Does a collecting system injury with grade iv renal blunt trauma always need urinary intervention?

PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify the characteristics associated with the need for urinary intervention for a blunt renal injury with collection system involvement using a computed tomography (CT) protocol for trauma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Abdominal CT images of patients with blunt renal injuries from 2016 to 2020 were reviewed. Patients with low-grade renal trauma, non-collecting system involvement, American Association for the Surgery of Trauma grade V shattered kidney, and emergent nephrectomy were excluded. The largest perinephric mass thickness was measured in the axial view using CT, and a cutoff value was obtained using a receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis. Risk factors for further urinary intervention were analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 70 patients included in this study, those with perinephric mass thicknesses < 25 mm (n = 36) had a significantly lower rate of urinary intervention than those with perinephric mass thicknesses ≥ 25 mm (0 vs. 5; p = 0.023). There was no significant difference in the follow-up durations of the groups (19 days vs. 38 days; p = 0.198). More than 90% of the perinephric mass in the < 25 mm group resolved within a median follow-up duration of 38 days, whereas nearly half of the ≥ 25 mm group had a residual perinephric mass during a median follow-up duration of 19 days. CONCLUSION: The initial CT protocol for trauma was useful for predicting the need for further urinary interventions for collecting system injuries. A perinephric mass thickness < 25 mm is predictive of a low likelihood of requiring urinary intervention.

Nuance and profound impact: Evaluating the effects of the unmet full coma scale in patients with mild subdural hemorrhage.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with subdural hemorrhage (SDH) and a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 13-15 are typically categorized as having mild traumatic brain injury. We hypothesize that patients without a maximum GCS score - specifically, patients with GCS scores of 13 and 14 - may exhibit poorer neurological outcomes. METHOD: Between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2020, SDH patients with GCS scores ranging from 13 to 15 were retrospectively studied. We compared outcomes between patients with a maximum GCS score of 15 and those with scores of either 13 or 14. Independent factors associated with neurological deterioration among patients with a GCS score of 15 were evaluated using multivariate logistic regression (MLR) analysis. RESULTS: During the study period, 470 patients with SDH and GCS scores between 13 and 15 were examined. Compared to patients with a maximum GCS score (N = 375), those in the GCS 13-14 group (N = 95) showed significantly higher rates of neurological deterioration (33.7% vs. 10.4%, p value <0.001) and neurosurgical interventions (26.3% vs. 16.3%, p value <0.024). Moreover, the GCS 13-14 group had a significantly poorer prognosis than patients with a GCS score of 15 [mortality rate: 7.4% vs. 2.4%, p value <0.017; rate of impaired consciousness at discharge: 21.1% vs. 4.0%, p value <0.001; and rate of neurological disability at discharge: 29.5% vs. 6.9%, p value <0.001]. The MLR analysis revealed that SDH thickness (odds ratio = 1.127, p value = 0.006) was an independent risk factor for neurological disability at discharge in patients with a GCS score of 15. CONCLUSION: Among SDH patients with mild TBI, those with GCS scores of 13-14 exhibited poorer neurological outcomes than those with a maximum GCS score. The thickness of the SDH is positively associated with neurological disability in SDH patients with a maximum GCS score.

