Thoracic irrigation for prevention of secondary intervention after thoracostomy tube drainage for hemothorax: A Western Trauma Association multi-center study.

BACKGROUND: Retained hemothorax (rHTX) requiring intervention occurs in up to 20% of patients who undergo chest tube (TT) placement for a hemothorax (HTX). Thoracic irrigation at the time of TT placement decreases the need for secondary intervention in this patient group but those findings are limited because of the single center design. A multi-center study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of thoracic irrigation. METHODS: A multi-center, prospective, observational study was conducted between June 2018 and July 2023. Eleven sites contributed patients. Patients were included if they had a TT placed for a HTX and were excluded if: age < 18 years, TT for pneumothorax, thoracotomy or VATS performed within 6 hours of TT, TT >24 hours after injury, TT removed <24 hours, or death within 48 hours. Thoracic irrigation was performed at the discretion of the attending. Each hemithorax was considered separately if bilateral HTX. The primary outcome was secondary intervention for HTX-related complications (rHTX, effusion, or empyema). Secondary intervention was defined as: TT placement, instillation of thrombolytics, VATS, or thoracotomy. Irrigated and non-irrigated hemithoraces were compared using a propensity weighted analysis with age, sex, mechanism of injury, Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) chest and TT size as predictors. RESULTS: 493 patients with 462 treated hemothoraces were included, 123 (25%) had thoracic irrigation at TT placement. There were no significant demographic differences between the cohorts. Fifty-seven secondary interventions were performed, 10 (8%) and 47 (13%) in the irrigated and non-irrigated groups, respectively (p = 0.015). Propensity weighted analysis demonstrated a reduction in secondary interventions in the irrigated cohort (Odds Ratio 0.56 (0.34-0.85); p = 0.005). CONCLUSION: This Western Trauma Association multi-center study demonstrates a benefit of thoracic irrigation at the time of TT placement for a HTX. Thoracic irrigation reduces the odds of a secondary intervention for rHTX-related complications by 44%. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Study, Level II.

A Collaborative Multidisciplinary Trauma Program Improvement Team Improves VTE Chemoprophylaxis Guideline Compliance In Non-Operative Stable TBI.

BACKGROUND: Delays in initiating venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis in patients suffering from traumatic brain injury (TBI) persist despite guidelines recommending early initiation. We hypothesized that the expansion of a Trauma Program Performance Improvement (PI) team will improve compliance of early (24-48 hour) initiation of VTE prophylaxis and will decrease VTE events in TBI patients. METHODS: We performed a single-center retrospective review of all TBI patients admitted to a Level I trauma center before (2015-2016,) and after (2019-2020,) the expansion of the Trauma Performance Improvement and Patient Safety (PIPS) team and the creation of trauma process and outcome dashboards. Exclusion criteria included discharge or death within 48 hours of admission, expanding intracranial hemorrhage on CT scan, and a neurosurgical intervention (craniotomy, pressure monitor, or drains) prior to chemoprophylaxis initiation. RESULTS: A total of 1,112 patients met the inclusion criteria, of which 54% (n = 604) were admitted after Trauma PIPS expansion. Following the addition of a dedicated PIPS nurse in the trauma program and creation of process dashboards, the time from stable CT to VTE prophylaxis initiation decreased (52 hours to 35 hours; p < 0.001) and more patients received chemoprophylaxis at 24-48 hours (59% from 36%, p < 0.001) after stable head CT. There was no significant difference in time from first head CT to stable CT (9 vs 9 hours; p = 0.15). The Contemporary group had a lower rate of VTE events (1% vs 4%; p < 0.001) with no increase in bleeding events (2% vs 2%; p = 0.97). On multivariable analysis, being in the Early cohort was an independent predictor of VTE events (aOR: 3.74; 95%CI: 1.45-6.16). CONCLUSION: A collaborative multidisciplinary Trauma PIPS team improves guideline compliance. Initiation of VTE chemoprophylaxis within 24-48 hours of stable head CT is safe and effective. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, Therapeutic/Care Management.

Thoracic Cavity Irrigation Prevents Retained Hemothorax and Decreases Surgical Intervention in Trauma Patients.

