The Affordable Care Act and its association with length of stay and payer status for trauma patients at a level I trauma center.

BACKGROUND: We hypothesized that the ACA would shorten length of stay and increase numbers of insured patients without changing trauma patient outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective review of adult trauma patients admitted to a level I trauma center between 2012 and 2014 was performed. Demographics, length of stay, payer status, discharge disposition, and complications before and after the ACA implementation were analyzed. RESULTS: 4448 trauma patients were admitted during the study period. Patients treated after ACA implementation were older (53 vs 51, p = 0.05) with shorter ICU stays (1.7 vs 1.5 days, p = 0.04), but longer overall hospital stays (3.7 vs 4.1 days, p < 0.01). The proportion of self-pay patients decreased 11%-3% (p=<0.001). A higher proportion of patients were discharged to skilled nursing facilities (SNF, 17.1% vs 19.9%, p = 0.02). There was no change in rates of death, readmission, infection, pneumonia or decubiti. CONCLUSION: Among trauma patients, there was a decrease in self-pay status and increase in public insurance without change in private insurance after implementation of the ACA. More patients were discharged to SNF without changes in reported outcomes.

Early analysis of laparoscopic common bile duct exploration simulation.

BACKGROUND: We developed a laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) simulation course for resident surgeons (RS) and practicing surgeons (PS). We hypothesized that course completion would provide LCBDE procedural skills and increase procedure utilization. METHODS: RS and PS were prospectively enrolled. Pre- and post-course ability were assessed with written examinations and LCBDE simulations. PS completed pre-course, post-course, and 1-year follow-up surveys (5-point Likert-type scale). RESULTS: 17 RS and 8 PS were enrolled. Median written test scores improved (70.0%-80.0%, p < 0.001) and median LCBDE simulation times (seconds) improved (585-314, p = 0.001) among all participants. Comparing RS and PS, median written assessment scores pre-course (70% vs 72.5%, p = 0.953) and post-course (77.5% vs 80.0%, p = 0.198) were not significantly different. Simulation completion times (seconds) improved similarly from pre-course (608.0 vs 521.5, p = 0.885) to post-course (314.0 vs 373.0, p = 0.287) between groups. PS comfort with LCBDE improved (2-4, p = 0.03). All PS reported LCBDE utilization 1 year post-course. CONCLUSIONS: The LCBDE course is appropriate for RS and PS. PS also reported increased comfort with LCBDE and procedure utilization.

Does surgery residency prepare residents to work at critical access hospitals?

BACKGROUND: Operations performed by surgeons working at Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) and surgery residents have not been compared. METHODS: Procedure codes logged by general surgery residents graduating from our institution in 2013 and 2014 were obtained. Procedure codes were obtained for all CAHs in our state for 2012 to 2013. Clinically relevant categories were compared among residents and general surgeons at CAHs. RESULTS: A total of 34,246 procedures logged by general surgeons at CAHs were compared with 31,977 procedures logged by surgery residents. Endoscopy comprised 56.1% of cases done by general surgeons versus 9.1% of cases by residents (P < .001). Excluding endoscopy, rural surgeons had higher percentages in hernia, skin/soft tissue, cholecystectomy/common bile duct, rectal/anal, and breast cases. Residents who completed a rural surgery rotation had higher numbers in small/large bowel, hernia, breast, and endoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Surgery residency provides less exposure to endoscopy compared with a general surgery practice at CAHs. A rural rotation increases endoscopic exposure.

Prospective clinical trial of surgical intervention for painful rib fracture nonunion.