Optimizing modern surgical simulation through instructor feedback - insights from a retrospective observational study in a tertiary hospital.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic surgery is associated with a prolonged learning curve for emerging surgeons, and simulation-based training (SBT) has become increasingly prominent in this context due to stringent working time regulations and heightened concerns regarding patient safety. While SBT offers a safe and ethical learning environment, the accuracy of simulators in the context of evaluating surgical skills remains uncertain. This study aims to assess the precision of a laparoscopic simulator with regard to evaluating surgical performance and to identify the instructor's role in SBT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study focused on surgical residents in their 1st through 5th years at the Department of Surgery of Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. The residents participated in a specially designed SBT program using the LapSim laparoscopic simulator. Following the training session, each resident was required to perform a laparoscopic procedure and received individualized feedback from an instructor. Both simulator and instructor evaluated trainees' performance on the LapSim, focusing on identifying correlations between the simulator's metrics and traditional assessments. RESULTS: Senior residents (n = 15), who employed more complex laparoscopic procedures, exhibited more significant improvements after receiving instructor feedback than did junior residents (n = 17). Notably, a stronger correlation between the simulator and instructor assessments was observed in the junior group (junior Global Operative Assessment of Laparoscopic Skills (GOALS) adjusted R2 = 0.285, p = 0.016), while no such correlations were observed among the senior group. CONCLUSION: A well-designed, step-by-step SBT can be a valuable tool in laparoscopic surgical training. LapSim simulator has demonstrated its potential in assessing surgical performances during the early stages of surgical training. However, instructors must provide intuitive feedback to ensure appropriate learning in later stages.

The Role of Diagnostic Laparoscopy in the Evaluation of Abdominal Trauma Patients: A Trauma Quality Improvement Program Study.

PURPOSE: We aimed to identify factors related to delayed intervention in abdominal trauma patients who underwent diagnostic laparoscopy using a nationwide databank. METHODS: From 2017 to 2019, abdominal trauma patients who underwent diagnostic laparoscopy were retrospectively evaluated using the Trauma Quality Improvement Program. Patients who underwent delayed interventions after a primary diagnostic laparoscopy were compared with those who did not. Factors associated with poor outcomes that are usually correlated with overlooked injuries and delayed interventions were also analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 5221 studied patients, 4682 (89.7%) underwent inspection without any intervention. Only 48 (0.9%) patients underwent delayed interventions after primary laparoscopy. Compared with patients receiving immediate interventions during primary diagnostic laparoscopy, patients receiving delayed interventions were more likely to have small intestine injuries (58.3% vs. 28.3%, p < 0.001). Among patients with hollow viscus injuries, a significantly higher probability of overlooked injuries that required delayed intervention was observed in patients with small intestine injuries (small intestine injury: 16.8%; gastric injury: 2.5%; large intestine injury: 5.2%). However, delayed small intestine repair did not significantly affect the risk of surgical site infection (SSI) (p = 0.249), acute kidney injury (AKI) (p = 0.998), or hospital length of stay (LOS) (p = 0.053). In contrast, significantly positive relationships between delayed large intestine repair and poor outcomes were observed (SSI, odds ratio = 19.544, p = 0.021; AKI, odds ratio = 27.368, p < 0.001; LOS, ß = 13.541, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Most examinations and interventions (near 90%) were successful during primary laparoscopy for abdominal trauma patients. Small intestine injuries were easily overlooked. Delayed small intestine repair-related poor outcomes were not observed.

The Role of Open Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in Chest Trauma Patients with No Sign of Life: A National Trauma Data Bank Study.

PURPOSE: The effectiveness of open cardiopulmonary resuscitation (OCPR) remains controversial for trauma patients. In this current study, the role of OCPR in managing chest trauma patients is evaluated using nationwide real-world data. METHODS: From 2014 to 2015, the National Trauma Data Bank was retrospectively queried for chest trauma patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest status. The emergency department (ED) and overall survival of patients without signs of life were analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression (MLR) analysis was performed to evaluate independent factors of mortality for the target group. Furthermore, a subset group of patients who survived after the ED were studied, focusing on the duration of survival after leaving the ED. RESULTS: A total of 911 patients were enrolled in this study (OCPR vs. non-OCPR: 161 patients vs. 750 patients). The average overall mortality rate was 98.6% (N = 898). Among penetrating chest trauma patients, non-survivors in the ED had significantly higher proportions of gunshot injuries (83.9% vs. 69.7%, p = 0.001) and lower proportions of OCPR (20.7% vs. 44.4%, p < 0.001). MLR analysis showed that gunshot injuries and non-OCPR were significantly related to ED mortality in penetrating trauma patients without signs of life (odds ratio = 2.039, p = 0.006 and odds ratio = 2.900, p < 0.001, respectively). However, the overall survival rate of patients after ED survival (n = 99) was 9.9%, and only 21.2% (n = 21) of them survived more than 1 day after leaving the ED. CONCLUSION: OCPR could be considered in situations where appropriate indications exist. The survival benefit was observed in critically ill patients with penetrating chest trauma who show no signs of life. By enhancing ED survival, OCPR may also contribute to overall survival improvement.

