Pharmacist's impact on acute pain management during trauma resuscitation.

PubMed

Montgomery, Kayla; Hall, A Brad; Keriazes, Georgia

2015-01-01

The timely administration of analgesics is crucial to the comprehensive management of trauma patients. When an emergency department (ED) pharmacist participates in trauma resuscitation, the pharmacist acts as a medication resource for trauma team members and facilitates the timely administration of analgesics. This study measured the impact of a pharmacist on time to first analgesic dose administered during trauma resuscitation. All adult (>18 years) patients who presented to this level II trauma center via activation of the trauma response system between January 1, 2009, and May 31, 2013, were screened for eligibility. For inclusion, patients must have received intravenous fentanyl, morphine, or hydromorphone in the trauma bay. The time to medication administration was defined as the elapsed time from ED arrival to administration of first analgesic. There were 1328 trauma response system activations during the study period; of which 340 patients were included. The most common analgesic administered was fentanyl (62% in both groups). When a pharmacist was participating, the mean time to first analgesic administered was decreased (17 vs 21 minutes; P = .03). Among the 78% of patients with documented pain scores, the overall mean reduction in pain scores from ED arrival to ED discharge was similar between the 2 groups. There was a 2.4 point reduction with a pharmacist versus 2.7 without a pharmacist, using a 0 to 10 numeric pain rating scale. The participation of a clinical pharmacist during trauma resuscitation significantly decreased the time to first analgesic administration in trauma patients. The results of this study supplement the literature supporting the integration of clinical ED pharmacists on trauma teams.

A Statewide Collaboration: Ohio Level III Trauma Centers' Approach to the Development of a Benchmarking System.

PubMed

Lang, Carrie L; Simon, Diane; Kilgore, Jane

The American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma revised the Resources for Optimal Care of the Injured Patient to include the criteria for trauma centers to participate in a risk-adjusted benchmarking system. Trauma Quality Improvement Program is currently the risk-adjusted benchmarking program sponsored by the American College of Surgeons, which will be required of all trauma centers to participate in early 2017. Prior to this, there were no risk-adjusted programs for Level III verified trauma centers. The Ohio Society of Trauma Nurse Leaders is a collaborative group made up of trauma program managers, coordinators, and other trauma leaders who meet 6 times a year. Within this group, a Level III Subcommittee was formed initially to provide a place for the Level III centers to discuss issues specific to the Level III centers. When the new requirement regarding risk-adjustment became official, the subcommittee agreed to begin reporting simple data points with the idea to risk adjust in the future.

Evaluation and Management of Blunt Solid Organ Trauma.

PubMed

Martin, Jonathan G; Shah, Jay; Robinson, Craig; Dariushnia, Sean

2017-12-01

Trauma is a leading cause of death in patients under the age of 45 and generally associated with a high kinetic energy event such as a motor vehicle accident or fall from extreme elevations. Blunt trauma can affect every organ system and major vascular structure with potentially devastating effect. When we consider abdominal solid organ injury from blunt trauma, we usually think of the liver, spleen, and kidneys. However, all of the abdominal organs, including the pancreas and adrenal glands, may be involved. Blunt hepatic trauma is more commonly associated with venous bleeding rather than arterial injury. Stable venous injury is often managed conservatively; when the patient is hemodynamically unstable from venous hepatic injury, operative management should be first-line therapy. When the injury is arterial, endovascular therapy should be initiated. Blunt trauma to the spleen is the most common cause of traumatic injury to the spleen. Management is controversial. In our institution unstable patients are taken to the operating room, and stable patients with Grades IV-V injuries and patients with active arterial injury are taken for endovascular treatment. Renal injuries are less common, and evidence of arterial injury such as active extravasation or pseudoaneurysm is warranted before endovascular therapy. Pancreatic trauma is uncommon and usually secondary to steering wheel/handlebar mechanism injuries. Adrenal injuries are rare in the absence of megatrauma or underlying adrenal abnormality. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Strategic Assessment of Trauma Care Capacity in Ghana.

PubMed

Stewart, Barclay T; Quansah, Robert; Gyedu, Adam; Ankomah, James; Donkor, Peter; Mock, Charles

2015-10-01

This study aimed to assess availability of trauma care technology in Ghana. In addition, factors contributing to deficiencies were evaluated. By doing so, potential solutions to inefficient aspects of health systems management and maladapted technology for trauma care in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) could be identified. Thirty-two items were selected from the World Health Organization's Guidelines for Essential Trauma Care. Direct inspection and structured interviews with administrative, clinical, and biomedical engineering staff were used to assess the challenges and successes of item availability at 40 purposively sampled district, regional, and tertiary hospitals. Hospital assessments demonstrated marked deficiencies. Some of these were low cost, such as basic airway supplies, chest tubes, and cervical collars. Item non-availability resulted from several contributing factors, namely equipment absence, lack of training, frequent stock-outs, and technology breakage. A number of root causes for these factors were identified, including ineffective healthcare financing by way of untimely national insurance reimbursements, procurement and stock-management practices, and critical gaps in local biomedical engineering and trauma care training. Nonetheless, local examples of successfully overcoming deficiencies were identified (e.g., public-private partnering, ensuring company engineers trained technicians on-the-job during technology installation or servicing). While availability of several low-cost items could be better supplied by improvements in stock-management and procurement policies, there is a critical need for redress of the national insurance reimbursement system and trauma care training of district hospital staff. Further, developing local service and technical support capabilities is more and more pressing as technology plays an increasingly important role in LMIC healthcare systems.

Saving Lives on the Battlefield (Part II) - One Year Later: A Joint Theater Trauma System and Joint Trauma System Review of Prehospital Trauma Care in Combined Joint Operations Area-Afghanistan (CJOA-A)

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-01-01

medics’ aid bags? 8% 92% N/A TCCC Pain Management Are you using TCCC guidelines pain medications?4 42% 12% 46% Fentanyl 69% 31% N/A Ketamine 50% 50% N...A Wound (Combat) Pill Pack 4% 96% N/A What pain medication do your medics carry? Morphine5 92% 8% N/A Fentanyl 35% 65% N/A Ketamine 12% 88% N/A TCCC

Use of antibiotics in the management of postirradiation wound infection and sepsis

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Brook, I.

1988-07-01

Ionizing gamma irradiation depresses the host defenses and enhances the susceptibility of the immunocompromised host to local and systemic infection due to endogenous or exogenous microorganisms. Trauma and wounding act synergistically and decrease the survival after exposure to irradiation. The current antimicrobial agents suitable for controlling serious infections and their use in post irradiation local and systemic infection with and without trauma are discussed. The experience gained in managing immunocompromised patients following chemotherapy is reviewed. Empiric single agent or combination agent therapy should be directed at the eradication of potential gram-negative as well as gram-positive pathogens. The most important organismsmore » known to cause these infections are Pseudomonas sp. and Enterobacteriaceae. Management of intra-abdominal infections following trauma should include early surgical correlation and antimicrobials directed against the Bacteroides fragilis group and Enterobacteriaceae. Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes cause most skin and soft tissue infections following trauma. Chemoprophylaxis of enteric sources of systemic infection can be achieved by antimicrobials that selectively inhibit the Enterobacteriaceae sp. and preserve the anaerobic flora. The management of infection in the injured and irradiated host includes supportive and restorative therapy. Supportive therapy includes debridement and cleansing of wounds, fluids, immunoglobulin, and antimicrobials. Restorative therapy includes definite surgery repair and replenishment of the immune system by use of immunomodulators, growth factors, and bone marrow transplantation. Further studies are needed to examine the usefulness of presently available drugs and experimental agents in the irradiated and traumatized host. 111 references.« less

Trauma scoring systems and databases.

PubMed

Lecky, F; Woodford, M; Edwards, A; Bouamra, O; Coats, T

2014-08-01

This review considers current trauma scoring systems and databases and their relevance to improving patient care. Single physiological measures such as systolic arterial pressure have limited ability to diagnose severe trauma by reflecting raised intracranial pressure, or significant haemorrhage. The Glasgow coma score has the greatest prognostic value in head-injured and other trauma patients. Trauma triage tools and imaging decision rules-using combinations of physiological cut-off measures with mechanism of injury and other categorical variables-bring both increased sophistication and increased complexity. It is important for clinicians and managers to be aware of the diagnostic properties (over- and under-triage rates) of any triage tool or decision rule used in their trauma system. Trauma registries are able to collate definitive injury descriptors and use survival prediction models to guide trauma system governance, through individual patient review and case-mix-adjusted benchmarking of hospital and network performance with robust outlier identification. Interrupted time series allow observation in the changes in care processes and outcomes at national level, which can feed back into clinical quality-based commissioning of healthcare. Registry data are also a valuable resource for trauma epidemiological and comparative effectiveness research studies. © The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Journal of Anaesthesia. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Strategic proposal for a national trauma system in France.

PubMed

Gauss, Tobias; Balandraud, Paul; Frandon, Julien; Abba, Julio; Ageron, Francois Xavier; Albaladejo, Pierre; Arvieux, Catherine; Barbois, Sandrine; Bijok, Benjamin; Bobbia, Xavier; Charbit, Jonathan; Cook, Fabrice; David, Jean-Stephane; Maurice, Guillaume De Saint; Duranteau, Jacques; Garrigue, Delphine; Gay, Emmanuel; Geeraerts, Thomas; Ghelfi, Julien; Hamada, Sophie; Harrois, Anatole; Kobeiter, Hicham; Leone, Marc; Levrat, Albrice; Mirek, Sebastien; Nadji, Abdel; Paugam-Burtz, Catherine; Payen, Jean Francois; Perbet, Sebastien; Pirracchio, Romain; Plenier, Isabelle; Pottecher, Julien; Rigal, Sylvain; Riou, Bruno; Savary, Dominique; Secheresse, Thierry; Tazarourte, Karim; Thony, Frederic; Tonetti, Jerome; Tresallet, Christophe; Wey, Pierre-Francois; Picard, Julien; Bouzat, Pierre

2018-05-29

In this road map for trauma in France, we focus on the main challenges for system implementation, surgical and radiology training, and upon innovative training techniques. Regarding system organisation: procedures for triage, designation and certification of trauma centres are mandatory to implement trauma networks on a national scale. Data collection with registries must be created, with a core dataset defined and applied through all registries. Regarding surgical and radiology training, diagnostic-imaging processes should be standardised and the role of the interventional radiologist within the trauma team and the trauma network should be clearly defined. Education in surgery for trauma is crucial and recent changes in medical training in France will promote trauma surgery as a specific sub-specialty. Innovative training techniques should be implemented and be based on common objectives, scenarios and evaluation, so as to improve individual and team performances. The group formulated 14 proposals that should help to structure and improve major trauma management in France over the next 10 years. Copyright © 2018 Société française d'anesthésie et de réanimation (Sfar). Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Negative Pressure Wound Therapy in the Management of Combat Wounds: A Critical Review

PubMed Central

Maurya, Sanjay; Bhandari, Prem Singh

2016-01-01

Significance: Wounds sustained in a combat trauma often result in a composite tissue loss. Combat injuries, due to high energy transfer to tissues, lead to trauma at multiple anatomical sites. An early wound cover is associated with lower rate of infections and a faster wound healing. The concept of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) in the management of combat-related wounds has evolved from the civilian trauma and the wounds from nontraumatic etiologies. Recent Advances: Encouraged by the results of NPWT in noncombat-related wounds, the military surgeons during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom used this novel method in a large percentage of combat wounds, with gratifying results. The mechanism of NPWT in wound healing is multifactorial and often complex reconstructive procedure can be avoided in a combat trauma setting. Critical Issues: Wounds sustained in military trauma are heavily contaminated with dirt, patient clothing, and frequently associated with extensive soft tissue loss and osseous destruction. Delay in evacuation during an ongoing conflict carries the risk of systemic infection. Early debridement is indicated followed by delayed closure of wounds. NPWT helps to provide temporary wound cover during the interim period of debridement and wound closure. Future Directions: Future area of research in combat wounds is related to abdominal trauma with loss of abdominal wall. The concept of negative pressure incisional management system in patients with a high risk of wound breakdown following surgery is under review, and may be of relevance in combat wounds. PMID:27679749

Negative Pressure Wound Therapy in the Management of Combat Wounds: A Critical Review.

PubMed

Maurya, Sanjay; Bhandari, Prem Singh

2016-09-01

Significance: Wounds sustained in a combat trauma often result in a composite tissue loss. Combat injuries, due to high energy transfer to tissues, lead to trauma at multiple anatomical sites. An early wound cover is associated with lower rate of infections and a faster wound healing. The concept of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) in the management of combat-related wounds has evolved from the civilian trauma and the wounds from nontraumatic etiologies. Recent Advances: Encouraged by the results of NPWT in noncombat-related wounds, the military surgeons during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom used this novel method in a large percentage of combat wounds, with gratifying results. The mechanism of NPWT in wound healing is multifactorial and often complex reconstructive procedure can be avoided in a combat trauma setting. Critical Issues: Wounds sustained in military trauma are heavily contaminated with dirt, patient clothing, and frequently associated with extensive soft tissue loss and osseous destruction. Delay in evacuation during an ongoing conflict carries the risk of systemic infection. Early debridement is indicated followed by delayed closure of wounds. NPWT helps to provide temporary wound cover during the interim period of debridement and wound closure. Future Directions: Future area of research in combat wounds is related to abdominal trauma with loss of abdominal wall. The concept of negative pressure incisional management system in patients with a high risk of wound breakdown following surgery is under review, and may be of relevance in combat wounds.

The impact of major trauma network triage systems on patients with major burns.

PubMed

Nizamoglu, Metin; O'Connor, Edmund Fitzgerald; Bache, Sarah; Theodorakopoulou, Evgenia; Sen, Sankhya; Sherren, Peter; Barnes, David; Dziewulski, Peter

2016-12-01

Trauma is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Patients presenting with severe trauma and burns benefit from specifically trained multidisciplinary teams. Regional trauma systems have shown improved outcomes for trauma patients. The aim of this study is to determine whether the development of major trauma systems have improved the management of patients with major burns. A retrospective study was performed over a four-year period reviewing all major burns in adults and children received at a regional burns centre in the UK before and after the implementation of the regional trauma systems and major trauma centres (MTC). Comparisons were drawn between three areas: (1) Patients presenting before the introduction of MTC and after the introduction of MTC. (2) Patients referred from MTC and non-MTC within the region, following the introduction of MTC. (3) Patients referred using the urban trauma protocol and the rural trauma protocol. Following the introduction of regional trauma systems and major trauma centres (MTC), isolated burn patients seen at our regional burns centre did not show any significant improvement in transfer times, admission resuscitation parameters, organ dysfunction or survival when referred from a MTC compared to a non-MTC emergency department. There was also no significant difference in survival when comparing referrals from all hospitals pre and post establishment of the major trauma network. No significant outcome benefit was demonstrated for burns patients referred via MTCs compared to non-MTCs. We suggest further research is needed to ascertain whether burns patients benefit from prolonged transfer times to a MTC compared to those seen at their local hospitals prior to transfer to a regional burns unit for further specialist care. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.

The trauma ecosystem: The impact and economics of new trauma centers on a mature statewide trauma system.

PubMed

Ciesla, David J; Pracht, Etienne E; Leitz, Pablo T; Spain, David A; Staudenmayer, Kristan L; Tepas, Joseph J

2017-06-01

Florida serves as a model for the study of trauma system performance. Between 2010 and 2104, 5 new trauma centers were opened alongside 20 existing centers. The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of trauma system expansion on system triage performance and trauma center patients' profiles. A statewide data set was queried for all injury-related discharges from adult acute care hospitals using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) codes for 2010 and 2014. The data set, inclusion criteria, and definitions of high-risk injury were chosen to match those used by the Florida Department of Health in its trauma registry. Hospitals were classified as existing Level I (E1) or Level II (E2) trauma centers and new E2 (N2) centers. Five N2 centers were established 11.6 to 85.3 miles from existing centers. Field and overall trauma system triage of high-risk patients was less accurate with increased overtriage and no change in undertriage. Annual volume at N2 centers increased but did not change at E1 and E2 centers. In 2014, Patients at E1 and E2 centers were slightly older and less severely injured, while those at N2 centers were substantially younger and more severely injured than in 2010. The injured patient-payer mix changed with a decrease in self-pay and commercial patients and an increase in government-sponsored patients at E1 and E2 centers and an increase in self-pay and commercial patients with a decrease in government-sponsored patients at N2 centers. Designation of new trauma centers in a mature system was associated with a change in established trauma center demographics and economics without an improvement in trauma system triage performance. These findings suggest that the health of an entire trauma system network must be considered in the design and implementation of a regional trauma system. Therapeutic/care management study, level IV; epidemiological, level IV.

The implementation of a national trauma registry in Greece. Methodology and preliminary results.

PubMed

Katsaragakis, Stylianos; Theodoraki, Maria E; Toutouzas, Kostas; Drimousis, Panagiotis G; Larentzakis, Antreas; Stergiopoulos, Spiros; Aggelakis, Christos; Lapidakis, George; Massalis, Ioannis; Theodorou, Dimitrios

2009-12-01

Trauma is a leading cause of death worldwide and a major health problem of the modern society. Trauma systems are considered the gold standard of managing patients with trauma. An integral part of any trauma system is a trauma registry. In Europe, and particularly in Greece, trauma registries and systems are in an embryonic stage. In this study, we present an attempt to record trauma in Greece. The Hellenic Society of Trauma and Emergency Surgery invited all the official representatives of the society throughout the country to participate in the study. In succeeding meetings of the representatives, the reporting form was developed and the inclusion criteria were defined meticulously. Inclusion criteria were defined as patients with trauma requiring admission, transfer to a higher level center, or arrived dead or died in the emergency department of the reporting hospital. All reports were accumulated by the Hellenic Trauma society, imported in an electronic database, and analyzed. Thirty-two hospitals receiving patients with trauma participated in the country, representing 40% of the country's healthcare facilities and serving 40% of the country's population. In 12 months time, (October 2005 to September 2006), 8,862 patients were included in the study. Of them, 66.9% were men and 31.3% were women. The compilation rate of the reporting forms was surprisingly high, considering that the final reporting form included 150 data points and that there were no independent personnel in charge of filling the forms. Trauma registries are feasible even in health care systems where funding of medical research is sparse.

[First aid and management of multiple trauma: in-hospital trauma care].

PubMed

Boschin, Matthias; Vordemvenne, Thomas

2012-11-01

Injuries remain the leading cause of death in children and young adults. Management of multiple trauma patients has improved in recent years by quality initiatives (trauma network, S3 guideline "Polytrauma"). On this basis, strong links with preclinical management, structured treatment algorithms, training standards (ATLS®), clear diagnostic rules and an established risk- and quality management are the important factors of a modern emergency room trauma care. We describe the organizational components that lead to successful management of trauma in hospital. © Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York.

Out-of-Hospital Decision-Making and Factors Influencing the Regional Distribution of Injured Patients in a Trauma System

PubMed Central

Newgard, Craig D.; Nelson, Maria J.; Kampp, Michael; Saha, Somnath; Zive, Dana; Schmidt, Terri; Daya, Mohamud; Jui, Jonathan; Wittwer, Lynn; Warden, Craig; Sahni, Ritu; Stevens, Mark; Gorman, Kyle; Koenig, Karl; Gubler, Dean; Rosteck, Pontine; Lee, Jan; Hedges, Jerris R.

2011-01-01

Background The decision-making processes used for out-of-hospital trauma triage and hospital selection in regionalized trauma systems remain poorly understood. The objective of this study was to understand the process of field triage decision-making in an established trauma system. Methods We used a mixed methods approach, including EMS records to quantify triage decisions and reasons for hospital selection in a population-based, injury cohort (2006 - 2008), plus a focused ethnography to understand EMS cognitive reasoning in making triage decisions. The study included 10 EMS agencies providing service to a 4-county regional trauma system with 3 trauma centers and 13 non-trauma hospitals. For qualitative analyses, we conducted field observation and interviews with 35 EMS field providers and a round-table discussion with 40 EMS management personnel to generate an empirical model of out-of-hospital decision making in trauma triage. Results 64,190 injured patients were evaluated by EMS, of whom 56,444 (88.0%) were transported to acute care hospitals and 9,637 (17.1% of transports) were field trauma activations. For non-trauma activations, patient/family preference and proximity accounted for 78% of destination decisions. EMS provider judgment was cited in 36% of field trauma activations and was the sole criterion in 23% of trauma patients. The empirical model demonstrated that trauma triage is driven primarily by EMS provider “gut feeling” (judgment) and relies heavily on provider experience, mechanism of injury, and early visual cues at the scene. Conclusions Provider cognitive reasoning for field trauma triage is more heuristic than algorithmic and driven primarily by provider judgment, rather than specific triage criteria. PMID:21817971

Statewide real-time in-flight trauma patient vital signs collection system.

PubMed

Hu, Peter F; Mackenzie, Colin; Dutton, Richard; Sen, Ayan; Xiao, Yan; Handley, Christopher; Ho, Danny; Scalea, Thomas

2008-11-06

Continuous recorded in-flight vital signs monitoring and life-saving interventions linked to outcomes may provide better understanding of pre-hospital triage, care management and patient responses during the 'golden hour' of trauma care. Evaluation of 157 patients' vital signs data collected from our statewide network has identified episodes of physiological decompensation which holds promise for creation of new triage algorithms and enhanced trauma center preparedness.

Emergency management of renal and genitourinary trauma: best practices update [digest].

PubMed

Bryant, Whitney K; Shewakramani, Sanjay; Zaurova, Milana

2017-08-22

In up to 10% of patients who experience abdominal trauma, renal and urogenital systems will be involved. In polytrauma patients with other potentially life-threatening injuries, renal and genitourinary trauma may be overlooked initially, but a delayed or missed diagnosis of these injuries may result in preventable complications. This review provides a best-practice approach to the diagnosis and management of renal and genitourinary injuries, with an emphasis on the systematic approach needed to identify subtle injuries and avoid long-term urinary sequelae such as hypertension, incontinence, erectile dysfunction, chronic kidney disease, and nephrectomy. [Points & Pearls is a digest of Emergency Medicine Practice.].

Joint Theater Trauma System: Strategic Overview

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-01-01

Ready for CENTCOM SG) – Multiple amputation management • (Ready for SME vetting) JTTS Trauma Conference Lessons Learned • New therapies – Tranexamic ... acid (used by UK @ Bastion) • Consensus not enough good data to support ubiquitous use • Limited use in patients with hyperfibrinolysis? – Renal

[Modern concepts of trauma care and multiple trauma management in oral and maxillofacial region].

PubMed

Tan, Yinghui

2015-06-01

Multiple trauma management requires the application of modem trauma care theories. Optimal treatment results can be achieved by reinforcing cooperation and stipulating a treatment plan together with other disciplines. Based on modem theories in trauma care and our understanding of the theoretical points, this paper analyzes the injury assessment strategies and methods in oral and maxillofacial multiple trauma management. Moreover, this paper discusses operating time and other influencing factors as well as proposed definitive surgical timing and indications in comprehensive management of oral and maxillofacial multiple trauma patients associated with injuries in other body parts. We hope that this paper can help stomatological physicians deepen their understanding of modem trauma care theories and improve their capacity and results in the treatment of oral and maxillofacial multiple trauma.

Trauma care in German-speaking countries: have changes in the curricula led to changes in practice after 10 years?

PubMed

Kuhn-Régnier, Sarah; Stickel, Michael; Link, Björn-Christian; Fischer, Henning; Babst, Reto; Beeres, Frank J P

2018-01-06

Traditionally, in the German-speaking countries, trauma patients are treated by general surgeons specialized in trauma surgery known as the Unfallchirurg. Over the last decade, a trend towards a lower influence of surgeons and a higher influence of subspecialties in the emergency department has been noted. With additional transformations in the health care system towards highly specialized medicine and the arising of new (sub-) specialties, diversification in the management of the trauma patient appears to occur. The new curricula for surgical disciplines providing trauma care will widen this issue even further, moreover, triggered by the Anglo-American medical model. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the current situation in German-speaking countries concerning the management of trauma patients. The interfaces between emergency physicians, orthopaedic and general surgeons have been investigated concerning the management of the trauma patients. Additionally, different future scenarios have been evaluated. An online questionnaire was submitted to members of the German Society of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery [Deutsche Gesellschaft für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie (DGOU)], including both general and orthopaedic surgeons, emergency physicians and also some members from Austria, the Netherlands and Switzerland. Questions dealt with demographic data, the current situation in the clinic of the responders in terms of management of mono- and polytrauma patients as well as fracture care. In addition, various future scenarios were evaluated. 293 members of the DGOU answered the questionnaire. The majority of the responders (45%) were orthopaedic surgeons and 34% were general trauma surgeons. Sixty-two per cent of hospitals run their emergency departments with emergency physicians. Treatment of both mono- and polytrauma patients in the emergency department is equally distributed between general and orthopaedic surgeons. Fracture care, however, is predominantly (65%) being performed by general trauma surgeons in both mono- and polytrauma patients. The majority of the respondents (80%) do not want to change the current situation and predict that in the future fracture care will still be performed by general surgeons' specialized in trauma surgery. Approximately two-thirds of the responders do not believe that emergency physicians will play a bigger role in the management of trauma patients in the future. Despite the growing importance of emergency physicians, separated in the emergency room between surgical and internal medicine fields, in the acute care of surgical patients in the emergency departments, their role in the management of the polytraumatized patients remains limited. More than 13 years after the new curricula for orthopaedic and general surgery have been implemented in Germany, fracture care is still predominantly provided by general surgeons specialized in trauma surgery. In conclusion, it seems that the general surgeon specialized in trauma surgery still plays and wants to play the key role in the management of the polytrauma patient and fracture care in German-speaking countries.

Rural and Urban Distribution of Trauma Incidents in Scotland

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-11-27

populations are rarely distributed symmetrically, and other regions, including several US and Australian states, and parts of Scandinavia , have successfully...Reite A et al. Trauma systems and early management of severe injuries in Scandinavia : review of the current state. Injury 2010; 41: 444–452. 27 Sudlow A

The state of US trauma systems: public perceptions versus reality--implications for US response to terrorism and mass casualty events.

PubMed

Champion, Howard R; Mabee, Marcia S; Meredith, J Wayne

2006-12-01

Injury has long been identified as the number one killer of Americans under the age of 34, and establishment of regional trauma systems and centers incorporating primary, secondary, and tertiary care and injury-prevention strategies has proved to be a vital element in reducing injury-related sequelae, deaths, and even costs. Despite these facts, trauma system development has not been given priority for funding in many local and state governments and only intermittently at the federal level. Consequently, many of the nation's trauma centers are strapped for funds to provide emergency care to their patients. In response to a 2002 Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) report, which identified public support as a key element in the success of trauma system development in states and communities across the United States, a Harris Interactive study was undertaken in the fall of 2004 to determine the public's attitudes, awareness, and knowledge concerning the nature and availability of trauma care and systems of trauma care. Results of the poll were contrasted with current data on the state of US trauma systems to determine the degree of correspondence. Results of the poll indicated that fully 61% of the American public does not know that injury is the leading cause of death for those aged 1 to 34, and most believe that a trauma system is in place in every state. Almost two-thirds of the American public is confident of receiving the best medical care in the event of serious injury and would be seriously concerned if no trauma center were nearby. But only eight states have fully developed trauma systems, and most states have no federal funding or infrastructure in place for managing the aftermath of a natural disaster or terrorist event. These and other objective data reveal the mismatch between public perceptions and reality. Although almost 90% of Americans believe that state trauma systems and hospitals should have a coordinated trauma response, this has not been made a national priority. Trauma systems must be adequately developed and supported to fulfill the public's expectation to receive the best possible care if seriously injured, and to ensure readiness for mass casualty and terrorist incidents.

Male genital trauma

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jordan, G.H.; Gilbert, D.A.

1988-07-01

We have attempted to discuss genital trauma in relatively broad terms. In most cases, patients present with relatively minimal trauma. However, because of the complexity of the structures involved, minimal trauma can lead to significant disability later on. The process of erection requires correct functioning of the arterial, neurologic, and venous systems coupled with intact erectile bodies. The penis is composed of structures that are compliant and distensible to the limits of their compliance. These structures therefore tumesce in equal proportion to each other, allowing for straight erection. Relatively minimal trauma can upset this balance of elasticity, leading to disablingmore » chordee. Likewise, relatively minimal injuries to the vascular erectile structures can lead to significantly disabling spongiofibrosis. The urethra is a conduit of paramount importance. Whereas the development of stricture is generally related to the nature of the trauma, the extent of stricture and of attendant complications is clearly a function of the immediate management. Overzealous debridement can greatly complicate subsequent reconstruction. A delicate balance between aggressive initial management and maximal preservation of viable structures must be achieved. 38 references.« less

A Case Study in the Identification of Critical Factors Leading to Successful Implementation of the Hospital Incident Command System

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-06-01

California EMSA, National Incident Management System, NIMS, hospital preparedness program, Nursing Home Incident Command System, NHICS, Hospital...The International Journal of Trauma Nursing published an article in 2007 entitled “Organization of a Hospital-based Victim Decontamination Plan...Journal of Trauma Nursing 5, no. 4 (October– November 2007): 119–123. 32 Ellen Lanser May, “Scarred but Smarter: Lessons Learned from Florida’s 2004

Compassionate listening - managing psychological trauma in refugees.

PubMed

Gardiner, Joanne; Walker, Kate

2010-04-01

The physical and psychosocial effects of trauma in refugees are wide ranging and long lasting. They can affect symptom presentation, the patient-doctor relationship and management of refugee victims of trauma. This article discusses how refugees survivors of trauma may present to the general practitioner and gives an approach to psychological assessment and management. A strong therapeutic relationship built by patient led, sensitive assessment over time is the foundation to care. A management framework based on trauma recovery stages and adapted for general practice, is presented.

Orthopedic and trauma services in the healthcare system of Serbia.

PubMed

Vukasinović, Zoran; Zivković, Zorica; Spasovski, Dusko

2008-01-01

Our aim has been to present the functioning of orthopaedic and trauma services in the healthcare system of Serbia. In the introduction, we present geographic, demographic, political and economic elements, which define more closely the position of Serbia in the Southeastern Europe. Further, the healthcare system of Serbia, organized in four levels, is presented: self-care, primary healthcare, secondary healthcare and tertiary healthcare, as well as the schedule of 20,157 physicians engaged in healthcare. In addition, we point out numerous problems, which the system is faced with. Special attention is paid to orthopaedic and trauma services active within the system, its development, current condition and personnel education. We have concluded that, despite this being a middle-income country, the healthcare system is well developed. With 524 orthopaedic surgeons, working in 56 specialized departments, musculoskeletal diseases and trauma management are covered at all three healthcare levels. Nevertheless, the authors also underline weaknesses that are mostly of technical nature. Measures for their elimination and improvement of the entire service are also suggested.

Trauma care at rural level III trauma centers in a state trauma system.

PubMed

Helling, Thomas S

2007-02-01

Although much has been written about the benefits of trauma center care, most experiences are urban with large numbers of patients. Little is known about the smaller, rural trauma centers and how they function both independently and as part of a larger trauma system. The state of Missouri has designated three levels of trauma care. The cornerstone of rural trauma care is the state-designated Level III trauma center. These centers are required to have the presence of a trauma team and trauma surgeon but do not require orthopedic or neurosurgical coverage. The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine how Level III trauma centers compared with Level I and Level II centers in the Missouri trauma system and, secondly, how trauma surgeon experience at these centers might shape future educational efforts to optimize rural trauma care. During a 2-year period in 2002 and 2003, the state trauma registry was queried on all trauma admissions for centers in the trauma system. Demographics and patient care outcomes were assessed by level of designation. Trauma admissions to the Level III centers were examined for acuity, severity, and type of injury. The experiences with chest, abdominal, and neurologic trauma were examined in detail. A total of 24,392 patients from 26 trauma centers were examined, including all eight Level III centers. Acuity and severity of injuries were higher at Level I and II centers. A total of 2,910 patients were seen at the 8 Level III centers. Overall deaths were significantly lower at Level III centers (Level I, 4% versus Level II, 4% versus Level III, 2%, p < 0.001). Numbers of patients dying within 24 hours were no different among levels of trauma care (Level I, 37% versus Level II, 30% versus Level III, 32%). Among Level III centers 45 (1.5%) patients were admitted in shock, and 48 (2%) had a Glasgow Coma Scale score <9. Twenty-six patients had a surgical head injury (7 epidural, 19 subdural hematomas). Twenty-eight patients (1%) needed a chest or abdominal operation. There were 15 spleen and 12 liver injuries with an Abbreviated Injury Score of 4 or 5. Level III trauma centers performed as expected in a state trauma system. Acuity and severity were less as was corresponding mortality. There were a paucity of life-threatening head, chest, and abdominal injuries, which provide a challenge to the rural trauma surgeon to maintain necessary skills in management of these critical injuries.

The Pennsylvania Trauma Outcomes Study Risk-Adjusted Mortality Model: Results of a Statewide Benchmarking Program

PubMed Central

WIEBE, DOUGLAS J.; HOLENA, DANIEL N.; DELGADO, M. KIT; McWILLIAMS, NATHAN; ALTENBURG, JULIET; CARR, BRENDAN G.

2018-01-01

Trauma centers need objective feedback on performance to inform quality improvement efforts. The Trauma Quality Improvement Program recently published recommended methodology for case mix adjustment and benchmarking performance. We tested the feasibility of applying this methodology to develop risk-adjusted mortality models for a statewide trauma system. We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients ≥16 years old at Pennsylvania trauma centers from 2011 to 2013 (n = 100,278). Our main outcome measure was observed-to-expected mortality ratios (overall and within blunt, penetrating, multisystem, isolated head, and geriatric subgroups). Patient demographic variables, physiology, mechanism of injury, transfer status, injury severity, and pre-existing conditions were included as predictor variables. The statistical model had excellent discrimination (area under the curve = 0.94). Funnel plots of observed-to-expected identified five centers with lower than expected mortality and two centers with higher than expected mortality. No centers were outliers for management of penetrating trauma, but five centers had lower and three had higher than expected mortality for blunt trauma. It is feasible to use Trauma Quality Improvement Program methodology to develop risk-adjusted models for statewide trauma systems. Even with smaller numbers of trauma centers that are available in national datasets, it is possible to identify high and low outliers in performance. PMID:28541852

The Pennsylvania Trauma Outcomes Study Risk-Adjusted Mortality Model: Results of a Statewide Benchmarking Program.

PubMed

Wiebe, Douglas J; Holena, Daniel N; Delgado, M Kit; McWilliams, Nathan; Altenburg, Juliet; Carr, Brendan G

2017-05-01

Trauma centers need objective feedback on performance to inform quality improvement efforts. The Trauma Quality Improvement Program recently published recommended methodology for case mix adjustment and benchmarking performance. We tested the feasibility of applying this methodology to develop risk-adjusted mortality models for a statewide trauma system. We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients ≥16 years old at Pennsylvania trauma centers from 2011 to 2013 (n = 100,278). Our main outcome measure was observed-to-expected mortality ratios (overall and within blunt, penetrating, multisystem, isolated head, and geriatric subgroups). Patient demographic variables, physiology, mechanism of injury, transfer status, injury severity, and pre-existing conditions were included as predictor variables. The statistical model had excellent discrimination (area under the curve = 0.94). Funnel plots of observed-to-expected identified five centers with lower than expected mortality and two centers with higher than expected mortality. No centers were outliers for management of penetrating trauma, but five centers had lower and three had higher than expected mortality for blunt trauma. It is feasible to use Trauma Quality Improvement Program methodology to develop risk-adjusted models for statewide trauma systems. Even with smaller numbers of trauma centers that are available in national datasets, it is possible to identify high and low outliers in performance.

Management of adult blunt hepatic trauma.

PubMed

Kozar, Rosemary A; McNutt, Michelle K

2010-12-01

To review the nonoperative and operative management of blunt hepatic injury in the adult trauma population. Although liver injury scale does not predict need for surgical intervention, a high-grade complex liver injury should alert the physician to a patient at increased risk of hepatic complications following nonoperative management. Blunt hepatic injury remains a frequent intraabdominal injury in the adult trauma population. The management of blunt hepatic injury has undergone a major paradigm shift from mandatory operative exploration to nonoperative management. Hemodynamic instability with a positive focused abdominal sonography for trauma and peritonitis are indications for emergent operative intervention. Although surgical intervention for blunt hepatic trauma is not as common as in years past, it is imperative that the current trauma surgeon be familiar with the surgical skill set to manage complex hepatic injuries. This study represents a review of both nonoperative and operative management of blunt hepatic injury.

Conservative management of retained cardiac missiles: case report and literature review.

PubMed

Lundy, Jonathan B; Johnson, Eric K; Seery, Jason M; Pham, Tach; Frizzi, James D; Chasen, Arthur B

2009-01-01

Intracardiac foreign bodies may be caused by direct penetrating trauma, embolization from injury to another area of the body, or iatrogenically from fragments of intravascular access devices. Penetrating cardiac trauma commonly presents with a hemodynamically unstable patient necessitating emergent life-saving procedures. Missile embolization to the heart can occur after injury to systemic and pulmonary veins. Central venous access devices may fracture after placement and embolize. Especially in the setting of penetrating cardiac trauma, these intracardiac foreign bodies require expeditious removal. Limited data exist regarding the conservative management of intracardiac material after trauma. We present the case of a 42-year-old male soldier injured in a mortar blast in Iraq who suffered multiple injuries to include a right hemopneumothorax and soft tissue injuries to the chest and both lower extremities that was found to have a 2-cm by 2-mm intracardiac metal fragment. Additional imaging revealed a metallic fragment localized to the interatrial septum. The patient suffered no adverse sequelae from nonoperative management. A review of the world literature regarding the subject of posttraumatic retained cardiac missiles (RCMs) is also included to help future surgeons in the management of this rare entity.

Development of a statewide trauma registry using multiple linked sources of data.

PubMed Central

Clark, D. E.

1993-01-01

In order to develop a cost-effective method of injury surveillance and trauma system evaluation in a rural state, computer programs were written linking records from two major hospital trauma registries, a statewide trauma tracking study, hospital discharge abstracts, death certificates, and ambulance run reports. A general-purpose database management system, programming language, and operating system were used. Data from 1991 appeared to be successfully linked using only indirect identifying information. Familiarity with local geography and the idiosyncracies of each data source were helpful in programming for effective matching of records. For each individual case identified in this way, data from all available sources were then merged and imported into a standard database format. This inexpensive, population-based approach, maintaining flexibility for end-users with some database training, may be adaptable for other regions. There is a need for further improvement and simplification of the record-linkage process for this and similar purposes. PMID:8130556

Thyroid Storm in a Patient with Trauma - A Challenging Diagnosis for the Emergency Physician: Case Report and Literature Review.

PubMed

Wang, Hsiang-I; Yiang, Giou-Teng; Hsu, Chin-Wang; Wang, Jen-Chun; Lee, Chien-Hsing; Chen, Yu-Long

2017-03-01

Thyroid storm, an endocrine emergency, remains a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. It is recognized to develop as a result of several factors, including infection, surgery, acute illness, and rarely, trauma. Recognition of thyroid storm in a trauma patient is difficult because the emergency physician usually focuses on managing more obvious injuries. We present a case of trauma-related thyroid storm and review the previous literature on posttraumatic thyroid storm to delineate risk factors of the disease. The case occurred in a 32-year-old man after a motorcycle accident. Careful investigation of patient history and risk factors of trauma-related thyroid storms and utilization of the scoring system may facilitate early diagnosis. Traumatically induced thyroid storm usually responds to medical treatment developed for hyperthyroidism. Surgical intervention may be needed for patients who failed medical treatment or those with direct thyroid gland injuries. The outcome is usually fair under appropriate management. We present a case of trauma-related thyroid storm to illustrate the diagnostic and therapeutic approach with a summary of the previous literature. Emergency physicians should be aware of the clinical presentation and risk factors of patients with trauma-related thyroid storm to reduce the rate of misdiagnosis and prevent catastrophic outcomes. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

System for the Management of Trauma and Emergency Surgery in Space

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Houtchens, B.

1984-01-01

The need to develop a systems approach to the management of trauma and other major clinical medical events in space along with appropriate development and evaluation of surgical techniques and required hardware was investigated. A prototype zero gravity surgical module was constructed and tested aboard a KC-135 aircraft during parabolic arc zero G flight. To insure parity of quality care to that available on Earth, it was recommended that a clinical medical and bioengineering advisory committee define and help develop the necessary components of the clinical medical care system for the space station and lunar base. Key components of the system are aerospace surgical training, medical equipment development, including support hardware and software, rapid access to a network of specialty expertise, and continued research and development.

The impact of patient volume on surgical trauma training in a Scandinavian trauma centre.

PubMed

Gaarder, Christine; Skaga, Nils Oddvar; Eken, Torsten; Pillgram-Larsen, Johan; Buanes, Trond; Naess, Paal Aksel

2005-11-01

Some of the problems faced in trauma surgery are increasing non-operative management of abdominal injuries, decreasing work hours and increasing sub-specialisation. We wanted to document the experience of trauma team leaders at the largest trauma centre in Norway, hypothesising that the patient volume would be inadequate to secure optimal trauma care. Patients registered in the hospital based Trauma Registry during the 2-year period from 1 August 2000 to 31 July 2002 were included. Of a total of 1667 patients registered, 645 patients (39%) had an Injury Severity Score (ISS)>15. Abdominal injuries were diagnosed in 205 patients with a median ISS of 30. An average trauma team leader assessed a total of 119 trauma cases a year (46 patients with ISS>15) and participated in 10 trauma laparotomies. Although the total number of trauma cases seems adequate, the experience of the trauma team leaders with challenging abdominal injuries is limited. With increasing sub-specialisation and general surgery vanishing, fewer surgical specialties provide operative competence in dealing with complicated torso trauma. A system of additional education and quality assurance measures is a prerequisite of high quality, and has consequently been introduced in our institution.

Is Treating Oral and Maxillofacial Trauma Profitable? An Analysis of Hospital and Surgeon Reimbursement at an Academic Medical Center.

PubMed

DeLuke, Dean M; Agarwal, Vickas; Holleman, Trevor; Carrico, Caroline K; Laskin, Daniel M

2017-02-01

During the past 2 decades, there has been a marked decrease in the willingness of community-based oral and maxillofacial surgeons to participate in trauma call. Although many factors can influence the decision not to take trauma call, 1 primary disincentive is the perception that managing facial trauma might be profitable for the hospital, but not profitable for the surgeon. The purpose of this study was to compare the profitability of facial trauma management for the hospital and the surgeon at the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Medical Center (Richmond, VA). In this retrospective cohort study, records were collected for patients who were seen for primary trauma management by the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at VCU (VCUOMS) from June 2011 through July 2014. Cost and reimbursement data were analyzed for these patients from the VCU Health System (VCUHS) and the VCUOMS. For the hospital, actual cost data were provided; for the surgeon, cost was calculated based on an average overhead of 50%. For uniformity, patients were excluded if they remained in the hospital for longer than a 23-hour observation period. Patients younger than 18 years also were excluded. In total, 169 patients met the inclusion criteria. There was a statistically relevant difference in the percentage of costs recouped and the actual profit. The average percentage of costs recouped was 230% for the VCUHS versus 47% for the VCUOMS. This amounts to an average profit per case of $3,461 for the hospital versus a loss of $1,162 for the surgeon. The results of this study indicate that in the VCU Medical Center, maxillofacial trauma yields a net profit for the hospital and a net loss for the operating surgeon. Although the results are limited to outpatient management at 1 academic institution, they suggest that hospitals in some settings might be in a position to incentivize surgeons for trauma management. Copyright © 2016 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The European guideline on management of major bleeding and coagulopathy following trauma: fourth edition.

PubMed

Rossaint, Rolf; Bouillon, Bertil; Cerny, Vladimir; Coats, Timothy J; Duranteau, Jacques; Fernández-Mondéjar, Enrique; Filipescu, Daniela; Hunt, Beverley J; Komadina, Radko; Nardi, Giuseppe; Neugebauer, Edmund A M; Ozier, Yves; Riddez, Louis; Schultz, Arthur; Vincent, Jean-Louis; Spahn, Donat R

2016-04-12

Severe trauma continues to represent a global public health issue and mortality and morbidity in trauma patients remains substantial. A number of initiatives have aimed to provide guidance on the management of trauma patients. This document focuses on the management of major bleeding and coagulopathy following trauma and encourages adaptation of the guiding principles to each local situation and implementation within each institution. The pan-European, multidisciplinary Task Force for Advanced Bleeding Care in Trauma was founded in 2004 and included representatives of six relevant European professional societies. The group used a structured, evidence-based consensus approach to address scientific queries that served as the basis for each recommendation and supporting rationale. Expert opinion and current clinical practice were also considered, particularly in areas in which randomised clinical trials have not or cannot be performed. Existing recommendations were reconsidered and revised based on new scientific evidence and observed shifts in clinical practice; new recommendations were formulated to reflect current clinical concerns and areas in which new research data have been generated. This guideline represents the fourth edition of a document first published in 2007 and updated in 2010 and 2013. The guideline now recommends that patients be transferred directly to an appropriate trauma treatment centre and encourages use of a restricted volume replacement strategy during initial resuscitation. Best-practice use of blood products during further resuscitation continues to evolve and should be guided by a goal-directed strategy. The identification and management of patients pre-treated with anticoagulant agents continues to pose a real challenge, despite accumulating experience and awareness. The present guideline should be viewed as an educational aid to improve and standardise the care of the bleeding trauma patients across Europe and beyond. This document may also serve as a basis for local implementation. Furthermore, local quality and safety management systems need to be established to specifically assess key measures of bleeding control and outcome. A multidisciplinary approach and adherence to evidence-based guidance are key to improving patient outcomes. The implementation of locally adapted treatment algorithms should strive to achieve measureable improvements in patient outcome.

Pediatric Thoracic Trauma: Recognition and Management.

PubMed

Reynolds, Stacy L

2018-05-01

Thoracic injuries account for less than one-tenth of all pediatric trauma-related injuries but comprise 14% of pediatric trauma-related deaths. Thoracic trauma includes injuries to the lungs, heart, aorta and great vessels, esophagus, tracheobronchial tree, and structures of the chest wall. Children have unique anatomic features that change the patterns of observed injury compared with adults. This review article outlines the clinical presentation, diagnostic testing, and management principles required to successfully manage injured children with thoracic trauma. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Annual Trauma Anesthesia and Critical Care Symposium (5th) Held in Amsterdam, The Netherlands on 11-12 June 1992

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-10-01

Variations in the Role of the TA/CCS A. The Trauma Team: Leader vs. Member B. Pain Management C. Teacher/Trainer D. Critical Care Transport E... Pain Management Interested individuals should send CV and request for application to: David P. Tarantino, M.D. Director of Education MIEMSS...Supportive Treatment Strategy? Interpleural Regional Analgesia in the Pain Management of Chest Trauma Airway Management with Penetrating Neck Trauma

Aorta Balloon Occlusion in Trauma: Three Cases Demonstrating Multidisciplinary Approach Already on Patient’s Arrival to the Emergency Room

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hörer, Tal M., E-mail: tal.horer@orebroll.se; Hebron, Dan; Swaid, Forat

PurposeTo describe the usage of aortic balloon occlusion (ABO), based on a multidisciplinary approach in severe trauma patients, emphasizing the role of the interventional radiologist in primary trauma care.MethodsWe briefly discuss the relevant literature, the technical aspects of ABO in trauma, and a multidisciplinary approach to the bleeding trauma patient. We describe three severely injured trauma patients for whom ABO was part of initial trauma management.ResultsThree severely injured multi-trauma patients were treated by ABO as a bridge to surgery and embolization. The procedures were performed by an interventional radiologist in the early stages of trauma management.ConclusionsThe interventional radiologist and themore » multidisciplinary team approach can be activated already on severe trauma patient arrival. ABO usage and other endovascular methods are becoming more widely spread, and can be used early in trauma management, without delay, thus justifying the early activation of this multidisciplinary approach.« less

Emerging technologies for pediatric and adult trauma care.

PubMed

Moulton, Steven L; Haley-Andrews, Stephanie; Mulligan, Jane

2010-06-01

Current Emergency Medical Service protocols rely on provider-directed care for evaluation, management and triage of injured patients from the field to a trauma center. New methods to quickly diagnose, support and coordinate the movement of trauma patients from the field to the most appropriate trauma center are in development. These methods will enhance trauma care and promote trauma system development. Recent advances in machine learning, statistical methods, device integration and wireless communication are giving rise to new methods for vital sign data analysis and a new generation of transport monitors. These monitors will collect and synchronize exponentially growing amounts of vital sign data with electronic patient care information. The application of advanced statistical methods to these complex clinical data sets has the potential to reveal many important physiological relationships and treatment effects. Several emerging technologies are converging to yield a new generation of smart sensors and tightly integrated transport monitors. These technologies will assist prehospital providers in quickly identifying and triaging the most severely injured children and adults to the most appropriate trauma centers. They will enable the development of real-time clinical support systems of increasing complexity, able to provide timelier, more cost-effective, autonomous care.

Use of a Novel Accounting and Grouping Method for Major Trunk Injury-Analysis of Data from a Statewide Trauma Financial Survey.

PubMed

Joubert, Kyla D; Mabry, Charles D; Kalkwarf, Kyle J; Betzold, Richard D; Spencer, Horace J; Spinks, Kara M; Porter, Austin; Karim, Saleema; Robertson, Ronald D; Sutherland, Michael J; Maxson, Robert T

2016-09-01

Major trunk trauma is common and costly, but comparisons of costs between trauma centers (TCs) are rare. Understanding cost is essential to improve quality, manage trauma service lines, and to facilitate institutional commitment for trauma. We have used results of a statewide trauma financial survey of Levels I to IV TC to develop a useful grouping method for costs and clinical characteristics of major trunk trauma. The trauma financial survey collected billing and clinical data on 75 per cent of the state trauma registry patients for fiscal year 2012. Cost was calculated by separately accounting for embedded costs of trauma response and verification, and then adjusting reasonable costs from the Medicare cost report for each TC. The cost-to-charge ratios were then recalculated and used to determine uniform cost estimates for each patient. From the 13,215 patients submitted for the survey, we selected 1,094 patients with major trunk trauma: lengths of stay ≥ 48 hours and a maximum injury of AIS ≥3 for either thorax or abdominal trauma. These patients were then divided into three Injury Severity Score (ISS) groups of 9 to 15, 16 to 24, or 25+ to stratify patients into similar injury groups for analysis of cost and cost drivers. For abdominal injury, average total cost for patients with ISS 9 to 15 was $17,429. Total cost and cost per day increased with severity of injury, with $51,585 being the total cost for those with ISS 25. Similar trends existed for thoracic injury. Use of the Medicare cost report and cost-to-charge ratios to compute uniform costs with an innovative grouping method applied to data collected across a statewide trauma system provides unique information regarding cost and outcomes, which affects quality improvement, trauma service line management, and decisions on TC participation.

Contemporary evaluation and management of renal trauma.

PubMed

Chouhan, Jyoti D; Winer, Andrew G; Johnson, Christina; Weiss, Jeffrey P; Hyacinthe, Llewellyn M

2016-04-01

Renal trauma occurs in approximately 1%-5% of all trauma cases. Improvements in imaging and management over the last two decades have caused a shift in the treatment of this clinical condition. A systematic search of PubMed was performed to identify relevant and contemporary articles that referred to the management and evaluation of renal trauma. Computed tomography remains a mainstay of radiological evaluation in hemodynamically stable patients. There is a growing body of literature showing that conservative, non-operative management of renal trauma is safe, even for Grade IV-V renal injuries. If surgical exploration is planned due to other injuries, a conservative approach to the kidney can often be utilized. Follow up imaging may be warranted in certain circumstances. Urinoma, delayed bleeding, and hypertension are complications that require follow up. Appropriate imaging and conservative approaches are a mainstay of current renal trauma management.

The Best Anticoagulation Therapy in Multiple-Trauma Patients with Mechanical Heart Valves: Evaluation of Latest Guidelines and Studies.

PubMed

Moeinipour, Aliasghar; Zarifian, Ahmadreza; Sheikh Andalibi, Mohammad Sobhan; Shamloo, Alireza Sepehri; Ahmadabadi, Ali; Amouzeshi, Ahmad; Hoseinikhah, Hamid

2015-12-22

It is common practice for patients with prosthetic cardiac devices, especially heart valve prosthesis, arterial stents, defibrillators, and pacemaker devices, to use anticoagulation treatment. When these patients suffer from multiple trauma after motor vehicle accidents, the best medical management for this challenging position is mandatory. This strategy should include a rapid diagnosis of all possible multiple organ injuries, with special attention to anticoagulation therapy so as to minimize the risk of thromboembolism complication in prosthetic devices. In this review, we describe the best medical management for patients with multiple trauma who use anticoagulants after heart valve replacement. We searched electronic databases PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Embase, and Google Scholar using the following terms: anticoagulant, warfarin, heparin, and multiple trauma. Also, similar studies suggested by the databases were included. Non-English articles were excluded from the review. For patients who use anticoagulation therapy, teamwork between cardiac surgeons, general surgeons, anesthesiologists, and cardiologists is essential. For optimal medical management, multiple consults between members of this team is mandatory for rapid diagnosis of all possible damaged organs, with special attention to the central nervous system, chest, and abdominal traumas. With this strategy, it is important to take note of anticoagulation drugs to minimize the risk of thromboembolism complications in cardiac devices. The best anticoagulant agents for emergency operations in patients with multiple trauma who are using an anticoagulant after heart valve replacement are fresh frozen plasma (FFP) and prothrombin complex concentrates (PCC).

Trauma Collaborative Care Intervention: Effect on Surgeon Confidence in Managing Psychosocial Complications After Orthopaedic Trauma.

PubMed

Wegener, Stephen T; Carroll, Eben A; Gary, Joshua L; McKinley, Todd O; OʼToole, Robert V; Sietsema, Debra L; Castillo, Renan C; Frey, Katherine P; Scharfstein, Daniel O; Huang, Yanjie; Collins, Susan C J; MacKenzie, Ellen J

2017-08-01

The impact of the Trauma Collaborative Care (TCC) program on surgeon confidence in managing the psychosocial sequelae of orthopaedic trauma was evaluated as part of a larger prospective, multisite, cluster clinical trial. We compared confidence and perceived resource availability among surgeons practicing in trauma centers that implemented the TCC program with orthopaedic trauma surgeons in similar trauma centers that did not implement the TCC. Prospective cohort design. Level-I trauma centers. Attending surgeons and fellows (N = 95 Pre and N = 82 Post). Self-report 10-item measure of surgeon confidence in managing psychosocial issues associated with trauma and perceived availability of support resources. Analyses, performed on the entire sample and repeated on the subset of 52 surgeons who responded to the survey at both times points, found surgeons at intervention sites experienced a significantly greater positive improvement (P < 0.05) in their (1) belief that they have strategies to help orthopaedic trauma patients change their psychosocial situation; (2) confidence in making appropriate referrals for orthopaedic trauma patients with psychosocial problems; and (3) belief that they have access to information to guide the management of psychosocial issues related to recovery. Initial data suggest that the establishment of the TCC program can improve surgeons' perceived availability of resources and their confidence in managing the psychosocial sequelae after injury. Further studies will be required to determine if this translates into beneficial patient effects. Therapeutic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Emergency strategies and trends in the management of liver trauma.

PubMed

Jiang, Hongchi; Wang, Jizhou

2012-09-01

The liver is the most frequently injured organ during abdominal trauma. The management of hepatic trauma has undergone a paradigm shift over the past several decades, with mandatory operation giving way to nonoperative treatment. Better understanding of the mechanisms and grade of liver injury aids in the initial assessment and establishment of a management strategy. Hemodynamically unstable patients should undergo focused abdominal sonography for trauma, whereas stable patients may undergo computed tomography, the standard examination protocol. The grade of liver injury alone does not accurately predict the need for operation, and nonoperative management is rapidly becoming popular for high-grade injuries. Hemodynamic instability with positive focused abdominal sonography for trauma and peritonitis is an indicator of the need for emergent operative intervention. The damage control concept is appropriate for the treatment of major liver injuries and is associated with significant survival advantages compared with traditional prolonged surgical techniques. Although surgical intervention for hepatic trauma is not as common now as it was in the past, current trauma surgeons should be familiar with the emergency surgical skills necessary to manage complex hepatic injuries, such as packing, Pringle maneuver, selective vessel ligation, resectional debridement, and parenchymal sutures. The present review presents emergency strategies and trends in the management of liver trauma.

Strategically Leapfrogging Education in Prehospital Trauma Management: Four-Tiered Training Protocols

PubMed Central

Abraham, Rohit; Vyas, Dinesh; Narayan, Mayur; Vyas, Arpita

2016-01-01

Trauma-related injury in fast developing countries are linked to 90% of international mortality rates, which can be greatly reduced by improvements in often non-existent or non-centralized emergency medical systems (EMS)—particularly in the pre-hospital care phase. Traditional trauma training protocols—such as Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS), International Trauma Life Support (ITLS), and Basic Life Support (BLS)—have failed to produce an effective pre-hospital ground force of medical first responders. To overcome these barriers, we propose a new four-tiered set of trauma training protocols: Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) Trauma Training, Acute Trauma Training (ATT), Broad Trauma Training (BTT), and Cardiac and Trauma Training (CTT). These standards are specifically differentiated to accommodate the educational and socioeconomic diversity found in fast developing settings, where each free course is taught in native, lay language while ensuring the education standards are maintained by fully incorporating high-fidelity simulation, video-recorded debriefing, and retraining. The innovative pedagogy of this trauma education program utilizes MOOC for global scalability and a “train-the-trainer” approach for exponential growth—both components help fast developing countries reach a critical mass of first responders needed for the base of an evolving EMS. PMID:27419222

Strategically Leapfrogging Education in Prehospital Trauma Management: Four-Tiered Training Protocols.

PubMed

Abraham, Rohit; Vyas, Dinesh; Narayan, Mayur; Vyas, Arpita

2015-12-01

Trauma-related injury in fast developing countries are linked to 90% of international mortality rates, which can be greatly reduced by improvements in often non-existent or non-centralized emergency medical systems (EMS)-particularly in the pre-hospital care phase. Traditional trauma training protocols-such as Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS), International Trauma Life Support (ITLS), and Basic Life Support (BLS)-have failed to produce an effective pre-hospital ground force of medical first responders. To overcome these barriers, we propose a new four-tiered set of trauma training protocols: Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) Trauma Training, Acute Trauma Training (ATT), Broad Trauma Training (BTT), and Cardiac and Trauma Training (CTT). These standards are specifically differentiated to accommodate the educational and socioeconomic diversity found in fast developing settings, where each free course is taught in native, lay language while ensuring the education standards are maintained by fully incorporating high-fidelity simulation, video-recorded debriefing, and retraining. The innovative pedagogy of this trauma education program utilizes MOOC for global scalability and a "train-the-trainer" approach for exponential growth-both components help fast developing countries reach a critical mass of first responders needed for the base of an evolving EMS.

Dermatologic surgery emergencies: Complications caused by systemic reactions, high-energy systems, and trauma.

PubMed

Minkis, Kira; Whittington, Adam; Alam, Murad

2016-08-01

While the overall incidence of emergencies in dermatologic surgery is low, emergent situations can occasionally pose a risk to patients undergoing such procedures. The clinical importance of several types of emergences related to systemic reactions, high energy systems, and trauma are reviewed, and relevant epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, work-up, management, and prevention are discussed. Early detection of surgical emergencies can mitigate any associated adverse outcomes, thereby allowing the outstanding record of safety of dermatologic surgery to continue. Copyright © 2016 American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Trauma Focused CBT for Children with Co-Occurring Trauma and Behavior Problems

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cohen, Judith A.; Berliner, Lucy; Mannarino, Anthony

2010-01-01

Objective: Childhood trauma impacts multiple domains of functioning including behavior. Traumatized children commonly have behavioral problems that therapists must effectively evaluate and manage in the context of providing trauma-focused treatment. This manuscript describes practical strategies for managing behavior problems in the context of…

Trauma risk management (TRiM) in the UK Armed Forces.

PubMed

Greenberg, N; Langston, V; Jones, N

2008-06-01

Trauma Risk Management (TRiM) is a novel system of post incident management which intend to allow commanders to provide appropriate support to their subordinates in the aftermath of traumatic events. Given the current very considerable operational tempo being experienced by the majority of the UK Armed Forces, it is perhaps not surprising that TRiM has been in use in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Although TRiM originated from within the Royal Marines, it is now widely used in both the Royal Navy and Army; there are also plans to introduce it into specific components of the Royal Air Force such as for the RAF Regiment. This paper aims to explore the basis behind the TRiM system and to explore the evidence for its growing popularity within hierarchical organisations such as the military.

Missing data in trauma registries: A systematic review.

PubMed

Shivasabesan, Gowri; Mitra, Biswadev; O'Reilly, Gerard M

2018-03-30

Trauma registries play an integral role in trauma systems but their valid use hinges on data quality. The aim of this study was to determine, among contemporary publications using trauma registry data, the level of reporting of data completeness and the methods used to deal with missing data. A systematic review was conducted of all trauma registry-based manuscripts published from 01 January 2015 to current date (17 March 2017). Studies were identified by searching MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CINAHL using relevant subject headings and keywords. Included manuscripts were evaluated based on previously published recommendations regarding the reporting and discussion of missing data. Manuscripts were graded on their degree of characterization of such observations. In addition, the methods used to manage missing data were examined. There were 539 manuscripts that met inclusion criteria. Among these, 208 (38.6%) manuscripts did not mention data completeness and 88 (16.3%) mentioned missing data but did not quantify the extent. Only a handful (n = 26; 4.8%) quantified the 'missingness' of all variables. Most articles (n = 477; 88.5%) contained no details such as a comparison between patient characteristics in cohorts with and without missing data. Of the 331 articles which made at least some mention of data completeness, the method of managing missing data was unknown in 34 (10.3%). When method(s) to handle missing data were identified, 234 (78.8%) manuscripts used complete case analysis only, 18 (6.1%) used multiple imputation only and 34 (11.4%) used a combination of these. Most manuscripts using trauma registry data did not quantify the extent of missing data for any variables and contained minimal discussion regarding missingness. Out of the studies which identified a method of managing missing data, most used complete case analysis, a method that may bias results. The lack of standardization in the reporting and management of missing data questions the validity of conclusions from research based on trauma registry data. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Prevalence, management and outcome of traumatic diaphragm injuries managed by the Pietermaritzburg Metropolitan Trauma Service

PubMed Central

Clarke, D; Laing, G

2017-01-01

INTRODUCTION This audit of traumatic diaphram injury (TDI) from a busy South African trauma service reviews the spectrum of disease and highlights current approaches to these injuries. METHODS The Pietermaritzburg Metropolitan Trauma Service (PMTS) has maintained an Electronic Surgical Registry (ESR) and a Hybrid Electronic Medical Record (HEMR) system since January 1st 2012. RESULTS A total of 105 TDIs were identified and repaired during the study period. The mean patient age was 30 years (range 15-68 years - SD 9.7). The majority (92.4%) of patients were male (97/105). Penetrating trauma was the leading mechanism of injury (94%). 75 patients sustained a TDI from a stab wound, and the remaining 24 injuries resulted from gunshot wounds. Multiple associated injuries and high morbidity was seen with right diaphragm injury, blunt trauma, gunshot wounds and chronic diaphragmatic hernias. CONCLUSIONS TDI is a fairly uncommon injury with a local incidence of 1.6%. It presents in a spectrum from the obvious to the occult. Multiple associated injuries and high morbidity occur following blunt trauma or gunshot wounds, right diaphragm injury and chronic diaphragmatic hernias. Diagnostic laparoscopy offers a diagnostic and therapeutic tool to prevent progression of occult TDI to chronic diaphragmatic hernias. PMID:28462659

Prevalence, management and outcome of traumatic diaphragm injuries managed by the Pietermaritzburg Metropolitan Trauma Service.

PubMed

D'Souza, N; Clarke, D; Laing, G

2017-05-01

INTRODUCTION This audit of traumatic diaphram injury (TDI) from a busy South African trauma service reviews the spectrum of disease and highlights current approaches to these injuries. METHODS The Pietermaritzburg Metropolitan Trauma Service (PMTS) has maintained an Electronic Surgical Registry (ESR) and a Hybrid Electronic Medical Record (HEMR) system since January 1 st 2012. RESULTS A total of 105 TDIs were identified and repaired during the study period. The mean patient age was 30 years (range 15-68 years - SD 9.7). The majority (92.4%) of patients were male (97/105). Penetrating trauma was the leading mechanism of injury (94%). 75 patients sustained a TDI from a stab wound, and the remaining 24 injuries resulted from gunshot wounds. Multiple associated injuries and high morbidity was seen with right diaphragm injury, blunt trauma, gunshot wounds and chronic diaphragmatic hernias. CONCLUSIONS TDI is a fairly uncommon injury with a local incidence of 1.6%. It presents in a spectrum from the obvious to the occult. Multiple associated injuries and high morbidity occur following blunt trauma or gunshot wounds, right diaphragm injury and chronic diaphragmatic hernias. Diagnostic laparoscopy offers a diagnostic and therapeutic tool to prevent progression of occult TDI to chronic diaphragmatic hernias.

Are the paradigms in trauma disease changing?

PubMed

Alted López, E

2015-01-01

Despite an annual trauma mortality of 5 million people worldwide, resulting in countless physical disabilities and enormous expenses, there are no standardized guidelines on trauma organization and management. Over the last few decades there have been very notorious improvements in severe trauma care, though organizational and economical aspects such as research funding still need to be better engineered. Indeed, trauma lags behind other serious diseases in terms of research and organization. The rapid developments in trauma care have produced original models available for research projects, initial resuscitation protocols and radiological procedures such as CT for the initial management of trauma patients, among other advances. This progress underscores the need for a multidisciplinary approach to the initial management and follow-up of this complicated patient population, where intensivists play a major role in both the patient admission and subsequent care at the trauma unit. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier España, S.L.U. y SEMICYUC. All rights reserved.

Acute resuscitation of the unstable adult trauma patient: bedside diagnosis and therapy

PubMed Central

Kirkpatrick, Andrew W.; Ball‡, Chad G.; D'Amours, Scott K.; Zygun, David

2008-01-01

Traumatic injury remains the leading cause of potentially preventable death in Canadians under age 40 years. Although only a minority of patients present with hemodynamic instability, these patients have a significant chance of dying. The causes of instability must be recognized and corrected quickly by using a systematic approach. To allow key supportive interventions to be undertaken swiftly, it is more important to identify and prioritize systemic compromise than to confirm specific diagnoses. Most potentially preventable trauma death relates to airway obstruction, hemopneumothorax, intracranial hemorrhage and intracavitary bleeding. Definitive airway control should be assured as a first priority. Hemopneumothoraces are typically addressed by chest tube insertion, although thoracic exploration will occasionally be urgently required. Hemorrhage control is much more important than fluid resuscitation and mandates the earliest possible definitive management. Unstable patients nearing physiological exhaustion require abbreviated or “damage-control” surgical tactics. This should be recognized early in the resuscitation rather than late in an operative procedure. The management of expanding intracranial hemorrhage requires optimization of oxygenation, ventilation and circulatory support while urgent CT and expert neurosurgical care are provided. Polytrauma presenting with head injury challenges the most developed of trauma systems, necessitating thoughtful prioritization of care and taking into consideration local capabilities. Bedside trauma sonography is an evolving tool that complements the physical examination during an initial survey. Future breakthroughs in trauma resuscitation may involve procoagulant medications, imaging technology, circulatory assist techniques and the use of inflammatory modulators. The greatest future challenge in trauma care, though, will be the provision of basic organized resuscitative care to the global community. PMID:18248707

Pelvic fracture in multiple trauma: are we still up-to-date with massive fluid resuscitation?

PubMed

Burkhardt, Markus; Kristen, Alexander; Culemann, Ulf; Koehler, Daniel; Histing, Tina; Holstein, Joerg H; Pizanis, Antonius; Pohlemann, Tim

2014-10-01

Until today the mortality of complex pelvic trauma remains unacceptably high. On the one hand this could be attributed to a biological limit of the survivable trauma load, on the other hand side an ongoing inadequate treatment might be conceivable too. For the management of multiple trauma patients with life-threatening pelvic fractures, there is ongoing international debate on the adequate therapeutic strategy, e.g. arterial embolization or pelvic packing, as well as aggressive or restrained volume therapy. Whereas traditional pelvis-specific trauma algorithms still recommend massive fluid resuscitation, there is upcoming evidence that a restrained volume therapy in the preclinical setting may improve trauma outcomes. Less intravenous fluid administration may also reduce haemodilution and concomitant trauma-associated coagulopathy. After linking the data of the TraumaRegister DGU(®) and the German Pelvic Injury Register, for the first time, the initial fluid management for complex pelvic traumas as well as for different Tile/OTA types of pelvic ring fractures could be addressed. Unfortunately, the results could not answer the question of the adequate fluid resuscitation but confirmed the actuality of massive fluid resuscitation in the prehospital and emergency room setting. Low-volume resuscitation seems not yet accepted in practice in managing multiple trauma patients with pelvic fractures at least in Germany. Nevertheless, prevention of exsanguination and of complications like multiple organ dysfunction syndrome still poses a major challenge in the management of complex pelvic ring injuries. Even nowadays, fluid management for trauma, not only for pelvic fractures, remains a controversial area and further research is mandatory. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Case Report: Perioperative management of a pregnant poly trauma patient for spine fixation surgery.

PubMed

Vandse, Rashmi; Cook, Meghan; Bergese, Sergio

2015-01-01

Trauma is estimated to complicate approximately one in twelve pregnancies, and is currently a leading non-obstetric cause of maternal death. Pregnant trauma patients requiring non-obstetric surgery pose a number of challenges for anesthesiologists. Here we present the successful perioperative management of a pregnant trauma patient with multiple injuries including occult pneumothorax who underwent T9 to L1 fusion in prone position, and address the pertinent perioperative anesthetic considerations and management.

The Reliability and Validity of the Thoracolumbar Injury Classification System in Pediatric Spine Trauma.

PubMed

Savage, Jason W; Moore, Timothy A; Arnold, Paul M; Thakur, Nikhil; Hsu, Wellington K; Patel, Alpesh A; McCarthy, Kathryn; Schroeder, Gregory D; Vaccaro, Alexander R; Dimar, John R; Anderson, Paul A

2015-09-15

The thoracolumbar injury classification system (TLICS) was evaluated in 20 consecutive pediatric spine trauma cases. The purpose of this study was to determine the reliability and validity of the TLICS in pediatric spine trauma. The TLICS was developed to improve the categorization and management of thoracolumbar trauma. TLICS has been shown to have good reliability and validity in the adult population. The clinical and radiographical findings of 20 pediatric thoracolumbar fractures were prospectively presented to 20 surgeons with disparate levels of training and experience with spinal trauma. These injuries were consecutively scored using the TLICS. Cohen unweighted κ coefficients and Spearman rank order correlation values were calculated for the key parameters (injury morphology, status of posterior ligamentous complex, neurological status, TLICS total score, and proposed management) to assess the inter-rater reliabilities. Five surgeons scored the same cases 3 months later to assess the intra-rater reliability. The actual management of each case was then compared with the treatment recommended by the TLICS algorithm to assess validity. The inter-rater κ statistics of all subgroups (injury morphology, status of the posterior ligamentous complex, neurological status, TLICS total score, and proposed treatment) were within the range of moderate to substantial reproducibility (0.524-0.958). All subgroups had excellent intra-rater reliability (0.748-1.000). The various indices for validity were calculated (80.3% correct, 0.836 sensitivity, 0.785 specificity, 0.676 positive predictive value, 0.899 negative predictive value). Overall, TLICS demonstrated good validity. The TLICS has good reliability and validity when used in the pediatric population. The inter-rater reliability of predicting management and indices for validity are lower than those in adults with thoracolumbar fractures, which is likely due to differences in the way children are treated for certain types of injuries. TLICS can be used to reliably categorize thoracolumbar injuries in the pediatric population; however, modifications may be needed to better guide treatment in this specific patient population. 4.