We performed a prospective clinical trial of resection with or without plate fixation for symptomatic rib fracture nonunion three or more months postinjury with 6-month postoperative followup. The McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) and RAND 36 Health Survey were administered and activity level (sedentary, ambulatory, moderately active, vigorous), functional status (disabled, nonphysical labor, physical labor), and work status (employed, unemployed, retired, student) were queried pre- and postoperatively. Twenty-four patients 4 to 197 months (median, 16 months) postinjury underwent surgical intervention for one to four rib fracture nonunions (median, two nonunions). Evidence of intercostal nerve entrapment was present in nine patients (38%). MPQ Present Pain Intensity and Pain Rating Index and RAND 36 Physical Functioning, Role Physical, Social Functioning, Role Social, Bodily Pain, Vitality, Mental Health, and General Health were significantly improved at six months compared with study entry (P < 0.05). Activity levels significantly improved (P < 0.0001) but functional and work status did not change. Twenty-four-hour morphine equivalent dosage of opioids at study entry was 20.3 ± 30.8 (mean ± standard deviation) and at study completion was 9.4 ± 17.5 (P = 0.054). Complications included one wound infection, two partial screw backouts, and one chest wall hernia at one year after resection of adjacent nonunions with significant gaps repaired with absorbable plates. Surgical intervention for rib fracture nonunion may improve chronic pain and disability but without change in functional or work status. Resection of adjacent nonunions with significant gaps may lead to chest wall hernia.

NCCN roundtable: talking to children about cancer.

A roundtable presentation at the NCCN 19th Annual Conference focused on the child's experience when a parent has cancer and concluded that honest communication, appropriate to the child's age and temperament, is essential, and that oncology providers should institute programs that help families deal with the illness.

A Novel Drug for Treatment of Necrotizing Soft-Tissue Infections: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

IMPORTANCE: Necrotizing soft-tissue infections (NSTI) have high morbidity and mortality rates despite aggressive surgical debridement and antibiotic therapy. AB103 is a peptide mimetic of the T-lymphocyte receptor, CD28. We hypothesized that AB103 will limit inflammatory responses to bacterial toxins and decrease the incidence of organ failure. OBJECTIVES: To establish the safety of AB103 in patients with NSTI and evaluate the potential effects on clinically meaningful parameters related to the disease. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded study was performed in 6 academic medical centers in the United States. Participants included adults with NSTI. Of 345 patients screened, 43 were enrolled for the intent-to-treat analysis, and 40 met criteria for the modified intent-to-treat analysis; 15 patients each were included in the high-dose and low-dose treatment arms, and 10 in the placebo arm. INTERVENTION: Single intravenous dose of AB103 (0.5 or 0.25 mg/kg) within 6 hours after diagnosis of NSTI. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Change in the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score within 28 days, intensive care unit-free and ventilator-free days, number and timing of debridements, plasma and tissue cytokine levels at 0 to 72 hours, and adverse events. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were comparable in the treatment groups. The Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score improved from baseline in both treatment groups compared with the placebo group at 14 days (change from baseline score, -2.8 in the high-dose, -2 in the low-dose, and +1.3 in the placebo groups; P = .04). AB103-treated patients had a similar number of debridements (mean [SD], 2.2 [1.1] for the high-dose, 2.3 [1.2] for the low-dose, and 2.8 [2.1] for the placebo groups; P = .56). There were no statistically significant differences in intensive care unit-free and ventilator-free days or in plasma and tissue cytokine levels. No drug-related adverse events were detected. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: AB103 is a safe, promising new agent for modulation of inflammation after NSTI. Further study is warranted to establish efficacy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01417780.

The contribution of rib fractures to chronic pain and disability.

BACKGROUND: The contribution of rib fractures to chronic pain and disability is not well described. METHODS: Two hundred three patients with rib fractures were followed for 6 months. Chronic pain was assessed using the McGill Pain Questionnaire Pain Rating Index and Present Pain Intensity (PPI) scales. Disability was defined as a decrease in work or functional status. RESULTS: The prevalence of chronic pain was 22% and disability was 53%. Acute PPI predicted chronic pain. Associated injuries, bilateral rib fractures, injury severity score, and number of rib fractures were not predictive of chronic pain. No acute injury characteristics were predictive of disability. Among 89 patients with isolated rib fractures, the prevalence of chronic pain was 28% and of disability was 40%. No injury characteristics predicted chronic pain. Bilateral rib fractures and acute PPI predicted disability. CONCLUSION: The contribution of rib fractures to chronic pain and disability is significant but unpredictable with conventional injury descriptors.