Sarcopenia provides extra value outside the PULP score for predicting mortality in older patients with perforated peptic ulcers.

BACKGROUND: Perforated peptic ulcer (PPU) remains challenging surgically due to its high mortality, especially in older individuals. Computed tomography (CT)-measured skeletal muscle mass is a effective predictor of the surgical outcomes in older patients with abdominal emergencies. The purpose of this study is to assess whether a low CT-measured skeletal muscle mass can provide extra value in predicting PPU mortality. METHODS: This retrospective study enrolled older (aged ≥ 65 years) patients who underwent PPU surgery. Cross-sectional skeletal muscle areas and densities were measured by CT at L3 and patient-height adjusted to obtain the L3 skeletal muscle gauge (SMG). Thirty-day mortality was determined with univariate, multivariate and Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS: From 2011 to 2016, 141 older patients were included; 54.8% had sarcopenia. They were further categorized into the PULP score ≤ 7 (n=64) or PULP score > 7 group (n=82). In the former, there was no significant difference in 30-day mortality between sarcopenic (2.9%) and nonsarcopenic patients (0%; p=1.000). However, in the PULP score > 7 group, sarcopenic patients had a significantly higher 30-day mortality (25.5% vs. 3.2%, p=0.009) and serious complication rate (37.3% vs. 12.9%, p=0.017) than nonsarcopenic patients. Multivariate analysis showed that sarcopenia was an independent risk factor for 30-day mortality in patients in the PULP score > 7 group (OR: 11.05, CI: 1.03-118.7). CONCLUSION: CT scans can diagnose PPU and provide physiological measurements. Sarcopenia, defined as a low CT-measured SMG, provides extra value in predicting mortality in older PPU patients.

The role of acute care surgeons in treating rib fractures-a retrospective cohort study from a single level I trauma center.

BACKGROUND: Rib fractures are the most common thoracic injury in patients who sustained blunt trauma, and potentially life-threatening associated injuries are prevalent. Multi-disciplinary work-up is crucial to achieving a comprehensive understanding of these patients. The present study demonstrated the experience of an acute care surgery (ACS) model for rib fracture management from a single level I trauma center over 13 years. METHODS: Data from patients diagnosed with acute rib fractures from January 2008 to December 2020 were collected from the trauma registry of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital (CGMH). Information, including patient age, sex, injury mechanism, Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) in different anatomic regions, injury severity score (ISS), index admission department, intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS), total admission LOS, mortality, and other characteristics of multiple rib fracture, were analyzed. Patients who received surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF) were analyzed separately, and basic demographics and clinical outcomes were compared between acute care and thoracic surgeons. RESULTS: A total of 5103 patients diagnosed with acute rib fracture were admitted via the emergency department (ED) of CGMH in the 13-year study period. The Department of Trauma and Emergency Surgery (TR) received the most patients (70.8%), and the Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery (CTS) received only 3.1% of the total patients. SSRF was initiated in 2017, and TR performed fixation for 141 patients, while CTS operated for 16 patients. The basic demographics were similar between the two groups, and no significant differences were noted in the outcomes, including LOS, LCU LOS, length of indwelling chest tube, or complications. There was only one mortality in all SSRF patients, and the patient was from the CTS group. CONCLUSIONS: Acute care surgeons provided good-quality care to rib fracture patients, whether SSRF or non-SSRF. Acute care surgeons also safely performed SSRF. Therefore, we propose that the ACS model may be an option for rib fracture management, depending on the deployment of staff in each institute.