Access to specialist care: Optimizing the geographic configuration of trauma systems.

PubMed

Jansen, Jan O; Morrison, Jonathan J; Wang, Handing; He, Shan; Lawrenson, Robin; Hutchison, James D; Campbell, Marion K

2015-11-01

The optimal geographic configuration of health care systems is key to maximizing accessibility while promoting the efficient use of resources. This article reports the use of a novel approach to inform the optimal configuration of a national trauma system. This is a prospective cohort study of all trauma patients, 15 years and older, attended to by the Scottish Ambulance Service, between July 1, 2013, and June 30, 2014. Patients underwent notional triage to one of three levels of care (major trauma center [MTC], trauma unit, or local emergency hospital). We used geographic information systems software to calculate access times, by road and air, from all incident locations to all candidate hospitals. We then modeled the performance of all mathematically possible network configurations and used multiobjective optimization to determine geospatially optimized configurations. A total of 80,391 casualties were included. A network with only high- or moderate-volume MTCs (admitting at least 650 or 400 severely injured patients per year, respectively) would be optimally configured with a single MTC. A network accepting lower-volume MTCs (at least 240 severely injured patients per year) would be optimally configured with two MTCs. Both configurations would necessitate an increase in the number of helicopter retrievals. This study has shown that a novel combination of notional triage, network analysis, and mathematical optimization can be used to inform the planning of a national clinical network. Scotland's trauma system could be optimized with one or two MTCs. Care management study, level IV.

Aged care managers' perceptions of staff preparedness for caring for older survivors of genocide and mass trauma in Australia: How prepared are aged care workers?

PubMed

Teshuva, Karen; Wells, Yvonne

2017-03-01

To investigate aged care managers' perceptions of staff preparedness for working with older people who experienced genocide or mass trauma earlier in their lives (referred to in this paper as 'older survivors'). A survey of 60 aged care service managers was conducted (50% response rate). Trauma knowledge and skills scales with Cronbach's alpha scores of 0.74 and 0.90 respectively, were used. Scores across groups were compared using Student's t-tests. Three-quarters of the respondents reported that their agency had provided aged care services for older survivors. The majority of these managers perceived their staff to be moderately informed about trauma-related issues and half rated staff trauma-related skills positively. These ratings were positively associated with trauma-related staff training, service type and service location. Results suggest that, overall, managers perceive a need to improve aged care staff's preparedness for providing care for older survivors. © 2016 AJA Inc.

[Major Burn Trauma Management and Nursing Care].

PubMed

Lo, Shu-Fen

2015-08-01

Major burn injury is one of the most serious and often life-threatening forms of trauma. Burn patients not only suffer from the physical, psychological, social and spiritual impacts of their injury but also experience considerable changes in health-related quality of life. This paper presents a review of the literature on the implications of previous research and clinical care guidelines related to major burn injuries in order to help clinical practice nurses use evidence-based care guidelines to respond to initial injury assessments, better manage the complex systemic response to these injuries, and provide specialist wound care, emotional support, and rehabilitation services.

[Establishement for regional pelvic trauma database in Hunan Province].

PubMed

Cheng, Liang; Zhu, Yong; Long, Haitao; Yang, Junxiao; Sun, Buhua; Li, Kanghua

2017-04-28

To establish a database for pelvic trauma in Hunan Province, and to start the work of multicenter pelvic trauma registry.
 Methods: To establish the database, literatures relevant to pelvic trauma were screened, the experiences from the established trauma database in China and abroad were learned, and the actual situations for pelvic trauma rescue in Hunan Province were considered. The database for pelvic trauma was established based on the PostgreSQL and the advanced programming language Java 1.6.
 Results: The complex procedure for pelvic trauma rescue was described structurally. The contents for the database included general patient information, injurious condition, prehospital rescue, conditions in admission, treatment in hospital, status on discharge, diagnosis, classification, complication, trauma scoring and therapeutic effect. The database can be accessed through the internet by browser/servicer. The functions for the database include patient information management, data export, history query, progress report, video-image management and personal information management.
 Conclusion: The database with whole life cycle pelvic trauma is successfully established for the first time in China. It is scientific, functional, practical, and user-friendly.

A Geographic Simulation Model for the Treatment of Trauma Patients in Disasters.

PubMed

Carr, Brendan G; Walsh, Lauren; Williams, Justin C; Pryor, John P; Branas, Charles C

2016-08-01

Though the US civilian trauma care system plays a critical role in disaster response, there is currently no systems-based strategy that enables hospital emergency management and local and regional emergency planners to quantify, and potentially prepare for, surges in trauma care demand that accompany mass-casualty disasters. A proof-of-concept model that estimates the geographic distributions of patients, trauma center resource usage, and mortality rates for varying disaster sizes, in and around the 25 largest US cities, is presented. The model was designed to be scalable, and its inputs can be modified depending on the planning assumptions of different locales and for different types of mass-casualty events. To demonstrate the model's potential application to real-life planning scenarios, sample disaster responses for 25 major US cities were investigated using a hybrid of geographic information systems and dynamic simulation-optimization. In each city, a simulated, fast-onset disaster epicenter, such as might occur with a bombing, was located randomly within one mile of its population center. Patients then were assigned and transported, in simulation, via the new model to Level 1, 2, and 3 trauma centers, in and around each city, over a 48-hour period for disaster scenario sizes of 100, 500, 5000, and 10,000 casualties. Across all 25 cities, total mean mortality rates ranged from 26.3% in the smallest disaster scenario to 41.9% in the largest. Out-of-hospital mortality rates increased (from 21.3% to 38.5%) while in-hospital mortality rates decreased (from 5.0% to 3.4%) as disaster scenario sizes increased. The mean number of trauma centers involved ranged from 3.0 in the smallest disaster scenario to 63.4 in the largest. Cities that were less geographically isolated with more concentrated trauma centers in their surrounding regions had lower total and out-of-hospital mortality rates. The nine US cities listed as being the most likely targets of terrorist attacks involved, on average, more trauma centers and had lower mortality rates compared with the remaining 16 cities. The disaster response simulation model discussed here may offer insights to emergency planners and health systems in more realistically planning for mass-casualty events. Longer wait and transport times needed to distribute high numbers of patients to distant trauma centers in fast-onset disasters may create predictable increases in mortality and trauma center resource consumption. The results of the modeled scenarios indicate the need for a systems-based approach to trauma care management during disasters, since the local trauma center network was often too small to provide adequate care for the projected patient surge. Simulation of out-of-hospital resources that might be called upon during disasters, as well as guidance in the appropriate execution of mutual aid agreements and prevention of over-response, could be of value to preparedness planners and emergency response leaders. Study assumptions and limitations are discussed. Carr BG , Walsh L , Williams JC , Pryor JP , Branas CC . A geographic simulation model for the treatment of trauma patients in disasters. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2016;31(4):413-421.

Delayed Partial Nephrectomy for Hydronephrosis After Renal Trauma.

PubMed

Setia, Shaan; Jackson, Jessica Nicole; Herndon, C D Anthony; Corbett, Sean T

2017-03-01

Delayed sequelae following conservative management of renal trauma in the pediatric population are uncommon. Reports of delayed operations to manage these sequelae are even less common. Here we present the case of a 16-year-old male patient who had delayed development of upper urinary tract obstruction with recurrent infections following high-grade renal trauma managed conservatively. Ultimately, he required a robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy 2 years after initial nonoperative management. This is unique as no prior studies to our knowledge have described delayed hydronephrosis and delayed partial nephrectomy over a year following renal trauma. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Exploring the characteristics of high-performing hospitals that influence trauma triage and transfer.

PubMed

Gagliardi, Anna R; Nathens, Avery B

2015-02-01

Many trauma patients might be first cared for at nondesignated centers before transfer to a trauma center. Limited research has investigated determinants of timely triage and transfer to identify those amenable to quality improvement. This study explored factors influencing timely triage and transfer in a regional trauma system. Centers (n = 15) with both long and short transfer times (emergency department length of stay before transfer) in Ontario were identified using a regional trauma registry. Physicians and nurses in these centers were interviewed with a view to determining factors that either impeded or enabled rapid decisions regarding the need for transfer to a trauma center. A grounded theory approach and constant comparative technique were used to collect and analyze data. Nineteen physicians and eight nurses participated. Clinician level (experience, training, personality, fear of judgment, nursing role), institutional level (guidelines, continuing education, trauma infrastructure, human resources) and system-level (bed availability, referral center, air transport, communication with trauma centers) factors influenced timely decision making. Participants offered several recommendations to improve care. These included guidelines for transfer, a "no refusal" policy at trauma centers, improved air transport and referral center services, as well as further regionalization. Additional features of hospitals with shorter transfer times included coaching of new staff, team meetings, leadership engagement, sharing of performance data, and minimum work hours for physicians. Numerous interacting factors that may influence trauma triage and transfer were identified. These findings can be used by policy makers, health care managers, and clinicians in emergency departments or trauma centers to evaluate and improve trauma triage and transfer, or plan new services. The findings can also be used by researchers to examine the relevance of these factors in other settings or to implement and evaluate the impact of interventions informed by recommendations generated here.

Comprehensive approach to the management of the patient with multiple rib fractures: a review and introduction of a bundled rib fracture management protocol.

PubMed

Witt, Cordelie E; Bulger, Eileen M

2017-01-01

Rib fractures are common among patients sustaining blunt trauma, and are markers of severe bodily and solid organ injury. They are associated with high morbidity and mortality, including multiple pulmonary complications, and can lead to chronic pain and disability. Clinical and radiographic scoring systems have been developed at several institutions to predict risk of complications. Clinical strategies to reduce morbidity have been studied, including multimodal pain management, catheter-based analgesia, pulmonary hygiene, and operative stabilization. In this article, we review risk factors for morbidity and complications, intervention strategies, and discuss experience with bundled clinical pathways for rib fractures. In addition, we introduce the multidisciplinary rib fracture management protocol used at our level I trauma center.

[Trauma and accident documentation in Germany compared with elsewhere in Europe].

PubMed

Probst, C; Richter, M; Haasper, C; Lefering, R; Otte, D; Oestern, H J; Krettek, C; Hüfner, T

2008-07-01

The role of trauma documentation has grown continuously since the 1970s. Prevention and management of injuries were adapted according to the results of many analyses. Since 1993 there have been two different trauma databases in Germany: the German trauma registry (TR) and the database of the Accident Research Unit (UFO). Modern computer applications improved the data processing. Our study analysed the pros and cons of each system and compared them with those of our European neighbours. We compared the TR and the UFO databases with respect to aims and goals, advantages and disadvantages, and current status. Results were reported as means +/- standard errors of the mean. The level of significance was set at P<0.05. There were differences between the two databases concerning number and types of items, aims and goals, and demographics. The TR documents care for severely injured patients and the clinical course of different types of accidents. The UFO describes traffic accidents, accident conditions, and interrelations. The German and British systems are similar, and the French system shows interesting differences. The German trauma documentation systems focus on different points. Therefore both can be used for substantiated analyses of different hypotheses. Certain intersections of both databases may help to answer very special questions in the future.

Abdominal injuries in a low trauma volume hospital - a descriptive study from northern Sweden

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Abdominal injuries occur relatively infrequently during trauma, and they rarely require surgical intervention. In this era of non-operative management of abdominal injuries, surgeons are seldom exposed to these patients. Consequently, surgeons may misinterpret the mechanism of injury, underestimate symptoms and radiologic findings, and delay definite treatment. Here, we determined the incidence, diagnosis, and treatment of traumatic abdominal injuries at our hospital to provide a basis for identifying potential hazards in non-operative management of patients with these injuries in a low trauma volume hospital. Methods This retrospective study included prehospital and in-hospital assessments of 110 patients that received 147 abdominal injuries from an isolated abdominal trauma (n = 70 patients) or during multiple trauma (n = 40 patients). Patients were primarily treated at the University Hospital of Umeå from January 2000 to December 2009. Results The median New Injury Severity Score was 9 (range: 1–57) for 147 abdominal injuries. Most patients (94%) received computed tomography (CT), but only 38% of patients with multiple trauma were diagnosed with CT < 60 min after emergency room arrival. Penetrating trauma caused injuries in seven patients. Solid organ injuries constituted 78% of abdominal injuries. Non-operative management succeeded in 82 patients. Surgery was performed for 28 patients, either immediately (n = 17) as result of operative management or later (n = 11), due to non-operative management failure; the latter mainly occurred with hollow viscus injuries. Patients with multiple abdominal injuries, whether associated with multiple trauma or an isolated abdominal trauma, had significantly more non-operative failures than patients with a single abdominal injury. One death occurred within 30 days. Conclusions Non-operative management of patients with abdominal injuries, except for hollow viscus injuries, was highly successful in our low trauma volume hospital, even though surgeons receive low exposure to these patients. However, a growing proportion of surgeons lack experience in decision-making and performing trauma laparotomies. Quality assurance programmes must be emphasized to ensure future competence and quality of trauma care at low trauma volume hospitals. PMID:25124882

Adult Dental Trauma: What Should the Dental Practitioner Know?

PubMed

Chauhan, Ravi; Rasaratnam, Lakshmi; Alani, Aws; Djemal, Serpil

2016-05-01

The management of adult dental trauma can be a daunting challenge for practitioners at any level. Like medical emergencies, initial management can have a large influence on prognosis. It is important that practitioners understand the basic principles of managing the acute presentations of dental trauma. This article aims to illustrate a step-by-step approach in order to improve the management within general dental practice for better outcomes for patients.

Characteristics and Management of Blunt Renal Injury in Children

PubMed Central

Ishida, Yuichi; Tyroch, Alan H.; Emami, Nader; McLean, Susan F.

2017-01-01

Background: Renal trauma in the pediatric population is predominately due to blunt mechanism of injury. Our purpose was to determine the associated injuries, features, incidence, management, and outcomes of kidney injuries resulting from blunt trauma in the pediatric population in a single level I trauma center. Methods: This was a retrospective chart and trauma registry review of all pediatric blunt renal injuries at a regional level I trauma center that provides care to injured adults and children. The inclusion dates were January 2001–June 2014. Results: Of 5790 pediatric blunt trauma admissions, 68 children sustained renal trauma (incidence: 1.2%). Only two had nephrectomies (2.9%). Five renal angiograms were performed, only one required angioembolization. Macroscopic hematuria rate was significantly higher in the high-grade injury group (47% vs. 16%; P = 0.031). Over half of the patients had other intra-abdominal injuries. The liver and spleen were the most frequently injured abdominal organs. Conclusion: Blunt renal trauma is uncommon in children and is typically of low American Association for the Surgery of Trauma injury grade. It is commonly associated with other intra-abdominal injuries, especially the liver and the spleen. The nephrectomy rate in pediatric trauma is lower compared to adult trauma. Most pediatric blunt renal injury can be managed conservatively by adult trauma surgeons. PMID:28855777

The incidence, spectrum and outcomes of traumatic bladder injuries within the Pietermaritzburg Metropolitan Trauma Service.

PubMed

Urry, R J; Clarke, D L; Bruce, J L; Laing, G L

2016-05-01

The purpose of this study is to provide a comprehensive overview of the incidence, spectrum and outcomes of traumatic bladder injury in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, and to identify the current optimal investigation and management of patients with traumatic bladder injuries. The Pietermaritzburg Metropolitan Trauma Service (PMTS) trauma registry was interrogated retrospectively for all traumatic bladder injuries between 1 January 2012 and 31 October 2014. Of 8129 patients treated by the PMTS over the study period, 58 patients (0.7% or 6.5 cases per 1,000,000 population per year) had bladder injuries, 65% caused by penetrating trauma and 35% by blunt trauma. The majority (60%) were intraperitoneal bladder ruptures (IBRs), followed by 22% extraperitoneal bladder ruptures (EBRs). There was a high rate of associated injury, with blunt trauma being associated with pelvic fracture and penetrating trauma being associated with rectum and small intestine injuries. The mortality rate was 5%. Most bladder injuries were diagnosed at surgery or by computed tomography (CT) scan. All IBRs were managed operatively, as well as 38% of EBRs; the remaining EBRs were managed by catheter drainage and observation. In the majority of operative repairs, the bladder was closed in two layers, and was drained with only a urethral catheter. Most patients (91%) were managed definitively by the surgeons on the trauma service. Traumatic bladder rupture caused by blunt or penetrating trauma is rare and mortality is due to associated injuries. CT scan is the investigative modality of choice. In our environment IBR is more common than EBR and requires operative management. Most EBRs can be managed non-operatively, and then require routine follow-up cystography. Simple traumatic bladder injuries can be managed definitively by trauma surgeons. A dedicated urological surgeon should be consulted for complex injuries. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of a 15-year experience with splenic injuries in a state trauma system.

PubMed

Harbrecht, Brian G; Zenati, Mazen S; Ochoa, Juan B; Puyana, Juan C; Alarcon, Louis H; Peitzman, Andrew B

2007-02-01

The management of splenic injuries has evolved with a greater emphasis on nonoperative management. Although several institutions have demonstrated that nonoperative management of splenic injuries can be performed with an increasing degree of success, the impact of this treatment shift on outcome for all patients with splenic injuries remains unknown. We hypothesized that outcomes for patients with splenic injuries have improved as the paradigm for splenic injury treatment has shifted. Consecutive patients from 1987 to 2001 with splenic injuries who were entered into a state trauma registry were reviewed. Demographic variables, injury characteristics, and outcome data were collected. The number of patients who were diagnosed with splenic injuries increased from 1987 through 2001, despite a stable number of institutions submitting data to the registry. The number of minor injuries and severe splenic injuries remained stable, and the number of moderately severe injuries significantly increased over time. Overall mortality rate improved but primarily reflected the decreased mortality rates of moderately severe injuries; the mortality rate for severe splenic injuries was unchanged. Trauma centers are seeing increasing numbers of splenic injuries that are less severe in magnitude, although the number of the most severe splenic injuries is stable. The increased proportion of patients with less severe splenic injuries who are being admitted to trauma centers is a significant factor in the increased use and success rate of nonoperative management.

Changes in the management of liver trauma leading to reduced mortality: 15-year experience in a major trauma centre.

PubMed

Suen, Kary; Skandarajah, Anita R; Knowles, Brett; Judson, Rodney; Thomson, Benjamin N

2016-11-01

Worldwide, the evolution of management of liver injury has resulted in improved outcomes. The aim of this study was to examine the trend in the management and outcomes of patients with liver injury. Primary outcomes were defined as mortality and hospital length of stay. The secondary aim was to identify independent predictors of mortality. This study utilized hospital trauma registry data of all trauma patients with liver injuries admitted from 1999 to 2013. Patients in this 15-year period were divided into three periods of 5 years each and compared in terms of demographics, management and outcomes. A total of 725 patients with hepatic trauma were included. Patient demographics were similar, except for an increase in patient transfers from rural locations. Non-operative management increased significantly. There was a significant increase in the use of damage control surgery with perihepatic packing in high-grade liver injuries managed operatively. Hepatic angioembolization commenced midway through the study period. The overall mortality decreased by approximately threefold (P < 0.001) and mortality within 24 h of arrival to hospital by approximately fivefold (P < 0.001). Controlling for independent predictive factors of mortality, the mortality within 24 h reduced from 18.8% in period 1 to 3.6% in period 3 (P = 0.001). At this institution, an integrated trauma service has led to an evolution in the management of hepatic trauma, favouring non-operative management, damage control surgery and the use of hepatic angioembolization. We experienced a significantly improved mortality within 24 h of arrival to hospital in patients with liver trauma. © 2015 Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

Management of blunt pancreatic trauma in children: Review of the National Trauma Data Bank☆,☆☆

PubMed Central

Englum, Brian R.; Gulack, Brian C.; Rice, Henry E.; Scarborough, John E.; Adibe, Obinna O.

2016-01-01

Purpose This study aims to examine the current management strategies and outcomes after blunt pancreatic trauma in children using a national patient registry. Methods Using the National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB) from 2007–2011, we identified all patients ≤18 years old who suffered blunt pancreatic trauma. Patients were categorized as undergoing nonoperative pancreatic management (no abdominal operation, abdominal operation without pancreatic-specific procedure, or pancreatic drainage alone) or operative pancreatic management (pancreatic resection/repair). Patient characteristics, operative details, clinical outcomes, and factors associated with operative management were examined. Results Of 610,402 pediatric cases in the NTDB, 1653 children (0.3%) had blunt pancreatic injury and 674 had information on specific location of pancreatic injury. Of these 674 cases, 514 (76.3%) underwent nonoperative pancreatic management. The groups were similar in age, gender, and race; however, pancreatic injury grade > 3, moderate to severe injury severity, and bicycle accidents were associated with operative management in multivariable analysis. Children with pancreatic head injuries or GCS motor score < 6 were less likely to undergo pancreatic operation. Overall morbidity and mortality rates were 26.5% and 5.3%, respectively. Most outcomes were similar between treatment groups, including mortality (2.5% vs. 6.7% in operative vs. nonoperative cohorts respectively; p = 0.07). Conclusion Although rare, blunt pancreatic trauma in children continues to be a morbid injury. In the largest analysis of blunt pancreatic trauma in children, we provide data on which to base future prospective studies. Operative management of pancreatic trauma occurs most often in children with distal ductal injuries, suggesting that prospective studies may want to focus on this group. PMID:27577183

The contemporary management of penetrating splenic injury.

PubMed

Berg, Regan J; Inaba, Kenji; Okoye, Obi; Pasley, Jason; Teixeira, Pedro G; Esparza, Michael; Demetriades, Demetrios

2014-09-01

Selective non-operative management (NOM) is standard of care for clinically stable patients with blunt splenic trauma and expectant management approaches are increasingly utilised in penetrating abdominal trauma, including in the setting of solid organ injury. Despite this evolution of clinical practice, little is known about the safety and efficacy of NOM in penetrating splenic injury. Trauma registry and medical record review identified all consecutive patients presenting to LAC+USC Medical Center with penetrating splenic injury between January 2001 and December 2011. Associated injuries, incidence and nature of operative intervention, local and systemic complications and mortality were determined. During the study period, 225 patients experienced penetrating splenic trauma. The majority (187/225, 83%) underwent emergent laparotomy. Thirty-eight clinically stable patients underwent a deliberate trial of NOM and 24/38 (63%) were ultimately managed without laparotomy. Amongst patients failing NOM, 3/14 (21%) underwent splenectomy while an additional 6/14 (42%) had splenorrhaphy. Hollow viscus injury (HVI) occurred in 21% of all patients failing NOM. Forty percent of all NOM patients had diaphragmatic injury (DI). All patients undergoing delayed laparotomy for HVI or a splenic procedure presented symptomatically within 24h of the initial injury. No deaths occurred in patients undergoing NOM. Although the vast majority of penetrating splenic trauma requires urgent operative management, a group of patients does present without haemodynamic instability, peritonitis or radiologic evidence of hollow viscus injury. Management of these patients is complicated as over half may remain clinically stable and can avoid laparotomy, making them potential candidates for a trial of NOM. HVI is responsible for NOM failure in up to a fifth of these cases and typically presents within 24h of injury. Delayed laparotomy, within this limited time period, did not appear to increase mortality nor preclude successful splenic salvage. In clinically stable patients, diagnostic laparoscopy remains essential to evaluate and repair occult DI. As NOM for penetrating abdominal trauma becomes more common, multi-centre data is needed to more accurately define the principles of patient selection and the limitations and consequences of this approach in the setting of splenic injury. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Clinical practice guidelines for the management of acute limb compartment syndrome following trauma.

PubMed

Wall, Christopher J; Lynch, Joan; Harris, Ian A; Richardson, Martin D; Brand, Caroline; Lowe, Adrian J; Sugrue, Michael

2010-03-01

Acute compartment syndrome is a serious and not uncommon complication of limb trauma. The condition is a surgical emergency, and is associated with significant morbidity if not managed appropriately. There is variation in management of acute limb compartment syndrome in Australia. Clinical practice guidelines for the management of acute limb compartment syndrome following trauma were developed in accordance with Australian National Health and Medical Research Council recommendations. The guidelines were based on critically appraised literature evidence and the consensus opinion of a multidisciplinary team involved in trauma management who met in a nominal panel process. Recommendations were developed for key decision nodes in the patient care pathway, including methods of diagnosis in alert and unconscious patients, appropriate assessment of compartment pressure, timing and technique of fasciotomy, fasciotomy wound management, and prevention of compartment syndrome in patients with limb injuries. The recommendations were largely consensus based in the absence of well-designed clinical trial evidence. Clinical practice guidelines for the management of acute limb compartment syndrome following trauma have been developed that will support consistency in management and optimize patient health outcomes.

Responses of the pulp, periradicular and soft tissues following trauma to the permanent teeth.

PubMed

Yu, C Y; Abbott, P V

2016-03-01

Trauma to the permanent teeth involves not only the teeth but also the pulp, the periodontal ligament, alveolar bone, gingiva and other associated structures. There are many variations in the types of injuries with varying severity and often a tooth may sustain more than one injury at the same time. In more severe trauma cases, there are many different cellular systems of mineralized hard and unmineralized soft tissues involved, each with varying potential for healing. Furthermore, the responses of the different tissues may be interrelated and dependent on each other. Hence, healing subsequent to dental trauma has long been known to be very complex. Because of this complexity, tissue responses and the consequences following dental trauma have been confusing and puzzling for many clinicians. In this review, the tissue responses are described under the tissue compartments typically involved following dental trauma: the pulp, periradicular and associated soft tissues. The factors involved in the mechanisms of trauma are analysed for their effects on the tissue responses. A thorough understanding of the possible tissue responses is imperative for clinicians to overcome the confusion and manage dental trauma adequately and conservatively in order to minimize the consequences following trauma. © 2016 Australian Dental Association.

Managing Mental Health Disorders Resulting from Trauma through Yoga: A Review

PubMed Central

Telles, Shirley; Singh, Nilkamal; Balkrishna, Acharya

2012-01-01

There are many and varied types of trauma. The extent to which trauma influences the mental health of an individual depends on the nature of trauma, as well as on the individual's coping capabilities. Often trauma is followed by depression, anxiety, and PTSD. As the pharmacological remedies for these conditions often have undesirable side-effects, nonpharmacological remedies are thought of as a possible add-on treatment. Yoga is one such mind-body intervention. This paper covers eleven studies indexed in PubMed, in which mental health disorders resulting from trauma were managed through yoga including meditation. The aim was to evaluate the use of yoga in managing trauma-related depression, anxiety, PTSD and physiological stress following exposure to natural calamities, war, interpersonal violence, and incarceration in a correctional facility. An attempt has also been made to explore possible mechanisms underlying benefits seen. As most of these studies were not done on persons exposed to trauma that had practiced yoga, this is a definite area for further research. PMID:22778930

Management of paediatric splenic injury in the New South Wales trauma system.

PubMed

Adams, Susan E; Holland, Andrew; Brown, Julie

2017-01-01

Since the 1980's, paediatric surgeons have increasingly managed blunt splenic injury (BSI) in children non-operatively. However, studies in North America have shown higher operation rates in non-paediatric centres and by adult surgeons. This association has not been examined elsewhere. To investigate the management of BSI in New South Wales (NSW) children, to determine the patient and hospital factors related to the odds of operation. Secondarily, to investigate whether the likelihood of operation varied by year. Children age 0-16 admitted to a NSW hospital between July 2000 and December 2011 with a diagnosis of BSI were identified in the NSW Admitted Patient Data Collection, and linked to deaths data from Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages, and Bureau of Statistics. The operation rate was calculated and compared between different hospital types. Univariable analysis was used to determine patient and hospital factors associated with operative management. The difference in the odds of operation between the oldest data (July 2000-December 2005) and most recent (January 2006-December 2011) was also examined. Multivariable logistic regression with stepwise elimination was then performed to determine likelihood of operative management according to hospital category and era, adjusting for potential confounders. 955 cases were identified, with 101(10.6%) managed operatively. On multivariable analysis, factors associated with operation included age (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.01-1.18, p<0.05), massive splenic disruption (OR 3.10, 95% CI 1.61-6.19, p<0.001), hollow viscus injury (OR 11.03, 95% CI 3.46-34.28, p<0.001) and transfusion (OR 7.70, 95% CI 4.54-13.16, p<0.001). Management outside a paediatric trauma centre remained significantly associated with operation, whether it be metropolitan adult trauma centre (OR 4.22 95% CI 1.70-10.52, p<0.01), rural trauma centre (OR 3.72 95% CI 1.83-7.83, p<0.001) or metropolitan local hospital (OR 5.23, 95% CI 1.22-18.93 p<0.05). Comparing the 2 eras, the overall operation rate fell, although not significantly, from 12.9% to 8.7% (OR 1.3, 95% CI 0.89-243 p=0.13) CONCLUSION: While Paediatric Surgeons have wholeheartedly adopted non-operative management, away from paediatric centres, children in NSW are still being operated on for BSI unnecessarily. While the factors at play may be complex, further evaluation of the management and movement of injured children within the broad NSW trauma system is required. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Lower Urinary Tract Injuries Following Blunt Trauma: A Review of Contemporary Management

PubMed Central

Kong, Jennifer P. L; Bultitude, Matthew F; Royce, Peter; Gruen, Russell L; Cato, Alex; Corcoran, Niall M

2011-01-01

Lower urinary tract trauma, although relatively uncommon in blunt trauma, can lead to significant morbidity when diagnosed late or left untreated; urologists may only encounter a handful of these injuries in their career. This article reviews the literature and reports on the management of these injuries, highlighting the issues facing clinicians in this subspecialty. Also presented is a structured review detailing the mechanisms, classification, diagnosis, management, and complications of blunt trauma to the bladder and urethra. The prognosis for bladder rupture is excellent when treated. Significant intraperitoneal rupture or involvement of the bladder neck mandates surgical repair, whereas smaller extraperitoneal lacerations may be managed with catheterization alone. With the push for management of trauma patients in larger centers, urologists in these hospitals are seeing increasing numbers of lower urinary tract injuries. Prospective analysis may be achieved in these centers to address the current lack of Level 1 evidence. PMID:22114545

The Role of Computed Tomography in Blunt Abdominal Trauma.

PubMed

Karki, O B

2015-01-01

Blunt injury trauma is regularly encountered in the emergency department. Diagnostic tools that help in optimum management of blunt abdominal trauma include; Focussed Assessment Sonography for Trauma scan, Diagnostic peritoneal lavage and Computed Tomography scan. The aim of this study is to determine the validity of CT scan as an accurate diagnostic tool and its role in management of patients with blunt abdominal trauma. A prospective analysis of 80 patients of blunt abdomen trauma who were admitted in Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara, Nepal within a span of 15 months was done. Demographic data, mechanism of trauma, management and outcomes were studied. Organ injuries were graded using the Organ Injury Scale guidelines. Most of the patients in our study were in the age group of 21-40 years with an M: F ratio of 2.3:1. Road traffic accident (47.5%) was the most common mechanism of injury. Spleen (27.5%) was the commonest organ injured. CT scan was superior to FAST scan and had sensitivity of 97.3% specificity 75% positive predictive value 98.6%. FAST scan had sensitivity of 78.9%, specificity 50%, positive predictive value 96% with p- value of 0.0034. 81% of patients were conservatively managed. In conjunction with close clinical monitoring, CT scan is reliable in the evaluation and management of blunt abdominal trauma patients. Our study also shows CT as a superior diagnostic modality compared to FAST scan.

Conservative and surgical management of pancreatic trauma in adult patients

PubMed Central

Menahem, Benjamin; Lim, Chetana; Lahat, Eylon; Salloum, Chady; Osseis, Michael; Lacaze, Laurence; Compagnon, Philippe; Pascal, Gerard

2016-01-01

Background The management of pancreatic trauma is complex. The aim of this study was to report our experience in the management of pancreatic trauma. Methods All patients hospitalized between 2005 and 2013 for pancreatic trauma were included. Traumatic injuries of the pancreas were classified according to the American Association for Surgery of Trauma (AAST) in five grades. Mortality and morbidity were analyzed. Results A total of 30 patients were analyzed (mean age: 38±17 years). Nineteen (63%) patients had a blunt trauma and 12 (40%) had pancreatic injury ≥ grade 3. Fifteen patients underwent exploratory laparotomy and the other 15 patients had nonoperative management (NOM). Four (13%) patients had a partial pancreatectomy [distal pancreatectomy (n=3) and pancreaticoduodenectomy (n=1)]. Overall, in hospital mortality was 20% (n=6). Postoperative mortality was 27% (n=4/15). Mortality of NOM group was 13% (n=2/15) in both cases death was due to severe head injury. Among the patients who underwent NOM, three patients had injury ≥ grade 3, one patient had a stent placement in the pancreatic duct and two patients underwent endoscopic drainage of a pancreatic pseudocyst. Conclusions Operative management of pancreatic trauma leads to a higher mortality. This must not be necessarily related to the pancreas injury alone but also to the associated injuries including liver, spleen and vascular trauma which may cause impaired outcome more than pancreas injury. PMID:28124001

Effectiveness of regionalization of trauma care services: a systematic review.

PubMed

Vali, Y; Rashidian, A; Jalili, M; Omidvari, A H; Jeddian, A

2017-05-01

Improving trauma systems in various forms has always been an important aspect of health policy. While several papers have reported the implementation of a structured trauma system of care, research evidence on the effectiveness of such regionalization for improvement in trauma outcome is limited. Systematic review. Medline, EMbase, EconLit and Health Management Information Consortium were searched, using sensitive search terms, for interventional studies that reported a trauma regionalization system as their intervention, and compared important outcomes such as mortality and preventable deaths. At least two authors assessed eligibility for inclusion and risk of bias, and extracted data from the included studies. As meta-analysis was not possible for all studies, two controlled before-after studies were included in the meta-analysis, and a narrative analysis was conducted for the other studies. After title and abstract sifting, 66 papers were retrieved. After reading the full texts, a total of 24 studies from the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and the Netherlands were included in this review. In spite of variation in study specifications, most were before-after studies with a high risk of bias. Although a reduction in mortality was shown in most studies, only two studies were eligible for meta-analysis, and the results showed a significant reduction in mortality after implementation of an organized trauma system (odds ratio 0.840, 95% confidence interval 0.756-0.924; P = 0.00). Correlation was found between a regionalized network of trauma care and a reduction in trauma-related mortality, based on studies that did not exclude the effects of other concurrent changes on observed reductions. It is recommended that more studies with robust research designs should be conducted in a more diverse range of countries to assess the effectiveness of regionalization. Despite this limitation, the present findings support the regionalization of trauma care services. Copyright © 2016 The Royal Society for Public Health. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Western Trauma Association Critical Decisions in Trauma: Management of rib fractures.

PubMed

Brasel, Karen J; Moore, Ernest E; Albrecht, Roxie A; deMoya, Marc; Schreiber, Martin; Karmy-Jones, Riyad; Rowell, Susan; Namias, Nicholas; Cohen, Mitchell; Shatz, David V; Biffl, Walter L

2017-01-01

This is a recommended management algorithm from the Western Trauma Association addressing the management of adult patients with rib fractures. Because there is a paucity of published prospective randomized clinical trials that have generated Class I data, these recommendations are based primarily on published observational studies and expert opinion of Western Trauma Association members. The algorithm and accompanying comments represent a safe and sensible approach that can be followed at most trauma centers. We recognize that there will be patient, personnel, institutional, and situational factors that may warrant or require deviation from the recommended algorithm. We encourage institutions to use this as a guideline to develop their own local protocols.

Access to specialist care: Optimizing the geographic configuration of trauma systems

PubMed Central

Jansen, Jan O.; Morrison, Jonathan J.; Wang, Handing; He, Shan; Lawrenson, Robin; Hutchison, James D.; Campbell, Marion K.

2015-01-01

BACKGROUND The optimal geographic configuration of health care systems is key to maximizing accessibility while promoting the efficient use of resources. This article reports the use of a novel approach to inform the optimal configuration of a national trauma system. METHODS This is a prospective cohort study of all trauma patients, 15 years and older, attended to by the Scottish Ambulance Service, between July 1, 2013, and June 30, 2014. Patients underwent notional triage to one of three levels of care (major trauma center [MTC], trauma unit, or local emergency hospital). We used geographic information systems software to calculate access times, by road and air, from all incident locations to all candidate hospitals. We then modeled the performance of all mathematically possible network configurations and used multiobjective optimization to determine geospatially optimized configurations. RESULTS A total of 80,391 casualties were included. A network with only high- or moderate-volume MTCs (admitting at least 650 or 400 severely injured patients per year, respectively) would be optimally configured with a single MTC. A network accepting lower-volume MTCs (at least 240 severely injured patients per year) would be optimally configured with two MTCs. Both configurations would necessitate an increase in the number of helicopter retrievals. CONCLUSION This study has shown that a novel combination of notional triage, network analysis, and mathematical optimization can be used to inform the planning of a national clinical network. Scotland’s trauma system could be optimized with one or two MTCs. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Care management study, level IV. PMID:26335775

[Diagnostics and treatment strategies for multiple trauma patients].

PubMed

Pfeifer, R; Pape, H-C

2016-02-01

Severe trauma is still one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The initial treatment and diagnostics are of immense importance in polytraumatized patients. The initial approach mainly focuses on the advanced trauma life support (ATLS) concept. This includes the identification of life-threatening conditions and application of life-saving interventions. Depending on the physiological condition of the patient, the surgical treatment strategies of early total care (ETC) or damage control orthopedics (DCO) can be chosen. Appropriate surgical management can reduce the incidence of associated delayed systemic complications. This review summarizes the most commonly used definitions of polytrauma (including the Berlin polytrauma definition) and classification systems of severely injured patients. Moreover, the recently introduced treatment strategy of the safe definitive surgery concept for severely injured patients is also discussed in this article.

A quarter century experience in liver trauma: a plea for early computed tomography and conservative management for all hemodynamically stable patients.

PubMed

Petrowsky, Henrik; Raeder, Susanne; Zuercher, Lucia; Platz, Andreas; Simmen, Hans Peter; Puhan, Milo A; Keel, Marius J; Clavien, Pierre-Alain

2012-02-01

Advances in diagnostic imaging and the introduction of damage control strategy in trauma have influenced our approach to treating liver trauma patients. The objective of the present study was to investigate the impact of change in liver trauma management on outcome. A total of 468 consecutive patients with liver trauma treated between 1986 and 2010 at a single level 1 trauma center were reviewed. Mechanisms of injury, diagnostic imaging, hepatic and associated injuries, management (operative [OM] vs. nonoperative [NOM]), and outcome were evaluated. The main outcome analysis compared mortality for the early study period (1986-1996) versus the later study period (1997-2010). 395 patients (84%) presented with blunt liver trauma and 73 (16%) with penetrating liver trauma. Of these, 233 patients were treated with OM (50%) versus 235 with NOM (50%). The mortality rate was 33% for the early period and 20% for the later period (odds ratio 0.19; 95% CI 0.07-0.50, P = 0.001). A significantly increased use of computed tomography (CT) as the initial diagnostic modality was observed in the late period, which almost completely replaced peritoneal lavage and ultrasound. There was a significant shift to NOM in the later period (early 15%, late 63%) with a low conversion rate to OM of 4.2%. Age, degree of hepatic and head injury, injury severity, intubation at admission, and early period were independent predictors of mortality in the multivariate analysis. Integration of CT in early trauma-room management and shift to NOM in hemodynamically stable patients resulted in improved survival and should be the gold standard management for liver trauma.

Presenting an evaluation model of the trauma registry software.

PubMed

Asadi, Farkhondeh; Paydar, Somayeh

2018-04-01

Trauma is a major cause of 10% death in the worldwide and is considered as a global concern. This problem has made healthcare policy makers and managers to adopt a basic strategy in this context. Trauma registry has an important and basic role in decreasing the mortality and the disabilities due to injuries resulted from trauma. Today, different software are designed for trauma registry. Evaluation of this software improves management, increases efficiency and effectiveness of these systems. Therefore, the aim of this study is to present an evaluation model for trauma registry software. The present study is an applied research. In this study, general and specific criteria of trauma registry software were identified by reviewing literature including books, articles, scientific documents, valid websites and related software in this domain. According to general and specific criteria and related software, a model for evaluating trauma registry software was proposed. Based on the proposed model, a checklist designed and its validity and reliability evaluated. Mentioned model by using of the Delphi technique presented to 12 experts and specialists. To analyze the results, an agreed coefficient of %75 was determined in order to apply changes. Finally, when the model was approved by the experts and professionals, the final version of the evaluation model for the trauma registry software was presented. For evaluating of criteria of trauma registry software, two groups were presented: 1- General criteria, 2- Specific criteria. General criteria of trauma registry software were classified into four main categories including: 1- usability, 2- security, 3- maintainability, and 4-interoperability. Specific criteria were divided into four main categories including: 1- data submission and entry, 2- reporting, 3- quality control, 4- decision and research support. The presented model in this research has introduced important general and specific criteria of trauma registry software and sub criteria related to each main criteria separately. This model was validated by experts in this field. Therefore, this model can be used as a comprehensive model and a standard evaluation tool for measuring efficiency and effectiveness and performance improvement of trauma registry software. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A major trauma course based on posters, audio-guides and simulation improves the management skills of medical students: Evaluation via medical simulator.

PubMed

Cuisinier, Adrien; Schilte, Clotilde; Declety, Philippe; Picard, Julien; Berger, Karine; Bouzat, Pierre; Falcon, Dominique; Bosson, Jean Luc; Payen, Jean-François; Albaladejo, Pierre

2015-12-01

Medical competence requires the acquisition of theoretical knowledge and technical skills. Severe trauma management teaching is poorly developed during internship. Nevertheless, the basics of major trauma management should be acquired by every future physician. For this reason, the major trauma course (MTC), an educational course in major traumatology, has been developed for medical students. Our objective was to evaluate, via a high fidelity medical simulator, the impact of the MTC on medical student skills concerning major trauma management. The MTC contains 3 teaching modalities: posters with associated audio-guides, a procedural workshop on airway management and a teaching session using a medical simulator. Skills evaluation was performed 1 month before (step 1) and 1 month after (step 3) the MTC (step 2). Nineteen students were individually evaluated on 2 different major trauma scenarios. The primary endpoint was the difference between steps 1 and 3, in a combined score evaluating: admission, equipment, monitoring and safety (skill set 1) and systematic clinical examinations (skill set 2). After the course, the combined primary outcome score improved by 47% (P<0.01). Scenario choice or the order of use had no significant influence on the skill set evaluations. This study shows improvement in student skills for major trauma management, which we attribute mainly to the major trauma course developed in our institution. Copyright © 2015 Société française d’anesthésie et de réanimation (Sfar). Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Blunt chest trauma in a non-specialist centre: Right treatment, right place?

PubMed

Maher, Lesley; Jayathissa, Sisira

2016-12-01

To compare patient characteristics, management and outcomes for patients admitted with isolated blunt chest trauma, managed by medical or surgical teams. We reviewed adult patients admitted with blunt chest trauma between 1 September 2006 and 31 August 2011 to a secondary hospital in New Zealand. Inclusion criteria were: blunt chest trauma, with at least one radiologically demonstrated rib fracture. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality, and secondary outcomes were development of pneumonia, and use of analgesia. Seventy-two patients were included. Thirty-three patients were managed by medical teams and 39 by surgical teams. In-hospital mortality was greater amongst medical patients 5/33 (15%) versus surgical 0/39 (0%); P = 0.012. Pneumonia occurred in 15/33 (45%); medical patients versus surgical 2/39 (5%), P <0.001. Use of epidural, regional or patient-controlled analgesia was greater in the group managed by surgical teams (12/39 [30.7%] vs 1/33 [3%] P = 0.002). Medically managed patients were older (median 73 vs 63 years; P = 0.02), had a higher Charlson Comorbidity Index (median 5 vs 3; P = 0.013). The mechanism of injury for medically managed patients was more likely to be low trauma fall compared to surgically managed patients (28/33 [85%] vs 9/39 [27%]; P <0.0001). Amongst patients with isolated blunt chest trauma, those managed by medical teams were older, had more comorbidities and were more likely to have become injured with a low trauma fall than those managed by surgical teams. They had less access to analgesic options, developed pneumonia more often and had higher mortality. © 2016 Australasian College for Emergency Medicine and Australasian Society for Emergency Medicine.

A patient education tool for nonoperative management of blunt abdominal trauma.

PubMed

Budinger, Julie Marie

2007-01-01

Blunt trauma is the primary mechanism of injury seen at Charleston Area Medical Center, a rural level I trauma center. Blunt abdominal trauma occurs as a result of various mechanisms. It can be safely managed nonoperatively and is considered to be the standard of care in hemodynamically stable patients. Appropriate patient education before discharge will enable patients to identify complications early and seek appropriate medical care.

Cardiac Trauma.

PubMed

Gosavi, Sucheta; Tyroch, Alan H; Mukherjee, Debabrata

2016-11-01

Cardiac trauma is a leading cause of death in the United States and occurs mostly due to motor vehicle accidents. Blunt cardiac trauma and penetrating chest injuries are most common, and both can lead to aortic injuries. Timely diagnosis and early management are the key to improve mortality. Cardiac computed tomography and cardiac ultrasound are the 2 most important diagnostic modalities. Mortality related to cardiac trauma remains high despite improvement in diagnosis and management.

Protocol compliance and time management in blunt trauma resuscitation.

PubMed

Spanjersberg, W R; Bergs, E A; Mushkudiani, N; Klimek, M; Schipper, I B

2009-01-01

To study advanced trauma life support (ATLS) protocol adherence prospectively in trauma resuscitation and to analyse time management of daily multidisciplinary trauma resuscitation at a level 1 trauma centre, for both moderately and severely injured patients. All victims of severe blunt trauma were consecutively included. Patients with a revised trauma score (RTS) of 12 were resuscitated by a "minor trauma" team and patients with an RTS of less than 12 were resuscitated by a "severe trauma" team. Digital video recordings were used to analyse protocol compliance and time management during initial assessment. From 1 May to 1 September 2003, 193 resuscitations were included. The "minor trauma" team assessed 119 patients, with a mean injury severity score (ISS) of 7 (range 1-45). Overall protocol compliance was 42%, ranging from 0% for thoracic percussion to 93% for thoracic auscultation. The median resuscitation time was 45.9 minutes (range 39.7-55.9). The "severe team" assessed 74 patients, with a mean ISS of 22 (range 1-59). Overall protocol compliance was 53%, ranging from 4% for thoracic percussion to 95% for thoracic auscultation. Resuscitation took 34.8 minutes median (range 21.6-44.1). Results showed the current trauma resuscitation to be ATLS-like, with sometimes very low protocol compliance rates. Timing of secondary survey and radiology and thus time efficiency remains a challenge in all trauma patients. To assess the effect of trauma resuscitation protocols on outcome, protocol adherence needs to be improved.

Common Reactions After Trauma

MedlinePlus

... VA for Vets Performance Based Interviewing Clinical Trainees (Academic Affiliations) Employees & Contractors Talent Management System (TMS) VA ... stress. Search Pilots Search PILOTS *, the largest citation database on PTSD. What is PILOTS? Subscribe Sign up ...

Self-Harm and Trauma

MedlinePlus

... VA for Vets Performance Based Interviewing Clinical Trainees (Academic Affiliations) Employees & Contractors Talent Management System (TMS) VA ... stress. Search Pilots Search PILOTS *, the largest citation database on PTSD. What is PILOTS? Subscribe Sign up ...

Men and Sexual Trauma

MedlinePlus

... VA for Vets Performance Based Interviewing Clinical Trainees (Academic Affiliations) Employees & Contractors Talent Management System (TMS) VA ... stress. Search Pilots Search PILOTS *, the largest citation database on PTSD. What is PILOTS? Subscribe Sign up ...

Trauma management: Chernobyl in Belarus and Ukraine.

PubMed

Zhukova, Ekatherina

2016-06-01

Although the Chernobyl nuclear disaster happened in the Soviet Union in 1986, we still do not know how the most affected states - Ukraine and Belarus - have managed this tragedy since independence. Drawing on the concept of cultural trauma, this article compares Chernobyl narratives in Belarus and Ukraine over the past 28 years. It shows that national narratives of Chernobyl differ, representing the varying ways in which the state overcomes trauma. Our understanding of post-communist transformations can be improved by analysing trauma management narratives and their importance for new national identity construction. These narratives also bring new insights to our vision of cultural trauma by linking it to ontological insecurity. The article demonstrates how the state can become an arena of trauma process as it commands material and symbolic resources to deal with trauma. In general, it contributes to a better understanding of how the same traumatic event can become a source of solidarity in one community, but a source of hostility in another. © London School of Economics and Political Science 2016.

The management of self-inflicted oral trauma secondary to encephalitis: a clinical report.

PubMed

Finger, S T; Duperon, D F

1991-01-01

Encephalitis is a neurological condition that can present with self-inflicted oral trauma from fever-induced dyskinesia as one of its complications. Three cases of encephalitis are described in this report. The management of this trauma, through the use of soft plastic mouth-guards, is discussed.

Thoracic Trauma.

PubMed

Dennis, Bradley M; Bellister, Seth A; Guillamondegui, Oscar D

2017-10-01

Management of chest trauma is integral to patient outcomes owing to the vital structures held within the thoracic cavity. Understanding traumatic chest injuries and appropriate management plays a pivotal role in the overall well-being of both blunt and penetrating trauma patients. Whether the injury includes rib fractures, associated pulmonary injuries, or tracheobronchial tree injuries, every facet of management may impact the short- and long-term outcomes, including mortality. This article elucidates the workup and management of the thoracic cage, pulmonary and tracheobronchial injuries. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Trauma surgeons practice what they preach: The NTDB story on solid organ injury management.

PubMed

Hurtuk, Michael; Reed, R Lawrence; Esposito, Thomas J; Davis, Kimberly A; Luchette, Fred A

2006-08-01

Recent studies advocate a nonoperative approach for hepatic and splenic trauma. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the literature has impacted surgical practice and, if so, whether or not the overall mortality of these injuries had changed. The American College of Surgeons' National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB 4.0) was analyzed using trauma admission dates ranging from 1994 to 2003. All hepatic and splenic injuries were identified by ICD-9 codes. As renal trauma management has not changed during the study period, renal injuries were included as a control. Nonoperative management (NOM) rates and overall mortality were determined for each organ. Proportions were compared using chi analysis with significance set at p < 0.05. There were 87,237 solid abdominal organ injuries reported and included: 35,767 splenic, 35,510 hepatic, 15,960 renal injuries. There was a significant (p < 0.00000000005) increase in percentage of NOM for hepatic and splenic trauma whereas renal NOM remained stable for the study period. Despite an increase in NOM for splenic and hepatic injuries, mortality has remained unchanged. This study demonstrates that the management of hepatic and splenic injuries has significantly changed in the past 10 years with no appreciable effect on mortality. NOM has become the standard of care for the management of hepatic and splenic trauma. The NTDB can be used to monitor changes in trauma care in response to new knowledge regarding improved outcomes.

Blood Component Therapy in Trauma Guided with the Utilization of the Perfusionist and Thromboelastography

PubMed Central

Walsh, Mark; Thomas, Scott G.; Howard, Janet C.; Evans, Edward; Guyer, Kirk; Medvecz, Andrew; Swearingen, Andrew; Navari, Rudolph M.; Ploplis, Victoria; Castellino, Francis J.

2011-01-01

Abstract: 25–35% of all seriously injured multiple trauma patients are coagulopathic upon arrival to the emergency department, and therefore early diagnosis and intervention on this subset of patients is important. In addition to standard plasma based tests of coagulation, the thromboelastogram (TEG®) has resurfaced as an ideal test in the trauma population to help guide the clinician in the administration of blood components in a goal directed fashion. We describe how thromboelastographic analysis is used to assist in the management of trauma patients with coagulopathies presenting to the emergency department, in surgery, and in the postoperative period. Indications for the utilization of the TEG® and platelet mapping as point of care testing that can guide blood component therapy in a goal directed fashion in the trauma population are presented with emphasis on the more common reasons such as massive transfusion protocol, the management of traumatic brain injury with bleeding, the diagnosis and management of trauma in patients on platelet antagonists, the utilization of recombinant FVIIa, and the management of coagulopathy in terminal trauma patients in preparation for organ donation. The TEG® allows for judicious and protocol assisted utilization of blood components in a setting that has recently gained acceptance. In our program, the inclusion of the perfusionist with expertise in performing and interpreting TEG® analysis allows the multidisciplinary trauma team to more effectively manage blood products and resuscitation in this population. PMID:22164456

The National Trauma Institute: Lessons learned in the funding and conduct of 16 trauma research studies.

PubMed

Price, Michelle A; Beilman, Gregory J; Fabian, Timothy C; Hoyt, David B; Jurkovich, Gregory J; Knudson, M Margaret; MacKenzie, Ellen J; Marshall, Vivienne S; Overton, Kimberly E; Peitzman, Andrew B; Phillips, Monica J; Pruitt, Basil A; Smith, Sharon L; Stewart, Ronald M; Jenkins, Donald H

2016-09-01

To increase trauma-related research and elevate trauma on the national research agenda, the National Trauma Institute (NTI) issued calls for proposals, selected funding recipients, and coordinated 16 federally funded (Department of Defense) trauma research awards over a 4-year period. We sought to collect and describe the lessons learned from this activity to inform future researchers of barriers and facilitators. Fifteen principal investigators participated in semistructured interviews focused on study management issues such as securing institutional approvals, screening and enrollment, multisite trials management, project funding, staffing, and institutional support. NTI Science Committee meeting minutes and study management data were included in the analysis. Simple descriptive statistics were generated and textual data were analyzed for common themes. Principal investigators reported challenges in obtaining institutional approvals, delays in study initiation, screening and enrollment, multisite management, and study funding. Most were able to successfully resolve challenges and have been productive in terms of scholarly publications, securing additional research funding, and training future trauma investigators. Lessons learned in the conduct of the first two funding rounds managed by NTI are instructive in four key areas: regulatory processes, multisite coordination, adequate funding, and the importance of an established research infrastructure to ensure study success. Recommendations for addressing institution-related and investigator-related challenges are discussed along with ongoing advocacy efforts to secure sustained federal funding of a national trauma research program commensurate with the burden of injury.

Comparison of outcome between low and high thoracic trauma severity score in blunt trauma chest patients.

PubMed

Subhani, Shahzadi Samar; Muzaffar, Mohammad Sultan; Khan, Muhammad Imtiaz

2014-01-01

Blunt chest trauma is second leading cause of death among trauma patients. Early identification and aggressive management of blunt thoracic trauma is essential to reduce the significant rates of morbidity and mortality. Thoracic trauma severity score (TTS) is a better predictor of chest trauma related complications. The objective of the study was to compare outcomes between low-and high thoracic trauma severity score in blunt trauma chest patients. A cross sectional descriptive study was carried out in public and private sector hospitals of Rawalpindi, Pakistan from 2008 to 2012 and 264 patients with blunt trauma chest who reported to emergency department of the hospitals, within 48 hrs of trauma were recruited. All patients were subjected to detailed history and respiratory system examination to ascertain fracture ribs, flail segment and hemopneumothorax. Written and informed consent was taken from each patient. Permission was taken from ethical committee of the hospital. The patients with blunt chest trauma had an array of associated injuries; however there were 70.8% of patients in low TTS group and 29.2% in high TTS group. Outcome was assessed as post trauma course of the patient. Outcome in low and high TTS group was compared using Chi square test which shows a significant relationship (p=0.000) between outcome and TTS, i.e., outcome worsened with increase in TTS. It is concluded that there is a significant relationship between outcome and thoracic trauma severity. Outcome of the patient worsened with increase in thoracic trauma severity score.

A pilot study investigating the effects of trauma, experiential avoidance, and disease management in HIV-positive MSM using methamphetamine.

PubMed

Chartier, Maggie; Vinatieri, Trisha; Delonga, Kathryn; McGlynn, Lawrence M; Gore-Felton, Cheryl; Koopman, Cheryl

2010-01-01

With high rates of trauma among HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) who use methamphetamine, this preliminary pilot study examined the associations between experiential avoidance, trauma symptoms, and management of a chronic illness. Among a small sample of HIV-positive, methamphetamine-using MSM in a California Bay Area County, greater reported experiential avoidance was significantly related to greater reported trauma and symptoms of traumatic stress. Furthermore, greater reported experiential avoidance was significantly related to reduced self-efficacy of illness management and more frequent methamphetamine use. Although further research is needed, these data suggest that addressing issues of experiential avoidance and trauma could affect behavioral choices and treatment outcomes in this high-risk population.

Trauma patient discharge and care transition experiences: Identifying opportunities for quality improvement in trauma centres.

PubMed

Gotlib Conn, Lesley; Zwaiman, Ashley; DasGupta, Tracey; Hales, Brigette; Watamaniuk, Aaron; Nathens, Avery B

2018-01-01

Challenges delivering quality care are especially salient during hospital discharge and care transitions. Severely injured patients discharged from a trauma centre will go either home, to rehabilitation or another acute care hospital with complex management needs. This purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of trauma patients and families treated in a regional academic trauma centre to better understand and improve their discharge and care transition experiences. A qualitative study using inductive thematic analysis was conducted between March and October 2016. Telephone interviews were conducted with trauma patients and/or a family member after discharge from the trauma centre. Data collection and analysis were completed inductively and iteratively consistent with a qualitative approach. Twenty-four interviews included 19 patients and 7 family members. Participants' experiences drew attention to discharge and transfer processes that either (1) Fostered quality discharge or (2) Impeded quality discharge. Fostering quality discharge was ward staff preparation efforts; establishing effective care continuity; and, adequate emotional support. Impeding discharge quality was perceived pressure to leave the hospital; imposed transfer decisions; and, sub-optimal communication and coordination around discharge. Patient-provider communication was viewed to be driven by system, rather than patient need. Inter-facility information gaps raised concern about receiving facilities' ability to care for injured patients. The quality of trauma patient discharge and transition experiences is undermined by system- and ward-level processes that compete, rather than align, in producing high quality patient-centred discharge. Local improvement solutions focused on modifiable factors within the trauma centre include patient-oriented discharge education and patient navigation; however, these approaches alone may be insufficient to enhance patient experiences. Trauma patients encounter complex barriers to quality discharge that likely require a comprehensive, multimodal intervention. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Prehospital care for multiple trauma patients in Germany.

PubMed

Maegele, Marc

2015-01-01

For the German speaking countries, Tscherne's definition of "polytrauma" which represents an injury of at least two body regions with one or a combination being life-threatening is still valid. The timely and adequate management including quick referral of the trauma patient into a designated trauma center may limit secondary injury and may thus improve outcomes already during the prehospital phase of care. The professional treatment of multiple injured trauma patients begins at the scene in the context of a well structured prehospital emergency medical system. The "Primary Survey" is performed by the emergency physician at the scene according to the Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS)-concept. The overall aim is to rapidly assess and treat life-threatening conditions even in the absence of patient history and diagnosis ("treat-first-what-kills-first"). If no immediate treatment is necessary, a "Secondary Sur- vey" follows with careful and structured body examination and detailed assessment of the trauma mechanism. Massive and life-threatening states of hemorrhage should be addressed immediately even disregarding the ABCDE-scheme. Critical trauma patients should be referred without any delay ("work and go")toTR-DGU® certified trauma centers of the local trauma networks. Due to the difficult pre- hospital environment the number of quality studies in the field is low and, as consequence, the level of evidence for most recommendations is also low. Much information has been obtained from different care systems and the interchangeability of results is limited. The present article provides a synopsis of rec- ommendations for early prehospital care for the severely injured based upon the 2011 updated multi- disciplinary S3-Guideline "Polytrauma/Schwerstverletzten Behandlung", the most recently updated European Trauma guideline and the current PHTLS-algorithms including grades of recommendation whenever possible.

Teamwork education improves trauma team performance in undergraduate health professional students.

PubMed

Baker, Valerie O'Toole; Cuzzola, Ronald; Knox, Carolyn; Liotta, Cynthia; Cornfield, Charles S; Tarkowski, Robert D; Masters, Carolynn; McCarthy, Michael; Sturdivant, Suzanne; Carlson, Jestin N

2015-01-01

Effective trauma resuscitation requires efficient and coordinated care from a team of providers; however, providers are rarely instructed on how to be effective members of trauma teams. Team-based learning using Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance Performance and Patient Safety (TeamSTEPPS) has been shown to improve team dynamics among practicing professionals, including physicians and nurses. The impact of TeamSTEPPS on students being trained in trauma management in an undergraduate health professional program is currently unknown. We sought to determine the impact of TeamSTEPPS on team dynamics among undergraduate students being trained in trauma resuscitation. We enrolled teams of undergraduate health professional students from four programs: nursing, physician assistant, radiologic science, and respiratory care. After completing an online training on trauma resuscitation principles, the participants completed a trauma resuscitation scenario. The participants then received teamwork training using TeamSTEPPS and completed a second trauma resuscitation scenario identical to the first. All resuscitations were recorded and scored offline by two blinded research assistants using both the Team Emergency Assessment Measure (TEAM) and Trauma Team Performance Observation Tool (TPOT) scoring systems. Pre-test and post-test TEAM and TPOT scores were compared. We enrolled a total of 48 students in 12 teams. Team leadership, situational monitoring, and overall communication improved with TeamSTEPPS training (P=0.04, P=0.02, and P=0.03, respectively), as assessed by the TPOT scoring system. TeamSTEPPS also improved the team's ability to prioritize tasks and work together to complete tasks in a rapid manner (P<0.01 and P=0.02, respectively) as measured by TEAM. Incorporating TeamSTEPPS into trauma team education leads to improved TEAM and TPOT scores among undergraduate health professionals.

How the changes in the system affect trauma care provision: The assessment of and implications for Lithuanian trauma service performance in 2007-2012.

PubMed

Dambrauskas, Žilvinas; Aukštakalnis, Vytautas; Karbonskienė, Aurika; Kačiurinas, Dmitrijus; Vokietienė, Jolanta; Lapka, Robertas; Pamerneckas, Algimantas; Porvaneckas, Narūnas; Stašaitis, Kęstutis; Jasinskas, Nedas; Dobožinskas, Paulius; Vaitkaitis, Dinas; Lunevičius, Raimundas

2017-01-01

The aim of this study was to identify and assess the effects of changes in the Lithuanian trauma service from 2007 to 2012. We postulate that the implications derived from this study will be of importance to trauma policy planners and makers in Lithuania and throughout other countries of Eastern and Central Europe. Out of 10,390 trauma admissions to four trauma centers in 2007, 294 patients (2.8%) were randomly selected for the first arm of a representative study sample. Similarly, of 9918 trauma admissions in 2012, 250 (2.5%) were randomly chosen for comparison in the study arm. Only cases with a diagnosis falling into the ICD-10 "S" and "T" codes were included. A survey of whom regarding changes in quality of trauma care from 2007 to 2012 was carried out by emergency medical service (EMS) providers. The Revised Trauma Score (RTS) mean value was 7.45±1.04 for the 2007 year arm; it was 7.53±0.93 for the 2012 year arm (P=0.33). Mean time from the moment of a call from the site of the traumatic event to the patient's arrival at the trauma center did not differ between the arms of the sample: 49.95min in 2007 vs. 51.6min in 2012 (P=0.81). An application of the operational procedures such as a cervical spine protection using a hard collar, oxygen therapy, infusion of intravenous fluids, and pain relief on the trauma scene was more frequent in 2012 than in 2007. Management of trauma patients in the emergency department improved regarding the availability of 24/7 computed tomography scanner facilities and an on-site radiographer. Time to CT-scanning was reduced by 38.8%, and time to decision-making was reduced by 16.5% in 2012. Changes in operational procedures in the Lithuanian pre-hospital care provision and management of trauma patients in emergency departments of trauma centers improved the efficiency of trauma care delivery over the 2007-2012 period. Copyright © 2017 The Lithuanian University of Health Sciences. Production and hosting by Elsevier Sp. z o.o. All rights reserved.

Oral trauma and dental emergency management recommendations of first-aid textbooks and manuals.

PubMed

Zadik, Yehuda

2007-10-01

The recommendations of oral trauma and dental emergencies management of nine first-aid textbooks and manuals from the last two decades were evaluated. Only one book includes all the relevant topics: dental anatomy, management of tooth luxations and avulsion, tooth fracture, mandible dislocation, jaw fracture, intraoral bleeding and dental pain. Two books recommend self-replantation of an avulsed tooth, but four books detail the storage media and evaluate the importance of a quick referral to a dental surgery. In three first-aid books, the only mention of oral trauma is the hazard of choking from tooth fragments, and in one other book, only mandible dislocation is mentioned as oral trauma. The insufficient information of oral trauma management in these first-aid texts partly explains the previous reports of poor and inadequate knowledge in that topic among medics, teachers and the general public.

Distance matters: Effect of geographic trauma system resource organization on fatal motor vehicle collisions.

PubMed

Brown, Joshua B; Rosengart, Matthew R; Billiar, Timothy R; Peitzman, Andrew B; Sperry, Jason L

2017-07-01

Trauma systems improve outcome; however, it is unclear how geographic organization of trauma system resources (TSR) affects outcome. Our objective was to evaluate the relationship of fatal motor vehicle collision (MVC) rates and the distance from individual MVC locations to the nearest TSR as a measure of the geographical organization of trauma systems, as well as how theoretical changes in the distribution of TSR may affect fatal MVC rates. All fatal MVC in Pennsylvania 2013-2014 were mapped from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System database. Deaths on scene were excluded. TSR including trauma centers and helicopter bases were mapped. Distance between each fatal MVC and nearest TSR was calculated. The primary outcome was fatal MVC rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT). Empiric Bayes kriging and hot spot analysis were performed to evaluate geographic patterns in fatal MVC rates. Association between fatal MVC rate and distance to the nearest TSR was evaluated with linear regression. Spatial lag regression evaluated this association while controlling for MVC and county-level characteristics. We identified 886 fatalities from 863 fatal MVC. Median fatal MVC rate was 0.187 per 100 million VMT. Higher fatal MVC rates and fatality hot spots occur in locations farther from TSR. The fatal MVC rate increased 0.141 per 100 million VMT for every 10 miles farther from the nearest TSR (p < 0.01). When controlling for confounders, the fatal MVC rate increased by 0.089 per 100 million VMT for every 10 miles farther from the nearest TSR (p < 0.01). If two helicopters stationed at trauma centers were relocated into the highest fatality regions, our model predicts a 12.3% relative reduction in the overall MVC fatality rate. Increasing distance to the nearest TSR is associated with increasing fatal MVC rate. The geographic organization of trauma systems may impact outcome, and geospatial analysis can allow data-driven changes to potentially improve outcome. Prognostic/Epidemiologic, level III; Case management, level III.

Scanning and War: Utility of FAST and CT in the Assessment of Battlefield Abdominal Trauma.

PubMed

Smith, Iain M; Naumann, David N; Marsden, Max E R; Ballard, Mark; Bowley, Douglas M

2015-08-01

To determine utilization and accuracy of focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST) and computed tomography (CT) in a mature military trauma system to inform service provision for future conflicts. FAST and CT scans undertaken by attending radiologists contribute to surgical decision making for battlefield casualties at the Joint Force, Role 3 Medical Treatment Facility at Camp Bastion (R3), Afghanistan. Registry data for abdominally injured casualties treated at R3 from July to November 2012 were matched to radiological and surgical records to determine diagnostic accuracy for FAST and CT and their influence on casualty management. A total of 468 casualties met inclusion criteria, of whom 85.0% underwent FAST and 86.1% abdominal CT; 159 (34.0%) had abdominal injuries. For detection of intra-abdominal injury, FAST sensitivity (Sn) was 0.56, specificity (Sp) 0.98, positive predictive value (PPV) 0.87, negative predictive value (NPV) 0.90, and accuracy (Acc) 0.89. For CT, Sn was 0.99, Sp 0.99, PPV 0.96, NPV 1.00, and Acc 0.99. Forty-six solid organ injuries were identified in 38 patients by CT; 17 were managed nonoperatively. A further 61 patients avoided laparotomy after CT confirmed extra-abdominal wounds only. The negative laparotomy rate was 3.9%. FAST and CT contribute to triage, guide surgical management, and reduce nontherapeutic laparotomy. When imaging is available, these data challenge current doctrine about inadvisability of nonoperative management of abdominal injury after combat trauma.

Infrastructure and clinical practice for the detection and management of trauma-associated haemorrhage and coagulopathy.

PubMed

Driessen, A; Schäfer, N; Albrecht, V; Schenk, M; Fröhlich, M; Stürmer, E K; Maegele, M

2015-08-01

Early detection and management of post-traumatic haemorrhage and coagulopathy have been associated with improved outcomes, but local infrastructures, logistics and clinical strategies may differ. To assess local differences in infrastructure, logistics and clinical management of trauma-associated haemorrhage and coagulopathy, we have conducted a web-based survey amongst the delegates to the 15th European Congress of Trauma and Emergency Surgery (ECTES) and the 2nd World Trauma (WT) Congress held in Frankfurt, Germany, 25-27 May 2014. 446/1,540 delegates completed the questionnaire yielding a response rate of 29%. The majority specified to work as consultants/senior physicians (47.3%) in general (36.1%) or trauma/orthopaedic surgery (44.5%) of level I (70%) or level II (19%) trauma centres. Clinical assessment (>80%) and standard coagulation assays (74.6%) are the most frequently used strategies for early detection and monitoring of bleeding trauma patients with coagulopathy. Only 30% of the respondents declared to use extended coagulation assays to better characterise the bleeding and coagulopathy prompted by more individualised treatment concepts. Most trauma centres (69%) have implemented local protocols based on international and national guidelines using conventional blood products, e.g. packed red blood cell concentrates (93.3%), fresh frozen plasma concentrates (93.3%) and platelet concentrates (83%), and antifibrinolytics (100%). 89% considered the continuous intake of anticoagulants including "new oral anticoagulants" and platelet inhibitors as an increasing threat to bleeding trauma patients. This study confirms differences in infrastructure, logistics and clinical practice for the detection and management of trauma-haemorrhage and trauma-associated coagulopathy amongst international centres. Ongoing work will focus on geographical differences.

Geographic distribution of trauma centers and injury-related mortality in the United States.