Prolonged pain and disability are common after rib fractures.

BACKGROUND: The contribution of rib fractures to prolonged pain and disability may be underappreciated and undertreated. Clinicians are traditionally taught that the pain and disability of rib fractures resolves in 6 to 8 weeks. METHODS: This study was a prospective observation of 203 patients with rib fractures at a level 1 trauma center. Chest wall pain was evaluated by the McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) pain rating index (PRI) and present pain intensity (PPI). Prolonged pain was defined as a PRI of 8 or more at 2 months after injury. Prolonged disability was defined as a decrease in 1 or more levels of work or functional status at 2 months after injury. Predictors of prolonged pain and disability were determined by multivariate analysis. RESULTS: One hundred forty-five male patients and 58 female patients with a mean injury severity score (ISS) of 20 (range, 1 to 59) had a mean of 5.4 rib fractures (range, 1 to 29). Forty-four (22%) patients had bilateral fractures, 15 (7%) had flail chest, and 92 (45%) had associated injury. One hundred eighty-seven patients were followed 2 months or more. One hundred ten (59%) patients had prolonged chest wall pain and 142 (76%) had prolonged disability. Among 111 patients with isolated rib fractures, 67 (64%) had prolonged chest wall pain and 69 (66%) had prolonged disability. MPQ PPI was predictive of prolonged pain (odds ratio [OR], 1.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4 to 2.5), and prolonged disability (OR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.5 to 3.4). The presence of significant associated injuries was predictive of prolonged disability (OR, 5.9; 95% CI, 1.4 to 29). CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged chest wall pain is common, and the contribution of rib fractures to disability is greater than traditionally expected. Further investigation into more effective therapies that prevent prolonged pain and disability after rib fractures is needed.

Management of full-thickness duodenal laceration in the damage control era: evolution to primary repair without diversion or decompression.

The management of duodenal laceration (DL) is controversial. We sought to determine the influence of damage control (DC) on the use of decompression/diversion/exclusion (DDE) techniques and the risk of duodenal-related complications (DRC). We conducted a retrospective review of all patients with full-thickness DL surviving more than 72 hours in the years 1989 to 2009. Forty-one patients with a median duodenal organ injury scale of 3 and a mean abdominal trauma index (ATI) of 45 ± 24 underwent laparotomy. Twenty-five patients (61%) were treated with DC and 16 (39%) with fascial closure (FC). Although the ATI of the patients treated with DC was greater than the ATI of the patients treated with FC (56 ± 23 vs 28 ± 17, P < 0.001), DRCs were equivalent (two vs three, nonsignificant). Twenty-one patients were treated in the first decade and 20 in the second decade. Between the first and second decades, there were trends toward an increased use of DC (52 to 70%, nonsignificant) and a decreased use of DDE (52 to 35%, nonsignificant) with a significant reduction in DRC (5 vs 0, P = 0.04). Among the 18 patients (44%) who underwent DDE procedures there were 2 DRCs (11%) related to DDE. Among the 23 patients who did not have DDE, there were three DRCs (13%), including two obstructions, one partial and one complete. When DC is used after DL, DDE may be unnecessary. Diversion is recommended, however, when the duodenum is at risk for obstruction after primary repair.

Biomechanical testing of a novel, minimally invasive rib fracture plating system.

