Antibiotics Do Not Reduce Length of Hospital Stay for Uncomplicated Diverticulitis in a Pragmatic Double-Blind Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Antibiotic treatment is the standard care for patients with uncomplicated acute diverticulitis. However, this practice is based on low-level evidence and has been challenged by findings from 2 randomized trials, which did not include a placebo group. We investigated the non-inferiority of placebo vs antibiotic treatment for the management of uncomplicated acute diverticulitis. METHODS: In the selective treatment with antibiotics for non-complicated diverticulitis study, 180 patients hospitalized for uncomplicated acute diverticulitis (determined by computed tomography, Hinchey 1a grade) from New Zealand and Australia were randomly assigned to groups given antibiotics (n = 85) or placebo (n = 95) for 7 days. We collected demographic, clinical, and laboratory data and answers to questionnaires completed every 12 hrs for the first 48 hrs and then daily until hospital discharge. The primary endpoint was length of hospital stay; secondary endpoints included occurrence of adverse events, readmission to the hospital, procedural intervention, change in serum markers of inflammation, and patient-reported pain scores at 12 and 24 hrs. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in median time of hospital stay between the antibiotic group (40.0 hrs; 95% CI, 24.4-57.6 hrs) and the placebo group (45.8 hrs; 95% CI, 26.5-60.2 hrs) (P = .2). There were no significant differences between groups in adverse events (12% for both groups; P = 1.0), readmission to the hospital within 1 week (1% for the placebo group vs 6% for the antibiotic group; P = .1), and readmission to the hospital within 30 days (11% for the placebo group vs 6% for the antibiotic group; P = .3). CONCLUSIONS: Foregoing antibiotic treatment did not prolong length of hospital admission. This result provides strong evidence for omission of antibiotics for selected patients with uncomplicated acute diverticulitis. ACTRN: 12615000249550.

Trauma in the Elderly: Demographic Trends (1995-2014) in a Major New Zealand Trauma Centre.

BACKGROUND: Population studies have confirmed an increase in the proportion of elderly patients (≥65 years of age), and this could be expected to be reflected in trauma admissions and outcomes. This study aims to investigate the demographic trends for elderly patients admitted following trauma to Auckland City Hospital (ACH) and their outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The ACH Trauma Database was searched from 1995 to 2014, and data including date of admission, injury cause, age, sex, mortality, Injury Severity Score (ISS), Intensive Care Unit (ICU) stay and length of stay (LOS) were extracted. RESULTS: A total of 26,882 patients were identified, with 4428 patients ≥65 years of age admitted following trauma. In the mid-1990s between 200 and 250 trauma patients ≥65 years were admitted to ACH annually. This has increased to >400 in 2014 and now represents >20% of all admissions. Females are over represented (61.7%) in those ≥65 years (vs. 29.4% in < 65 years, p < 0.001), and falls are the greatest cause of admission for trauma in those ≥65 years at 72% (vs. 36.9% in those < 65 years, p < 0.001). Elderly trauma patients are more than twice as likely to die (5.6% vs. 2.3%, p < 0.001) compared with trauma patients < 65 years despite an identical median ISS of 4 (p = 0.86). Furthermore, of those ≥65 years, 2.2% died of minor/moderate trauma (ISS ≤ 15) versus only 0.12% for those < 65 years confirming the complexities of ageing physiology in a trauma setting. Until 2003, mortality from trauma in elderly patients closely paralleled the rate of severe trauma admissions (ISS ≥ 16), but after 2003, despite a steady increase in severe trauma in this cohort, mortality rates have fallen. CONCLUSIONS: Elderly patients bring with them a greater burden of co-morbidities, and trauma admission of elderly patients has almost doubled over 20 years, including severe trauma (ISS ≥ 16), but despite this mortality has decreased. Integration of services into the new ACH in 2003 as well as improving trauma and medical care may be possible explanations. Further resources will be required to meet service demand, along with consideration of strategies to integrate multi-disciplinary care and consolidate trauma management for this vulnerable patient group.

Resuscitative thoracotomy in penetrating trauma.

