Awareness of residents' technical ability can affect margin status in breast conserving operations.

PURPOSE: The current study was performed to determine if awareness of the potential affect of residents could affect margin status. METHODS: Retrospective review of all patients who underwent lumpectomy from July 2006 to May 2017 was evaluated. The effect of surgical residents' participation and their technical ability was evaluated to determine the effect on margin status. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determined factors which affect margin status. RESULTS: Of 444 patients, 14% of patients had positive margins. The positive margin rate was lower during the second time period after the effect of technical ability of the residents was known 12% versus 19% (p = 0.10). Greater participation by the attending surgeon (32% vs. 21%) occurred in the second time period. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, operations done by residents with satisfactory technical skills or attending surgeon were less likely to have positive margins than those done by residents with unsatisfactory technical skills (OR 0.19, 95% CI 0.10-0.38; p = 0.0001). With mean follow-up of 48 months, 1.4% had local recurrences as a first event. CONCLUSIONS: Technically ability of residents appears to affect margin status after lumpectomy. Increased intervention by the attending surgeon can improve this outcome.

Closed therapy of thoracic and lumbar vertebral body fractures in trauma patients.

BACKGROUND: The failure rate for the closed/non-surgical treatment of thoracic and lumbar vertebral body fractures (TLVBF) in trauma patients has not been adequately evaluated utilizing computed tomography (CT) studies. METHODS: From 2007 to 2008, consecutive trauma patients, who met inclusion criteria, with a CT diagnosis of acute TLVBF undergoing closed treatment were assessed. The failure rates for closed therapy, at 3 months post-trauma, were defined by progressive deformity, vertebral body collapse, or symptomatic/asymptomatic pseudarthrosis. The Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen (AO) classification was utilized to classify the fractures (groups A1 and non-A1 fractures) and were successively followed with CT studies. RESULTS: There were 54 patients with 91 fractures included in the study; 66 were A1 fractures, and 25 were non-A1 fractures. All had rigid bracing applied with flat and upright X-ray films performed to rule out instability. None had sustained spinal cord injuries. Thirteen patients (24%) failed closed therapy [e.g. 13 failed fractures (14%) out of 91 total fractures]. Five failed radiographically only (asymptomatic), and eight failed radiographically and clinically (symptomatic). A1 fractures had a 4.5% failure rate, while non-A1 fractures failed at a rate of 40%. CONCLUSION: Failure of closed therapy for TLVBF in the trauma population is not insignificant. Non-A1 fractures had a much higher failure rate when compared to A1 fractures. We recommend close follow-up particularly of non-A1 fractures treated in closed fashion using successive CT studies.

Goal directed enoxaparin dosing provides superior chemoprophylaxis against deep vein thrombosis.

INTRODUCTION: Optimal enoxaparin dosing for deep venous thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis remains elusive. Prior research demonstrated that trauma patients at increased risk for DVT based upon Greenfield's risk assessment profile (RAP) have DVT rates of 10.8% despite prophylaxis. The aim of this study was to determine if goal directed prophylactic enoxaparin dosing to achieve anti-Xa levels of 0.3-0.5IU/ml would decrease DVT rates without increased complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of trauma patients having received prophylactic enoxaparin and appropriately timed anti-Xa levels was performed. Dosage was adjusted to maintain an anti-Xa level of 0.3-0.5IU/ml. RAP was determined on each patient. A score of ≥5 was considered high risk for DVT. Sub-analysis was performed on patients who received duplex examinations subsequent to initiation of enoxaparin therapy to determine the incidence of DVT. RESULTS: 306 patients met inclusion criteria. Goal anti-Xa levels were met initially in only 46% of patients despite dosing of >40mg twice daily in 81% of patients; however, with titration, goal anti-Xa levels were achieved in an additional 109 patients (36%). An average enoxaparin dosage of 0.55mg/kg twice daily was required for adequacy. Bleeding complications were identified in five patients (1.6%) with three requiring intervention. There were no documented episodes of HIT. Subsequent duplex data was available in 197 patients with 90% having a RAP score >5. Overall, five DVTs (2.5%) were identified and all occurred in the high-risk group. All patients were asymptomatic at the time of diagnosis. CONCLUSION: An increased anti-Xa range of 0.3-0.5IU/ml was attainable but frequently required titration of enoxaparin dosage. This produced a lower rate of DVT than previously published without increased complications.

Computed tomographic imaging interpretation improves fetal outcomes after maternal trauma.

BACKGROUND: Computed tomography (CT) has been validated to identify and classify placental abruption following blunt trauma. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate improvement in fetal survival when delivery occurs by protocol at the first sign of class III fetal heart rate tracing in pregnant trauma patients with a viable fetus on arrival and CT evidence of placental perfusion 50% or less secondary to placental abruption. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of pregnant trauma patients at 26 weeks' gestation or greater who underwent abdominopelvic CT as part of their initial evaluation. Charts were reviewed for CT interpretation of placental pathology with classification of placental abruption based upon enhancement (Grade 1, >50% perfusion; Grade 2, 25%-50% perfusion; Grade 3, <25% perfusion), as well as need for delivery and fetal outcomes. RESULTS: Forty-one patients met inclusion criteria. Computed tomography revealed evidence of placental abruption in six patients (15%): Grade 1, one patient, Grade 2, one patient, and Grade 3, four patients. Gestational ages ranged from 26 to 39 weeks. All patients with placental abruption of Grade 2 or greater developed concerning fetal heart tracings and underwent delivery emergently at first sign. Abruption was confirmed intraoperatively in all cases. Each birth was viable, and Apgar scores at 10 minutes were greater than 7 in 80% of infants, all of whom were ultimately discharged home. The remaining infant was transferred to an outside facility. CONCLUSIONS: Delivery at first sign of nonreassuring fetal heart rate tracings in pregnant trauma patients (third trimester) with placental abruption of Grade 2 or greater can lead to improved fetal outcome. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic/care management study, level III.