Evaluating the advantages of treating acute cholecystitis by following the Tokyo Guidelines 2018 (TG18): a study emphasizing clinical outcomes and medical expenditures.

BACKGROUND: Acute cholecystitis (AC) is a common surgical emergency. The Tokyo Guidelines 2018 (TG18) provides a reliable algorithm for the treatment of AC patients to achieve optimal outcomes. However, the economic benefits have not been validated. We hypothesize that good outcomes and cost savings can both be achieved if patients are treated according to the TG18. METHOD: This retrospective study included 275 patients who underwent cholecystectomy in a 15-month span. Patients were divided into three groups (group 1: mild AC; group 2: moderate AC with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status class ≤ 2 and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score ≤ 5; and group 3: moderate AC with ASA class ≥ 3, CCI score ≥ 6, or severe AC). Each group was further divided into two subgroups according to management (followed or deviated from the TG18). Patient demographics, clinical outcomes, and hospital costs were compared. RESULTS: For group 1 patients, 77 (81%) were treated according to the TG18 and had a significantly higher successful laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) rate (100%), lower hospital cost ($1896 vs $2388), and shorter hospital stay (2.9 vs 8 days) than those whose treatment deviated from the TG18. For group 2 patients, 50 (67%) were treated according to the TG18 and had a significantly lower hospital cost ($1926 vs $2856), shorter hospital stay (3.9 vs 9.9 days), and lower complication rate (0% vs 12.5%). For group 3 patients, 62 (58%) were treated according to the TG18 and had a significantly lower intensive care unit (ICU) admission rate (9.7% vs 25%), but a longer hospital stay (12.6 vs 7.8 days). However, their hospital costs were similar. Early LC in group 3 patients did not have economic benefits over gallbladder drainage and delayed LC. CONCLUSION: The TG18 are the state-of-the-art guidelines for the treatment of AC, achieving both satisfactory outcomes and cost-effectiveness.

Predicting outcomes of abdominal surgical emergencies in the elderly population using a CT muscle gauge.

BACKGROUND: Frailty has been shown to be an independent negative predictor of surgical outcomes in geriatric patients. Traditional measurements of muscle strength and mass are impractical in emergency settings, and computed tomography (CT)-measured skeletal muscle mass has been proposed as an alternative. However, the cutoff values for low muscle mass are still unknown, and their impact on abdominal emergencies in the elderly population is unclear. METHODS: A total of 462 young trauma patients aged 18-40 years were analyzed to establish sex-specific reference cutoff values for the CT-measured muscle index (MI) and muscle gauge (MG) values. The impacts of low MI and MG values were investigated in 1192 elderly patients (aged ≥ 65 years) undergoing abdominal surgery. RESULTS: The sex-specific cutoff values for MI and MG were determined by adopting European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2 guidelines. The correlation between MG and aging was significantly stronger than that between MI and ageing. With regard to the MG, the L4 psoas muscle gauge (L4 PMG) was further investigated in an elderly cohort owing to its high predictive value and ease of use in the clinical setting. A low L4 PMG value was an independent risk factor for overall complications and mortality in elderly patients with abdominal emergencies. CONCLUSION: The current study was the largest study investigating the correlations between MG values and aging in the Asian population. A low L4 PMG value may help surgeons during preoperative decision making regarding geriatric patients with abdominal emergencies.

The negative effect of preexisting cirrhosis on blunt liver trauma patients: a multifaceted approach from the trauma quality improvement program database.