INTRODUCTION: Retained hemothorax (HTX) is a common complication following thoracic trauma. Small studies demonstrate the benefit of thoracic cavity irrigation at the time of tube thoracostomy for the prevention of retained HTX. We sought to assess the effectiveness of chest irrigation in preventing retained HTX leading to a secondary surgical intervention. METHODS: We performed a single-center retrospective study from 2017-2021 at a Level I trauma center comparing bedside thoracic cavity irrigation via tube thoracostomy (TT) versus no irrigation. Using the trauma registry, patients with traumatic HTX were identified. Exclusion criteria were TT placement at an outside hospital, no TT within 24 hours of admission, thoracotomy or video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) prior to or within 6 hours after TT placement, VATS as part of rib fixation or diaphragmatic repair, and death within 96 hours of admission. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were conducted. RESULTS: A total of 370 patients met the inclusion criteria, of whom 225 (61%) were irrigated. Patients who were irrigated were more likely to suffer a penetrating injury (41% vs 30%, p = 0.03) and less likely to have a flail chest (10% vs 21%, p = 0.01) (Table 1). On bivariate analysis, irrigation was associated with lower rates of VATS (6% vs 19%, p < 0.001) and retained HTX (10% vs 21%, p < 0.001) (Figure 1). The irrigated cohort had a shorter TT duration (4 vs 6 days, p < 0.001) and hospital length of stay (LOS) (7 vs 9 days, p = 0.04). On multivariable analysis, thoracic cavity irrigation had lower odds of VATS (aOR: 0.37, 95%CI: 0.30-0.54), retained HTX (aOR: 0.42, 95%CI: 0.25-0.74), and a shorter TT duration (ß: -1.58, 95%CI: -2.52, -0.75). CONCLUSION: Our 5-year experience with thoracic irrigation confirms findings from smaller studies that irrigation prevents retained HTX and decreases the need for surgical intervention. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, Therapeutic/Care Management.

Early venous thromboembolism chemoprophylaxis in traumatic brain injury requiring neurosurgical intervention: Safe and effective.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic brain injury patients who require neurosurgical intervention are at the highest risk of worsening intracranial hemorrhage. This subgroup of patients has frequently been excluded from prior research regarding the timing of venous thromboembolism chemoprophylaxis. This study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of early venous thromboembolism chemoprophylaxis in patients with traumatic brain injuries requiring neurosurgical interventions. METHODS: This is a single-center retrospective review (2016-2020) of traumatic brain injury patients requiring neurosurgical intervention admitted to a level I trauma center. Interventions included intracranial pressure monitoring, subdural drain, external ventricular drain, craniotomy, and craniectomy. Exclusion criteria included neurosurgical intervention after chemoprophylaxis initiation, death within 5 days of admission, and absence of chemoprophylaxis. The total population was stratified into Early (≤72 hours of intervention) versus Late (>72 hours after intervention) chemoprophylaxis initiation. RESULTS: A total of 351 patients met the inclusion criteria, of whom 204 (58%) had early chemoprophylaxis initiation. Overall, there were no significant differences in baseline and admission characteristics between cohorts. The Early chemoprophylaxis cohort had a statistically significant lower venous thromboembolism rate (5% vs 13%, P < .001) with no increased risk of worsening intracranial hemorrhage (10% vs 13%, P = .44) or neurosurgical reintervention (8% vs 10%, P = .7). On subgroup analysis, a total of 169 patients required either a craniotomy or a craniectomy before chemoprophylaxis. The Early chemoprophylaxis cohort had statistically significant lower venous thromboembolism rates (2% vs 11%, P < .001) with no increase in intracranial hemorrhage (8% vs 11%, P = .6) or repeat neurosurgical intervention (8% vs 10%, P = .77). CONCLUSION: Venous thromboembolism prophylaxis initiation within 72 hours of neurosurgical intervention is safe and effective. Further prospective research is warranted to validate the results of this study.

Risk factors for pressure injury development in patients with spinal cord injury beyond index hospitalization: an analysis of violent mechanism of injury and socioeconomic disparity.

