Does kidney transplantation to iliac artery deteriorate ischemia in the ipsilateral lower extremity with peripheral arterial disease?

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to investigate the progression of lower extremity ischemia following kidney transplantation to iliac artery in patients with peripheral arterial disease. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of all renal transplant patients completed at a university teaching medical center from January 2006 to December of 2011 was performed. A total of 219 patients underwent successful kidney transplantation to the common, external, or internal iliac artery. Pre- and post-transplantation ischemic changes in the ipsilateral lower extremity were reviewed and analyzed. RESULTS: Thirty-eight of the 219 patients had ipsilateral peripheral arterial disease and seven of them were symptomatic. Six of the seven symptomatic patients remained stable and one patient's rest pain improved, postoperatively. Eight patients developed new symptoms of ischemia 12 months later, including four with claudication, two with ischemic ulcers, and two with gangrene toes. The ulcers were healed following superficial femoral artery stenting and wound care. Toe amputation was performed in two patients with gangrene. No major amputation was required up to 48 months of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Transplanted kidney to iliac artery does not significantly deteriorate ischemia in adults with ipsilateral lower extremity peripheral arterial disease. Late developed ischemic complications may be due to the progression of underlying arterial disease.

Retroperitoneal immature teratoma.

Retroperitoneal immature teratoma is a rare tumor in the newborn infant with only a few instances reported in several case series.(1,2,3) We report a case of retroperitoneal immature teratoma presenting unusually on day one of life with severe abdominal distension and respiratory failure.

Prospective validation of the Rib Injury Guidelines for traumatic rib fractures.

INTRODUCTION: The Rib Injury Guidelines (RIG) were developed to guide triage of traumatic rib fracture patients to home, regular floor, or intensive care unit (ICU) and standardize care. The RIG score is based on patient history, physical examination, and imaging findings. The aim of this study was to evaluate triage effectiveness and health care resources utilization following RIG implementation. METHODS: This is a prospective analysis at a level I trauma center from October 2017 to January 2020. Adult (18 years or older) blunt trauma patients with a diagnosis of at least one rib fracture on computed tomography imaging were included. Patients before (PRE) and after (POST) implementation of RIG were compared. In the POST group, patients were divided into RIG 1, RIG 2, and RIG 3 based on their RIG score. Outcomes were readmission for RIG 1 patients, unplanned ICU admission for RIG 2 patients, and overall ICU admission. Secondary outcomes were hospital length of stay (LOS) and mortality. RESULTS: A total of 1,100 patients were identified (PRE, 754; POST, 346). Mean ± SD age was 56 ± 19 years, 788 (71.6%) were male, and median Injury Severity Score was 14 (range, 10-22). The most common mechanism of injury was motor vehicle collision (554 [50.3%]), 253 patients (22.9%) had ≥5 rib fractures, and 53 patients (4.8%) had a flail chest. In the POST group, 74 patients (21.1%) were RIG 1; 121 (35.2%), RIG 2; and 151 (43.7%), RIG 3. No patient in RIG 1 was readmitted following initial discharge, and two patients (1.6%) in RIG 2 had an unplanned ICU admission (both for alcohol withdrawal syndrome). Patients after implementation of RIG had shorter hospital LOS (3 [1-6] vs. 4 [1-7] days; p = 0.019) and no difference in mortality (5.8% vs. 7.7%; p = 0.252). On multivariate analysis, RIG implementation was associated with decreased ICU admission (adjusted odds ratio, 0.55 [0.36-0.82]; p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: Rib Injury Guidelines are safe and effectively define triage of rib fracture patients with an overall reduction in ICU admissions, shorter hospital LOS, and no readmissions. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic/care management, level III.

Unusual late occurrence of bowel obstruction following blunt abdominal trauma.

We report a case of late occurrence of small bowel obstruction due to stricture resulting from blunt abdominal trauma. On initial computed tomography (CT) scan, the patient had a mesenteric hematoma, which was managed conservatively. Approximately two weeks later, he complained of worsening abdominal pain and developed clinical signs of bowel obstruction. A repeat enhanced CT scan showed a stenotic loop of distal ileum adjacent to a large mesenteric mass. The loop was resected. We propose that post-traumatic intestinal stenosis be considered in the differential diagnosis in patients who have experienced blunt abdominal trauma and present later with clinical signs of bowel obstruction.

