Impact of a Novel Preoperative Patient-centered Surgical Wellness Program.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate if a preoperative wellness bundle significantly decreases the risk of hospital acquired infections (HAI). BACKGROUND: HAI threaten patient outcomes and are a significant burden to the healthcare system. Preoperative wellness efforts may significantly decrease the risk of infections. METHODS: A group of 12,396 surgical patients received a wellness bundle in a roller bag during preoperative screening at an urban academic medical center. The wellness bundle consisted of a chlorhexidine bath solution, immuno-nutrition supplements, incentive spirometer, topical mupirocin for the nostrils, and smoking cessation information. Study staff performed structured patient interviews, observations, and standardized surveys at key intervals throughout the perioperative period. Statistics compare HAI outcomes of patients in the wellness program to a nonintervention group using the Fisher's exact test, logistic regression, and Poisson regression. RESULTS: Patients in the nonintervention and intervention groups were similar in demographics, comorbidity, and type of operations. Compliance with each element was high (80% mupirocin, 72% immuno-nutrition, 71% chlorhexidine bath, 67% spirometer). The intervention group had statistically significant reductions in surgical site infections, Clostridium difficile, catheter associated urinary tract infections, and patient safety indicator 90. CONCLUSIONS: A novel, preoperative, patient-centered wellness program dramatically reduced HAI in surgical patients at an urban academic medical center.

A decade's experience with balloon catheter tamponade for the emergency control of hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Balloon catheter tamponade is a valuable technique for arresting exsanguinating hemorrhage. Indications include (1) inaccessible major vascular injuries, (2) large cardiac injuries, and (3) deep solid organ parenchymal bleeding. Published literature is limited to small case series. The primary goal was to review a recent experience with balloon catheter use for emergency tamponade in a civilian trauma population. METHODS: All patients requiring emergency use of a balloon catheter to tamponade exsanguinating hemorrhage (1998-2009) were included. Patient demographics, injury characteristics, technique, and outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 44 severely injured patients (82% presented with hemodynamic instability; mean base deficit=-20.4) who required balloon catheter tamponade, 23 of the balloons (52%) remained indwelling for more than 6 hours. Overall mortality depended on the site of injury/catheter placement and indwelling time (81% if <6 hours; 52% if ≥6 hours; p<0.05). Physiologic exhaustion was responsible for 76% of deaths in patients with short-term balloons. Mortality among patients with prolonged balloon catheter placement was 11%, 50%, and 88% for liver, abdominal vascular, and facial/pharyngeal injuries, respectively. Mean indwelling times for iliac, liver, and carotid injuries were 31 hours, 53 hours, and 78 hours, respectively. Overall survival rates were 67% (liver), 67% (extremity vascular), 50% (abdominal vascular), 38% (cardiac), and 8% (face). Techniques included Foley, Fogarty, Blakemore, and/or Penrose drains with concurrent red rubber Robinson catheters. Initial tamponade of bleeding structures was successful in 93% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Balloon catheter tamponade can be used in multiple anatomic regions and for variable patterns of injury to arrest ongoing hemorrhage. Placement for central hepatic gunshot wounds is particularly useful. This technique remains a valuable tool in a surgeon's armamentarium.

Uncrossmatched blood transfusions for trauma patients in the emergency department: incidence, outcomes and recommendations.