INTRODUCTION: PIs are very common in those with SCI and pose a significant health and economic burden. Optimal prevention strategies require rapid identification of high-risk populations. OBJECTIVE: The authors examined risk factors for PI in persons with traumatic SCI, focusing on mechanism of injury and sociodemographic variables. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients aged 18 years or older at the authors' institution who had a traumatic SCI between January 1, 2002, and December 31, 2018 were included. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses were conducted. RESULTS: Of 448 patients, 94 patients (21%) had a violent SCI and 163 patients (36%) developed PIs. Violent mechanism of SCI was a significant predictor of a single (56% vs 31%; P <.001) or multiple PIs (83% vs 61%; P <.01), flap coverage (26% vs 17%; P <.05), and higher median stage PI (stage 4 vs stage 3, P <.05). Male sex (OR = 2.08; P <.05), complete SCI (OR = 5.51; P <.001), and violent mechanism of SCI (OR = 2.36; P <.01) were significant predictors on multivariate analysis. Increasing age at the time of SCI (OR = 1.01; P <.05) and unmarried marital status (OR = 1.77; P <.01) were predictive on univariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Patients of male sex, complete SCI, and violent mechanism of SCI may be at higher risk of PI development and would benefit from more intensive prevention initiatives.

Temporal Artery Biopsy: When Is It Worth the Headache?

BACKGROUND: Temporal artery biopsy is ordered when clinical symptoms and an elevated C-reactive protein values and/or erythrocyte sedimentation rates suggest giant cell arteritis. The percentage of temporal artery biopsies positive for giant cell arteritis is low. The objectives of our study were to analyze the diagnostic yield of temporal artery biopsies at an independent academic medical center and to develop a risk stratification model for triaging patients for possible temporal artery biopsy. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the electronic health records of all patients who underwent temporal artery biopsy in our institution from January 2010 through February 2020. We compared clinical symptoms and inflammatory marker (C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate) values of patients whose specimens were positive for giant cell arteritis with those of patients with negative specimens. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and multivariable logistic regression. A risk stratification tool, which included point assignments and measures of performance, was developed. RESULTS: Of 497 temporal artery biopsies for giant cell arteritis performed, 66 were positive and 431 were negative. Jaw/tongue claudication, elevated inflammatory marker values, and age were associated with a positive result. Using our risk stratification tool, 3.4% of low-risk patients, 14.5% of medium-risk patients, and 43.9% of high-risk patients were positive for giant cell arteritis. CONCLUSIONS: Jaw/tongue claudication, age, and elevated inflammatory markers were associated with positive biopsy results. Our diagnostic yield was much lower when compared with a benchmark yield determined in a published systematic review. A risk stratification tool was developed based on age and the presence of independent risk factors.

Use of regional analgesia and risk of delirium in older adults with multiple rib fractures: An Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Single-center data demonstrates that regional analgesia (RA) techniques are associated with reduced risk of delirium in older patients with multiple rib fractures. We hypothesized that a similar effect between RA and delirium would be identified in a larger cohort of patients from multiple level I trauma centers. METHODS: Retrospective data from seven level I trauma centers were collected for intensive care unit (ICU) patients 65 years or older with ≥3 rib fractures from January 2012 to December 2016. Those with a head and/or spine injury Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) score of ≥ 3 or a history of dementia were excluded. Delirium was defined as one positive Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit score in the first 7 days of ICU care. Poisson regression with robust standard errors was used to determine the association of RA (thoracic epidural or paravertebral catheter) with delirium incidence. RESULTS: Data of 574 patients with a median age of 75 years (interquartile range [IQR], 69-83), Injury Severity Score of 14 (IQR, 11-18), and ICU length of stay of 3 days (IQR, 2-6 days) were analyzed. Among the patients, 38.9% were women, 15.3% were non-White, and 31.4% required a chest tube. Regional analgesia was used in 19.3% patients. Patient characteristics did not differ by RA use; however, patients with RA had more severe chest injury (chest AIS, flail segment, hemopneumothorax, thoracostomy tube). In univariate analysis, there was no difference in the likelihood of delirium between the RA and no RA groups (18.9% vs. 23.8% p = 0.28). After adjusting for age, sex, Injury Severity Score, maximum chest AIS, thoracostomy tube, ICU length of stay, and trauma center, RA was associated with reduced risk of delirium (incident rate ratio [IRR], 0.65; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.44-0.94) but not with in-hospital mortality (IRR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.14-1.26) or respiratory complications (IRR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.42-1.16). CONCLUSION: In this multicenter cohort of injured older adults with multiple rib fractures, RA use was associated with a 35% lower risk of delirium. Further studies are needed to standardize protocols for optimal pain management and prevention of delirium in older adults with severe thoracic injury. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, level IV; Epidemiologic, level III.

Incoming residents' knot-tying and suturing skills: Are medical school boot camps sufficient?