PURPOSE: To assess the impact of pre-existing cirrhosis on the outcomes of non-operatively managed blunt liver trauma within the Trauma Quality Improvement Program (TQIP) database. METHODS: A study of non-operatively managed blunt liver injury patients from 2016 to 2019 was conducted. Propensity score matching analyzed mortality, complications, and hospital length of stay (LOS) for patients with and without cirrhosis. The effect of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) was determined using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Out of 63,946 patients, 767 (1.2%) had pre-existing cirrhosis. Following 1:1 matching, those with cirrhosis experienced more hemorrhage (TAE need: 5.7% vs. 2.7%; transfusion volume: 639.1 vs. 259.3 ml), complications (acute kidney injury: 5.1% vs. 2.8%; sepsis: 2.4% vs. 1.0%), and poorer outcomes (mortality: 19.5% vs. 10.2%; hospital LOS: 11.6 vs. 8.4 days; ICU LOS: 12.1 vs. 7.4 days; ventilator days: 7.6 vs. 1.6). Notably, TAE was associated with increased mortality in cirrhotic patients (odds ratio: 4.093) but did not significantly affect mortality in patients without cirrhosis. CONCLUSIONS: Within TQIP, pre-existing cirrhosis is a significant negative determinant for outcomes in blunt liver trauma. Cirrhotic patients undergoing TAE for hemostasis face greater mortality risk than non-cirrhotic counterparts.

Timing of male urethral injury treatment in patients with polytrauma: A retrospective study.

INTRODUCTION: Male urethral injuries are uncommon, and the ideal timing of the definitive treatment remains controversial. This study aimed to compare the outcomes of early and delayed interventions (1 month or more after the injury) for male urethral injuries. PATIENT AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of the medical records of 67 male patients with urethral injuries treated at our institution between 2011 and 2020. We examined patient age, injury severity score (ISS), abbreviated injury scale, mechanism, location and severity of injury, presence of pelvic fractures, surgical interventions, timing of treatment, and complications. We analysed factors associated with urinary complications based on the location of urethral injury. Additionally, we performed a subset analysis of patients with severe injuries (ISS≥16) to assess the impact of delayed surgery. RESULTS: Overall, 47 %, 37 %, and 27 % of patients in the delayed treatment group (N = 30) had urethral stricture (US), erectile dysfunction (ED), and/or urinary incontinence (UI). These rates were greater than the 22 % US, 3 % ED, and 11 % UI rates in the early treatment group (N = 37). The subgroup analysis revealed that patients with anterior urethral injury (AUI) who underwent delayed treatment (N = 18) tended to be more severely injured (ISS, 19 vs 9, p = 0.003) and exhibited higher rates of US (44% vs 21 %, p = 0.193) and ED (39% vs 0 %, p = 0.002) than those who received early treatment (N = 24). In the case of posterior urethral injury (PUI), the delayed treatment group (N = 13) had higher rates of US (50% vs 23 %, p = 0.326), ED (33% vs 8 %, p = 0.272), and UI (42% vs 0 %, p = 0.030) than the early treatment group. Regarding study limitations, more than 45 % of the enrolled patients were severely injured (ISS≥16), which may have potentially influenced the timing of urethral injury repair. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment of male urethral injuries may be delayed due to concurrent polytrauma and other associated injuries. However, delayed treatment is associated with higher rates of urinary complications. Early treatment of urethral injuries may be beneficial to male patients with urethral trauma, even in cases of severe injury.

Fixation of rib fractures is beneficial for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a trauma quality improvement program study.

BACKGROUND: Internal fixation for multiple rib fractures is well established. Patients with underlying chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have a higher rate of perioperative complications. It is unclear if these patients are suitable candidates for internal fixation and if surgical interventions are harmful to these patients. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Adult patients with ≥ 3 rib fractures and underlying COPD from the Trauma Quality Improvement Program between 2017 and 2019 were eligible for inclusion. The patients were divided into two treatment groups: operative and non-operative. Furthermore, inverse probability treatment weighting was applied to analyze mortality and adverse hospital events. RESULTS: Patients with COPD in the operative group had higher ventilator use (odds ratio [OR], 3.211; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.993-5.175; p < 0.001). Additionally, they had a longer length of stay (coefficient ß, 4.139; standard error, 0.829; p < 0.001) and longer ventilator days (coefficient ß, 1.937; standard error, 0.655; p = 0.003) than in the non-operative group. Furthermore, the mortality rate was lower in the operative group than in the non-operative group (OR, 0.426; 95% CI, 0.228-0.798; p = 0.008). CONCLUSION: Internal fixation of rib fractures plays a crucial role in patients with underlying COPD disease. They presented a better mortality rate without an increased perioperative complication rate.