BACKGROUND: Early transfusion of blood products for severely injured patients can improve volume depletion, acidosis, dilution and coagulopathy. There is concern that some patients are unnecessarily exposed to the risks of emergent transfusion with uncrossmatched red blood cell products (URBC) in the emergency department (ED). The goal of this study was to evaluate the transfusion practices in our ED among all patients who received URBC. METHODS: We analyzed all injured patients transfused at least 1 URBC in the ED at a level-1 trauma centre between Jan. 15, 2007, and Jan. 14, 2008. Demographics, injuries and outcomes were reported. We used standard statistical methodology. RESULTS: At least 1 URBC product was transfused into 153 patients (5% of all patients, mean 2.6 products) in the ED (median Injury Severity Score [ISS] 28; hemodynamic instability 94%). Sixty-four percent of patients proceeded to an emergent operation and 17% required massive transfusion. The overall mortality rate was 45%, which increased to 52% and 100% in patients who received 4 and 5 or more URBC products, respectively. Nonsurvivors had a higher median ISS (p=0.017), received more URBC in the ED (p=0.006) and possessed more major vascular injuries (p<0.001). Among nonsurvivors, 67% died of uncontrollable hemorrhage. Unnecessary URBC transfusions in the ED occurred in 7% of patients. CONCLUSION: Overtransfusion was minimal based on clinical acumen triggers. Early transfer of patients receiving URBC products in the ED to the operating room, intensive care unit or angiography suite for ongoing resuscitation and definitive hemorrhage control must be strongly considered.

Acute care surgery in evolution.

At the center of the development of acute care surgery is the growing difficulty in caring for patients with acute surgical conditions. Care demands continue to grow in the face of an escalating crisis in emergency care access and the decreasing availability of surgeons to cover emergency calls. To compound this problem, there is an ever-growing shortage of general surgeons as technological advances have encouraged subspecialization. Developed by the leadership of the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma, the specialty of acute care surgery offers a training model that would produce a new breed of specialist with expertise in trauma surgery, surgical critical care, and elective and emergency general surgery. This article highlights the evolution of the specialty in hope that these acute care surgeons, along with practicing general surgeons, will bring us closer to providing superb and timely care for patients with acute surgical conditions.

The diagnosis of intraabdominal visceral injury.

This article outlines the different modalities that have been used for the diagnosis of intraabdominal visceral injury. The methods span decades, and their development was driven by the need to provide an accurate and rapid diagnosis of intraabdominal injury for the patient. Some of these modalities parallel the explosion in technology. Each has been validated and criticized but eventually had developed its own "niche" in the assessment of the injured patient. Finally, they have all withstood the test of time.

Early predictors of massive transfusion in patients sustaining torso gunshot wounds in a civilian level I trauma center.

BACKGROUND: Early prediction of the need for massive transfusion (MT) remains difficult. We hypothesized that MT protocol (MTP) utilization would improve by identifying markers for MT (>10 units packed red blood cell [PRBC] in 24 hours) in torso gunshot wounds (GSW) requiring early transfusion and operation. METHODS: Data from all MTPs were collected prospectively from February 1, 2007, to January 31, 2009. Demographic, transfusion, anatomic, and operative data were analyzed for MT predictors. RESULTS: Of the 216 MTP activations, 78 (36%) patients sustained torso GSW requiring early transfusion and operation. Five were moribund and died before receiving MT. Of 73 early survivors, 56 received MT (76%, mean 19 units PRBC) and 17 had early bleeding control (EBC), (24%, mean 5 units PRBC). Twelve transpelvic and 13 multicavitary wounds all received MT regardless of initial hemodynamic status (mean systolic blood pressure: 96 mm Hg; range, 50-169). Of 31 MT patients with low-risk trajectories (LRT), 18 (58%) had a systolic blood pressure <90 mm Hg compared with 3 of 17 (17%) in the EBC group (p < 0.01). In these same groups, a base deficit of <-10 was present in 27 of 31 (92%) MT patients versus 4 of 17 (23%) EBC patients (p < 0.01). The presence of both markers identified 97% of patients with LRT who requiring MT and their absence would have potentially eliminated 16 of 17 EBC patients from MTP activation. CONCLUSIONS: In patients requiring early operation and transfusion after torso GSW: (1) early initiation of MTP is reasonable for transpelvic and multicavitary trajectories regardless of initial hemodynamic status as multiple or difficult to control bleeding sources are likely and (2) early initiation of MTP in patients with LRT may be guided by a combination of hypotension and acidosis, indicating massive blood loss.

The impact of country and culture on end-of-life care for injured patients: results from an international survey.