INTRODUCTION: Many medical schools offer M4 boot camps to improve students' preparedness for surgical residencies. For three consecutive years, we investigated the impact of medical school boot camps on intern knot-tying and suturing skills when measured at the start of residency. METHODS: Forty-two interns completed questionnaires regarding their boot camp experiences. Their performance on knot-tying and suturing exercises was scored by three surgeons blinded to the questionnaire results. A comparison of these scores of interns with or without boot camp experiences was performed and statistical analysis applied. RESULTS: 26 of 42 (62%) interns reported boot camp training. There were no differences in scores between interns with or without a M4 boot camp experience for suturing [9.6(4.6) vs 9.8(4.1), p < 0.908], knot-tying [9.1(3.6) vs 8.4(4.1), p = 0.574], overall performance [2.0(0.6) vs 1.9(0.7), p = 0.424], and quality [2.0(0.6) vs 1.9(0.7), p = 0.665]) (mean(SD)). CONCLUSIONS: We could not demonstrate a statistically significant benefit in knot-tying and suturing skills of students who enrolled in M4 boot camp courses as measured at the start of surgical residency.

Superficial Surgical Infections in Operative Abdominal Trauma Patients: A Trauma Quality Improvement Database Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Surgical site infections (SSIs) have a substantial impact on economic and health indices for patients and health-care institutions. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for superficial SSIs (sSSIs) in operative abdominal trauma patients using a national cohort. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of adult trauma patients treated within the Trauma Quality Improvement Database who underwent an exploratory laparotomy from 2010 to 2015 was performed. Risk factors for infection were evaluated using χ2, Wilcoxon rank-sum, and multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: In total, 41,034 patients underwent an exploratory laparotomy for trauma. There were 18,538 (45.6%) penetrating injuries. Additionally, 10,938 (26.7%) patients suffered a hollow viscus injury with one (8484; 20.7%), two (2188; 5.3%), or three or more (266; 0.7%) hollow viscus organs injured, respectively. The sSSI rate was 4.3%. On multivariate analysis, colonic injuries conferred the greatest single organ independent risk for sSSIs (odds ratio [OR] 2.88 [2.41-3.44]), followed by duodenal injuries (OR 1.99 [1.24-3.17]), small bowel injuries (OR 1.54 [1.28-1.84]), gastric injuries (OR 1.41 [1.06-1.89]), body mass index >30 (1.32 [1.14-1.54]), severe Injury Severity Score (16-25) (OR 1.43 [1.19-1.74]), profound Injury Severity Score (>25) (OR 1.76 [1.44-2.15]), and increasing number of hollow viscus injuries with one (OR 2.75 [2.33-3.26]), two (OR 3.82 [2.98-4.89]), or three (OR 6.85 [4.20-11.17]) organs injured, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of sSSI in operative abdominal trauma patients increases with increased body mass index, increased age, location of injury, blood transfusion need, and increasing number hollow viscus injuries. Consideration should be given to avoiding primary skin closure in patients with these risk factors as a way to mitigate SSIs in this patient population.

Evaluating handoffs in the context of a communication framework.

BACKGROUND: The implementation of mandated restrictions in resident duty hours has led to increased handoffs for patient care and thus more opportunities for errors during transitions of care. Much of the current handoff literature is empiric, with experts recommending the study of handoffs within an established framework. METHODS: A prospective, single-institution study was conducted evaluating the process of handoffs for the care of surgical patients in the context of a published communication framework. Evaluation tools for the source, receiver, and observer were developed to identify factors impacting the handoff process, and inter-rater correlations were assessed. Data analysis was generated with Pearson/Spearman correlations and multivariate linear regressions. Rater consistency was assessed with intraclass correlations. RESULTS: A total of 126 handoffs were observed. Evaluations were completed by 1 observer (N = 126), 2 observers (N = 23), 2 receivers (N = 39), 1 receiver (N = 82), and 1 source (N = 78). An average (±standard deviation) service handoff included 9.2 (±4.6) patients, lasted 9.1 (±5.4) minutes, and had 4.7 (±3.4) distractions recorded by the observer. The source and receiver(s) recognized distractions in >67% of handoffs, with the most common internal and external distractions being fatigue (60% of handoffs) and extraneous staff entering/exiting the room (31%), respectively. Teams with more patients spent less time per individual patient handoff (r = -0.298; P = .001). Statistically significant intraclass correlations (P ≤ .05) were moderate between observers (r ≥ 0.4) but not receivers (r < 0.4). Intraclass correlation values between different types of raters were inconsistent (P > .05). The quality of the handoff process was affected negatively by presence of active electronic devices (ß = -0.565; P = .005), number of teaching discussions (ß = -0.417; P = .048), and a sense of hierarchy between source and receiver (ß = -0.309; P = .002). CONCLUSION: Studying the handoff process within an established framework highlights factors that impair communication. Internal and external distractions are common during handoffs and along with the working relationship between the source and receiver impact the quality of the handoff process. This information allows further study and targeted interventions of the handoff process to improve overall effectiveness and patient safety of the handoff.