BACKGROUND: A novel rib fracture repair plating system was developed to provide durable fixation with a shorter length than standard systems and thus facilitate minimally invasive repair. We hypothesized that U-plate fixation would be at least equivalent in durability to standard anterior fixation. STUDY: Twenty fresh frozen ribs (10 pairs) from two human cadavers were first tested for intact stiffness (force or deformation). A gap of 5 mm was then created in the middle of each rib with a saw. Each rib was reconstructed with either the U-plate (4.6 cm length, Acute Innovations, LLC, Hillsboro, OR) with four screws or a 2.4-mm anterior locking plate (9.5 cm length, Synthes, Paoli, PA) with six screws. The U-plates were placed on one rib and the anterior plates on the contralateral rib of the paired levels. The reconstructed ribs were cycled 50,000 times with a load of +/-2N at 1 Hz in a simulation of the repetitive loading of deep breathing. The stiffness of the construct was measured throughout the test. RESULTS: Stiffness decreased from the intact rib to the transected/plated rib for both types of fixation; however, a significant decrease in stiffness was observed only with the anterior repair (p = 0.03). After 50,000 cycles, the U-plated ribs lost 0.12 +/- 0.03 N/mm (1.9%) stiffness, whereas the anterior-plated ribs lost 0.72 +/- 0.13 N/mm (9.9%) stiffness (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In this simulation of an unstable rib fracture with a small bony gap, U-plate fixation was more durable than standard anterior fixation. The greatly diminished size of the U-plate compared with the standard may facilitate minimally invasive rib fracture repair.

Management and outcome of pneumatosis intestinalis.

BACKGROUND: Pneumatosis intestinalis (PI), infiltration of gas into the bowel wall, has traditionally been associated with immediate operative intervention and a high mortality rate. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the diagnosis and management of pneumatosis in an attempt to characterize the disease, and examined management strategies. RESULTS: Ninety-seven patients had a computed tomography (CT) diagnosis of pneumatosis. The location of pneumatosis was as follows: 46% colon, 27% small bowel, 5% stomach, and 7% both small and large bowel. Fourteen patients also had portal venous gas and 6 (43%) of these patients died. Management strategy was non-operative in 52%, operative in 33%, and futile care in 15%. The overall mortality rate was 22% (16% operative, 6% non-operative, and 87% futile). Patients who died had a higher mean APACHE II score (25 vs 11, P <.001). CONCLUSIONS: Approximately 50% of patients with pneumatosis can be successfully managed non-operatively. The combination of PI and portal venous gas may confer a higher mortality rate.

Traumatic thoracic aortic transection in small-diameter aortas: percutaneous endograft repair.

The authors describe percutaneous repair of traumatic aortic transection in small-caliber aortas by using iliac extender stent-grafts in three patients (two female and one male patient; average age, 29.3 years). The average aortic diameters were 18.7 mm proximal and 16.4 mm distal to the tear. Iliac limb extenders (55 mm in length, 20-22 mm in diameter) were transferred from their 55-cm long delivery sheaths into 80-cm 16- or 18-F sheaths. The long sheaths enabled the percutaneous delivery of multiple stent-grafts to the thoracic aorta via a single femoral sheath. The transections were successfully treated in all patients without complication.

Statewide assessment of injury and death rates among riders of off-road vehicles treated at trauma centers.

BACKGROUND: Injuries and deaths among riders of off-road motorized all-terrain vehicles are increasing in the US. We hypothesized that serious injuries in Oregon have increased among riders of both four-wheel and two-wheel vehicles. STUDY DESIGN: We analyzed the Oregon Trauma Registry. Seriously injured patients treated in the state's designated urban and rural trauma centers were identified using E-codes (821.0 to 821.9), which indicate whether patients were riding either an off-road all-terrain four-wheel vehicle (ATV) or off-road two-wheeled motorcycle (ORMC). Second, we performed a supplemental analysis of similar patients in the trauma registry of Oregon's University-based tertiary care trauma center. Patients in earlier time periods were compared with those in later time periods. RESULTS: Patients injured riding off-road vehicles and needing treatment in Oregon's trauma centers increased 76%. Sixty percent of patients were injured riding an ATV, and 35% were injured riding an ORMC. Children (aged younger than 15 years) were 20% and 23% of patients in the earlier and later years. At Oregon's University-based Level I trauma center, in the years 2002 to 2005, more than twice as many patients needed tertiary care for severe injuries caused by off-road vehicle crashes compared with the previous 4 years. CONCLUSIONS: There has been an alarming increase in the number of both ATV and ORMC riders requiring treatment in Oregon's trauma centers. Surgeons need to join a coalition of health care providers, citizens and public officials to implement a comprehensive injury-prevention response to this epidemic.

