vascular procedures (2.5%), breast procedures (1.8%), obstetrics (0.4%), and urology procedures (0.2%) are also included in this review. CONCLUSIONS: Rural general surgeons are vital to the surgical workforce in the United States. Recognizing a trend that rural general surgeons perform less subspecialty procedures and more endoscopic procedures will provide direction for those interested in pursuing a career in rural general surgery.

Pretransfer CT scans are frequently performed, but rarely helpful in rural trauma systems.

BACKGROUND: Rural trauma patients often undergo workup prior to transfer to a trauma center. Repeat and redundant imaging at the trauma center is common. METHODS: Two hundred consecutive adult trauma patients transferred to a regional trauma center were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: 197 patients met criteria. 152 underwent CT scan prior to transfer and CT was the indication for transfer in 88 patients (44.7%). One intervention was performed as a result of CT imaging. 84 patients (55.3%) received repeat CT imaging. There were no statistically significant differences in rates of CT imaging at the outside facility based on injury severity, mechanism of injury, or age. The most common reason for repeat CT scans was incomplete initial imaging. The ability to obtain initial imaging was not a significant factor. CONCLUSIONS: Repeat CT imaging in transferred trauma patients is very common. The majority of reimaging is done for incomplete initial imaging. Rural trauma systems may benefit from improved protocols for more efficient care.

Evaluation of chest tube administration of tissue plasminogen activator to treat retained hemothorax.

BACKGROUND: When retained hemothorax occurs, video-assisted thoracoscopy or thoracotomy is performed, but recently, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) has been used. This study evaluated intrapleural tPA use for retained traumatic hemothoraces. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of trauma patients treated with intrapleural tPA for retained hemothorax. Data included demographics, past medical and surgical histories, injury details, treatment details, and outcomes. RESULTS: Seven patients (median age = 47 years, male = 6, blunt trauma = 6) met study criteria. All patients received a chest tube. Six patients later received computed tomography-guided drains for tPA infusion. Number of tPA treatments per patient varied from 1 to 5. Median total tPA dosage was 24 mg. Median time from injury to chest tube placement was 11 days and from chest tube placement to first tPA treatment was 4 days. No patients required a video-assisted thoracoscopy; however, 1 patient required thoracotomy. There were no deaths or bleeding complications attributed to intrapleural tPA. CONCLUSION: Although future studies are needed to identify optimum treatment guidelines, intrapleural tPA appears to be a safe and efficacious treatment option.

Perioperative supplementation with ascorbic acid does not prevent atrial fibrillation in coronary artery bypass graft patients.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation occurs after approximately 25% to 45% of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgeries. Oxidative stress and related electrophysiological remodeling has been proposed as a potential cause of this atrial fibrillation. Perioperative supplementation of the antioxidant ascorbic acid has been evaluated as a preventive agent. The current investigation was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of ascorbic acid in reducing atrial fibrillation in CABG patients. METHODS: A prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, triple-blind, single-institution study was conducted in nonemergency CABG patients. Subjects were monitored for episodes of arrhythmia and other complications. RESULTS: Eighty-nine treatment and 96 control subjects completed the study protocol. Demographics, comorbidities, and preoperative drugs were similar between groups. Surgical characteristics and postoperative medication use also were similar. The incidence of atrial fibrillation was 30.3% in the treatment group and 30.2% in the control group (P = .985). No difference was found in postoperative complications or mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that supplementation of ascorbic acid in addition to routine postoperative care does not reduce atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass grafting.

Tongue necrosis as an unusual presentation of carotid artery stenosis.

A 57-year-old man with premature coronary artery disease presented to the emergency department with left facial pain, numbness, and tongue swelling. The patient was found to have significant tongue necrosis, and subsequent arteriography demonstrated carotid bifurcation stenosis with embolization to the left lingual artery. The patient was successfully treated with debridement of his tongue and left carotid endarterectomy.