Barriers to improving health care value in emergency general surgery: A nationwide analysis.

INTRODUCTION: There is a growing need to improve the quality of care while decreasing health care costs in emergency general surgery (EGS). Health care value includes costs and quality and is a targeted metric by improvement programs. The aim of our study was to evaluate the trend of health care value in EGS over time and to identify barriers to high-value surgical care. METHODS: The (2012-2015) National Readmission Database was queried for patients 18 years or older who underwent an EGS procedure (according to the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma definition). Health care value (V = quality metrics/cost) was calculated from the rates of freedom from readmission, major complications, reoperation, and failure to rescue (FTR) indexed over inflation-adjusted hospital costs. Outcomes were the trends in the quality metrics: 6-month readmission, major complications, reoperation, FTR, hospital costs, and health care value over the study period. Multivariable linear regression was performed to determine the predictors of lower health care value. RESULTS: We identified 887,013 patients who underwent EGS. Mean ± SD age was 51 ± 20 years, and 53% were male. The rates of 6-month readmission, major complications, reoperation, and FTR increased significantly over the study period. The median hospital costs also increased over the study period (2012, US $9,600 to 2015, US $13,000; p < 0.01). However, the health care value has decreased over the study period (2012, 0.35; 2013, 0.30; 2014, 0.28; 2015, 0.25; p < 0.01). Predictors of decreased health care value in EGS are age 65 years or older (ß = -0.568 [-0.689 to -0.418], more than three comorbidities (ß = -0.292 [-0.359 to -0.21]), readmission to a different hospital (ß = -0.755 [-0.914 to -0.558]), admission to low volume centers (ß = -0.927 [-1.126 to -0.682]), lack of rehabilitation (ß = -0.004 [-0.005 to -0.003]), and admission on a weekend (ß = -0.318 [-0.366 to -0.254]). CONCLUSION: Health care value in EGS appears to be declining over time. Some of the factors leading to decreased health care value in EGS are potentially modifiable. Health care value could potentially be improved by reducing fragmentation of care and promoting regionalization. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Economic, level IV.

Operative spinal trauma: Thromboprophylaxis with low molecular weight heparin or a direct oral anticoagulant.

Essentials Operative spine trauma patients are at increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) may have a favorable efficacy and safety in spine trauma. Patients on DOACs had lower rates of VTE in comparison to low molecular weight heparin. DOACs did not augment the risk of surgical bleeding (transfusion, decompressive procedures). BACKGROUND: Spinal trauma patients are at high risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE). OBJECTIVE: To compare the impacts of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) and low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) as thromboprophylactic agents on outcomes in operative spinal trauma patients. METHODS: A 2-year (2015-2016) retrospective cohort analysis of such patients (spine Abbreviated Injury Scale [AIS] ≥ 3 and other AIS < 3) who received LMWH or DOACs was performed. Propensity score matching (1:2 ratio) followed stratification into two groups. Outcomes included rates of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and/or pulmonary embolism (PE), packed red blood cell (pRBC) transfusion, operative interventions for spinal cord decompression, and mortality. RESULTS: Of 6036 patients, 810 (270 receiving DOACs; 540 receiving LMWH) were matched. The mean age was 62 ± 15 years, 58% were male, and the median Injury Severity Score was 12 (10-18). Matched groups were similar in demographics, injury parameters, emergency department vital signs, hospital stay, rates of inferior vena cava filter placement, and timing of initiation of thromboprophylaxis. The overall rate of in-hospital DVT was 5.6%, the overall rate of in-hospital PE was 1.6%, and the mortality rate was 2.5%. DOAC patients were less likely to develop DVT (1.8% vs 7.4%) and PE (0.3% vs 2.1%). There were no differences in postprophylaxis pRBC transfusion requirements, postprophylaxis decompressive procedures on the spinal cord, or mortality. CONCLUSION: In operative spinal trauma patients, thromboprophylaxis with DOACs appears to be associated with lower rates of DVT and PE. Further prospective clinical trials should evaluate the role of DOACs in preventing VTE events in spinal trauma patients.