Evaluating the clinical impact of resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta in patients with blunt trauma with hemorrhagic shock and coexisting traumatic brain injuries: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The impact of resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) on traumatic brain injuries remains uncertain, with potential outcomes ranging from neuroprotection to exacerbation of the injury. The study aimed to evaluate consciousness recovery in patients with blunt trauma with shock and traumatic brain injuries. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data were obtained from the American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Improvement Program from 2017-2019. During the study period, 3,138,896 trauma registries were examined, and 16,016 adult patients with blunt trauma, shock, and traumatic brain injuries were included. Among these, 172 (1.1%) underwent REBOA. Comparisons were conducted between patients with and without REBOA after implementing 1:3 propensity score matching to mitigate disparities. The primary outcome was the highest Glasgow Coma Scale score during admission. The secondary outcomes encompassed the volume of blood transfusion, the necessity for hemostatic interventions and therapeutic neurosurgery, and mortality rate. RESULTS: Through well-balanced propensity score matching, a notable difference in mortality rate was observed, with 59.7% in the REBOA group and 48.7% in the non-REBOA group (P=0.015). In the REBOA group, the median 4-hour red blood cell transfusion was significantly higher (2800 mL [1500, 4908] vs. 1300 mL [600, 2500], P<0.001). The REBOA group required lesser hemorrhagic control surgeries (31.8% vs. 47.7%, P<0.001) but needed more transarterial embolization interventions (22.2% vs 15.9%, P=0.076). The incidence of therapeutic neurosurgery was 5.1% in the REBOA group and 8.7% in the non-REBOA group (P=0.168). Among survivors in the REBOA group, the median highest Glasgow Coma Scale score during admission was significantly greater for both total (11 [8, 14] vs. 9 [6, 12], P=0.036) and motor components (6 [4, 6] vs. 5 [3, 6], P=0.037). The highest GCS score among the survivors with predominant pelvic injuries was not different between the two groups (11 [8, 13] vs. 11 [7, 14], P=0.750). CONCLUSIONS: Patients experiencing shock and traumatic brain injury have high mortality rates, necessitating swift resuscitation and prompt hemorrhagic control. The use of REBOA as an adjunct for bridging definitive hemorrhagic control may correlate with enhanced consciousness recovery.

The effect of transarterial embolization and nephrectomy on acute kidney injury in patients with blunt renal trauma: An American College of Surgeons - Trauma Quality Improvement Program analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Transarterial embolization (TAE) or nephrectomy for patients with blunt renal trauma might result in acute kidney injury (AKI). Thus, we analyzed the American College of Surgeons - Trauma Quality Improvement Program (TQIP) to validate this. We hypothesized that nephrectomy, and not TAE, would be a risk factor for AKI in patients with blunt renal trauma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Adult patients with blunt injuries from the TQIP between 2017 and 2019 were eligible for inclusion. The patients were divided into three treatment groups: conservative treatment, TAE, and nephrectomy. Multivariable logistic regression was used to clarify the AKI predictors. RESULTS: The study included 12,843 patients, wherein 12,373 (96.3 %), 229 (1.8 %), and 241 (1.9 %) patients were in the conservative, TAE, and nephrectomy groups, respectively. A total of 269 (2.2 %), 20 (8.7 %), and 29 (12.0 %) patients had AKI in the three groups, respectively. Both TAE (odds ratio [OR], 2.367; 95 % confidence interval [CI], 1.372-3.900; p = 0.001) and Nephrectomy (OR, 2.745; 95 % CI, 1.629-4.528; p < 0.001) were a statistically significant predictor for AKI in the multivariable logistic regression. CONCLUSIONS: TAE and nephrectomy were statistically associated with AKI in patients with blunt renal trauma. This result differs from our previous research findings that nephrectomy, but not TAE, was a risk factor for AKI in patients with blunt renal trauma. Further prospective and well-designed research may be needed.