PubMed

Brown, Joshua B; Rosengart, Matthew R; Billiar, Timothy R; Peitzman, Andrew B; Sperry, Jason L

2016-01-01

Regionalized trauma care improves outcomes; however, access to care is not uniform across the United States. The objective was to evaluate whether geographic distribution of trauma centers correlates with injury mortality across state trauma systems. Level I or II trauma centers in the contiguous United States were mapped. State-level age-adjusted injury fatality rates per 100,000 people were obtained and evaluated for spatial autocorrelation. Nearest neighbor ratios (NNRs) were generated for each state. A NNR less than 1 indicates clustering, while a NNR greater than 1 indicates dispersion. NNRs were tested for difference from random geographic distribution. Fatality rates and NNRs were examined for correlation. Fatality rates were compared between states with trauma center clustering versus dispersion. Trauma center distribution and population density were evaluated. Spatial-lag regression determined the association between fatality rate and NNR, controlling for state-level demographics, population density, injury severity, trauma system resources, and socioeconomic factors. Fatality rates were spatially autocorrelated (Moran's I = 0.35, p < 0.01). Nine states had a clustered pattern (median NNR, 0.55; interquartile range [IQR], 0.48-0.60), 22 had a dispersed pattern (median NNR, 2.00; IQR, 1.68-3.99), and 10 had a random pattern (median NNR, 0.90; IQR, 0.85-1.00) of trauma center distribution. Fatality rate and NNR were correlated (ρ = 0.34, p = 0.03). Clustered states had a lower median injury fatality rate compared with dispersed states (56.9 [IQR, 46.5-58.9] vs. 64.9 [IQR, 52.5-77.1]; p = 0.04). Dispersed compared with clustered states had more counties without a trauma center that had higher population density than counties with a trauma center (5.7% vs. 1.2%, p < 0.01). Spatial-lag regression demonstrated that fatality rates increased by 0.02 per 100,000 persons for each unit increase in NNR (p < 0.01). Geographic distribution of trauma centers correlates with injury mortality, with more clustered state trauma centers associated with lower fatality rates. This may be a result of access relative to population density. These results may have implications for trauma system planning and require further study to investigate underlying mechanisms. Therapeutic/care management study, level IV.

Trauma care in Africa: a status report from Botswana, guided by the World Health Organization's "Guidelines for Essential Trauma Care".

PubMed

Hanche-Olsen, Terje Peder; Alemu, Lulseged; Viste, Asgaut; Wisborg, Torben; Hansen, Kari S

2012-10-01

Trauma represents a significant and increasing challenge to health care systems all over the world. This study aimed to evaluate the trauma care capabilities of Botswana, a middle-income African country, by applying the World Health Organization's Guidelines for Essential Trauma Care. All 27 government (16 primary, 9 district, 2 referral) hospitals were surveyed. A questionnaire and checklist, based on "Guidelines for Essential Trauma Care" and locally adapted, were developed as situation analysis tools. The questionnaire assessed local trauma organization, capacity, and the presence of quality improvement activity. The checklist assessed physical availability of equipment and timely availability of trauma-related skills. Information was collected by interviews with hospital administrators, key personnel within trauma care, and through on-site physical inspection. Hospitals in Botswana are reasonably well supplied with human and physical resources for trauma care, although deficiencies were noted. At the primary and district levels, both capacity and equipment for airway/breathing management and vascular access was limited. Trauma administrative functions were largely absent at all levels. No hospital in Botswana had any plans for trauma education, separate from or incorporated into other improvement activities. Team organization was nonexistent, and training activities in the emergency room were limited. This study draws a picture of trauma care capabilities of an entire African country. Despite good organizational structures, Botswana has room for substantial improvement. Administrative functions, training, and human and physical resources could be improved. By applying the guidelines, this study creates an objective foundation for improved trauma care in Botswana.

[Effectiveness of Trauma Evaluation and Management course for Mexican senior medical students: When to implement it?].

PubMed

Delgado-Reyes, Luis; Gasca-González, Oscar Octavio; Delgado-Guerrero, Francisco; Reyes-Arellano, Wulfrano

2016-01-01

Trauma Evaluation and Management course was designed to develop trauma cognitive skills in senior medical students. Its effectiveness has been demonstrated in many regions, except in Latin America, where it has been poorly studied. The objective was to determine the Trauma Evaluation and Management course effectiveness, and whether greater effectiveness is achieved in basic- or clinic-cycle students, as well as student perception. Descriptive, observational, longitudinal and prospective study. Two tests were performed, pre- and post-course; the manual was read by the students prior to both tests. Students were divided into 2 groups: group A (consisting of 71 basic-cycle medical students) and group B (consisting of 44 clinical-cycle medical students). Group A achieved a 2.45 increase (p<0.01) in the post-course evaluation compared with pre-course test. Group B increased the mean score by 2.25 (p>0.05) from pre- to post-course tests. There was a significant difference between groups in both evaluations (pre-course test p<0.01 and post-course test p>0.05), with no difference in improvement (p>0.05). Using a questionnaire, 92.17% of the students totally agreed that the course improved their trauma knowledge, 76.52% that it increased their trauma clinical skills, with 94.78% being totally satisfied with the course, and 86.09% totally agreed that Trauma Evaluation and Management course should be in Medicine curriculum. Trauma Evaluation and Management course improves trauma cognitive skills, and undergraduate medical students in Mexico broadly accept it. Copyright © 2015 Academia Mexicana de Cirugía A.C. Published by Masson Doyma México S.A. All rights reserved.

Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) reduce costs in the management of isolated splenic injuries at pediatric trauma centers.

PubMed

Gutierrez, Ivan M; Zurakowski, David; Chen, Qiaoli; Mooney, David P

2013-02-01

The American Pediatric Surgical Association Trauma Committee proposed the use of a clinical practice guideline (CPG) for the non-operative management of isolated splenic injuries in 1998. An analysis was conducted to determine the financial impact of CPGs on the management of these injuries. The Pediatric Health Information System database, which contains data from 44 children's hospitals, was used to identify children who sustained a graded isolated splenic injury between June 2005 and June 2010. Demographics, length of stay (LOS), readmission rates, and laboratory, imaging, procedural, and total cost data were determined for all hospitals verified as a pediatric trauma center by the American College of Surgeons and/or designated by their local authority. Comparisons were made between facilities self-identifying as having a splenic injury management CPG and those without a CPG. Children (1,154) with isolated splenic injuries (grades 1-4) were cared for in 26 pediatric trauma centers: 20 with a CPG and 6 without (non-CPG). Median costs were significantly lower at CPG than non-CPG centers for imaging (US $163 vs. US $641, P < .001), laboratory (US $629 vs. US $1,044, P < .001), and total hospital stay (US $9,868 vs. US $10,830, P < .001). The median LOS for CPG and non-CPG centers were similar (3 vs. 2 days, P = .38), as were readmission rates within 90 days (3.1 vs. 5.1 %, P = .21). Multiple linear regression indicated that LOS (P < .001) and utilization of a CPG (P = .007) are significant independent predictors of total cost. Utilization of a CPG to manage children with isolated splenic injuries at a pediatric trauma center results in significantly reduced imaging, laboratory, and total hospital costs independent of patient age, gender, grade, and LOS.

Scandinavian guidelines for initial management of minor and moderate head trauma in children.

PubMed

Astrand, Ramona; Rosenlund, Christina; Undén, Johan

2016-02-18

The management of minor and moderate head trauma in children differs widely between countries. Presently, there are no existing guidelines for management of these children in Scandinavia. The purpose of this study was to produce new evidence-based guidelines for the initial management of head trauma in the paediatric population in Scandinavia. The primary aim was to detect all children in need of neurosurgical intervention. Detection of any traumatic intracranial injury on CT scan was an important secondary aim. General methodology according to the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE) II and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system was used. Systematic evidence-based review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology and based upon relevant clinical questions with respect to patient-important outcomes. Quality ratings of the included studies were performed using Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS)-2 and Centre of Evidence Based Medicine (CEBM)-2 tools. Based upon the results, GRADE recommendations, a guideline, discharge instructions and in-hospital observation instructions were drafted. For elements with low evidence, a modified Delphi process was used for consensus, which included relevant clinical stakeholders. The guidelines include criteria for selecting children for CT scans, in-hospital observation or early discharge, and suggestions for monitoring routines and discharge advice for children and guardians. The guidelines separate mild head trauma patients into high-, medium- and low-risk categories, favouring observation for mild, low-risk patients as an attempt to reduce CT scans in children. We present new evidence and consensus based Scandinavian Neurotrauma Committee guidelines for initial management of minor and moderate head trauma in children. These guidelines should be validated before extensive clinical use and updated within four years due to rapid development of new diagnostic tools within paediatric neurotrauma.

Combat ocular trauma and systemic injury.

PubMed

Weichel, Eric D; Colyer, Marcus H

2008-11-01

To review the recent literature regarding combat ocular trauma during hostilities in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, describe the classification of combat ocular trauma, and offer strategies that may assist in the management of eye injuries. Several recent publications have highlighted features of combat ocular trauma from Operation Iraqi Freedom. The most common cause of today's combat ocular injuries is unconventional fragmentary munitions causing significant blast injuries. These explosive munitions cause high rates of concomitant nonocular injuries such as traumatic brain injury, amputation, and other organ injuries. The most frequent ocular injuries include open-globe and adnexal lacerations. The extreme severity of combat-related open-globe injuries leads to high rates of primary enucleation and retained intraocular foreign bodies. Visual outcomes of intraocular foreign body injuries are similar to other series despite delayed removal, and no cases of endophthalmitis have occurred. Despite these advances, however, significant vision loss persists in cases of perforating globe injuries as well as open and closed-globe trauma involving the posterior segment. This review summarizes the recent literature describing ocular and systemic injuries sustained during Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. An emphasis on classification of ocular injuries as well as a discussion of main outcome measures and complications is discussed.

The trauma registry compared to All Patient Refined Diagnosis Groups (APR-DRG).

PubMed

Hackworth, Jodi; Askegard-Giesmann, Johanna; Rouse, Thomas; Benneyworth, Brian

2017-05-01

Literature has shown there are significant differences between administrative databases and clinical registry data. Our objective was to compare the identification of trauma patients using All Patient Refined Diagnosis Related Groups (APR-DRG) as compared to the Trauma Registry and estimate the effects of those discrepancies on utilization. Admitted pediatric patients from 1/2012-12/2013 were abstracted from the trauma registry. The patients were linked to corresponding administrative data using the Pediatric Health Information System database at a single children's hospital. APR-DRGs referencing trauma were used to identify trauma patients. We compared variables related to utilization and diagnosis to determine the level of agreement between the two datasets. There were 1942 trauma registry patients and 980 administrative records identified with trauma-specific APR-DRG during the study period. Forty-two percent (816/1942) of registry records had an associated trauma-specific APR-DRG; 69% of registry patients requiring ICU care had trauma APR-DRGs; 73% of registry patients with head injuries had trauma APR-DRGs. Only 21% of registry patients requiring surgical management had associated trauma APR-DRGs, and 12.5% of simple fractures had associated trauma APR-DRGs. APR-DRGs appeared to only capture a fraction of the entire trauma population and it tends to be the more severely ill patients. As a result, the administrative data was not able to accurately answer hospital or operating room utilization as well as specific information on diagnosis categories regarding trauma patients. APR-DRG administrative data should not be used as the only data source for evaluating the needs of a trauma program. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Soft Tissue Management in Facial Trauma

PubMed Central

Braun, Tara L.; Maricevich, Renata S.

2017-01-01

The management of soft tissue injury after facial trauma poses unique challenges to the plastic surgeon, given the specialized nature of facial tissue and the aesthetic importance of the face. The general principles of trauma management and wound care are applied in all cases. The management of severe injuries to the face is discussed in relation to the location and the mechanism of injury. Facial transplants have arisen in the past decade for the management of catastrophic soft tissue defects, although high morbidity and mortality after these non-life-saving operations must be considered in patient selection. PMID:28496386

Assessing the gap between the acute trauma workload and the capacity of a single rural health district in South Africa. What are the implications for systems planning?

PubMed

Clarke, D L; Aldous, C; Thomson, S R

2014-06-01

This study focuses on a single rural health district in South Africa, and attempts to establish the burden of disease and to review the capacity of the district hospitals to deal with this load. Ethical approval to undertake this study was obtained from both the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal and the Department of Health. The audit was performed over a 6-month period in the four district hospitals of rural Sisonke District. There were four components to this audit. 1. Information on the hospital incidence of acute trauma in Sisonke was also sourced from the epidemiology unit of the Department of Health in Pietermaritzburg 2. Each of the district hospitals was visited and the medical manager was interviewed. The medical manager was asked to complete the World Health Organization's Tool for Situational Analysis to Assess Emergency and Essential Surgical Care. (SAT). 3. The operative registers were reviewed to determine the number of index cases for trauma. This information was used to determine the unmet need of acute trauma in the district. 4. Each hospital was classified according to the Trauma Society of South Africa (TSSA) guidelines for levels of trauma care. The annual incidence of trauma in the Sisonke District is estimated to be 1,590 per 100,000 population. Although there appeared to be adequate infrastructure in the district hospitals, the SAT revealed significant deficits in terms of capacity of staff to adequately treat and triage acute trauma patients. There is a significant unmet need for trauma care in Sisonke. The four district hospitals can best be classified as Level IV centers of trauma care. There is a significant burden of trauma in the Sisonke District, yet the capacity to deal with this burden is inadequate. Although the physical infrastructure is adequate, the deficits relate to human resources. The strategic choices are between enhancing the district hospitals' capacity to deal with acute trauma, or deciding to bypass them completely and deliver all acute trauma patients to large regional trauma centers. If the first option is chosen, urgent intervention is required to build up the human resource capacity of district hospitals.

Incidence and management of penetrating renal trauma in patients with multiorgan injury: extended experience at an inner city trauma center.

PubMed

Kansas, Bryan T; Eddy, Michael J; Mydlo, Jack H; Uzzo, Robert G

2004-10-01

Patients with penetrating trauma often have multiorgan involvement that may complicate the management of any single organ system. Here we review the incidence of associated injuries in patients with penetrating renal trauma and our extended experience treating these patients at a busy inner city trauma center. All trauma cases presenting to Temple University Trauma Center during a 6-year period were identified through our institutional databases and were reviewed (5,276). Penetrating trauma represented 41% of all cases (2,163). Of these we identified 123 patients with penetrating renal trauma (5.7%). A total of 93 cases were available for review. Multiorgan injury was staged in the operating room if patients were hemodynamically unstable or radiographically if they were stable. Renal injuries were staged by high dose, single shot excretory urogram in patients taken immediately to surgery or by computerized tomography if stable. Renal injuries were classified using the American Association for Surgery of Trauma (AAST) grading system. AAST classifications were subcategorized for purposes of streamlining. Grade 1 and 2 injuries were grouped as low grade, grades 3 and 4 nonvascular injuries were grouped as intermediate grade, and AAST grade 4 vascular and grade 5 injuries were grouped as high grade. Demographic, clinical and intraoperative variables, as well as number and severity of associated injuries, were then assessed to determine the relationship with various renal surgical outcomes including the requirement of surgical intervention, type of surgical intervention, need for nephrectomy and associated adverse outcomes. The median age of injured patients was 28 years (range 14 to 80). The majority of victims were male (93%). The mechanism of injury was predominantly gunshot wound (GSW, 86%) while 14% were due to stab wounds. Renal injuries were low grade (19%), intermediate grade (44%) and high grade (37%). Nearly all patients with penetrating renal injury had associated multiorgan injury (94.6%). Associated injuries for penetrating renal trauma on the right side predominately involved the liver, small bowel and vertebra while injury to the left kidney was most often associated with trauma to the stomach, colon and spleen. Patients suffered extensive renal injury as evidenced by the high rate of intraoperative urinomas (30.1%) and hematomas (97.5%) identified. In the absence of an expanding hematoma and/or hemodynamic instability, associated injuries by themselves did not increase the risk of nephrectomy. Despite multiorgan penetrating injury 54% of kidneys were salvageable. Isolated penetrating trauma to the kidney is rare. The majority of patients with penetrating renal trauma have associated adjacent organ injuries that may complicate treatment. In the absence of an expanding hematoma with hemodynamic instability, associated multiorgan injuries did not increase the risk of nephrectomy. With appropriate radiographic and/or surgical staging, it is possible to repair and salvage many of these kidneys despite extensive associated intraabdominal trauma.

The outcomes of 1120 severe multiple trauma patients with hemorrhagic shock in an emergency department: a retrospective study.

PubMed

Wen, Yin; Yang, Huang; Wei, Wang; Shan-shou, Liu

2013-01-01

Uncontrolled hemorrhagic shock is a significant factor in death of severe multiple trauma patients. The acute management of injured bleeding in emergency department (ED) may improve patient outcomes. The medical records of severe multiple trauma patients with hemorrhagic shock in our ED were reviewed to summarize an evidence-based approach to the management of critically injured bleeding trauma patients. A retrospective study was carried out from January 2002 to December 2011 in a Chinese tertiary hospital. Clinical data from major trauma patients with hemorrhagic shock admitted to ED were evaluated. The patients were stratified based on the characteristics of traumatic condition and resuscitation strategies. The medical treatments and the outcomes of these severe multiple trauma patients were described. A total of 1120 major trauma patients, consisting of 832 males and 288 females, were enrolled. 906 of the patients (80.9%) were injured in traffic accidents, 104 (9.3%) from falling, and 100 from other reasons. The number of injured sites varied from 2 to 6, 616(55.0%) more than 3. 902 (80.5%) trauma patients have recovered and been discharged from hospital. Uncontrolled hemorrhagic shock is a main reason of trauma patients' death. The resuscitation strategy should center upon permissive hypotension and early hemostatic resuscitation combined identified and corrects coagulopathy. The current approach to the management of critically injured bleeding trauma patients is able to improve patient outcomes.

Abdominal trauma in infants and children: prompt identification and early management of serious and life-threatening injuries. Part II: Specific injuries and ED management.

PubMed

Rothrock, S G; Green, S M; Morgan, R

2000-06-01

Evaluation of children with suspected abdominal trauma could be a difficult task. Unique anatomic and physiologic features render vital sign assessment and the physical examination less useful than in the adult population. Awareness of injury patterns and associations will improve the early diagnosis of abdominal trauma. Clinicians must have a complete understanding of common and atypical presentations of children with significant abdominal injuries. Knowledge of the utility and limitations of available laboratory and radiologic adjuncts will assist in accurately identifying abdominal injury. While other obvious injuries (eg, facial, cranial, and extremity trauma) can distract physicians from less obvious abdominal trauma, an algorithmic approach to evaluating and managing children with multisystem trauma will improve overall care and help to identify and treat abdominal injuries in a timely fashion. Finally, physicians must be aware of the capabilities of their own facility to handle pediatric trauma. Protocols must be in place for expediting the transfer of children who require a higher level of care. Knowledge of each of these areas will help to improve the overall care and outcome of children with abdominal trauma.

Preventing nipple trauma in lactating women in the University Hospital of the University of Sao Paulo: a best practice implementation project.

PubMed

Shimoda, Gilcéria Tochika; Soares, Alda Valeria Neves; Aragaki, Ilva Marico Mizumoto; McArthur, Alexa

2015-03-12

Nipple trauma in lactating women is an important issue in facilitating successful breastfeeding. Evidence suggests that early postnatal education on the positioning and attachment technique, early observation of mothers and correcting breastfeeding techniques at an early stage may reduce nipple trauma. The aim of this project was to improve breastfeeding practice and thereby reduce nipple trauma in lactating women in a public hospital in Sao Paulo. More specifically the objectives of this project were: firstly, to assess the current practice in nurses' assistance concerning the prevention of nipple trauma; secondly, to adapt and trial a Breastfeeding Assessment Form to observe and educate the lactating mother during the early post-natal period; and thirdly, to assess the impact of introducing the assessment strategy on breastfeeding and nipple trauma rates. The Joanna Briggs Institute Practical Application of Clinical Evidence System online tool was utilized for this project. A clinical audit was conducted to assess compliance with best practice in nursing assistance concerning the prevention of nipple trauma. The project concluded with a second audit, which assessed the change in practice following the implementation of strategies to improve practice. The project was successful in that there was an improvement across all of the audit criteria following the introduction of the strategy to promote best practice. Criterion 1, concerning nursing staff knowledge, improved in compliance by 73%. Criterion 2 and 4, concerning women's knowledge about prevention and management of nipple trauma, improved by 53% and 55% respectively. Breastfeeding assessment improved by 26% from baseline to follow-up audit. Moreover, an improvement in women's satisfaction and exclusive breastfeeding rates was observed; however, nipple trauma rates did not decrease. This implementation project had great impact on both nursing staff as well as lactating women's knowledge of preventing and managing nipple trauma. It also enhanced women's satisfaction with breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding rates. Further research is required into other aspects involved with the onset of nipple trauma. The Joanna Briggs Institute.

Development of a simple algorithm to guide the effective management of traumatic cardiac arrest.

PubMed

Lockey, David J; Lyon, Richard M; Davies, Gareth E

2013-06-01

Major trauma is the leading worldwide cause of death in young adults. The mortality from traumatic cardiac arrest remains high but survival with good neurological outcome from cardiopulmonary arrest following major trauma has been regularly reported. Rapid, effective intervention is required to address potential reversible causes of traumatic cardiac arrest if the victim is to survive. Current ILCOR guidelines do not contain a standard algorithm for management of traumatic cardiac arrest. We present a simple algorithm to manage the major trauma patient in actual or imminent cardiac arrest. We reviewed the published English language literature on traumatic cardiac arrest and major trauma management. A treatment algorithm was developed based on this and the experience of treatment of more than a thousand traumatic cardiac arrests by a physician - paramedic pre-hospital trauma service. The algorithm addresses the need treat potential reversible causes of traumatic cardiac arrest. This includes immediate resuscitative thoracotomy in cases of penetrating chest trauma, airway management, optimising oxygenation, correction of hypovolaemia and chest decompression to exclude tension pneumothorax. The requirement to rapidly address a number of potentially reversible pathologies in a short time period lends the management of traumatic cardiac arrest to a simple treatment algorithm. A standardised approach may prevent delay in diagnosis and treatment and improve current poor survival rates. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Initial evaluation of the "Trauma surgery course"

PubMed Central

Tugnoli, Gregorio; Ribaldi, Sergio; Casali, Marco; Calderale, Stefano M; Coletti, Massimo; Alifano, Marco; Parri, Sergio N Forti; Villani, Silvia; Biscardi, Andrea; Giordano, M Chiara; Baldoni, Franco

2006-01-01

Background The consequence of the low rate of penetrating injuries in Europe and the increase in non-operative management of blunt trauma is a decrease in surgeons' confidence in managing traumatic injuries has led to the need for new didactic tools. The aim of this retrospective study was to present the Corso di Chirurgia del Politrauma (Trauma Surgery Course), developed as a model for teaching operative trauma techniques, and assess its efficacy. Method the two-day course consisted of theoretical lectures and practical experience on large-sized swine. Data of the first 126 participants were collected and analyzed. Results All of the 126 general surgeons who had participated in the course judged it to be an efficient model to improve knowledge about the surgical treatment of trauma. Conclusion A two-day course, focusing on trauma surgery, with lectures and life-like operation situations, represents a model for simulated training and can be useful to improve surgeons' confidence in managing trauma patients. Cooperation between organizers of similar initiatives would be beneficial and could lead to standardizing and improving such courses. PMID:16759403

A review of the management of blunt splenic trauma in England and Wales: have regional trauma networks influenced management strategies and outcomes?

PubMed

Yiannoullou, P; Hall, C; Newton, K; Pearce, L; Bouamra, O; Jenks, T; Scrimshire, A B; Hughes, J; Lecky, F; Macdonald, Adh

2017-01-01

INTRODUCTION The spleen remains one of the most frequently injured organs following blunt abdominal trauma. In 2012, regional trauma networks were launched across England and Wales with the aim of improving outcomes following trauma. This retrospective cohort study investigated the management and outcomes of blunt splenic injuries before and after the establishment of regional trauma networks. METHODS A dataset was drawn from the Trauma Audit Research Network database of all splenic injuries admitted to English and Welsh hospitals from 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2014. Demographic data, injury severity, treatment modalities and outcomes were collected. Management and outcomes were compared before and after the launch of regional trauma networks. RESULTS There were 1457 blunt splenic injuries: 575 between 2010 and 2012 and 882 in 2012-14. Following the introduction of the regional trauma networks, use of splenic artery embolotherapy increased from 3.5% to 7.6% (P = 0.001) and splenectomy rates decreased from 20% to 14.85% (P = 0.012). Significantly more patients with polytrauma and blunt splenic injury were treated with splenic embolotherapy following 2012 (61.2% vs. 30%, P < 0.0001). Increasing age, injury severity score, polytrauma and Charlson Comorbidity Index above 10 were predictors of increased mortality (P < 0.001). Increasing systolic blood pressure (odds ratio, OR, 0.757, 95% confidence interval, CI, 0.716-0.8) and Glasgow Coma Scale (OR 0.988, 95% CI 0.982-0.995) were protective. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates a reduction in splenectomy rate and an increased use of splenic artery embolotherapy since the introduction of the regional trauma networks. This may have resulted from improved access to specialist services and reduced practice variation since the establishment of these networks.

The 2014 Academic College of Emergency Experts in India's INDO-US Joint Working Group (JWG) White Paper on “Developing Trauma Sciences and Injury Care in India”

PubMed Central

Pal, Ranabir; Agarwal, Amit; Galwankar, Sagar; Swaroop, Mamta; Stawicki, Stanislaw P; Rajaram, Laxminarayan; Paladino, Lorenzo; Aggarwal, Praveen; Bhoi, Sanjeev; Dwivedi, Sankalp; Menon, Geetha; Misra, MC; Kalra, OP; Singh, Ajai; Radjou, Angeline Neetha; Joshi, Anuja

2014-01-01

It is encouraging to see the much needed shift in the understanding and recognition of the concept of “burden of disease” in the context of traumatic injury. Equally important is understanding that the impact of trauma burden rivals that of nontraumatic morbidities. Subsequently, this paradigm shift reinstates the appeal for timely interventions as the standard for management of traumatic emergencies. Emergency trauma care in India has been disorganized due to inadequate sensitivity toward patients affected by trauma as well as the haphazard, nonuniform acceptance of standardization as the norm. Some of the major hospitals across various regions in the country do have trauma care units, but even those lack protocols to ensure that all trauma cases are handled by those units, largely owing to lack of structured referral system. As a first step to reform the state of trauma care in the country, a detailed overview is needed to gain insight into the prevailing reality. The objectives of this paper are to thus weave a foundation based on the statistical and qualitative burden of trauma in the country; the available infrastructure of trauma care centers equipped to deal with trauma; the need and scope of standardized protocols for intervention; and most importantly, the application of these in shaping educational initiatives in advancing emergency trauma care in the country. PMID:25024939

Knowledge and Attitudes of Elementary Schoolteachers on Dental Trauma and its Management in Yazd, Iran.

PubMed

Attarzadeh, Hajar; Kebriaei, Fatemeh; Sadri, Leyli; Foroughi, Elnaz; Taghian, Mehdi

2017-09-01

School is one of the places with the greatest prevalence of occurrence of traumatic dental injuries. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge levels and attitudes of elementary school teachers towards dental trauma and its management. In this cross-sectional study, 281 elementary school teachers were selected through cluster sampling to answer the prepared questionnaire. The data obtained from the questionnaires were analyzed in SPSS software by using ANOVA test and t-test. p Value<0.05 was considered to be significant. The total knowledge and attitude were low and normal, respectively. No previous exposure to or close observation of a dental trauma was reported by 61.2% of teachers; while, 12.5% were trained on dental traumas first aid management. There was statistically significant relationship between the teacher's knowledge and previous first aids training. The knowledge of schoolteachers on emergency management of dental trauma is poor. Therefore, it seems to be helpful to consider the management of dental injuries especially avulsed teeth as a part of teachers' education.

Key performance indicators in British military trauma.

PubMed

Stannard, Adam; Tai, Nigel R; Bowley, Douglas M; Midwinter, Mark; Hodgetts, Tim J

2008-08-01

Key performance indicators (KPI) are tools for assessing process and outcome in systems of health care provision and are an essential component in performance improvement. Although KPI have been used in British military trauma for 10 years, they remain poorly defined and are derived from civilian metrics that do not adjust for the realities of field trauma care. Our aim was to modify current trauma KPI to ensure they more faithfully reflect both the military setting and contemporary evidence in order to both aid accurate calibration of the performance of the British Defence Medical Services and act as a driver for performance improvement. A workshop was convened that was attended by senior, experienced doctors and nurses from all disciplines of trauma care in the British military. "Speciality-specific" KPI were developed by interest groups using evidence-based data where available and collective experience where this was lacking. In a final discussion these were streamlined into 60 KPI covering each phase of trauma management. The introduction of these KPI sets a number of important benchmarks by which British military trauma can be measured. As part of a performance improvement programme, these will allow closer monitoring of our performance and assist efforts to develop, train, and resource British military trauma providers.

Developing a Mass Casualty Surge Capacity Protocol for Emergency Medical Services to Use for Patient Distribution.

PubMed

Shartar, Samuel E; Moore, Brooks L; Wood, Lori M

2017-12-01

Metropolitan areas must be prepared to manage large numbers of casualties related to a major incident. Most US cities do not have adequate trauma center capacity to manage large-scale mass casualty incidents (MCIs). Creating surge capacity requires the distribution of casualties to hospitals that are not designated as trauma centers. Our objectives were to extrapolate MCI response research into operational objectives for MCI distribution plan development; formulate a patient distribution model based on research, hospital capacities, and resource availability; and design and disseminate a casualty distribution tool for use by emergency medical services (EMS) personnel to distribute patients to the appropriate level of care. Working with hospitals within the region, we refined emergency department surge capacity for MCIs and developed a prepopulated tool for EMS providers to use to distribute higher-acuity casualties to trauma centers and lower-acuity casualties to nontrauma hospitals. A mechanism to remove a hospital from the list of available resources, if it is overwhelmed with patients who self-transport to the location, also was put into place. The number of critically injured survivors from an MCI has proven to be consistent, averaging 7% to 10%. Moving critically injured patients to level 1 trauma centers can result in a 25% reduction in mortality, when compared with care at nontrauma hospitals. US cities face major gaps in the surge capacity needed to manage an MCI. Sixty percent of "walking wounded" casualties self-transport to the closest hospital(s) to the incident. Directing critically ill patients to designated trauma centers has the potential to reduce mortality associated with the event. When applied to MCI responses, damage-control principles reduce resource utilization and optimize surge capacity. A universal system for mass casualty triage was identified and incorporated into the region's EMS. Flagship regional coordinating hospitals were designated to coordinate the logistics of the disaster response of both trauma-designated and undesignated hospitals. Finally, a distribution tool was created to direct the flow of critically injured patients to trauma centers and redirect patients with lesser injuries to centers without trauma designation. The tool was distributed to local EMS personnel and validated in a series of tabletop and functional drills. These efforts demonstrate that a regional response to MCIs can be implemented in metropolitan areas under-resourced for trauma care.

Decision-Making in Management of the Complex Trauma Patient: Changing the Mindset of the non-trauma Surgeon.

PubMed

Sonesson, Linda; Boffard, Kenneth; Lundberg, Lars; Rydmark, Martin; Karlgren, Klas

2018-01-16

European surgeons are frequently subspecialized and trained primarily in elective surgical techniques. As trauma leaders, they may occasionally have to deal with complex polytrauma, advanced management techniques, differing priorities, and the need for multidisciplinary care. There is a lack of expertise, experience, and a low trauma volume, as well as a lack of research, with limited support as to the decision-making and teaching challenges present. We studied what experienced trauma experts describe as the challenges that are specific to the advanced surgical decision-making required, whether civilian, humanitarian, or military. Design-based research using combined methods including interviews, reviews of authentic trauma cases, and video-recorded resuscitations performed at a high-volume civilian academic trauma center. Several educational dilemmas were identified: (1) thinking physiologically, (2) the application of damage control resuscitation and surgery, (3) differing priorities and time management, (4) impact of environment, (5) managing limited resources, (6) lack of general surgical skills, (7) different cultural behavior, and (8) ethical issues. The challenges presented, and the educational domains identified, constitute a basis for improved development of education and training in complex surgical decision-making. This study contributes new knowledge about the mindset required for decision-making in patients with complex multisystem trauma and competing priorities of care. This is, especially important in countries having a low intensity of trauma in both military and civilian environments, and consequential limited skills, and lack of expertise. Guidelines focused on the same decision-making process, using virtual patients and blended learning, can be developed.

Effectiveness of educational poster on knowledge of emergency management of dental trauma--part 2: cluster randomised controlled trial for secondary school students.

PubMed

Young, Cecilia; Wong, Kin Yau; Cheung, Lim K

2014-01-01

To investigate the effectiveness of educational poster on improving secondary school students' knowledge of emergency management of dental trauma. A cluster randomised controlled trial was conducted. 16 schools with total 671 secondary students who can read Chinese or English were randomised into intervention (poster, 8 schools, 364 students) and control groups (8 schools, 305 students) at the school level. Baseline knowledge of dental trauma was obtained by a questionnaire. Poster containing information of dental trauma management was displayed in a classroom for 2 weeks in each school in the intervention group whereas in the control group there was no display of such posters. Students of both groups completed the same questionnaire after 2 weeks. Two-week display of posters improved the knowledge score by 1.25 (p-value = 0.0407) on average. Educational poster on dental trauma management significantly improved the level of knowledge of secondary school students in Hong Kong. HKClinicalTrial.com HKCTR-1343 ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01809457.

Management of paediatric liver trauma.

PubMed

van As, A B; Millar, Alastair J W

2017-04-01

Of all the intra-abdominal solid organs, the liver is the most vulnerable to blunt abdominal trauma. The majority of liver ruptures present in combination with other abdominal or extra-abdominal injuries. Over the last three decades, the management of blunt liver trauma has evolved from obligatory operative to non-operative management in over 90% of cases. Penetrating liver injuries more often require operative intervention and are managed according to adult protocols. The greatest clinical challenge remains the timely identification of the severely damaged liver with immediate and aggressive resuscitation and expedition to laparotomy. The operative management can be taxing and should ideally be performed in a dedicated paediatric surgical centre with experience in dealing with such trauma. Complications can occur early or late and include haemobilia, intrahepatic duct rupture with persistent biliary fistula, bilaemia, intrahepatic haematoma, post-traumatic cysts, vascular outflow obstruction, and gallstones. The prognosis is generally excellent.

The Santa Monica crash: an urban multicasualty event.

PubMed

McGory, Marcia; Cryer, H Gill; Chandler, Charles; Cohen, Marilyn; Hiatt, Jonathan R

2004-10-01

Mass casualty events provide dramatic challenges for trauma centers and trauma systems. We analyzed the management of victims and assessed the response of the UCLA Healthcare System to the Santa Monica multicasualty event of July 16, 2003, when an elderly man drove his car through a crowded outdoor market and injured 73 people, 10 of whom died (eight at the scene). Of the victims, 26 were treated at UCLA (n = 15) and Santa Monica (n = 11) Medical Centers. Fourteen patients (54%) were female; average age was 41.9 years (range 7 months to 88 years). Fifteen patients were treated in the ER only, and 11 patients required admission. Of the latter, 10 (91%) had multisystem injuries, most commonly musculoskeletal, which occurred in nine patients (82%). Seven patients required immediate operations (orthopedic in six and a pericardial window in one). Three patients required delayed operations (orthopedic and plastic surgery). Most surgical and medical specialties were needed in consultation. Average LOH was 11.8 (range 2-23) days. Mean ISS was 21.2 (range 1-75). There were six complications (three early and three late) and one death from head injury. Seven patients (64%) required rehabilitation. We conclude that mass casualty victims have multisystem injuries of variable severity, which underscores the importance of trauma centers and trauma systems. The large trauma scene and particular need for orthopedic services were notable features of this event.

Understanding the burden and outcome of trauma care drives a new trauma systems model.

PubMed

Laing, G L; Skinner, D L; Bruce, J L; Aldous, C; Oosthuizen, G V; Clarke, D L

2014-07-01

The Pietermaritzburg Metropolitan Trauma Service (PMTS) attempts to provide care for a whole city and hence is referred to as a service rather than a center. As part of a multifaceted quality improvement program, the PMTS has developed and implemented a robust electronic surgical registry (ESR). This review of the first year's data from the ESR forms part of a situational analysis to assess the burden of trauma managed by the service and the quality of care delivered within the constraints of the available resources. Formal ethical approval was obtained prior to design and development of this study, and appropriate commercial software was sourced. The exercise of data capture was integrated into the process of service delivery and was accomplished at the endpoint of patient care. 12 months after implementation of the registry, the data were extracted and audited. A total of 2,733 patients were admitted over the 12 month study period. The average patient age was 28.3 years. There were 2,255 (82.5 %) male patients and 478 (17.5 %) female patients. The average monthly admission rate was 228 patients, with a peak of 354 admissions over the December period. The mean injury severity score (ISS) was 12 [interquartile range (IQR) 6.7-23.2]. A quarter (24.8 %) of all new emergency admissions had an ISS > 15. The average duration of stay for patients was 5.12 days (IQR 2.3-13.2 days). Some 2,432 (92.1 %) patients survived, and 208 (7.9 %) died. A total of 333 (13 %) patients required admission to either the intensive care unit (ICU) or the high dependency unit. From the city mortuary data a further 362 deaths were identified. These included 290 deaths that occurred on scene and 72 that occurred within Pietermaritzburg hospitals other than Greys and Edendale. The total trauma-related mortality for the entire city in 2012 was 570 (51 % on-scene deaths and 49 % in-hospital deaths). Blunt trauma accounted for 62 % of deaths. The PMTS treats a significant volume and spectrum of trauma. Despite significant resource limitations, we have managed to implement a functional and sustainable trauma service across multiple hospitals. We believe the major resource deficits limiting our service could be ameliorated by the development of an additional trauma facility, adequately equipped with dedicated trauma operating slates and trauma ICU beds. The adoption of our current model of trauma care came out of a need to work within our resource constraints, and it differs from the traditional model. Within the aforementioned limits, our data suggest that this model of delivering care is feasible, practical, and successful. Considering the universal burden of trauma and the all-too-common imbalance between resource demand and supply among many health-care institutions, it is our hope that this report will contribute to the ongoing academic debate around the topic of optimal systems of providing global trauma care.

Evolution of the operative management of colon trauma

PubMed Central

Sharpe, John P; Magnotti, Louis J; Fabian, Timothy C; Croce, Martin A

2017-01-01

For any trauma surgeon, colon wounds remain a relatively common, yet sometimes challenging, clinical problem. Evolution in operative technique and improvements in antimicrobial therapy during the past two centuries have brought remarkable improvements in both morbidity and mortality after injury to the colon. Much of the early progress in management and patient survival after colon trauma evolved from wartime experience. Multiple evidence-based studies during the last several decades have allowed for more aggressive management, with most wounds undergoing primary repair or resection and anastomosis with an acceptably low suture line failure rate. Despite the abundance of quality evidence regarding management of colon trauma obtained from both military and civilian experience, there remains some debate among institutions regarding management of specific injuries. This is especially true with respect to destructive wounds, injuries to the left colon, blunt colon trauma and those wounds requiring colonic discontinuity during an abbreviated laparotomy. Some programs have developed data-driven protocols that have simplified management of destructive colon wounds, clearly identifying those high-risk patients who should undergo diversion, regardless of mechanism or anatomic location. This update will describe the progression in the approach to colon injuries through history while providing a current review of the literature regarding management of the more controversial wounds.

Evolution of the operative management of colon trauma.

PubMed

Sharpe, John P; Magnotti, Louis J; Fabian, Timothy C; Croce, Martin A

2017-01-01

For any trauma surgeon, colon wounds remain a relatively common, yet sometimes challenging, clinical problem. Evolution in operative technique and improvements in antimicrobial therapy during the past two centuries have brought remarkable improvements in both morbidity and mortality after injury to the colon. Much of the early progress in management and patient survival after colon trauma evolved from wartime experience. Multiple evidence-based studies during the last several decades have allowed for more aggressive management, with most wounds undergoing primary repair or resection and anastomosis with an acceptably low suture line failure rate. Despite the abundance of quality evidence regarding management of colon trauma obtained from both military and civilian experience, there remains some debate among institutions regarding management of specific injuries. This is especially true with respect to destructive wounds, injuries to the left colon, blunt colon trauma and those wounds requiring colonic discontinuity during an abbreviated laparotomy. Some programs have developed data-driven protocols that have simplified management of destructive colon wounds, clearly identifying those high-risk patients who should undergo diversion, regardless of mechanism or anatomic location. This update will describe the progression in the approach to colon injuries through history while providing a current review of the literature regarding management of the more controversial wounds.

Assessment, prevention and management of skin tears.

PubMed

Benbow, Maureen

2017-04-28

Skin tears are common in older people. They are acute wounds that are at high risk of becoming complex, chronic wounds due to the interplay between the physiological changes in the skin and trauma from the external environment. Skin tears have been reported to have prevalence rates equal to, or greater than, those for pressure ulcers. A comprehensive risk assessment should include assessment of the individual's general health (chronic/critical disease, polypharmacy and cognitive, sensory and nutritional status); mobility (history of falls, impaired mobility, dependent activities of daily living, and mechanical trauma); and skin (extremes of age, fragile skin and previous skin tears). A recognised classification system should be used to identify and document skin tears and guide treatment decisions in line with local wound management protocols. Nurses and carers are in a prime position to prevent, assess and manage skin tears.

Management Issues in Critically Ill Pediatric Patients with Trauma.

PubMed

Ahmed, Omar Z; Burd, Randall S

2017-10-01

The management of critically ill pediatric patients with trauma poses many challenges because of the infrequency and diversity of severe injuries and a paucity of high-level evidence to guide care for these uncommon events. This article discusses recent recommendations for early resuscitation and blood component therapy for hypovolemic pediatric patients with trauma. It also highlights the specific types of injuries that lead to severe injury in children and presents challenges related to their management. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Reliability of trauma management videos on YouTube and their compliance with ATLS® (9th edition) guideline.

PubMed

Şaşmaz, M I; Akça, A H

2017-06-01

In this study, the reliability of trauma management scenario videos (in English) on YouTube and their compliance with Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS ® ) guidelines were investigated. The search was conducted on February 15, 2016 by using the terms "assessment of trauma" and ''management of trauma''. All videos that were uploaded between January 2011 and June 2016 were viewed by two experienced emergency physicians. The data regarding the date of upload, the type of the uploader, duration of the video and view counts were recorded. The videos were categorized according to the video source and scores. The search results yielded 880 videos. Eight hundred and thirteen videos were excluded by the researchers. The distribution of videos by years was found to be balanced. The scores of videos uploaded by an institution were determined to be higher compared to other groups (p = 0.003). The findings of this study display that trauma management videos on YouTube in the majority of cases are not reliable/compliant with ATLS-guidelines and can therefore not be recommended for educational purposes. These data may only be used in public education after making necessary arrangements.

The Equine Neonatal Cardiovascular System in Health and Disease.

PubMed

Marr, Celia M

2015-12-01

The neonatal foal is in a transitional state from prenatal to postnatal circulation. Healthy newborn foals often have cardiac murmurs and dysrhythmias, which are usually transient and of little clinical significance. The neonatal foal is prone to infection and cardiac trauma. Echocardiography is the main tool used for valuation of the cardiovascular system. With prompt identification and appropriate action, dysrhythmias and other sequel to cardiac trauma can be corrected. With infection, the management and prognosis are driven by concurrent sepsis. Congenital disease represents an interesting diagnostic challenge for the neonatologist, but surgical correction is not appropriate for most equids. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Telemedicine in acute plastic surgical trauma and burns.

PubMed Central

Jones, S. M.; Milroy, C.; Pickford, M. A.

2004-01-01

BACKGROUND: Telemedicine is a relatively new development within the UK, but is increasingly useful in many areas of medicine including plastic surgery. Plastic surgery centres often work on a hub-and-spoke basis with many district hospitals referring to one tertiary centre. The Queen Victoria Hospital is one such centre receiving calls from more than 28 hospitals in the Southeast of England resulting in approximately 20 referrals a day. OBJECTIVE: A telemedicine system was developed to improve trauma management. This study was designed to establish whether digital images were sufficiently accurate enough to aid decision-making. A store-and-forward telemedicine system was devised and the images of 150 trauma referrals evaluated in terms of injury severity and operative priority by each member of the plastic surgical team. RESULTS: Correlation scores for assessed images were high. Accuracy of "transmitted image" in comparison to injury on examination scored > 97%. Operative priority scores tended to be higher than injury severity. CONCLUSIONS: Telemedicine is an accurate method by which to transfer information on plastic surgical trauma including burns. PMID:15239862

Report of a rare case of trauma-induced thyroid storm.

PubMed

Vora, Neil M; Fedok, Fred; Stack, Brendan C

2002-08-01

Thyroid storm is a potentially life-threatening endocrinologic emergency characterized by an exacerbation of a hyperthyroid state. Several inciting factors can instigate the conversion of thyrotoxicosis to thyroid storm; trauma is one such trigger, but it is rare. Patients with thyroid storm can manifest fever, nervous system disorders, gastrointestinal or hepatic dysfunction (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and/or jaundice), and arrhythmia and other cardiovascular abnormalities. Treatment of thyroid storm is multimodal and is best managed by the endocrinologist and medical intensivist. Initial medical and supportive therapies are directed at stabilizing the patient, correcting the hyperthyroid state, managing the systemic decompensation, and treating the underlying cause. Once this has been achieved, definitive treatment in the form of radioactive ablation or surgery should be undertaken. We describe a case of thyroid storm in a young man that was precipitated by a motor vehicle accident.

Management of Traumatic Liver and Bile Duct Laceration.

PubMed

Tiwari, Charu; Shah, Hemanshi; Waghmare, Mukta; Khedkar, Kiran; Dwivedi, Pankaj

2017-01-01

Posttraumatic major bile leak in children is uncommon, with few cases reported in the literature. These injuries are seen in high-grade liver trauma and are difficult to diagnose and manage. We describe a 7-year-old boy with grade IV hepatic trauma and bile leak following blunt abdominal trauma. The leak was successfully managed by percutaneous drainage and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) stenting of the injured hepatic duct. How to cite this article: Tiwari C, Shah H, Waghmare M, Khedkar K, Dwivedi P. Management of Traumatic Liver and Bile Duct Laceration. Euroasian J Hepato-Gastroenterol 2017;7(2):188-190.

[Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) in the emergency room. Is it suitable as an SOP?].

PubMed

Shafizadeh, S; Tjardes, T; Steinhausen, E; Balke, M; Paffrath, T; Bouillon, B; Bäthis, H

2010-08-01

There is clinical evidence that a standardized management of trauma patients in the emergency room improves outcome. ATLS is a training course that teaches a systematic approach to the trauma patient in the emergency room. The aims are a rapid and accurate assessment of the patient's physiologic status, treatment according to priorities, and making decisions on whether the local resources are sufficient for adequate definitive treatment of the patient or if transfer to a trauma center is necessary. Above all it is important to prevent secondary injury, to realize timing as a relevant factor in the initial treatment, and to assure a high standard of care. A standard operating procedure (SOP) exactly regulates the approach to trauma patients and determines the responsibilities of the involved faculties. An SOP moreover incorporates the organizational structure in the treatment of trauma patients as well as the necessary technical equipment and staff requirements. To optimize process and result quality, priorities are in the fields of medical fundamentals of trauma care, education, and fault management. SOPs and training courses increase the process and result quality in the treatment of the trauma patient in the emergency room. These programs should be based on the special demands of the physiology of the trauma as well as the structural specifics of the hospital. ATLS does not equal an SOP but it qualifies as a standardized concept for management of trauma patients in the emergency room.

Dental trauma management awareness among primary school teachers in the Emirate of Ajman, United Arab Emirates.

PubMed

Hashim, R

2011-06-01

To assess, by means of self-administered structured questionnaire, the level of knowledge of primary schools teachers in Ajman with regards to the immediate emergency management of dental trauma. The questionnaire was sent to teachers in randomly selected primary schools in Ajman. A total of 161 teachers responded (response rate 84.4%). The questionnaire surveyed teachers' background, knowledge and management of tooth fracture, avulsion, and also investigated teachers' attitudes and self-assessed knowledge. Ninety-one percent of the teachers were females, 51.6% in their thirties and 61.5% had university qualification. Fifty teachers had received formal first aid training, and only thirteen of them recalled that they had received training on the management of dental trauma. Concerning the management of tooth fracture, 138 respondents (85.8%) gave the appropriate management for fractured tooth. One hundred twenty-one (75%) of the respondents indicated that is very urgent to seek professional assistance if a permanent tooth is avulsed, but they had little knowledge on the correct media for transporting the avulsed tooth. Most teaches were unsatisfied with their level of knowledge for dental trauma and the majority were interested in having further education on the topic. The findings revealed that the level of knowledge of management of dental trauma (especially tooth avulsion) among school teachers in Ajman is inadequate, and education campaigns are necessary to improve their emergency management of dental injuries.

Tram-related trauma in Melbourne, Victoria.

PubMed

Mitra, Biswadev; Al Jubair, Jubair; Cameron, Peter A; Gabbe, Belinda J

2010-08-01

To establish the incidence and pattern of injuries in patients presenting to hospital with tram-related injuries. Data on tram-related injury pertaining to 2001-2008 calendar years were extracted from three datasets: the population-based Victorian State Trauma Registry for major trauma cases, the Victorian Emergency Minimum Dataset for ED presentations and the National Coroners' Information System for deaths. Incidence rates adjusted for the population of Melbourne, and trends in the incidence of tram-related ED presentations and major trauma cases, were analysed and presented as incidence rate ratios (IRR). There were 1769 patients who presented to ED after trauma related to trams in Melbourne during the study period. Of these, 107 patients had injuries classified as major trauma. There was a significant increase in the rate of ED presentations (IRR 1.03, P = 0.010) with falls (46%) the most commonly reported mechanism. Most falls occurred inside the trams. There was also a significant increase in the incidence rates of major trauma cases (IRR 1.12, P = 0.006) with pedestrians accounting for most major trauma cases. Most cases of trauma related to trams have minor injuries and are discharged following ED management. Primary prevention of falls in trams and the separation of pedestrians from trams are key areas requiring immediate improvement. In the face of increasing trauma associated with trams, continuing safety surveillance and targeted public safety messages are important to sustain trams as safe and effective mode of transport.

Successful management of severe blunt hepatic trauma by angiographic embolization.

PubMed

Kanakis, Meletios A; Thomas, Theodoros; Martinakis, Vassilios G; Brountzos, Elias; Varsamidakis, Nicholas

2012-12-01

We present the case of an 18-year-old female with severe liver trauma after a motorcycle accident. Due to initial hemodynamic instability, fluid resuscitation and transfusion of two units of red packed cells was required. After stabilization, a CT scan was performed, showing grade V liver injuries according to the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma grading system. Angiography revealed multiple extravasations during the early arterial phase, as well as active extravasation from the proximal left hepatic artery in the late arterial phase. The patient was successfully treated by arterial embolization using metal microcoils, after which no further need for blood transfusion ensued. This report highlights that, in carefully selected cases, arterial embolization can improve the clinical condition of patients, reduce the need for blood transfusion and lessen the possibility of an operation, even if severe liver trauma has ensued.

[Management of pediatric multiple trauma patients. Perspective of the pediatric intensive care unit].

PubMed

Carreras González, E; Rey Galán, C; Concha Torre, A; Cañadas Palaz, S; Serrano González, A; Cambra Lasaosa, F J

2007-08-01

To study the epidemiology and management of pediatric trauma patients as well as the organizational, human and technical resources dedicated to these children from the perspective of the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). A standardized data collection form was sent to 43 PICUs in Spain. Items inquired about the existence of training courses, trauma clinical practice guidelines and trauma registers, and which physician was in charge of trauma patients. Data on casuistics, the age of trauma patients, and the availability of human and technical resources, were also recorded. Twenty-four PICUs completed the questionnaire. The PICU physician was responsible for trauma patient care in 66% of the hospitals. No training courses were available in 59% of the hospitals. No trauma register was available in 62% of the hospitals. Trauma patients represented 11% of PICU admissions, and most patients were aged up to 14 years old. An anesthetist was always at the hospital in 100% of the hospitals. A radiologist and traumatologist were always at the hospital in 91%, a neurosurgeon in 66% and a pediatric surgeon in 50%. The remaining surgical and medical specialties were on call. Continuous intracranial pressure monitoring was available in 87% of the PICUs, jugular venous saturation monitoring in 54% and continuous electroencephalogram and transcranial Doppler ultrasound in 50%. Computed tomography and ultrasound were available at all times in all hospitals. Magnetic nuclear resonance and echocardiography were available at all times in 44% of the hospitals, and arteriography in 42%. In Spain, the organization of pediatric trauma management is based on pediatric teams under the supervision of a PICU physician. Some hospitals show a lack of technical and human resources. Therefore, the minimum criteria required to consider a hospital as a pediatric trauma center should be established. Trauma training courses are required.

Emergency CT for assessment and management of blunt traumatic splenic injuries at a Level 1 Trauma Center: 13-year study.

PubMed

Margari, Sergio; Garozzo Velloni, Fernanda; Tonolini, Massimo; Colombo, Ettore; Artioli, Diana; Allievi, Niccolò Ettore; Sammartano, Fabrizio; Chiara, Osvaldo; Vanzulli, Angelo

2018-05-12

To determine the relationship between multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) findings, management strategies, and ultimate clinical outcomes in patients with splenic injuries secondary to blunt trauma. This Institutional Review Board-approved study collected 351 consecutive patients admitted at the Emergency Department (ED) of a Level I Trauma Center with blunt splenic trauma between October 2002 and November 2015. Their MDCT studies were retrospectively and independently reviewed by two radiologists to grade splenic injuries according to the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) organ injury scale (OIS) and to detect intraparenchymal (type A) or extraparenchymal (type B) active bleeding and/or contained vascular injuries (CVI). Clinical data, information on management, and outcome were retrieved from the hospital database. Statistical analysis relied on Student's t, chi-squared, and Cohen's kappa tests. Emergency multiphase MDCT was obtained in 263 hemodynamically stable patients. Interobserver agreement for both AAST grading of injuries and vascular lesions was excellent (k = 0.77). Operative management (OM) was performed in 160 patients (45.58% of the whole cohort), and high-grade (IV and V) OIS injuries and type B bleeding were statistically significant (p < 0.05) predictors of OM. Nonoperative management (NOM) failed in 23 patients out of 191 (12.04%). In 75% of them, NOM failure occurred within 30 h from the trauma event, without significant increase of mortality. Both intraparenchymal and extraparenchymal active bleeding were predictive of NOM failure (p < 0.05). Providing detection and characterization of parenchymal and vascular traumatic lesions, MDCT plays a crucial role for safe and appropriate guidance of ED management of splenic traumas and contributes to the shift toward NOM in hemodynamically stable patients.

Trauma center variation in the management of pediatric patients with blunt abdominal solid organ injury: a national trauma data bank analysis.

PubMed

Safavi, Arash; Skarsgard, Erik D; Rhee, Peter; Zangbar, Bardiya; Kulvatunyou, Narong; Tang, Andrew; O'Keeffe, Terence; Friese, Randall S; Joseph, Bellal

2016-03-01

Nonoperative management of hemodynamically stable children with Solid Organ Injury (SOI) has become standard of care. The aim of this study is to identify differences in management of children with SOI treated at Adult Trauma Centers (ATC) versus Pediatric Trauma Centers (PTC). We hypothesized that patients treated at ATC would undergo more procedures than PTC. Patients younger than 18 years old with isolated SOI (spleen, liver, kidney) who were treated at level I-II ATC or PTC were identified from the 2011-2012 National Trauma Data Bank. The primary outcome measure was the incidence of operative management. Data was analyzed using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Procedures were defined as surgery or transarterial embolization (TAE). 6799 children with SOI (spleen: 2375, liver: 2867, kidney: 1557) were included. Spleen surgery was performed more frequently at ATC than PTC {101 (7.7%) vs. 52 (4.9%); P=0.007}. After adjusting for potential confounders (grade of injury, age, gender and injury severity score), admission at ATC was associated with higher odds of splenic surgery (OR: 1.5, 95% CI: 1.02-2.25; p=0.03). 11 and 8 children underwent kidney and liver operations respectively. TAE was performed in 17 patients with splenic, 34 with liver and 14 with kidney trauma. There was no practice variation between ATC and PTC regarding kidney and liver operations or TAE incidence. Operative management for SOI was more often performed at ATC. The presence of significant disparity in the management of children with splenic injuries justifies efforts to use these surgeries as a reported national quality indicator for trauma programs. Published by Elsevier Inc.

How formative courses about damage control surgery and non-operative management improved outcome and survival in unstable politrauma patients in a Mountain Trauma Center.

PubMed

Bellanova, Giovanni; Buccelletti, Francesco; Berletti, Riccardo; Cavana, Marco; Folgheraiter, Giorgio; Groppo, Francesca; Marchetti, Chiara; Marzano, Amelia; Massè, Alessandro; Musetti, Antonio; Pelanda, Tina; Ricci, Nicola; Tugnoli, Gregorio; Papadia, Damiano; Ramponi, Claudio

2016-01-01

Aim of this study is to analyze how the starting of Course of Trauma in our hospital improved survival and organization in management of polytraumatized patients. We analysed all major trauma patients (Injury Severity Score (Injury Severity Score (ISS)> 15) treated at Emergency Department of the Santa Chiara Hospital between January 2011 and December 2014. The training courses (TC) were named "management of polytrauma" (MP) and "clinical cases discussion" (CCD), and started in November 2013. We divided the patients between two groups: before November 2013 (pre-TC group) and after November 2013 (post-TC group). MTG's courses (EMC accredited), CCD and MP courses started in November 2013. The target of these courses was the multidisciplinary management of polytrauma patient; the courses were addressed to general surgeons, anaesthesiologists, radiologists, orthopaedics and emergency physicians. Respectively 110 and 78 doctors were formed in CCD's and MP's courses. Patients directly transported to our trauma centre rose from 67.5% to 83% (p<0,005), and E-FAST grew from 15.6% in the pre-TC group to 51.3% in the post-TC group. Time of access in operatory theatre decreased from 62 to 44 minutes. Early Mortality (within 48 hours from the hospital arrival) was 9% in the pre-TC group and 4.5% in the post-tc group (p<0.005). Be needed to complete our goal. Further analysis and possible comparison with other trauma centers be needed to complete our goal Our results show that in our experience the multidisciplinary approach to polytrauma patients increased early survival and improved outcome with an evidence of worker's satisfaction. However, the best practice would ask to start with the approval of procedures and guidelines by the hospital governance, followed by clinical practice changes, in order to create a dedicated emergency and trauma surgery group. Damage Control Surgery, Non Operative Management, Trauma Course, Trauma Team, Trauma Center.

Defining and Measuring Decision-Making for the Management of Trauma Patients.

PubMed

Madani, Amin; Gips, Amanda; Razek, Tarek; Deckelbaum, Dan L; Mulder, David S; Grushka, Jeremy R

Effective management of trauma patients is heavily dependent on sound judgment and decision-making. Yet, current methods for training and assessing these advanced cognitive skills are subjective, lack standardization, and are prone to error. This qualitative study aims to define and characterize the cognitive and interpersonal competencies required to optimally manage injured patients. Cognitive and hierarchical task analyses for managing unstable trauma patients were performed using qualitative methods to map the thoughts, behaviors, and practices that characterize expert performance. Trauma team leaders and board-certified trauma surgeons participated in semistructured interviews that were transcribed verbatim. Data were supplemented with content from published literature and prospectively collected field notes from observations of the trauma team during trauma activations. The data were coded and analyzed using grounded theory by 2 independent reviewers. A framework was created based on 14 interviews with experts (lasting 1-2 hours each), 35 field observations (20 [57%] blunt; 15 [43%] penetrating; median Injury Severity Score 20 [13-25]), and 15 literary sources. Experts included 11 trauma surgeons and 3 emergency physicians from 7 Level 1 academic institutions in North America (median years in practice: 12 [8-17]). Twenty-nine competencies were identified, including 17 (59%) related to situation awareness, 6 (21%) involving decision-making, and 6 (21%) requiring interpersonal skills. Of 40 potential errors that were identified, root causes were mapped to errors in situation awareness (20 [50%]), decision-making (10 [25%]), or interpersonal skills (10 [25%]). This study defines cognitive and interpersonal competencies that are essential for the management of trauma patients. This framework may serve as the basis for novel curricula to train and assess decision-making skills, and to develop quality-control metrics to improve team and individual performance. Copyright © 2017 Association of Program Directors in Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The Effect of Perioperative Rescue Transesophageal Echocardiography on the Management of Trauma Patients

PubMed Central

Griffee, Matthew J.; Singleton, Andrew; Zimmerman, Joshua M.; Morgan, David E.; Nirula, Raminder

2018-01-01

To evaluate the effect of rescue transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) on the management of trauma patients, we reviewed imaging and charts of unstable trauma patients at a level I trauma center. Critical rescue TEE findings included acute right ventricular failure, stress cardiomyopathy, type B aortic dissection, mediastinal air, and dynamic left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. Left ventricular filling was classified as low (underfilled) in 57% of all cases. Rescue TEE revealed a variety of new diagnoses and led to a change in resuscitation strategy about half of the time. PMID:27301053

The management of pancreatic trauma in the modern era.

PubMed

Subramanian, Anuradha; Dente, Christopher J; Feliciano, David V

2007-12-01

Pancreatic trauma presents challenging diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas to trauma surgeons. Injuries to the pancreas have been associated with reported morbidity rates approaching 45%. If treatment is delayed, these rates may increase to 60%. The integrity of the main pancreatic duct is the most important determinant of outcome after injury to the pancreas. Undiagnosed ductal disruptions produce secondary infections, fistulas, fluid collections, and prolonged stays in the intensive care unit and hospital. This article analyzes the epidemiology, diagnostic approaches, options for nonoperative and operative management, and outcome after blunt and penetrating pancreatic trauma.

Revolutionizing Child Welfare with Outcomes Management

PubMed Central

Toche-Manley, Linda L.; Dietzen, Laura; Nankin, Jesse; Beigel, Astrid

2013-01-01

Outcomes management technology holds great promise for improving the quality of services provided to youth in the child welfare system. Advantages include better detection of behavioral health and trauma-related issues, early indicators of case progress or risk of failure and program- and system-level learning. Yet organizational barriers to implementation persist. Attention is spent in this paper on addressing these barriers so the use of outcomes management technology becomes a common practice. A model for predicting resiliency is presented, along with case examples demonstrating its potential use for treatment planning and monitoring progress. PMID:23460130

Evaluation of leadership skills during the simulation education course for the initial management of blunt trauma.

PubMed

Schott, Eric; Brautigam, Robert T; Smola, Jacqueline; Burns, Karyl J

2012-04-01

Leadership skills of senior residents, trauma fellows, and a nurse practitioner were assessed during simulation training for the initial management of blunt trauma. This was a pilot, observational study, that in addition to skill development and assessment also sought to determine the need for a dedicated leadership training course for surgical residents. The study evaluated the leadership skills and adherence to Advance Trauma Life Support (ATLS) guidelines of the team leaders during simulation training. The team leaders' performances on criteria regarding prearrival planning, critical actions based on ATLS, injury identification, patient management, and communication were evaluated for each of five blunt-trauma scenarios. Although there was a statistically significant increase in leadership skills for performing ATLS critical actions, P < 0.05, there were 10 adverse events. A structured simulation program dedicated to developing skills for team leadership willbe a worthwhile endeavor at our institution.

A national survey of evolving management patterns for vascular injury.

PubMed

Burkhardt, Gabriel E; Rasmussen, Todd E; Propper, Brandon W; Lopez, Peter L; Gifford, Shaun M; Clouse, W Darrin

2009-01-01

The modern era has witnessed an increase in endovascular techniques used by physicians to treat vascular injury and age-related disease. As a consequence, the number of open vascular operations available for general surgical education has decreased dramatically. This changing paradigm threatens competence in vascular injury management achieved during surgical residency. The objective of this study is to sample perceptions on vascular injury treatment in the United States to highlight the need for planning for this important tenet of surgical education. An electronic survey was extended to board-certified surgeons through 3 professional societies, the Peripheral Vascular Surgery Society (PVSS), the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma (EAST), and the American College of Surgeons (ACS). A total of 520 respondents were self-categorized as trauma (59%; n = 307), vascular (17%; n = 90), or general (19%; n = 99) surgeons. Respondents reported that general surgeons currently manage less than 10% of vascular injuries at their respective institutions. A 2.5-fold increase in endovascular treatment of vascular injury during the past decade was reported with interventional radiologists now involved in the management of up to 25% of injuries. Few general or trauma surgeons surveyed possessed a catheter-based skill set, although 38% of trauma surgeons expressed great interest in endovascular training. Additionally, a cadre of vascular surgeons (67%) affirmed a commitment to teaching vascular injury management. The results of this study confirm a diminished role for non-fellowship-trained surgeons in managing vascular injury. Despite an increased acceptance of endovascular techniques to manage trauma, general and trauma surgeons do not possess the skill set. Collaboration between surgical communities will be especially important to maintain high standards in vascular injury management.

[Endovascular interventions for multiple trauma].

PubMed

Kinstner, C; Funovics, M

2014-09-01

In recent years interventional radiology has significantly changed the management of injured patients with multiple trauma. Currently nearly all vessels can be reached within a reasonably short time with the help of specially preshaped catheters and guide wires to achieve bleeding control of arterial und venous bleeding. Whereas bleeding control formerly required extensive open surgery, current interventional methods allow temporary vessel occlusion (occlusion balloons), permanent embolization and stenting. In injured patients with multiple trauma preinterventional procedural planning is performed with the help of multidetector computed tomography whenever possible. Interventional radiology not only allows minimization of therapeutic trauma but also a considerably shorter treatment time. Interventional bleeding control has developed into a standard method in the management of vascular trauma of the chest and abdomen as well as in vascular injuries of the upper and lower extremities when open surgical access is associated with increased risk. Additionally, pelvic trauma, vascular trauma of the superior thoracic aperture and parenchymal arterial lacerations of organs that can be at least partially preserved are primarily managed by interventional methods. In an interdisciplinary setting interventional radiology provides a safe and efficient means of rapid bleeding control in nearly all vascular territories in addition to open surgical access.

Management of pericardial fluid in blunt trauma: variability in practice and predictors of operative outcome in patients with computed tomography evidence of pericardial fluid

PubMed Central

Witt, Cordelie E.; Linnau, Ken F.; Maier, Ronald V.; Rivara, Frederick P.; Vavilala, Monica S.; Bulger, Eileen M.; Arbabi, Saman

2017-01-01

Background The objectives of this study were to assess current variability in management preferences for blunt trauma patients with pericardial fluid, and to identify characteristics associated with operative intervention for patients with pericardial fluid on admission computed tomography (CT) scan. Methods This was a mixed-methods study of blunt trauma patients with pericardial fluid. The first portion was a research survey of members of the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma conducted in 2016, in which surgeons were presented with four clinical scenarios of blunt trauma patients with pericardial fluid. The second portion of the study was a retrospective evaluation of all blunt trauma patients ≥14 years treated at our Level I trauma center between 1/1/2010 and 11/1/2015 with pericardial fluid on admission CT scan. Results For the survey portion of our study, 393 surgeons responded (27% response rate). There was significant variability in management preferences for scenarios depicting trace pericardial fluid on CT with concerning hemodynamics, and for scenarios depicting hemopericardium intraoperatively. For the separate retrospective portion of our study, we identified 75 blunt trauma patients with pericardial fluid on admission CT scan. Seven underwent operative management; six of these had hypotension and/or electrocardiogram changes. In multivariable analysis, pericardial fluid amount was a significant predictor of receiving pericardial window (relative risk for one category increase in pericardial fluid amount: 3.99, 95% CI 1.47-10.81) but not of mortality. Conclusions There is significant variability in management preferences for patients with pericardial fluid from blunt trauma, indicating a need for evidence-based research. Our institutional data suggest that patients with minimal to small amounts of pericardial fluid without concerning clinical findings may be observed. Patients with moderate to large amounts of pericardial fluid who are clinically stable with normal hemodynamics may also appear appropriate for observation, although confirmation in larger studies is needed. Patients with hemodynamic instability should undergo operative exploration. Level of Evidence Level IV, Therapeutic/Care Management PMID:28129264

Historical and Current Trends in Colon Trauma

PubMed Central

Causey, Marlin Wayne; Rivadeneira, David E.; Steele, Scott R.

2012-01-01

The authors discuss the evolution of the evaluation and management of colonic trauma, as well as the debate regarding primary repair versus fecal diversion. Their evidence-based review covers diagnosis, management, surgical approaches, and perioperative care of patients with colon-related trauma. The management of traumatic colon injuries has evolved significantly over the past 50 years; here the authors describe a practical approach to the treatment and management of traumatic injuries to the colon based on the most current research. However, management of traumatic colon injuries remains a challenge and continues to be associated with significant morbidity. Familiarity with the different methods to the approach and management of colonic injuries will allow surgeons to minimize unnecessary complications and mortality. PMID:24294119

[The Academy of Trauma Surgery (AUC). Service provider and management organization of the DGU].

PubMed

Sturm, J A; Hoffmann, R

2016-02-01

At the beginning of this century the German Trauma Society (DGU) became extensively active with an initiative on quality promotion, development of quality assurance and transparency regarding treatment of the severely injured. A white book on "Medical care of the severely injured" was published, focusing on the requirements on structural quality and especially procedural quality. The impact of the white book was immense and a trauma network with approved trauma centers, structured and graded for their individual trauma care performance, was developed. In order to monitor and document the required quality of care, a registry was needed. Furthermore, for cooperation within the trauma networks innovative methods for digital transfer of radiological images and patient documents became necessary. Finally, the auditing criteria for trauma centers had and still have to be completed with advanced medical education and training programs. In order to realize the implementation of such a broad spectrum of economically relevant and increasingly complex activities the Academy of Trauma Surgery (AUC) was established as a subsidiary of the DGU in 2004. The AUC currently has four divisions: 1) networks and health care structures, 2) registries and research management, 3) telemedicine, 4) medical education and training, all of which serve the goal of the initiative. The AUC is a full service provider and management organization in compliance with the statutes of the DGU. According to these statutes the business operations of the AUC also cover projects for numerous groups of patients, projects for the joint society the German Society for Orthopedics and Trauma (DGOU) as well as other medical institutions. This article describes the success stories of the trauma network (TraumaNetzwerk DGU®), the TraumaRegister DGU®, the telecooperation platform TKmed®, the new and fast-growing orthogeriatric center initiative (AltersTraumaZentrum DGU®) and the division of medical education and training, e.g. advanced trauma life support (ATLS®) and other training programs including the innovative interpersonal competence (IC) course.

Pre-hospital and early in-hospital management of severe injuries: changes and trends.

PubMed

Hussmann, Bjoern; Lendemans, Sven

2014-10-01

The pre-hospital and early in-hospital management of most severely injured patients has dramatically changed over the last 20 years. In this context, the factor time has gained more and more attention, particularly in German-speaking countries. While the management in the early 1990s aimed at comprehensive and complete therapy at the accident site, the premise today is to stabilise trauma patients at the accident site and transfer them into the hospital rapidly. In addition, the introduction of training and education programmes such as Pre-hospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS(®)), Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS(®)) concept or the TEAM(®) concept has increased the quality of treatment of most severely injured trauma patients both in the preclinical field and in the emergency trauma room. Today, all emergency surgical procedures in severely injured patients are generally performed in accordance with the Damage Control Orthopaedics (DCO) principle. The advancements described in this article provide examples for the improved quality of the management of severely injured patients in the preclinical field and during the initial in-hospital treatment phase. The implementation of trauma networks, the release of the S3 polytrauma guidelines, and the DGU "Weißbuch" have contributed to a more structured management of most severely injured patients. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Using video recording to identify management errors in pediatric trauma resuscitation.