The resuscitative thoracotomy (RT) is an important procedure in the management of penetrating trauma. As it is performed only in patients with peri-arrest physiology or overt cardiac arrest, survival is low. Experience is also quite variable depending on volume of penetrating trauma in a particular region. Survival ranges from 0% to as high as 89% depending on patient selection, available resources, and location of RT (operating or emergency rooms). In this article, published guidelines are reviewed as well as outcomes. Technical considerations of RT and well as proper training, personnel, and location are also discussed.

Radiological cardiac compression secondary to retrosternal haematoma in blunt trauma.

Nil.

Key performance indicators in an acute surgical unit: have we made an impact?

INTRODUCTION: Timely access to acute surgery is a worldwide issue and New Zealand is similarly affected. Auckland City Hospital is one of the largest metropolitan public hospitals in New Zealand where more than 60 % of surgical admissions fit into the acute category. In January 2009, an Acute Surgical Unit (ASU) was set up to improve acute surgical flow. Key performance indicators (KPIs) were identified as valuable tools in evaluating ASU service performance. Our goals were to describe the current acute patient pathway, present the early trend of KPIs for the ASU and determine whether an impact has been made on acute surgical patients. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients admitted with acute general surgical conditions from January 2008 (pre-ASU) to October 2010 was performed. Patient data were identified through hospital electronic records. KPIs assessed included: (1) time to assess referred patients from the emergency department (ED) and from GPs [where patient assessment occurs in the assessment and planning unit (APU)]; (2) preoperative length of stay (LOS[PO]); (3) length of stay of nonadmitted patients (LOS[NA]); (4) case volume "in h" (0730-1730) versus "after h"; and (5) readmission rate. Statistical analysis was performed with one-way ANOVA, regression, and χ(2) tests. RESULTS: Results show a reduction of mean time from referral to assessment from 2.28 to 1.6 h in the ED (p ≤ 0.001). Patients are seen in APU after GP referral sooner as well as the time from referral to assessment reducing from 2 to 1.76 h (p < 0.001). The LOS[PO] has not changed significantly overall (34.58 vs. 34.88 h, p = not significant [NS]). However, there are encouraging signs in high-volume procedures, such as appendicectomy. The mean LOS[PO] for appendicectomy was 7.81 h but is now 6.53 h (p ≤ 0.005). The LOS[NA] has decreased from 15.23 to 9.48 h (p < 0.005). Since the development of the ASU, the number of cases operated on "in hours" is increasing with a corresponding decrease in "after hours" operating. CONCLUSIONS: Our KPIs demonstrate an early positive trend of facilitating acute patient flow. There is minimal difference between pre- and post-ASU LOS[PO].The causes are likely multifactorial, including increased case volume displacing minor cases of lesser urgency, lack of operating staff, and shortage of hospital beds in winter months. This study supports the utility of ASU in facilitating patient flow in a NZ metropolitan public hospital.

Impact of the COVID-19 national lockdown on emergency general surgery: Auckland City Hospital's experience.

BACKGROUND: The New Zealand Government announced a four-level COVID-19 alert system soon after the first confirmed case in the country. New Zealand moved swiftly to the highest alert level 4, described as lockdown, as the epidemic curve quickly accelerated. Auckland City Hospital saw a temporary change in acute surgical admissions. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of the national lockdown on emergency general surgery. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed of all patients admitted to Auckland City Hospital via the Acute Surgical Unit during lockdown from 26 March to 27 April 2020. A comparison group was collected from the 33 days prior to lockdown, 22 February to 25 March 2020. RESULTS: The number of admissions decreased by 26% (P-value 0.000). A 56.8% decrease in patients presenting with trauma was found (P-value 0.002). After exclusion of trauma patients, no statistical difference in discharge diagnosis was found. There was a 43.6% reduction in operations performed (P-value 0.037). There was a difference found in the management of appendicitis and cholecystitis (P-value 0.003). Median length of stay was decreased from 1.8 to 1.3 days (P-value 0.031). CONCLUSION: Auckland City Hospital had a decrease in admissions and operations during the COVID-19 lockdown. These findings suggest people with serious pathology were staying at home untreated or being treated in the community. This is a snapshot of our experience in managing emergency general surgical patients in this unusual period.

Ageing acute surgical population: the Auckland experience.