BACKGROUND: Up to 20% of all trauma patients admitted to an intensive care unit die from their injuries. End-of-life decision making is a variable process that involves prognosis, predicted functional outcomes, personal beliefs, institutional resources, societal norms, and clinician experience. The goal of this study was to better understand end-of-life processes after major injury by comparing clinician viewpoints from various countries and cultures. METHODS: A clinician-based, 38-question international survey was used to characterize the impacts of medical, religious, social, and system factors on end-of-life care after trauma. RESULTS: A total of 419 clinicians from the United States (49%), Canada (19%), South Africa (11%), Europe (9%), Asia (8%), and Australasia (4%) completed the survey. In America, the admitting surgeon guided most end-of-life decisions (51%), when compared with all other countries (0-27%). The practice structure of American respondents also varied from other regions. Formal medical futility laws are rarely available (14-38%). Ethical consultation services are often accessible (29-98%), but rarely used (0-29%), and typically unhelpful (<30%). End-of-life decision making for patients with traumatic brain injuries varied extensively across regions with regard to the impact of patient age, Glasgow Coma Scale score, and clinician philosophy. Similar differences were observed for spinal cord injuries (age and functional level). The availability and use of "donation after cardiac death" also varied substantially between countries. CONCLUSIONS: In this unique study, geographic differences in religion, practice composition, decision-maker viewpoint, and institutional resources resulted in significant variation in end-of-life care after injury. These disparities reflect competing concepts (patient autonomy, distributive justice, and religion).

Occult pneumothoraces in patients with penetrating trauma: Does mechanism matter?

BACKGROUND: Supine anteroposterior (AP) chest radiography is an insensitive test for detecting posttraumatic pneumothoraces (PTXs). Computed tomography (CT) often identifies occult pneumothoraces (OPTXs) not diagnosed by chest radiography. All previous literature describes the epidemiology of OPTX in patients with blunt polytrauma. Our goal was to identify the frequency of OPTXs in patients with penetrating trauma. METHODS: All patients with penetrating trauma admitted over a 10-year period to Grady Memorial Hospital with a PTX were identified. We reviewed patients' thoracoabdominal CT scans and corresponding chest radiographs. RESULTS: Records for 1121 (20%) patients with a PTX (penetrating mechanism) were audited; CT imaging was available for 146 (13%) patients. Of these, 127 (87%) had undergone upright chest radiography. The remainder (19 patients) had a supine AP chest radiograph. Fifteen (79%) of the PTXs detected on supine AP chest radiographs were occult. Only 10 (8%) were occult when an upright chest radiograph was used (p < 0.001). Posttraumatic PTXs were occult on chest radiographs in 17% (25/146) of patients. Fourteen (56%) patients with OPTXs underwent tube thoracostomy, compared with 95% (115/121) of patients with overt PTXs (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Up to 17% of all PTXs in patients injured by penetrating mechanisms will be missed by standard trauma chest radiographs. This increases to nearly 80% with supine AP chest radiographs. Upright chest radiography detects 92% of all PTXs and is available to most patients without spinal trauma. The frequency of tube thoracostomy use in patients with overt PTXs is significantly higher than for OPTXs in blunt and penetrating trauma.

Thoracic needle decompression for tension pneumothorax: clinical correlation with catheter length.

BACKGROUND: Tension pneumothorax requires emergent decompression. Unfortunately, some needle thoracostomies (NTs) are unsuccessful because of insufficient catheter length. All previous studies have used thickness of the chest wall (based on cadaver studies, ultrasonography or computed tomography [CT]) to extrapolate probable catheter effectiveness. The objective of this clinical study was to identify the frequency of NT failure with various catheter lengths. METHODS: We evaluated the records of all patients with severe blunt injury who had a prehospital NT before arrival at a level-1 trauma centre over a 48-month period. Patients were divided into 2 groups: helicopter (4.5-cm catheter sheath) and ground ambulance (3.2 cm) transport. Success of the NT was confirmed by the absence of a large pneumothorax on subsequent thoracic ultrasonography and CT. RESULTS: Needle thoracostomy decompression was attempted in 1.5% (142/9689) of patients. Among patients with blunt injuries, the incidence was 1.4% (101/7073). Patients transported by helicopter (74%) received a 4.5-cm sheath. The remainder (26% ground transport) received a 3.2-cm catheter. A minority in each group (helicopter 15%, ground 28%) underwent immediate chest tube insertion (before thoracic ultrasound) because of ongoing hemodynamic instability. Failure to decompress the pleural space by NT was observed via ultrasound and/or CT in 65% (17/26) of attempts with a 3.2-cm catheter, compared with only 4% (3/75) of attempts with a 4.5-cm catheter (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Tension pneumothorax decompression using a 3.2-cm catheter was unsuccessful in up to 65% of cases. When a larger 4.5-cm catheter was used, fewer procedures (4%) failed. Thoracic ultrasonography can be used to confirm NT placement.