PubMed

Oakley, Ed; Stocker, Sergio; Staubli, Georg; Young, Simon

2006-03-01

To determine the ability of video recording to identify management errors in trauma resuscitation and to compare this method with medical record review. The resuscitation of children who presented to the emergency department of the Royal Children's Hospital between February 19, 2001, and August 18, 2002, for whom the trauma team was activated was video recorded. The tapes were analyzed, and management was compared with Advanced Trauma Life Support guidelines. Deviations from these guidelines were recorded as errors. Fifty video recordings were analyzed independently by 2 reviewers. Medical record review was undertaken for a cohort of the most seriously injured patients, and errors were identified. The errors detected with the 2 methods were compared. Ninety resuscitations were video recorded and analyzed. An average of 5.9 errors per resuscitation was identified with this method (range: 1-12 errors). Twenty-five children (28%) had an injury severity score of >11; there was an average of 2.16 errors per patient in this group. Only 10 (20%) of these errors were detected in the medical record review. Medical record review detected an additional 8 errors that were not evident on the video recordings. Concordance between independent reviewers was high, with 93% agreement. Video recording is more effective than medical record review in detecting management errors in pediatric trauma resuscitation. Management errors in pediatric trauma resuscitation are common and often involve basic resuscitation principles. Resuscitation of the most seriously injured children was associated with fewer errors. Video recording is a useful adjunct to trauma resuscitation auditing.

Knowledge and Attitudes of Elementary Schoolteachers on Dental Trauma and its Management in Yazd, Iran

PubMed Central

Attarzadeh, Hajar; Kebriaei, Fatemeh; Sadri, Leyli; Foroughi, Elnaz; Taghian, Mehdi

2017-01-01

Statement of the Problem: School is one of the places with the greatest prevalence of occurrence of traumatic dental injuries. Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge levels and attitudes of elementary school teachers towards dental trauma and its management. Materials and Method: In this cross-sectional study, 281 elementary school teachers were selected through cluster sampling to answer the prepared questionnaire. The data obtained from the questionnaires were analyzed in SPSS software by using ANOVA test and t-test. p Value<0.05 was considered to be significant. Results: The total knowledge and attitude were low and normal, respectively. No previous exposure to or close observation of a dental trauma was reported by 61.2% of teachers; while, 12.5% were trained on dental traumas first aid management. There was statistically significant relationship between the teacher’s knowledge and previous first aids training. Conclusion: The knowledge of schoolteachers on emergency management of dental trauma is poor. Therefore, it seems to be helpful to consider the management of dental injuries especially avulsed teeth as a part of teachers' education. PMID:29034277

The Canadian Forces trauma care system

PubMed Central

Tien, Homer

2011-01-01

According to the Trauma Association of Canada, a trauma system is a preplanned, organized and coordinated injury-control effort in a defined geographic area. An effective trauma system engages in comprehensive injury surveillance and prevention programs; delivers trauma care from the time of injury to recovery; engages in research, training and performance improvement; and establishes linkages with an all-hazards emergency preparedness program. To support Canada’s combat mission in Afghanistan, the Canadian Forces (CF) developed a comprehensive trauma system based around its trauma hospital — the Role 3 Multinational Medical Unit (R3MMU) at Kandahar Airfield. This article reviews the essential components of a modern trauma system, outlines the evidence that trauma systems improve care to injury victims and describes how the current CF trauma system was developed. PMID:22099323

Lightweight Trauma Module - LTM

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hatfield, Thomas

2008-01-01

Current patient movement items (PMI) supporting the military's Critical Care Air Transport Team (CCATT) mission as well as the Crew Health Care System for space (CHeCS) have significant limitations: size, weight, battery duration, and dated clinical technology. The LTM is a small, 20 lb., system integrating diagnostic and therapeutic clinical capabilities along with onboard data management, communication services and automated care algorithms to meet new Aeromedical Evacuation requirements. The Lightweight Trauma Module is an Impact Instrumentation, Inc. project with strong Industry, DoD, NASA, and Academia partnerships aimed at developing the next generation of smart and rugged critical care tools for hazardous environments ranging from the battlefield to space exploration. The LTM is a combination ventilator/critical care monitor/therapeutic system with integrated automatic control systems. Additional capabilities are provided with small external modules.

[Associated factors to non-operative management failure of hepatic and splenic lesions secondary to blunt abdominal trauma in children].

PubMed

Echavarria Medina, Adriana; Morales Uribe, Carlos Hernando; Echavarria R, Luis Guillermo; Vélez Marín, Viviana María; Martínez Montoya, Jorge Alberto; Aguillón, David Fernando

2017-01-01

The non operative management (NOM) is the standard management of splenic and liver blunt trauma in pediatric patients.Hemodynamic instability and massive transfusions have been identified as management failures. Few studies evaluate whether there exist factors allowing anticipation of these events. The objective was to identify factors associated with the failure of NOM in splenic and liver injuries for blunt abdominal trauma. Retrospective analysis between 2007-2015 of patients admitted to the pediatric surgery at University Hospital Saint Vincent Foundation with liver trauma and/or closed Spleen. 70 patients were admitted with blunt abdominal trauma, 3 were excluded for immediate surgery (2 hemodynamic instability, 1 peritoneal irritation). Of 67 patients who received NOM, 58 were successful and 9 showed failure (8 hemodynamic instability, 1 hollow viscera injury). We found 3 factors associated with failure NOM: blood pressure (BP) < 90 mmHg at admission (p = 0.0126; RR = 5.19), drop in hemoglobin (Hb) > 2 g/dl in the first 24 hours (p = 0.0009; RR = 15.3), and transfusion of 3 or more units of red blood cells (RBC) (0.00001; RR = 17.1). Mechanism and severity of trauma and Pediatric Trauma Index were not associated with failure NOM. Children with blunted hepatic or splenic trauma respond to NOM. Factors such as BP < 90 mmHg at admission, an Hb fall > 2 g/dl in the first 24 hours and transfusion of 3 or more units of RBC were associated with the failure in NOM.

Airway management in laryngotracheal injuries from blunt neck trauma in children.

PubMed

Chatterjee, Debnath; Agarwal, Rita; Bajaj, Lalit; Teng, Sarena N; Prager, Jeremy D

2016-02-01

Pediatric laryngotracheal injuries from blunt neck trauma are extremely rare, but can be potentially catastrophic. Early diagnosis and skillful airway management is critical in avoiding significant morbidity and mortality associated with these cases. We present a case of a patient who suffered a complete tracheal transection and cervical spine fracture following a clothesline injury to the anterior neck. A review of the mechanisms of injury, clinical presentation, initial airway management, and anesthetic considerations in laryngotracheal injuries from blunt neck trauma in children are presented. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Surveyed opinion of American trauma surgeons in management of colon injuries.

PubMed

Eshraghi, N; Mullins, R J; Mayberry, J C; Brand, D M; Crass, R A; Trunkey, D D

1998-01-01

Primary repair or resection and anastomosis of colon wounds have been advocated in many recent studies, but the proportion of trauma surgeons accepting these recommendations is unknown. To determine the current preferences of American trauma surgeons for colon injury management. Four hundred forty-nine members of the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma were surveyed regarding their preferred management of eight types of colon wounds among three options: diverting colostomy (DC), primary repair (PR), or resection and anastomosis (RA). The influence of selected patient factors and surgeons' characteristics on the choice of management was also surveyed. Seventy-three percent of surgeons completed the survey. Ninety-eight percent chose PR for at least one type of injury. Thirty percent never selected DC. High-velocity gunshot wound was the only injury for which the majority (54%) would perform DC. More than 55% of the surgeons favored RA when the isolated colon injury was a contusion with possible devascularization, laceration greater than 50% of the diameter, or transection. Surgeons who managed five or fewer colon wounds per year chose DC more frequently (p < 0.001) and PR less frequently (p < 0.001) than surgeons who managed six or more colon wounds per year. The prevailing opinion of trauma surgeons favors primary repair or resection of colon injuries, including anastomosis of unprepared bowel. Surgeons who manage fewer colon wounds prefer colostomy more frequently.

Effectiveness of Educational Poster on Knowledge of Emergency Management of Dental Trauma - Part 2: Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial for Secondary School Students

PubMed Central

Young, Cecilia; Wong, Kin Yau; Cheung, Lim K.

2014-01-01

Objective To investigate the effectiveness of educational poster on improving secondary school students' knowledge of emergency management of dental trauma. Methods A cluster randomised controlled trial was conducted. 16 schools with total 671 secondary students who can read Chinese or English were randomised into intervention (poster, 8 schools, 364 students) and control groups (8 schools, 305 students) at the school level. Baseline knowledge of dental trauma was obtained by a questionnaire. Poster containing information of dental trauma management was displayed in a classroom for 2 weeks in each school in the intervention group whereas in the control group there was no display of such posters. Students of both groups completed the same questionnarie after 2 weeks. Results Two-week display of posters improved the knowledge score by 1.25 (p-value = 0.0407) on average. Conclusion Educational poster on dental trauma management significantly improved the level of knowledge of secondary school students in Hong Kong. Trial Registration HKClinicalTrial.com HKCTR-1343 ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01809457 PMID:25093728

Childhood trauma and resilience in psoriatic patients: A preliminary report.

PubMed

Crosta, Maria Luigia; De Simone, Clara; Di Pietro, Salvatore; Acanfora, Mariateresa; Caldarola, Giacomo; Moccia, Lorenzo; Callea, Antonino; Panaccione, Isabella; Peris, Ketty; Rinaldi, Lucio; Janiri, Luigi; Di Nicola, Marco

2018-03-01

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with a complex etiology, involving the immune system, genetic factors, and external/internal triggers, with psychosomatic aspects. The aim of the study was to investigate childhood trauma and resilience in a psoriatic sample compared with healthy controls. Correlations between childhood trauma, resilience, quality of life, clinical data and psoriatic features were also evaluated. Seventy-seven psoriatic patients and seventy-six homogeneous healthy controls were enrolled. We used the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) to assess the severity of psoriasis and the Skindex-29 to measure health-related quality of life. The psychometric battery included the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-Risc) to assess trauma exposure and resilience, respectively. Psoriatic patients showed a significant prevalence of childhood trauma and a lower resilience level compared to healthy controls. Associations between traumatic experiences, low resilience and reduced quality of life in psoriatic subjects were also observed. A multidisciplinary approach is helpful to investigate clinical aspects, trigger factors and psychophysiological stress response in psoriatic subjects. Improving resilience with an early psychological intervention focused on self-motivation and strengthening of self-efficacy could facilitate the management of psoriasis. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A review of the management of blunt splenic trauma in England and Wales: have regional trauma networks influenced management strategies and outcomes?

PubMed Central

Hall, C; Pearce, L; Bouamra, O; Jenks, T; Scrimshire, AB; Hughes, J; Lecky, F; Macdonald, ADH

2017-01-01

INTRODUCTION The spleen remains one of the most frequently injured organs following blunt abdominal trauma. In 2012, regional trauma networks were launched across England and Wales with the aim of improving outcomes following trauma. This retrospective cohort study investigated the management and outcomes of blunt splenic injuries before and after the establishment of regional trauma networks. METHODS A dataset was drawn from the Trauma Audit Research Network database of all splenic injuries admitted to English and Welsh hospitals from 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2014. Demographic data, injury severity, treatment modalities and outcomes were collected. Management and outcomes were compared before and after the launch of regional trauma networks. RESULTS There were 1457 blunt splenic injuries: 575 between 2010 and 2012 and 882 in 2012–14. Following the introduction of the regional trauma networks, use of splenic artery embolotherapy increased from 3.5% to 7.6% (P = 0.001) and splenectomy rates decreased from 20% to 14.85% (P = 0.012). Significantly more patients with polytrauma and blunt splenic injury were treated with splenic embolotherapy following 2012 (61.2% vs. 30%, P < 0.0001). Increasing age, injury severity score, polytrauma and Charlson Comorbidity Index above 10 were predictors of increased mortality (P < 0.001). Increasing systolic blood pressure (odds ratio, OR, 0.757, 95% confidence interval, CI, 0.716–0.8) and Glasgow Coma Scale (OR 0.988, 95% CI 0.982–0.995) were protective. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates a reduction in splenectomy rate and an increased use of splenic artery embolotherapy since the introduction of the regional trauma networks. This may have resulted from improved access to specialist services and reduced practice variation since the establishment of these networks. PMID:27791418

77 FR 61615 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-10-10

... addressing trauma. Trauma screening matched with trauma-specific therapies such as exposure therapy or trauma-focused cognitive behavioral approaches should be adopted to ensure that treatments meet the needs of... includes non-residential (e.g., wraparound service planning, intensive care management, outpatient therapy...

Permissive hypotension in bleeding trauma patients: helpful or not and when?

PubMed

Gourgiotis, Stavros; Gemenetzis, George; Kocher, Hemant M; Aloizos, Stavros; Salemis, Nikolaos S; Grammenos, Stylianos

2013-12-01

Severity of hemorrhage and rate of bleeding are fundamental factors in the outcomes of trauma. Intravenous administration of fluid is the basic treatment to maintain blood pressure until bleeding is controlled. The main guideline, used almost worldwide, Advanced Trauma Life Support, established by the American College of Surgeons in 1976, calls for aggressive administration of intravenous fluids, primarily crystalloid solutions. Several other guidelines, such as Prehospital Trauma Life Support, Trauma Evaluation and Management, and Advanced Trauma Operative Management, are applied according to a patient's current condition. However, the ideal strategy remains unclear. With permissive hypotension, also known as hypotensive resuscitation, fluid administration is less aggressive. The available models of permissive hypotension are based on hypotheses in hypovolemic physiology and restricted clinical trials in animals. Before these models can be used in patients, randomized, controlled clinical trials are necessary.

Etiopathology and management challenges of blunt chest trauma in Nigeria.

PubMed

Thomas, Martins Oluwafemi; Ogunleye, Ezekiel O

2009-12-01

Blunt chest trauma had not been roundly studied in Nigeria. This study was conducted to determine the etiopathological and management challenges of chest trauma in a developing country. In a prospective multicenter hospital-based study of 10-years duration in the city of Lagos, the data of 896 patients were recorded. The male-to-female ratio was 8 : 1, and the mean age was 27.1 years. The majority of patients (76.9%) were aged 20-39 years. Road traffic accidents caused 98.1% of the injuries. Lung parenchymal injuries occurred in 66% of patients, and cardiac trauma in 0.1%. Isolated chest trauma was found in 85% of patients, and 134 had associated injuries. The incidence of blunt chest trauma could be reduced if the number of road traffic accidents in Nigeria is reduced.

Challenges in the Management of Geriatric Trauma: A Case Report.

PubMed

Gaebel, Ashley; Keiser, Megan

This article describes geriatric trauma and commonly associated difficulties emphasizing both the epidemiology and assessment of geriatric trauma. There is little data guiding decisions for trauma patients 65 years or older, as there are many unique characteristics to the geriatric population, including comorbidities, medications, and the aging physiology. The geriatric population in the United States has been steadily climbing for the last 20 years and is projected to continue on this trend. Although each patient presents differently, there remains a need for the consistent utilization of standard guidelines to help dictate care for geriatric patients, particularly for patients not receiving care at a trauma center. This review uses a case study about an elderly woman with many comorbidities, followed by a comprehensive discussion of geriatric trauma and the challenges that result from a lack of guideline utilization to direct management.

Functions and principles in the management of bombing mass casualty incidents: lessons learned at the Tel-Aviv Souraski Medical Center.

PubMed

Kluger, Yoram; Mayo, Ami; Soffer, Dror; Aladgem, David; Halperin, Pinchas

2004-12-01

Mass casualty incidents (MCI) resulting from terrorist bombings pose special problems and may overwhelm even the most experienced trauma centre. Although role assignments for MCI management and control are documented, we would like to share several aspects that we have found to be crucial for the management of terrorist bombing MCI. Twelve topics and possible answers were brought up and discussed extensively in MCI debriefing sessions in our institution. They were of two main categories: assignments and functions of key personnel, and principles and definitions. The first category includes the Triage Officer, the Medical Director, the Administrative Director, the Head Nurse, the Emergency Medical System Coordinator, the Blood Bank Liaison, and the trauma teams. The second category encompasses the concept of triage hospital, the unidirectional patient flow, ancillary evaluation during MCI, the consultancy, and tertiary survey. All were identified as critical for proper event handling. The integration and implementation of the topics discussed throughout the medical system may enable emergency departments to handle MCI resulting from terrorist bombings better.

Pain management for blunt thoracic trauma: A joint practice management guideline from the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma and Trauma Anesthesiology Society.

PubMed

Galvagno, Samuel Michael; Smith, Charles E; Varon, Albert J; Hasenboehler, Erik A; Sultan, Shahnaz; Shaefer, Gregory; To, Kathleen B; Fox, Adam D; Alley, Darrell E R; Ditillo, Michael; Joseph, Bellal A; Robinson, Bryce R H; Haut, Elliot R

2016-11-01

Thoracic trauma is the second most prevalent nonintentional injury in the United States and is associated with significant morbidity. Analgesia for blunt thoracic trauma was first addressed by the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma (EAST) with a practice management guideline published in 2005. Since that time, it was hypothesized that there have been advances in the analgesic management for blunt thoracic trauma. As a result, updated guidelines for this topic using the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) framework recently adopted by EAST are presented. Five systematic reviews were conducted using multiple databases. The search retrieved articles regarding analgesia for blunt thoracic trauma from January1967 to August 2015. Critical outcomes of interest were analgesia, postoperative pulmonary complications, changes in pulmonary function tests, need for endotracheal intubation, and mortality. Important outcomes of interest examined included hospital and intensive care unit length of stay. Seventy articles were identified. Of these, 28 articles were selected to construct the guidelines. The overall risk of bias for all studies was high. The majority of included studies examined epidural analgesia. Epidural analgesia was associated with lower short-term pain scores in most studies, but the quality and quantity of evidence were very low, and no firm evidence of benefit or harm was found when this modality was compared with other analgesic interventions. The quality of evidence for paravertebral block, intrapleural analgesia, multimodal analgesia, and intercostal nerve blocks was very low as assessed by GRADE. The limitations with the available literature precluded the formulation of strong recommendations by our panel. We propose two evidence-based recommendations regarding analgesia for patients with blunt thoracic trauma. The overall risk of bias for all studies was high. The limitations with the available literature precluded the formulation of strong recommendations by our panel. We conditionally recommend epidural analgesia and multimodal analgesia as options for patients with blunt thoracic trauma, but the overall quality of evidence supporting these modalities is low in trauma patients. These recommendations are based on very low-quality evidence but place a high value on patient preferences for analgesia. These recommendations are in contradistinction to the previously published Practice Management Guideline published by EAST.

Surgical management of pediatric mandibular trauma.

PubMed

Aldelaimi, Tahrir N; Khalil, Afrah A

2013-05-01

Surgical treatment of pediatric maxillofacial region is a complex and challenging task to maxillofacial surgeons. Incorrect and inappropriate treatment of trauma will end with a secondary deformity that is very difficult to correct. Twenty-eight children with mandibular trauma were seen at the maxillofacial surgery department of Ramadi Teaching Hospital during the period from July 2009 to June 2012. Age, sex, etiology, associated injuries, pattern of fractures, and treatments were reviewed. Road traffic accident was the most common cause for pediatric mandibular trauma. Significant advances have been made in the management of these injuries, decreasing the incidence of secondary deformities.

Knowledge and attitude of dental trauma among dental students in Saudi Arabia

PubMed Central

Al-Shamiri, Hashem Motahir; Alaizari, Nader Ahmed; Al-Maweri, Sadeq Ali; Tarakji, Bassel

2015-01-01

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the level of knowledge and attitude of Saudi dental students in the management of dental trauma in children. Materials and Methods: A self-administered questionnaire comprising 17 close-ended questions was used in this survey. The questions were divided into three parts including: Personal and professional profile; knowledge assessment; attitude toward dental trauma. Data of 307 respondents were analyzed using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Studies) version 22.0 (IBM Corporation, Chicago, IL, USA). Results: The response rate was 76.8%. Around 40.3% of students reported attending additional courses about dental trauma with a significant difference between males (57.2%) and females (19.4%). The vast majority of students (95.7%) stressed the importance of dental trauma education. While 77% could correctly identify the media of transportation of an avulsed tooth, only 26.9% of the students knew the proper method of transportation. Regarding the knowledge of immediate replantation, only 67.5% of students responded correctly. Conclusion: The present study demonstrates an insufficient knowledge concerning dental trauma management among dental students in Saudi Arabia. This highlights the need to improve the knowledge of dental students regarding dental trauma and its management using a variety of educational methods such as problem-based learning and powering the curriculum concerning those topics of dental trauma. PMID:26929690

Aetiology, epidemiology and management strategies for blunt scrotal trauma.

PubMed

Dalton, D M; Davis, N F; O'Neill, D C; Brady, C M; Kiely, E A; O'Brien, M F

2016-02-01

To describe our experience of all patients presenting to a tertiary referral centre over a 3 year time period with blunt scrotal trauma and to describe a methodical approach for managing this group of patients. A retrospective analysis was performed on all patients presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) of a level 1 trauma centre with blunt scrotal trauma from 2010 to 2013 inclusive. Inclusion criteria included a recent history of blunt scrotal trauma with associated pain and/or swelling of the affected testis on clinical examination. Twenty-seven male patients with a median age of 19 (range 8-65) years were included and all but 1 patient underwent scrotal ultrasonography upon presentation. Sixteen patients (59%) presented with scrotal trauma secondary to a sports related injury. Fifteen patients were managed conservatively and of the 12 who underwent urgent exploration 9 had a testicular rupture, including 1 who had an emergency orchidectomy due to a completely shattered testis. Four patients had >30% of the testis replaced by necrotic tissue/haematoma; of which 2 ultimately underwent orchidectomy and insertion of testicular prosthesis. Our findings demonstrate that the necessity for scrotal protection in sports that predispose to scrotal trauma should be reviewed. We also demonstrate the importance of scrotal ultrasonography for determining an appropriate management strategy (i.e., conservative versus surgical treatment) in this young patient cohort. Copyright © 2014 Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (Scottish charity number SC005317) and Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Differences in the Management of Pediatric Facial Trauma

PubMed Central

Braun, Tara L.; Xue, Amy S.; Maricevich, Renata S.

2017-01-01

Craniofacial trauma is common in the pediatric population, with most cases limited to soft tissue and dentoalveolar injury. Although facial fractures are relatively rare in children compared with adults, they are often associated with severe injury and cause significant morbidity and disability. Initial evaluation of a child with facial trauma generally involves stabilizing the patient and identifying any severe concomitant injuries before diagnosing and managing facial injuries. The management of pediatric facial fractures is relatively more conservative than that of adults, and nonsurgical management is preferred when possible to prevent the disruption of future growth and development. Outcomes depend on the site of the injury, management plan, and subsequent growth, so children must be followed longitudinally for monitoring and the identification of any complications. PMID:28496392

Blunt chest trauma: bony injury in the thorax.

PubMed

Zreik, Nasri H; Francis, Irene; Ray, Arun; Rogers, Benedict A; Ricketts, David M

2016-02-01

The management of blunt chest trauma is an evolving concept with no clear current guidelines. This article explores the bony injuries associated with this, focusing on rib fractures and flail segments and the themes around investigation and best management.

Current Concepts in Orthopedic Management of Multiple Trauma

PubMed Central

Kucukdurmaz, Fatih; Alijanipour, Pouya

2015-01-01

Multiple trauma patients frequently present challenging clinical scenarios with musculoskeletal injuries being the most common indications for surgical procedures in these patients. Despite our substantial knowledge, a universally approved objective definition for “multiple trauma” is yet to be delineated. Several controversial aspects of economics, pathophysiology, animal models, diagnosis, management and outcome of patients with multiple trauma have recently been explored and although some progress has been made, it seems that the available evidence is still inconclusive in some occasions. This manuscript revisits several current concepts of multiple trauma that have been the focus of recent investigation. We aim to provide the reader with an updated perspective based on the most recently published literature in the field of multiple trauma. PMID:26312111

Epidemiology and outcomes of pregnancy and obstetric complications in trauma in the United Kingdom.

PubMed

Battaloglu, Emir; McDonnell, Declan; Chu, Justin; Lecky, Fiona; Porter, Keith

2016-01-01

To understand the epidemiology of pregnancy and obstetric complications encountered in the management of pregnant trauma patients. Retrospective analysis of national trauma registry for recording of pregnancy status or obstetric complication in cases of trauma. Sub-division of patient cohort by severity of trauma and stage of pregnancy. Comparison of data sets between pregnant trauma patients and age-matched non-pregnant female trauma patients to determine patterns of injury and impact upon clinical outcomes. National registry data for the United Kingdom. For the five year period between 2009 and 2014, a total of 15,140 female patients, aged between 15 years old and 50 years old were identified within the trauma registry. A record of pregnancy was identified in 173 patients (1.14%) from within this cohort. Mechanisms of injury within the cohort of pregnant trauma patients saw increased rate of vehicular collision and interpersonal violence, especially penetrating trauma. Higher abbreviated injury scores were recorded for the abdominal region in pregnancy than in the non-pregnant cohort. Maternal mortality rates were seen to be higher, when compared with the non-pregnant trauma patient. Foetal survival rate from this series was 56% following trauma. Foetal death in pregnant trauma patients most frequently occurred in the 2nd trimester. No cases of isolated foetal survival were recorded following maternal trauma. Trauma to pregnant patients is rare in the United Kingdom, encountered in 1% of female trauma patients of child bearing age. Observations in altered mechanisms of injury and clinical outcomes were recorded. This provides useful information regarding the clinical management of pregnant trauma patients and offers potential areas to investigate to optimise their care, as well as to focus injury prevention measures. IV--Case series. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Occult pneumothorax in Chinese patients with significant blunt chest trauma: incidence and management.

PubMed

Lee, Ka L; Graham, Colin A; Yeung, Janice H H; Ahuja, Anil T; Rainer, Timothy H

2010-05-01

Occult pneumothorax (OP) is a pneumothorax not visualised on a supine chest X-ray (CXR) but detected on computed tomography (CT) scanning. With increasing CT use for trauma, more OP may be detected. Management of OP remains controversial, especially for patients undergoing mechanical ventilation. This study aimed to identify the incidence of OP using thoracic CT as the gold standard and describe its management amongst Hong Kong Chinese trauma patients. Analysis of prospectively collected trauma registry data. Consecutive significantly injured trauma patients admitted through the emergency department (ED) suffering from blunt chest trauma who underwent thoracic computed tomography (TCT) between in calendar years 2007 and 2008 were included. An OP was defined as the identification (by a specialist radiologist) of a pneumothorax on TCT that had not been previously detected on supine CXR. 119 significantly injured patients were included. 56 patients had a pneumothorax on CXR and a further 36 patients had at least one OP [OP incidence 30% (36/119)]. Bilateral OP was present in 8/36 patients, so total OP numbers were 44. Tube thoracostomy was performed for 8/44 OP, all were mechanically ventilated in the ED. The remaining 36 OP were managed expectantly. No patients in the expectant group had pneumothorax progression, even though 8 patients required subsequent ventilation in the operating room for extrathoracic surgery. The incidence of OP (seen on TCT) in Chinese patients in Hong Kong after blunt chest trauma is higher than that typically reported in Caucasians. Most OP were managed expectantly without significant complications; no pneumothorax progressed even though some patients were mechanically ventilated. (c) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The management of colonic trauma in the damage control era

PubMed Central

Shazi, B; Bruce, JL; Laing, GL; Sartorius, B

2017-01-01

INTRODUCTION The purpose of this study was to audit our current management of colonic trauma, and to review our experience of colonic trauma in patients who underwent initial damage control (DC) surgery. METHODS All patients treated for colonic trauma between January 2012 and December 2014 by the Pietermaritzburg Metropolitan Trauma Service were included in the study. Data reviewed included mechanism of injury, method of management (primary repair [PR], primary diversion [PD] or DC) and outcome (complications and mortality rate). Results A total of 128 patients sustained a colonic injury during the study period. Ninety-seven per cent of the injuries were due to penetrating trauma. Of these cases, 56% comprised stab wounds (SWs) and 44% were gunshot wounds (GSWs). Management was by PR in 99, PD in 20 and DC surgery in 9 cases. Among the 69 SW victims, 57 underwent PR, 9 had PD and 3 required a DC procedure. Of the 55 GSW cases, 40 were managed with PR, 9 with PD and 6 with DC surgery. In the PR group, there were 16 colonic complications (5 cases of breakdown and 11 of wound sepsis). Overall, nine patients (7%) died. CONCLUSIONS PR of colonic trauma is safe and should be used for the majority of such injuries. Persistent acidosis, however, should be considered a contraindication. In unstable patients with complex injuries, the optimal approach is to perform DC surgery. In this situation, formal diversion is contraindicated, and the injury should be controlled and dropped back into the abdomen at the primary operation. At the repeat operation, if the physiological insult has been reversed, then formal repair of the colonic injury is acceptable. PMID:27659359

The management of colonic trauma in the damage control era.

PubMed

Shazi, B; Bruce, J L; Laing, G L; Sartorius, B; Clarke, D L

2017-01-01

INTRODUCTION The purpose of this study was to audit our current management of colonic trauma, and to review our experience of colonic trauma in patients who underwent initial damage control (DC) surgery. METHODS All patients treated for colonic trauma between January 2012 and December 2014 by the Pietermaritzburg Metropolitan Trauma Service were included in the study. Data reviewed included mechanism of injury, method of management (primary repair [PR], primary diversion [PD] or DC) and outcome (complications and mortality rate). Results A total of 128 patients sustained a colonic injury during the study period. Ninety-seven per cent of the injuries were due to penetrating trauma. Of these cases, 56% comprised stab wounds (SWs) and 44% were gunshot wounds (GSWs). Management was by PR in 99, PD in 20 and DC surgery in 9 cases. Among the 69 SW victims, 57 underwent PR, 9 had PD and 3 required a DC procedure. Of the 55 GSW cases, 40 were managed with PR, 9 with PD and 6 with DC surgery. In the PR group, there were 16 colonic complications (5 cases of breakdown and 11 of wound sepsis). Overall, nine patients (7%) died. CONCLUSIONS PR of colonic trauma is safe and should be used for the majority of such injuries. Persistent acidosis, however, should be considered a contraindication. In unstable patients with complex injuries, the optimal approach is to perform DC surgery. In this situation, formal diversion is contraindicated, and the injury should be controlled and dropped back into the abdomen at the primary operation. At the repeat operation, if the physiological insult has been reversed, then formal repair of the colonic injury is acceptable.

Pancreatic trauma.

PubMed

Lahiri, R; Bhattacharya, S

2013-05-01

Pancreatic trauma occurs in approximately 4% of all patients sustaining abdominal injuries. The pancreas has an intimate relationship with the major upper abdominal vessels, and there is significant morbidity and mortality associated with severe pancreatic injury. Immediate resuscitation and investigations are essential to delineate the nature of the injury, and to plan further management. If main pancreatic duct injuries are identified, specialised input from a tertiary hepatopancreaticobiliary (HPB) team is advised. A comprehensive online literature search was performed using PubMed. Relevant articles from international journals were selected. The search terms used were: 'pancreatic trauma', 'pancreatic duct injury', 'radiology AND pancreas injury', 'diagnosis of pancreatic trauma', and 'management AND surgery'. Articles that were not published in English were excluded. All articles used were selected on relevance to this review and read by both authors. Pancreatic trauma is rare and associated with injury to other upper abdominal viscera. Patients present with non-specific abdominal findings and serum amylase is of little use in diagnosis. Computed tomography is effective in diagnosing pancreatic injury but not duct disruption, which is most easily seen on endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography or operative pancreatography. If pancreatic injury is suspected, inspection of the entire pancreas and duodenum is required to ensure full evaluation at laparotomy. The operative management of pancreatic injury depends on the grade of injury found at laparotomy. The most important prognostic factor is main duct disruption and, if found, reconstructive options should be determined by an experienced HPB surgeon. The diagnosis of pancreatic trauma requires a high index of suspicion and detailed imaging studies. Grading pancreatic injury is important to guide operative management. The most important prognostic factor is pancreatic duct disruption and in these cases, experienced HPB surgeons should be involved. Complications following pancreatic trauma are common and the majority can be managed without further surgery.

Contemporary Strategies in the Management of Civilian Abdominal Vascular Trauma

PubMed Central

Karaolanis, Georgios; Moris, Dimitrios; McCoy, C. Cameron; Tsilimigras, Diamantis I.; Georgopoulos, Sotirios; Bakoyiannis, Chris

2018-01-01

The evaluation and management of patients with abdominal vascular trauma or injury requires immediate and effective decision-making in these unfavorable circumstances. The majority of these patients arrive at trauma centers in profound shock, secondary to massive blood loss, which is often unrelenting. Moreover, ischemia, compartment syndrome, thrombosis, and embolization may also be life threatening and require immediate intervention. To minimize the risk of these potentially lethal complications, early understanding of the disease process and emergent therapeutic intervention are necessary. In the literature, the management of acute traumatic vascular injuries is restricted to traditional open surgical techniques. However, in penetrating injuries surgeons often face a potentially contaminated field, which renders the placement of prosthetic grafts inappropriate. Currently, however, there are sparse data on the management of vascular trauma with endovascular techniques. The role of endovascular technique in penetrating abdominal vascular trauma, which is almost always associated with severe active bleeding, is limited. It is worth mentioning that hybrid operating rooms with angiographic radiology capabilities offer more opportunities for the management of this kind of injuries by either temporary control of the devastating bleeding using endovascular balloon tamponade or with embolization and stenting. On the other hand, blunt abdominal injuries are less dangerous and they could be treated at most times by endovascular means. Since surgeons continue to encounter abdominal vascular trauma, open and endovascular techniques will evolve constantly giving us encouraging messages for the near future. PMID:29516005

Determinants of splenectomy in splenic injuries following blunt abdominal trauma.

PubMed

Akinkuolie, A A; Lawal, O O; Arowolo, O A; Agbakwuru, E A; Adesunkanmi, A R K

2010-02-01

The management of splenic injuries has shifted from splenectomy to splenic preservation owing to the risk of overwhelming post-splenectomy infection (OPSI). This study aimed to identify the factors that determine splenectomy in patients with isolated splenic injuries, with a view to increasing the rate of splenic preservation. Files of 55 patients managed for isolated splenic injuries from blunt abdominal trauma between 1998 and 2007 were retrospectively analysed using a pro forma. Management options were classified into nonoperative, operative salvage and splenectomy. The majority of patients suffered splenic injury as a result of motor vehicle accident (MVA) trauma or falls. Splenectomy was undertaken in 33 (60%) patients, 12 (22%) had non-operative management, and operative salvage was achieved in 10 (18%) patients. Significant determinants of splenectomy were grade of splenic injury, hierarchy of the surgeon, and hierarchy of the assistant. MVA injury and falls accounted for the vast majority of blunt abdominal trauma in this study. The rate and magnitude of energy transferred versus splenic protective mechanisms at the time of blunt abdominal trauma seems to determine the grade of splenic injury. Interest in splenic salvage surgery, availability of technology that enables splenic salvage surgery, and the experience of the surgeon and assistant appear to determine the surgical management. Legislation on vehicle safety and good parental control may reduce the severity of splenic injury in blunt abdominal trauma. When surgery is indicated, salvage surgery should be considered in intermediate isolated splenic injury to reduce the incidence of OPSI.

Acute management and outcome of multiple trauma patients with pelvic disruptions

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Introduction Data on prehospital and trauma-room fluid management of multiple trauma patients with pelvic disruptions are rarely reported. Present trauma algorithms recommend early hemorrhage control and massive fluid resuscitation. By matching the German Pelvic Injury Register (PIR) with the TraumaRegister DGU (TR) for the first time, we attempt to assess the initial fluid management for different Tile/OTA types of pelvic-ring fractures. Special attention was given to the patient's posttraumatic course, particularly intensive care unit (ICU) data and patient outcome. Methods A specific match code was applied to identify certain patients with pelvic disruptions from both PIR and TR anonymous trauma databases, admitted between 2004 and 2009. From the resulting intersection set, a retrospective analysis was done of prehospital and trauma-room data, length of ICU stay, days of ventilation, incidence of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS), sepsis, and mortality. Results In total, 402 patients were identified. Mean ISS was 25.9 points, and the mean of patients with ISS ≥16 was 85.6%. The fracture distribution was as follows: 19.7% type A, 29.4% type B, 36.6% type C, and 14.3% isolated acetabular and/or sacrum fractures. The type B/C, compared with type A fractures, were related to constantly worse vital signs that necessitated a higher volume of fluid and blood administration in the prehospital and/or the trauma-room setting. This group of B/C fractures were also related to a significantly higher presence of concomitant injuries and related to increased ISS. This was related to increased ventilation and ICU stay, increased rate of MODS, sepsis, and increased rate of mortality, at least for the type C fractures. Approximately 80% of the dead had sustained type B/C fractures. Conclusions The present study confirms the actuality of traditional trauma algorithms with initial massive fluid resuscitation in the recent therapy of multiple trauma patients with pelvic disruptions. Low-volume resuscitation seems not yet to be accepted in practice in managing this special patient entity. Mechanically unstable pelvic-ring fractures type B/C (according to the Tile/OTA classification) form a distinct entity that must be considered notably in future trauma algorithms. PMID:22913820

Diagnostic imaging of blunt abdominal trauma in pediatric patients.

PubMed

Miele, Vittorio; Piccolo, Claudia Lucia; Trinci, Margherita; Galluzzo, Michele; Ianniello, Stefania; Brunese, Luca

2016-05-01

Trauma is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in childhood, and blunt trauma accounts for 80-90 % of abdominal injuries. The mechanism of trauma is quite similar to that of the adults, but there are important physiologic differences between children and adults in this field, such as the smaller blood vessels and the high vasoconstrictive response, leading to the spreading of a non-operative management. The early imaging of children undergoing a low-energy trauma can be performed by CEUS, a valuable diagnostic tool to demonstrate solid organ injuries with almost the same sensitivity of CT scans; nevertheless, as for as urinary tract injuries, MDCT remains still the technique of choice, because of its high sensitivity and accuracy, helping to discriminate between an intra-peritoneal form a retroperitoneal urinary leakage, requiring two different managements. The liver is the most common organ injured in blunt abdominal trauma followed by the spleen. Renal, pancreatic, and bowel injuries are quite rare. In this review we present various imaging findings of blunt abdominal trauma in children.

Damage control – trauma care in the first hour and beyond: a clinical review of relevant developments in the field of trauma care

PubMed Central

Midwinter, M

2013-01-01

Introduction Trauma provision in the UK is a topic of interest. Regional trauma networks and centres are evolving and research is blossoming, but what bearing does all this have on the care that is delivered to the individual patient? This article aims to provide an overview of key research concepts in the field of trauma care, to guide the clinician in decision making in the management of major trauma. Methods The Ovid MEDLINE®, EMBASE™ and PubMed databases were used to search for relevant articles on haemorrhage control, damage control resuscitation and its exceptions, massive transfusion protocols, prevention and correction of coagulopathy, acidosis and hypothermia, and damage-control surgery. Findings A wealth of research is available and a broad range has been reviewed to summarise significant developments in trauma care. Research has been categorised into disciplines and it is hoped that by considering each, a tailored management plan for the individual trauma patient will evolve, potentially improving patient outcome. PMID:23827287

Management of thoracolumbar spine trauma: An overview

PubMed Central

Rajasekaran, S; Kanna, Rishi Mugesh; Shetty, Ajoy Prasad

2015-01-01

Thoracolumbar spine fractures are common injuries that can result in significant disability, deformity and neurological deficit. Controversies exist regarding the appropriate radiological investigations, the indications for surgical management and the timing, approach and type of surgery. This review provides an overview of the epidemiology, biomechanical principles, radiological and clinical evaluation, classification and management principles. Literature review of all relevant articles published in PubMed covering thoracolumbar spine fractures with or without neurologic deficit was performed. The search terms used were thoracolumbar, thoracic, lumbar, fracture, trauma and management. All relevant articles and abstracts covering thoracolumbar spine fractures with and without neurologic deficit were reviewed. Biomechanically the thoracolumbar spine is predisposed to a higher incidence of spinal injuries. Computed tomography provides adequate bony detail for assessing spinal stability while magnetic resonance imaging shows injuries to soft tissues (posterior ligamentous complex [PLC]) and neurological structures. Different classification systems exist and the most recent is the AO spine knowledge forum classification of thoracolumbar trauma. Treatment includes both nonoperative and operative methods and selected based on the degree of bony injury, neurological involvement, presence of associated injuries and the integrity of the PLC. Significant advances in imaging have helped in the better understanding of thoracolumbar fractures, including information on canal morphology and injury to soft tissue structures. The ideal classification that is simple, comprehensive and guides management is still elusive. Involvement of three columns, progressive neurological deficit, significant kyphosis and canal compromise with neurological deficit are accepted indications for surgical stabilization through anterior, posterior or combined approaches. PMID:25593358

Trauma airway management in emergency departments: a multicentre, prospective, observational study in Japan.

PubMed

Nakao, Shunichiro; Kimura, Akio; Hagiwara, Yusuke; Hasegawa, Kohei

2015-02-04

Although successful airway management is essential for emergency trauma care, comprehensive studies are limited. We sought to characterise current trauma care practice of airway management in the emergency departments (EDs) in Japan. Analysis of data from a prospective, observational, multicentre registry-the Japanese Emergency Airway Network (JEAN) registry. 13 academic and community EDs from different geographic regions across Japan. 723 trauma patients who underwent emergency intubation from March 2010 through August 2012. ED characteristics, patient and operator demographics, methods of airway management, intubation success or failure at each attempt and adverse events. A total of 723 trauma patients who underwent emergency intubation were eligible for the analysis. Traumatic cardiac arrest comprised 32.6% (95% CI 29.3% to 36.1%) of patients. Rapid sequence intubation (RSI) was the initial method chosen in 23.9% (95% CI 21.0% to 27.2%) of all trauma patients and in 35.5% (95% CI 31.4% to 39.9%) of patients without cardiac arrest. Overall, intubation was successful in ≤3 attempts in 96% of patients (95% CI 94.3% to 97.2%). There was a wide variation in the initial methods of intubation; RSI as the initial method was performed in 0-50.9% of all trauma patients among 12 EDs. Similarly, there was a wide variation in success rates and adverse event rates across the EDs. Success rates varied between 35.5% and 90.5% at the first attempt, and 85.1% and 100% within three attempts across the 12 EDs. In this multicentre prospective study in Japan, we observed a high overall success rate in airway management during trauma care. However, the methods of intubation and success rates were highly variable among hospitals. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.

Abdominal injuries in communal crises: The Jos experience

PubMed Central

Ojo, Emmanuel Olorundare; Ozoilo, Kenneth N.; Sule, Augustine Z.; Ugwu, Benjamin T.; Misauno, Michael A.; Ismaila, Bashiru O.; Peter, Solomon D.; Adejumo, Adeyinka A.

2016-01-01

Background: Abdominal injuries contribute significantly to battlefield trauma morbidity and mortality. This study sought to determine the incidence, demographics, clinical features, spectrum, severity, management, and outcome of abdominal trauma during a civilian conflict. Materials and Methods: A prospective analysis of patients treated for abdominal trauma during the Jos civil crises between December 2010 and May 2012 at the Jos University Teaching Hospital. Results: A total of 109 victims of communal conflicts with abdominal injuries were managed during the study period with 89 (81.7%) males and 20 (18.3%) females representing about 12.2% of the total 897 combat related injuries. The peak age incidence was between 21 and 40 years (range: 3–71 years). The most frequently injured intra-abdominal organs were the small intestine 69 (63.3%), colon 48 (44%), and liver 41 (37.6%). Forty-four (40.4%) patients had extra-abdominal injuries involving the chest in 17 (15.6%), musculoskeletal 12 (11%), and the head in 9 (8.3%). The most prevalent weapon injuries were gunshot 76 (69.7%), explosives 12 (11%), stab injuries 11 (10.1%), and blunt abdominal trauma 10 (9.2%). The injury severity score varied from 8 to 52 (mean: 20.8) with a fatality rate of 11 (10.1%) and morbidity rate of 29 (26.6%). Presence of irreversible shock, 3 or more injured intra-abdominal organs, severe head injuries, and delayed presentation were the main factors associated with mortality. Conclusion: Abdominal trauma is major life-threatening injuries during conflicts. Substantial mortality occurred with loss of nearly one in every 10 hospitalized victims despite aggressive emergency room resuscitation. The resources expenditure, propensity for death and expediency of timing reinforce the need for early access to the wounded in a concerted trauma care systems. PMID:26957819

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of septic bursitis.

PubMed

Lieber, Sarah B; Fowler, Mary Louise; Zhu, Clara; Moore, Andrew; Shmerling, Robert H; Paz, Ziv

2017-12-01

Limited data guide practice in evaluation and treatment of septic bursitis. We aimed to characterize clinical characteristics, microbiology, and outcomes of patients with septic bursitis stratified by bursal involvement, presence of trauma, and management type. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adult patients admitted to a single center from 1998 to 2015 with culture-proven olecranon and patellar septic bursitis. Baseline characteristics, clinical features, microbial profiles, operative interventions, hospitalization lengths, and 60-day readmission rates were determined. Patients were stratified by bursitis site, presence or absence of trauma, and operative or non-operative management. Of 44 cases of septic bursitis, patients with olecranon and patellar bursitis were similar with respect to age, male predominance, and frequency of bursal trauma; patients managed operatively were younger (p = 0.05). Clinical features at presentation and comorbidities were similar despite bursitis site, history of trauma, or management. The most common organism isolated from bursal fluid was Staphylococcus aureus. Patients managed operatively were discharged to rehabilitation less frequently (p = 0.04). This study of septic bursitis is among the largest reported. We were unable to identify presenting clinical features that differentiated patients treated surgically from those treated conservatively. There was no clear relationship between preceding trauma or bursitis site and clinical course, management, or outcomes. Patients with bursitis treated surgically were younger. Additional study is needed to identify patients who would benefit from early surgical intervention for septic bursitis.

Non-operative management of hepatic trauma and the interventional radiology: an update review.

PubMed

Pereira, Bruno Monteiro Tavares

2013-10-01

The growing trend to manage hepatic injuries nonoperatively has been increasing demand for advanced endovascular interventions. This brings up the necessity for general and trauma surgeons to update their knowledge in such matter. Effective treatment mandates a multispecialty team effort that is usually led by the trauma surgeon and includes vascular surgery, orthopedics, and, increasingly, interventional radiology. The focus on hemorrhage control and the angiographer's unique access to vascular structures gives interventional radiology (IR) an important and increasingly recognized role in the treatment of patients with hemodynamic instability. Our aim is to review the basic concepts of IR primarily in hepatic trauma and secondarily in some other special situations. A liver vascular anatomy review is also needed for better understanding the roles of IR. As a final point we propose a guideline for the operative/nonoperative management of traumatic hepatic injuries. The benefit of multidisciplinary approach (TAE) appears to be a powerful weapon in the medical arsenal against the high mortality of injured trauma liver patients.

Assessment of traumatic deaths in a level one trauma center in Ankara, Turkey.

PubMed

Arslan, E D; Kaya, E; Sonmez, M; Kavalci, C; Solakoglu, A; Yilmaz, F; Durdu, T; Karakilic, E

2015-06-01

Trauma management shows significant progress in last decades. Determining the time and place of deaths indicate where to focus to improve our knowledge about trauma. We conducted this retrospective study from data of trauma victims who were brought to a major tertiary hospital which is a level one trauma center in Ankara, Turkey, and died even if during transport or in the hospital between 1 March 2010 and 1 March 2013. The patients' demographic characteristics, trauma mechanisms, time frames and causes of deaths determined by physicians were recorded. Traumas were grouped as "high energy trauma" (HET) and "low energy trauma" (LET). Falls from ground level were defined as LET. 209 traumatic deaths due to trauma or trauma-related conditions were found in the study period. 161 of 209 (78 %) patients suffered from HET. Motor vehicle collisions (MVC) (56 %) were the most common mechanism of trauma followed by burns (16 %), falls (11 %), gunshots (9 %) and stabs (6 %) in this group and traumatic brain injuries (TBI) (41 %) were the most common cause of death followed by circulatory collapse (22 %) and multi-organ failure (20 %). 36 % of deaths occurred before arrival at hospital, 25 % in the first 24 h of admission, 18 % between 2nd and 7th day and 21 % after first week. Trimodal distribution of traumatic deaths was not valid for all types of injuries and the most important factor to decrease traumatic deaths is still prevention. Also we have to keep on searching to improve our knowledge about trauma management.

Managing pancreatoduodenal trauma.

PubMed

Williamson, J M L; Williamson, R C N

2012-06-01

Pancreatoduodenal injuries are an uncommon but important source of morbidity and mortality in the trauma patient. They require a multidisciplinary approach, with a pancreatic surgeon involved at the earliest opportunity. The investigation and management of these injuries are discussed along with the role of operative intervention.

Chest Wall Trauma.

PubMed

Majercik, Sarah; Pieracci, Fredric M

2017-05-01

Chest wall trauma is common, and contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality of trauma patients. Early identification of major chest wall and concomitant intrathoracic injuries is critical. Generalized management of multiple rib fractures and flail chest consists of adequate pain control (including locoregional modalities); management of pulmonary dysfunction by invasive and noninvasive means; and, in some cases, surgical fixation. Multiple studies have shown that patients with flail chest have substantial benefit (decreased ventilator and intensive care unit days, improved pulmonary function, and improved long-term functional outcome) when they undergo surgery compared with nonoperative management. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Pancreatic trauma: demographics, diagnosis, and management.

PubMed

Stawicki, Stanislaw Peter; Schwab, C William

2008-12-01

Pancreatic injuries are rare, with penetrating mechanisms being causative in majority of cases. They can create major diagnostic and therapeutic challenges and require multiple diagnostic modalities, including multislice high-definition computed tomography, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, ultrasonography, and at times, surgery and direct visualization of the pancreas. Pancreatic trauma is frequently associated with duodenal and other severe vascular and visceral injuries. Mortality is high and usually related to the concomitant vascular injury. Surgical management of pancreatic and pancreatic-duodenal trauma is challenging, and multiple surgical approaches and techniques have been described, up to and including pancreatic damage control and later resection and reconstruction. Wide surgical drainage is a key to any surgical trauma technique and access for enteral nutrition, or occasionally parenteral nutrition, are important adjuncts. Morbidity associated with pancreatic trauma is high and can be quite severe. Treatment of pancreatic trauma-related complications often requires a combination of interventional, endoscopic, and surgical approaches.

Pearls of mandibular trauma management.

PubMed

Koshy, John C; Feldman, Evan M; Chike-Obi, Chuma J; Bullocks, Jamal M

2010-11-01

Mandibular trauma is a common problem seen by plastic surgeons. When fractures occur, they have the ability to affect the patient's occlusion significantly, cause infection, and lead to considerable pain. Interventions to prevent these sequelae require either closed or open forms of reduction and fixation. Physicians determining how to manage these injuries should take into consideration the nature of the injury, background information regarding the patient's health, and the patient's comorbidities. Whereas general principles guide the management of the majority of injuries, special consideration must be paid to the edentulous patient, complex and comminuted fractures, and pediatric patients. These topics are discussed in this article, with a special emphasis on pearls of mandibular trauma management.

Pearls of Mandibular Trauma Management

PubMed Central

Koshy, John C.; Feldman, Evan M.; Chike-Obi, Chuma J.; Bullocks, Jamal M.

2010-01-01

Mandibular trauma is a common problem seen by plastic surgeons. When fractures occur, they have the ability to affect the patient's occlusion significantly, cause infection, and lead to considerable pain. Interventions to prevent these sequelae require either closed or open forms of reduction and fixation. Physicians determining how to manage these injuries should take into consideration the nature of the injury, background information regarding the patient's health, and the patient's comorbidities. Whereas general principles guide the management of the majority of injuries, special consideration must be paid to the edentulous patient, complex and comminuted fractures, and pediatric patients. These topics are discussed in this article, with a special emphasis on pearls of mandibular trauma management. PMID:22550460

An evidence based review of the assessment and management of penetrating neck trauma.

PubMed

Burgess, C A; Dale, O T; Almeyda, R; Corbridge, R J

2012-02-01

Although relatively uncommon, penetrating neck trauma has the potential for serious morbidity and an estimated mortality of up to 6%. The assessment and management of patients who have sustained a penetrating neck injury has historically been an issue surrounded by significant controversy. OBJECTIVES OF REVIEW: To assess recent evidence relating to the assessment and management of penetrating neck trauma, highlighting areas of controversy with an overall aim of formulating clinical guidelines according to a care pathway format. Structured, non-systematic review of recent medical literature. An electronic literature search was performed in May 2011. The Medline database was searched using the Medical Subject Headings terms 'neck injuries' and 'wounds, penetrating' in conjunction with the terms 'assessment' or 'management'. Embase was searched with the terms 'penetrating trauma' and 'neck injury', also in conjunction with the terms 'assessment' and 'management'. Results were limited to articles published in English from 1990 to the present day. Abstracts were reviewed by the first three authors to select full-text articles for further critical appraisal. The references and citation links of these articles were hand-searched to identify further articles of relevance. 147 relevant articles were identified by the electronic literature search, comprising case series, case reports and reviews. 33 were initially selected for further evaluation. Although controversy continues to surround the management of penetrating neck trauma, the role of selective non-operative management and the utility of CT angiography to investigate potential vascular injuries appears to be increasingly accepted. © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Diagnostic imaging of child abuse

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kleinman, P.K.

1987-01-01

This book provides a description for all the known radiological alterations occurring in child abuse. This allows for precise interpretation of findings by radiologists. It also helps eliminate the confusion among both clinicians and non-medical personnel involved in the diagnosis, management, and legal issues related to child abuse. CONTENTS: Introduction; Skeletal trauma: general considerations; Extremity trauma; Bony thoracic trauma; Spinal trauma; Dating fractures; Visceral trauma; Head trauma; Miscellaneous forms of abuse and neglect; The postmortem examination; Differential diagnosis of child abuse; Legal considerations; Psychosocial considerations; Technical considerations and dosimetry.

An expanding role for cardiopulmonary bypass in trauma

PubMed Central

Chughtai, Talat S.; Gilardino, Miroslav S.; Fleiszer, David M.; Evans, David C.; Brown, Rea A.; Mulder, David S.

2002-01-01

Objectives To analyze experience at the McGill University Health Centre with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in trauma, complemented by a review of the literature to define its role globally and outline indications for its expanded use in trauma management. Data sources All available published English-language articles from peer reviewed journals, located using the MEDLINE database. Chapters from relevant, current textbooks were also utilized. Study selection Nine relevant case reports, original articles or reviews pertaining to the use of CPB in trauma. Data extraction Original data as well as authors’ opinions pertinent to the application of CPB to trauma were extracted, incorporated and appropriately referenced in our review. Data synthesis Overall mortality in the selected series of CPB used in the trauma setting was 44.4%. Four of 5 survivors had CPB instituted early (first procedure in operative management) whereas 3 of 4 deaths involved late institution of CPB. Conclusions Although CPB has traditionally been used in the setting of cardiac trauma alone, a better understanding of its potential benefit in noncardiac injuries will likely make for improved outcomes in the increasingly diverse number of severely injured patients seen in trauma centres today. Further studies by other trauma centres will allow for standardized indications for the use of CPB in trauma. PMID:11939667

Trauma systems and the costs of trauma care.

PubMed Central

Goldfarb, M G; Bazzoli, G J; Coffey, R M

1996-01-01

OBJECTIVE. This study examines the cost of providing trauma services in trauma centers organized by publicly administered trauma systems, compared to hospitals not part of a formal trauma system. DATA SOURCES AND STUDY SETTING. Secondary administrative discharge abstracts for a national sample of severely injured trauma patients in 44 trauma centers and 60 matched control hospitals for the year 1987 were used. STUDY DESIGN. Retrospective univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to examine the impact of formal trauma systems and trauma center designation on the costs of treating trauma patients. Key dependent variables included length of stay, charge per day per patient, and charge per hospital stay. Key impact variables were type of trauma system and level of trauma designation. Control variables included patient, hospital, and community characteristics. DATA COLLECTION/EXTRACTION METHODS. Data were selected for hospitals based on (1) a large national hospital discharge database, the Hospital Cost and Utilization Project, 1980-1987 (HCUP-2) and (2) a special survey of trauma systems and trauma designation undertaken by the Hospital Research and Educational Trust of the American Hospital Association. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS. The results show that publicly designated Level I trauma centers, which are the focal point of most trauma systems, have the highest charge per case, the highest average charge per day, and similar or longer average lengths of stay than other hospitals. These findings persist after controlling for patient injury and health status, and for demographic characteristics and hospital and community characteristics. CONCLUSIONS. Prior research shows that severely injured trauma patients have greater chances of survival when treated in specialized trauma centers. However, findings here should be of concern to the many states developing trauma systems since the high costs of Level I centers support limiting the number of centers designated at this level and/or reconsidering the requirements placed on these centers. PMID:8617611

[First aid system for trauma: development and status].

PubMed

Chen, D K; Lin, W C; Zhang, P; Kuang, S J; Huang, W; Wang, T B

2017-04-18

With the great progress of the economy, the level of industrialization has been increasing year by year, which leads to an increase in accidental trauma accidents. Chinese annual death of trauma is already more than 400 000, which makes trauma the fifth most common cause of death, following malignant tumor, heart, brain and respiratory diseases. Trauma is the leading cause of the death of young adults. At the same time, trauma has become a serious social problem in peace time. Trauma throws great treats on human health and life. As an important part in the medical and social security system, the emergency of trauma system occupies a very important position in the emergency medical service system. In European countries as well as the United States and also many other developed countries, trauma service system had a long history, and progressed to an advanced stage. However, Chinese trauma service system started late and is still developing. It has not turned into a complete and standardized system yet. This review summarizes the histories and current situations of the development of traumatic first aid system separately in European countries, the United States and our country. Special attentions are paid to the effects of the pre- and in-hospital emergency care. We also further try to explore the Chinese trauma emergency model that adapts to the situations of China and characteristics of different regions of China. Our review also introduces the trauma service system that suits the situations of China proposed by Professor Jiang Baoguo's team in details, taking Chinese conditions into account, they conducted a thematic study and made an expert consensus on pre-hospital emergency treatment of severe trauma, providing a basic routine and guidance of severe trauma treatment for those pre-hospital emergency physicians. They also advised to establish independent trauma disciplines and trauma specialist training systems, and to build the regional trauma care system as well as the standards for graded treatment, thus establishing a multiple disciplinary team (MDT) of severe trauma. In this way, we can reduce the mortality and disability risks of severe trauma, improve the quality of patients' life, and save more lives.

A Manager's Rationale for a Pre-Trauma Developmental Approach to Resilience: A Symbolic Interactionist's Perspective

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Walach, Christopher E.

2011-01-01

Imminent danger, managing the unexpected, dealing with the aftereffects of danger and potential trauma, and repeating this intense cycle is part of the military, first responders (police, fire fighters, wild land firefighting crews, EMTs, and paramedics), and emergency management organizations regular mission. Members of these organizations…

Systematic review of multidisciplinary rehabilitation in patients with multiple trauma.

PubMed

Khan, F; Amatya, B; Hoffman, K

2012-01-01

Multiple trauma is a cause of significant disability in adults of working age. Despite the implementation of trauma systems for improved coordination and organization of care, rehabilitation services are not yet routinely considered integral to trauma care processes. MEDLINE, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Allied and Complementary Medicine, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, Latin American and Caribbean Literature on Health Sciences and Cochrane Library databases were searched up to May 2011 for randomized clinical trials, as well as observational studies, reporting outcomes of injured patients following multidisciplinary rehabilitation that addressed functional restoration and societal reintegration based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. No randomized and/or controlled clinical trials were identified. Fifteen observational studies involving 2386 participants with injuries were included. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach assessed methodological quality as 'poor' in all studies, with selection and observer bias. Although patients with low functional scores showed improvement after rehabilitation, they were unable to resume their pretrauma level of activity. Their functional ability was significantly associated with motor independence on admission and early acute rehabilitation, which contributed to a shorter hospital stay. Injury location, age, co-morbidity and education predicted long-term functional consequences. Trauma care systems were associated with reduced mortality. The gaps in evidence include: rehabilitation settings, components, intensity, duration and types of therapy, and long-term outcomes for survivors of multiple trauma. Rehabilitation is an expensive resource and the evidence to support its justification is needed urgently. The issues in study design and research methodology in rehabilitation are challenging. Opportunities to prioritize trauma rehabilitation, disability management and social reintegration of multiple injury survivors are discussed. Copyright © 2011 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

EndoVascular and Hybrid Trauma Management (EVTM) for Blunt Innominate Artery Injury with Ongoing Extravasation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bilos, Linda, E-mail: linda.bilos@regionorebrolan.se; Pirouzram, Artai; Toivola, Asko

Innominate artery (IA) traumatic injuries are rare but life-threatening, with high mortality and morbidity. Open surgical repair is the treatment of choice but is technically demanding. We describe a case of blunt trauma to the IA with ongoing bleeding, treated successfully by combined (hybrid) endovascular and open surgery. The case demonstrates the immediate usage of modern endovascular and surgical tools as part of endovascular and hybrid trauma management.

Complications in the management of bladder trauma in a third level hospital.

PubMed

Echeverría-García, Fernando Enrique; García-Perdomo, Herney Andrés; Barney, Erika

2014-05-01

To determine the frecuency of complications during the management of bladder trauma and its associated factors in a third level reference Hospital. A cross-sectional study of adult patients admitted in a reference Hospital from January 2006 to June 2011 with the diagnosis of bladder trauma. We identified demographic variables, type of trauma (blunt, penetrating), diagnostic method, associated traumatisms, management of bladder traumatism, frequency of complications and mortality. Univariate analysis was performed with frequency tables, measures of central tendency and dispersion. Similarly, bivariate analysis was performed to explore the association between variables. We used chi-square test for categorical variables and Student's t test to compare quantitative variables. We reviewed 40 medical records, which met the eligibility criteria. The median age was 27 years (range 16-;67) and 85% (34 patients) were male. Twenty-nine patients (72.5%) had penetrating injuries, being mainly firearm projectile (96.55%) and 11 patients (27.5%) blunt injuries. Most patients had intraoperative diagnosis (67.5%), while 25%, 5% and 2% were diagnosed by CT-cystography, cystoscopy and voiding cystography respectively. 70% (28 patients) had intraperitoneal bladder injuries. Of the forty patients enrolled, thirty six (90%) underwent surgery, while only four (10%) received conservative management. A total of ten patients (25%) had some type of complication. The most frequent was persistent hematuria (40%) followed by surgical site infection (30%), orchitis (20%), urinary tract infection (10%), urine leakage through the operative site, or to the peritoneal cavity (10%). No mortality was detected. On the bivariate logistic regression model type of trauma, number of injuries, performance of cystostomy, use of perivesical drainage tube, chest trauma and small bowel trauma, no association was found with the presence of complications. The frequency of complications was 25%. The presence of gross hematuria after 72 hours of trauma was found to be the most common complication. The type of trauma, performance or not performance of cystostomy, perivesical drain, presence of associated lesions in chest or small bowel were not associated with complications.

Do trauma courses change practice? A qualitative review of 20 courses in East, Central and Southern Africa.

PubMed

Ologunde, Rele; Le, Grace; Turner, Jim; Pandit, Hemant; Peter, Noel; Maurer, David; Hodgson, Sam; Larvin, Joseph; Lavy, Chris

2017-09-01

Trauma courses have been shown to improve clinical knowledge and patient outcomes. However, little is known about the individual drivers of change in practice amongst course participants in their home clinic environment. Front-line healthcare workers participated in a two-day Primary Trauma Care (PTC) course. Immediately after the course participants completed an evaluation survey on intended change in the management of trauma patients. Six months after the course, participants completed a survey on actual changes that had occurred. A total of 451 participants were sampled, with 321 responding at 6 months, from 40 courses across East, Central and Southern Africa. The most commonly reported intended change was the adoption of an ABCDE/systematic approach (53%). Six months after the course, 92.7% of respondents reported that they had made changes in their management, with adoption of an ABCDE/systematic approach (50.0%) remaining most common. 77% of participants reported an improvement in departmental trauma management, 26% reported an increase in staffing, 29% an increase in equipment and 68% of participants had gone on to train other healthcare workers in PTC. The findings suggest that PTC courses not only improve individual management of trauma patients but also but is also associated with beneficial effects for participants' host institutions with regards to staffing, equipment and training. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Contrast blush in pediatric blunt splenic trauma does not warrant the routine use of angiography and embolization.

PubMed

Bansal, Samiksha; Karrer, Frederick M; Hansen, Kristine; Partrick, David A

2015-08-01

Splenic artery embolization (SAE) in the presence of contrast blush (CB) has been recommended to reduce the failure rate of nonoperative management. We hypothesized that the presence of CB on computed tomography has minimal impact on patient outcomes. A retrospective review was conducted of all children (<18 years) with blunt splenic trauma over a 10-year period at a level 1 pediatric trauma center. Data are presented as mean ± standard error of mean. Seven hundred forty children sustained blunt abdominal trauma, of which 549 had an identified solid organ injury. Blunt splenic injury was diagnosed in 270 of the 740 patients. All patients were managed nonoperatively without SAE. CB was seen on computed tomography in 47 patients (17.4%). There were no significant differences in the need for blood transfusion (12.5% vs 11.1%) or length of stay (3.1 vs 3.3 days) or need for splenectomy when compared in children with or without CB. Pediatric trauma patients with blunt splenic injuries can be safely managed without SAE and physiologic response and hemodynamic stability should be the primary determinants of appropriate management. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) Approaches to Thoracolumbar Trauma.

PubMed

Kaye, Ian David; Passias, Peter

2018-03-01

Minimally invasive surgical (MIS) techniques offer promising improvements in the management of thoracolumbar trauma. Recent advances in MIS techniques and instrumentation for degenerative conditions have heralded a growing interest in employing these techniques for thoracolumbar trauma. Specifically, surgeons have applied these techniques to help manage flexion- and extension-distraction injuries, neurologically intact burst fractures, and cases of damage control. Minimally invasive surgical techniques offer a means to decrease blood loss, shorten operative time, reduce infection risk, and shorten hospital stays. Herein, we review thoracolumbar minimally invasive surgery with an emphasis on thoracolumbar trauma classification, minimally invasive spinal stabilization, surgical indications, patient outcomes, technical considerations, and potential complications.

Mortality patterns in endangered Hawaiian geese (Nene; Branta sandvicensis)

USGS Publications Warehouse

Work, Thierry M.; Dagenais, Julie; Rameyer, Robert; Breeden, Renee

2015-01-01

Understanding causes of death can aid management and recovery of endangered bird populations. Toward those ends, we systematically examined 300 carcasses of endangered Hawaiian Geese (Nene; Branta sandvicensis) from Hawaii, Maui, Molokai, and Kauai between 1992 and 2013. The most common cause of death was emaciation, followed by trauma (vehicular strikes and predation), and infectious/inflammatory diseases of which toxoplasmosis (infection with Toxoplasma gondii) predominated. Toxicoses were less common and were dominated by lead poisoning or botulism. For captive birds, inflammatory conditions predominated, whereas emaciation, trauma, and inflammation were common in free-ranging birds. Mortality patterns were similar for males and females. Trauma predominated for adults, whereas emaciation was more common for goslings. Causes of death varied among islands, with trauma dominating on Molokai, emaciation and inflammation on Kauai, emaciation on Hawaii, and inflammation and trauma on Maui. Understanding habitat or genetic-related factors that predispose Nene (particularly goslings) to emaciation might reduce the impact of this finding. In addition, trauma and infection with T. gondii are human-related problems that may be attenuated if effectively managed (e.g., road signs, enforcement of speed limits, feral cat [Felis catus] control). Such management actions might serve to enhance recovery of this endangered species.

Spine Trauma-What Are the Current Controversies?

PubMed

Oner, Cumhur; Rajasekaran, Shanmuganathan; Chapman, Jens R; Fehlings, Michael G; Vaccaro, Alexander R; Schroeder, Gregory D; Sadiqi, Said; Harrop, James

2017-09-01

Although less common than other musculoskeletal injuries, spinal trauma may lead to significantly more disability and costs. During the last 2 decades there was substantial improvement in our understanding of the basic patterns of spinal fractures leading to more reliable classification and injury severity assessment systems but also rapid developments in surgical techniques. Despite these advancements, there remain unresolved issues concerning the management of these injuries. At this moment there is persistent controversy within the spinal trauma community, which can be grouped under 6 headings. First of all there is still no unanimity on the role and timing of medical and surgical interventions for patients with associated neurologic injury. The same is also true for type and timing of surgical intervention in multiply injured patients. In some common injury types like odontoid fractures and burst type (A3-A4) fractures in thoracolumbar spine, there is wide variation in practice between operative versus nonoperative management without clear reasons. Also, the role of different surgical approaches and techniques in certain injury types are not clarified yet. Methods of nonoperative management and care of elderly patients with concurrent complex disorders are also areas where there is no consensus. In this overview article the main reasons for these controversies are reviewed and the possible ways for resolutions are discussed.

National Athletic Trainers' Association Position Statement: Management of Acute Skin Trauma

PubMed Central

Beam, Joel W.; Buckley, Bernadette; Holcomb, William R.; Ciocca, Mario

2016-01-01

Objective: To present recommendations for the cleansing, debridement, dressing, and monitoring of acute skin trauma in patients. Background: Acute skin trauma is common during participation in athletic and recreational activities. Clinical decisions and intervention protocols after injury vary among athletic trainers and are often based on ritualistic practices. An understanding of cleansing, debridement, and dressing techniques; clinical features of infection and adverse reactions; and monitoring of acute skin trauma is critical for certified athletic trainers and other allied health and medical professionals to create a local wound environment that promotes healing and lessens the risk of complications. Recommendations: These guidelines are intended to provide the certified athletic trainer and others participating in athletic health care with specific knowledge about and recommendations for the management of acute skin trauma. PMID:28092169

National Athletic Trainers' Association Position Statement: Management of Acute Skin Trauma.

PubMed

Beam, Joel W; Buckley, Bernadette; Holcomb, William R; Ciocca, Mario

2016-12-01

  To present recommendations for the cleansing, debridement, dressing, and monitoring of acute skin trauma in patients.   Acute skin trauma is common during participation in athletic and recreational activities. Clinical decisions and intervention protocols after injury vary among athletic trainers and are often based on ritualistic practices. An understanding of cleansing, debridement, and dressing techniques; clinical features of infection and adverse reactions; and monitoring of acute skin trauma is critical for certified athletic trainers and other allied health and medical professionals to create a local wound environment that promotes healing and lessens the risk of complications.   These guidelines are intended to provide the certified athletic trainer and others participating in athletic health care with specific knowledge about and recommendations for the management of acute skin trauma.

The big hurt: Trauma system funding in today's health care environment.

PubMed

Geehan, Douglas

2010-01-01

Trauma systems provide effective care of the injured patient but require major financial costs in readiness and availability of the extensive trauma team and specialized equipment. Traditional billing and collection practices do not fully recoup these costs. Effective use of the standard billing system is vital to the stability of a trauma system; however, a system wide funding mechanism provides an optimal, stable foundation. Efforts to provide sustainable trauma system funding are ongoing. Numerous state initiatives have been successful in funding trauma systems but a universal solution has yet to be found.

Utility of plain radiographs and MRI in cervical spine clearance in symptomatic non-obtunded pediatric patients without high-impact trauma.