The Application of Design Thinking in Developing a Deep Learning Algorithm for Hip Fracture Detection.

(1) Background: Design thinking is a problem-solving approach that has been applied in various sectors, including healthcare and medical education. While deep learning (DL) algorithms can assist in clinical practice, integrating them into clinical scenarios can be challenging. This study aimed to use design thinking steps to develop a DL algorithm that accelerates deployment in clinical practice and improves its performance to meet clinical requirements. (2) Methods: We applied the design thinking process to interview clinical doctors and gain insights to develop and modify the DL algorithm to meet clinical scenarios. We also compared the DL performance of the algorithm before and after the integration of design thinking. (3) Results: After empathizing with clinical doctors and defining their needs, we identified the unmet need of five trauma surgeons as "how to reduce the misdiagnosis of femoral fracture by pelvic plain film (PXR) at initial emergency visiting". We collected 4235 PXRs from our hospital, of which 2146 had a hip fracture (51%) from 2008 to 2016. We developed hip fracture DL detection models based on the Xception convolutional neural network by using these images. By incorporating design thinking, we improved the diagnostic accuracy from 0.91 (0.84-0.96) to 0.95 (0.93-0.97), the sensitivity from 0.97 (0.89-1.00) to 0.97 (0.94-0.99), and the specificity from 0.84 (0.71-0.93) to 0.93(0.990-0.97). (4) Conclusions: In summary, this study demonstrates that design thinking can ensure that DL solutions developed for trauma care are user-centered and meet the needs of patients and healthcare providers.

Long-term survival after major trauma: a retrospective nationwide cohort study from the National Health Insurance Research Database.

BACKGROUND: Most trauma-related studies are focused on short-term survival and complications within the index admission, and the long-term outcomes beyond discharge are mainly unknown. The purpose of this study was to analyze the data from the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) and to assess the long-term survival of major trauma patients after being discharged from the index admission. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective, observational study included all patients with major trauma (injury severity score ≥16) in Taiwan from 2003 to 2007, and a 10-year follow-up was conducted on this cohort. Patients aged 18-70 who survived the index admission were enrolled. Patients who survived less than one year after discharge (short survival, SS) and those who survived for more than one year (long survival, LS) were compared. Variables, including preexisting factors, injury types, and short-term outcomes and complications, were analyzed, and the 10-year Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was conducted. RESULTS: In our study, 9896 patients were included, with 2736 in the SS group and 7160 in the LS group. Age, sex, comorbidities, low income, cardiopulmonary resuscitation event, prolonged mechanical ventilation, prolonged ICU length of stay (LOS), and prolonged hospital LOS were identified as the independent risk factors of SS. The 10-year cumulative survival for major trauma patients was 63.71%, and the most mortality (27.64%) occurred within the first year after discharge. CONCLUSION: 27.64% of patients would die one year after being discharged from major trauma. Major trauma patients who survived the index admission still had significantly worse long-term survival than the general population, but the curve flattened and resembled the general population after one year.