Dramatic innovations in modern surgical subspecialties.

Innovation is defined as the introduction of something new, whether an idea, method or device. In this article, we describe the most important and innovative concepts and techniques that have advanced patient care within modern surgical subspecialties. We performed a systematic literature review and consulted academic subspecialty experts to evaluate recent changes in practice. The identified innovations included reduced blood loss and improved training in hepatobiliary surgery, total mesorectal excision and neoadjuvant therapies in colorectal surgery, prosthetic mesh in outpatient surgery, sentinel lymph node theory in surgical oncology, endovascular and wire-based skills in vascular and cardiovascular surgery, and the acceptance of abnormal anatomy through damage-control procedures in trauma and critical care. The common denominator among all subspecialties is an improvement in patient care manifested as a decrease in morbidity and mortality. Surgeons must continue to pursue innovative thinking, technological advances, improved training and systematic research.

Pneumomediastinum in the injured patient: inconsequential or predictive?

Free air in the peritoneum is a portent of significant pathology in the patient with abdominal trauma. The finding of a pneumomediastinum (PM) on a thoracic computed tomography scan (CT) of a trauma patient is, however, not clinically well-defined. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the incidence, pattern, and outcome of CT-diagnosed PM in a cohort of injured patients. The trauma registry and radiology reports were reviewed retrospectively for all injured patients admitted over an 8-year period to determine the incidence of PM. Medical and radiological records of patients with a PM on thoracic CT were then reviewed to determine the pattern and outcome of the injuries. There were 1364 thoracic CTs performed in the study-period. The prevalence of PM was 5.2 per cent (71/1364). For the cohort of patients with a PM, the mean age was 34.8 years, and 14.7 per cent (10/68) had penetrating injuries. Of these 68 patients, 10.3 per cent (7/68) presented with nine clinically significant injuries to the esophagus, trachea, larynx, or bronchus. These injuries were suspected clinically by an associated open wound or significant symptoms, and only 5.8 per cent of (4/68) patients required surgical repair. The remaining 89.7 per cent (61/68) of patients with a PM did not develop any sequelae nor require further directed treatment. A finding of a pneumomediastinum on a thoracic CT in injured patients is rare and clinically nonspecific. Pneumomediastinum alone does not seem to be predictive of severe injury and warrants detailed investigation only when clinical symptoms are present.

Temporary intravascular shunts: when are we really using them according to the NTDB?

Temporary intravascular shunts (TIVS) are synthetic intraluminal conduits that maintain arterial and/or venous blood flow. This technique can be used for: 1) replantation; 2) open extremity fractures with extensive soft tissue and arterial injuries; or 3) damage control (extremity/truncal). The literature defining TIVS is composed exclusively of small case series (primarily penetrating injuries). Our goal was to identify the injured population who actually undergoes TIVS using the National Trauma Data Bank (2001 to 2005). TIVS were placed in 395 patients (mean Injury Severity Score = 26; initial hemodynamic instability = 24%; mean based deficit = -7.2; mortality = 14%). Blunt mechanisms caused 64 per cent (251 of 395) of cases. Penetrating injuries were primarily gunshot wounds (97%). Concurrent severe extremity fractures and/or soft tissue defects were present in 185 (74%) blunt-injured patients. Only six of 111 centers performing TIVS used this technique five or more times. Only three centers used TIVS more than 10 times. The volume of TIVS use was similar across the study period (P > 0.05). TIVS is primarily used in blunt motor vehicle collision trauma with concurrent severe extremity fractures and soft tissue injuries. This provides distal perfusion while surgeons assess/fixate the limb. TIVS are placed relatively uncommonly by a large number of trauma centers with a few hospitals using them much more frequently for penetrating injuries.