BACKGROUND: This study provides data supporting the supposition that more elderly patients are requiring surgical care and illustrates the risks associated with acute surgical illness in elderly patients. METHODS: The clinical records database was accessed to identify all patients discharged from general surgery and acute surgical unit (ASU) during 2013 and 2014. These groups were stratified by age (over 80 years). Data were collected on number of patients discharged per year, length of stay, number of intensive care unit admissions and number of procedures and mortality rates. RESULTS: There is an increasing number of patients aged over 80 years who were discharged from ASU; 7.02% (n = 296) in 2013 and 8.20% (n = 344) in 2014. Patients aged over 80 years were spending 1.88 days (P-value < 0.001) longer in hospital than those under 80 years in 2014. Mortality rates in 2013 were 3.716 deaths per 100 admissions and 5.814 per 100 admissions in 2014. In 2013, the risk ratio of death in hospital for patients over 80 years was 36.4 (P-value < 0.001) times higher than patients under 80 years. CONCLUSION: The mean length of stay and mortality rates are higher for patients over 80 years. Mortality rates are higher in acute admissions compared with elective admissions. This identifies a need for increased care for elderly patients admitted for acute surgical care. We suggest a trial of attaching a specialist geriatrician to the ASU who will provide a service for at risk patients.

Trauma training in New Zealand: A survey of General Surgical trainees.

INTRODUCTION: The surgical management of trauma is an important aspect of training in general surgery. The aim of this study is to assess the current levels of experience in trauma management and attitudes towards adequacy of exposure amongst current trainees in New Zealand. METHOD: An anonymous survey assessing experience in trauma management posted to all New Zealand general surgical trainees in Surgical Education and Training (SET) years two to five. RESULTS: 21 of 62 trainees responded. There was little correlation between SET levels or months of registrar experience and number of operations performed, which ranged from 0 to 22. 81% of trainees felt their exposure to trauma operations was inadequate. The average supervision rate for operating was 73%. The majority of trainees showed an interest in trauma with 76% replying yes, with four answering maybe, and one no. 100% of trainees felt that training in trauma was at least somewhat important. DISCUSSION: Experience and training in trauma care is very important but currently inadequate to allow the safe delivery of surgical treatment for injured patients by well-trained surgeons. Surgical training needs to be reorganised, using all available clinical and simulation resources to ensure this critical skills area is maintained for all trainees.

An ageing trauma population: The Auckland experience.

AIM: As the population ages, the number of elderly patients suffering injuries is increasing. Reports from North America have shown an increasing proportion of elderly admissions with a disproportionate number of deaths. However, this trend has not yet been examined in New Zealand. The aim of this study was to determine unique characteristics of geriatric patients as compared to the general trauma population. METHOD: The trauma database at Auckland City Hospital (ACH) was queried for patients age 65 years and above admitted between 2005-2012. Demographics, mechanism of injury, length of stay, and disposition were recorded. RESULTS: 1644 patients were included. The proportion of elderly patient admissions increased from 15% to 20% over the study period (p=<0.001). There were 93 deaths (6%); mortality increased with age-9% for patients 85+ compared to 5% for age 65-84 (p=0.004). Elderly trauma patients accounted for 38% of all trauma deaths. Average length of stay for survivors was 9 +/- 10 days, with 63% discharged home (n=1042), 19% to rehabilitation (n=316) and 7% to rest home (n=111). Falls were the most common mechanism (n=1261, 76%), however these patients had lower mortality compared to road traffic collision (4% vs. 12%, p<0.001) and pedestrians struck (4% vs. 11%, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: ACH has seen a significant increase in elderly trauma admissions without a change in catchment or referral pattern. These patients have a higher mortality than those under 65, longer length of stay, and are less likely to return home. Specific education on fall prevention should be increased to lessen the burden on the health system as a whole. Given the linear increase in mortality, specialised geriatric care should be considered starting at age 75.

Damage-control laparotomy in nontrauma patients: review of indications and outcomes.