PubMed

Moore, Justin M; Hall, Jonathan; Ditchfield, Michael; Xenos, Christopher; Danks, Andrew

2017-02-01

The optimal imaging modality for evaluating cervical spine trauma and optimizing management in the pediatric population is controversial. In pediatric populations, there are no well-established guidelines for cervical spine trauma evaluation and treatment. Currently, there is virtually no literature regarding imaging and management of symptomatic pediatric patients who present with cervical spine trauma without high-impact mechanism. This study aims to establish an optimal imaging strategy for this subgroup of trauma patients. We performed a retrospective review of pediatric patients (aged below 18 years) who were admitted to Monash Medical Centre, Melbourne, Australia between July 2011 and June 2015, who did not suffer a high-impact trauma but were symptomatic for cervical spine injury following cervical trauma. Imaging and management strategies were reviewed and results compared. Forty-seven pediatric patients were identified who met the inclusion criteria. Of these patients, 46 underwent cervical spine series (CSS) plain radiograph imaging. Thirty-four cases underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and 9 patients underwent CT. MRI was able to detect 4 cases of ligamentous injury, which were not seen in CSS imaging and was able to facilitate cervical spine clearance in a further two patients whose CSS radiographs were abnormal. In this study, MRI has a greater sensitivity and specificity when compared to CSS radiography in a symptomatic pediatric low-impact trauma population. Our data call in to question the routine use of CSS radiographs in children.

[Management of patients with simple cervical distortions].

PubMed

Foletti, G; Regli, F

1995-11-11

Common distortion of the cervical spine without evidence of neurological or osteoligamentary damage is a frequent consequence of indirect head and neck trauma. The mechanism of the injury (called "whiplash", "coup de lapin", or "Schleudertrauma") does not imply direct trauma to the head or neck. In the acute phase, common distortion of the cervical spine requires treatment. Rapid management may avoid or considerably reduce the chronic pain syndrome with the characteristic chronic tension-like headache. The chronic pain and the numerous associated functional disorders are not well understood: certain factors favour central and peripheral dysfunction and others emphasize the importance of extra-trauma phenomena. In our opinion, extra-trauma phenomena would explain the invalidating nature of pain in a small number of patients. Management of these chronic patients requires a multidisciplinary approach aimed at helping the patient overcome the inconveniences of this condition.

Endovascular management of arterial injuries after blunt or iatrogenic renal trauma

PubMed Central

Chevallier, Olivier; Gehin, Sophie; Midulla, Marco; Berthod, Pierre-Emmanuel; Galland, Christophe; Briche, Pascale; Duperron, Céline; Majbri, Nabil; Mousson, Christiane; Falvo, Nicolas

2017-01-01

The kidney is the third most common abdominal organ to be injured in trauma, following the spleen and liver, respectively. The most commonly used classification scheme is the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) classification of blunt renal injuries, which grades renal injury according to the size of laceration and its proximity to the renal hilum. Arteriovenous fistula and pseudoaneurysm are the most common iatrogenic biopsy-related or surgery-related vascular injuries in native kidneys. The approach to renal artery injuries has changed over time from more aggressive intervention to more conservative observational or endovascular management, including selective transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) and the placement of stents/stent grafts. In this article, we describe the role and technical aspects of endovascular interventions in the management of arterial injuries after blunt or iatrogenic renal trauma. PMID:28932700

Current status and future options for trauma and emergency surgery in Turkey.

PubMed

Taviloğlu, Korhan; Ertekin, Cemalettin

2008-01-01

The number of trauma victims in Turkey is expected to increase as a consequence of the increasing vehicular traffic, potential for earthquakes, and risk of terrorist attacks. The Turkish Association for Trauma and Emergency Surgery monitors trauma cases, publishes a quarterly journal, organizes trauma courses and seminars for various health personnel nationwide. It is also extending efforts to improve in-hospital care by establishing trauma and emergency surgery fellowships and trauma and emergency surgery centers nationwide, which is run by General Surgeons currently. Turkey faces the same dilemma as the rest of the developed world regarding the future of trauma surgeons in the current era of nonoperative trauma management. We suggest that the field of trauma and emergency surgery be redefined to include emergency general surgery and cavitary trauma.

Management of blunt hepatic trauma at a Connecticut Level I trauma center.

PubMed

Scalora, Matthew A; Gross, Ronald I; Burns, Karyl J

2007-10-01

This study examined the management of patients with hepatic trauma treated at a Level I trauma center in Connecticut from January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2003. Forty-four patients over the age of 16 years sustained blunt liver injury and were brought to Hartford Hospital during the study period. Eight of these patients died; three of these deaths occurred in the emergency department (ED) shortly after arrival. Thirty-four patients (82.9%) with blunt liver injuries were managed nonoperatively. Only one of these patients died, not as a direct result of hepatic injury. The average Injury Severity Score (ISS) for these patients decreased as the injury grade increased but this was not statistically significant (P=0.684). A moderate positive and statistically significant relationship was noted between the length of hospital stay and the ISS (r=0.597, P=0.000). Our findings suggest that the current standard of care for most patients with blunt hepatic injuries is nonoperative management. It is the rare and most severely injured patient that will require operative management. As reported in the literature, mortality for these patients remains unchanged.

Coagulation management in multiple trauma: a systematic review.

PubMed

Lier, Heiko; Böttiger, Bernd W; Hinkelbein, Jochen; Krep, Henning; Bernhard, Michael

2011-04-01

The management of trauma patients suffering from active bleeding has improved with a better understanding of trauma-induced coagulopathy. The aim of this manuscript is to give recommendations for coagulation management. A systematic literature search in the PubMed database was performed for articles published between January 2000 and August 2009. A total of 230 articles were included in the present systematic review. The "coagulopathy of trauma" is a discrete disease which has a decisive influence on survival. Diagnosis and therapy of deranged coagulation should start immediately after admission to the emergency department. A specific protocol for massive transfusion should be introduced and continued. Loss of body temperature should be prevented and treated. Acidaemia should be prevented and treated by appropriate shock therapy. If massive transfusion is performed using fresh frozen plasma (FFP), a ratio of FFP to pRBC (packed red blood cells) of 1:2-1:1 should be achieved. Fibrinogen should be substituted at levels of <1.5 g/L. For patients suffering from active bleeding, permissive hypotension (i.e. mean arterial pressure ~65 mmHg) may be aimed for until surgical cessation of bleeding. This option is contraindicated in injuries of the central nervous system and in patients with coronary heart disease, or with known hypertension. Thrombelastography or -metry may be performed to guide coagulation diagnosis and substitution. Hypocalcaemia <0.9 mmol/L should be avoided and may be treated. For actively bleeding patients, pRBC may be given at haemoglobin <10 g/L (6.2 mmol/L) and haematocrit may be targeted at 30%.

Conceptual model of male military sexual trauma.

PubMed

Elder, William B; Domino, Jessica L; Rentz, Timothy O; Mata-Galán, Emma L

2017-08-01

Male sexual trauma is understudied, leaving much to be known about the unique mental health needs of male survivors. This study examined veteran men's perceptions of the effects of military sexual trauma. Military sexual trauma was defined as physically forced, verbally coerced, or substance-incapacitated acts experienced during military service. Interviews were conducted with 21 male veterans who reported experiencing military sexual trauma. Data were drawn together using a grounded theory methodology. Three categories emerged from data analysis, including (a) types of military sexual trauma (being touched in a sexual way against their will [N = 18]; sexual remarks directed at them [N = 15]; being physically forced to have sex [N = 13]); (b) negative life effects (difficulty trusting others [N = 18]; fear of abandonment [N = 17]; substance use [N = 13]; fear of interpersonal violence [N = 12]; conduct and vocational problems [N = 11]; irritability/aggression [N = 8]; insecurity about sexual performance [N = 8]; difficulty managing anger [N = 8]); and (c) posttraumatic growth (N = 15). Results from this study suggest sexual trauma in the military context may affect systems of self-organization, specifically problems in affective, self-concept, and relational domains, similar to symptoms of those who have experienced prolonged traumatic stressors. This model can be used by clinicians to select treatments that specifically target these symptoms and promote posttraumatic growth. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2017 APA, all rights reserved).

Is trauma in Switzerland any different? epidemiology and patterns of injury in major trauma - a 5-year review from a Swiss trauma centre.

PubMed

Heim, C; Bosisio, F; Roth, A; Bloch, J; Borens, O; Daniel, R T; Denys, A; Oddo, M; Pasquier, M; Schmidt, S; Schoettker, P; Zingg, T; Wasserfallen, J B

2014-01-01

Switzerland, the country with the highest health expenditure per capita, is lacking data on trauma care and system planning. Recently, 12 trauma centres were designated to be reassessed through a future national trauma registry by 2015. Lausanne University Hospital launched the first Swiss trauma registry in 2008, which contains the largest database on trauma activity nationwide. Prospective analysis of data from consecutively admitted shock room patients from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2012. Shock room admission is based on physiology and mechanism of injury, assessed by prehospital physicians. Management follows a surgeon-led multidisciplinary approach. Injuries are coded by Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine (AAAM) certified coders. Over the 5 years, 1,599 trauma patients were admitted, predominantly males with a median age of 41.4 years and median injury severity score (ISS) of 13. Rate of ISS >15 was 42%. Principal mechanisms of injury were road traffic (40.4%) and falls (34.4%), with 91.5% blunt trauma. Principal patterns were brain (64.4%), chest (59.8%) and extremity/pelvic girdle (52.9%) injuries. Severe (abbreviated injury scale [AIS] score ≥ 3) orthopaedic injuries, defined as extremity and spine injuries together, accounted for 67.1%. Overall, 29.1% underwent immediate intervention, mainly by orthopaedics (27.3%), neurosurgeons (26.3 %) and visceral surgeons (13.9%); 43.8% underwent a surgical intervention within the first 24 hours and 59.1% during their hospitalisation. In-hospital mortality for patients with ISS >15 was 26.2%. This is the first 5-year report on trauma in Switzerland. Trauma workload was similar to other European countries. Despite high levels of healthcare, mortality exceeds published rates by >50%. Regardless of the importance of a multidisciplinary approach, trauma remains a surgical disease and needs dedicated surgical resources.

Implementation of an image sharing system significantly reduced repeat computed tomographic imaging in a regional trauma system.

PubMed

Banerjee, Aman; Zosa, Brenda M; Allen, Debra; Wilczewski, Patricia A; Ferguson, Robert; Claridge, Jeffrey A

2016-01-01

The practice of repeating computed tomography (re-CT) is common among trauma patients transferred between hospitals incurring additional cost and radiation exposure. This study sought to evaluate the effectiveness of implementing modern cloud-based technology (lifeIMAGE) across a regional trauma system to reduce the incidence of re-CT imaging. This is a prospective interventional study to evaluate outcomes after implementation of lifeIMAGE in January 2012. Key outcomes were rates of CT imaging, including the rates and costs of re-CT from January 2009 through December 2012. There were 1,081 trauma patients transferred from participating hospitals during the study period (657 patients before and 425 patients after implementation), with the overall re-CT rate of 20.5%. Rates of any CT imaging at referring hospitals decreased (62% vs. 55%, p < 0.05) and also decreased at the accepting regional Level I center (58% vs. 52%, p < 0.05) following system implementation. There were 639 patients (59%) who had CT imaging performed before transfer (404 patients before and 235 patients after implementation). Of these patients, the overall re-CT rate decreased from 38.4% to 28.1% (p = 0.01). Rates of re-CT of the head (21% vs. 11%, p = 0.002), chest (7% vs. 3%, p = 0.05), as well as abdomen and pelvis (12% vs. 5%, p = 0.007) were significantly reduced following system implementation. The cost of repeat imaging per patient was significantly lower following system implementation (mean charges, $1,046 vs. $589; p < 0.001). These results were more pronounced in a subgroup of patients with an Injury Severity Score (ISS) of greater than 14, with a reduction in overall re-CT rate from 51% to 30% (p = 0.03). The implementation of modern cloud-based technology across the regional trauma system resulted in significant reductions in re-CT imaging and cost. Therapeutic/care management study, level IV; economic analysis, level IV.

[Is polytrauma affordable these days? G-DRG system vs per diem charge based on 1,030 patients with multiple injuries].

PubMed

Qvick, B; Buehren, V; Woltmann, A

2012-10-01

The introduction of diagnosis-related groups (DRG) in Germany comprises the risk of a non-cost-effective reimbursement in complex medical treatments. The aim of this study was to compare the reimbursement between the DRG system and the system of hospital per diem charge in effect until now. The G-DRG (Version 2004) reimbursement was calculated for 1,030 polytrauma patients (average ISS 26.4) treated at the BGU Murnau from 2000 to 2004, using a base value of 2900 euros, and compared to the reimbursement of hospital per diem charge. Just half of all polytrauma patients are classified as a polytrauma according to the DRG (18.7%) or as requiring artificial respiration based on the DRG (29.1%). The average G-DRG reimbursement was 27,157 euros vs 36,387 euros (74.6%). Patients with minor trauma, increasing age, high GCS, ICU stay without artificial respiration, trauma of the upper extremity and patients who survived show the greatest discrepancy. A revision of the G-DRG definition of polytrauma is necessary to ensure adequate reimbursement for management of patients with multiple injuries. The severity of a trauma has to be considered in the DRG system.

Delayed splenic vascular injury after nonoperative management of blunt splenic trauma.

PubMed

Furlan, Alessandro; Tublin, Mitchell E; Rees, Mitchell A; Nicholas, Dederia H; Sperry, Jason L; Alarcon, Louis H

2017-05-01

Delayed splenic vascular injury (DSVI) is traditionally considered a rare, often clinically occult, harbinger of splenic rupture in patients with splenic trauma that are managed conservatively. The purpose of our study was to assess the incidence of DSVI and associated features in patients admitted with blunt splenic trauma and managed nonoperatively. A retrospective analysis was conducted over a 4-y time. Patients admitted with blunt splenic trauma, managed no-operatively and with a follow-up contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan study during admission were included. The CT scans were reviewed for American Association for the Surgery of Trauma splenic injury score, amount of hemoperitoneum, and presence of DSVI. Logistic regression models were used to investigate the risk factors associated with DSVI. A total of 100 patients (60 men and 40 women) constituted the study group. Follow-up CT scan demonstrated a 23% incidence of DSVI. Splenic artery angiography validated DSVI in 15% of the total patient population. Most DSVIs were detected only on arterial phase CT scan imaging. The American Association for the Surgery of Trauma splenic injury score (odds ratio = 1.73; P = 0.045) and the amount of hemoperitoneum (odds ratio = 1.90; P = 0.023) on admission CT scan were associated with the development of DSVI on follow-up CT scan. DSVI on follow-up CT scan imaging of patients managed nonoperatively after splenic injury is common and associated with splenic injury score assessed on admission CT scan. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Trauma system evaluation in developing countries: applicability of American College of Surgeons/Committee on Trauma (ACS/COT) basic criteria.

PubMed

Latifi, Rifat; Ziemba, Michelle; Leppäniemi, Ari; Dasho, Erion; Dogjani, Agron; Shatri, Zhaneta; Kociraj, Agim; Oldashi, Fatos; Shosha, Lida

2014-08-01

Trauma continues to be a major health problem worldwide, particularly in the developing world, with high mortality and morbidity. Yet most developing countries lack an organized trauma system. Furthermore, developing countries do not have in place any accreditation process for trauma centers; thus, no accepted standard assessment tools exist to evaluate their trauma services. The aims of this study were to evaluate the trauma system in Albania, using the basic trauma criteria of the American College of Surgeons/Committee on Trauma (ACS/COT) as assessment tools, and to provide the Government with a situational analysis relative to these criteria. We used the ACS/COT basic criteria as assessment tools to evaluate the trauma system in Albania. We conducted a series of semi-structured interviews, unstructured interviews, and focus groups with all stakeholders at the Ministry of Health, at the University Trauma Hospital (UTH) based in Tirana (the capital city), and at ten regional hospitals across the country. Albania has a dedicated national trauma center that serves as the only tertiary center, plus ten regional hospitals that provide some trauma care. However, overall, its trauma system is in need of major reforms involving all essential elements in order to meet the basic requirements of a structured trauma system. The ACS/COT basic criteria can be used as assessment tools to evaluate trauma care in developing countries. Further studies are needed in other developing countries to validate the applicability of these criteria.

[Ballistic concepts and management of gunshot wounds at members].

PubMed

Fabeck, L; Hock, N; Goffin, J; Ngatchou, W

2017-01-01

Ballistic trauma is not the prerogative of battlefields and currently extends to civil environments. Any surgeon or emergency room can be faced with such trauma whose management requires an understanding of wound ballistics. The aim of this retrospective is reviewing the management of ballistic trauma within the C.H.U. Saint-Pierre hospital over a period of ten years. Data recorded included demographics data, lesions, clinical parameters, imaging, treatment and outcome. It appears that the wounds of the members have a low mortality rate but a significant rate of complications. Patients should be managed according to the ATLS protocol and according hemodynamic stability and location of the injury, benefit from imaging. Unstable patients will be operated in emergency, stable patients will be treated according to the extent of damage and the type of fracture either conservatively or by external fixator and intramedullary centromedullary. Debridement and antibiotics are recommended as a nerve exploration if there is a peripheral paralysis. The management of trauma in our sample appear not optimal in light of the literature especially in terms of setting the vascular point of debridement, antibiotic and nerve repair resulting in significant consequences. Two management protocols according to patients' hemodynamic status are offered.

Post-Ocular Trauma Corneal Staphyloma in a Child Living in an Underdeveloped Region of Eastern Indonesia

PubMed Central

Sitompul, Ratna; Kusumowidagdo, Gladys; Matiur, Eiko B.; Barliana, Julie D.; Sitorus, Rita S.; Sungkar, Saleha

2018-01-01

Ocular trauma occurring in children often leads to visual impairment or blindness when it is not properly managed. This often occurs in underdeveloped regions with difficult access to professional care at local health facilities. We report a case of post-trauma corneal staphyloma in an underdeveloped region of eastern Indonesia to illustrate the importance of proper management of ocular trauma in areas lacking such expertise and where patients have difficulty accessing even basic health care. During a community health outreach in Southwest Sumba, eastern Indonesia in May 2017, a 7-year-old boy presented with white protrusion of the left eye of 3 years' duration following an event of sharp trauma. The patient lived in an inaccessible and impoverished area. Upon contemporary examination, visual acuity of the left eye was 1/300 while that of the right eye was 6/6. Anterior examination revealed corneal staphyloma of the left eye, and its posterior segment could not be evaluated. The patient was transported to an eye care center in Jakarta, receiving a stock prosthesis implant while awaiting a corneal evisceration procedure with dermofat graft. Ocular trauma is one of the most common causes of visual impairment in children. This case illustrates the consequences of inadequate post-trauma management and the importance of prevention of infection. PMID:29681830

Fixed orthodontic appliances in the management of severe dental trauma in mixed dentition: a case report.

PubMed

Ebrahim, Fouad-Hassan; Kulkarni, Gajanan

2013-01-01

We describe a case of complex trauma to the early mixed dentition in which tooth avulsion, intrusion, extrusion and lateral luxation were managed effectively using a fixed, non-rigid orthodontic splint after treatment with a traditional wire-composite splint had failed. The use of orthodontic brackets and flexible wires provided several advantages, such as the ability to splint severely malpositioned teeth; easy assessment without removing the splint; slow, gentle repositioning of traumatized teeth; and gradual reestablishment of the arch form allowing for ease of future prosthodontic rehabilitation. Therefore, orthodontic appliances should be considered as a viable option for managing complex dental trauma.

Level I academic trauma center integration as a model for sustaining combat surgical skills: The right surgeon in the right place for the right time.

PubMed

Hight, Rachel A; Salcedo, Edgardo S; Martin, Sean P; Cocanour, Christine S; Utter, Garth; Galante, Joseph M

2015-06-01

As North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) countries begin troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, military medicine needs programs for combat surgeons to retain the required knowledge and surgical skills. Each military branch runs programs at various Level I academic trauma centers to deliver predeployment training and provide a robust trauma experience for deploying surgeons. Outside of these successful programs, there is no system-wide mechanism for nondeploying military surgeons to care for a high volume of critically ill trauma patients on a regular basis in an educational environment that promotes continued professional development. We hypothesize that fully integrated military-civilian relationship regional Level I trauma centers provide a surgical experience more closely mirroring that seen in a Role III hospital than local Level II and Level III trauma center or medical treatment facilities. We characterized the Level I trauma center practice using the number of trauma resuscitations, operative trauma/acute care surgery procedures, number of work shifts, operative density (defined as the ratio of operative procedures/days worked), and frequency of educational conferences. The same parameters were collected from two NATO Role III hospitals in Afghanistan during the peak of Operation Enduring Freedom. Data for two civilian Level II trauma centers, two civilian Level III trauma centers, and a Continental United States Military Treatment Facility without trauma designation were collected. The number of trauma resuscitations, number of 24-hour shifts, operative density, and educational conferences are shown in the table for the Level I trauma center compared with the different institutions. Civilian center trauma resuscitations and operative density were highest at the Level I trauma center and were only slightly lower than what was seen in Afghanistan. Level II and III trauma centers had lower numbers for both. The Level I trauma center provided the most frequent educational opportunities. In a Level I academic trauma center integrated program, military and civilian surgeons have the same clinical and educational responsibilities: rounding and operating, managing critical care patients, covering trauma/acute care surgery call, and mentoring surgery residents in an integrated residency program. The Level I trauma center experience most closely mimics the combat surgeon experience seen at NATO Role III hospitals in Afghanistan compared with other civilian trauma centers. At high-volume Level I trauma centers, military surgeons will have a comprehensive trauma practice, including dedicated educational opportunities. We recommend integrated programs with Level I academic trauma centers as the primary mechanism for sustaining military combat surgical skills in the future.

The impact of the Major Trauma Network: will trauma units continue to treat complex foot and ankle injuries?

PubMed

Hay-David, A G C; Clint, S A; Brown, R R

2014-12-01

April 1st 2012 saw the introduction of National Trauma Networks in England. The aim to optimise the management of major trauma. Patients with an ISS≥16 would be transferred to the regional Major Trauma Centre (level 1). Our premise was that trauma units (level 2) would no longer manage complex foot and ankle injuries thereby obviating the need for a foot and ankle specialist service. Retrospective analysis of the epidemiology of foot and ankle injuries, using the Gloucestershire trauma database, from a trauma unit with a population of 750,000. Rates of open fractures, complex foot and ankle injuries and requirement for stabilisation with external fixation were reviewed before and after the introduction of the regional Trauma Network. Secondly, using the Trauma Audit & Research Network (TARN) database, all foot and ankle injuries triaged to the regional Major Trauma Centre (MTC) were reviewed. Incidence of open foot and ankle injuries was 2.9 per 100,000 per year. There were 5.1% open injuries before the network and 3.2% after (p>0.05). Frequency of complex foot and ankle injuries was 4.2% before and 7.5% after the network commenced, showing no significant change. There was no statistically significant change in the numbers of patients with complex foot and ankle injuries treated by application of external fixators. Analysis of TARN data revealed that only 18% of patients with foot and ankle injuries taken to the MTC had an ISS≥16. The majority of these patients were identified as requiring plastic surgical intervention for open fractures (69%) or were polytrauma patients (43%). Only 4.5% of patients had isolated, closed foot and ankle injuries. We found that at the trauma unit there was no decrease in the numbers of complex foot and ankle injuries, open fractures, or the applications of external fixators, following the introduction of the Trauma Network. These patients will continue to attend trauma units as they usually have an ISS<16. Our findings suggest that there is still a need for foot and ankle specialists at trauma units, in order to manage patients with complex foot and ankle injuries. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Pitfalls in penetrating thoracic trauma (lessons we learned the hard way...).

PubMed

Degiannis, Elias; Zinn, Richard Joseph

2008-10-01

The majority of patients with penetrating thoracic trauma are managed non-operatively. Those requiring surgery usually go to theater with physiological instability. The critical condition of these patients coupled with the rarity of penetrating thoracic trauma in most European countries makes their surgical management challenging for the occasional trauma surgeon, who is usually trained as a general surgeon. Most general surgeons have a general knowledge of basic cardiothoracic operative surgery, knowledge originating from their training years and possibly enhanced by reading operative surgery textbooks. Unfortunately, the details included in most of these books are not extensive enough to provide him with enough armamentaria to tackle the difficult case. In this anatomical region, their operative dexterity and knowledge cannot be compared to that of their cardiothoracic colleagues, something that is taken for granted in their cardiothoracic trauma textbooks. Techniques that are considered basic and easy by the cardiothoracic surgeons can be unfamiliar and difficult to general surgeons. Knowing the danger points and the pitfalls that will be encountered in cardiothoracic trauma surgery will help them to avoid intraoperative errors and improve patient outcome. The purpose of this manuscript is to highlight the commonly encountered pitfalls by trauma surgeons operating on penetrating trauma to the chest.

Emergency nursing management of the multiple trauma patient.

PubMed

Kosmos, C A

1989-01-01

This case study reinforces key principles in caring for multiply injured trauma victims. The Primary Survey is a tool developed to allow those caring for trauma patients to prioritize injuries. Those injuries identified in the Primary Survey will be the most life threatening.

Coagulation management in trauma-associated coagulopathy: allogenic blood products versus coagulation factor concentrates in trauma care.

PubMed

Klages, Matthias; Zacharowski, Kai; Weber, Christian Friedrich

2016-04-01

Coagulation management by transfusion of allogenic blood products and coagulation factors are competing concepts in current trauma care. Rapid and adequate therapy of trauma-associated coagulopathy is crucial to survival of severely injured patients. Standard coagulation tests such as prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time are commonly used, but these tests are inappropriate for monitoring and guiding therapy in trauma patients. Coagulation factor-based treatment showed promising results, but randomized trials have not yet been performed. In addition, viscoelastic tests are needed to guide therapy, although there is in fact limited evidence for these in tests in trauma care. Regarding transfusion therapy with allogenic blood products, plasma transfusion has been associated with improved survival in trauma patients following massive transfusion. In contrast, patients not requiring massive transfusion seem to be at risk for suffering complications with increasing volumes of plasma transfused. The collective of trauma patients is heterogeneous. Despite the lack of evidence, there are strong arguments for individualized patient treatment with coagulation factors for some indications and to abstain from the use of fresh frozen plasma. In patients with severe trauma and major bleeding, plasma, platelets, and red blood cells should be considered to be administered at a ratio of 1 : 1 : 1.

Simulated Trauma and Resuscitation Team Training course-evolution of a multidisciplinary trauma crisis resource management simulation course.

PubMed

Gillman, Lawrence M; Brindley, Peter; Paton-Gay, John Damian; Engels, Paul T; Park, Jason; Vergis, Ashley; Widder, Sandy

2016-07-01

We previously reported on a pilot trauma multidisciplinary crisis resource course titled S.T.A.R.T.T. (Simulated Trauma and Resuscitative Team Training). Here, we study the course's evolution. Satisfaction was evaluated by postcourse survey. Trauma teams were evaluated using the Ottawa global rating scale and an Advanced Trauma Life Support primary survey checklist. Eleven "trauma teams," consisting of physicians, nurses, and respiratory therapists, each completed 4 crisis simulations over 3 courses. Satisfaction remained high among participants with overall mean satisfaction being 4.39 on a 5-point Likert scale. As participants progressed through scenarios, improvements in global rating scale scores were seen between the 1st and 4th (29.8 vs 36.1 of 42, P = .022), 2nd and 3rd (28.2 vs 34.6, P = .017), and 2nd and 4th (28.2 vs 36.1, P = .003) scenarios. There were no differences in Advanced Trauma Life Support checklist with mean scores for each scenario ranging 11.3 to 13.2 of 17. The evolved Simulated Trauma and Resuscitative Team Training curriculum has maintained high participant satisfaction and is associated with improvement in team crisis resource management skills over the duration of the course. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Reconstructive surgery for complex midface trauma using titanium miniplates: Le Fort I fracture of the maxilla, zygomatico-maxillary complex fracture and nasomaxillary complex fracture, resulting from a motor vehicle accident.

PubMed

Nicholoff, T J; Del Castillo, C B; Velmonte, M X

Maxillofacial injuries resulting from trauma can be a challenge to the Maxillo-Facial Surgeon. Frequent causes of these injuries are attributed to automobile accidents, physical altercations, gunshot wounds, home accidents, athletic injuries, work injuries and other injuries. Motor vehicle accidents tend to be the primary cause of most midface fractures and lacerations due to the face hitting the dashboard, windshield and steering wheel or the back of the front seat for passengers in the rear. Seatbelts have been shown to drastically reduce the incidence and severity of these injuries. In the United States seatbelt laws have been enacted in several states thus markedly impacting on the reduction of such trauma. In the Philippines rare is the individual who wears seat belts. Metro city traffic, however, has played a major role in reducing daytime MVA related trauma, as usually there is insufficient speed in traffic areas to cause severe impact damage, the same however cannot be said for night driving, or for driving outside of the city proper where it is not uncommon for drivers to zip into the lane of on-coming traffic in order to overtake the car in front ... often at high speeds. Thus, the potential for severe maxillofacial injuries and other trauma related injuries increases in these circumstances. It is however unfortunate that outside of Metro Manila or other major cities there is no ready access to trauma or tertiary care centers, thus these injuries can be catastrophic if not addressed adequately. With the exception of Le Fort II and III craniofacial fractures, most maxillofacial injuries are not life threatening by themselves, and therefore treatment can be delayed until more serious cerebral or visceral, potentially life threatening injuries are addressed first. Our patient was involved in an MVA in Zambales, seen and stabilized in a provincial primary care center initially, then referred to a provincial secondary care center for further stabilization before his transfer to Manila and then ultimately to our Maxillo-Facial Unit. There was a two week-plus delay in the definitive management because of this. As a result of the delay, fibrous tissue and bone callus formation occurred between the various fracture lines, thus once definitive fracture management was attempted, it took on a more reconstructive nature. Hospital based Oral and Maxillo-Facial Surgeons are uniquely trained to manage all aspects of the maxillo-facial trauma, and their dental background uniquely qualifies them in functional restoration of lower and midface fractures where occlusion plays a most important role. Likewise, their training in clinical medicine which is usually integrated into their residency education (12 months or more) puts them in a unique position to comfortably manage the basic medical needs of these patients. In instances where trauma may affect other regions of the body, an inter-multi-disciplinary approach may be taken or consults called for. In this instance, an opthalmology consult was important. In fresh trauma, often seen in major trauma centers (i.e. overseas), a "Trauma Team" is on standby 24 hours a day, and is prepared to assess and manage trauma patients almost immediately upon their arrival in the ER. The trauma team is usually composed of a Trauma Surgeon who is a general surgeon with subspecialty training in traumatology who assesses and manages the visceral injuries, an Orthopedic Surgeon who manages fractures of the extremities, a Neurosurgeon for cerebral injuries and an Oral and Maxillo-Facial Surgeon for facial injuries. In some institutions, facial trauma call is alternated between the "three major head and neck specialty services", namely Oral and Maxillo-facial Surgery, Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery and Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)

[Experience in management of trauma-related acute abdomen at the "General Ignacio Zaragoza" Regional Hospital in Mexico City].

PubMed

Senado-Lara, Isaac; Castro-Mendoza, Antonio; Palacio-Vélez, Fernando; Vargas-Avila, Arcenio Luis

2004-01-01

To know the current state of surgical management of patients with abdominal trauma. We carried out a retrospective, observational, transversal study involving patients with abdominal trauma with clinical files wtih trauma who required surgery during the period of April 1, 1998 through March 30, 2003. There were 72 cases including nine male and 33 female patients. Mechanism of lesion was divided into closed and penetrating trauma, the latter group of patients divided into individuals with blunt wounds or with gunshot wounds. Most frequent early postoperative complication was hemorrhage, while most frequent late postoperative complication was acute renal failure. Causes of death were hypovolemic shock in four patients followed by two cases each with the following pathologies: acute respiratory insufficiency syndrome; myocardial infarct, and septic shock. Abdominal trauma is a frequent pathology in our environment, males the most affected patients, with penetrating trauma main lesion cause. Prolonged surgical time required hemotransfusions, and infectious processes together with processes related with tissular hypoxia are the most common cause of complications and death.

Building the Capacity to Manage Orthopaedic Trauma After a Catastrophe in a Low-Income Country.

PubMed

Furey, Andrew; Rourke, James; Larsen, Hans

2015-10-01

Providing trauma care in an austere environment is very challenging, especially when the country is faced with a natural disaster. Unfortunately the combination of these elements highlights the deficiencies in managing orthopaedic trauma both in a developing country and in the face of a natural disaster, exponentially amplifying the effects of each. When considering the implementation and practice of orthopaedic trauma care in such an environment, one must consider the initial phase of program development and look further to the future in the development of a resilient program, which is sustainable. Through the use of the example of Haiti and a specific Non-Governmental Organization, we discuss the evidence for and thoughts behind developing orthopaedic trauma care program immediately after a natural disaster. This program aims to build capacity and empower a developing nation's health professionals to advance the care of orthopaedic trauma patients. We describe a model of capacity building that serves as a framework to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of low-to middle-income countries in providing orthopaedic trauma care when faced with such a challenge.

Investigating the effect of external trauma through a dynamic system modeling approach for clustering causality in diabetic foot ulcer development.

PubMed

Salimi, Parisa; Hamedi, Mohsen; Jamshidi, Nima; Vismeh, Milad

2017-04-01

Diabetes and its associated complications are realized as one of the most challenging medical conditions threatening more than 29 million people only in the USA. The forecasts suggest a suffering of more than half a billion worldwide by 2030. Amid all diabetic complications, diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) has attracted much scientific investigations to lead to a better management of this disease. In this paper, a system thinking methodology is adopted to investigate the dynamic nature of the ulceration. The causal loop diagram as a tool is utilized to illustrate the well-researched relations and interrelations between causes of the DFU. The result of clustering causality evaluation suggests a vicious loop that relates external trauma to callus. Consequently a hypothesis is presented which localizes development of foot ulceration considering distribution of normal and shear stress. It specifies that normal and tangential forces, as the main representatives of external trauma, play the most important role in foot ulceration. The evaluation of this hypothesis suggests the significance of the information related to both normal and shear stress for managing DFU. The results also discusses how these two react on different locations on foot such as metatarsal head, heel and hallux. The findings of this study can facilitate tackling the complexity of DFU problem and looking for constructive mitigation measures. Moreover they lead to developing a more promising methodology for managing DFU including better prognosis, designing prosthesis and insoles for DFU and patient caring recommendations. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The evolution of computed tomography from organ-selective to whole-body scanning in managing unconscious patients with multiple trauma

PubMed Central

Hong, Zhi-Jie; Chen, Cheng-Jueng; Yu, Jyh-Cherng; Chan, De-Chuan; Chou, Yu-Ching; Liang, Chia-Ming; Hsu, Sheng-Der

2016-01-01

Abstract We aimed to evaluate the benefit of whole-body computed tomography (WBCT) scanning for unconscious adult patients suffering from high-energy multiple trauma compared with the conventional stepwise approach of organ-selective CT. Totally, 144 unconscious patients with high-energy multiple trauma from single level I trauma center in North Taiwan were enrolled from January 2009 to December 2013. All patients were managed by a well-trained trauma team and were suitable for CT examination. The enrolled patients are all transferred directly from the scene of an accident, not from other medical institutions with a definitive diagnosis. The scanning regions of WBCT include head, neck, chest, abdomen, and pelvis. We analyzed differences between non-WBCT and WBCT groups, including gender, age, hospital stay, Injury Severity Score, Glasgow Coma Scale, Revised Trauma Score, time in emergency department (ED), medical cost, and survival outcome. Fifty-five patients received the conventional approach for treating trauma, and 89 patients received immediate WBCT scanning after an initial examination. Patients’ time in ED was significantly shorter in the WBCT group in comparison with the non-WBCT group (158.62 ± 80.13 vs 216.56 ± 168.32 min, P = 0.02). After adjusting for all possible confounding factors, we also found that survival outcome of the WBCT group was better than that of the non-WBCT group (odds ratio: 0.21, 95% confidence interval: 0.06–0.75, P = 0.016). Early performing WBCT during initial trauma management is a better approach for treating unconscious patients with high-energy multiple trauma. PMID:27631215

The evolution of computed tomography from organ-selective to whole-body scanning in managing unconscious patients with multiple trauma: A retrospective cohort study.

PubMed

Hong, Zhi-Jie; Chen, Cheng-Jueng; Yu, Jyh-Cherng; Chan, De-Chuan; Chou, Yu-Ching; Liang, Chia-Ming; Hsu, Sheng-Der

2016-09-01

We aimed to evaluate the benefit of whole-body computed tomography (WBCT) scanning for unconscious adult patients suffering from high-energy multiple trauma compared with the conventional stepwise approach of organ-selective CT.Totally, 144 unconscious patients with high-energy multiple trauma from single level I trauma center in North Taiwan were enrolled from January 2009 to December 2013. All patients were managed by a well-trained trauma team and were suitable for CT examination. The enrolled patients are all transferred directly from the scene of an accident, not from other medical institutions with a definitive diagnosis. The scanning regions of WBCT include head, neck, chest, abdomen, and pelvis. We analyzed differences between non-WBCT and WBCT groups, including gender, age, hospital stay, Injury Severity Score, Glasgow Coma Scale, Revised Trauma Score, time in emergency department (ED), medical cost, and survival outcome.Fifty-five patients received the conventional approach for treating trauma, and 89 patients received immediate WBCT scanning after an initial examination. Patients' time in ED was significantly shorter in the WBCT group in comparison with the non-WBCT group (158.62 ± 80.13 vs 216.56 ± 168.32 min, P = 0.02). After adjusting for all possible confounding factors, we also found that survival outcome of the WBCT group was better than that of the non-WBCT group (odds ratio: 0.21, 95% confidence interval: 0.06-0.75, P = 0.016).Early performing WBCT during initial trauma management is a better approach for treating unconscious patients with high-energy multiple trauma.

Consultative Committee on Road Traffic Fatalities: trauma audit methodology.

PubMed

McDermott, F T; Cordner, S M; Tremayne, A B

2000-10-01

Since 1992 the Consultative Committee on Road Traffic Fatalities in Victoria has identified deficiencies and errors in the management of 559 road traffic fatalities in which the patients were alive on arrival of ambulance services. The Committee also assessed the preventability of deaths. Reproducibility of results using its methodology has been shown to be statistically significant. The Committee's findings and recommendations, the latter made in association with the learned Colleges and specialist Societies, led to the establishment of a Ministerial Taskforce on Trauma and Emergency Services. As a consequence, in 2000, a new trauma care system will be implemented in Victoria. This paper presents a case example demonstrating the Committee's methodology. The Committee has two 12 member multidisciplinary evaluative panels. A retrospective evaluation was made of the complete ambulance, hospital and autopsy records of eligible fatalities. The clinical and pathological findings were analysed using a comprehensive data proforma, a narrative summary and the complete records. Resulting multidisciplinary discussion problems were identified and the potential preventability of death was assessed. In the present case example the Committee identified 16 management deficiencies of which 11 were assessed as having contributed to the patient's death; the death, however, was judged to be non-preventable. The presentation of this example demonstrating the Committee's methodology may be of assistance to hospital medical staff undertaking their own major trauma audit.

The general surgery model: a more appealing and sustainable alternative for the care of trauma patients.

PubMed

Roettger, Richard H; Taylor, Spence M; Youkey, Jerry R; Blackhurst, Dawn W

2005-08-01

The contemporary model of trauma care where dedicated trauma/critical care surgeons exclusively manage trauma patients has become progressively unsustainable. Little objective data, however, is available documenting that a better model exists. From September 2002 through August 2003, the trauma model at a 735-bed level I trauma teaching hospital was changed from the contemporary model to a new one where selected general surgeons with Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) certification covered in-house trauma and emergency surgery call on a rotational basis. As well, each pursued elective practices, admitting all inpatients (trauma, emergent, elective) to a single teaching service (formerly the trauma service). Critical care was managed by a separate group of intensivists. The purpose of this study was to objectively compare the two models. Quantitative, financial, and qualitative data were derived from August 2001 to January 2002 (trauma/critical care model) and compared to August 2003 to January 2004 (general surgery model). During the two periods (trauma/critical care vs general surgery), the mean Revised Trauma Score (7.1 vs 7.2; P = 0.029), the mean Injury Severity Score (ISS) (10.9 vs 10.8; P = 0.84), and the percentage of penetrating trauma (12.5% vs 13.2%; P = 0.79) were similar. Differences (trauma/critical care vs general surgery, % increase/P value) included average daily census (24 vs 54, 225%), cases/attending (262 vs 543, 207%), cases/resident (54 vs 262, 485%), charges/attending (353,811 dollars vs 471,725 dollars, 133%), collections/attending (106,143 dollars vs 165,103 dollars, 156%), number of trauma patients (643 vs 748, 116%), trauma mortality (7.3% vs 4.0%; P = 0.007), trauma mortality with ISS >15 (21.7% vs 12.0%; P = 0.035), trauma complications (33.1% vs 17%; P < 0.001), and ICU morbidity (66.8% vs 43.9%; P < .001). The new general surgery model produced superior financial results and better quantitative surgical experience while exceeding trauma and ICU quality outcomes compared to the former trauma/critical care model. These data objectively support a model such as ours--one that is financially sustainable and more professionally attractive.

Use of video-assisted intubation devices in the management of patients with trauma.

PubMed

Aziz, Michael

2013-03-01

Patients with trauma may have airways that are difficult to manage. Patients with blunt trauma are at increased risk of unrecognized cervical spine injury, especially patients with head trauma. Manual in-line stabilization reduces cervical motion and should be applied whenever a cervical collar is removed. All airway interventions cause some degree of cervical spine motion. Flexible fiberoptic intubation causes the least cervical motion of all intubation approaches, and rigid video laryngoscopy provides a good laryngeal view and eases intubation difficulty. In emergency medicine departments, video laryngoscopy use is growing and observational data suggest an improved success rate compared with direct laryngoscopy. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Paediatric pancreatic trauma: a review of the literature and results of a multicentre survey on patient management.

PubMed

Westgarth-Taylor, C; Loveland, J

2014-11-01

It is generally accepted that paediatric solid organ injury should be treated conservatively, unless there is haemodynamic instability unresponsive to resuscitation. When it comes to pancreatic trauma, there is much debate about appropriate management. To review the literature and determine how pancreatic trauma is managed in South African (SA) tertiary institutions and compares with international standards. A survey was emailed to 45 paediatric surgical consultants working in various paediatric surgical units in SA, Italy, England and Australia. The questionnaire comprised two scenarios of isolated pancreatic trauma (grade III), the main difference between them being the time interval between initial injury and presentation. In the first scenario, the patient presented 6 hours post injury whereas in the second scenario, the patient presented 6 days post initial injury. The survey enquired about diagnosis and subsequent work-up (including preferred imaging techniques), supportive management (including nutrition), the various options of definitive intervention and follow-up procedure. There were 21 responders from four different countries. In the first scenario, 10 surgeons would operate, 8 would treat conservatively and 3 would perform an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram (ERCP) and stent. In. the second scenario, 4 surgeons would operate, 13 would treat conservatively and 4 would undertake ERCP with stent. There was no difference in management between the SA surgeons and their international counterparts. Management of blunt pancreatic trauma in SA is consistent with that reported in the literature. There is still controversy regarding the optimal management of pancreatic injury involving ducts. No absolute algorithm can be used to treat these patients. All patients should be treated individually and managed with an approach and techniques that are feasible.

Design, development, and evaluation of an online virtual emergency department for training trauma teams.

PubMed

Youngblood, Patricia; Harter, Phillip M; Srivastava, Sakti; Moffett, Shannon; Heinrichs, Wm LeRoy; Dev, Parvati

2008-01-01

Training interdisciplinary trauma teams to work effectively together using simulation technology has led to a reduction in medical errors in emergency department, operating room, and delivery room contexts. High-fidelity patient simulators (PSs)-the predominant method for training healthcare teams-are expensive to develop and implement and require that trainees be present in the same place at the same time. In contrast, online computer-based simulators are more cost effective and allow simultaneous participation by students in different locations and time zones. In this pilot study, the researchers created an online virtual emergency department (Virtual ED) for team training in crisis management, and compared the effectiveness of the Virtual ED with the PS. We hypothesized that there would be no difference in learning outcomes for graduating medical students trained with each method. In this pilot study, we used a pretest-posttest control group, experimental design in which 30 subjects were randomly assigned to either the Virtual ED or the PS system. In the Virtual ED each subject logged into the online environment and took the role of a team member. Four-person teams worked together in the Virtual ED, communicating in real time with live voice over Internet protocol, to manage computer-controlled patients who exhibited signs and symptoms of physical trauma. Each subject had the opportunity to be the team leader. The subjects' leadership behavior as demonstrated in both a pretest case and a posttest case was assessed by 3 raters, using a behaviorally anchored scale. In the PS environment, 4-person teams followed the same research protocol, using the same clinical scenarios in a Simulation Center. Guided by the Emergency Medicine Crisis Resource Management curriculum, both the Virtual ED and the PS groups applied the basic principles of team leadership and trauma management (Advanced Trauma Life Support) to manage 6 trauma cases-a pretest case, 4 training cases, and a posttest case. The subjects in each group were assessed individually with the same simulation method that they used for the training cases. Subjects who used either the Virtual ED or the PS showed significant improvement in performance between pretest and posttest cases (P < 0.05). In addition, there was no significant difference in subjects' performance between the 2 types of simulation, suggesting that the online Virtual ED may be as effective for learning team skills as the PS, the method widely used in Simulation Centers. Data on usability and attitudes toward both simulation methods as learning tools were equally positive. This study shows the potential value of using virtual learning environments for developing medical students' and resident physicians' team leadership and crisis management skills.

Hepatic trauma management in polytraumatised patients.

PubMed

Pop, P Axentii; Pop, M; Iovan, C; Boancã, C

2012-01-01

The specialty literature of the last decade presents the nonoperative management of the closed abdominal trauma as the treatment of choice. The purpose of this study is to highlight the importance of the optimal management of hepatic lesions considering the clinical, paraclinical and therapeutic approach. Our study is based on the analysis of the clinical and paraclinical data and also on the evaluation of the treatment results in 1671 patients with abdominal trauma affecting multiple organs who were treated at the Clinic of Surgery, County Hospital of Oradea from 2008 to 2011. The non-operative approach of the hepatic trauma, applied in 52% of the patients, was indicated in stable hemodynamic status, non-bleeding hepatic lesions on the abdominal CT, and the absence of other significant abdominal lesions. The remaining 48% were treated surgically. The postoperative evolution was free of complications in 72% of the patients while the rest of 28% presented one or more postoperative complications. CT = Computer Tomography; ISS= Injury Severity Score; AIS = Abbreviated Index of Severity; AAST = American Association for the Surgery of Trauma; ARDS = Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome. RevistaChirurgia.

Airway management through submental derivation: a safe and easily reproduced alternative for patients with complex facial trauma

PubMed Central

2018-01-01

Objectives Airway management in patients with panfacial trauma is complicated. In addition to involving facial lesions, such trauma compromises the airway, and the use of intermaxillary fixation makes it difficult to secure ventilation by usual approaches (nasotracheal or endotracheal intubation). Submental airway derivation is an alternative to tracheostomy and nasotracheal intubation, allowing a permeable airway with minimal complications in complex patients. Materials and Methods This is a descriptive, retrospective study based on a review of medical records of all patients with facial trauma from January 2003 to May 2015. In total, 31 patients with complex factures requiring submental airway derivation were included. No complications such as bleeding, infection, vascular, glandular, or nervous lesions were presented in any of the patients. Results The use of submental airway derivation is a simple, safe, and easy method to ensure airway management. Moreover, it allows an easier reconstruction. Conclusion Based on these results, we concluded that, if the relevant steps are followed, the use of submental intubation in the treatment of patients with complex facial trauma is a safe and effective option. PMID:29535964

Management of pancreatic trauma.

PubMed Central

Jones, R C

1978-01-01

Since 1950, 300 patients sustaining pancreatic injuries have been managed. Three-fourths of the injuries were due to penetrating trauma with a 20% mortality and one-fourth due to blunt trauma resulting in an 18% mortality. The pancreatic injury was responsible for death in only 3% of patients. Early onset of shock resulted in 38% mortality whereas only 4% of normotensive patients died. No patient died of an isolated pancreatic injury. Sepsis was the second most common cause of death following hemorrhage. Preoperative serum amylase was elevated more frequently following blunt trauma than penetrating trauma, but did not correlate with injury. There has been a tendency toward more frequent use of distal pancreatectomy for simple penetrating injuries without obvious ductal violation which increases operative time, blood loss and possible intra-abdominal abscess since resection usually requires splenectomy. Patients considered for an 80% distal resection are better managed with a Roux-en-Y limb to the distal pancreas since three patients developed diabetes following an 80% or greater resection. A conservative approach consisting of Penrose and sump drainage is adequate for most injuries. PMID:646495

Development and evaluation of a novel, real time mobile telesonography system in management of patients with abdominal trauma: study protocol.

PubMed

Ogedegbe, Chinwe; Morchel, Herman; Hazelwood, Vikki; Chaplin, William F; Feldman, Joseph

2012-12-18

Despite the use of e-FAST in management of patients with abdominal trauma, its utility in prehospital setting is not widely adopted. The goal of this study is to develop a novel portable telesonography (TS) system and evaluate the comparability of the quality of images obtained via this system among healthy volunteers who undergo e-FAST abdominal examination in a moving ambulance and at the ED. We hypothesize that: (1) real-time ultrasound images of acute trauma patients in the pre-hospital setting can be obtained and transmitted to the ED via the novel TS system; and (2) Ultrasound images transmitted to the hospital from the real-time TS system will be comparable in quality to those obtained in the ED. Study participants are three healthy volunteers (one each with normal, overweight and obese BMI category). The ultrasound images will be obtained by two ultrasound-trained physicians The TS is a portable sonogram (by Sonosite) interfaced with a portable broadcast unit (by Live-U). Two UTPs will conduct e-FAST examinations on healthy volunteers in moving ambulances and transmit the images via cellular network to the hospital server, where they are stored. Upon arrival in the ED, the same UTPs will obtain another set of images from the volunteers, which are then compared to those obtained in the moving ambulances by another set of blinded UTPs (evaluators) using a validated image quality scale, the Questionnaire for User Interaction Satisfaction (QUIS). Findings from this study will provide needed data on the validity of the novel TS in transmitting live images from moving ambulances to images obtained in the ED thus providing opportunity to facilitate medical care of a patient located in a remote or austere setting.

Nontherapeutic Laparotomy in American Combat Casualties: A 10-year Review

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-09-10

for selective nonoperative management (SNOM) for abdominal trauma to minimize morbidity from nontherapeutic laparotomies (NTLs); however, this treatment...credited for introducing selective nonoperative management (SNOM) for penetrating abdominal trauma.2 SNOM, which now encompasses both penetrating and...BAT), 30% of anterior and 67% of back abdominal gunshot wounds, as well as 50% of anterior and 85% of back stab wounds can be managed using SNOM

Knowledge about emergency dental trauma management among school teachers in Colombia: A baseline study to develop an education strategy.

PubMed

Marcano-Caldera, Maytté; Mejía-Cardona, Jose Luis; Parra Sanchez, José Hernán; Méndez de la Espriella, Catalina; Covo Morales, Eduardo; Sierra Varón, Gustavo; Gómez Díaz, Martha; Fortich Mesa, Natalia; Escobar Villegas, Paola; Bermúdez Reyes, Patricia; Rodríguez Sanchez, Patricia; Mejia Fernández, Pedro; Gómez-Scarpetta, Ruth Ángela; Bernal Alfaro, Vanessa; Cifuentes Aguirre, Olga Lucia; López Soto, Olga Patricia; Sigurdsson, Asgeir

2018-06-01

Dental trauma in school populations has a high frequency and school teachers are often close to the place where such injuries occur. However, many studies have confirmed the lack of knowledge as to how to act in these cases. The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge in regard to dental trauma of school teachers in Colombia. A multicentre, descriptive cross-sectional study was performed in 251 schools using a stratified randomized sampling. A structured hard copy survey was personally delivered to 2390 school teachers in the selected schools. The survey contained questions related to work experience, teaching level and demographic data, as well as questions related to their knowledge of and attitude towards emergency dental trauma management. The response rate was 96%. Most of the school teachers (95%) had never received training related to dental trauma, although 35% had witnessed at least 1 case. Of 2296 school teachers surveyed, only 5.8% would have replanted an avulsed tooth. An association was found between work experience and appropriate management of an avulsed tooth. No significant differences were found in regard to school location (city), school type (private/public), gender and school teachers' education level. The knowledge of school teachers in Colombia about emergency dental trauma management is inadequate. The findings strongly suggest a need for an education strategy with the involvement of the government, dentistry schools and private organizations. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Paediatric trauma care.

PubMed

Sebastian van As, A B

2010-01-01

Childhood trauma has become a major cause of mortality and morbidity, disability and socio-economic burden and it is expected by the World Health Organization (WHO) that by 2020 it will be the number 1 disease globally. The WHO and UNICEF have published their third World Report on Child Injury Prevention in December 2008. A systematic review was performed on the history and magnitude of paediatric trauma worldwide. Additionally exciting developments and new trends were assessed and summarized. Paediatric trauma is a growing field of clinical expertise. New developments include total body digital imaging of children presenting with polytrauma; targeted management of head injuries; conservative management of abdominal injuries in children and diagnostic laparoscopy, including the laparoscopic management of complications following the conservative management of solid organ injuries. Paediatric trauma has long been neglected by the medical profession. In order to deal with it appropriately, it makes sense to adopt the public health approach, requiring that we view child injuries similarly to any other disease or health problem. The greatest gain in our clinical practice with dealing with child injuries will result from a strong focus on primary (preventing the injury), secondary (dealing with the injury in the most efficient manner) as well as tertiary prevention (making sure that children treated for trauma will be appropriately reintegrated within our society). By actively promoting child safety we will not only achieve a most welcome reduction in medical cost and disability, but also the ever-so-much desired decline of avoidable childhood misery and suffering.

Management of pediatric blunt splenic injury at a rural trauma center.

PubMed

Bird, Julio J; Patel, Nirav Y; Mathiason, Michelle A; Schroeppel, Thomas J; D'huyvetter, Cecile J; Cogbill, Thomas H

2012-10-01

Patterns for nonoperative management of pediatric blunt splenic injuries (BSIs) vary significantly within and between institutions. The indications for repeated imaging, duration of activity restrictions, as well as the impact of volume and type of trauma center (pediatric vs. adult) on outcomes remain unclear. A retrospective review of all patients younger than 16 years with BSI managed at a rural American College of Surgeons-verified adult Level II trauma center from January 1995 to December 2008 was completed. Patients were identified from the trauma registry by DRG International Classification of Diseases-9th Rev. (865.00-865.09) and management codes (41.5, 41.43, and 41.95). Variables reviewed included demographics, mechanism of injury, Injury Severity Score, grade of splenic injury, degree of hemoperitoneum, presence of arterial phase contrast blush on computed tomography at admission, admission and nadir hemoglobin level, blood transfused, length of stay, disposition, outpatient clinical and radiographic follow-up, interval of return to unrestricted activity, and clinical outcomes. During the 13-year study period, 38 children with BSI were identified. Thirty-seven (97%) were successfully managed nonoperatively. Median grade of splenic injury was 3 (range, 1-5); 73% had moderate-to-large hemoperitoneum. Median Injury Severity Score was 10 (range, 4-34). Three patients with isolated contrast blush on initial computed tomography were successfully managed nonoperatively with no angiographic intervention. One patient failed nonoperative management and underwent successful splenorrhaphy. All patients were discharged home. Thirty-day mortality was zero. Median follow-up duration was 5.5 years, with no late complications identified. Of the patients successfully managed nonoperatively, 92% had their follow-up at our institution; 74% underwent subsequent imaging, and none resulted in intervention or alteration of management plan. Pediatric BSI can be managed in adult trauma centers with success rates of nonoperative management comparable to dedicated children's hospitals. Routine follow-up imaging is not necessary. Overall splenic injury salvage rate in our experience was 100%. Therapeutic/epidemiologic study, level IV.

Management of Open Pneumothorax in Tactical Combat Casualty Care: TCCC Guidelines Change 13-02.

PubMed

Butler, Frank K; Dubose, Joseph J; Otten, Edward J; Bennett, Donald R; Gerhardt, Robert T; Kheirabadi, Bijan S; Gross, Kriby R; Cap, Andrew P; Littlejohn, Lanny F; Edgar, Erin P; Shackelford, Stacy A; Blackbourne, Lorne H; Kotwal, Russ S; Holcomb, John B; Bailey, Jeffrey A

2013-01-01

During the recent United States Central Command (USCENTCOM) and Joint Trauma System (JTS) assessment of prehospital trauma care in Afghanistan, the deployed director of the Joint Theater Trauma System (JTTS), CAPT Donald R. Bennett, questioned why TCCC recommends treating a nonlethal injury (open pneumothorax) with an intervention (a nonvented chest seal) that could produce a lethal condition (tension pneumothorax). New research from the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research (USAISR) has found that, in a model of open pneumothorax treated with a chest seal in which increments of air were added to the pleural space to simulate an air leak from an injured lung, use of a vented chest seal prevented the subsequent development of a tension pneumothorax, whereas use of a nonvented chest seal did not. The updated TCCC Guideline for the battlefield management of open pneumothorax is: ?All open and/ or sucking chest wounds should be treated by immediately applying a vented chest seal to cover the defect. If a vente chest seal is not available, use a non-vented chest seal. Monitor the casualty for the potential development of a subsequent tension pneumothorax. If the casualty develops increasing hypoxia, respiratory distress, or hypotension and a tension pneumothorax is suspected, treat by burping or removing the dressing or by needle decompression.? This recommendation was approved by the required two-thirds majority of the Committee on TCCC in June 2013. 2013.

Analysis of Pediatric Maxillofacial Fractures Requiring Operative Treatment: Characteristics, Management, and Outcomes.

PubMed

Allred, Lindsay J; Crantford, John C; Reynolds, Michael F; David, Lisa R

2015-11-01

Maxillofacial fractures in pediatric trauma patients require significant force and frequently are associated with concomitant injuries. The anatomic and developmental differences between the adult and child that impact patterns of injury also affect management and outcomes. The aim of this study was to analyze fracture location, mechanism, concomitant injuries as well as methods of surgical treatment and outcomes, to improve management of this patient population. A retrospective review was conducted of pediatric patients with maxillofacial fractures presenting to a level-1 trauma center during an 8-year span. Only patients requiring surgical intervention, 204, were included in this study. Data pertaining to the location of injury, mechanism, associated injuries, surgical treatment, outcomes, and complications were analyzed. The most common fracture location was the mandible (36.3%), then the nasal bone (35.3%), followed by the tripod fracture (10.8%). A total of 30.7% of patients were involved in motor vehicle accidents, with the next most common mechanisms being sports (24.4%), and assault (13.7%). A total of 46% of the patients sustained concomitant injuries, with the majority involving cerebral trauma (14.7%) or the extremities (9.3%). Total 75.4% of all fractures, excluding the nose, were treated with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). Our complication rate was 11.2%. Pediatric craniofacial trauma remains a frequent presentation to the emergency department of trauma centers. Facial fracture patterns and mechanism of trauma observed in the pediatric population presenting to this facility are consistent with incidences reported in the literature. Knowledge of treatment options and potential complications is an important tool in the management of the pediatric trauma patient.

Cumulative trauma disorders: A review.

PubMed

Iqbal, Zaheen A; Alghadir, Ahmad H

2017-08-03

Cumulative trauma disorder (CTD) is a term for various injuries of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems that are caused by repetitive tasks, forceful exertions, vibrations, mechanical compression or sustained postures. Although there are many studies citing incidence of CTDs, there are fewer articles about its etiology, pathology and management. The aim of our study was to discuss the etiology, pathogenesis, prevention and management of CTDs. A literature search was performed using various electronic databases. The search was limited to articles in English language pertaining to randomized clinical trials, cohort studies and systematic reviews of CTDs. A total of 180 papers were identified to be relevant published since 1959. Out of these, 125 papers reported about its incidence and 50 about its conservative treatment. Workplace environment, same task repeatability and little variability, decreased time for rest, increase in expectations are major factors for developing CTDs. Prevention of its etiology and early diagnosis can be the best to decrease its incidence and severity. For effective management of CTDs, its treatment should be divided into Primordial, Primary, Secondary and Tertiary prevention.

Primary repair for pediatric colonic injury: Are there differences among adult and pediatric trauma centers?

PubMed

Khan, Muhammad; Jehan, Faisal; O'Keeffe, Terence; Pandit, Viraj; Kulvatunyou, Narong; Tang, Andrew; Gries, Lynn; Joseph, Bellal

2017-12-01

Management of colonic injuries (colostomy [CO] versus primary anastomosis [PA]) among pediatric patients remains controversial. The aim of this study was to assess outcomes in pediatric trauma patient with colonic injury undergoing operative intervention. The National Trauma Data Bank (2011-2012) was queried including patients with isolated colonic injury undergoing exploratory laparotomy with PA or CO with age ≤18 y. Missing value analysis was performed. Patients were stratified into two groups: PA and CO. Outcome measures were mortality, in-hospital complications, and hospital length of stay. Multivariate regression analysis was performed. A total of 1151 patients included. Mean ± standard deviation age was 11.61 ± 2.8 y, and median [IQR] Injury Severity Score was 12 [8-16]; 39% (n = 449) of the patients had CO, and 35.6% (n = 410) were managed in pediatric trauma centers (PC). Patients with CO had a higher Injury Severity Score (P < 0.001), a trend toward lower blood pressure (P = 0.40), and an older age (P < 0.001). There was no difference in mortality between the PA and CO groups. However, patients who underwent PA had a shorter length of stay (P < 0.001) and lower in-hospital complications (P < 0.001). A subanalysis shows that, after controlling for all confounding factors, patients managed in PC were 1.2 times (1.2 [1.1-2.1], P = 0.04) more likely to receive a CO than those patients managed in adult trauma centers (AC). Moreover, there was no difference in mortality between the AC and the PC (P = 0.79). Our data demonstrate no difference in mortality in pediatric trauma patients with colonic injury who undergo primary repair or CO. However, adult trauma centers had lower rates of CO performed as compared to a similar cohort of patients managed in pediatric trauma centers. Further assessment of the reasons underlying such differences will help improve patient outcomes. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Improvised explosive devices: pathophysiology, injury profiles and current medical management.

PubMed

Ramasamy, A; Hill, A M; Clasper, J C

2009-12-01

The improvised explosive device (IED), in all its forms, has become the most significant threat to troops operating in Afghanistan and Iraq. These devices range from rudimentary home made explosives to sophisticated weapon systems containing high-grade explosives. Within this broad definition they may be classified as roadside explosives and blast mines, explosive formed pojectile (EFP) devices and suicide bombings. Each of these groups causeinjury through a number of different mechanisms and can result in vastly different injury profiles. The "Global War on Terror" has meant that incidents which were previously exclusively seen in conflict areas, can occur anywhere, and clinicians who are involved in emergency trauma care may be required to manage casualties from similar terrorist attacks. An understanding of the types of devices and their pathophysiological effects is necessary to allow proper planning of mass casualty events and to allow appropriate management of the complex poly-trauma casualties they invariably cause. The aim of this review article is to firstly describe the physics and injury profile from these different devices and secondly to present the current clinical evidence that underpins their medical management.

The Libyan civil conflict: selected case series of orthopaedic trauma managed in Malta in 2014.

PubMed

Ng, Colin; Mifsud, Max; Borg, Joseph N; Mizzi, Colin

2015-11-20

The purpose of this series of cases was to analyse our management of orthopaedic trauma casualties in the Libyan civil war crisis in the European summer of 2014. We looked at both damage control orthopaedics and for case variety of war trauma at a civilian hospital. Due to our geographical proximity to Libya, Malta was the closest European tertiary referral centre. Having only one Level 1 trauma care hospital in our country, our Trauma and Orthopaedics department played a pivotal role in the management of Libyan battlefield injuries. Our aims were to assess acute outcomes and short term mortality of surgery within the perspective of a damage control orthopaedic strategy whereby aggressive wound management, early fixation using relative stability principles, antibiotic cover with adequate soft tissue cover are paramount. We also aim to describe the variety of war injuries we came across, with a goal for future improvement in regards to service providing. Prospective collection of six interesting cases with severe limb and spinal injuries sustained in Libya during the Libyan civil war between June and November 2014. We applied current trends in the treatment of war injuries, specifically in damage control orthopaedic strategy and converting to definitive treatment where permissible. The majority of our cases were classified as most severe (Type IIIB/C) according to the Gustilo-Anderson classification of open fractures. The injuries treated reflected the type of standard and improved weaponry available in modern warfare affecting both militants and civilians alike with increasing severity and extent of damage. Due to this fact, multidisciplinary team approach to patient centred care was utilised with an ultimate aim of swift recovery and early mobilisation. It also highlighted the difficulties and complex issues required on a hospital management level as a neighbouring country to war zone countries in transforming care of civil trauma to military trauma.

The heterogeneous management of pediatric ankle traumas: A retrospective descriptive study.

PubMed

Voizard, Philippe; Moore, James; Leduc, Stéphane; Nault, Marie-Lyne

2018-06-01

Frequent misdiagnosis of pediatric ankle traumas leads to inappropriate management, which may result in residual pain, instability, slower return to physical activity, and long-term degenerative changes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the consistency of diagnosis, management, and the treatment of acute lateral pediatric ankle trauma in a tertiary care pediatric hospital. The hypothesis was that the initial diagnosis is often incorrect, and the treatment varies considerably amongst orthopedic surgeons.We conducted a retrospective study of all cases of ankle sprains and Salter-Harris one (SH1) fractures referred to our orthopedic surgery service between May and August 2014. Exclusion criteria included ankle fractures other than SH1 types, and cases where treatment was initially undertaken elsewhere before referral to our service. Primary outcome was the difference between initial and final diagnosis.Among 3047 cases reviewed, 31 matched our inclusion criteria. Initial diagnosis was 20 SH1 fractures, 8 acute ankle sprains, and 3 uncertain, with a change in diagnosis for 48.5% at follow-up.Accurate diagnosis can be difficult in pediatric ankle trauma, with case management and specific treatments varying considerably. This study reinforces the need to evaluate the safety of a general treatment algorithm for all lateral ankle trauma with normal radiographs.Level of evidence III.

Management of bleeding following major trauma: an updated European guideline

PubMed Central

2010-01-01

Introduction Evidence-based recommendations are needed to guide the acute management of the bleeding trauma patient, which when implemented may improve patient outcomes. Methods The multidisciplinary Task Force for Advanced Bleeding Care in Trauma was formed in 2005 with the aim of developing a guideline for the management of bleeding following severe injury. This document presents an updated version of the guideline published by the group in 2007. Recommendations were formulated using a nominal group process, the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) hierarchy of evidence and based on a systematic review of published literature. Results Key changes encompassed in this version of the guideline include new recommendations on coagulation support and monitoring and the appropriate use of local haemostatic measures, tourniquets, calcium and desmopressin in the bleeding trauma patient. The remaining recommendations have been reevaluated and graded based on literature published since the last edition of the guideline. Consideration was also given to changes in clinical practice that have taken place during this time period as a result of both new evidence and changes in the general availability of relevant agents and technologies. Conclusions This guideline provides an evidence-based multidisciplinary approach to the management of critically injured bleeding trauma patients. PMID:20370902

Evaluating the traditional day and night shift in an acute care surgery fellowship: Is the swing shift a better choice?

PubMed

Chestovich, Paul J; McNicoll, Christopher F; Ingalls, Nichole K; Kuhls, Deborah A; Fraser, Douglas R; Morrissey, Shawna L; Fildes, John J

2018-01-01

Fellowship trainees in acute care surgery require experience in the management of complex and operative trauma cases. Trauma center staffing usually follows standard 12-hour or 24-hour shifts, with resident and fellow trainees following a similar schedule. Although trauma admissions can be generally unpredictable, we analyzed temporal trends of trauma patient arrival times to determine the best time frame to maximize trainee experience during each day. We reviewed 10 years (2007-2016) of trauma registry data for blunt and penetrating trauma activations. Hourly volumetric trends were observed, and three specific events were chosen for detailed analysis: (1) trauma activation with Injury Severity Score (ISS) greater than 15, (2) laparotomy for trauma, and (3) thoracotomy for trauma. A retrospective shift log was created, which included day (7:00 AM to 7:00 PM), night (7:00 PM to 7:00 AM), and swing (noon to midnight) shifts. A swing shift was chosen because it captures the peak volume for all three events. Means and 95% confidence intervals were calculated, and comparisons were made between shifts using the Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank test with Bonferroni correction, and p less than 0.05 considered significant. During the 10-year study period, 28,287 patients were treated at our trauma center. This included the evaluation and management of 7,874 patients with ISS greater than 15, performance of 1,766 laparotomies, and 392 thoracotomies for trauma. Swing shift was superior to both day and night shifts for ISS greater than 15 (p < 0.001). Both swing and night shifts were superior to day shift for laparotomies (p < 0.001). Swing shift was superior to both day shift (p < 0.001) and night shift (p = 0.031). Shifts with the highest yield of ISS greater than 15, laparotomies, and thoracotomies include night and swing shifts on Fridays and Saturdays. Projected experience of acute care surgery fellows in managing complex trauma patients increases with the integration of swing shifts into the schedule. Daily trauma volume follows a temporal pattern which, when used correctly, can increase trainee exposure to complex and operative trauma cases. We encourage other centers to analyze their volume and adjust trainee schedules accordingly to maximize their educational experience. Therapeutic study, level IV.

Point-of-injury Use of Reconstituted Freeze Dried Plasma as a Resuscitative Fluid: A Special Report for Prehospital Trauma Care

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-01-01

Point-of-injury use of reconstituted freeze dried plasma as a resuscitative fluid: A special report for prehospital trauma care Elon Glassberg, MD...in- jury as part of the multidisciplinary efforts to improve trauma victims’ outcome. BACKGROUND Trauma is the leading cause of death among adults be...diabetes.1 Managing the burden of injuries from decades of wars has underscored the importance of trauma research aimed at reducing morbidity and

Knowledge and attitude of Jordanian school health teachers with regards to emergency management of dental trauma.

PubMed

Al-Jundi, Suhad H; Al-Waeili, Haydar; Khairalah, Khaled

2005-08-01

The purpose of this study was to assess, by means of a self administered structured questionnaire, the level of knowledge of school health teachers in northern Jordan with regards to the immediate emergency management of dental trauma. The questionnaire surveyed teacher's background, Knowledge of management of tooth fracture, avulsion, and loss of consciousness, it also investigated teacher's attitudes, and self assessed knowledge, as well as knowledge of availability of emergency services in Jordan. The sample consisted of all school health teachers in northern Jordan (220) who attended an oral health education course held by the Jordanian dental association. Only 190 were included in the survey. Sixty-three percent were females, 44% were in their twenties, and 43% in their forties. Their school health teaching experience ranged from 1 to 7 years. Only 20% were officially trained in school health. Less than half of the teachers received first aid training only once in their teaching career, not necessarily as part of school health training. Only 10 teachers were trained in dental first aid, and more than half had a previous experience with handling dental trauma in children. Overall the teachers' knowledge with regards to the emergency management of the trauma cases presented in the report was deficient. Chi-square test showed that, the difference in their responses to the knowledge part of the questionnaire was not statistically significant with regards to age, gender, years of teaching experience, first aid training, or number of seen trauma cases. Generally, the attitude was positive, most teachers wanting further education on the topic, however those who were trained in first aid, thought they were able to give proper action when needed in cases of trauma (P = 0.026). Most teachers were unsatisfied with their level of knowledge, and only 30% knew of the availability of after hour emergency services for dental trauma. The present report indicated the gross lack of knowledge among school health teachers with regards to dental trauma emergency management. Educational programs to improve the knowledge and awareness of this group of adults, who are usually the first line of advice in case of dental trauma in schools, are mandatory. These programs should be properly designed to insure that proper information is retained with a positive effect on attitude, and self assessed competence.

A poster and a mobile healthcare application as information tools for dental trauma management.