Fine-needle aspiration diagnosis of plasmacytoma presenting as breast masses in a patient on estrogen therapy for prostate cancer.

We describe a 79-yr-old man with a history of androgen-independent metastatic prostate cancer treated with exogenous estrogens presenting with bilateral breast masses associated with bilateral axillary lymphadenopathy. Although the findings on physical examination with the concomitant history of estrogen therapy for metastatic prostate cancer raised the clinical suspicion of breast cancer, fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology identified the lesions as multiple myeloma.

DNA fingerprints provide a patient-specific breast cancer marker.

BACKGROUND: Detection of systemic breast cancer recurrence is limited by lack of universally expressed tumor cell markers. We hypothesized that a test that detects genetic alterations specific to breast cancer cells of an individual patient would provide a superior cancer marker. METHODS: DNA was extracted from blood, primary tumor, and axillary lymph nodes of 33 breast cancer patients and normal breast tissue of 12 control patients. A patient's genome was scanned by PCR amplification between Alu sequences. A DNA fingerprint of approximately 17-40 bands was produced for comparison between normal blood and sampled tissues. RESULTS: There were 7 stage I, 18 stage II, 7 stage III, and 1 stage IV breast cancer cases; 33 of 33 cancer cases showed DNA fingerprint differences between blood and primary tumor (P <.0001). This test predicted 100% of positive nodes. No false-negatives occurred, and in two cases malignancy was detected in histologically negative nodes. Three of the 12 controls showed a single similar band change. CONCLUSIONS: DNA fingerprinting is a method for detecting and characterizing genetic alterations specific to an individual patient's primary tumor in 100% of cases tested. These specific changes were also identified in 100% of positive nodes, proving the capacity of the test to detect metastases.

Breast cancer severity score is an innovative system for prognosis.

BACKGROUND: Survival in breast cancer maybe more accurately predicted by a scoring system based on the biologic characteristics of the tumor such as diameter, number of involved nodes, and hormone receptor status than by conventional staging. METHODS: Medical records of 419 patients with a diagnosis of breast cancer from a university hospital between 1997 and 2002 were reviewed. Tumor characteristics were given a value reflecting the impact on survival. Tumor diameter was assigned 1 point per cm, specifically: 1 point for 0.1 to 1 cm, 2 points for 1.1 to 2 cm, 3 points for 2.1 to 5 cm, and 4 points for 5.1 cm and over. Nodal status was assigned 1 point if the patient had 1 to 3 positive nodes, 5 points if 4 to 10 positive nodes were found, and 10 points if more than 10 nodes were identified. Hormone receptor status was given 1 point if either estrogen or progesterone receptors were not present or 2 points if both were absent. The breast cancer severity score (BCSS) was used to analyze overall and disease-free survival by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Significance of differences in survival was determined by log-rank analysis. RESULTS: An increased severity score was inversely proportional to overall and disease-free survivals. A BCSS of greater than 7 was most predictive of outcome with 5-year survival of 68%; and a BCSS of less than 7 had a 5-year survival of 98% (P = 0.0028). A BCSS of greater than 7 also discriminated disease-free survival within stage II (P = 0.02) and stage III (P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The BCSS provides a better resolution of outcome than traditional staging, and works both for overall survival and within specific stages. Using the BCSS, management and follow-up can be specifically tailored for low- and high-risk patients.