Timely surgical fixation confers beneficial outcomes in patients' concomitant flail chest with mild-to-moderate traumatic brain injury: a trauma quality improvement project analysis - a cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic flail chest results in respiratory distress and prolonged hospital stay. Timely surgical fixation of the flail chest reduces respiratory complications, decreases ventilator dependence, and shortens hospital stays. Concomitant head injury is not unusual in these patients and can postpone surgical timing due to the need to monitor the status of intracranial injuries. Reducing pulmonary sequelae also assists in the recovery from traumatic brain injury and improves outcomes. No previous evidence supports that early rib fixation can improve the outcome of patients with concomitant flail chest and traumatic brain injury. RESEARCH QUESTION: Can early rib fixation improve the outcome of patients with concomitant flail chest and traumatic brain injury? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Adult patients with blunt injuries from the Trauma Quality Improvement Project between 2017 and 2019 were eligible for inclusion. Patients were divided into two treatment groups: operative and nonoperative. Inverse probability treatment weighting was used to identify the predictors of mortality and adverse hospital events. RESULTS: Patients in the operative group had a higher intubation rate [odds ratio (OR), 2.336; 95% CI, 1.644-3.318; p <0.001), a longer length of stay (coefficient ß , 4.664; SE, 0.789; p <0.001), longer ventilator days (coefficient ß , 2.020; SE, 0.528; p <0.001), and lower mortality rate (OR], 0.247; 95% CI, 0.135-0.454; p <0.001). INTERPRETATION: Timely rib fixation can improve the mortality rate of patients with flail chest and a concomitant mild-to-moderate head injury.

The Feasibility and Efficiency of Remote Spirometry System on the Pulmonary Function for Multiple Ribs Fracture Patients.

BACKGROUND: Multiple rib fractures is a common chest trauma with a significant and sustained impact on pulmonary function and quality of life. Continuous monitoring of the pulmonary function parameter was necessary to adjust the therapeutic goals in these patients. We developed an internet-based remote system for lung function monitoring with a remote spirometry and smart device application to follow up these patients consecutively. METHOD: From Jan 2021 to April 2021, we conducted a prospective study that applied an intelligent spirometry system for patients with multiple rib fractures. With informed consent, we collected clinical data from them and introduced the remote spirometry system. We followed up with these patients for 12 weeks after trauma and compared the recovery of pulmonary function parameters and clinical outcomes. RESULT: A total of 21 patients were enrolled in our study. We divided them into two groups by the compliance to this remote spirometry system. The improvement of forced vital capacity was better in the good compliance group than the poor compliance group (110% versus 21%, p value 0.049). Moreover, the complication rate was also lower in the good compliance group than the poor compliance group (10% versus 66.7% p value 0.017). CONCLUSIONS: Remote spirometry system is a novel system that can help in lung rehabilitation in patients with multiple rib fractures. Patients that cooperate well with this system presented superior lung function improvement and inferior complication rate.

Does a "Cushion Effect" Really Exist? A Morphomic Analysis of Vulnerable Road Users with Serious Blunt Abdominal Injury.

Introduction: The severity of injury from motor vehicle crashes (MVCs) depends on complex biomechanical factors, and the bodily features of the injured person account for some of these factors. By assuming that vulnerable road users (VRUs) have limited protection resulting from vehicles and safety equipment, the current study analyzed the characteristics of fat distribution measured by computed tomography (CT) imaging and investigated the existence of a "cushion effect" in VRUs. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study enrolled 592 VRUs involved in MVCs who underwent CT scans. Visceral fat area and subcutaneous fat cross-sectional area were measured and adjusted according to total body area (TBA) and are presented as the visceral fat ratio and the subQ fat ratio (subcutaneous fat ratio). Risk factors for serious abdominal injury (maximum abbreviated injury scale (MAISabd ≥ 3)) resulting from MVCs were determined by univariate and multivariate analysis. Results: MAISabd ≥ 3 was observed in 104 (17.6%) of the patients. The subQ fat ratio at the L4 vertebral level was significantly lower in the MAISabd ≥ 3 group than in the MAISabd < 3 group (24.9 ± 12.0 vs. 28.1 ± 11.9%; p = 0.015). A decreased L4 subQ fat ratio was associated with a higher risk for MAISabd ≥ 3 in multivariate analysis (odds ratio 0.063; 95% CI 0.008-0.509; p = 0.009). Conclusion: The current study supported the "cushion effect" theory, and protection was apparently provided by subcutaneous fat tissue. This concept may further improve vehicle and safety designation in the future.