PubMed

Iskander, Marian; Lou, Jennifer; Wells, Martha; Scarbecz, Mark

2016-12-01

Prompt management of dental trauma in children affects outcomes, and multiple educational resources are available. The aim of this study was to compare subjects' accuracy in answering a survey about dental trauma management utilizing a poster and a mobile healthcare application and to determine user preference for mode of delivery of information. A survey was administered to parents of patients in two pediatric dental practices. Questions collected demographic information, frequency of internet use, and responses to questions regarding dental trauma management for two separate scenarios. Participants used both a poster and a mobile application, but were randomly assigned as to which tool was utilized first. Eighty-nine surveys were usable. The majority of respondents were aged 36-45 years (50.6%), had education beyond high school (64%), and had private insurance (52.8%). Less-educated individuals were more likely to report searching the Internet (74%) compared to individuals with a graduate degree (57%) (P = 0.017). The majority of subjects answered trauma management questions correctly with both tools. However, for an avulsed permanent tooth, individuals receiving the mobile application were more likely to select: 'put the tooth back in place' (71.1%) compared to those utilizing the poster, who chose 'put the tooth in milk' (56.8%) (P = 0.004). Less-educated individuals were willing to pay more for the application (P = 0.015) and were more likely to report being interested in receiving dental information through mobile technology in the future (P = 0.006). Both a poster and a mobile healthcare application are effective in delivering dental trauma information. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Paediatric blunt abdominal trauma - are we doing too many computed tomography scans?

PubMed

Arnold, M; Moore, S W

2013-02-14

Blunt abdominal trauma in childhood contributes significantly to both morbidity and mortality. Selective non-operative management of blunt abdominal trauma in children depends on both diagnostic and clinical factors. Computed tomography (CT) scanning is widely used to facilitate better management. Increased availability of CT may, however, result in its overuse in the management of blunt abdominal trauma in children, which carries significant radiation exposure risks. To evaluate the use and value of CT scanning in the overall management and outcome of blunt abdominal trauma in children in the Tygerberg Academic Hospital trauma unit, Parow, Cape Town, South Africa, before and after improved access to CT as a result of installation of a new rapid CT scanner in the trauma management area (previously the scanner had been 4 floors away). Patients aged 0 - 13 years who were referred with blunt abdominal trauma due to vehicle-related accidents before the introduction of the new CT scanner (group 1, n=66, November 2003 - March 2009) were compared with those seen in the 1-year period after the scanner was installed (group 2, n=37, April 2009 - April 2010). Details of clinical presentation, imaging results and their influence on management were retrospectively reviewed. A follow-up group was evaluated after stricter criteria for abdominal CT scanning (viz. prior evaluation by paediatric surgical personnel) were introduced (group 3, n=14, November 2011 - May 2012) to evaluate the impact of this clinical screening on the rate of negative scans. There were 66 patients in group 1 and 37 in group 2. An apparent increase in CT use with increased availability was accompanied by a marked increase in negative CT scans (38.9% compared with 6.2%; p<0.006). Despite a slightly higher prevalence of associated injuries in group 2, as well as a slightly longer length of hospital stay, there was a similar prevalence of intra-abdominal injuries detected in positive scans in the two groups. In addition, rates of small-bowel perforation in the two groups were similar. The rate of negative scans in group 3 was 46.2% (6/13), but all except one of these patients had a severe brain injury preventing adequate clinical evaluation of intra-abdominal injury. CT scanning for blunt abdominal trauma in children is essential in the presence of appropriate clinical indications. Ease of access probably increases availability, but the rate of negative scans may increase. Management guidelines should be in place to direct CT scanning to cases in which clinical examination and/or other modalities indicate a likelihood of intra-abdominal injury. The principle of 'as low (radiation) dose as reasonably achievable' (ALARA) should be adhered to because of the increased radiation exposure risks in children.

Outcome differences in adolescent blunt severe polytrauma patients managed at pediatric versus adult trauma centers.

PubMed

Rogers, Amelia T; Gross, Brian W; Cook, Alan D; Rinehart, Cole D; Lynch, Caitlin A; Bradburn, Eric H; Heinle, Colin C; Jammula, Shreya; Rogers, Frederick B

2017-12-01

Previous research suggests adolescent trauma patients can be managed equally effectively at pediatric and adult trauma centers. We sought to determine whether this association would be upheld for adolescent severe polytrauma patients. We hypothesized that no difference in adjusted outcomes would be observed between pediatric trauma centers (PTCs) and adult trauma centers (ATCs) for this population. All severely injured adolescent (aged 12-17 years) polytrauma patients were extracted from the Pennsylvania Trauma Outcomes Study database from 2003 to 2015. Polytrauma was defined as an Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) score ≥3 for two or more AIS-defined body regions. Dead on arrival, transfer, and penetrating trauma patients were excluded from analysis. ATC were defined as adult-only centers, whereas standalone pediatric hospitals and adult centers with pediatric affiliation were considered PTC. Multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression models assessed the adjusted impact of center type on mortality and total complications while controlling for age, shock index, Injury Severity Score, Glasgow Coma Scale motor score, trauma center level, case volume, and injury year. A generalized linear mixed model characterized functional status at discharge (FSD) while controlling for the same variables. A total of 1,606 patients met inclusion criteria (PTC: 868 [54.1%]; ATC: 738 [45.9%]), 139 (8.66%) of which died in-hospital. No significant difference in mortality (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 1.10, 95% CI 0.54-2.24; p = 0.794; area under the receiver operating characteristic: 0.89) was observed between designations in adjusted analysis; however, FSD (AOR: 0.38, 95% CI 0.15-0.97; p = 0.043) was found to be lower and total complication trends higher (AOR: 1.78, 95% CI 0.98-3.32; p = 0.058) at PTC for adolescent polytrauma patients. Contrary to existing literature on adolescent trauma patients, our results suggest patients aged 12-17 presenting with polytrauma may experience improved overall outcomes when managed at adult compared to pediatric trauma centers. Epidemiologic study, level III.

Police transport versus ground EMS: A trauma system-level evaluation of prehospital care policies and their effect on clinical outcomes.

PubMed

Wandling, Michael W; Nathens, Avery B; Shapiro, Michael B; Haut, Elliott R

2016-11-01

Rapid transport to definitive care ("scoop and run") versus field stabilization in trauma remains a topic of debate and has resulted in variability in prehospital policy. We aimed to identify trauma systems frequently using a true "scoop and run" police transport approach and to compare mortality rates between police and ground emergency medical services (EMS) transport. Using the National Trauma Databank (NTDB), we identified adult gunshot and stab wound patients presenting to Level 1 or 2 trauma centers from 2010 to 2012. Hospitals were grouped into their respective cities and regional trauma systems. Patients directly transported by police or ground EMS to trauma centers in the 100 most populous US trauma systems were included. Frequency of police transport was evaluated, identifying trauma systems with high utilization. Mortality rates and risk-adjusted odds ratio for mortality for police versus EMS transport were derived. Of 88,564 total patients, 86,097 (97.2%) were transported by EMS and 2,467 (2.8%) by police. Unadjusted mortality was 17.7% for police transport and 11.6% for ground EMS. After risk adjustment, patients transported by police were no more likely to die than those transported by EMS (OR = 1.00, 95% CI: 0.69-1.45). Among all police transports, 87.8% occurred in three locations (Philadelphia, Sacramento, and Detroit). Within these trauma systems, unadjusted mortality was 19.9% for police transport and 13.5% for ground EMS. Risk-adjusted mortality was no different (OR = 1.01, 95% CI: 0.68-1.50). Using trauma system-level analyses, patients with penetrating injuries in urban trauma systems were found to have similar mortality for police and EMS transport. The majority of prehospital police transport in penetrating trauma occurs in three trauma systems. These cities represent ideal sites for additional system-level evaluation of prehospital transport policies. Prognostic/epidemiologic study, level III.

Isolated transient loss of consciousness is an indicator of significant injury.

PubMed

Owings, J T; Wisner, D H; Battistella, F D; Perlstein, J; Walby, W F; Tharratt, R S

1998-09-01

To determine if isolated transient loss of consciousness is an indicator of significant injury. University-based level I trauma center. Phase 1 retrospective case series of all patients with trauma admitted directly from the emergency department to the operating room or an intensive care unit who had transient loss of consciousness as their only trauma triage criterion. Phase 2 prospective case series of all trauma patients transported by emergency medical system personnel with transient loss of consciousness as their only trauma triage criterion. Emergency operation and intensive care unit admission. Phase 1: From January 1, 1992, to March 31, 1995, we admitted 10255 patients with trauma. Three hundred seven (3%) met the enrollment criteria and were admitted to the operating room (n = 168) or intensive care unit (n = 139). Of these, 58 (18.9%) were taken to the operating room emergently to manage life-threatening injuries: 11 (4%) had craniotomies and 47 (15%) had non-neurosurgical operations. Phase 2: From July 1 to December 31, 1996, 2770 trauma patients were transported to our facility; 135 (4.9%) met the enrollment criteria. Forty-one (30.4%) of these required admission, and 6 (4.4%) were taken emergently to the operating room from the emergency department (1 [1%] for a craniotomy, 3 [2.2%] for intra-abdominal bleeding, and 2 [1.5%] for other procedures). Two (1.5%) of the 135 patients died. Patients with isolated transient loss of consciousness are at significant risk of critical surgical and neurosurgical injuries. These patients should be triaged to trauma centers or hospitals with adequate imaging, surgical, and neurosurgical resources.

Cultural Trauma and Christian Identity in the Late Medieval Heroic Epic, The Siege of Jerusalem.

PubMed

DeMarco, Patricia A

2015-01-01

This essay examines scenes of violence in the late medieval poem The Siege of Jerusalem in order to reveal the ways in which trauma is used as the grounds upon which Christian/Jewish difference is established. In particular, I argue that this poem serves as an example of a widespread element in Christian chivalric identity, namely the need to manage the repetitive invocation of Christ's crucifixion (ritually repeated through liturgical and poetic invocation) as a means of asserting both the bodily and psychic integrity of the Christian subject in contrast to the violently abjected figure of the Jewish body. The failure of The Siege protagonist, Wespasian, to navigate the cultural trauma of the crucifixion is contrasted to the successful management of trauma by the martial hero, Tancred, in Tasso's epic, Gerusalemme Liberata, illustrating the range of imaginative possibilities for understanding trauma in pre-modern war literature.

Cultural Trauma and Christian Identity in the Late Medieval Heroic Epic, The Siege of Jerusalem.

PubMed

DeMarco, Patricia A

2015-01-01

This essay examines scenes of violence in the late medieval poem The Siege of Jerusalem in order to reveal the ways in which trauma is used as the grounds upon which Christian/Jewish difference is established. In particular, I argue that this poem serves as an example of a widespread element in Christian chivalric identity, namely the need to manage the repetitive invocation of Christ's crucifixion (ritually repeated through liturgical and poetic invocation) as a means of asserting both the bodily and psychic integrity of the Christian subject in contrast to the violently abjected figure of the Jewish body. The failure of The Siege protagonist, Wespasian, to navigate the cultural trauma of the crucifixion is contrasted to the successful management of trauma by the martial hero, Tancred, in Tasso's epic, Gerusalemme Liberata, illustrating the range of imaginative possibilities for understanding trauma in pre-modern war literature.

The management of corneal trauma: advances in the past twenty-five years.

PubMed

Macsai, M S

2000-09-01

Over the past quarter century, advances in our understanding of corneal anatomy, physiology, and wound healing have all played an integral role in the management of corneal trauma. As the etiologies of corneal trauma have changed, so has our understanding of the impact of injury on corneal function as it relates to visual rehabilitation. Numerous new classes of antibiotics, antiinflammatory agents, and tissue adhesives have emerged. Occlusive therapy has advanced from simple pressure patching bandage soft contact lenses and collagen shields. Surgical instrumentation, operating microscopes, viscoelastic substances, and suture materials have all improved the outcomes of corneal trauma repair. Improved understanding of the refractive properties of the cornea through topography and alternative suture techniques has helped us restore the natural corneal curvature and visual outcomes. Consequently, in the last quarter of this century our therapeutic approaches to cornea trauma, both medical and surgical, have improved.

Consolidation of trauma programs in the era of large health care delivery networks.

PubMed

Trooskin, S Z; Faucher, M B; Santora, T A; Talucci, R C

1999-03-01

To review the development of an integrated trauma program at two separate campuses brought about by the merger of two medical-affiliated hospitals, each with an integrated program and a common trauma administrator, medical director, and educational coordinator. Each campus has an associate trauma medical director for on-site administrative management, a nurse coordinator, and a registrar. The integration resulted in a reduction of 1.5 full-time equivalents and "cost" savings by consolidated use of the helicopter, outreach, prevention, research, and educational programs. Regular "integration meetings," ad hoc committees, and video-linked conferences were used to institute common quality improvement programs, morbidity and mortality discussions, policies, and clinical management protocols. Reaccreditation by an outside agency, elimination of duplicated services, and maintenance of pre-merger clinical volume results. This integrated trauma program may serve as a model in this era of individual hospitals merging into large health care delivery networks.

Virtual worlds and team training.

PubMed

Dev, Parvati; Youngblood, Patricia; Heinrichs, W Leroy; Kusumoto, Laura

2007-06-01

An important component of all emergency medicine residency programs is managing trauma effectively as a member of an emergency medicine team, but practice on live patients is often impractical and mannequin-based simulators are expensive and require all trainees to be physically present at the same location. This article describes a project to develop and evaluate a computer-based simulator (the Virtual Emergency Department) for distance training in teamwork and leadership in trauma management. The virtual environment provides repeated practice opportunities with life-threatening trauma cases in a safe and reproducible setting.

Management of blunt and penetrating biliary tract trauma.

PubMed

Thomson, Benjamin N J; Nardino, Benson; Gumm, Kellie; Robertson, Amanda J; Knowles, Brett P; Collier, Neil A; Judson, Rodney

2012-06-01

Penetrating or blunt injury to the biliary tree remains a rare complication of trauma occurring in 0.1% of trauma admissions. Because of the different presentations, sites of biliary tract injury, and associated organ injury, there are many possible management pathways to be considered. A retrospective analysis of prospectively gathered data was performed for all gallbladder and biliary tract injuries presenting to the trauma service or hepatobiliary unit of the Royal Melbourne Hospital between January 1, 1999, and March 30, 2011. There were 33 biliary injuries in 30 patients (0.1%) among 26,014 trauma admissions. Three of the 30 patients (10%) died. Of 10 gallbladder injuries, 8 were managed with cholecystectomy. There were 23 injuries to the biliary tree. Fourteen patients had injuries to the intrahepatic biliary tree of which seven involved segmental ducts. Of these, four segmental duct injuries required hepatic resection or debridement. Nine patients had injury to the extrahepatic biliary tree of which five required T-tube placement ± bilioenteric anastomosis and one a pancreaticoduodenectomy. Biliary injury is a rare but important consequence of abdominal trauma, and good outcomes are possible when a major trauma center and hepatopancreaticobiliary service coexist. Cholecystectomy remains the gold standard for gallbladder injury. Drainage with or without endoscopic stenting will resolve the majority of intrahepatic and partial biliary injuries. Hepaticojejunostomy remains the gold standard for complete extrahepatic biliary disruption. Hepatic and pancreatic resection are only required in the circumstances of unreconstructable biliary injury. Therapeutic study, level V. Copyright © 2012 by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Management of Liver Trauma in Minia University Hospital, Egypt.

PubMed

Saleh, Abdel Fattah; Al Sageer, Emad; Elheny, Amr

2016-12-01

The aim of this study is to present the outcome of operative and non-operative management of patients with liver injury treated in a single institution depending on imaging. This study was conducted at the Causality Unit of Minia University Hospital, and included 60 patients with hepatic trauma from March 2012 to January 2013. In our study, males represent 80 % while females represent 20 % of the traumatized patients. The peak age for trauma found was 11-30 years. Blunt trauma is the most common cause of liver injury as it was the cause in 48 patients (80 %). Firearm injuries are the most common cause of penetrating trauma (60 %) followed by stab injuries (40 %). More than one half of our patients (34 out of 60) were treated with non-operative management (NOM) with a high success rate. The operative procedures done were suture hepatorrhaphy (20 cases), non-anatomical resection in one case, anatomical resection in one case, and damage control therapy using pads in two cases. In another two cases, nothing was done as subcapsular hematoma had resolved. Minia University Hospital is a big tertiary Hospital in Egypt at which blunt liver trauma is more common than penetrating liver trauma. Surgery is no longer the only option available. It has been reserved for extensive lesions with condition of hemodynamic instability or for the treatment of the complications. NOM is an effective treatment modality in most cases.

Predicting patients that require care at a trauma center: analysis of injuries and other factors.

PubMed

Schoell, Samantha L; Doud, Andrea N; Weaver, Ashley A; Barnard, Ryan T; Meredith, J Wayne; Stitzel, Joel D; Martin, R Shayn

2015-04-01

The detection of occult or unpredictable injuries in motor vehicle crashes (MVCs) is crucial in correctly triaging patients and thus reducing fatalities. The purpose of the study was to develop a metric that indicates the likelihood that an injury sustained in a MVC would require management at a Level I/II trauma centre (TC) versus a non-trauma centre (non-TC). Transfer Scores (TSs) were computed for 240 injuries that comprise the top 95% most frequently occurring injuries in the National Automotive Sampling System-Crashworthiness Data System (NASS-CDS) with an Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) severity of 2 or greater. A TS for each injury was computed using the proportions of patients involved in a MVC from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) that were transferred to a TC or managed at a non-TC. Similarly, a TSMAIS that excludes patients with higher severity co-injuries was calculated using the proportion of patients with a maximum AIS (MAIS) equal to the AIS severity of a given injury. The results indicated for injuries of a given AIS severity, body region, and injury type, there were large variations in the TSMAIS. Overall results demonstrated higher TSMAIS values when injuries were internal, haemorrhagic, intracranial or of moderate severity (AIS 3-5). Specifically, injuries to the head possessed a TSMAIS that ranged from 0.000 to 0.889, with head injuries of AIS 3-5 severities being the most likely to be transferred. The analysis indicated that the TSMAIS is not solely correlated with AIS severity and therefore it captures other important aspects of injury such as predictability and trauma system capabilities. The TS and TSMAIS can be useful in advanced automatic crash notification (AACN) research for the detection of highly unpredictable injuries in MVCs that require direct transport to a TC. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The management of pancreatic trauma.

PubMed

Khan, M A; Cameron, I

2010-12-01

Pancreatic trauma is an uncommon occurrence and so a consensus about optimal management is not readily available. Isolated pancreatic injury occurs only occasionally, as in the majority of cases there is concurrent visceral or vascular injury. Morbidity and mortality are related to delay in diagnosis, concurrent organ injury or the presence and extent of pancreatic duct injury.

Non-operative management of isolated liver trauma.

PubMed

Li, Min; Yu, Wen-Kui; Wang, Xin-Bo; Ji, Wu; Li, Jie-Shou; Li, Ning

2014-10-01

Liver trauma is the most common abdominal emergency with high morbidity and mortality. Now, non-operative management (NOM) is a selective method for liver trauma. The aim of this study was to determine the success rate, mortality and morbidity of NOM for isolated liver trauma. Medical records of 81 patients with isolated liver trauma in our unit were analyzed retrospectively. The success rate, mortality and morbidity of NOM were evaluated. In this series, 9 patients with grade IV-V liver injuries underwent emergent operation due to hemodynamic instability; 72 patients, 6 with grade V, 18 grade IV, 29 grade III, 15 grade II and 4 grade I, with hemodynamic stability received NOM. The overall success rate of NOM was 97.2% (70/72). The success rates of NOM in the patients with grade I-III, IV and V liver trauma were 100%, 94.4% and 83.3%. The complication rates were 10.0% and 45.5% in the patients who underwent NOM and surgical treatment, respectively. No patient with grade I-II liver trauma had complications. All patients who underwent NOM survived. NOM is the first option for the treatment of liver trauma if the patient is hemodynamically stable. The grade of liver injury and the volume of hemoperitoneum are not suitable criteria for selecting NOM. Hepatic angioembolization associated with the correction of hypothermia, coagulopathy and acidosis is important in the conservative treatment for liver trauma.

Physician Confidence in Dental Trauma Treatment and the Introduction of a Dental Trauma Decision-Making Pathway for the Pediatric Emergency Department.

PubMed

Cully, Matthew; Cully, Jennifer; Nietert, Paul J; Titus, M Olivia

2018-04-24

The objectives of this study were to (1) survey and report the awareness and confidence of pediatric emergency medicine physicians in the management of dental trauma and (2) determine the prevalence of dental trauma decision-making pathway utilization in the pediatric emergency department. A survey was distributed through e-mail to the pediatric emergency medicine discussion list via Brown University LISTSERV. The survey study included 10 questions and was multiple-choice. The survey contained questions about physician confidence and their use of a dental trauma decision-making pathway. A total of 285 individuals responded to the survey. Somewhat confident was the most common response (61%) followed by not confident (20%) and confident (19%) by respondents in treating dental trauma. Forty-one percent of respondents felt comfortable, 39% somewhat comfortable, 19% not comfortable, and 1% not sure in replanting an avulsed tooth. Only 6% of respondents reported that their pediatric emergency department always or sometimes uses a dental trauma decision-making pathway, whereas 78% of pediatric emergency departments do not. We believe that the adoption of a decision-making pathway will provide timely management, improve emergency physician comfort, and enhance outcomes for pediatric patients presenting with a dental trauma. A future multicenter review will aim to evaluate these goals based on the utilization of our dental trauma decision-making pathway.

The impact of coping and emotional intelligence on the relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder from past trauma, adjustment difficulty, and psychological distress following divorce.

PubMed

Slanbekova, Gulnara; Chung, Man Cheung; Abildina, Saltanat; Sabirova, Raikhan; Kapbasova, Gulzada; Karipbaev, Baizhol

2017-08-01

Focusing on a group of Kazakh divorcees, this study examined the inter-relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from past trauma, coping strategies, emotional intelligence, adjustment difficulties, and psychiatric symptom severity following divorce. One hundred and twenty divorcees participated in the research and completed the Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire, Posttraumatic Stress Diagnostic Scale, General Health Questionnaire-28, Brief COPE, and Fisher's Divorce Adjustment Scale Results: About 29% reported no trauma; 53%, 21%, and 26% met the criteria for no-PTSD, partial-PTSD, and full-PTSD respectively. Emotion-focused coping and managing emotions predicted adjustment difficulties. Controlling for gender, PTSD, problem-focused coping, and managing emotions predicted psychiatric symptom severity. Problem-focused coping mediated the direct effect of the path between PTSD and psychiatric symptom severity with its mediational effect being moderated by the effect of managing emotions. Following divorce, people can experience psychological distress which is influenced by the effects of PTSD from past trauma, and whether they used problem-focused coping and were able to manage their emotions.

Implementation of the trauma registry as a tool for quality improvement in trauma care in a brazilian hospital: the first 12 months.

PubMed

Parreira, José Gustavo; de Campos, Tércio; Perlingeiro, Jacqueline A Gianinni; Soldá, Silvia C; Assef, José Cesar; Gonçalves, Augusto Canton; Zuffo, Bruno Malteze; Floriano, Caio Gomes; de Oliveira, Erik Haruk; de Oliveira, Renato Vieira Rodrigues; Oliveira, Amanda Lima; de Melo, Caio Gullo; Below, Cristiano; Miranda, Dino R Pérez; Santos, Gabriella Colasuonno; de Almeida, Gabriele Madeira; Brianti, Isabela Campos; Votto, Karina Baruel de Camargo; Schues, Patrick Alexander Sauer; dos Santos, Rafael Gomes; de Figueredo, Sérgio Mazzola Poli; de Araujo, Tatiani Gonçalves; Santos, Bruna do Nascimento; Ferreira, Laura Cardoso Manduca; Tanaka, Giuliana Olivi; Matos, Thiara; da Sousa, Maria Daiana; Augusto, Samara de Souza

2015-01-01

to analyze the implementation of a trauma registry in a university teaching hospital delivering care under the unified health system (SUS), and its ability to identify points for improvement in the quality of care provided. the data collection group comprised students from medicine and nursing courses who were holders of FAPESP scholarships (technical training 1) or otherwise, overseen by the coordinators of the project. The itreg (ECO Sistemas-RJ/SBAIT) software was used as the database tool. Several quality "filters" were proposed to select those cases for review in the quality control process. data for 1344 trauma patients were input to the itreg database between March and November 2014. Around 87.0% of cases were blunt trauma patients, 59.6% had RTS>7.0 and 67% ISS<9. Full records were available for 292 cases, which were selected for review in the quality program. The auditing filters most frequently registered were laparotomy four hours after admission and drainage of acute subdural hematomas four hours after admission. Several points for improvement were flagged, such as control of overtriage of patients, the need to reduce the number of negative imaging exams, the development of protocols for achieving central venous access, and management of major TBI. the trauma registry provides a clear picture of the points to be improved in trauma patient care, however, there are specific peculiarities for implementing this tool in the Brazilian milieu.

Effect of Advanced Trauma Life Support program on medical interns' performance in simulated trauma patient management.

PubMed

Ahmadi, Koorosh; Sedaghat, Mohammad; Safdarian, Mahdi; Hashemian, Amir-Masoud; Nezamdoust, Zahra; Vaseie, Mohammad; Rahimi-Movaghar, Vafa

2013-01-01

Since appropriate and time-table methods in trauma care have an important impact on patients'outcome, we evaluated the effect of Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) program on medical interns' performance in simulated trauma patient management. A descriptive and analytical study before and after the training was conducted on 24 randomly selected undergraduate medical interns from Imam Reza Hospital in Mashhad, Iran. On the first day, we assessed interns' clinical knowledge and their practical skill performance in confronting simulated trauma patients. After 2 days of ATLS training, we performed the same study and evaluated their score again on the fourth day. The two findings, pre- and post- ATLS periods, were compared through SPSS version 15.0 software. P values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Our findings showed that interns'ability in all the three tasks improved after the training course. On the fourth day after training, there was a statistically significant increase in interns' clinical knowledge of ATLS procedures, the sequence of procedures and skill performance in trauma situations (P less than 0.001, P equal to 0.016 and P equal to 0.01 respectively). ATLS course has an important role in increasing clinical knowledge and practical skill performance of trauma care in medical interns.

The Role of Stent-Grafts in the Management of Aortic Trauma

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rousseau, Herve, E-mail: rousseau.h@chu-toulouse.fr; Elaassar, Omar; Marcheix, Bertrand

Stent graft has resulted in major advances in the treatment of trauma patients with blunt traumatic aortic injury (TAI) and has become the preferred method of treatment at many trauma centers. In this review, we provide an overview of the place of stent grafts for the management of this disease. As a whole, TEVAR repair of TAIs offers a survival advantage and reduction in major morbidity, including paraplegia, compared with open surgery. However, endovascular procedures in trauma require a sophisticated multidisciplinary and experienced team approach. More research and development of TAI-specific endograft devices is needed and large, multicenter studies willmore » help to clarify the role of TEVAR compared with open repair of TAI.« less

A systematic review of opioid use after extremity trauma in orthopedic surgery.

PubMed

Koehler, Rikki M; Okoroafor, Ugochi C; Cannada, Lisa K

2018-06-01

The United States is in a prescription opioid crisis. Orthopedic surgeons prescribe more opioid narcotics than any other surgical specialty. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the state of opioid use after extremity trauma in orthopedic surgery. A computerized literature search of PubMed/MEDLINE was conducted to evaluate the status of opioids after extremity fractures. Six articles were identified and included in the review. Patients who consume more opioids communicate greater pain intensity and less satisfaction with pain control. Intraoperative multimodal drug injection and nerve blockade are viable alternatives for postoperative pain control and can help decrease systemic opioid use. Orthopedic surgeons are overprescribing opioids. Compared to other countries, the United States consumes more opioids with no better satisfaction with pain control. Orthopedic trauma surgeons should tailor their postoperative opioid prescriptions to the individual patient and utilize alternative options in order to control postoperative pain. Patients should be counseled regarding narcotic addiction and dependence. Patients unable to manage pain postoperatively should be followed closely and receive the proper chronic pain management, mental and social health services referrals. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Implementation of recommended trauma system criteria in south-eastern Norway: a cross-sectional hospital survey.

PubMed

Kristiansen, Thomas; Ringdal, Kjetil G; Skotheimsvik, Tarjei; Salthammer, Halvor K; Gaarder, Christine; Naess, Pål A; Lossius, Hans M

2012-01-26

Formalized trauma systems have shown beneficial effects on patient survival and have harvested great recognition among health care professionals. In spite of this, the implementation of trauma systems is challenging and often met with resistance.Recommendations for a national trauma system in Norway were published in 2007. We wanted to assess the level of implementation of these recommendations. A survey of all acute care hospitals that receive severely injured patients in the south-eastern health region of Norway was conducted. A structured questionnaire based on the 2007 national recommendations was used in a telephone interview of hospital trauma personnel between January 17 and 21, 2011. Seventeen trauma system criteria were identified from the recommendations. Nineteen hospitals were included in the study and these received more than 2000 trauma patients annually via their trauma teams. Out of the 17 criteria that had been identified, the hospitals fulfilled a median of 12 criteria. Neither the size of the hospitals nor the distance between the hospitals and the regional trauma centre affected the level of trauma resources available. The hospitals scored lowest on the criteria for transfer of patients to higher level of care and on the training requirements for members of the trauma teams. Our study identifies a major shortcoming in the efforts of regionalizing trauma in our region. The findings indicate that training of personnel and protocols for inter-hospital transfer are the major deficiencies from the national trauma system recommendations. Resources for training of personnel partaking in trauma teams and development of inter-hospital transfer agreements should receive immediate attention.

Preparing Global Trauma Nurses for Leadership Roles in Global Trauma Systems.

PubMed

Muñiz, Sol Angelica; Lang, Richard W; Falcon, Lisa; Garces-King, Jasmine; Willard, Suzanne; Peck, Gregory L

Trauma leads to 5.7 million annual deaths globally, accounting for 25%-33% of global unintentional deaths and 90% of the global trauma burden in low- and middle-income countries. The Lancet Commission on Global Surgery and the World Health Organization assert that emergent and essential surgical capacity building and trauma system improvement are essential to address the global burden of trauma. In response, the Rutgers Global Surgery program, the School of Nursing and Medicine, and the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital faculty collaborated in the first Interprofessional Models in Global Injury Care and Education Symposium in June 2016. This 2-week symposium combined lectures, high-fidelity simulation, small group workshops, site visits to Level I trauma centers, and a 1-day training course from the Panamerican Trauma Society. The aim was to introduce global trauma nurses to trauma leadership and trauma system development. After completing the symposium, 10 nurses from China, Colombia, Kenya, Puerto Rico, and Uruguay were surveyed. Overall, 88.8% of participants reported high levels of satisfaction with the program and 100% stated being very satisfied with trauma lectures. Symposia, such as that developed and offered by Rutgers University, prepare nurses to address trauma within system-based care and facilitate trauma nursing leadership in their respective countries.

OOSTT: a Resource for Analyzing the Organizational Structures of Trauma Centers and Trauma Systems

PubMed Central

Utecht, Joseph; Judkins, John; Otte, J. Neil; Colvin, Terra; Rogers, Nicholas; Rose, Robert; Alvi, Maria; Hicks, Amanda; Ball, Jane; Bowman, Stephen M.; Maxson, Robert T.; Nabaweesi, Rosemary; Pradhan, Rohit; Sanddal, Nels D.; Tudoreanu, M. Eduard; Winchell, Robert J.; Brochhausen, Mathias

2017-01-01

Organizational structures of healthcare organizations has increasingly become a focus of medical research. In the CAFÉ project we aim to provide a web-service enabling ontology-driven comparison of the organizational characteristics of trauma centers and trauma systems. Trauma remains one of the biggest challenges to healthcare systems worldwide. Research has demonstrated that coordinated efforts like trauma systems and trauma centers are key components of addressing this challenge. Evaluation and comparison of these organizations is essential. However, this research challenge is frequently compounded by the lack of a shared terminology and the lack of effective information technology solutions for assessing and comparing these organizations. In this paper we present the Ontology of Organizational Structures of Trauma systems and Trauma centers (OOSTT) that provides the ontological foundation to CAFÉ's web-based questionnaire infrastructure. We present the usage of the ontology in relation to the questionnaire and provide the methods that were used to create the ontology. PMID:28217041

Blunt hepatic and splenic trauma. A single Center experience using a multidisciplinary protocol.

PubMed

Ruscelli, Paolo; Buccoliero, Farncesco; Mazzocato, Susanna; Belfiori, Giulio; Rabuini, Claudio; Sperti, Pierluigi; Rimini, Massimiliano

2017-01-01

The aim of this retrospective study was to describe more than 10 years experience of a single Trauma Center about non operative management of abdominal organ injuries in hemodynamically stable patients MATERIAL OF STUDY: Between January 2001 and December 2014 ,732 consecutive patients were admitted with blunt abdominal trauma, involving liver and/or spleen and/or kidney, at the Bufalini Cesena Hospital .Management of patients included a specific institutional developed protocol :hemodynamic stability was evaluated in shock room according to the patients response to fluid challenge and the patients were classified into three categories A,B,and C. Form 732 Trauma, 356(48.6%) of patients were submitted to a surgical procedure, all the other patient 376(51.4%) underwent an non operative management .Overall mortality was 9.8% (72), mortality in the surgery group was 15.4% eheras in the non operative group was 4.5%; the relative risk of mortality, measured by the odds ratio waith a 95% confidence interval, was 3.417(2.023-5.772) for rhe surgery group; patient over 40 years old has a statistically significant higher mortality. In our series the overall mortality rate of non operative management group was 4.5%, instead in unstable patients, the surgery group, the mortality was 15.3%; the overall mortality mortality rate after the application of our protocol is 9.8%, Although surgery continues to be the standard for hemodically unstable patients with blunt hepatic and splenic trauma. In our experience AAST Organ Injury Scale was useless for the therapeutic decision making process after the CT scan if a source of bleeding was detected and immediate angiography was performed in order to control and solve it. In our experience the AAST Organ Injury Scale was useless for the therapeutic decision making process, The results suggest that the only criteria of choice for therapeutici strategy was the hemodynamic stability, Nonoperative managem,ent can be applied only following strict institutional criteria KEY WORDS: Hemodynmic stability, Nonoperative management, Trauma.

Maxillofacial Fractures and Dental Trauma in a High School Soccer Goalkeeper: A Case Report

PubMed Central

Mihalik, Jason P; Myers, Joseph B; Sell, Timothy C; Anish, Eric J

2005-01-01

Objective: To present the case of a 17-year-old male soccer goalkeeper who sustained maxillofacial fractures and dental trauma after being struck in the face by an opponent's knee. Background: Because of the nature of the sport and a lack of protective headgear, soccer players are at risk for sustaining maxillofacial trauma. Facial injuries can complicate the routine management of on-field medical emergencies often encountered by certified athletic trainers. The appropriate management of maxillofacial trauma on the playing field may help to reduce both the immediate and long-term morbidity and mortality associated with these injuries. Differential Diagnosis: Lacerated superior labial artery, lacerated upper lip, dental fractures, maxillofacial fractures, orbital blowout fracture, closed head injury, cervical spine injury, cerebrovascular accident. Treatment: The athlete received immediate on-field medical care and was subsequently transported to the hospital, where diagnostic testing was performed and further treatment was provided. Hospital inpatient management included dental and plastic surgery. After discharge from the hospital, the athlete underwent several additional dental procedures, including gingival surgery and nonsurgical endodontic treatments. The fractures were followed closely to assure that adequate healing had occurred. The athlete did not return to soccer. Uniqueness: Certified athletic trainers need to be prepared for on-field medical emergencies. Bleeding associated with maxillofacial trauma can complicate basic medical interventions such as airway maintenance. Inappropriate on-field management may result in unnecessary morbidity and mortality for the injured athlete. Therefore, immediate recognition of the severity of the injury is needed in order to institute appropriate airway-management strategies. Conclusions: It is sometimes necessary to consider nonstandard methods of airway management in order to first address heavy bleeding that may be associated with facial trauma. Achieving hemostasis is essential in order to prevent potentially life-threatening complications related to hemorrhage, such as airway obstruction and hypovolemic shock. PMID:15970958

Establishing and running a trauma and dissociation unit: a contemporary experience.

PubMed

Middleton, Warwick; Higson, David

2004-12-01

To evaluate the functioning of a trauma and dissociation unit that has run for the past 8 years in a private hospital, with particular regard to operating philosophy, operating parameters, challenges encountered, research and educational initiatives, and the applicability of the treatment model to other settings. Despite the challenges associated with significant difficulties in the corporate management of a private health-care system, it has been possible to operate an inpatient and day hospital programme tailored to the needs of patients in the dissociative spectrum, and the lessons learnt from this experience are valid considerations in the future planning of mental health services overall.

[Intensive care treatment of traumatic brain injury in multiple trauma patients : Decision making for complex pathophysiology].

PubMed

Trimmel, H; Herzer, G; Schöchl, H; Voelckel, W G

2017-09-01

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and hemorrhagic shock due to uncontrolled bleeding are the major causes of death after severe trauma. Mortality rates are threefold higher in patients suffering from multiple injuries and additionally TBI. Factors known to impair outcome after TBI, namely hypotension, hypoxia, hypercapnia, acidosis, coagulopathy and hypothermia are aggravated by the extent and severity of extracerebral injuries. The mainstays of TBI intensive care may be, at least temporarily, contradictory to the trauma care concept for multiple trauma patients. In particular, achieving normotension in uncontrolled bleeding situations, maintenance of normocapnia in traumatic lung injury and thromboembolic prophylaxis are prone to discussion. Due to an ongoing uncertainty about the definition of normotensive blood pressure values, a cerebral perfusion pressure-guided cardiovascular management is of key importance. In contrast, there is no doubt that early goal directed coagulation management improves outcome in patients with TBI and multiple trauma. The timing of subsequent surgical interventions must be based on the development of TBI pathology; therefore, intensive care of multiple trauma patients with TBI requires an ongoing and close cooperation between intensivists and trauma surgeons in order to individualize patient care.

Major genitourinary-related bicycle trauma: Results from 20 years at a level-1 trauma center.

PubMed

Osterberg, E Charles; Awad, Mohannad A; Gaither, Thomas W; Sanford, Thomas; Alwaal, Amjad; Hampson, Lindsay A; Yoo, Jennie; McAninch, Jack W; Breyer, Benjamin N

2017-01-01

Epidemiological studies have shown that bicycle trauma is associated with genitourinary (GU) injuries. Our objective is to characterize GU-related bicycle trauma admitted to a level I trauma center. We queried a prospective trauma registry for bicycle injuries over a 20-year period. Patient demographics, triage data, operative interventions and hospital details were collected. In total, 1659 patients were admitted with major bicycle trauma. Of these, 48 cases involved a GU organ, specifically the bladder (n=7), testis (n=6), urethra (n=3), adrenal (n=4) and/or kidneys (n=36). The median age of cyclists with GU injuries was 29 (range 5-70). More men were injured versus women (35 versus 13). GU-related bicycle trauma involved a motor vehicle in 52% (25/48) of injuries. The median injury severity score for GU-related bicycle trauma was 17 (range 1-50). The median number of concomitant organ injuries was 2 (range 0-6), the most common of which was the lungs (13/48, 27%) and ribs (13/48, 27%). The majority of GU injured cyclists were admitted to an ICU (15/48, 31%) or hospital floor (12/48, 25%). Operative intervention for a GU-related trauma was low (12/48, 25%). The most common GU organ injured was the kidney (36/48, 75%) however most were managed nonoperatively (33/36, 92%). Bladder injuries most often required operative intervention (6/7, 86%). Mortality following GU-related bicycle trauma was low (2/48, 4%). In a large series of bicycle trauma, GU organs were injured in 3% of cases. The majority of cases were managed non-operatively and mortality was low. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Nonoperative management of blunt hepatic injury: an Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma practice management guideline.

PubMed

Stassen, Nicole A; Bhullar, Indermeet; Cheng, Julius D; Crandall, Marie; Friese, Randall; Guillamondegui, Oscar; Jawa, Randeep; Maung, Adrian; Rohs, Thomas J; Sangosanya, Ayodele; Schuster, Kevin; Seamon, Mark; Tchorz, Kathryn M; Zarzuar, Ben L; Kerwin, Andrew

2012-11-01

During the last century, the management of blunt force trauma to the liver has changed from observation and expectant management in the early part of the 1900s to mainly operative intervention, to the current practice of selective operative and nonoperative management. These issues were first addressed by the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma in the Practice Management Guidelines for Nonoperative Management of Blunt Injury to the Liver and Spleen published online in 2003. Since that time, a large volume of literature on these topics has been published requiring a reevaluation of the previous Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma guideline. The National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health MEDLINE database were searched using PubMed (http://www.pubmed.gov). The search was designed to identify English-language citations published after 1996 (the last year included in the previous guideline) using the keywords liver injury and blunt abdominal trauma. One hundred seventy-six articles were reviewed, of which 94 were used to create the current practice management guideline for the selective nonoperative management of blunt hepatic injury. Most original hepatic guidelines remained valid and were incorporated into the greatly expanded current guidelines as appropriate. Nonoperative management of blunt hepatic injuries currently is the treatment modality of choice in hemodynamically stable patients, irrespective of the grade of injury or patient age. Nonoperative management of blunt hepatic injuries should only be considered in an environment that provides capabilities for monitoring, serial clinical evaluations, and an operating room available for urgent laparotomy. Patients presenting with hemodynamic instability and peritonitis still warrant emergent operative intervention. Intravenous contrast enhanced computed tomographic scan is the diagnostic modality of choice for evaluating blunt hepatic injuries. Repeated imaging should be guided by a patient's clinical status. Adjunctive therapies like angiography, percutaneous drainage, endoscopy/endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and laparoscopy remain important adjuncts to nonoperative management of hepatic injuries. Despite the explosion of literature on this topic, many questions regarding nonoperative management of blunt hepatic injuries remain without conclusive answers in the literature.

Assuring optimal trauma care: the role of trauma centre accreditation

PubMed Central

Simons, Richard; Kirkpatrick, Andrew

2002-01-01

Optimal care of the injured patient requires the delivery of appropriate, definitive care shortly after injury. Over the last 30 to 40 years, civilian trauma systems and trauma centres have been developed in the United States based on experience gained in military conflicts, particularly in Korea and Vietnam. A similar process is evolving in Canada. National trauma committees in the US and Canada have defined optimal resources to meet the goal of rapid, appropriate care in trauma centres. They have introduced programs (verification or accreditation) to externally audit trauma centre performance based on these guidelines. It is generally accepted that implementing trauma systems results in decreased preventable death and improved survival after trauma. What is less clear is the degree to which each facet of trauma system development contributes to this improvement. The relative importance of national performance guidelines and trauma centre audit as integral steps toward improved outcomes following injury are reviewed. Current Trauma Association of Canada guidelines for trauma centres are presented and the process of trauma centre accreditation is discussed. PMID:12174987

Management of hip fractures pre- and post-Major Trauma Centre activation.

PubMed

Wong, Ken; Rich, James; Yip, Grace; Loizou, Constantinos; Hull, Peter

2015-10-01

In April 2012, the activation of the regional trauma networks in England was carried out to improve the organisation of trauma care. NHS Trusts that could meet the highest standard of care to complex trauma were designated Major Trauma Centres (MTCs). MTCs receive patients fulfilling certain triage criteria, as well as secondary transfers from nearby trauma units. While complex trauma care is streamlined with this new organisation, the impact this would have on the rest of the trauma workload within MTCs as well as non-MTC hospitals is uncertain. We investigate whether the management of hip fracture cases had suffered as a result of a trauma unit becoming a MTC. Summary data was collated from the National Hip Fracture Database website for the periods of April 2011-April 2012 (the 'pre-MTC' activation period) and April 2012-April 2013 (the 'post-MTC' activation period). As our primary outcome, we compared the time to surgery within 36h between MTCs and non-MTCs for the periods detailed above. Other outcome measures were: reasons for delay to surgery, length of acute stay, proportion of cases meeting Best Practice Tariff criteria. A total of 54,897 and 55,998 fNOF patients were included for all hospitals in England in the pre- and post-MTC periods respectively. For MTCs, a weighted mean average of 66.6% patients had surgery within 36h in the pre-MTC period versus 71.4% of patients in the post MTC period (p<0.0001). For non-MTCs, a weighted mean average of 70.0% of patients had surgery within 36h in the pre-MTC period versus 73.8% of patients in the post-MTC period (p<0.0001). Non-MTCs in both pre- and post-MTC activation periods were therefore better in percentage of patients receiving surgery within 36h. The data presented suggests that the creation of MTCs has not had a deleterious effect on the management of hip fracture patients. This paper aims to stimulate the important discussion of maintaining a consistently improving standard throughout the spectrum of trauma care, in conjunction with the development of regional Major Trauma Networks. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Update on prehospital emergency care of severe trauma patients.

PubMed

Tazarourte, K; Cesaréo, E; Sapir, D; Atchabahian, A; Tourtier, J-P; Briole, N; Vigué, B

2013-01-01

The prognosis of severe trauma patients is determined by the ability of a healthcare system to provide high intensity therapeutic treatment on the field and to transport patients as quickly as possible to the structure best suited to their condition. Direct admission to a specialized center ("trauma center") reduces the mortality of the most severe trauma at 30 days and one year. Triage in a non-specialized hospital is a major risk of loss of chance and should be avoided whenever possible. Medical dispatching plays a major role in determining patient care. The establishment of a hospital care network is an important issue that is not formalized enough in France. The initial triage of severe trauma patients must be improved to avoid taking patients to hospitals that are not equipped to take care of them. For this purpose, the MGAP score can predict severity and help decide where to transport the patient. However, it does not help predict the need for urgent resuscitation procedures. Hemodynamic management is central to the care of hemorrhagic shock and severe head trauma. Transport helicopter with a physician on board has an important role to allow direct admission to a specialized center in geographical areas that are difficult to access. Copyright © 2013 Société française d’anesthésie et de réanimation (Sfar). Published by Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.

Imaging assessment of penetrating injury of the neck and face.

PubMed

Offiah, Curtis; Hall, Edward

2012-10-01

Penetrating trauma of the neck and face is a frequent presentation to acute emergency, trauma and critical care units. There remains a steady incidence of both gunshot penetrating injury to the neck and face as well as non-missile penetrating injury-largely, but not solely, knife-related. Optimal imaging assessment of such injuries therefore remains an on-going requirement of the general and specialised radiologist. The anatomy of the neck and face-in particular, vascular, pharyngo-oesophageal, laryngo-tracheal and neural anatomy-demands a more specialised and selective management plan which incorporates specific imaging techniques. The current treatment protocol of injuries of the neck and face has seen a radical shift away from expectant surgical exploration in the management of such injuries, largely as a result of advances in the diagnostic capabilities of multi-detector computed tomography angiography (MDCTA), which is now the first-line imaging modality of choice in such cases. This review aims to highlight ballistic considerations, differing imaging modalities, including MDCTA, that might be utilised to assist in the accurate assessment of these injuries as well as the specific radiological features and patterns of specific organ-system injuries that should be considered and communicated to surgical and critical care teams. TEACHING POINTS : • MDCTA is the first-line imaging modality in penetrating trauma of the neck and, often, of the face • The inherent deformability of a bullet is a significant factor in its tissue-damaging capabilities • MDCTA can provide accurate assessment of visceral injury of the neck as well as vascular injury • Penetrating facial trauma warrants radiological assessment of key adjacent anatomical structures • In-driven fragments of native bone potentiate tissue damage in projectile penetrating facial trauma.

Smartphones and dental trauma: the current availability of apps for managing traumatic dental injuries.

PubMed

Djemal, Serpil; Singh, Parmjit

2016-02-01

There is a general consensus regarding the lack of awareness regarding the emergency management of traumatic dental injuries amongst laypersons and dental professionals. This article aims to provide an overview of the apps available for traumatic dental injuries using smartphones. These apps may serve as a gateway for raising awareness of traumatic dental injuries. Three smartphone devices were used to access their respective app stores (Nokia Lumia 635 with Windows Phone OS 8.1; iPhone 5 with iOS 8.1; Samsung Galaxy Ace II with Android OS v2.3.6 Gingerbread). Nine phrases were searched: broken tooth/teeth; chipped tooth/teeth; dental emergency; dental injury; dental trauma; fractured tooth/teeth; knocked-out tooth/teeth; tooth/teeth injury; and tooth/teeth trauma. Seven apps for the Android and one app for the Apple operating system were relevant. The only Apple iOS app retrieved (Dental Trauma) was also found for the Android OS (Dental Trauma First Aid) and had the endorsement of the International Association of Dental Traumatology. AcciDent was the only app dedicated to traumatic dental injuries targeted solely towards dental professionals. Five other apps (Chipped Tooth Solution, Dental Crown Repair, Fixing Cracked Tooth, Repairing the Front Tooth and Solution to Broken Tooth) appeared to come from the same source (KBES). No traumatic dental injury apps were found for the Windows Phone OS. There are apps available for both patients and dentists that range in quality and on the whole lack real-life photographs. Future apps should continue to provide good quality, evidence-based and validated material. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Advances in Imaging and Management Trends of Traumatic Aortic Injuries.

PubMed

Nagpal, Prashant; Mullan, Brian F; Sen, Indrani; Saboo, Sachin S; Khandelwal, Ashish

2017-05-01

Acute traumatic aortic injury (ATAI) is a life-threatening injury. CT is the imaging tool of choice, and the knowledge of direct and indirect signs of injury, grading system, and current management protocol helps the emergency radiologist to better identify and classify the injury and provide additional details that can impact management options. Newer dual-source CT technology with ultrafast acquisition speed has also influenced the appropriate protocol for imaging in patients with suspected ATAI. This review highlights the imaging protocol in patients with blunt trauma, CT appearance and grading systems of ATAI, management options, and the role of the multidisciplinary team in the management of these patients. We also briefly review the current literature on the definition, treatment, and follow-up protocol in patients with minimal aortic injury.

Management of severe open ankle-foot trauma by a simple external fixation technique: an alternative during war and in resource-poor and low-technology environments.

PubMed

Pedrini, Gianpaolo; Cardi, Maurizio; Landini, Alberto; Strada, Gino

2011-03-01

Severe open foot and ankle injuries are still a challenge for the orthopaedic surgeon. Their treatment is even more difficult in third world countries and in war settings where high-energy trauma with severe soft tissue damage is more frequent. Lack of equipment, poor resources and hygiene, and different cultural systems make most of the standard proposed treatments difficult to apply. The authors describe an inexpensive, rapid, minimally invasive, and easy-to-apply external fixation technique for the treatment of severe open ankle-foot fractures. With the main goal of soft tissue management rather than definitive treatment of any bony injuries, this technique was developed over time during many consecutive missions in Sierra Leone and Afghanistan as an alternative to more appropriate treatments with surprisingly satisfactory short- and long-term results.

In view of standardization Part 2: Management of challenges in the initial treatment of burn patients in Burn Centers in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

PubMed

Ziegler, Benjamin; Hirche, Christoph; Horter, Johannes; Kiefer, Jurij; Grützner, Paul Alfred; Kremer, Thomas; Kneser, Ulrich; Münzberg, Matthias

2017-03-01

Initial therapy of severe burns in specialized burn trauma centers is a challenging task faced by the treating multi-professional and interdisciplinary team. A lack of consistent operating procedures and varying structural conditions was recently demonstrated in preliminary data of our group. These results raised the question on how specific treatment measures in acute burn care are met in the absence of standardized guidelines. A specific questionnaire containing 57 multiple-choice questions was sent to all 22 major burn centers in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The survey included standards of airway management and ventilation, fluid management and circulation, body temperature monitoring and management, topical burn wound treatment and a microbiological surveillance. Additionally, the distribution of standardized course systems was covered. 17 out of 22 questionnaires (77%) were returned completed. Regarding volume resuscitation, results showed a similar approach in estimating initial fluid while discrepancies persisted in the use of colloidal fluid and human albumin. Elective tracheostomy and the need for bronchoscopy with suspected inhalation injury were the most controversial issues revealed by the survey. Topical treatment of burned body surface also followed different principles regarding the use of synthetic epidermal skin substitutes or enzymatic wound debridement. Less discrepancy was found in basic diagnostic measures, body temperature management, estimation of the extent of burns and microbiological surveillance. While many burn-related issues are clearly not questionable and managed in a similar way in most participating facilities, we were able to show that the most contentious issues in burn trauma management involve initial volume resuscitation, management of inhalation trauma and topical burn wound treatment. Further research is required to address these topics and evaluate a potential superiority of a regime in order to increase the level of evidence. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.

[Prevention and treatment of post-traumatic pancreatic necrosis in patients with blunt abdominal trauma].

PubMed

Cherdantsev, D V; Pervova, O V; Vinnik, Iu S; Kurbanov, D Sh

2016-01-01

High incidence of necrotic and suppurative complications is feature of acute post-traumatic pancreatitis. Severe trauma of the pancreas and post-traumatic pancreatitis lead to depressurization of ductal system that requires adequate drainage of damaged area and retroperitoneal fat. 95 patients in group 1 received standardized treatment. The victims of the 2nd group (44 patients) were treated using immunoreactive therapy (roncoleukin) and octreotide (the dose depended on the severity of pancreatitis) at early stages. The efficacy of treatment was assessed based on clinical, laboratory and instrumental parameters. Regardless severity of pancreatic injury overall mortality in groups 1 and 2 was 41% and 20.5% respectively. The main causes of adverse outcomes are severe destructive pancreatitis, postnecrotic suppurative complications. Adequacy rather radicalism of surgery should be preferred for blunt pancreatic trauma management. Minimally invasive surgical techniques and new methods of biological hemostasis may be applied. Timely use of anti-enzymatic and immunoactive therapy reduces the risk of severe post-traumatic pancreatitis, suppurative complications and improves outcomes in patients with blunt pancreatic trauma.

Management and treatment of splenic trauma in children.

PubMed

Arslan, Serkan; Guzel, Mahmut; Turan, Cuneyt; Doğanay, Selim; Kopru, Mehmet

2015-01-01

To assess types of splenic traumas, accompanying injuries, their management and results. We studied the reports of 90 patients (64 boys, 26 girls) who were treated for splenic injuries as a result of blunt abdominal trauma between 2005-2012. Age, sex, hospitalization time, mechanisms of traumas, accompanying injuries and management methods were recorded. Causes of trauma were falls from height (46 patients, 51%), pedestrian traffic accidents (17 patients, 19%), passenger traffic accidents (11 patients, 12%), bicycle accidents (10 patients, 11%) and falling objects from height (6 patients, 6.6%). Splenic injury alone was observed in 57 patients (63.3%) and other organ injuries together with splenic injury in 33 patients (36.7%). Splenectomy was performed in six patients (6.6%) due to hemodynamic instability and small intestine repair due to small intestine injury in one patient (1.1%). None of these patients died from their injuries. A large proportion of splenic injuries recover with conservative therapy. Some of the advantages of conservative therapy include short hospitalization time, less need for blood transfusion, and less morbidity and mortality. Falls from height and traffic accidents are important factors in etiology. The possibility of other organ injuries together with splenic injuries should be considered.

Hemothorax: Etiology, diagnosis, and management.

PubMed

Broderick, Stephen R

2013-02-01

Most cases of hemothorax are related to blunt or penetrating chest trauma. Criteria for surgical intervention for initial hemothorax are well defined. Appropriate management of retained hemothorax following initial trauma management is critical, and the best approach remains controversial. Spontaneous hemothorax is much less common and results from a variety of pathologic processes. This article reviews the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of traumatic and spontaneous hemothorax in modern practice. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A Civilian/Military Trauma Institute: National Trauma Coordinating Center

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-10-01

the variation in practices for DVT screening, and there was another paper which talks about variation in practices about pain management for rib ...pelvic fractures , and long bone extremity fractures (femur or tibia). TBI was chosen as it is the most common cause of death and disability in...trauma patients, while hemorrhage is the second leading cause of death. Fractures were chosen as they represent a common injury in trauma patients. These

Rethinking Traditional Behaviour Management to Better Support Complex Trauma-Surviving Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Howard, Judith

2016-01-01

Children and adolescents who have survived complex trauma have suffered the type of ongoing and repeated traumatic experience that includes factors such as physical, sexual, and/or emotional abuse, significant neglect, and/or family violence. Complex childhood trauma (sometimes referred to as paediatric or child maltreatment-related post traumatic…

Utility of simultaneous interventional radiology and operative surgery in a dedicated suite for seriously injured patients.

PubMed

D'Amours, Scott K; Rastogi, Pratik; Ball, Chad G

2013-12-01

In recent years, combined interventional radiology and operative suites have been proposed and are now becoming operational in select trauma centres. Given the infancy of this technology, this review aims to review the rationale, benefits and challenges of hybrid suites in the management of seriously injured patients. No specific studies exist that investigate outcomes within hybrid trauma suites. Endovascular and interventional radiology techniques have been successfully employed in thoracic, abdominal, pelvic and extremity trauma. Although the association between delayed haemorrhage control and poorer patient outcomes is intuitive, most supporting scientific data are outdated. The hybrid suite model offers the potential to expedite haemorrhage control through synergistic operative, interventional radiology and resuscitative platforms. Maximizing the utility of these suites requires trained multidisciplinary teams, ergonomic and workplace considerations, as well as a fundamental paradigm shift of trauma care. This often translates into a more damage-control orientated philosophy. Hybrid suites offer tremendous potential to expedite haemorrhage control in trauma patients. Outcome evaluations from trauma units that currently have operational hybrid suites are required to establish clearer guidelines and criteria for patient management.

Levels of evidence in pelvic trauma: a bibliometric analysis of the top 50 cited papers.

PubMed

White-Gibson, Ailbhe; O'Neill, Barry; Cooper, David; Leonard, Michael; O'Daly, Brendan

2018-05-12

Scientific research is an essential aspect in the ongoing development of medical education and improved patient care. Dissemination of findings is a pivotal goal of any health research study. The number of citations that a published article receives is reflective of the importance that paper has on clinical practice. To date, it is unknown which journals are most frequently cited as influencing the management of pelvic trauma. The aim of this study was to identify the top 50 publications relating to the management of pelvic trauma. The database of the Science Citation Index of the Institute for Scientific Information (1945 to 2016) was reviewed to identify the 50 papers most commonly cited. A total of 1535 papers were included. Of these, 31 papers were cited over 100 times with the top 50 cited 69 times or more. The top 50 were subjected to further analysis to identify the authors and institutions involved. The majority of these publications originated in the USA, followed by Canada. The most cited paper is "pelvic ring fractures-should they be fixed", published by Tile in 1988. We have identified and analysed the publications that have contributed most to the assessment and management of pelvic trauma over the past 50 years. We have also identified the researchers and institutions which have most influenced the evidence-based approach currently employed in the management of pelvic trauma.

Joint Global War on Terror (GWOT) Vascular Injury Study 2

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-02-01

trauma, vascular injury management, survey , OIF, OEF, Iraq, Afghanistan, Iraq, deployment, training 16. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: 17. LIMITATION OF...injury, extremity, vascular injury, vascular trauma, vascular injury management, survey , OIF, OEF, Iraq, Afghanistan, Iraq, deployment, training...Phase II will be analyzed to provide comprehensive descriptive information on the patient cohort pertaining to demographics, injury information and

Which future for traumatology in Europe?

PubMed

Rommens, P M

2014-01-01

The last decades have been characterized by rapid changes in society, medicine and surgery. There is a distinct evolution towards specialization and super-specialization. Trauma surgery also evolves towards a specialty, focused on the care of the injured. To optimize the quality of care and meet the needs of patients and care providers, a well-structured trauma surgery training program as well as the regionalization of trauma care with the implementation of Level I trauma centers are needed. The core competence of the European trauma surgeon is the coordination of the early management of the severely injured and the treatment of muskuloskeletal trauma, which represent the most common pathologies in our countries.

Implementation of recommended trauma system criteria in south-eastern Norway: a cross-sectional hospital survey

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Formalized trauma systems have shown beneficial effects on patient survival and have harvested great recognition among health care professionals. In spite of this, the implementation of trauma systems is challenging and often met with resistance. Recommendations for a national trauma system in Norway were published in 2007. We wanted to assess the level of implementation of these recommendations. Methods A survey of all acute care hospitals that receive severely injured patients in the south-eastern health region of Norway was conducted. A structured questionnaire based on the 2007 national recommendations was used in a telephone interview of hospital trauma personnel between January 17 and 21, 2011. Seventeen trauma system criteria were identified from the recommendations. Results Nineteen hospitals were included in the study and these received more than 2000 trauma patients annually via their trauma teams. Out of the 17 criteria that had been identified, the hospitals fulfilled a median of 12 criteria. Neither the size of the hospitals nor the distance between the hospitals and the regional trauma centre affected the level of trauma resources available. The hospitals scored lowest on the criteria for transfer of patients to higher level of care and on the training requirements for members of the trauma teams. Conclusion Our study identifies a major shortcoming in the efforts of regionalizing trauma in our region. The findings indicate that training of personnel and protocols for inter-hospital transfer are the major deficiencies from the national trauma system recommendations. Resources for training of personnel partaking in trauma teams and development of inter-hospital transfer agreements should receive immediate attention. PMID:22281020

Transcatheter Embolization for Delayed Hemorrhage Caused by Blunt Splenic Trauma

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Krohmer, Steven J., E-mail: Steven.J.Krohmer@hitchcock.org; Hoffer, Eric K., E-mail: eric.k.hoffer@hitchcock.or; Burchard, Kenneth W., E-mail: Kenneth.W.Burchard@hitchcock.or

2010-08-15

Although the exact benefit of adjunctive splenic artery embolization (SAE) in the nonoperative management (NOM) of patients with blunt splenic trauma has been debated, the role of transcatheter embolization in delayed splenic hemorrhage is rarely addressed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of SAE in the management of patients who presented at least 3 days after initial splenic trauma with delayed hemorrhage. During a 24-month period 4 patients (all male; ages 19-49 years) presented with acute onset of pain 5-70 days after blunt trauma to the left upper quadrant. Two had known splenic injuries that hadmore » been managed nonoperatively. All had computed axial tomography evidence of active splenic hemorrhage or false aneurysm on representation. All underwent successful SAE. Follow-up ranged from 28 to 370 days. These cases and a review of the literature indicate that SAE is safe and effective for NOM failure caused by delayed manifestations of splenic arterial injury.« less

Early effectiveness of endoscopic posterior urethra primary alignment.

PubMed

Kim, Fernando J; Pompeo, Alexandre; Sehrt, David; Molina, Wilson R; Mariano da Costa, Renato M; Juliano, Cesar; Moore, Ernest E; Stahel, Philip F

2013-08-01

Posterior urethra primary realignment (PUPR) after complete transection may decrease the gap between the ends of the transected urethra, tamponade the retropubic bleeding, and optimize urinary drainage without the need of suprapubic catheter facilitating concurrent pelvic orthopedic and trauma procedures. Historically, the distorted anatomy after pelvic trauma has been a major surgical challenge. The purpose of the study was to assess the relationship of the severity of the pelvic fracture to the success of endoscopic and immediate PUPR following complete posterior urethral disruption using the Young-Burgess classification system. A review of our Level I trauma center database for patients diagnosed with pelvic fracture and complete posterior urethral disruption from January 2005 to April 2012 was performed. Pelvic fracture severity was categorized according to the Young-Burgees classification system. Management consisted of suprapubic catheter insertion at diagnosis followed by early urethral realignment when the patient was clinically stable. Failure of realignment was defined as inability to achieve urethral continuity with Foley catheterization. Clinical follow-up consisted of radiologic, pressure studies and cystoscopic evaluation. A total of 481 patients with pelvic trauma from our trauma registry were screened initially, and 18 (3.7%) were diagnosed with a complete posterior urethral disruption. A total of 15 primary realignments (83.3%) were performed all within 5 days of trauma. The success rate of early realignment was 100%. There was no correlation between the type of pelvic ring fracture and the success of PUPR. Postoperatively, 8 patients (53.3%) developed urethral strictures, 3 patients (20.0%) developed incontinence, and 7 patients (46.7%) reported erectile dysfunction after the trauma. The mean follow-up of these patients was 31.8 months. Endoscopic PUPR may be an effective option for the treatment of complete posterior urethral disruption and enables urinary drainage to best suit the multispecialty surgical team. The success rate of achieving primary realignment did not appear to be related to the complexity and type of pelvic ring fracture.

Computer-assisted trauma care prototype.

PubMed

Holzman, T G; Griffith, A; Hunter, W G; Allen, T; Simpson, R J

1995-01-01

Each year, civilian accidental injury results in 150,000 deaths and 400,000 permanent disabilities in the United States alone. The timely creation of and access to dynamically updated trauma patient information at the point of injury is critical to improving the state of care. Such information is often non-existent, incomplete, or inaccurate, resulting in less than adequate treatment by medics and the loss of precious time by medical personnel at the hospital or battalion aid station as they attempt to reassess and treat the patient. The Trauma Care Information Management System (TCIMS) is a prototype system for facilitating information flow and patient processing decisions in the difficult circumstances of civilian and military trauma care activities. The program is jointly supported by the United States Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) and a consortium of universities, medical centers, and private companies. The authors' focus has been the human-computer interface for the system. We are attempting to make TCIMS powerful in the functions it delivers to its users in the field while also making it easy to understand and operate. To develop such a usable system, an approach known as user-centered design is being followed. Medical personnel themselves are collaborating with the authors in its needs analysis, design, and evaluation. Specifically, the prototype being demonstrated was designed through observation of actual civilian trauma care episodes, military trauma care exercises onboard a hospital ship, interviews with civilian and military trauma care providers, repeated evaluation of evolving prototypes by potential users, and study of the literature on trauma care and human factors engineering. This presentation at MedInfo '95 is still another avenue for soliciting guidance from medical information system experts and users. The outcome of this process is a system that provides the functions trauma care personnel desire in a manner that can be easily and accurately used in urban, rural, and military field settings. his demonstration will focus on the user interfaces for the hand-held computer device included in TCIMS, the Field Medic Associate (FMA). The FMA prototype is a ruggedized, water-resistant personal computer, weighing approximately 5 lbs. It has an LCD graphical user interface display for patient record input and output, pen-based and audio input, audio output, and wireless communications capabilities. Automatic recording and dynamic, graphical display of time-stamped trends in patient vital signs will be simulated during the demonstration. Means for accessing existing patient record information (e.g., allergies to particular medications) and updating the record with the nature of the injury, its cause, and the treatments that were administered will be shown. These will include use of an electronic pen to mark up anatoglyphs (standard drawings of human body appearing on computer screen) to show where injuries occurred and where treatments were applied, and to input textual descriptions of the nature of the injury, its cause, what treatments were administered, etc. Computer recognition of handwritten inputs will be shown. Likewise, voice annotation and audio playback of patient record information by medics and hospital personnel will be illustrated. These latter technologies free the care providers' hands to treat the patient; they can therefore provide inputs to the patient record while information is fresh in their minds. The audio playback option allows hospital personnel to select more detailed voice annotations of specific portions of the patient record by simply touching the electronic pen to a particular place where an electronic pen marking was made by a medic in the field and then listening to the medic's corresponding audio commentary. Finally, the FMA's means for assisting the medic in simultaneously managing several injured patients will be shown. (abstract truncated)

The role of trauma scoring in developing trauma clinical governance in the Defence Medical Services

PubMed Central

Russell, R. J.; Hodgetts, T. J.; McLeod, J.; Starkey, K.; Mahoney, P.; Harrison, K.; Bell, E.

2011-01-01

This paper discusses mathematical models of expressing severity of injury and probability of survival following trauma and their use in establishing clinical governance of a trauma system. There are five sections: (i) Historical overview of scoring systems—anatomical, physiological and combined systems and the advantages and disadvantages of each. (ii) Definitions used in official statistics—definitions of ‘killed in action’ and other categories and the importance of casualty reporting rates and comparison across conflicts and nationalities. (iii) Current scoring systems and clinical governance—clinical governance of the trauma system in the Defence Medical Services (DMS) by using trauma scoring models to analyse injury and clinical patterns. (iv) Unexpected outcomes—unexpected outcomes focus clinical governance tools. Unexpected survivors signify good practice to be promulgated. Unexpected deaths pick up areas of weakness to be addressed. Seventy-five clinically validated unexpected survivors were identified over 2 years during contemporary combat operations. (v) Future developments—can the trauma scoring methods be improved? Trauma scoring systems use linear approaches and have significant weaknesses. Trauma and its treatment is a complex system. Nonlinear methods need to be investigated to determine whether these will produce a better approach to the analysis of the survival from major trauma. PMID:21149354

Utilisation of Blood Components in Trauma Surgery: A Single-Centre, Retrospective Analysis before and after the Implementation of an Educative PBM Initiative.

PubMed

Geissler, Raoul Georg; Kösters, Clemens; Franz, Dominik; Buddendick, Hubert; Borowski, Matthias; Juhra, Christian; Lange, Matthias; Bunzemeier, Holger; Roeder, Norbert; Sibrowski, Walter; Raschke, Michael J; Schlenke, Peter

2015-03-01

The aim of our single-centre retrospective study presented here is to further analyse the utilisation of allogeneic blood components within a 5-year observation period (2009-2013) in trauma surgery (15,457 patients) under the measures of an educational patient blood management (PBM) initiative. After the implementation of the PBM initiative in January 2012, the Institute of Transfusion Medicine und Transplantation Immunology educates surgeons and nurses at the Department of Trauma Surgery to avoid unnecessary blood transfusions. A standardised reporting system was used to document the utilisation of blood components carefully for the most frequent diagnoses and surgical interventions in trauma surgery. These measures served as basis for the implementation of an interdisciplinary systematic exchange of information to foster decision-making processes in favour of patient blood management. Since January 2012, the proportion of patients who received a transfusion as well as the number of transfused red blood cell (RBC) (7.3%/6.4%; p = 0.02), fresh frozen plasma (FFP) (1.7%/1.3%; p < 0.05) and platelet (PLT) (1.0%/0.5%; p < 0.001) units were reduced as a result of our PBM initiative. However, among the transfused patients, the number of administered RBC, FFP and PLT units did not decrease significantly. Overall, patients who did not receive transfusions were younger than transfused patients (p = 0.001). The subgroup with the highest probability of blood transfusion administered included patients with intensive care and long-term ventilation (before/after implementation of PBM: RBC 81.5%/75.9%; FFP 33.3%/20.4%; PLT 24.1%/13.0%). Only a total of 60 patients of 531 patients suffering multiple traumas were massively transfused (before/after implementation of PBM: RBC 55.6%/49.8%; FFP 28.4%/20.4%; PLT 17.6%/8.9%). According to our educational PBM initiative, at least the proportion of trauma patients who received allogeneic blood transfusions could be reduced significantly. However, in case of blood transfusions, the total consumption of RBC, FFP and PLT units remained stable in both time periods. This phenomenon might indicate that the actual need of blood transfusions rather depends on the severity of trauma-related blood loss, the coagulopathy rates or the complexity of the surgical intervention which mainly determines the intra-operative blood loss. Taken together, educational training sessions and systematic reporting systems are suitable measures to avoid unnecessary allogeneic blood transfusions and to continuously improve their restrictive application.

Maxillofacial trauma and the GDP--specialty recognition and patterns of referral.