BACKGROUND: The principle of damage-control laparotomy (DCL) in trauma is well established. The DCL concept can be applied in emergency general surgery when an abbreviated laparotomy is performed at the initial stage. Subsequent definitive management and abdominal closure are achieved when the patient is stabilized. In this study, we report our experience with DCL in acute general surgical nontrauma patients. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of all nontrauma patients who underwent DCL at Auckland City Hospital from January 2008 to December 2010. Data including indications and outcome were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Forty-two nontrauma patients underwent DCL in the 3-year period. The median age was 66 years. There were 22 males and 20 females. The most common primary indications for DCL were bowel ischemia (13 patients), bleeding (13 patients), and peritonitis (10 patients). Majority of patients had an American Society of Anesthesiologists score of 3 or 4. Overall, 24 patients (57%) underwent closure of the fascia within 7 days, 7 patients were closed after more than 7 days, and 11 patients could not undergo primary closure at all. The main complications after DCL were sepsis (14 patients) and intra-abdominal collections (10 patients). There were significantly fewer postoperative complications in patients undergoing early closure. The medium length of stay in intensive care as well as in hospital was significantly less in the early closure group. However, postoperative respiratory failure was more common in those with early closure (5 vs. 0). The mortality rate overall was 19%, with no significant difference regarding timing of abdominal closure. CONCLUSION: The DCL principle is often applied to the critically ill surgical patients in the nontrauma setting. This group of critical surgical patients has a high morbidity and mortality. However, early abdominal closure should be performed where possible to prevent complications. It is unclear whether patients with early closure were going to have a better outcome regardless, and prospective studies are needed to address. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic/care management, level V.

Comparison of appendicectomy outcomes: acute surgical versus traditional pathway.

INTRODUCTION: The acute surgical unit (ASU) is an evolving novel concept introduced to address the challenge of maintaining key performance indicators (KPIs) in the face of an increasing acute workload. METHODS: The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the performance of the ASU (from June 2008 to December 2010) at Auckland City Hospital with the traditional model (from January 2006 to May 2008) and benchmark the results against other similar published studies. The analysis was on the basis of KPIs for 1857 appendicectomies, which form a large volume of acute surgical presentations. RESULTS: Our results show significant improvement in length of stay (2.8 days, 2.6 days, P = 0.0001) and proportion of daytime operations (59.4%, 65.8%, P = 0.004), in keeping with other studies on benchmarking. CONCLUSION: The introduction of ASU has led to significant improvements in some KPIs for appendicectomy outcomes in the face of an increasing workload.

Spontaneous gastroduodenal artery aneurysm rupture in acute surgery.

Among the rarest of the visceral aneurysms, gastroduodenal artery (GDA) aneurysms often present with spontaneous rupture and are associated with a high mortality rate. Their aetiology is poorly understood. This report describes a case of haemorrhagic shock due to sudden GDA aneurysm rupture in a patient with a significant autoimmune history.

Acute Surgical Unit at Auckland City Hospital: a descriptive analysis.

Lack of timely assessment and access to acute operating rooms is a worldwide problem and also exists in New Zealand hospitals. To address these issues, an Acute Surgical Unit (ASU) was set up at Auckland City Hospital (ACH) in January 2009. This service has evolved and been modified to address the specific needs of acute surgical patients of ACH. Despite initial challenges inherent to setting up a new service, the Unit has been in steady operation and enhanced its performance over time. This paper is a descriptive analysis of the design of the ACH ASU and discusses some of the indications for streamlining acute surgical services at a large tertiary metropolitan hospital in New Zealand. Performance of the ASU has shown benefits for acute patients and the Hospital. The acute surgical rotation has also been beneficial for surgical training.

Diagnosis of blunt traumatic ruptured diaphragm: is it still a difficult problem?

BACKGROUND: Blunt traumatic rupture of the diaphragm (BTRD) is uncommon. The diagnosis can be easily overlooked, and radiological findings misinterpreted. In a 15-year experience at the two major trauma hospitals in Brisbane reported in 1991, 85 patients with BTRD were treated, and the diagnosis not always made expeditiously. With the introduction of mandatory Early Management of Severe Trauma course training in the 90s and newer diagnostic tools, it might be expected that BTRD would be a less problematic diagnosis. The aim of this study was to review the incidence, diagnosis and outcome of BTRD at Auckland City Hospital over the last 10 years. METHODS: Retrospective review of Auckland City hospital trauma registry between 1996 and 2005. Demographics include age, gender, injury severity score (ISS), length of stay, ICU admission days, methods of diagnosis and patient outcomes were reviewed. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients had TRD as result of blunt injury. Median ISS was 28.5. Most of the patients were diagnosed at the time of laparotomy for other associated injuries. Road traffic crash was the most common cause. Twenty-one out of 28 patients were discharged alive. CONCLUSION: Diagnosis of BTRD remains difficult. It is rarely isolated. It requires a high index of suspicion. If suspected, chest X-ray (CXR) and other more advanced imaging modalities can be used as confirmatory tools.