End-of-life care of the geriatric surgical patient.

Providing end-of-life care is a necessity for nearly all health care providers and especially those in surgical fields. Most surgical practices will involve caring for geriatric patients and those with life-threatening or terminal illnesses where discussions about end-of-life decision making and goals of care are essential. Understanding the differences between do not resuscitate (DNR), palliative care, hospice care, and symptom management in patients at the end of life is a critical skill set.

Evolution in the management of traumatic diaphragmatic injuries: a multicenter review.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic diaphragmatic injury (TDI) is uncommon and has historically been identified by chest x-ray and repaired by laparotomy with nonabsorbable suture. Blunt TDI was more frequently (90%) detected on the left. With advances in imaging and operative techniques, our objective was to evaluate evolution in incidence, location, and management of TDI. METHODS: The medical records of patients admitted to three Wisconsin regional trauma centers with TDI from 1996 to 2011 were reviewed. Patients were stratified into blunt and penetrating injury and early (1996-2003) and recent (2004-2011) periods. p < 0.05 was significant. RESULTS: A total of 454 patients was included, 87% were men. Median Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 22 and 19 in the early and recent periods, respectively. Diagnostic modality for TDI did not change over time when comparing chest x-ray, computed tomography, or intraoperative diagnosis for blunt (p = 0.214) or penetrating (p = 0.119) TDI. More right-sided penetrating TDI were identified in the recent versus early group (49% vs. 27%). Perihiatal injury was rare (2%). Minimally invasive repairs increased in the recent versus early group of penetrating TDI (5.8% vs. 0.9%, p = 0.040). Complex repairs (mesh, transposition) were required in only three patients. In-hospital mortality was 15% and 4% for blunt and penetrating TDIs, respectively (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: A large increase in the frequency of both blunt and penetrating TDIs in our region was documented. While no difference was observed regarding diagnosis of blunt TDI during the two study periods, our data show a change from historical reports; more injuries were detected by computed tomography. An increase in right-sided penetrating TDI was also observed. A small but previously unreported incidence of perihiatal/pericardial injury occurred with both blunt and penetrating TDIs. While the majority of injuries were repaired with laparotomy, minimally invasive repairs were used more frequently in the recent period. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Epidemiologic study, level III. Therapeutic study, level IV.

The impact of discharging minimally injured trauma patient: does age play a role in trauma admission?

BACKGROUND: Age is suggested as a triage criteria for transfer to a trauma center, despite poor outcomes after similar injury regardless of trauma center level. The effect of differential triage based on age to a trauma center has not been evaluated. We hypothesized that there would be a difference in the admission rates of geriatric patients compared with the rest of the adult trauma population independent of injury severity. METHODS: Records of 1,970 adult patients evaluated by the trauma team at a Level I trauma center and discharged directly from the emergency department were reviewed. Data abstracted included demographics, injuries, and physiologic information. These data were compared with 3,232 trauma patients admitted over the same time period who had similar information abstracted via record review. χ analysis of the admission rates of geriatric patients was performed, followed by a binomial logistic regression to determine factors that affected the odds of admission. RESULTS: A total of 451 (8.68%) patients were 65 years or older; 62.2% of the total population was admitted. Significantly more geriatric patients (82%) were admitted (χ = 126.24; p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that age, head injury, Injury Severity Score, Glasgow Coma Scale, and initial blood pressure were significant independent factors in predicting hospital admission (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Age alone is associated with increased odds of being admitted to the hospital, independent of injury severity and other physiologic parameters. This has implications for trauma centers that see a significant proportion of geriatric trauma patients and for trauma systems that must prepare for the "aging of America."