Is early chemical thromboprophylaxis in patients with solid organ injury a solid decision?

BACKGROUND: The optimal time to initiate chemical thromboprophylaxis (CTP) in patients who have undergone nonoperative management (NOM) of blunt solid organ injuries (SOI) remains controversial. The aim of our study was to assess the impact of early initiation of CTP in patients with blunt abdominal SOIs. METHODS: We performed a 2-year (2013-2014) retrospective analysis of American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Improvement Program. We included all adult trauma patients (age, ≥ 18 years) with blunt SOI who underwent NOM. Patients were stratified into three groups based on timing of CTP (early, ≤48 hours of injury; late, >48 hours of injury,; and no prophylaxis group). Our primary outcomes were rates of failure of NOM, pRBC transfusion, and mortality. Our secondary outcomes were the rate of venous thromboembolic (VTE) events (i.e., deep venous thrombosis [DVT] and/or pulmonary embolism [PE]) and length of stay. RESULTS: A total of 36,187 patients met the inclusion criteria. Mean age was 49.5 ± 19 years and 36% of patients received CTP (early, 37% (n = 4,819) versus late, 63% (n = 8,208)). After controlling for confounders, patients receiving early CTP had lower rates of DVT (p = 0.01) and PE (p = 0.01) compared with the no prophylaxis and late CTP groups. There was no difference between the three groups regarding the postprophylaxis pRBC transfusions, failure of NOM, and mortality. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that in patients undergoing NOM of blunt abdominal SOI, early initiation of CTP should be considered. It is associated with decreased rates of DVT and PE, with no significant difference in post prophylaxis pRBC transfusion, failure of nonoperative management, and mortality. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, level V.

Prospective evaluation of health-related quality of life in geriatric trauma patients.

BACKGROUND: Frailty is an established predictor of adverse outcomes in geriatric patients. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is an important outcome measure among trauma patients. This prospective observational study examined the impact of frailty on health-related quality of life in geriatric trauma patients. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled geriatric (age ≥65 years) trauma patients. We calculated the frailty index (FI) within 24 hours of admission using the trauma-specific frailty index. Patients were stratified into frail (frailty index ≥0.27) and nonfrail (frailty index <0.27). Health-related quality of life was calculated at discharge and at 30 days (day) after discharge using the RAND Short Form-36 (SF-36). Outcome measures were health-related quality of life at discharge, 30-days postdischarge, and delta health-related quality of life. Regression analysis was performed to control for demographic, vital signs, and injury parameters. RESULTS: We enrolled 296 patients. The mean age was 75.1 ± 9.8 years, 59% were male, and 81% were white. Frail patients accounted for 34%, and they had a lower health-related quality of life at discharge (366 vs 548, P < .01) and at 30-day postdischarge (393 vs 744, P < .01). Nonfrail patients scored higher in 6 out of 8 domains of health-related quality of life. Nonfrail patients had improved delta health-related quality of life (P < .01), unlike frail patients (P = .11). A linear regression model revealed an inverse relationship between frailty and improvement in health-related quality of life over 30-day postdischarge (ß = -0.689, [confidence interval, -0.963 to -0.329] P = .01). This association remained statistically significant after controlling for potential confounding covariates, such as age, sex, race, and injury severity. CONCLUSION: Compared with nonfrail geriatric trauma patients, those who were frail had poor health-related quality of life at discharge and at 30-day postdischarge. Frailty negatively affects the recovery of health-related quality of life after trauma. The use of frailty indices may help identify and develop targeted interventions to improve health-related quality of life among geriatric trauma patients.