PubMed

Willis, D H R; Tong, D C; Thomson, W M; Love, R M

2010-09-01

To investigate New Zealand GDPs' awareness of maxillofacial trauma and to identify their associated referral patterns. Cross-sectional survey of a random sample of GDPs. A nationwide postal questionnaire survey was sent to GDPs on the New Zealand Dental Register, maintained by the Dental Council of New Zealand. The questionnaire requested socio-demographic details, together with information on the availability of specialist services and their need for continuing professional development in oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS). The questionnaire also asked the GDPs to indicate which specialty (plastic surgery, ear nose and throat (ENT) surgery, OMS and Other) they expected to manage--and to which specialty they would refer-seven types of maxillofacial injury. Some 377 GDPs responded (76.6%). The majority of GDPs expected OMS to manage maxillofacial trauma, except for facial lacerations and isolated nasal fractures which were expected to be managed by plastic surgery (83.0%) and ENT surgery (79.7%), respectively. Most GDPs (48.0% to 87.9%) referred maxillofacial trauma to OMS, except for isolated nasal fractures, for which there were similar proportions referred to ENT surgery and OMS (45.8% and 41.4%, respectively). Differences in awareness of and referral patterns for maxillofacial trauma were identified by dentist characteristics. Most GDPs (96.0%) felt there was a need for continuing professional development in OMS, and most (84.1%) preferred this to be in the form of lectures and seminars. The first-ever study of GDP referral patterns for maxillofacial trauma in New Zealand has revealed that most GDPs in New Zealand referred maxillofacial trauma appropriately to OMS.

Skull base trauma: diagnosis and management.

PubMed

Samii, Madjid; Tatagiba, Marcos

2002-03-01

The singular anatomical relationship of the base of the skull is responsible for the particular problems that may arise after injury. Extensive dural laceration and severe neurovascular damage may accompany skull base injuries. Trauma to the anterior skull base is frequently related to the paranasal sinuses, and trauma to the middle and the posterior skull base usually affects the petrous bone. Injury to the anterior fossa including the paranasal sinuses may produce CSF leakage, damage the olfactory nerves, optic nerves, and orbita contents. Fractures may affect the carotid canal, injure the internal carotid artery and result in carotid-cavernous fistula. Trauma to the petrous bone may cause facial palsy and deafness, and CSF leakage with otorrhoea or paradoxal rhinoliquorrhoea. Trauma to the posterior fossa may lacerate the major venous sinuses, and affect the cranio-cervical stability. Each one of these injuries will need a particular strategy. Decision making for management as a whole must consider all aspects, including the fact that these injuries frequently involve polytraumatized patients. Decisions regarding the timing of surgery and the sequence of the surgical procedures must be made with great care. Modern surgical techniques and recent technologies including functional preservation of the olfactory nerves in frontobasal trauma, visual evoked potentials, assisted optic nerve decompression, facial nerve reconstruction, interventional technique for intravascular repair of vascular injuries, and recent developments in cochlea implants and brain stem implants, all contributed significantly to improve outcome and enhance the quality of life of patients. This article reviews basic principles of management of skull base trauma stressing the role of these advanced techniques.

Severe Blunt Hepatic Trauma in Polytrauma Patient - Management and Outcome.

PubMed

Doklestić, Krstina; Djukić, Vladimir; Ivančević, Nenad; Gregorić, Pavle; Lončar, Zlatibor; Stefanović, Branislava; Jovanović, Dušan; Karamarković, Aleksandar

2015-01-01

Despite the fact that treatment of liver injuries has dramatically evolved, severe liver traumas in polytraumatic patients still have a significant morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study was to determine the options for surgical management of severe liver trauma as well as the outcome. In this retrospective study 70 polytraumatic patients with severe (American Association for the Surgery of Trauma [AAST] grade III-V) blunt liver injuries were operated on at the Clinic for Emergency Surgery. Mean age of patients was 48.26±16.80 years; 82.8% of patients were male. Road traffic accident was the leading cause of trauma, seen in 63 patients (90.0%). Primary repair was performed in 36 patients (51.4%), while damage control with perihepatic packing was done in 34 (48.6%). Complications related to the liver occurred in 14 patients (20.0%). Liver related mortality was 17.1%. Non-survivors had a significantly higher AAST grade (p=0.0001), higher aspartate aminotransferase level (p=0.01), lower hemoglobin level (p=0.0001), associated brain injury (p=0.0001), perioperative complications (p=0.001) and higher transfusion score (p=0.0001). The most common cause of mortality in the "early period" was uncontrolled bleeding, in the "late period" mortality was caused by sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Patients with high-grade liver trauma who present with hemorrhagic shock and associated severe injury should be managed operatively. Mortality from liver trauma is high for patients with higher AAST grade of injury, associated brain injury and massive transfusion score.

Treatment and outcome of traumatic biliary injuries in children.

PubMed

Soukup, Elizabeth S; Russell, Katie W; Metzger, Ryan; Scaife, Eric R; Barnhart, Douglas C; Rollins, Michael D

2014-02-01

Traumatic biliary tract injuries in children are rare but may result in significant morbidity. The objective of this study was to review the occurrence of traumatic biliary tract injuries in children, management strategies, and outcome. We conducted a retrospective review of patients with biliary tract injury using the trauma registry at our level 1 pediatric trauma center from 2002-2012. Twelve out of 13,582 trauma patients were identified, representing 0.09% of all trauma patients. All were secondary to blunt trauma. Mean age was 9.7 years [range 4-15], and mean Injury Severity Score was 31 ± 14, with overall survival of 92%. Biliary injuries included major ductal injury (6), minor ductal injury with biloma (4), gallbladder injury (2), and intrahepatic ductal injury (1). Major ductal injuries were managed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and biliary stent (5) and Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy (1). Associated gallbladder injury was managed by cholecystectomy. In addition, the associated biloma was managed with percutaneous drainage (7), laparoscopic drainage (2), or during laparotomy (3). Two patients with ductal injuries developed late strictures after initial management with ERCP and stent placement. One of the two patients ultimately required a left hepatectomy, and the other has been managed conservatively without evidence of cholangitis. Two patients required placement of additional drains and prolonged antibiotics for superinfection following biloma drainage. Biliary tract injuries are rare in children, and many are amenable to adjunctive therapy, including ERCP and biliary stent placement with or without placement of a peritoneal drain. Patients with a discrete ductal injury are at higher risk for stricture and require close follow up. Hepaticojejunostomy remains the definitive repair for large extrahepatic biliary tract injuries or transections. © 2014.

Outcome after polytrauma in a certified trauma network: comparing standard vs. maximum care facilities concept of the study and study protocol (POLYQUALY).

PubMed

Koller, Michael; Ernstberger, Antonio; Zeman, Florian; Loss, Julika; Nerlich, Michael

2016-07-11

The aim of this study is to evaluate the performance of the first certified regional trauma network in Germany, the Trauma Network Eastern Bavaria (TNO) addressing the following specific research questions: Do standard and maximum care facilities produce comparable (risk-adjusted) levels of patient outcome? Does TNO outperform reference data provided by the German Trauma Register 2008? Does TNO comply with selected benchmarks derived from the S3 practice guideline? Which barriers and facilitators can be identified in the health care delivery processes for polytrauma patients? The design is based on a prospective multicenter cohort study comparing two cohorts of polytrauma patients: those treated in maximum care facilities and those treated in standard care facilities. Patient recruitment will take place in the 25 TNO clinics. It is estimated that n = 1.100 patients will be assessed for eligibility within a two-year period and n = 800 will be included into the study and analysed. Main outcome measures include the TraumaRegisterQM form, which has been implemented in the clinical routine since 2009 and is filled in via a web-based data management system in participating hospitals on a mandatory basis. Furthermore, patient-reported outcome is assessed using the EQ-5D at 6, 12 and 24 months after trauma. Comparisons will be drawn between the two cohorts. Further standards of comparisons are secondary data derived from German Trauma Registry as well as benchmarks from German S3 guideline on polytrauma. The qualitative part of the study will be based on semi-standardized interviews and focus group discussions with health care providers within TNO. The goal of the qualitative analysis is to elucidate which facilitating and inhibiting forces influence cooperation and performance within the network. This is the first study to evaluate a certified trauma network within the German health care system using a unique combination of a quantitative (prospective cohort study) and a qualitative (in-depth facilitator/barrier analysis) approach. The information generated by this project will be used in two ways. Firstly, within the region the results of the study will help to optimize the pre-hospital and clinical management of polytrauma patients. Secondly, on a nationwide scale, influential decision-making bodies, such as the Ministries of Health, the Hospital Associations, sickness funds, insurance companies and professional societies, will be addressed. The results will not only be applicable to the region of Eastern Bavaria, but also in most other parts of Germany with a comparable infrastructure. VfD_Polyqualy_12_001978 , 10.Jan.2013; German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00010039 , 18.02.2016.

Epidemiology of severe trauma in Spain. Registry of trauma in the ICU (RETRAUCI). Pilot phase.

PubMed

Chico-Fernández, M; Llompart-Pou, J A; Guerrero-López, F; Sánchez-Casado, M; García-Sáez, I; Mayor-García, M D; Egea-Guerrero, J; Fernández-Ortega, J F; Bueno-González, A; González-Robledo, J; Servià-Goixart, L; Roldán-Ramírez, J; Ballesteros-Sanz, M Á; Tejerina-Alvarez, E; García-Fuentes, C; Alberdi-Odriozola, F

2016-01-01

To describe the characteristics and management of severe trauma disease in Spanish Intensive Care Units (ICUs). Registry of trauma in the ICU (RETRAUCI). Pilot phase. A prospective, multicenter registry. Thirteen Spanish ICUs. Patients with trauma disease admitted to the ICU. None. Epidemiology, out-of-hospital attention, registry of injuries, resources utilization, complications and outcome were evaluated. Patients, n=2242. Mean age 47.1±19.02 years. Males 79%. Blunt trauma 93.9%. Injury Severity Score 22.2±12.1, Revised Trauma Score 6.7±1.6. Non-intentional in 84.4% of the cases. The most common causes of trauma were traffic accidents followed by pedestrian and high-energy falls. Up to 12.4% were taking antiplatelet medication or anticoagulants. Almost 28% had a suspected or confirmed toxic influence in trauma. Up to 31.5% required an out-of-hospital artificial airway. The time from trauma to ICU admission was 4.7±5.3hours. At ICU admission, 68.5% were hemodynamically stable. Brain and chest injuries predominated. A large number of complications were documented. Mechanical ventilation was used in 69.5% of the patients (mean 8.2±9.9 days), of which 24.9% finally required a tracheostomy. The median duration of stay in the ICU and in hospital was 5 (range 3-13) and 9 (5-19) days, respectively. The ICU mortality rate was 12.3%, while the in-hospital mortality rate was 16.0%. The pilot phase of the RETRAUCI offers a first impression of the epidemiology and management of trauma disease in Spanish ICUs. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier España, S.L.U. y SEMICYUC. All rights reserved.

Factors associated with delay in trauma team activation and impact on patient outcomes.

PubMed

Connolly, Rory; Woo, Michael Y; Lampron, Jacinthe; Perry, Jeffrey J

2017-09-05

Trauma code activation is initiated by emergency physicians using physiological and anatomical criteria, mechanism of injury, and patient demographic factors. Our objective was to identify factors associated with delayed trauma team activation. We assessed consecutive cases from a regional trauma database from January 2008 to March 2014. We defined a delay in trauma code activation as a time greater than 30 minutes from the time of arrival. We conducted univariate analysis for factors potentially influencing trauma team activation, and we subsequently used multiple logistic regression analysis models for delayed activation in relation to mortality, length of stay, and time to operative management. Patients totalling 846 were included for our analysis; 4.1% (35/846) of trauma codes were activated after 30 minutes. Mean age was 40.8 years in the early group versus 49.2 in the delayed group (p=0.01). Patients were over age 70 years in 7.6% in the early activation group versus 17.1% in the delayed group (p=0.04). There was no significant difference in sex, type of injury, injury severity, or time from injury between the two groups. There was no significant difference in mortality, median length of stay, or median time to operative management. Delayed activation is linked with increasing age with no clear link to increased mortality. Given the severe injuries in the delayed cohort that required activation of the trauma team, further emphasis on the older trauma patient and interventions to recognize this vulnerable population should be made.

Transparent and Open Discussion of Errors Does Not Increase Malpractice Risk in Trauma Patients

PubMed Central

Stewart, Ronald M.; Corneille, Michael G.; Johnston, Joe; Geoghegan, Kathy; Myers, John G.; Dent, Daniel L.; McFarland, Marilyn; Alley, Joshua; Pruitt, Basil A.; Cohn, Stephen M.

2006-01-01

Objective: We set out to determine if there is an increased medical malpractice lawsuit rate when trauma patient cases are presented at an open, multidisciplinary morbidity and mortality conference (M&M). Introduction: Patient safety proponents emphasize the importance of transparency with respect to medical errors. In contrast, the tort system focuses on blame and punishment, which encourages secrecy. Our question: Can the goals of the patient safety movement be met without placing care providers and healthcare institutions at unacceptably high malpractice risk? Methods: The trauma registry, a risk management database, along with the written minutes of the trauma morbidity and mortality conference (M&M) were used to determine the number and incidence of malpractice suits filed following full discussion at an open M&M conference at an academic level I trauma center. Results: A total of 20,749 trauma patients were admitted. A total of 412 patients were discussed at M&M conference and a total of seven lawsuits were filed. Six of the patients were not discussed at M&M prior to the lawsuit being filed. One patient was discussed at M&M prior to the lawsuit being filed. The incidence of lawsuit was calculated in three groups: all trauma patients, all trauma patients with complications, and all patients presented at trauma M&M conference. The ratio of lawsuits filed to patients admitted and incidence in the three groups is as follows: All Patients, 7 lawsuits/20,479 patients (4.25 lawsuits/100,000 patients/year); M&M Presentation, 1 lawsuit/421 patients (29.6 lawsuits/100,000 patients/year); All Trauma Complications, 7 lawsuits/6,225 patients (14 lawsuits/100,000 patients/year). Patients with a complication were more likely to sue (P < 0.01); otherwise, there were no statistical differences between groups. Conclusions: A transparent discussion of errors, complications, and deaths does not appear to lead to an increased risk of lawsuit. PMID:16632999

TraumaNetzwerk DGU(®): optimizing patient flow and management.

PubMed

Ruchholtz, Steffen; Lewan, Ulrike; Debus, Florian; Mand, Carsten; Siebert, Hartmut; Kühne, Christian A

2014-10-01

Caring for severely injured trauma patients is challenging for all medical professionals involved both in the preclinical and in the clinical course of treatment. While the overall quality of care in Germany is high there still are significant regional differences remaining. Reasons are geographical and infrastructural differences as well as variations in personnel and equipment of the hospitals. To improve state-wide trauma care the German Trauma Society (DGU) initiated the TraumaNetzwerk DGU(®) (TNW) project. The TNW is based on five major components: (a) Whitebook for the treatment of severely injured patients; (b) evidence-based guidelines for the medical care of severe injury; (c) local auditing of participating hospitals; (d) contract of interhospital cooperation; (d) TraumaRegister DGU(®) documentation. By the end of 2013, 644 German Trauma Centres (TC) had successfully passed the audit. To that date 44 regional TNWs with a mean of 13.5 TCs had been established and certified. The TNWs cover approximately 90% of the country's surface. Of those hospitals, 2.3 were acknowledged as Supraregional TC, 5.4 as Regional TC and 6.7 as Lokal TC. Moreover, cross border TNW in cooperation with hospitals in The Netherlands, Luxembourg, Switzerland and Austria have been established. Preparing for the audit 66% of the hospitals implemented organizational changes (e.g. TraumaRegister DGU(®) documentation and interdisciplinary guidelines), while 60% introduced personnel and 21% structural (e.g. X-ray in the ER) changes. The TraumaNetzwerk DGU(®) project combines the control of common defined standards of care for all participating hospitals (top down) and the possibility of integrating regional cooperation by forming a regional TNW (bottom up). Based on the joint approach of healthcare professionals, it is possible to structure and influence the care of severely injured patients within a nationwide trauma system. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Non-operative management of right side thoracoabdominal penetrating injuries--the value of testing chest tube effluent for bile.

PubMed

De Rezende Neto, João Baptista; Guimarães, Tiago Nunes; Madureira, João Lopo; Drumond, Domingos André Fernandes; Leal, Juliana Campos; Rocha, Aroldo; Oliveira, Rodrigo Guimarães; Rizoli, Sandro B

2009-05-01

While mandatory surgery for all thoracoabdominal penetrating injuries is advocated by some, the high rate of unnecessary operations challenges this approach. However, the consequences of intrathoracic bile remains poorly investigated. We sought to evaluate the outcome of patients who underwent non-operative management of right side thoracoabdominal (RST) penetrating trauma, and the levels of bilirubin obtained from those patients' chest tube effluent. We managed non-operatively all stable patients with a single RST penetrating injury. Chest tube effluent samples were obtained six times within (4-8 h; 12-16 h; 20-24 h; 28-32 h; 36-40 h; 48 h and 72 h) of admission for bilirubin measurement and blood for complete blood count, bilirubin, alanine (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferases (AST) assays. For comparison we studied patients with single left thoracic penetrating injury. Forty-two patients with RST injuries were included. All had liver and lung injuries confirmed by CT scans. Only one patient failed non-operative management. Chest tube bilirubin peaked at 48 h post-trauma (mean 3.3+/-4.1 mg/dL) and was always higher than both serum bilirubin (p<0.05) and chest tube effluent from control group (27 patients with left side thoracic trauma). Serum ALT and AST were higher in RST injury patients (p<0.05). One RST injury patient died of line sepsis. Non-operative management of RST penetrating trauma appears to be safe. Bile originating from the liver injury reaches the right thoracic cavity but does not reflect the severity of that injury. The highest concentration was found in the patient failing non-operative management. The presence of intrathoracic bile in selected patients who sustain RST penetrating trauma, with liver injury, does not preclude non-operative management. Our study suggests that monitoring chest tube effluent bilirubin may provide helpful information when managing a patient non-operatively.

Management of haemothoraces in blunt thoracic trauma: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

PubMed Central

Carver, David A; Bressan, Alexsander K; Schieman, Colin; Grondin, Sean C; Kirkpatrick, Andrew W; Lall, Rohan; McBeth, Paul B; Dunham, Michael B; Ball, Chad G

2018-01-01

Introduction Haemothorax following blunt thoracic trauma is a common source of morbidity and mortality. The optimal management of moderate to large haemothoraces has yet to be defined. Observational data have suggested that expectant management may be an appropriate strategy in stable patients. This study aims to compare the outcomes of patients with haemothoraces following blunt thoracic trauma treated with either chest drainage or expectant management. Methods and analysis This is a single-centre, dual-arm randomised controlled trial. Patients presenting with a moderate to large sized haemothorax following blunt thoracic trauma will be assessed for eligibility. Eligible patients will then undergo an informed consent process followed by randomisation to either (1) chest drainage (tube thoracostomy) or (2) expectant management. These groups will be compared for the rate of additional thoracic interventions, major thoracic complications, length of stay and mortality. Ethics and dissemination This study has been approved by the institution’s research ethics board and registered with ClinicalTrials.gov. All eligible participants will provide informed consent prior to randomisation. The results of this study may provide guidance in an area where there remains significant variation between clinicians. The results of this study will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at national and international conferences. Trial registration number NCT03050502. PMID:29502092

Traumatic hepatic artery laceration managed by transarterial embolization in a pediatric patient.

PubMed

Fallon, Sara C; Coker, Matthew T; Hernandez, J Alberto; Pimpalwar, Sheena A; Minifee, Paul K; Fishman, Douglas S; Nuchtern, Jed G; Naik-Mathuria, Bindi J

2013-05-01

While blunt abdominal trauma with associated liver injury is a common finding in pediatric trauma patients, hepatic artery transection with subsequent treatment by transarterial embolization has rarely been reported. We present a case of a child who suffered from a hepatic artery injury which was successfully managed by supraselective transarterial microcoil embolization, discuss management strategies in these patients, and provide a review of currently available literature. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Management of High-Velocity Injuries of the Head and Neck.

PubMed

Majors, Jacob S; Brennan, Joseph; Holt, G Richard

2017-11-01

Trauma centers must prepare to manage high-velocity injuries resulting from a mass casualty incidents as global terrorism becomes a greater concern and an increasing risk. The most recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan have significantly improved understanding of battlefield trauma and how to appropriately address these injures. This article applies combat surgery experience to civilian situations, outlines the physiology and kinetics of high-velocity injuries, and reviews applicable triage and management strategies. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Pediatric Injury

MedlinePlus

... injuries (or traumas) are quite diverse in their origins, severity, and effects on children. One way to ... cdc.gov/safechild American Academy of Pediatrics. (2008). Management of pediatric trauma. Pediatrics, 121 , 849–854. How ...

Blunt Trauma Pancreas in Children: Is Non-Operative Management Appropriate for All Grades?

PubMed

Garg, Ravi Kumar; Mahajan, Jai Kumar

2017-12-01

Blunt trauma of pancreas in children is uncommon and its management varies from observational to early operative intervention. We analysed the feasibility and outcome of non-operative management in all grades of paediatric pancreatic injuries. A total of 15 patients of pancreatic trauma seen in a Paediatric Surgery Unit were retrospectively analyzed. Age of the patients ranged from 3-11 years (mean, 7.7 years). The mode of injury was local trauma in 9 children. Only 3 patients had associated injuries and all were haemodynamically stable. Serum amylase levels were raised in 12 patients at admission which ranged from 400-1,000 IU. Computed tomography scan made a correct diagnosis in 14 patients. Grades of the injury varied from grade I-V (1, 3, 6, 4, 1 patients respectively). Fourteen patients were managed conservatively. One patient underwent laparotomy for suspected superior mesenteric hematoma. The average duration of enteral feeds was 3.7 days and of hospital stay was 9.4 days. Six patients formed pancreatic pseudocysts; two were managed conservatively while the other four underwent cystogastrostomy. The patients were followed up for a period of 1-12 years. All remained asymptomatic and none had exocrine or endocrine deficiencies. Non-operative treatment for isolated blunt trauma of pancreas in children may be safely followed for all the grades of injury; if associated injuries requiring surgical intervention are ruled out with a good quality imaging and the patients are hemodynamically stable. It did not increase the hospital stay and morbidity and avoided operative intervention on acutely injured pancreas.

Non-operative management of blunt hepatic trauma: Does angioembolization have a major impact?

PubMed

Bertens, K A; Vogt, K N; Hernandez-Alejandro, R; Gray, D K

2015-02-01

A paradigm shift toward non-operative management (NOM) of blunt hepatic trauma has occurred. With advances in percutaneous interventions, even severe liver injuries are being managed non-operatively. However, although overall mortality is decreased with NOM, liver-related morbidity remains high. This study was undertaken to explore the morbidity and mortality of blunt hepatic trauma in the era of angioembolization (AE). A retrospective cohort of trauma patients with blunt hepatic injury who were assessed at our centre between 1999 and 2011 were identified. Logistic regression was undertaken to identify factors increasing the likelihood of operative management (OM) and mortality. We identified 396 patients with a mean ISS of 33 (± 14). Sixty-two (18%) patients had severe liver injuries (≥ AAST grade IV). OM occurred in 109 (27%) patients. Logistic regression revealed high ISS (OR 1.07; 95% CI 1.05-1.10), and lower systolic blood pressure on arrival (OR 0.98; 95% CI 0.97-0.99) to be associated with OM. The overall mortality was 17%. Older patients (OR 1.05; 95% CI 1.03-1.07), those with high ISS (OR 1.11; 95% CI 1.08-1.14) and those requiring OM (OR 2.89; 95% CI 1.47-5.69) were more likely to die. Liver-related morbidities occurred in equal frequency in the OM (23%) and AE (29%) groups (p = 0.32). Only 3% of those with NOM experienced morbidity. The majority of patients with blunt hepatic trauma can be successfully managed non-operatively. Morbidity associated with NOM was low. Patients requiring AE had morbidity similar to OM.

Surgical Management of the Recent Orbital War Injury.

PubMed

Riyadh, Safaa; Abdulrazaq, Saif Saadedeen; Zirjawi, Ali Mhana Sabeeh

2018-05-08

Maxillofacial trauma affects sensitive and essential functions for the human being such as smell, breathing, talking, and the most importantly the sight. Trauma to the orbit may cause a vision loss especially if this trauma yields a high kinetic energy like that encountered during wars. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the surgical outcomes of the orbital war trauma, enriching the literature with the experience of the authors in this field. A total of 16 patients were injured, evacuated, and managed, between June 2014 and June 2017, from the fight between the Iraqi army and the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in different areas of Iraq. Two-stage protocol was adopted, that is debridement and reconstruction. There were 14 military patients and 2 civilians. The cause of trauma was either bullet or shrapnel from an explosion. In the battlefield, delayed evacuation of the casualties led to increase the morbidity and mortality. Wearing a protective shield over the eye during the war along with fast evacuation highly improved the survival rates.

Pediatric pancreatic trauma: trending toward nonoperative management?

PubMed

Cuenca, Alex G; Islam, Saleem

2012-11-01

Pancreatic trauma is rare in children and optimal care has not been defined. We undertook this study to review the cumulative experience from three centers. After obtaining Institutional Review Board approval at each site, the trauma registries of three institutions were searched for pancreatic injuries. The charts were reviewed and data pertaining to demographics, hospital course, and outcome were obtained and analyzed. During the study period, a total of 79 pancreatic injuries were noted. The most common mechanism of injury was motor vehicle crash (44%) followed by child abuse (11%) and bicycle crashes (11%). Computed tomographic (CT) scans were obtained in 95 per cent with peripancreatic fluid the most common finding. Median Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 9, whereas median organ injury score was 2, and a higher grade correlated with need for operation (P = 0.001). Pancreatic operations were performed in 32 patients, whereas nonoperative management was noted in 47 cases. We noted no differences in length of stay, age, ISS, or initial blood pressure in operative versus nonoperatively managed cases. Pancreatic injuries were rare in children with trauma. CT scans were the most common method of diagnosis. Nonoperative management appeared to be safe and was more common, especially for the lower grade injuries.

Non-operative management of blunt trauma in abdominal solid organ injuries: a prospective study to evaluate the success rate and predictive factors of failure.

PubMed

Hashemzadeh, S H; Hashemzadeh, K H; Dehdilani, M; Rezaei, S

2010-06-01

Over the past several years, non-operative management (NOM) has increasingly been recommended for the care of selected blunt abdominal solid organ injuries. No prospective study has evaluated the rate of NOM of blunt abdominal trauma in the northwest of Iran. The objective of our study was to evaluate the success rate of this kind of management in patients who do not require emergency surgery. This prospective study was carried out in Imam Khomeini Hospital (as a referral center of trauma) at Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Iran, between 20 March 2004 and 20 March 2007. All trauma patients who had suffered an injury to a solid abdominal organ (kidney, liver, or spleen) were selected for initial analysis, using the Student's t test or the c2 test. During the three years of the study, 98 patients (83 males and 15 females) with blunt trauma were selected to NOM for renal, hepatic and splenic injuries. Mean age was 26.1+/-17.7 years (range, 2 to 89) and mean injury severity score (ISS) was 14.5+/-7.4. The success rate of NOM was 93.8%. Fifty-one patients (43 males, 8 females; mean ISS, 14.2+/-5.8) underwent NOM of splenic trauma; 38 patients (33 males, 5 females; mean ISS, 12.9+/-8.2) hepatic trauma, and nine patients (7 males, 2 females; mean ISS, 22.2+/-7.6) renal trauma. Six patients underwent laparotomy due to the failure of NOM. The success rates of this treatment were 94.1%, 94.7% and 88.8% for the spleen, liver and kidney injuries, respectively. Age, female gender and ISS were significant predictors of the failure of NOM (P<0.05). According to the authors NOM can be successfully performed for the hemodynamically stable patients with solid organ blunt trauma. The study indicates that the rates of NOM vary in relation to the severity of the organ injury. This suggests trauma centers should use this approach.

Is non-operative management safe and effective for all splenic blunt trauma? A systematic review

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Introduction The goal of non-operative management (NOM) for blunt splenic trauma (BST) is to preserve the spleen. The advantages of NOM for minor splenic trauma have been extensively reported, whereas its value for the more severe splenic injuries is still debated. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the available published evidence on NOM in patients with splenic trauma and to compare it with the operative management (OM) in terms of mortality, morbidity and duration of hospital stay. Methods For this systematic review we followed the "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses" statement. A systematic search was performed on PubMed for studies published from January 2000 to December 2011, without language restrictions, which compared NOM vs. OM for splenic trauma injuries and which at least 10 patients with BST. Results We identified 21 non randomized studies: 1 Clinical Controlled Trial and 20 retrospective cohort studies analyzing a total of 16,940 patients with BST. NOM represents the gold standard treatment for minor splenic trauma and is associated with decreased mortality in severe splenic trauma (4.78% vs. 13.5% in NOM and OM, respectively), according to the literature. Of note, in BST treated operatively, concurrent injuries accounted for the higher mortality. In addition, it was not possible to determine post-treatment morbidity in major splenic trauma. The definition of hemodynamic stability varied greatly in the literature depending on the surgeon and the trauma team, representing a further bias. Moreover, data on the remaining analyzed outcomes (hospital stay, number of blood transfusions, abdominal abscesses, overwhelming post-splenectomy infection) were not reported in all included studies or were not comparable, precluding the possibility to perform a meaningful cumulative analysis and comparison. Conclusions NOM of BST, preserving the spleen, is the treatment of choice for the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma grades I and II. Conclusions are more difficult to outline for higher grades of splenic injury, because of the substantial heterogeneity of expertise among different hospitals, and potentially inappropriate comparison groups. PMID:24004931

Is non-operative management safe and effective for all splenic blunt trauma? A systematic review.

PubMed

Cirocchi, Roberto; Boselli, Carlo; Corsi, Alessia; Farinella, Eriberto; Listorti, Chiara; Trastulli, Stefano; Renzi, Claudio; Desiderio, Jacopo; Santoro, Alberto; Cagini, Lucio; Parisi, Amilcare; Redler, Adriano; Noya, Giuseppe; Fingerhut, Abe

2013-09-03

The goal of non-operative management (NOM) for blunt splenic trauma (BST) is to preserve the spleen. The advantages of NOM for minor splenic trauma have been extensively reported, whereas its value for the more severe splenic injuries is still debated. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the available published evidence on NOM in patients with splenic trauma and to compare it with the operative management (OM) in terms of mortality, morbidity and duration of hospital stay. For this systematic review we followed the "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses" statement. A systematic search was performed on PubMed for studies published from January 2000 to December 2011, without language restrictions, which compared NOM vs. OM for splenic trauma injuries and which at least 10 patients with BST. We identified 21 non randomized studies: 1 Clinical Controlled Trial and 20 retrospective cohort studies analyzing a total of 16,940 patients with BST. NOM represents the gold standard treatment for minor splenic trauma and is associated with decreased mortality in severe splenic trauma (4.78% vs. 13.5% in NOM and OM, respectively), according to the literature. Of note, in BST treated operatively, concurrent injuries accounted for the higher mortality. In addition, it was not possible to determine post-treatment morbidity in major splenic trauma. The definition of hemodynamic stability varied greatly in the literature depending on the surgeon and the trauma team, representing a further bias. Moreover, data on the remaining analyzed outcomes (hospital stay, number of blood transfusions, abdominal abscesses, overwhelming post-splenectomy infection) were not reported in all included studies or were not comparable, precluding the possibility to perform a meaningful cumulative analysis and comparison. NOM of BST, preserving the spleen, is the treatment of choice for the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma grades I and II. Conclusions are more difficult to outline for higher grades of splenic injury, because of the substantial heterogeneity of expertise among different hospitals, and potentially inappropriate comparison groups.

A risk-adapted approach is beneficial in the management of bilateral femoral shaft fractures in multiple trauma patients: an analysis based on the trauma registry of the German Trauma Society.

PubMed

Steinhausen, Eva; Lefering, Rolf; Tjardes, Thorsten; Neugebauer, Edmund A M; Bouillon, Bertil; Rixen, Dieter

2014-05-01

Today, there is a trend toward damage-control orthopedics (DCO) in the management of multiple trauma patients with long bone fractures. However, there is no widely accepted concept. A risk-adapted approach seems to result in low acute morbidity and mortality. Multiple trauma patients with bilateral femoral shaft fractures (FSFs) are considered to be more severely injured. The objective of this study was to validate the risk-adapted approach in the management of multiple trauma patients with bilateral FSF. Data analysis is based on the trauma registry of the German Trauma Society (1993-2008, n = 42,248). Multiple trauma patients with bilateral FSF were analyzed in subgroups according to the type of primary operative strategy. Outcome parameters were mortality and major complications as (multiple) organ failure and sepsis. A total of 379 patients with bilateral FSF were divided into four groups as follows: (1) no operation (8.4%), (2) bilateral temporary external fixation (DCO) (50.9%), bilateral primary definitive osteosynthesis (early total care [ETC]) (25.1%), and primary definitive osteosynthesis of one FSF and DCO contralaterally (mixed) (15.6%). Compared with the ETC group, the DCO group was more severely injured. The incidence of (multiple) organ failure and mortality rates were higher in the DCO group but without significance. Adjusted for injury severity, there was no significant difference of mortality rates between DCO and ETC. Injury severity and mortality rates were significantly increased in the no-operation group. The mixed group was similar to the ETC group regarding injury severity and outcome. In Germany, both DCO and ETC are practiced in multiple trauma patients with bilateral FSF so far. The unstable or potentially unstable patient is reasonably treated with DCO. The clearly stable patient is reasonably treated with nailing. When in doubt, the patient is probably not totally stable, and the safest precaution may be to use DCO as a risk-adapted approach. Therapeutic study, level IV. Epidemiologic study, level III.

Selective conservatism in the management of thoracic trauma remains appropriate in the 21st century

PubMed Central

Oosthuizen, GV; Clarke, DL

2015-01-01

Introduction Selective conservatism for thoracic trauma is well established but the emergence of new technologies may cause management strategies to continue to evolve. Methods A retrospective study was conducted on thoracic trauma patients managed in a single institution in South Africa over a 4-year period to determine the appropriateness of our current policy of selective conservatism. Results A total of 1,239 patients were included in the study; 112 required an emergency thoracotomy, 125 were admitted for observation and 1,002 required a tube thoracostomy (TT). Ninety-one per cent of the patients were male and the median age was 24 years. Seventy-five per cent of the cases were penetrating trauma and the remaining were blunt trauma. The indications for TT were pneumothorax (PTX) (n=382, 38%), haemothorax (HTX) (n=300, 30%) and haemopneumothorax (HPTX) (n=320, 32%). A total of 13% (127/1,002) of all chest x-rays (CXR) following tube removal demonstrated residual pathologies that precluded immediate discharge: 32 (8%) in Group A (PTX), 44 (15%) in Group B (HTX) and 51 (16%) in Group C (HPTX). All 32 patients in Group A were simply observed and did not require further intervention. In Group B, 17 patients required repeat TTs and 27 required video assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for clearance of residual HTX. Twenty-nine patients in Group C required repeat TTs and twenty-two required VATS. Conclusions The vast majority of patients with thoracic trauma can be managed conservatively with TT alone. Residual pathology appeared to be lowest in patients with a PTX, which seldom requires treatment, while only a minority of patients required repeat TTs or VATS for a retained HTX. Selective conservatism is still appropriate in the current era in a developing world setting. PMID:26263809

Understanding school teacher's knowledge regarding dental trauma: a basis for future interventions.

PubMed

Feldens, Eliane Gerson; Feldens, Carlos Alberto; Kramer, Paulo Floriani; da Silva, Kapila Gomes; Munari, Carolina Cabral; Brei, Vinícius Andrade

2010-04-01

Traumatic dental injuries frequently occur at school environment. However, teachers are not prepared to provide the adequate emergency management. The objectives of this study were to identify the factors associated with teachers' knowledge about dental trauma and to describe school managers' perception of possible strategies to change the scenario. Our sample comprised 405 teachers from 17 public schools in Canoas, state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, whose data were collected regarding demographic variables, training and professional experience information. The outcome was completely inadequate knowledge regarding trauma measured based on the answers to a structured questionnaire about dental fractures and tooth avulsion. The sample also included 14 school managers who answered a semi-structured questionnaire about the causes of teachers' inadequate knowledge and possible strategies to change the scenario. The multivariate analysis demonstrated that the probability of completely inadequate knowledge was higher among male teachers, with less professional experience, who had not achieved a graduate degree, who had not witnessed at least one dental trauma case at school and who had not been trained in first-aid. School managers identified the following causes of inadequate knowledge: the fact that the topic is not approached during the teachers' training and continual education and lack of experience involving dental trauma at school. In addition, they suggested that lectures and courses including written and visual communication should be offered, as well as training workshops. Strategies to improve the teachers' knowledge about dental trauma must take into consideration the results of the present study and optimize the inclusion of this topic in the teachers' curricular training and pedagogical education in a continuous manner.

Emergency management of dental trauma: knowledge of Hong Kong primary and secondary school teachers.

PubMed

Young, Cecilia; Wong, K Y; Cheung, L K

2012-10-01

OBJECTIVES. To investigate the level of knowledge about emergency management of dental trauma among Hong Kong primary and secondary school teachers. DESIGN. Questionnaire survey. SETTING. A teachers' union that unites 90% of teachers in Hong Kong. PARTICIPANTS. Randomly selected primary and secondary school teachers. RESULTS. Only 32.8% of respondents correctly stated that a person sustaining dental trauma should go to dentists directly. In all, 73.1% of teachers correctly stated that a dental trauma patient should go for treatment immediately. Only 32.5% knew that a fractured tooth should be put in liquid. Even fewer (23.2%) realised that the displaced tooth should be repositioned back to the original position. Relatively more respondents (74.7%) understood that an avulsed baby tooth should not be put back. Disappointingly, only 16.3% of teachers knew that an avulsed permanent tooth should be replanted. Furthermore, only 29.6% of teachers thought that they were able to distinguish between deciduous teeth and permanent teeth, whilst 20.4% correctly identified at least one of the appropriate mediums: milk, physiological saline or saliva, for storing an avulsed tooth. Teachers who previously received first-aid training with dental content or acquired dental injury information from other sources, scored significantly higher than teachers without such training or acquired information. CONCLUSION. The knowledge on emergency management of dental trauma among primary and secondary school teachers in Hong Kong is insufficient, particularly on the handling of permanent tooth avulsion and the appropriate storage medium for avulsed teeth. Receipt of first-aid training with dental contents and acquisition of dental injury information from other sources were positively correlated with knowledge in managing dental trauma.

Selective conservatism in the management of thoracic trauma remains appropriate in the 21st century.

PubMed

Kong, V Y; Oosthuizen, G V; Clarke, D L

2015-04-01

Selective conservatism for thoracic trauma is well established but the emergence of new technologies may cause management strategies to continue to evolve. A retrospective study was conducted on thoracic trauma patients managed in a single institution in South Africa over a 4-year period to determine the appropriateness of our current policy of selective conservatism. A total of 1,239 patients were included in the study; 112 required an emergency thoracotomy, 125 were admitted for observation and 1,002 required a tube thoracostomy (TT). Ninety-one per cent of the patients were male and the median age was 24 years. Seventy-five per cent of the cases were penetrating trauma and the remaining were blunt trauma. The indications for TT were pneumothorax (PTX) (n=382, 38%), haemothorax (HTX) (n=300, 30%) and haemopneumothorax (HPTX) (n=320, 32%). A total of 13% (127/1,002) of all chest x-rays (CXR) following tube removal demonstrated residual pathologies that precluded immediate discharge: 32 (8%) in Group A (PTX), 44 (15%) in Group B (HTX) and 51 (16%) in Group C (HPTX). All 32 patients in Group A were simply observed and did not require further intervention. In Group B, 17 patients required repeat TTs and 27 required video assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for clearance of residual HTX. Twenty-nine patients in Group C required repeat TTs and twenty-two required VATS. The vast majority of patients with thoracic trauma can be managed conservatively with TT alone. Residual pathology appeared to be lowest in patients with a PTX, which seldom requires treatment, while only a minority of patients required repeat TTs or VATS for a retained HTX. Selective conservatism is still appropriate in the current era in a developing world setting.

Hepatic trauma: a 21-year experience.

PubMed

Zago, Thiago Messias; Pereira, Bruno Monteiro; Nascimento, Bartolomeu; Alves, Maria Silveira Carvalho; Calderan, Thiago Rodrigues Araujo; Fraga, Gustavo Pereira

2013-01-01

To evaluate the epidemiological aspects, behavior, morbidity and treatment outcomes for liver trauma. We conducted a retrospective study of patients over 13 years of age admitted to a university hospital from 1990 to 2010, submitted to surgery or nonoperative management (NOM). 748 patients were admitted with liver trauma. The most common mechanism of injury was penetrating trauma (461 cases, 61.6%), blunt trauma occurring in 287 patients (38.4%). According to the degree of liver injury (AAST-OIS) in blunt trauma we predominantly observed Grades I and II and in penetrating trauma, Grade III. NOM was performed in 25.7% of patients with blunt injury. As for surgical procedures, suturing was performed more frequently (41.2%). The liver-related morbidity was 16.7%. The survival rate for patients with liver trauma was 73.5% for blunt and 84.2% for penetrating trauma. Mortality in complex trauma was 45.9%. trauma remains more common in younger populations and in males. There was a reduction of penetrating liver trauma. NOM proved safe and effective, and often has been used to treat patients with penetrating liver trauma. Morbidity was high and mortality was higher in victims of blunt trauma and complex liver injuries.

Barriers Against Implementing Blunt Abdominal Trauma Guidelines in a Hospital: A Qualitative Study.

PubMed

Zaboli, Rouhollah; Tofighi, Shahram; Aghighi, Ali; Shokouh, Seyyed Javad Hosaini; Naraghi, Nader; Goodarzi, Hassan

2016-08-01

Clinical practice guidelines are structured recommendations that help physicians and patients to make proper decisions when dealing with a specific clinical condition. Because blunt abdominal trauma causes a various range of mild, single-system, and multisystem injuries, early detection will help to reduce mortality and resulting disability. Emergency treatment should be initiated based on CPGs. This study aimed to determine the variables affecting implementing blunt abdominal trauma CPGs in an Iranian hospital. This study was conducted as a qualitative and phenomenology study in the Family Hospital in Tehran (Iran) in 2015. The research population included eight experts and key people in the area of blunt abdominal trauma clinical practice guidelines. Sampling was based on purposive and nonrandom methods. A semistructured interview was done for the data collection. A framework method was applied for the data analysis by using Atlas.ti software. After framework analyzing and various reviewing and deleting and combining the codes from 251 codes obtained, 15 families and five super families were extracted, including technical knowledge barriers, economical barriers, barriers related to deployment and monitoring, political will barriers, and managing barriers. Structural reform is needed for eliminating the defects available in the healthcare system. As with most of the codes, subconcepts and concepts are classified into the field of human resources; it seems that the education and knowledge will be more important than other resources such as capital and equipment.

New technology in the management of liver trauma

PubMed Central

Chatoupis, Konstantinos; Papadopoulou, Glikeria; Kaskarelis, Ioannis

2013-01-01

The liver is the second most frequently injured solid organ in patients with blunt abdominal trauma. Hence the diagnosis and clinical assessment of hepatic trauma is of great importance because of the relationship of the liver to high morbidity and mortality. Multi detector-row computed tomography is the main diagnostic modality for the examination of hepatic parenchyma and other associated organ injuries, such as acute or delayed complications. Based on clinical and radiological findings, the majority of patients are managed conservatively, with the most important criterion of surgical therapy being hemodynamic instability. Radiologists must demonstrate a high knowledge of imaging recommendations and standardization of reporting to enable the selection of the appropriate treatment algorithm. Transcatheter embolization therapy is a method of great potential for the management of patients with traumatic hepatic injuries. PMID:24714662

System care improves trauma outcome: patient care errors dominate reduced preventable death rate.

PubMed

Thoburn, E; Norris, P; Flores, R; Goode, S; Rodriguez, E; Adams, V; Campbell, S; Albrink, M; Rosemurgy, A

1993-01-01

A review of 452 trauma deaths in Hillsborough County, Florida, in 1984 documented that 23% of non-CNS trauma deaths were preventable and occurred because of inadequate resuscitation or delay in proper surgical care. In late 1988 Hillsborough County organized a County Trauma Agency (HCTA) to coordinate trauma care among prehospital providers and state-designated trauma centers. The purpose of this study was to review county trauma deaths after the inception of the HCTA to determine the frequency of preventable deaths. 504 trauma deaths occurring between October 1989 and April 1991 were reviewed. Through committee review, 10 deaths were deemed preventable; 2 occurred outside the trauma system. Of the 10 deaths, 5 preventable deaths occurred late in severely injured patients. The preventable death rate has decreased to 7.0% with system care. The causes of preventable deaths have changed from delayed or inadequate intervention to postoperative care errors.

Urological injuries following trauma.

PubMed

Bent, C; Iyngkaran, T; Power, N; Matson, M; Hajdinjak, T; Buchholz, N; Fotheringham, T

2008-12-01

Blunt renal trauma is the third most common injury in abdominal trauma following splenic and hepatic injuries, respectively. In the majority, such injuries are associated with other abdominal organ injuries. As urological injuries are not usually life-threatening, and clinical signs and symptoms are non-specific, diagnosis is often delayed. We present a practical approach to the diagnosis and management of these injuries based on our experience in a busy inner city trauma hospital with a review of the current evidence-based practice. Diagnostic imaging signs are illustrated.

Advances in Imaging and Management Trends of Traumatic Aortic Injuries

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Nagpal, Prashant, E-mail: drprashantnagpal@gmail.com, E-mail: Prashant-nagpal@uiowa.edu; Mullan, Brian F.; Sen, Indrani

Acute traumatic aortic injury (ATAI) is a life-threatening injury. CT is the imaging tool of choice, and the knowledge of direct and indirect signs of injury, grading system, and current management protocol helps the emergency radiologist to better identify and classify the injury and provide additional details that can impact management options. Newer dual-source CT technology with ultrafast acquisition speed has also influenced the appropriate protocol for imaging in patients with suspected ATAI. This review highlights the imaging protocol in patients with blunt trauma, CT appearance and grading systems of ATAI, management options, and the role of the multidisciplinary teammore » in the management of these patients. We also briefly review the current literature on the definition, treatment, and follow-up protocol in patients with minimal aortic injury.« less

Trauma Center Based Youth Violence Prevention Programs: An Integrative Review.

PubMed

Mikhail, Judy Nanette; Nemeth, Lynne Sheri

2016-12-01

Youth violence recidivism remains a significant public health crisis in the United States. Violence prevention is a requirement of all trauma centers, yet little is known about the effectiveness of these programs. Therefore, this systematic review summarizes the effectiveness of trauma center-based youth violence prevention programs. A systematic review of articles from MEDLINE, CINAHL, and PsychINFO databases was performed to identify eligible control trials or observational studies. Included studies were from 1970 to 2013, describing and evaluating an intervention, were trauma center based, and targeted youth injured by violence (tertiary prevention). The social ecological model provided the guiding framework, and findings are summarized qualitatively. Ten studies met eligibility requirements. Case management and brief intervention were the primary strategies, and 90% of the studies showed some improvement in one or more outcome measures. These results held across both social ecological level and setting: both emergency department and inpatient unit settings. Brief intervention and case management are frequent and potentially effective trauma center-based violence prevention interventions. Case management initiated as an inpatient and continued beyond discharge was the most frequently used intervention and was associated with reduced rearrest or reinjury rates. Further research is needed, specifically longitudinal studies using experimental designs with high program fidelity incorporating uniform direct outcome measures. However, this review provides initial evidence that trauma centers can intervene with the highest of risk patients and break the youth violence recidivism cycle. © The Author(s) 2015.

Distance Learning Can Be as Effective as Traditional Learning for Medical Students in the Initial Assessment of Trauma Patients.

PubMed

Farahmand, Shervin; Jalili, Ebrahim; Arbab, Mona; Sedaghat, Mojtaba; Shirazi, Mandana; Keshmiri, Fatemeh; Azizpour, Arsalan; Valadkhani, Somayeh; Bagheri-Hariri, Shahram

2016-09-01

Distance learning is expanding and replacing the traditional academic medical settings. Managing trauma patients seems to be a prerequisite skill for medical students. This study has been done to evaluate the efficiency of distance learning on performing the initial assessment and management in trauma patients, compared with the traditional learning among senior medical students. One hundred and twenty senior medical students enrolled in this single-blind quasi-experimental study and were equally divided into the experimental (distance learning) and control group (traditional learning). All participants did a written MCQ before the study. The control group attended a workshop with a 50-minute lecture on initial management of trauma patients and a case simulation scenario followed by a hands-on session. On the other hand, the experimental group was given a DVD with a similar 50-minute lecture and a case simulation scenario, and they also attended a hands-on session to practice the skills. Both groups were evaluated by a trauma station in an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) after a month. The performance in the experimental group was statistically better (P=0.001) in OSCE. Distance learning seems to be an appropriate adjunct to traditional learning.

Changing incidence and management of penetrating neck injuries in the South East London trauma centre.

PubMed

Harris, R; Olding, C; Lacey, C; Bentley, R; Schulte, K M; Lewis, D; Kandasamy, N; Oakley, R

2012-05-01

A total of 17 cases of penetrating neck injury were managed by the otolaryngology team at King's College Hospital over a 3-year period in the 1980s. In April 2010 King's College Hospital became the major trauma centre for South East London. This prospective cohort study compares the incidence, changing demographic features and treatment outcomes of penetrating neck trauma in South East London over the previous 23 years. Data were collected over a 12-month period (April 2010 to March 2011) and a selective management protocol was introduced to standardise initial investigations and further treatment. The past 23 years have seen a 550% increase in the incidence of penetrating neck injuries in South East London, with a marked increase in gun crime. Only 38% of cases underwent negative neck exploration in 2011 compared with 65% in 1987. Selective conservative management based on the absence of haemodynamic instability or radiological findings reduces length of hospital stay, lightens surgical workload and cuts costs without affecting morbidity or mortality. The increased incidence of penetrating neck injury is a reflection of more interpersonal violence rather than a consequence of the larger South East London trauma centre catchment area. Tackling this problem requires focus on wider issues of community prevention. Sharing of data between the four London trauma centres and the police is needed to help prevent interpersonal violence and develop a universal treatment algorithm for other institutions to follow.

Brain Management During Trauma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shatsky, Stanley A.

1984-01-01

The Neurosurgeon faces a dilemma, that is, how to treat and reconstruct the injured skull and brain with limited knowledge as to how the injury occurred. In an attempt to understand such injuries, our group assembled a series of acceleration sleds to experimentally reproduce these injuries in primates and high frame rate flash x-ray cine system to radiographically study their time course.

Nonoperative management for major blunt hepatic trauma. A case report.

PubMed

Mingoli, Andrea; Saracino, Andrea; Brachini, Gioia; Mariotta, Giovanni; Migliori, Emanuele; Silvestri, Vania

2015-03-16

Over the past 20 years the management of blunt liver trauma has evolved from a primary operative approach to a nonoperative one, for both low and high grade injuries, only on the basis of hemodynamic stability. However, in spite of a high success rate of non operative management, it is frequently observed, also in our country, an old fashioned way to approach these patients, based on habit more than observation and evidence based medicine. We present a case of successful nonoperative treatment of a grade IV blunt liver trauma (lacero-contusive injury of V, VI and VII segments) in a 34-year-old woman. Nowadays more than 85% of liver injuries are managed without operative intervention, irrespective of the injury grade. Success rate of the conservative approach ranges from 82% to 100% and almost all complications (14% in high grade injuries) can be managed with interventional radiology procedures, still avoiding major surgery. Today, in the absence of other abdominal injuries requiring surgical exploration, hemodynamic instability from ongoing hemorrhage after primary evaluation and resuscitative treatment, is the only indication to an operative management of traumatic liver injuries.

Trends in nonoperative management of traumatic injuries – A synopsis

PubMed Central

Stawicki, Stanislaw P. A.

2017-01-01

Nonoperative management of both blunt and penetrating injuries can be challenging. During the past three decades, there has been a major shift from operative to increasingly nonoperative management of traumatic injuries. Greater reliance on nonoperative, or “conservative” management of abdominal solid organ injuries is facilitated by the various sophisticated and highly accurate noninvasive imaging modalities at the trauma surgeon’s disposal. This review discusses selected topics in nonoperative management of both blunt and penetrating trauma. Potential complications and pitfalls of nonoperative management are discussed. Adjunctive interventional therapies used in treatment of nonoperative management-related complications are also discussed. Republished with permission from: Stawicki SPA. Trends in nonoperative management of traumatic injuries – A synopsis. OPUS 12 Scientist 2007;1(1):19-35. PMID:28382258

Chest trauma experience over eleven-year period at al-mouassat university teaching hospital-Damascus: a retrospective review of 888 cases.

PubMed

Al-Koudmani, Ibrahim; Darwish, Bassam; Al-Kateb, Kamal; Taifour, Yahia

2012-04-19

Thoracic trauma is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in developing countries. In this study, we present our 11-year experience in the management and clinical outcome of 888 chest trauma cases as a result of blunt and penetrating injuries in our university hospital in Damascus, Syria. We reviewed files of 888 consequent cases of chest trauma between January 2000 and January 2011. The mean age of our patients was 31 ± 17 years mostly males with blunt injuries. Patients were evaluated and compared according to age, gender, etiology of trauma, thoracic and extra-thoracic injuries, complications, and mortality. The leading cause of the trauma was violence (41%) followed by traffic accidents (33%). Pneumothorax (51%), Hemothorax (38%), rib fractures (34%), and lung contusion (15%) were the most common types of injury. Associated injuries were documented in 36% of patients (extremities 19%, abdomen 13%, head 8%). A minority of the patients required thoracotomy (5.7%), and tube thoracostomy (56%) was sufficient to manage the majority of cases. Mean hospital LOS was 4.5 ± 4.6 days. The overall mortoality rate was 1.8%, and morbidity (n = 78, 8.7%). New traffic laws (including seat belt enforcement) reduced incidence and severity of chest trauma in Syria. Violence was the most common cause of chest trauma rather than road traffic accidents in this series, this necessitates epidemiologic or multi-institutional studies to know to which degree violence contributes to chest trauma in Syria. The number of fractured ribs can be used as simple indicator of the severity of trauma. And we believe that significant neurotrauma, traffic accidents, hemodynamic status and GCS upon arrival, ICU admission, ventilator use, and complication of therapy are predictors of dismal prognosis.

Ballistic trauma: lessons learned from iraq and afghanistan.

PubMed

Shin, Emily H; Sabino, Jennifer M; Nanos, George P; Valerio, Ian L

2015-02-01

Management of upper extremity injuries secondary to ballistic and blast trauma can lead to challenging problems for the reconstructive surgeon. Given the recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, advancements in combat-casualty care, combined with a high-volume experience in the treatment of ballistic injuries, has led to continued advancements in the treatment of the severely injured upper extremity. There are several lessons learned that are translatable to civilian trauma centers and future conflicts. In this article, the authors provide an overview of the physics of ballistic injuries and principles in the management of such injuries through experience gained from military involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Ballistic Trauma: Lessons Learned from Iraq and Afghanistan

PubMed Central

Shin, Emily H.; Sabino, Jennifer M.; Nanos, George P.; Valerio, Ian L.

2015-01-01

Management of upper extremity injuries secondary to ballistic and blast trauma can lead to challenging problems for the reconstructive surgeon. Given the recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, advancements in combat-casualty care, combined with a high-volume experience in the treatment of ballistic injuries, has led to continued advancements in the treatment of the severely injured upper extremity. There are several lessons learned that are translatable to civilian trauma centers and future conflicts. In this article, the authors provide an overview of the physics of ballistic injuries and principles in the management of such injuries through experience gained from military involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan. PMID:25685099

Visceral trauma: principles of management and role of embolotherapy.

PubMed

Stratil, Peter G; Burdick, Thomas R

2008-09-01

Interventional radiology for the treatment of traumatic visceral hemorrhage has emerged as an important adjunct to modern trauma care. This article outlines the general surgical concepts of the acute care of trauma patients as a guideline for catheter-based therapy. Specific considerations are presented for embolizing visceral injuries in the liver, spleen, and kidney. Expected outcomes and follow-up are reviewed.

Trauma surgeon becomes consultant: evaluation of a protocol for management of intermediate-level trauma patients.

PubMed

Fallon, Sara C; Delemos, David; Christopher, Daniel; Frost, Mary; Wesson, David E; Naik-Mathuria, Bindi

2014-01-01

At our level 1 pediatric trauma center, 9-54 intermediate-level ("level 2") trauma activations are received per month. Previously, the surgery team was required to respond to and assume responsibility for all patients who had "level 2" trauma activations. In 8/2011, we implemented a protocol where the emergency room (ER) physician primarily manages these patients with trauma consultation for surgical evaluation or admission. The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate the effects of the new protocol to ensure that patient safety and quality of care were maintained. We compared outcomes of patients treated PRE-implementation (10/2010-7/2011) and POST-implementation (9/2011-5/2012), including surgeon consultation rate, utilization of imaging and laboratory testing, ER length of stay, admission rate, and missed injuries or readmissions. Statistical analysis included chi-square and Student's t-test. We identified 472 patients: 179 in the PRE and 293 in the POST period. The populations had similar baseline clinical characteristics. The surgical consultation rate in the POST period was only 42%, with no missed injuries or readmissions. The ER length of stay did not change. However, in the POST period there were significant decreases in the admission rate (73% to 44%) and the mean number of CT scans (1.4 to 1), radiographs (2.4 to 1.7), and laboratory tests (5.1 to 3.3) ordered in the emergency room (all p<0.001). Intermediate-level pediatric trauma patients can be efficiently and safely managed by pediatric emergency room physicians, with surgical consultation only as needed. The protocol change improved resource utilization by decreasing testing and admissions and streamlining resident utilization in an era of reduced duty hours. © 2014.

A crew resource management program tailored to trauma resuscitation improves team behavior and communication.

PubMed

Hughes, K Michael; Benenson, Ronald S; Krichten, Amy E; Clancy, Keith D; Ryan, James Patrick; Hammond, Christopher

2014-09-01

Crew Resource Management (CRM) is a team-building communication process first implemented in the aviation industry to improve safety. It has been used in health care, particularly in surgical and intensive care settings, to improve team dynamics and reduce errors. We adapted a CRM process for implementation in the trauma resuscitation area. An interdisciplinary steering committee developed our CRM process to include a didactic classroom program based on a preimplementation survey of our trauma team members. Implementation with new cultural and process expectations followed. The Human Factors Attitude Survey and Communication and Teamwork Skills assessment tool were used to design, evaluate, and validate our CRM program. The initial trauma communication survey was completed by 160 team members (49% response). Twenty-five trauma resuscitations were observed and scored using Communication and Teamwork Skills. Areas of concern were identified and 324 staff completed our 3-hour CRM course during a 3-month period. After CRM training, 132 communication surveys and 38 Communication and Teamwork Skills observations were completed. In the post-CRM survey, respondents indicated improvement in accuracy of field to medical command information (p = 0.029); accuracy of emergency department medical command information to the resuscitation area (p = 0.002); and team leader identity, communication of plan, and role assignment (p = 0.001). After CRM training, staff were more likely to speak up when patient safety was a concern (p = 0.002). Crew Resource Management in the trauma resuscitation area enhances team dynamics, communication, and, ostensibly, patient safety. Philosophy and culture of CRM should be compulsory components of trauma programs and in resuscitation of injured patients. Copyright © 2014 American College of Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Basic principles of management for cervical spine trauma.

PubMed

O'Dowd, J K

2010-03-01

This article reviews the basic principles of management of cervical trauma. The technique and critical importance of careful assessment is described. Instability is defined, and the incidence of a second injury is highlighted. The concept of spinal clearance is discussed. Early reduction and stabilisation techniques are described, and the indications, and approach for surgery reviewed. The importance of the role of post-injury rehabilitation is identified.

Does the novel lateral trauma position cause more motion in an unstable cervical spine injury than the logroll maneuver?

PubMed

Hyldmo, Per Kristian; Horodyski, MaryBeth; Conrad, Bryan P; Aslaksen, Sindre; Røislien, Jo; Prasarn, Mark; Rechtine, Glenn R; Søreide, Eldar

2017-11-01

Prehospital personnel who lack advanced airway management training must rely on basic techniques when transporting unconscious trauma patients. The supine position is associated with a loss of airway patency when compared to lateral recumbent positions. Thus, an inherent conflict exists between securing an open airway using the recovery position and maintaining spinal immobilization in the supine position. The lateral trauma position is a novel technique that aims to combine airway management with spinal precautions. The objective of this study was to compare the spinal motion allowed by the novel lateral trauma position and the well-established log-roll maneuver. Using a full-body cadaver model with an induced globally unstable cervical spine (C5-C6) lesion, we investigated the mean range of motion (ROM) produced at the site of the injury in six dimensions by performing the two maneuvers using an electromagnetic tracking device. Compared to the log-roll maneuver, the lateral trauma position caused similar mean ROM in five of the six dimensions. Only medial/lateral linear motion was significantly greater in the lateral trauma position (1.4mm (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.4, 2.4mm)). In this cadaver study, the novel lateral trauma position and the well-established log-roll maneuver resulted in comparable amounts of motion in an unstable cervical spine injury model. We suggest that the lateral trauma position may be considered for unconscious non-intubated trauma patients. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Clinical review: the Israeli experience: conventional terrorism and critical care.

PubMed

Aschkenasy-Steuer, Gabriella; Shamir, Micha; Rivkind, Avraham; Mosheiff, Rami; Shushan, Yigal; Rosenthal, Guy; Mintz, Yoav; Weissman, Charles; Sprung, Charles L; Weiss, Yoram G

2005-10-05

Over the past four years there have been 93 multiple-casualty terrorist attacks in Israel, 33 of them in Jerusalem. The Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center is the only Level I trauma center in Jerusalem and has therefore gained important experience in caring for critically injured patients. To do so we have developed a highly flexible operational system for managing the general intensive care unit (GICU). The focus of this review will be on the organizational steps needed to provide operational flexibility, emphasizing the importance of forward deployment of intensive care unit personnel to the trauma bay and emergency room and the existence of a chain of command to limit chaos. A retrospective review of the hospital's response to multiple-casualty terror incidents occurring between 1 October 2000 and 1 September 2004 was performed. Information was assembled from the medical center's trauma registry and from GICU patient admission and discharge records. Patients are described with regard to the severity and type of injury. The organizational work within intensive care is described. Finally, specific issues related to the diagnosis and management of lung, brain, orthopedic and abdominal injuries, caused by bomb blast events associated with shrapnel, are described. This review emphasizes the importance of a multidisciplinary team approach in caring for these patients.

Trauma deaths in a mature urban trauma system: is "trimodal" distribution a valid concept?

PubMed

Demetriades, Demetrios; Kimbrell, Brian; Salim, Ali; Velmahos, George; Rhee, Peter; Preston, Christy; Gruzinski, Ginger; Chan, Linda

2005-09-01

Trimodal distribution of trauma deaths, described more than 20 years ago, is still widely taught in the design of trauma systems. The purpose of this study was to examine the applicability of this trimodal distribution in a modern trauma system. A study of trauma registry and emergency medical services records of trauma deaths in the County of Los Angeles was conducted over a 3-year period. The times from injury to death were analyzed according to mechanism of injury and body area (head, chest, abdomen, extremities) with severe trauma (abbreviated injury score [AIS] >/= 4). During the study period there were 4,151 trauma deaths. Penetrating trauma accounted for 50.0% of these deaths. The most commonly injured body area with critical trauma (AIS >/= 4) was the head (32.0%), followed by chest (20.8%), abdomen (11.5%), and extremities (1.8%). Time from injury to death was available in 2,944 of these trauma deaths. Overall, there were two distinct peaks of deaths: the first peak (50.2% of deaths) occurred within the first hour of injury. The second peak occurred 1 to 6 hours after admission (18.3% of deaths). Only 7.6% of deaths were late (>1 week), during the third peak of the classic trimodal distribution. Temporal distribution of deaths in penetrating trauma was very different from blunt trauma and did not follow the classic trimodal distribution. Other significant independent factors associated with time of death were chest AIS and head AIS. Temporal distribution of deaths as a result of severe head trauma did not follow any pattern and did not resemble classic trimodal distribution at all. The classic "trimodal" distribution of deaths does not apply in our trauma system. Temporal distribution of deaths is influenced by the mechanism of injury, age of the patient, and body area with severe trauma. Knowledge of the time of distribution of deaths might help in allocating trauma resources and focusing research effort.

Trauma-informed juvenile justice systems: A systematic review of definitions and core components.

PubMed

Branson, Christopher Edward; Baetz, Carly Lyn; Horwitz, Sarah McCue; Hoagwood, Kimberly Eaton

2017-11-01

The U.S. Department of Justice has called for the creation of trauma-informed juvenile justice systems in order to combat the negative impact of trauma on youth offenders and frontline staff. Definitions of trauma-informed care have been proposed for various service systems, yet there is not currently a widely accepted definition for juvenile justice. The current systematic review examined published definitions of a trauma-informed juvenile justice system in an effort to identify the most commonly named core elements and specific interventions or policies. A systematic literature search was conducted in 10 databases to identify publications that defined trauma-informed care or recommended specific practices or policies for the juvenile justice system. We reviewed 950 unique records, of which 10 met criteria for inclusion. The 10 publications included 71 different recommended interventions or policies that reflected 10 core domains of trauma-informed practice. We found 8 specific practice or policy recommendations with relative consensus, including staff training on trauma and trauma-specific treatment, while most recommendations were included in 2 or less definitions. The extant literature offers relative consensus around the core domains of a trauma-informed juvenile justice system, but much less agreement on the specific practices and policies. A logical next step is a review of the empirical research to determine which practices or policies produce positive impacts on outcomes for youth, staff, and the broader agency environment, which will help refine the core definitional elements that comprise a unified theory of trauma-informed practice for juvenile justice. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2017 APA, all rights reserved).

Effectiveness of prehospital trauma triage systems in selecting severely injured patients: Is comparative analysis possible?

PubMed

van Rein, Eveline A J; van der Sluijs, Rogier; Houwert, R Marijn; Gunning, Amy C; Lichtveld, Rob A; Leenen, Luke P H; van Heijl, Mark

2018-01-27

In an optimal trauma system, prehospital trauma triage ensures transport of the right patient to the right hospital. Incorrect triage results in undertriage and overtriage. The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate and compare prehospital trauma triage system quality worldwide and determine effectiveness in terms of undertriage and overtriage for trauma patients. A systematic search of Pubmed/MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases was performed, using "trauma", "trauma center," or "trauma system", combined with "triage", "undertriage," or "overtriage", as search terms. All studies describing ground transport and actual destination hospital of patients with and without severe injuries, using prehospital triage, published before November 2017, were eligible for inclusion. To assess the quality of these studies, a critical appraisal tool was developed. A total of 33 articles were included. The percentage of undertriage ranged from 1% to 68%; overtriage from 5% to 99%. Older age and increased geographical distance were associated with undertriage. Mortality was lower for severely injured patients transferred to a higher-level trauma center. The majority of the included studies were of poor methodological quality. The studies of good quality showed poor performance of the triage protocol, but additional value of EMS provider judgment in the identification of severely injured patients. In most of the evaluated trauma systems, a substantial part of the severely injured patients is not transported to the appropriate level trauma center. Future research should come up with new innovative ways to improve the quality of prehospital triage in trauma patients. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Understanding the Risk Factors of Trauma Center Closures

PubMed Central

Shen, Yu-Chu; Hsia, Renee Y.; Kuzma, Kristen

2011-01-01

Objectives We analyze whether hazard rates of shutting down trauma centers are higher due to financial pressures or in areas with vulnerable populations (such as minorities or the poor). Materials and Methods This is a retrospective study of all hospitals with trauma center services in urban areas in the continental US between 1990 and 2005, identified from the American Hospital Association Annual Surveys. These data were linked with Medicare cost reports, and supplemented with other sources, including the Area Resource File. We analyze the hazard rates of trauma center closures among several dimensions of risk factors using discrete-time proportional hazard models. Results The number of trauma center closures increased from 1990 to 2005, with a total of 339 during this period. The hazard rate of closing trauma centers in hospitals with a negative profit margin is 1.38 times higher than those hospitals without the negative profit margin (P < 0.01). Hospitals receiving more generous Medicare reimbursements face a lower hazard of shutting down trauma centers (ratio: 0.58, P < 0.01) than those receiving below average reimbursement. Hospitals in areas with higher health maintenance organizations penetration face a higher hazard of trauma center closure (ratio: 2.06, P < 0.01). Finally, hospitals in areas with higher shares of minorities face a higher risk of trauma center closure (ratio: 1.69, P < 0.01). Medicaid load and uninsured populations, however, are not risk factors for higher rates of closure after we control for other financial and community characteristics. Conclusions Our findings give an indication on how the current proposals to cut public spending could exacerbate the trauma closure particularly among areas with high shares of minorities. In addition, given the negative effect of health maintenance organizations on trauma center survival, the growth of Medicaid managed care population should be monitored. Finally, high shares of Medicaid or uninsurance by themselves are not independent risk factors for higher closure as long as financial pressures are mitigated. Targeted policy interventions and further research on the causes, are needed to address these systems-level disparities. PMID:19704354

Understanding the risk factors of trauma center closures: do financial pressure and community characteristics matter?

PubMed

Shen, Yu-Chu; Hsia, Renee Y; Kuzma, Kristen

2009-09-01

We analyze whether hazard rates of shutting down trauma centers are higher due to financial pressures or in areas with vulnerable populations (such as minorities or the poor). This is a retrospective study of all hospitals with trauma center services in urban areas in the continental US between 1990 and 2005, identified from the American Hospital Association Annual Surveys. These data were linked with Medicare cost reports, and supplemented with other sources, including the Area Resource File. We analyze the hazard rates of trauma center closures among several dimensions of risk factors using discrete-time proportional hazard models. The number of trauma center closures increased from 1990 to 2005, with a total of 339 during this period. The hazard rate of closing trauma centers in hospitals with a negative profit margin is 1.38 times higher than those hospitals without the negative profit margin (P < 0.01). Hospitals receiving more generous Medicare reimbursements face a lower hazard of shutting down trauma centers (ratio: 0.58, P < 0.01) than those receiving below average reimbursement. Hospitals in areas with higher health maintenance organizations penetration face a higher hazard of trauma center closure (ratio: 2.06, P < 0.01). Finally, hospitals in areas with higher shares of minorities face a higher risk of trauma center closure (ratio: 1.69, P < 0.01). Medicaid load and uninsured populations, however, are not risk factors for higher rates of closure after we control for other financial and community characteristics. Our findings give an indication on how the current proposals to cut public spending could exacerbate the trauma closure particularly among areas with high shares of minorities. In addition, given the negative effect of health maintenance organizations on trauma center survival, the growth of Medicaid managed care population should be monitored. Finally, high shares of Medicaid or uninsurance by themselves are not independent risk factors for higher closure as long as financial pressures are mitigated. Targeted policy interventions and further research on the causes, are needed to address these systems-level disparities.

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for retained hemothorax in blunt chest trauma

PubMed Central

Chou, Yi-Pin; Lin, Hsing-Lin; Wu, Tzu-Chin

2015-01-01

Purpose of review In the last decade, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has become a popular method in diagnosis and treatment of acute chest injuries. Except for patients with unstable vital signs who require larger surgical incisions to check bleeding, this endoscopic surgery could be employed in the majority of thoracic injury patients with stable vital signs. Recent findings In the past, VATS was used to evacuate traumatic-retained hemothorax. Recent study has revealed further that lung repair during VATS could decrease complications after trauma. Management of fractured ribs could also be assisted by VATS. Early VATS intervention within 7 days after injury can decrease the rate of posttraumatic infection and length of hospital stay. In studies of the pathophysiology of animal models, N-acetylcysteine and methylene blue were used in animals with blunt chest trauma and found to improve clinical outcomes. Summary Retained hemothorax derived from blunt chest trauma should be managed carefully and rapidly. Early VATS intervention is a well tolerated and reliable procedure that can be applied to manage this complication cost effectively. PMID:25978625

Trauma management in Homer's Iliad.