A gift: Presidential Address at the 2009 Western Trauma Association for the surgery of trauma.

This Western Trauma Association Presidential Address is about my mentor program. It outlines some background material on mentorship and the results of an alumni mentee survey.

Upper extremity amputations after motor vehicle rollovers.

BACKGROUND: The upper extremity is vulnerable to injury during a rollover motor vehicle crash (MVC). There is some concern that positioning one's arm on a vehicle door/window eliminates the benefit of maintaining containment within a protective structure. Mangled extremities with associated vascular injuries have an amputation rate exceeding 40%. The primary goal was to describe the care process and outcome of patients requiring an emergent upper extremity amputation after a rollover MVC. METHODS: All patients requiring an upper extremity amputation after a rollover MVC (2000-2008) were included. Patient demographics, injuries, and outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: Seventeen patients required an upper extremity amputation after a rollover MVC (mean injury severity score = 23; hemodynamic instability at presentation = 29%). Injuries occurred on the side ipsilateral to the occupant vehicle position in 88% of cases. Most (76%) amputations occurred between May 1 and August 1 of their respective years, with 11 (65%) in the past 24 months. All amputations except one (replantation attempt) were completed within 24 hours. Concurrent operative procedures were performed in six (35%) patients, including three diagnostic peritoneal lavages, two laparotomies (splenectomies), one craniotomy, and one thoracotomy (atrial rupture). Mortality (12%) was a direct result of traumatic brain injuries. Temporary intravascular shunts were used before amputation in four (24%) patients. The majority (65%) of amputations were above the elbow joint. CONCLUSIONS: Blunt mangled upper extremities requiring completion amputations are most often caused by MVC rollovers. The risk of this injury is strongly associated with summer days and seems to be increasing in frequency.

A caveat to the performance of pericardial ultrasound in patients with penetrating cardiac wounds.

BACKGROUND: The pericardial window in a focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST) examination is highly accurate for detecting hemopericardium and, therefore, associated cardiac injury. A series of patients with false-negative pericardial ultrasound examinations, who were subsequently diagnosed with cardiac lacerations after presenting with stab wounds, are described. METHODS: All patients with a normal pericardial ultrasound examination, despite subsequent diagnosis of a cardiac injury, are described (2005-2008). RESULTS: Five patients with stab wounds to the precodium displayed initial and repeatedly normal pericardial windows on a FAST examination. Each patient was eventually diagnosed with a penetrating cardiac injury and concurrent laceration of their pericardial sac. This combination of injuries allowed decompression of blood from the cardiac injury into the thoracic cavity and, therefore, prevented accumulation of a hemopericardium. CONCLUSIONS: The pericardial component of the FAST examination is commonly used for patients who present with penetrating wounds to the precordium. In cases of concurrent lacerations of the pericardial sac, pericardial ultrasound may not detect a cardiac injury because of associated decompression into the thoracic cavity.

Improvements in early mortality and coagulopathy are sustained better in patients with blunt trauma after institution of a massive transfusion protocol in a civilian level I trauma center.