Penetrating cardiac injury: overcoming the limits set by Nature.

Repair of cardiac wounds was considered impossible little over 100 years ago. Despite progress, penetrating cardiac injury remains a highly lethal form of trauma today. Cardiac tamponade and exsanguination are the greatest immediate and life-threatening risks. Clinical presentation is extremely variable and diagnosis may be highly deceptive. Unlike other forms of trauma, resuscitation is of limited value and urgent operative intervention is the only meaningful treatment. Refinements in cardiothoracic surgery and the simultaneous evolution of trauma care systems have both contributed to saving lives. However, mortality rates for this condition have changed little in the last century, due largely to the rising proportion of more lethal injuries caused by gunshot wounds.

A 12-year review of gunshot injuries: Auckland City Hospital experience.

OBJECTIVE: To review gunshot injuries treated in Auckland City Hospital (Auckland, New Zealand) over 12 years (1995-2006) and to determine their intent, incidence, presentation, severity of injuries, and outcome. METHODS: Retrospective review of patients with gunshot wounds (GSW) identified from the Auckland City Hospital Trauma registry over the 12-year period 1995-2006. RESULTS: A cohort of 56 patients was identified. The majority of patients were male (91%). Fifty-two percent of patients suffered accidental injuries. The average age of the victims was 32. In the final outcome, 4 (7%) patients died, all due to GSW to the head, while all others were discharged alive. CONCLUSION: Gunshot injury is not a common presentation to Auckland City Hospital, the largest metropolitan hospital in New Zealand. Despite the small number of patients presented, the overall outcomes remain acceptable.

Management of low-velocity, non-gunshot-wound penetrating abdominal injury: have we moved with the times?

BACKGROUND: The incidence of penetrating abdominal injuries in Australia and New Zealand is low. Traditionally, low-velocity, non-gunshot-wound (GSW) penetrating abdominal injuries have been surgically explored. With advances in imaging modalities and laparoscopic techniques, more options now exist to determine the presence or absence of serious intra-abdominal injury. Surgical intervention can often be avoided. We undertook this study to determine whether these options had been reflected in surgical practice and management changed in this population of patients. METHODS: Retrospective review of trauma patients over the 10-year duration 1996-2005 admitted to Auckland City Hospital Trauma Services. The population of patients were subdivided into two cohorts, an earlier group (1996-2000) and a later group (2001-2005) for comparison purposes. RESULTS: No statistical significance existed between the two groups in their demographics and treatment approaches. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the availability of laparoscopic procedures and advanced imaging techniques, surgical practice in a major metropolitan New Zealand hospital had not changed. This may reflect both the success of the earlier treatment guidelines and failure of educational strategies to effect change of practice.

Focal nodular hyperplasia: what are the indications for resection?

Focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) is a benign condition of the liver that is often discovered incidentally on radiological investigation. FNH has no malignant potential, is rarely symptomatic and surgical intervention is almost never required. However, eight patients with a diagnosis of FNH associated with upper abdominal pain or rapid growth were referred for surgery. All patients had been extensively investigated for other causes of pain and had been observed for between 1 and 7 years prior to surgical referral. The FNH lesions were between 1 cm and 8 cm in diameter. One FNH lesion 7.5 cm in diameter lay in segment VII/VIII and was related to the right and middle hepatic veins. All patients were resected with immediate and lasting control of their symptoms. Based on this experience FNH should be managed in a manner similar to haemangiomas with most lesions being safe to observe. However, it should be recognized that symptomatic FNH does occur, as well as FNH behaving in an unusual fashion such as rapid growth. Both of these findings are indications for resection.