Four-factor prothrombin complex concentrate is associated with improved survival in trauma-related hemorrhage: A nationwide propensity-matched analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Post-traumatic hemorrhage is the most common preventable cause of death in trauma. Numerous small single-center studies have shown the superiority of four-factor prothrombin complex concentrate (4-PCC) along with fresh frozen plasma (FFP) over FFP alone in resuscitation of trauma patients. The aim of our study was to evaluate outcomes of severely injured trauma patients who received 4-PCC + FFP compared to FPP alone. METHODS: Two-year (2015-2016) analysis of the American College of Surgeons-Trauma Quality Improvement Program database. All adult (age ≥18 years) trauma patients who received 4-PCC + FFP or FFP alone were included. We excluded patients who were on preinjury anticoagulants. Patients were stratified into two groups: 4-PCC + FFP versus FFP alone and were matched in a 1:1 ratio using propensity score matching for demographics, vitals, injury parameters, comorbidities, and level of trauma centers. Outcome measures were packed red blood cells, plasma and platelets transfused, complications, and mortality. RESULTS: A total of 468 patients (4-PCC + FFP, 234; FFP alone, 234) were matched. Mean age was 50 ± 21 years; 70% were males; median injury severity score was 27 [20-36], and 86% had blunt injuries. Four-PCC + FFP was associated with a decreased requirement for packed red blood cells (6 units vs. 10 units; p = 0.02) and FFP (3 units vs. 6 units; p = 0.01) transfusion compared to FFP alone. Patients who received 4-PCC + FFP had a lower mortality (17.5% vs. 27.7%, p = 0.01) and lower rates of acute respiratory distress syndrome (1.3% vs. 4.7%, p = 0.04) and acute kidney injury (2.1% vs. 7.3%, p = 0.01). There was no difference in the rates of deep venous thrombosis (p = 0.11) and pulmonary embolism (p = 0.33), adverse discharge disposition (p = 0.21), and platelets transfusion (p = 0.72) between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that the use of 4-PCC as an adjunct to FFP is associated with improved survival and reduction in transfusion requirements compared to FFP alone in resuscitation of severely injured trauma patients. Further studies are required to evaluate the role of addition of PCC to the massive transfusion protocol. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic studies, level III.

Direct Oral Anticoagulants vs Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin for Thromboprophylaxis in Nonoperative Pelvic Fractures.

BACKGROUND: Patients with pelvic fractures are prone to venous thromboembolic (VTE) complications. Recent literature shows superiority of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) over low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) for thromboprophylaxis in patients undergoing orthopaedic operations. The aim of our study was to compare in-hospital outcomes for DOACs vs LMWH in patients with nonoperative pelvic fractures. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a 2-year (2015 to 2016) analysis of the American College of Surgeons-Trauma Quality Improvement Program (ACS-TQIP) database. We included all adult patients with isolated blunt pelvic fractures who were managed nonoperatively and received thromboprophylaxis with either LMWH or DOACs (Factor-Xa inhibitor or direct thrombin inhibitor). Patients were divided into 2 groups based on receipt of DOACs vs LMWH and were propensity-score-matched in a 1:2 ratio to control for possible confounding factors. Primary outcomes were deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and/or pulmonary embolism (PE). Secondary outcomes were pRBC transfusions, intervention for hemorrhage control, and in-hospital mortality after initiation of thromboprophylaxis. RESULTS: We identified 20,692 patients with pelvic fractures. There were 7,312 patients with isolated pelvic fractures included, 852 of whom were matched (DOACs: 284; LMWH: 568). Mean age was 43.2 ± 15 years, median Injury Severity Score was 14 (range 10 to 18). Matched groups were similar in demographics, vital signs, injury parameters, and timing of initiation of thromboprophylaxis. Overall, 5.2% of patients had DVT, 1.4% PE, and 1.3% died. Patients who received DOACs were less likely to develop DVT (1.8% vs 6.9%, p < 0.01) compared with LMWH. There was no difference in PE (p = 0.85) or in-hospital mortality (p = 0.79) between the 2 groups. Similarly, there was no difference in post-prophylaxis blood transfusion, and post-prophylaxis intervention for hemorrhage control. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with nonoperative pelvic fractures, DOACs were associated with a reduced rate of DVT vs LMWH without increasing the risk of bleeding complications. No association was found between the type of thromboprophylactic agent and rates of PE or in-hospital mortality.

Prospective evaluation and comparison of the predictive ability of different frailty scores to predict outcomes in geriatric trauma patients.