INTRODUCTION: Transfusion practices across the country are changing with aggressive use of plasma (fresh-frozen plasma [FFP]) and platelets during massive transfusion with current military recommendations to use component therapy at a 1:1:1 ratio of packed red blood cells to FFP to platelets. METHODS: A massive transfusion protocol (MTP) was designed to achieve a packed red blood cell:FFP:platelet ratio of 1:1:1 We prospectively gathered demographic, transfusion, and patient outcome data during the first year of the MTP and compared this with a similar cohort of injured patients (pre-MTP) receiving > or = 10 red blood cell (RBC) in the first 24 hours of hospitalization before instituting the MTP. RESULTS: One hundred sixteen MTP activations occurred. Twelve non-trauma patients and 31 who did not receive 10 RBC (15 deaths, 16 early bleeding controls) were excluded. Seventy-three MTP patients were compared with 84 patients with pre-MTP who had similar demographics and injury severity score (29 vs. 29, p = 0.99). MTP patients received an average of 23.7 RBC and 15.6 FFP transfusions compared with 22.8 RBC (p = 0.67) and 7.6 FFP (p < 0.001) transfusions in pre-MTP patients. Early crystalloid usage dropped from 9.4 L (pre-MTP) to 6.9 L (MTP) (p = 0.006). Overall patient mortality was markedly improved at 24 hours, from 36% in the pre-MTP group to 17% in the MTP group (p = 0.008) and at 30 days (34% mortality MTP group vs. 55% mortality in pre-MTP group, p = 0.04). Blunt trauma survival improvements were more marked and more sustained than victims of penetrating trauma. Early deaths from coagulopathic bleeding occurred in 4 of 13 patients in the MTP group vs. 21 of 31 patients in the pre-MTP group (p = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS: In the civilian setting, aggressive use of FFP and platelets drastically reduces 24-hour mortality and early coagulopathy in patients with trauma. Reduction in 30 day mortality was only seen after blunt trauma in this small subset.

To Sleep, Perchance to Dream: Acute and Chronic Sleep Deprivation in Acute Care Surgeons.

BACKGROUND: Acute and chronic sleep deprivation are significantly associated with depressive symptoms and are thought to be contributors to the development of burnout. In-house call inherently includes frequent periods of disrupted sleep and is common among acute care surgeons. The relationship between in-house call and sleep deprivation among acute care surgeons has not been previously studied. The goal of this study was to determine prevalence and patterns of sleep deprivation in acute care surgeons. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective study of acute care surgeons with in-house call responsibilities from 2 level I trauma centers was performed. Participants wore a sleep-tracking device continuously over a 3-month period. Data collected included age, sex, schedule of in-house call, hours and pattern of each sleep stage (light, slow wave, and rapid eye movement [REM]), and total hours of sleep. Sleep patterns were analyzed for each night, excluding in-house call, and categorized as normal, acute sleep deprivation, or chronic sleep deprivation. RESULTS: There were 1,421 nights recorded among 17 acute care surgeons (35.3% female; ages 37 to 65 years, mean 45.5 years). Excluding in-house call, the average amount of sleep was 6.54 hours, with 64.8% of sleep patterns categorized as acute sleep deprivation or chronic sleep deprivation. Average amount of sleep was significantly higher on post-call day 1 (6.96 hours, p = 0.0016), but decreased significantly on post-call day 2 (6.33 hours, p = 0.0006). Sleep patterns with acute and chronic sleep deprivation peaked on post-call day 2, and returned to baseline on post-call day 3 (p = 0.046). CONCLUSIONS: Sleep patterns consistent with acute and chronic sleep deprivation are common among acute care surgeons and worsen on post-call day 2. Baseline sleep patterns were not recovered until post-call day 3. Future study is needed to identify factors that affect physiologic recovery after in-house call and further elucidate the relationship between sleep deprivation and burnout.

Acetabular and isolated pelvic ring fractures: a comparison of initial assessment and outcome.