BACKGROUND: Different frailty scores have been proposed to measure frailty. No study has compared their predictive ability to predict outcomes in trauma patients. The aim of our study was to compare the predictive ability of different frailty scores to predict complications, mortality, discharge disposition, and 30-day readmission in trauma patients. METHODS: We performed a 2-year (2016-2017) prospective cohort analysis of all geriatric (age, >65 years) trauma patients. We calculated the following frailty scores on each patient; the Trauma-Specific Frailty Index (TSFI), the Modified Frailty Index (mFI) derived from the Canada Study of Health and Aging, the Rockwood Frailty Score (RFS), and the International Association of Nutrition and Aging 5-item a frailty scale (FS). Predictive models, using both unadjusted and adjusted logistic regressions, were created for each outcome. The unadjusted c-statistic was used to compare the predictive ability of each model. RESULTS: A total of 341 patients were enrolled. Mean age was 76 ± 9 years, median Injury Severity Score was 13 [9-18], and median Glasgow Coma Scale score was 15 [12-15]. The unadjusted models indicated that both the TSFI and the RFS had comparable predictive value, as indicated by their unadjusted c-statistics, for mortality, in-hospital complications, skilled nursing facility disposition and 30-day readmission. Both TSFI and RFS models had unadjusted c-statistics indicating a relatively strong predictive ability for all outcomes. The unadjusted mFI and FS models did not have a strong predictive ability for predicting mortality and in-hospital complications. They also had a lower predictive ability for skilled nursing facility disposition and 30-day readmissions. CONCLUSION: There are significant differences in the predictive ability of the four commonly used frailty scores. The TSFI and the RFS are better predictors of outcomes compared with the mFI and the FS. The TSFI is easy to calculate and might be used as a universal frailty score in geriatric trauma patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic, level III.

Prospective evaluation of frailty and functional independence in older adult trauma patients.

BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to assess the association between frailty and functional status in geriatric trauma patients. METHODS: 3-year(2013-2015) prospective analysis and included all geriatric trauma patients(≥65y) discharged to a single rehabilitation center from our level-I trauma center. Frailty was measured using Trauma-Specific-Frailty-Index(TSFI) while Functional status was assessed using functional-independence-measure(FIM) at admission and discharge from rehabilitation center. Multivariate linear regression analysis was performed. RESULTS: 267 patients were enrolled. Mean age was 76.9 ±â€¯7.1y, 63.6% were males. Overall, 22.8% were frail, and 37.4% were pre-frail. On linear regression, higher motor-FIM, higher cognitive-FIM scores at admission, and longer length-of-stay at rehab were independently associated with increased discharge FIM score. While, ISS(injury-severity-score), pre-frail and frail status were negatively correlated with FIM gain. CONCLUSION: Frail patients were less likely to recover to their baseline functional status compared with non-frail patients. Early focused intervention in frail elderly patients is warranted to improve functional status in this population.

Communicating While Receiving Mechanical Ventilation: Texting With a Smartphone.

Two young adults with severe facial injuries were receiving care in the trauma/surgical intensive care unit at a tertiary care, level I trauma center in the southeastern United States. Both patients were able to communicate by texting on their cellphones to family members, friends, and caregivers in the intensive care unit. Patients who are awake and already have experience texting with a smartphone or other electronic handheld device may be able to communicate well while receiving mechanical ventilation.

A Patient With Blunt Trauma and Cardiac Arrest Arriving Pulseless at the Emergency Department; is that Enough Reason to Stop Resuscitation? Review of Literature and Case Report.

The decision to stop or continue resuscitation in a patient with blunt trauma and cardiac arrest arriving pulseless to the hospital has always been controversial. While many authors still believe that it is a futile effort, with no chance of success for complete neurological recovery, some recent reports have challenged the idea. Here we report complete recovery of a severely injured patient following a motor vehicle accident who lost vital signs completely before arrival at our trauma center. No cardiac motion was detected on ultrasound examination on arrival. Emergency department thoracotomy, open cardiac massage, massive blood transfusion, damage control laparotomy with abdominal and pelvic packing, followed by angio-embolization of pelvic bleeding, and staged abdominal exploration were performed. This case is an example showing that resuscitation of patients with blunt trauma and cardiac arrest arriving pulseless to the hospital is not always futile.