The purpose of this study was to describe the comparative outcomes of patients with pelvic ring fractures, acetabular fractures, and combinations of the same. Patients with pelvic or acetabular fractures were identified in the Hospital Trauma Registry, and all appropriate data were collected by reviewing the patients' medical records, the hospital operative logs, transfusion records, and the records of surgical morbidity conferences. Patient management was consistent over the time period of the study. Univariate analysis of continuous variables was done using Student's t test; and categorical variables were analyzed with X2 analysis. All statistical analysis was performed using JMP software (SAS International Inc., Cary, NC) with significance set at P < 0.05. One thousand, three hundred and thirty-four patients with 320 acetabular, 826 pelvic ring, and 188 combination fractures over 10 years were analyzed. Age, race, and gender were typical of trauma patients and similar amongst groups. Injury Severity Score was significantly higher (21.3 vs 12.9, P < 0.05) and Glasgow Coma Scale was significantly lower (12.5 vs 13.6, P < 0.05) in patients with pelvic ring fractures as compared with acetabular fractures. Hypotension was more common in patients with pelvic ring fractures (13.9% vs 5.3%, P < 0.05). Patients with pelvic ring fractures required more blood transfusions (3.83 vs 1.36, P < 0.05) and base deficit was lower (-6.7 vs -5.5, P = 0.03). Mortality was significantly higher among patients with pelvic ring fractures (16.5% vs 5.6%, P < 0.01). Among survivors, hospital length of stay (LOS) (18.7 vs 14.8 days, P = 0.08) and intensive care unit LOS (7.8 vs 4.7 days, P = 0.008) were significantly longer with pelvic ring fractures. Functional Independence Measurement scores trended to a higher functional outcome in patients with acetabular fractures (10.3 vs 10.0, P = 0.08). Patients with pelvic ring fractures have a worse admission base deficit, higher transfusion requirements, and increased hypotension on admission. This is reflected in their significantly higher mortality and longer hospital and intensive care unit LOS in survivors. Such clinical information is helpful when caring for patients with acetabular vs pelvic ring fractures.

The Alvarado score should be used to reduce emergency department length of stay and radiation exposure in select patients with abdominal pain.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal pain is the common reason patients seek treatment in emergency departments (ED), and computed tomography (CT) is frequently used for diagnosis; however, length of stay (LOS) in the ED and risks of radiation remain a concern. The hypothesis of this study was the Alvarado score (AS) could be used to reduce CT scans and decrease ED LOS for patients with suspected acute appendicitis (AA). METHODS: A retrospective review of patients who underwent CT to rule out AA from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2015, was performed. Patient demographics, medical history, ED documentation, operative interventions, complications, and LOS were all collected. Alvarado score was calculated from the medical record. Time to CT completion was calculated from times the patient was seen by ED staff, CT order, and CT report. RESULTS: Four hundred ninety-two patients (68.1% female; median age, 33 years) met the inclusion criteria. Most CT scans (70%) did not have findings consistent with AA. Median AS for AA on CT scan was 7, compared with 3 for negative CT (p < 0.001). One hundred percent of female patients with AS of 10 and males with AS of 9 or greater had AA confirmed by surgical pathology. Conversely, 5% or less of female patients with AS of 2 or less and 0% of male patients with AS of 1 or less were diagnosed with AA. One hundred six (21.5%) patients had an AS within these ranges and collectively spent 10,239 minutes in the ED from the time of the CT order until the radiologist's report. CONCLUSION: Males with an AS of 9 or greater and females with AS of 10 should be considered for treatment of AA without imaging. Males with AS of 1 or less and females with AS of 2 or less can be safely discharged with follow-up. Using AS, a significant proportion of patients can avoid the radiation risk, the increased cost, and increased ED LOS associated with CT. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic IV, therapeutic IV.

Management of extremity fasciotomy sites prospective randomized evaluation of two techniques.

INTRODUCTION: Morbidity from the treatment of extremity compartment syndrome is underappreciated. Closure technique effectiveness has yet to be definitively established. METHODS: A randomized non-blinded prospective study was performed involving patients who underwent an extremity fasciotomy following trauma. Shoelace wounds were strapped with vessel loops under tension and VAC wounds were treated with a standard KCI VAC dressing. After randomization, patients returned to the OR every 96 h until primarily closed or skin grafted. RESULTS: 21 patients were consented for randomization with 11 (52%) successfully closed at the first re-operation. After interim analysis the study was closed early with 5/5 (100%) of wounds treated with the shoelace technique closed primarily and only 1/9 (11%) of VAC wounds closed primarily (p = 0.003). Overall primary closure was achieved in 74% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Aggressive attempts at wound closure lead to an increased early closure rate. For wounds that remain open after the first re-operation, a simple shoelace technique is more successful than a wound VAC for achieving same hospital stay skin closure.