PubMed

Koutserimpas, Christos; Alpantaki, Kalliopi; Samonis, George

2017-08-01

Homer's Iliad is one of the highest intellectual products of the early ancient Greek civilisation. A plethora of medical information lies within Iliad's 24 rhapsodies, and a total of 147 injuries are described. The present study records and evaluates all cases of trauma management included in this epic poem. Not only Iliad's original text but also all myths related to Iliad from the five-volume Greek Mythology by Ioannis Kakridis were meticulously studied to locate the injured person, the type of trauma, the care provider and the type of given care as well as the outcome of each case. A total of 21 cases were found and evaluated with a 5% mortality rate. The majority of these injuries were caused by an arrow (43%) and were located to the upper extremity (43%). Injuries of the head, neck and trunk were not treated as all of them were lethal. Many of the recorded trauma management techniques can be correlated to modern medicine. Furthermore, the role and skills of military doctors and paramedics, mentioned by Homer, is discussed. © 2016 Medicalhelplines.com Inc and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

The role of nontechnical skills in simulated trauma resuscitation.

PubMed

Briggs, Alexandra; Raja, Ali S; Joyce, Maurice F; Yule, Steven J; Jiang, Wei; Lipsitz, Stuart R; Havens, Joaquim M

2015-01-01

Trauma team training provides instruction on crisis management through debriefing and discussion of teamwork and leadership skills during simulated trauma scenarios. The effects of team leader's nontechnical skills (NTSs) on technical performance have not been thoroughly studied. We hypothesized that team's and team leader's NTSs correlate with technical performance of clinical tasks. Retrospective cohort study. Brigham and Women's Hospital, STRATUS Center for Surgical Simulation A total of 20 teams composed of surgical residents, emergency medicine residents, emergency department nurses, and emergency services assistants underwent 2 separate, high-fidelity, simulated trauma scenarios. Each trauma scenario was recorded on video for analysis and divided into 4 consecutive sections. For each section, 2 raters used the Non-Technical Skills for Surgeons framework to assess NTSs of the team. To evaluate the entire team's NTS, 2 additional raters used the Modified Non-Technical Skills Scale for Trauma system. Clinical performance measures including adherence to guidelines and time to perform critical tasks were measured independently. NTSs performance by both teams and team leaders in all NTS categories decreased from the beginning to the end of the scenario (all p < 0.05). There was significant correlation between team's and team leader's cognitive skills and critical task performance, with correlation coefficients between 0.351 and 0.478 (p < 0.05). The NTS performance of the team leader highly correlated with that of the entire team, with correlation coefficients between 0.602 and 0.785 (p < 0.001). The NTSs of trauma teams and team leaders deteriorate as clinical scenarios progress, and the performance of team leaders and teams is highly correlated. Cognitive NTS scores correlate with critical task performance. Increased attention to NTSs during trauma team training may lead to sustained performance throughout trauma scenarios. Decision making and situation awareness skills are critical for both team leaders and teams and should be specifically addressed to improve performance. Copyright © 2015 Association of Program Directors in Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Implementation of a nationwide trauma network for the care of severely injured patients.

PubMed

Ruchholtz, Steffen; Lefering, Rolf; Lewan, Ulrike; Debus, Florian; Mand, Carsten; Siebert, Hartmut; Kühne, Christian A

2014-06-01

Regional differences in the care of severely injured patients remain problematic in industrial countries. In 2006, the German Society for Trauma Surgery initiated the foundation of regional networks between trauma centers in a TraumaNetwork (TNW). The TNW consisted of five major elements as follows: (a) a whitebook on the treatment of severely injured patients; (b) evidence-based guidelines (S3); (c) local audits; (d) contracts of interhospital cooperation among all participating hospitals; and (e) TraumaRegister documentation. TNW hospitals are classified according to local audit results as supraregional (STC), regional (RTC), or local (LTC) trauma centers by criteria concerning staff, equipment, admission capacity, and responsibility. Five hundred four German trauma centers (TCs) were certified by the end of December 2012. By then, 37 regional TNWs, with a mean of 13.6 TCs, were established, covering approximately 80% of the country's territory. Of the hospitals, 92 were acknowledged as STCs, 210 as RTCs, and 202 as LTCs.In 2012, 19,124 patients were documented by the certified TCs. Fifty-seven percent of the patients were treated in STCs, 34% in RTCs, and 9% in LTCs. The mean (SD) Injury Severity Score (ISS) was highest in STCs (21 [13]), compared with 18 (12) in RTCs and 16 (10) in LTCs. There were differences in expected mortality (based on Revised Injury Severity Classification) according to the differences in the severity of trauma among the different categories, but in all types, the expected mortality was significantly higher than the observed mortality (differences in STCs, 1.8%; RTCs, 1.4%; LTCs, 2.0%). According to our findings, it is possible to successfully structure and standardize the care of severely injured patients in a nationwide trauma system. Better outcomes than expected were observed in all categories of TNW hospitals. Epidemiologic study, level III. Therapeutic/care management study, level IV.

Surgical strategies in polytraumatized patients with femoral shaft fractures - comparing a German and an Australian level I trauma centre.

PubMed

Andruszkow, Hagen; Dowrick, Adam S; Frink, Michael; Zeckey, Christian; Krettek, Christian; Hildebrand, Frank; Edwards, Elton R; Mommsen, Philipp

2013-08-01

Femoral shaft fractures are one of the most common injuries in multiple trauma patients. Due to their prognostic relevance, there is an ongoing controversial discussion as to the optimal treatment strategy in terms of Damage Control Orthopaedics (DCO) and Early Total Care (ETC). We aimed to describe the differences in fracture management and clinical outcome of multiple trauma patients with concomitant femoral shaft fractures treated at a German and an Australian level I trauma centre using the same inclusion criteria. Polytraumatized patients (ISS ≥ 16) with a femoral shaft fracture aged ≥ 16 years treated at a German and an Australian trauma centre between 2003 and 2007 were included. According to ETC and DCO management principles, we evaluated demographic parameters as well as posttraumatic complications and clinical outcome. Seventy-three patients were treated at the German and 134 patients at the Australian trauma centre. DCO was performed in case of increased injury severity in both hospitals. Prolonged mechanical ventilation time, and length of ICU and hospital stay were demonstrated in DCO treatment regardless of the trauma centre. No differences concerning posttraumatic complications and survival were found between both centres. Survival of patients after DCO was similar to those managed using ETC despite a greater severity of injury and lower probability of survival. There was no difference in the incidence of ARDS. DCO was, however, associated with a greatly increased length of time on mechanical ventilation and length of stay in the ICU. We found no differences concerning patient demographics or clinical outcomes in terms of incidence of ARDS, MODS, or mortality. As such, we propose that comparability between German and Australian trauma populations is justified. Despite a higher ISS in the DCO group, there were no differences in posttraumatic complications and survival depending on ETC or DCO treatment. Further research is required to confirm whether this is the case with other countries, too. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Definitive airway management of patients presenting with a pre-hospital inserted King LT(S)-D laryngeal tube airway: a historical cohort study.

PubMed

Subramanian, Arun; Garcia-Marcinkiewicz, Annery G; Brown, Daniel R; Brown, Michael J; Diedrich, Daniel A

2016-03-01

The King LT(S)-D laryngeal tube (King LT) has gained popularity as a bridge airway for pre-hospital airway management. In this study, we retrospectively reviewed the use of the King LT and its associated airway outcomes at a single Level 1 trauma centre. The data on all adult patients presenting to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota with a King LT in situ from July 1, 2007 to October 10, 2012 were retrospectively evaluated. Data collected and descriptively analyzed included patient demographics, comorbidities, etiology of respiratory failure, airway complications, subsequent definitive airway management technique, duration of mechanical ventilation, and status at discharge. Forty-eight adult patients met inclusion criteria. The most common etiology for respiratory failure requiring an artificial airway was cardiac arrest [28 (58%) patients] or trauma [9 (19%) patients]. Four of the nine trauma patients had facial trauma. Surgical tracheostomy was the definitive airway management technique in 14 (29%) patients. An airway exchange catheter, direct laryngoscopy, and video laryngoscopy were used in 11 (23%), ten (21%), and ten (21%) cases, respectively. Seven (78%) of the trauma patients underwent surgical tracheostomy compared with seven (18%) of the medical patients. Adverse events associated with King LT use occurred in 13 (27%) patients, with upper airway edema (i.e., tongue engorgement and glottic edema) being most common (19%). In this study of patients presenting to a hospital with a King LT, the majority of airway exchanges required an advanced airway management technique beyond direct laryngoscopy. Upper airway edema was the most common adverse observation associated with King LT use.

Hepatic arterial embolization in the management of blunt hepatic trauma: indications and complications.

PubMed

Letoublon, Christian; Morra, Irene; Chen, Yao; Monnin, Valerie; Voirin, David; Arvieux, Catherine

2011-05-01

The objective was to clarify the role of hepatic arterial embolization (AE) in the management of blunt hepatic trauma. Retrospective observational study of 183 patients with blunt hepatic trauma admitted to a trauma referral center over a 9-year period. The charts of 29 patients (16%) who underwent hepatic angiography were reviewed for demographics, injury specific data, management strategy, angiographic indication, efficacy and complications of embolization, and outcome. AE was performed in 23 (79%) of the patients requiring angiography. Thirteen patients managed conservatively underwent emergency embolization after preliminary computed tomography scan. Six had postoperative embolization after damage control laparotomy and four had delayed embolization. Arterial bleeding was controlled in all the cases. Sixteen patients (70%) had one or more liver-related complications; temporary biliary leak (n=11), intra-abdominal hypertension (n=14), inflammatory peritonitis (n=3), hepatic necrosis (n=3), gallbladder infarction (n=2), and compressive subcapsular hematoma (n=1). Unrecognized hepatic necrosis could have contributed to the late posttraumatic death of one patient. AE is a key element in modern management of high-grade liver injuries. Two principal indications exist in the acute postinjury phase: primary hemostatic control in hemodynamically stable or stabilized patients with radiologic computed tomography evidence of active arterial bleeding and adjunctive hemostatic control in patients with uncontrolled suspected arterial bleeding despite emergency laparotomy. Successful management of injuries of grade III upward often entails a combined angiographic and surgical approach. Awareness of the ischemic complications due to angioembolization is important.

[Principles of management of high-energy injuries of the leg].

PubMed

Jovanović, Mladen; Janjić, Zlata; Marić, Dusan

2002-01-01

High-energy traumas are open or closed injuries caused by force (missile, traffic injuries, crush or blust injuries, falling from heights), affecting the body surface and transferring high amount of kinetic energy inducing great damage to the tissue. Management of such lower extremity injuries has evolved over past several decades, but still remains a difficult task for every surgical team. Specific anatomic and functional characteristics combined with extensive injuries demands specific treatment protocols. In a multiple injured patient the first priority is management of life-threatening trauma. Despite other injuries, surgical treatment of limb-threatening injuries must start as soon as life-threatening condition has been managed. Algorithms are especially beneficial in management of severely injured, but salvageable extremities and in making decision on amputation. Insight into mechanisms of injury, as well as systematic examination of the affected limb, should help us understand the extensiveness of trauma and make an adequate management plan. Prevention of wound infection and surgical approach to high-energy limb trauma, which includes wound extension, wound excision, skeletal stabilization and if necessary muscle compartment release, should be done in the first 6 hours after injury. Commonly used methods for soft tissue defects must provide wound coverage in less than five days following injury. Early passive and active mobilization and verticalization of patients is very important for successful treatment. Good and timely evaluation of the injured and collaboration between plastic and orthopaedic surgeons from the beginning of treatment, are crucial for final outcome.

Hypoxia and hypotension in patients intubated by physician staffed helicopter emergency medical services - a prospective observational multi-centre study.

PubMed

Sunde, Geir Arne; Sandberg, Mårten; Lyon, Richard; Fredriksen, Knut; Burns, Brian; Hufthammer, Karl Ove; Røislien, Jo; Soti, Akos; Jäntti, Helena; Lockey, David; Heltne, Jon-Kenneth; Sollid, Stephen J M

2017-07-11

The effective treatment of airway compromise in trauma and non-trauma patients is important. Hypoxia and hypotension are predictors of negative patient outcomes and increased mortality, and may be important quality indicators of care provided by emergency medical services. Excluding cardiac arrests, critical trauma and non-trauma patients remain the two major groups to which helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) are dispatched. Several studies describe the impact of pre-hospital hypoxia or hypotension on trauma patients, but few studies compare this in trauma and non-trauma patients. The primary aim was to describe the incidence of pre-hospital hypoxia and hypotension in the two groups receiving pre-hospital tracheal intubation (TI) by physician-staffed HEMS. Data were collected prospectively over a 12-month period, using a uniform Utstein-style airway template. Twenty-one physician-staffed HEMS in Europe and Australia participated. We compared peripheral oxygen saturation and systolic blood pressure before and after definitive airway management. Data were analysed using Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel methods and mixed-effects models. Eight hundred forty three trauma patients and 422 non-trauma patients receiving pre-hospital TI were included. Non-trauma patients had significantly lower predicted mean pre-intervention SpO 2 compared to trauma patients. Post-intervention and admission SpO 2 for the two groups were comparable. However, 3% in both groups were still hypoxic at admission. For hypotension, the differences between the groups were less prominent. However, 9% of trauma and 10% of non-trauma patients were still hypotensive at admission. There was no difference in short-term survival between trauma (97%) and non-trauma patients (95%). Decreased level of consciousness was the most frequent indication for TI, and was associated with increased survival to hospital (cOR 2.8; 95% CI: 1.4-5.4). Our results showed that non-trauma patients had a higher incidence of hypoxia before TI than trauma patients, but few were hypoxic at admission. The difference for hypotension was less prominent, but one in ten patients were still hypotensive at admission. Further investigations are needed to identify reversible causes that may be corrected to improve haemodynamics in the pre-hospital setting. We found high survival rates to hospital in both groups, suggesting that physician-staffed HEMS provide high-quality emergency airway management in trauma and non-trauma patients. Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01502111 . Registered 22 Desember 2011.

Management of haemothoraces in blunt thoracic trauma: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

PubMed

Carver, David A; Bressan, Alexsander K; Schieman, Colin; Grondin, Sean C; Kirkpatrick, Andrew W; Lall, Rohan; McBeth, Paul B; Dunham, Michael B; Ball, Chad G

2018-03-03

Haemothorax following blunt thoracic trauma is a common source of morbidity and mortality. The optimal management of moderate to large haemothoraces has yet to be defined. Observational data have suggested that expectant management may be an appropriate strategy in stable patients. This study aims to compare the outcomes of patients with haemothoraces following blunt thoracic trauma treated with either chest drainage or expectant management. This is a single-centre, dual-arm randomised controlled trial. Patients presenting with a moderate to large sized haemothorax following blunt thoracic trauma will be assessed for eligibility. Eligible patients will then undergo an informed consent process followed by randomisation to either (1) chest drainage (tube thoracostomy) or (2) expectant management. These groups will be compared for the rate of additional thoracic interventions, major thoracic complications, length of stay and mortality. This study has been approved by the institution's research ethics board and registered with ClinicalTrials.gov. All eligible participants will provide informed consent prior to randomisation. The results of this study may provide guidance in an area where there remains significant variation between clinicians. The results of this study will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at national and international conferences. NCT03050502. © Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2018. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

RADIOLOGY EDUCATION: A PILOT STUDY TO ASSESS KNOWLEDGE OF MEDICAL STUDENTS REGARDING IMAGING IN TRAUMA.

PubMed

Siddiqui, Saad; Saeed, Muhammad Anwar; Shah, Noreen; Nadeem, Naila

2015-01-01

Trauma remains one of the most frequent presentations in emergency departments. Imaging has established role in setting of acute trauma with ability to identify potentially fatal conditions. Adequate knowledge of health professionals regarding trauma imaging is vital for improved healthcare. In this work we try to assess knowledge of medical students regarding imaging in trauma as well as identify most effective way of imparting radiology education. This cross-sectional pilot study was conducted at Aga Khan University Medical College & Khyber Girls Medical College, to assess knowledge of medical students regarding imaging protocols practiced in initial management of trauma patients. Only 40 & 20% respectively were able to identify radiographs included in trauma series. Very few had knowledge of correct indication for Focused abdominal sonography in trauma. Clinical radiology rotation was reported as best way of learning radiology. Change in curricula & restructuring of clinical radiology rotation structure is needed to improve knowledge regarding Trauma imaging.

Management of penetrating extraperitoneal rectal injuries: An Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma practice management guideline.

PubMed

Bosarge, Patrick L; Como, John J; Fox, Nicole; Falck-Ytter, Yngve; Haut, Elliott R; Dorion, Heath A; Patel, Nimitt J; Rushing, Amy; Raff, Lauren A; McDonald, Amy A; Robinson, Bryce R H; McGwin, Gerald; Gonzalez, Richard P

2016-03-01

The management of penetrating rectal trauma invokes a complex decision tree that advocates the principles of proximal diversion (diversion) of the fecal stream, irrigation of stool from the distal rectum, and presacral drainage based on data from World War II and the Vietnam War. This guideline seeks to define the initial operative management principles for nondestructive extraperitoneal rectal injuries. A systematic review of the MEDLINE database using PubMed was performed. The search retrieved English language articles regarding penetrating rectal trauma from January 1900 to July 2014. Letters to the editor, case reports, book chapters, and review articles were excluded. Topics of investigation included the management principles of diversion, irrigation of stool from the distal rectum, and presacral drainage using the GRADE methodology. A total of 306 articles were screened leading to a full-text review of 56 articles. Eighteen articles were used to formulate the recommendations of this guideline. This guideline consists of three conditional evidence-based recommendations. First, we conditionally recommend proximal diversion for management of these injuries. Second, we conditionally recommend the avoidance of routine presacral drains and distal rectal washout in the management of these injuries.

Social work in oncology-managing vicarious trauma-the positive impact of professional supervision.

PubMed

Joubert, Lynette; Hocking, Alison; Hampson, Ralph

2013-01-01

This exploratory study focused on the experience and management of vicarious trauma in a team of social workers (N = 16) at a specialist cancer hospital in Melbourne. Respondents completed the Traumatic Stress Institute Belief Scale (TSIBS), the Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL), and participated in four focus groups. The results from the TSIBS and the ProQol scales confirm that there is a stress associated with the social work role within a cancer service, as demonstrated by the high scores related to stress. However at the same time the results indicated a high level of satisfaction which acted as a mitigating factor. The study also highlighted the importance of supervision and management support. A model for clinical social work supervision is proposed to reduce the risks associated with vicarious trauma.

Changing paradigms in the management of 2184 patients with traumatic brain injury.

PubMed

Joseph, Bellal; Haider, Ansab A; Pandit, Viraj; Tang, Andrew; Kulvatunyou, Narong; OʼKeeffe, Terence; Rhee, Peter

2015-09-01

The aim of this study was to assess the change in trends in the management of traumatic brain injury (TBI) at a level I trauma center and the utilization of resources as a result of this change in management. The management of TBI has been evolving with trends toward management of minimally injured patients with intracranial hemorrhage exclusively by trauma surgeons. A 5-year (2009-2014) prospective database on all patients with TBI (skull fracture/intracranial hemorrhage on head computed tomography) presenting to a level I trauma center was analyzed for patient demographics, injuries, admission physiology, computed tomographic scan results, and hospital outcomes. These records were matched to the institutional registry and hospital financial database. A total of 2184 patients were included with median (interquartile range) Glasgow Coma Scale score of 15 (12-15), and median (interquartile range) head-abbreviated injury scale score of 3 (2-4). The distribution of types and size of intracranial bleeds remained unchanged throughout the study period. The proportion of TBI managed exclusively by trauma surgeons increased significantly over the years from 6.8% to 40.1% (P < 0.001). Proportion of patients who received neurosurgical consultations (P < 0.001) and repeat head computed tomographic scans (P < 0.001), hospital length of stay (P = 0.028), and costs (P < 0.001) decreased significantly over time. The overall mortality rate (18.5%) and rate of intervention (14.1%) remained unchanged. TBI patients can be selectively managed without initially involving neurosurgeons safely in a cost-effective manner, resulting in more effective use of precious resources.

A comparative approach to deep vein thrombosis risk assessment.

PubMed

Hums, Wendy; Blostein, Paul

2006-01-01

Trauma patients are at risk for developing DVT/PE. The Bronson Trauma Model incorporates a DVT scoring system into the daily routine for all injured patients admitted to the Trauma Care Unit. Dr Paul Blostein added the DVT Risk Assessment spreadsheet to his personal digital assistant and made it available to other members of the team to allow calculation of a patient's DVT risk percentage during daily multidisciplinary rounds in the Trauma Care Unit. The Trauma Program has found the incorporation of the scoring systems into the trauma registry to be a value-added component of our performance improvement process. Bronson's unique model of trauma care, where patients are admitted and discharged from the same room, combined with today's technology of wireless laptops and personal digital assistants, promotes a progressive approach to DVT/PE prophylaxis and performance improvement. Our trauma follow-up program has proven to be effective in reintegrating patients back into the trauma system to optimize their functional status and improve their outcome.

Association of Prehospital Mode of Transport With Mortality in Penetrating Trauma: A Trauma System-Level Assessment of Private Vehicle Transportation vs Ground Emergency Medical Services.

PubMed

Wandling, Michael W; Nathens, Avery B; Shapiro, Michael B; Haut, Elliott R

2018-02-01

Time to definitive care following injury is important to the outcomes of trauma patients. Prehospital trauma care is provided based on policies developed by individual trauma systems and is an important component of the care of injured patients. Given a paucity of systems-level trauma research, considerable variability exists in prehospital care policies across trauma systems, potentially affecting patient outcomes. To evaluate whether private vehicle prehospital transport confers a survival advantage vs ground emergency medical services (EMS) transport following penetrating injuries in urban trauma systems. Retrospective cohort study of data included in the National Trauma Data Bank from January 1, 2010, through December 31, 2012, comprising 298 level 1 and level 2 trauma centers that contribute data to the National Trauma Data Bank that are located within the 100 most populous metropolitan areas in the United States. Of 2 329 446 patients assessed for eligibility, 103 029 were included in this study. All patients were 16 years or older, had a gunshot wound or stab wound, and were transported by ground EMS or private vehicle. In-hospital mortality. Of the 2 329 446 records assessed for eligibility, 103 029 individuals at 298 urban level 1 and level 2 trauma centers were included in the analysis. The study population was predominantly male (87.6%), with a mean age of 32.3 years. Among those included, 47.9% were black, 26.3% were white, and 18.4% were Hispanic. Following risk adjustment, individuals with penetrating injuries transported by private vehicle were less likely to die than patients transported by ground EMS (odds ratio [OR], 0.38; 95% CI, 0.31-0.47). This association remained statistically significant on stratified analysis of the gunshot wound (OR,  0.45; 95% CI, 0.36-0.56) and stab wound (OR,  0.32; 95% CI, 0.20-0.52) subgroups. Private vehicle transport is associated with a significantly lower likelihood of death when compared with ground EMS transport for individuals with gunshot wounds and stab wounds in urban US trauma systems. System-level evidence such as this can be a valuable tool for those responsible for developing and implementing policies at the trauma system level.

Diagnosis and management of testicular rupture after blunt scrotal trauma: a literature review.

PubMed

Wang, Zhao; Yang, Jin-Rui; Huang, Yu-Meng; Wang, Long; Liu, Long-Fei; Wei, Yong-Bao; Huang, Liang; Zhu, Quan; Zeng, Ming-Qiang; Tang, Zheng-Yan

2016-12-01

Testicular rupture, one of the most common complications in blunt scrotal trauma, is the rupture of tunica albuginea and extrusion of seminiferous tubules. Testicular rupture is more inclined to young men, and injury mechanisms are associated with sports and motor accidents. After history taking and essential physical examination, scrotal ultrasound is the first-line auxiliary examination. MRI is also one of the vital complementary examinations to evaluate testicular rupture after blunt scrotal trauma. Surgical exploration and repair may be necessary when the diagnosis of testicular rupture is definite or suspicious. Postoperative follow-up is to monitor the relief of local symptoms and changes of testicular functions. This review sums up the literatures about testicular rupture after blunt scrotal trauma in recent 16 years and also refers some new advantages and perspectives on diagnosis and management of testicular rupture.

Trauma operating room in conjunction with an air ambulance system: indications, interventions, and outcomes.

PubMed

Law, D K; Law, J K; Brennan, R; Cleveland, H C

1982-09-01

We report a retrospective study of 198 trauma patients brought directly to a trauma operating room by an air ambulance system. Despite rapid transport, expert prehospital resuscitation, and the capability of early surgical intervention, the overall mortality was high (57%). There was no significant salvage of patients arriving without pulse, blood pressure or cardiac activity. Optimal trauma care failed to show encouraging results in this preselected group of patients with predominantly blunt and multisystem injury. The justification and cost effectiveness of this system of trauma care is discussed.

Modern Initial Management of Severe Limbs Trauma in War Surgery: Orthopaedic Damage Control

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-04-01

avoid fat embolism , allow an optimal nursing and medical evacuation without any secondary functional consequences [3]. 2.2.1 Indications: The...decrease the risk of fat embolism . Modern Initial Management of Severe Limbs Trauma in War Surgery: “Orthopaedic Damage Control” RTO-MP-HFM-182 17...injuries. Orthopaedic Imperious: Multiple open shaft fractures with blood loss, complex epiphysal fractures requiring a long difficult surgical bloody

Pancreaticoduodenectomy for paediatric pancreatic trauma with a decade of follow-up.

PubMed

Thatte, Madhav D; Vaze, Dhananjay

2014-01-01

Pancreaticoduodenal injuries are rare in children. They pose challenges for the treating surgeon in decision making with respect to diagnosis, surgical and post-surgical management. The management plan must be tailored to the nature and severity of trauma, patient profile, surgeon's expertise and the resources available at surgeon's disposal. We describe a pancreaticoduodenal injury in 3-year-old child with successful outcome and follow-up of a decade.

Basic principles of management for cervical spine trauma

PubMed Central

2009-01-01

This article reviews the basic principles of management of cervical trauma. The technique and critical importance of careful assessment is described. Instability is defined, and the incidence of a second injury is highlighted. The concept of spinal clearance is discussed. Early reduction and stabilisation techniques are described, and the indications, and approach for surgery reviewed. The importance of the role of post-injury rehabilitation is identified. PMID:19701655

Outcome of Concurrent Occult Hemothorax and Pneumothorax in Trauma Patients Who Required Assisted Ventilation

PubMed Central

Mahmood, Ismail; Tawfeek, Zainab; El-Menyar, Ayman; Zarour, Ahmad; Afifi, Ibrahim; Kumar, Suresh; Latifi, Rifat; Al-Thani, Hassan

2015-01-01

Background. The management and outcomes of occult hemopneumothorax in blunt trauma patients who required mechanical ventilation are not well studied. We aimed to study patients with occult hemopneumothorax on mechanical ventilation who could be carefully managed without tube thoracostomy. Methods. Chest trauma patients with occult hemopneumothorax who were on mechanical ventilation were prospectively evaluated. The presence of hemopneumothorax was confirmed by CT scanning. Hospital length of stay, complications, and outcome were recorded. Results. A total of 56 chest trauma patients with occult hemopneumothorax who were on ventilatory support were included with a mean age of 36 ± 13 years. Hemopneumothorax was managed conservatively in 72% cases and 28% underwent tube thoracostomy as indicated. 29% of patients developed pneumonia, 16% had Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), and 7% died. Thickness of hemothorax, duration of mechanical ventilation, and development of ARDS were significantly associated with tube thoracostomy in comparison to no-chest tube group. Conclusions. The majority of occult hemopneumothorax can be carefully managed without tube thoracostomy in patients who required positive pressure ventilation. Tube thoracotomy could be restricted to those who had evidence of increase in the size of the hemothorax or pneumothorax on follow-up chest radiographs or developed respiratory compromise. PMID:25785199

Temporal distribution of trauma deaths: quality of trauma care in a developing country.

PubMed

Masella, Cesar Augusto; Pinho, Vitor Ferreira; Costa Passos, Afonso Dinis; Spencer Netto, Fernando A C; Rizoli, Sandro; Scarpelini, Sandro

2008-09-01

Examination of the epidemiology and timing of trauma deaths has been deemed a useful method to evaluate the quality of trauma care. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the quality of trauma care in a regional trauma system and in a university hospital in Brazil by comparing the timing of deaths in the studied prehospital and in-hospital settings to those published for trauma systems in other areas. We analyzed the National Health Minister's System of Deaths Information for the prehospital mortality and we retrospectively collected the demographics, timelines, and trauma severity scores of all in-hospital patients who died after admission through the Emergency Unit of Hospital das Clinicas de Ribeirao Preto between 2000 and 2001. During the study period, there were 787 trauma fatalities in the city: 448 (56.9%) died in the prehospital setting and 339 (43.1%) died after being admitted to a medical facility. In 2 years, 238 trauma deaths occurred in the studied hospital, and we found a complete clinical set of data for 224 of these patients. The majority of deaths in the prehospital setting were caused by penetrating injuries (66.7%), whereas in-hospital mortality was mainly because of blunt traumas (59.1%). The largest number of in-hospital deaths occurred beyond 72 hours of stay (107 patients-47%). The region studied showed some deficiencies in prehospital and in-hospitals settings, in particular in the critical care and short-term follow-up of trauma patients when compared with the literature. Particularly, the late mortality may be related to training and human resources deficiency. Based on the timeline of trauma deaths, we can suggest that the studied region needs improvements in the prehospital trauma system and in hospital critical care.

Combating terror: a new paradigm in student trauma education.

PubMed

Rivkind, Avraham I; Faroja, Mouhammad; Mintz, Yoav; Pikarsky, Alon J; Zamir, Gideon; Elazary, Ram; Abu-Gazala, Mahmoud; Bala, Miklosh

2015-02-01

Other than the Advanced Trauma Life Support course, usually run for postgraduate trainees, there are few trauma courses available for medical students. It has been shown that trauma teaching for medical students is sadly lacking within the undergraduate curriculum. We stated that students following formal teaching, even just theory and some practice in basic skills significantly improved their management of trauma patients. Hadassah-Hebrew University in Israel runs an annual 2-week trauma course for final-year medical students. The focus is on hands-on practice in resuscitation, diagnosis, procedures, and decision making. After engaging a combination of instructional and interactive teaching methods including practice on simulated injuries that students must assess and treat through the 2 weeks, the course culminates in a disaster drill where students work alongside the emergency services to rescue, assess, treat, and transfer patients. The course is evaluated with a written precourse and postcourse test, an Objective Structured Clinical Examination and detailed feedback from the drill. We analyzed student feedback at the end of each course during a 6-year period from 2007 to 2012. Correct answers for the posttest results were higher each year with good reliability as assessed by Chronbach's α and with significant variation from pretest scores assessed using paired-samples t tests. Best scores were achieved in knowledge acquisition and practical skills gained. Students were also asked whether the course contributed to self-preparedness in treating trauma patients, and this consistently achieved high scores. We believe that students benefit substantially from the course and gain lasting skills and confidence in trauma management, decision making, and organizational skills. The course provides students with the opportunity to learn and ingrain trauma principles along Advanced Trauma Life Support guidelines and prepares them for practice as safe doctors. We advocate the global implementation of a student trauma training course as a mandatory educational initiative and propose our course format as a model for similar courses.

Development and validation of a brief trauma screening measure for children: The Child Trauma Screen.

PubMed

Lang, Jason M; Connell, Christian M

2017-05-01

Childhood exposure to trauma, including violence and abuse, is a major public health concern that has resulted in increased efforts to promote trauma-informed child-serving systems. Trauma screening is an important component of such trauma-informed systems, yet widespread use of trauma screening is rare in part due to the lack of brief, validated trauma screening measures for children. We describe development and validation of the Child Trauma Screen (CTS), a 10-item screening measure of trauma exposure and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms for children consistent with the DSM-5 definition of PTSD. Study 1 describes measure development incorporating analysis to derive items based on existing measures from 1,065 children and caregivers together with stakeholder input to finalize item selection. Study 2 describes validation of the CTS with a clinical sample of 74 children and their caregivers. Results support the CTS as an empirically derived, reliable measure to screen children for trauma exposure and PTSD symptoms with strong convergent, divergent, and criterion validity. The CTS is a promising measure for rapidly and reliably screening children for trauma exposure and PTSD symptoms. Future research is needed to confirm validation and to examine feasibility and utility of its use across various child-serving systems. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2017 APA, all rights reserved).

Selective mutism due to a dog bite trauma in a 4-year-old girl: a case report

PubMed Central

2009-01-01

Introduction A child experiencing an event of threatening or catastrophic nature may experience considerable post-traumatic psychological distress. Dog bites present an important public health problem and are a frequent cause of physical trauma in children. Physicians who manage paediatric trauma may not be vigilant of the high risk of psychological stress in children exposed to a physical injury. Case presentation A 4-year-old white girl of Greek origin, with a dog-bite related trauma was admitted to the University Hospital of Crete, Greece, for surgical repair and intravenous antibiotic therapy due to extensive lesions. Exposure to the traumatic event triggered the onset of an unusual psychological response, selective mutism and acute post-traumatic stress disorder. Conclusion There is limited literature discussing the psychological effect of dog bites in children. Parents and physicians involved in pediatric physical trauma need to be more familiar with post-traumatic behavioral reactions. Awareness of the potential development of such reactions may result in early detection and effective management of children at risk. PMID:19946578

Cutaneous mucormycosis secondary to penetrative trauma.

PubMed

Zahoor, Bilal; Kent, Stephen; Wall, Daryl

2016-07-01

Mucormycosis is a rare but serious sequelae of penetrating trauma [1-5]. In spite of aggressive management, mortality remains high due to dissemination of infection. We completed a review of literature to determine the most optimal treatment of cutaneous mucormycosis which occurs secondary to penetrating trauma. We completed a review regarding the management of mucormycosis in trauma patients. We selected a total of 36 reports, of which 18 were case-based, for review. Surgical debridement is a primary predictor of improved outcomes in the treatment of mucormycosis [3,6,7]. Anti-fungal therapy, especially lipid soluble formulation of Amphotericin B, is helpful as an adjunct or when surgical debridement has been maximally achieved. Further research is needed to fully evaluate the impact of topical dressings; negative pressure wound therapy is helpful. An aggressive and early surgical approach, even at the expense of disfigurement, is necessary to reduce mortality in the setting of cutaneous mucormycosis that results from penetrating trauma [4,8,9]. Anti-fungal therapy and negative pressure wound therapy are formidable adjuncts. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Readmission after treatment of Grade 3 and 4 renal injuries at a Level I trauma center: Statewide assessment using the Comprehensive Hospital Abstract Reporting System.

PubMed

Winters, Brian; Wessells, Hunter; Voelzke, Bryan B

2016-03-01

One criticism of the existing renal trauma research is the limited outpatient follow-up after index hospitalization. We assessed readmission rates following treatment for American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) Grade 3 and 4 renal injury using the Comprehensive Hospital Abstract Reporting System (CHARS). We evaluated all patients with AAST Grade 3 and 4 renal injuries admitted to Harborview Medical Center (HMC) between 1998 and 2010, the only Level 1 trauma center in Washington state. Grade 4 renal injuries were stratified by collecting system laceration (CSL) or segmental vascular injury. Data were abstracted from the CHARS database for readmissions to any Washington state hospital within 6 months of renal injury. Clinical variables, diagnoses, and procedures were queried based on DRG International Classification of Diseases-9th Rev. codes. A total of 477 Grade 3 and 159 Grade 4 renal injuries were initially treated at HMC. On admission, 111 patients required intervention: 75 (16%) of 477 Grade 3 and 36 (23%) of 159 Grade 4 injuries. Within 6 months of index hospitalization, 86 (18%) of 477 Grade 3 and 38 (24%) of 159 Grade 4 patients were readmitted to any Washington state hospital. Eighty percent of Grade 3 injuries and 66% of Grade 4 injuries returned to HMC compared with secondary hospitals (p = 0.08). At readmission, 19 (22%) of 86 Grade 3 and 16 (42%) of 38 Grade 4 injuries had a urologic diagnosis. Subsequent procedural intervention was required on readmission in 6 (7%) of 86 Grade 3 and 5 (13%) of 38 Grade 4 renal injuries (all CSL injuries). A subset of patients treated for Grade 3 and 4 renal trauma will be readmitted for further management. While urologic diagnoses and additional procedures may be low overall, readmission to outside hospitals may preclude accurate determination of renal trauma outcomes. Based on these data, patients with Grade 4 CSL injuries seem to be at the highest risk for readmission and to require a subsequent urologic procedure. Prognostic/epidemiologic study, level III.

Emergency ultrasound-guided percutaneous embolization of post-traumatic bleeding hepatic artery pseudoaneurysms.

PubMed

Vyas, Sameer; Ahuja, Chirag Kamal; Yadav, Thakur Deen; Khandelwal, Niranjan

2012-09-01

Hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm (HAP) is an uncommon but serious complication of blunt trauma abdomen which can be managed by non-surgical interventional methods. We describe the case of a young boy with blunt trauma abdomen having a large hepatic laceration associated with two pseudoaneurysms of the hepatic artery branches. Both these HAPs were successfully managed by percutaneous injection of cyanoacrylate glue under sonographic guidance. A major surgery was thus averted. A brief review of the etiology, diagnosis and management of HAP including the present case is discussed.

Damage control laparotomy for abdominal trauma in children.

PubMed

Polites, Stephanie F; Habermann, Elizabeth B; Glasgow, Amy E; Zielinski, Martin D

2017-05-01

Damage control laparotomy (DCL) is not well studied in the pediatric trauma population. The purpose of this study was to develop a surrogate definition of DCL compatible with national and administrative data sources so that the rate and outcomes of DCL in pediatric trauma patients could be determined. Using the 2010-2014 National Trauma Data Bank, children ≤18 with an abdominal AIS ≥ 3 who underwent a laparotomy within 3 h of arrival were identified (n = 2989). DCL was defined as occurring in children who underwent a second laparotomy within 5-48 h from the index laparotomy (n = 360). Children meeting these criteria were compared to those children who had the initial definitive operative management (n = 2174) and those who died prior to 48 h (n = 455). DCL occurred in 12% of children with operative abdominal trauma. Children who underwent DCL had a greater median ISS (25 vs 18) and heart rate (112 vs 100), lower systolic blood pressure (104 vs 113), and GCS (12 vs 13), and were more likely to receive a preoperative blood transfusion (19 vs 11%) than those who had definitive initial operative management (all p < .05). Median length of stay (17 vs 8 days) and mortality (9 vs 2%) were greater following DCL than definitive initial operative management (p < .001). No differences in rate of DCL were seen based on ACS pediatric verification (p = .07). Few children with operative abdominal trauma undergo DCL. DCL was associated with worse physiology rather than anatomic injury severity in this study. As expected, outcomes were worse following DCL.

Novel sleep management method in a toddler displaying fear and trauma: the Boss of My Sleep Book.

PubMed

Blunden, Sarah

2017-01-06

Sleep problems in toddlers occur in ∼40% of children and increase the likelihood of postnatal depression. Most sleep training in toddlers requires contact with a trained professional, and requires a parent to ignore their child's cries, causing distress to many children and parents, increasing attrition and leaving families untreated and at risk. This case study reports success in significantly ameliorating sleep reluctance and bedtime fears in a sleep disturbed toddler with a history of trauma. It uses a novel use of bedtime behaviour management with some positive reinforcement techniques, called the Boss of My Sleep book: a non-cry, online (thus readily and cheaply available without a trained professional) sleep intervention. The system was successful immediately and was sustained after 6 months. The Boss of My Sleep book shows promise as a sleep intervention in toddlers, particularly for those parents who do not want to use cry intensive methods. 2017 BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.

The potential role of free chitosan in bone trauma and bone cancer management.

PubMed

Tan, Mei L; Shao, Peng; Friedhuber, Anna M; van Moorst, Mallory; Elahy, Mina; Indumathy, Sivanjah; Dunstan, Dave E; Wei, Yongzhong; Dass, Crispin R

2014-09-01

Bone defects caused by fractures or cancer-mediated destruction are debilitating. Chitosan is commonly used in scaffold matrices for bone healing, but rarely as a free drug. We demonstrate that free chitosan promotes osteoblast proliferation and osteogenesis in mesenchymal stem cells, increases osteopontin and collagen I expression, and reduces osteoclastogenesis. Chitosan inhibits invasion of endothelial cells, downregulating uPA/R, MT1-MMP, cdc42 and Rac1. Better healing of bone fractures with greater trabecular bone formation was observed in mice treated with chitosan. Chitosan induces apoptosis in osteotropic prostate and breast cancer cells via caspase-2 and -3 activation, and reduces their establishment in bone. Chitosan is pro-apoptotic in osteosarcoma cells, but not their normal counterpart, osteoblasts, or chondrosarcoma cells. Systemic delivery of chitosan does not perturb angiogenesis, bone volume or instinctive behaviour in pregnant mice, but decreases foetal length and changes pancreatic secretory acini. With certain controls in place, chitosan could be useful for bone trauma management. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The big chill: accidental hypothermia.

PubMed

Davis, Robert Allan

2012-01-01

A potential cause of such emergent issues as cardiac arrhythmias, hypotension, and fluid and electrolyte shifts, accidental hypothermia can be deadly, is common among trauma patients, and is often difficult to recognize. The author discusses predisposing conditions, the classic presentation, and the effects on normal thermoregulatory processes; explains how to conduct a systems assessment of the hypothermic patient; and describes crucial management strategies.

Blunt splenic injuries in the adolescent trauma population: the role of angiography and embolization.

PubMed

Mayglothling, Julie A; Haan, James M; Scalea, Thomas M

2011-07-01

Splenic artery embolization (SAE) improves non-operative splenic salvage rates in adults, but its utility and safety in the pediatric population is less well defined. Because adolescent trauma patients are often triaged to adult trauma centers, we were interested in evaluating SAE in this particular population. We hypothesize that angiography and embolization is a safe and effective adjunct to non-operative management in the adolescent population. A retrospective review of all patients aged 13-17 years admitted to our Level I Trauma Center with blunt splenic injury from 1997-2005 was performed. We reviewed patient demographics, operative reports, admission, and follow-up abdominal computed tomography (ACT) results, angiographic reports, and patient outcomes. A total of 97 patients were reviewed. Eighteen patients underwent immediate surgery, and 79 of the remaining patients had planned non-operative management. Of those participating in non-operative management, 35/79 (44%) were initially observed and 44/79 (56%) underwent initial angiography, 23/44 having embolization. Patients in the embolization group had an overall high grade of injury (American Association for the Surgery of Trauma mean grade 3.3, SD 0.6). The overall splenic salvage rate was 96% (76/79) in the non-operative management group; 100% splenic salvage was seen in the observational group; 100% salvage was also seen in patients with negative angiography, and 87% salvage (20/23) in the splenic artery embolization group. Splenic artery embolization may be a valuable adjunct in adolescent blunt splenic injury, especially in higher grade injuries or with evidence of splenic vascular injury on ACT. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Paying a Premium: How Patient Complexity Affects Costs and Profit Margins

PubMed Central

Taheri, Paul A.; Butz, David A.; Greenfield, Lazar J.

1999-01-01

Objective and Background Tertiary medical centers continue to be under extreme pressure to deliver high-complexity care, but paradoxically there is considerable pressure within these institutions to reduce their emphasis on tertiary care and refocus their efforts to develop a more community-like practice. The genesis of this pressure is the perceived profitability of routine surgical activity when compared with more complex care. The purpose of this study is to assess how the total cost and profit (loss) margin can vary for an entire trauma service. The authors also evaluate payments for specific trauma-related diagnostic-related groups (DRGs) and analyze how hospital margins were affected based on mortality outcome. Materials and Methods The authors analyzed the actual cost of all trauma discharges (n = 692) at their level I trauma center for fiscal year 1997. Data were obtained from the trauma registry and the hospital cost accounting system. Total cost was defined as the sum of the variable, fixed, and indirect costs associated with each patient. Margin was defined as expected payments minus total cost. The entire population and all DRGs with 10 or more patients were stratified based on survival outcome, Injury Severity Score, insurance status, and length of stay. The mean total costs for survivors and nonsurvivors within these various categories and their margins were evaluated. Results The profit margin on nonsurvivors was $5898 greater than for survivors, even though the mean total cost for nonsurvivors was $28,821 greater. Within the fixed fee arrangement, approximately 44% of transfers had a negative margin. Both survivors and nonsurvivors become increasingly profitable out to 20 days and subsequently become unprofitable beyond 21 days, but nonsurvivors were more profitable than survivors. Conclusions There is a wide variance in both the costs and margins within trauma-related DRGs. The DRG payment system disproportionately reimburses providers for nonsurvivors, even though on average they are more costly. Because payers are likely to engage in portfolio management, patients can be transferred between hospitals based on the contractual relationship between the payer and the provider. This payment system potentially allows payers to act strategically, sending relatively low-cost patients to hospitals where they use fee-for-service reimbursement and high-cost patients to hospitals where their reimbursement is contractually capped. Although specific to the authors’ trauma center and its payer mix, these data demonstrate the profitability of maintaining a level I trauma center and preserving the mission of delivering care to the severely injured. PMID:10363894

[Current practice in coagulation and transfusion therapy in multiple trauma patients: A German nation-wide online survey].

PubMed

Wafaisade, A; Wyen, H; Mutschler, M; Lendemans, S; Bouillon, B; Flohe, S; Paffrath, T; Maegele, M; Tjardes, T; Probst, C

2015-12-01

In recent years, the treatment of trauma-associated coagulopathy and bleeding has advanced enormously. The aim of this study was to assess the current practice of coagulation and transfusion management in Germany. From October 2011 until January 2012 we conducted a survey via online-questionnaire that was sent per E-Mail to all members of the German Society for Trauma Surgery. It comprised 12 questions with respect to current treatment of coagulopathy and haemorrhage in trauma patients. The response rate was 145/3006 (5 %). The respondents had following specialties: 77.2 % trauma surgery 15.9 % anesthesiology, 6.9 % others. 64 % of respondents were employed by a Level 1 trauma centre, wheras 17 % worked in a local level 3 centre. The majority (94 %) claimed to treat hypothermia regularly. Only about half of the participants reported to follow a massive transfusion protocol in their institution. The potential components of these protocols were reported in varying rates, being it well-established components (e.g. FFP 78 %; Fibrinogen 75 %) or therapies with poor evidence in multiple trauma (Desmopressin 39 %, rFVIIa 47 %). Calcium was provided by only 48 % of respondents although generally recommended in all guidelines. The current study suggests that in Germany strategies and principles regarding management of trauma-associated coagulopathy are standardized only poorly. Level 1 centres appear to apply a more advanced approach, however to much variability exists with respect to the components of the transfusion protocols. The low response rate indicates that most German trauma surgeons consider coagulation and hemorrhage as "expert-topics" beyond their field of duty.

The spleen not taken: Differences in management and outcomes of blunt splenic injuries in teenagers cared for by adult and pediatric trauma teams in a single institution.

PubMed

OʼConnor, Sean C; Doud, Andrea N; Sieren, Leah M; Miller, Preston R; Zeller, Kristen A

2017-09-01

Nonoperative management (NOM) of blunt splenic injury, initially touted for the care of pediatric patients, has become the standard of care for stable trauma patients of all ages. In our institution, trauma patients younger than 16 years are managed by the pediatric surgery service and patients 16 years or older are managed by the adult trauma service. Angioembolization is routinely used for adults with blunt splenic injury but rarely used for pediatric patients. A retrospective chart review was performed to determine if more liberal use of angioembolization increases the success rate of NOM of blunt splenic injury in adolescents. Using our institutional trauma registry, we performed a retrospective chart review of 13- to 18-year-olds admitted with blunt splenic injury from 2007 to 2015. One hundred thirty-three patients were identified; 59 were 13- to 15-year-olds and cared for by the Pediatric Trauma service, whereas 74 were 16- to 18-year-olds and cared for by the Adult Trauma service. The cohorts were compared with respect to imaging performed, grade of injury, Injury Severity Score, presence of active extravasation or pseudoaneurysm, interventions performed, blood transfused, intensive care unit days, length of stay, complications, and 30-day mortality rates. There were no significant differences in Injury Severity Score, incidence of active extravasation or pseudoaneurysm identified on computed tomography, or grade of injury between the two cohorts. More patients underwent angioembolization in the "adult" group (p = 0.001) with no difference in the success rate of NOM (p = 0.117). The overall failure rate of NOM of high-grade injuries was only 4.1%. Failure of NOM in high-grade injuries is rare; as a result, the number needed to treat with prophylactic angioembolization would be around 37 patients, resulting in undue risk to many patients with no therapeutic benefit. No improvement in failure rate was seen with aggressive angioembolization, though a larger sample size is needed to rule out type 2 error. Therapeutic, level IV.

Trauma-induced systemic inflammatory response versus exercise-induced immunomodulatory effects.

PubMed

Fehrenbach, Elvira; Schneider, Marion E

2006-01-01

Accidental trauma and heavy endurance exercise, both induce a kind of systemic inflammatory response, also called systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). Exercise-related SIRS is conditioned by hyperthermia and concomitant heat shock responses, whereas trauma-induced SIRS manifests concomitantly with tissue necrosis and immune activation, secondarily followed by fever. Inflammatory cytokines are common denominators in both trauma and exercise, although there are marked quantitative differences. Different anti-inflammatory cytokines may be involved in the control of inflammation in trauma- and exercise-induced stress. Exercise leads to a balanced equilibrium between inflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses. Intermittent states of rest, as well as anti-oxidant capacity, are lacking or minor in trauma but are high in exercising individuals. Regular training may enhance immune competence, whereas trauma-induced SIRS often paves the way for infectious complications, such as sepsis.

[Operative treatment strategies for multiple trauma patients : early total care versus damage control].

PubMed

Klüter, T; Lippross, S; Oestern, S; Weuster, M; Seekamp, A

2013-09-01

The treatment of multiple trauma patients is a great challenge for an interdisciplinary team. After preclinical care and subsequent treatment in the emergency room the order of the interventions is prioritized depending of the individual risk stratification. For planning the surgery management it is essential to distinguish between absolutely essential operations to prevent life-threatening situations for the patient and interventions with shiftable indications, depending on the general condition of the patient. All interventions need to be done without causing significant secondary damage to prohibit hyperinflammation and systemic inflammatory response syndrome. The challenge consists in determination of the appropriate treatment at the right point in time. In general the early primary intervention, early total care, is differentiated from the damage control concept.

Endovascular Therapy in Trauma

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-11-23

patients. The use of endovascu- lar techniques in trauma can be considered in three broad categories: (1) large-vessel repair (e.g. covered stent repair...covered stent grafts, and coils and other thrombotic adjuncts. Devices from these categories are introduced over a wire at the access site through...technique or some form of distal aortic perfusion [6]. The use of stent grafts to manage tho- racic aortic trauma stemmed from favorable observations

Independent predictors of morbidity and mortality in blunt colon trauma.

PubMed

Ricciardi, R; Paterson, C A; Islam, S; Sweeney, W B; Baker, S P; Counihan, T C

2004-01-01

We sought to determine the impact of (1) grade of the colon injury, (2) the formation of an ostomy, and (3) associated injuries on outcomes such as morbidity and mortality after blunt colon injuries. We retrospectively reviewed 16,814 cases of blunt abdominal trauma. Patients with colonic injuries were selected and charts reviewed for demographic, clinical, and outcomes data. Injuries were grouped by the Colon Injury Scale (grades I-V). Independent risk factors of morbidity included spine and lung injuries, as well as increased age. A higher grade of colon injury trended toward a significant association with intra-abdominal complications. Independent risk factors of mortality included liver, heart, and lung injuries, as well as intracerebral blood and female gender. The grade of colon injury, the formation of an ostomy, and management of the colon trauma did not independently predict increased intra-abdominal complications, morbidity, or mortality. These results indicate that patients afflicted with blunt colon trauma experience a high rate of morbidity and mortality from associated injuries and or increased age. Treatment regimens directed at these factors will be most helpful in reducing the high morbidity and mortality after blunt colon trauma. Factors such as ostomy formation and management strategy are not associated with increased morbidity or mortality after blunt colon trauma.

Developing a Minimum Data Set for an Information Management System to Study Traffic Accidents in Iran.

PubMed

Mohammadi, Ali; Ahmadi, Maryam; Gharagozlu, Alireza

2016-03-01

Each year, around 1.2 million people die in the road traffic incidents. Reducing traffic accidents requires an exact understanding of the risk factors associated with traffic patterns and behaviors. Properly analyzing these factors calls for a comprehensive system for collecting and processing accident data. The aim of this study was to develop a minimum data set (MDS) for an information management system to study traffic accidents in Iran. This descriptive, cross-sectional study was performed in 2014. Data were collected from the traffic police, trauma centers, medical emergency centers, and via the internet. The investigated resources for this study were forms, databases, and documents retrieved from the internet. Forms and databases were identical, and one sample of each was evaluated. The related internet-sourced data were evaluated in their entirety. Data were collected using three checklists. In order to arrive at a consensus about the data elements, the decision Delphi technique was applied using questionnaires. The content validity and reliability of the questionnaires were assessed by experts' opinions and the test-retest method, respectively. An (MDS) of a traffic accident information management system was assigned to three sections: a minimum data set for traffic police with six classes, including 118 data elements; a trauma center with five data classes, including 57 data elements; and a medical emergency center, with 11 classes, including 64 data elements. Planning for the prevention of traffic accidents requires standardized data. As the foundation for crash prevention efforts, existing standard data infrastructures present policymakers and government officials with a great opportunity to strengthen and integrate existing accident information systems to better track road traffic injuries and fatalities.

Developing a Minimum Data Set for an Information Management System to Study Traffic Accidents in Iran

PubMed Central

Mohammadi, Ali; Ahmadi, Maryam; Gharagozlu, Alireza

2016-01-01

Background: Each year, around 1.2 million people die in the road traffic incidents. Reducing traffic accidents requires an exact understanding of the risk factors associated with traffic patterns and behaviors. Properly analyzing these factors calls for a comprehensive system for collecting and processing accident data. Objectives: The aim of this study was to develop a minimum data set (MDS) for an information management system to study traffic accidents in Iran. Materials and Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was performed in 2014. Data were collected from the traffic police, trauma centers, medical emergency centers, and via the internet. The investigated resources for this study were forms, databases, and documents retrieved from the internet. Forms and databases were identical, and one sample of each was evaluated. The related internet-sourced data were evaluated in their entirety. Data were collected using three checklists. In order to arrive at a consensus about the data elements, the decision Delphi technique was applied using questionnaires. The content validity and reliability of the questionnaires were assessed by experts’ opinions and the test-retest method, respectively. Results: An (MDS) of a traffic accident information management system was assigned to three sections: a minimum data set for traffic police with six classes, including 118 data elements; a trauma center with five data classes, including 57 data elements; and a medical emergency center, with 11 classes, including 64 data elements. Conclusions: Planning for the prevention of traffic accidents requires standardized data. As the foundation for crash prevention efforts, existing standard data infrastructures present policymakers and government officials with a great opportunity to strengthen and integrate existing accident information systems to better track road traffic injuries and fatalities. PMID:27247791

Barriers Against Implementing Blunt Abdominal Trauma Guidelines in a Hospital: A Qualitative Study

PubMed Central

Zaboli, Rouhollah; Tofighi, Shahram; Aghighi, Ali; Shokouh, Seyyed Javad Hosaini; Naraghi, Nader; Goodarzi, Hassan

2016-01-01

Introduction Clinical practice guidelines are structured recommendations that help physicians and patients to make proper decisions when dealing with a specific clinical condition. Because blunt abdominal trauma causes a various range of mild, single-system, and multisystem injuries, early detection will help to reduce mortality and resulting disability. Emergency treatment should be initiated based on CPGs. This study aimed to determine the variables affecting implementing blunt abdominal trauma CPGs in an Iranian hospital. Methods This study was conducted as a qualitative and phenomenology study in the Family Hospital in Tehran (Iran) in 2015. The research population included eight experts and key people in the area of blunt abdominal trauma clinical practice guidelines. Sampling was based on purposive and nonrandom methods. A semistructured interview was done for the data collection. A framework method was applied for the data analysis by using Atlas.ti software. Results After framework analyzing and various reviewing and deleting and combining the codes from 251 codes obtained, 15 families and five super families were extracted, including technical knowledge barriers, economical barriers, barriers related to deployment and monitoring, political will barriers, and managing barriers. Conclusion Structural reform is needed for eliminating the defects available in the healthcare system. As with most of the codes, subconcepts and concepts are classified into the field of human resources; it seems that the education and knowledge will be more important than other resources such as capital and equipment. PMID:27757191

Emergency management of blunt chest trauma in children: an evidence-based approach.

PubMed

Pauzé, Denis R; Pauzé, Daniel K

2013-11-01

Pediatric trauma is commonly encountered in the emergency department, and trauma to the head, chest, and abdomen may be a source of significant morbidity and mortality. As children have unique thoracic anatomical and physiological properties, they may present with diagnostic challenges that the emergency clinician must be aware of. This review examines the effects of blunt trauma to the pediatric chest, as well as its relevant etiologies and associated mortality. Diagnostic and treatment options for commonly encountered injuries such as pulmonary contusions, rib fractures, and pneumothoraces are examined. Additionally, this review discusses rarely encountered--yet highly lethal--chest wall injuries such as blunt cardiac injuries, commotio cordis, nonaccidental trauma, and aortic injuries.

Building Capacity for Trauma Intervention across Child-Serving Systems

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chinitz, Susan; Stettler, Erin M.; Giammanco, Denise; Silverman, Marian; Briggs, Rahil D.; Loeb, Joanne

2010-01-01

Infants most vulnerable to trauma are often the least able to access interventions. Universal child-serving systems, such as primary pediatrics, early care and education, and the child welfare system, can offer a port of entry for millions of children annually for trauma-related supports and services. However, practitioners in these systems have…

Plastic surgeons and the management of trauma: from the JFK assassination to the Boston Marathon bombing.

PubMed

Luce, Edward A; Hollier, Larry H; Lin, Samuel J

2013-11-01

The fiftieth anniversary of the death by assassination of President John Kennedy is an opportunity to pay homage to his memory and also reflect on the important role plastic surgeons have played in the management of trauma. That reflection included a hypothetical scenario, a discussion of the surgical treatment of Kennedy (if he survived) and Governor Connally. The scenario describes the management of cranioplasty in the presence of scalp soft-tissue contracture, reconstruction of the proximal trachea, reconstitution of the abdominal wall, and restoration of a combined radius and soft-tissue defect. The development of diagnostic and therapeutic advances over the past 50 years in the care of maxillofacial trauma is described, including the evolution of imaging, timing of surgery, and operative techniques. Finally, contemporary measures of triage in situations involving mass casualties, as in the Boston Marathon bombings, complete the dedication to President Kennedy.

Pancreatic and duodenal injuries: keep it simple.

PubMed

Rickard, Matthew J F X; Brohi, Karim; Bautz, Peter C

2005-07-01

The management of pancreatic and duodenal trauma has moved away from complex reconstructive procedures to simpler methods in keeping with the trend towards organ-specific, damage control surgery. A retrospective case note review was undertaken over a 30-month period to evaluate a simplified protocol for the management of these injuries. Of 100 consecutive patients there were 51 with pancreatic injury, 30 with a duodenal injury and 19 with combined pancreaticoduodenal trauma. Overall mortality was 18.0%, with a late mortality (after 24 h) of 9.9%. This is comparable to previous studies. Morbidity from abscesses, fistulas and anastomotic breakdown was acceptably low. The concept of staged laparotomy can be successfully applied to wounds of the pancreas and duodenum. Debridement of devitalized tissue and drainage can be employed for most cases of pancreatic trauma. Most duodenal injuries can be managed with debridement and primary repair. Temporary exclusion and reoperation should be employed for unstable patients.

Development of a novel Global Trauma System Evaluation Tool and initial results of implementation in the Republic of South Sudan.

PubMed

Remick, Kyle N; Wong, Evan G; Chuot Chep, Chep; Morton, Richard T; Monsour, Abdullah; Fisher, Dane; Oh, John S; Wilson, Ramey; Malone, Debra L; Branas, Charles; Elster, Eric; Gross, Kirby R; Kushner, Adam L

2014-11-01

Trauma remains a leading cause of death and disability in the world, and trauma systems decrease mortality from trauma. We developed the Global Trauma System Evaluation Tool (G-TSET) specifically for use in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) in the Republic of South Sudan (RSS) desires a military trauma system (MTS) which allowed us to pilot the G-TSET. The G-TSET was developed by modifying key components of a trauma system applicable to LMICs. We partnered with the SPLA Medical Corps using clinical collaboration, direct observation, and discussion groups. Benchmarks and indicators were scored with 5 indicating "full capability" and 1 meaning "not present" and were used to develop a SPLA MTS plan. The overall MTS score was 1.15 indicating an urgent need for system development. The assessment highlighted the need for SPLA Command support. Battlefield care, transport to a trauma facility, and inter-facility communication were identified for improvement. After essential battlefield care, consisting primarily of bandaging and splinting, transport times for injured SPLA soldiers were 12h to 3 days by truck. Based on our findings, we collaborated with SPLA medical leadership to develop a plan to develop a formal MTS. We piloted a novel trauma system assessment tool for the MTS in the RSS. Qualitatively, we identified gaps in the MTS and provided the medical leadership with a plan for improvement. We anticipate a short-term follow-up to quantify improvement, and we seek to validate this tool for use in other countries. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

The effect of organized systems of trauma care on motor vehicle crash mortality.

PubMed

Nathens, A B; Jurkovich, G J; Cummings, P; Rivara, F P; Maier, R V

2000-04-19

Despite calls for wider national implementation of an integrated approach to trauma care, the effectiveness of this approach at a regional or state level remains unproven. To determine whether implementation of an organized system of trauma care reduces mortality due to motor vehicle crashes. Cross-sectional time-series analysis of crash mortality data collected for 1979 through 1995 from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System. All 50 US states and the District of Columbia. All front-seat passenger vehicle occupants aged 15 to 74 years. Rates of death due to motor vehicle crashes compared before and after implementation of an organized trauma care system. Estimates are based on within-state comparisons adjusted for national trends in crash mortality. Ten years following initial trauma system implementation, mortality due to traffic crashes began to decline; about 15 years following trauma system implementation, mortality was reduced by 8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 3%-12%) after adjusting for secular trends in crash mortality, age, and the introduction of traffic safety laws. Implementation of primary enforcement of restraint laws and laws deterring drunk driving resulted in reductions in crash mortality of 13% (95% CI, 11%-16%) and 5% (95% CI, 3%-7%), respectively, while relaxation of state speed limits increased mortality by 7% (95% CI, 3%-10%). Our data indicate that implementation of an organized system of trauma care reduces crash mortality. The effect does not appear for 10 years, a finding consistent with the maturation and development of trauma triage protocols, interhospital transfer agreements, organization of trauma centers, and ongoing quality assurance.

[Gunshot and stab wounds in Germany--epidemiology and outcome: analysis from the TraumaRegister DGU®].

PubMed

Bieler, D; Franke, A F; Hentsch, S; Paffrath, T; Willms, A; Lefering, R; Kollig, E W

2014-11-01

The management of gunshot wounds is a rare challenge for trauma surgeons in Germany and Central Europe as a result of the low incidence of this type of trauma. Penetrating injuries occur with an incidence of 5% in Germany. They are caused by gunshots or more commonly by knives or other objects, for example during accidents. Since even the number of patients who are treated at level 1 trauma centres is limited by the low incidence, the objective of this study was to assess the epidemiology and outcome of gunshot and stab wounds in Germany. Since 2009, the trauma registry of the German Trauma Society (TraumaRegister DGU®) has been used to assess not only whether a trauma was penetrating but also whether it was caused by a gunshot or a stabbing. On the basis of this registry, we identified relevant cases and defined the observation period. Data were taken from the standard documentation forms that participating German hospitals completed between 2009 and 2011. We did not specify exclusion criteria in order to obtain as comprehensive a picture as possible of the trauma entities investigated in this study. As a result of the high incidence of gunshot wounds to the head and the implications of this type of injury for the entire group, a subgroup of patients without head injuries was analysed. From 2009 to 2011, there were 305 patients with gunshot wounds and 871 patients with stab wounds. The high proportion of suicide-related gunshot wounds to the head resulted in a cumulative mortality rate of 39.7%. Stab wounds were associated with a lower mortality rate (6.2%). Every fourth patient with a gunshot or stab wound presented with haemorrhagic shock, which was considerably more frequently seen during the prehospital phase than during the inhospital phase of patient management. Of the patients with gunshot wounds, 26.9% required transfusions. This percentage was three times higher than that for patients with blunt trauma. In Germany, gunshot and stab wounds have a low incidence and are mostly caused by violent crime or attempted suicide. Depending on the site of injury, they have a high mortality and are often associated with major haemorrhage. As a result of the low incidence of these types of trauma, further data and analyses are required which can provide the basis for an evaluation of the long-term quality of the management of patients with stab or gunshot wounds.

Laparoscopic surgery for trauma: the realm of therapeutic management.

PubMed

Zafar, Syed N; Onwugbufor, Michael T; Hughes, Kakra; Greene, Wendy R; Cornwell, Edward E; Fullum, Terrence M; Tran, Daniel D

2015-04-01

The use of laparoscopy in trauma is, in general, limited for diagnostic purposes. We aim to evaluate the therapeutic role of laparoscopic surgery in trauma patients. We analyzed the National Trauma Data Bank (2007 to 2010) for all patients undergoing diagnostic laparoscopy. Patients undergoing a therapeutic laparoscopic surgical procedure were identified and tabulated. Mortality and hospital length of stay for patients with isolated abdominal injuries were compared between the open and laparoscopic groups. Of a total of 2,539,818 trauma visits in the National Trauma Data Bank, 4,755 patients underwent a diagnostic laparoscopy at 467 trauma centers. Of these, 916 (19.3%) patients underwent a therapeutic laparoscopic intervention. Common laparoscopic operations included diaphragm repair, bowel repair or resection, and splenectomy. Patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery had a significantly shorter length of stay than the open group (5 vs 6 days; P < .001). Therapeutic laparoscopic surgery for trauma is feasible and may provide better outcomes. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Using a trauma-informed policy approach to create a resilient urban food system.

PubMed

Hecht, Amelie A; Biehl, Erin; Buzogany, Sarah; Neff, Roni A

2018-07-01

Food insecurity is associated with toxic stress and adverse long-term physical and mental health outcomes. It can be experienced chronically and also triggered or exacerbated by natural and human-made hazards that destabilize the food system. The Baltimore Food System Resilience Advisory Report was created to strengthen the resilience of the city's food system and improve short- and long-term food security. Recognizing food insecurity as a form of trauma, the report was developed using the principles of trauma-informed social policy. In the present paper, we examine how the report applied trauma-informed principles to policy development, discuss the challenges and benefits of using a trauma-informed approach, and provide recommendations for others seeking to create trauma-informed food policy. Report recommendations were developed based on: semi-structured interviews with food system stakeholders; input from community members at outreach events; a literature review; Geographic Information System mapping; and other analyses. The present paper explores findings from the stakeholder interviews. Baltimore, Maryland, USA. Baltimore food system stakeholders stratified by two informant categories: organizations focused on promoting food access (n 13) and community leaders (n 12). Stakeholder interviews informed the recommendations included in the report and supported the idea that chronic and acute food insecurity are experienced as trauma in the Baltimore community. Applying a trauma-informed approach to the development of the Baltimore Food System Resilience Advisory Report contributed to policy recommendations that were community-informed and designed to lessen the traumatic impact of food insecurity.

Evaluation and management of gunshot wounds of the penis: 20-year experience at an urban trauma center.

PubMed

Kunkle, David A; Lebed, Brett D; Mydlo, Jack H; Pontari, Michel A

2008-04-01

Although gunshot injuries to the penis occur relatively infrequently in patients with penetrating trauma, they often present dilemmas of subsequent evaluation and management. We review our extensive experience with gunshot wounds to the penis at a high volume urban trauma center. The urologic trauma database was retrospectively reviewed to extract and compile information from the records of 63 patients treated for gunshot wounds to the penis. Data were accumulated for a 20-year period from 1985 to 2004 with regard to findings on physical examination, diagnostic evaluation, associated injuries, management, and outcome. We detail our technique of penile exploration and artificial erection in the management of these injuries. Penile gunshot wounds were associated with additional injuries in 53 of 63 (84%) patients. A total of 48 (76%) patients were taken to the operating room and 44 (70%) penile explorations were performed. Evaluation included retrograde urethrogram in 50 of 63 (79%) patients and was diagnostic for urethral injury in 11 of 12 (92%) cases. Primary urethral repair was performed in 8 of 12 (67%) patients with urethral injury versus 4 of 12 (33%) who underwent urinary diversion by means of suprapubic cystotomy. Evaluation and management of gunshot wounds to the penis may potentially be complex. Retrograde urethrogram should be performed in all cases except the most insignificant and superficial wounds. We describe our technique of penile exploration and artificial erection, noting excellent results in patients for whom follow-up is available. Additional studies are needed to prospectively evaluate techniques for management of gunshot urethral injuries.

Trauma facilities in Denmark - a nationwide cross-sectional benchmark study of facilities and trauma care organisation.

PubMed

Weile, Jesper; Nielsen, Klaus; Primdahl, Stine C; Frederiksen, Christian A; Laursen, Christian B; Sloth, Erik; Mølgaard, Ole; Knudsen, Lars; Kirkegaard, Hans

2018-03-27

Trauma is a leading cause of death among adults aged < 44 years, and optimal care is a challenge. Evidence supports the centralization of trauma facilities and the use multidisciplinary trauma teams. Because knowledge is sparse on the existing distribution of trauma facilities and the organisation of trauma care in Denmark, the aim of this study was to identify all Danish facilities that care for traumatized patients and to investigate the diversity in organization of trauma management. We conducted a systematic observational cross-sectional study. First, all hospitals in Denmark were identified via online services and clarifying phone calls to each facility. Second, all trauma care manuals on all facilities that receive traumatized patients were gathered. Third, anesthesiologists and orthopedic surgeons on call at all trauma facilities were contacted via telephone for structured interviews. A total of 22 facilities in Denmark were found to receive traumatized patients. All facilities used a trauma care manual and all had a multidisciplinary trauma team. The study found three different trauma team activation criteria and nine different compositions of teams who participate in trauma care. Training was heterogeneous and, beyond the major trauma centers, databases were only maintained in a few facilities. The study established an inventory of the existing Danish facilities that receive traumatized patients. The trauma team activation criteria and the trauma teams were heterogeneous in both size and composition. A national database for traumatized patients, research on nationwide trauma team activation criteria, and team composition guidelines are all called for.

The medical communications officer. A resource for data collection, quality management and medical control.

PubMed

Gunderson, Michael; Barnard, Jeff; McPherson, John; Kearns, Conrad T

2002-08-01

Pinellas County EMS' Medical Communications Officers provide a wide variety of services to patients, field clinicians, managers and their medical director. The concurrent data collection processes used in the MCO program for performance measurement of resuscitation efforts, intubations, submersion incidents and aeromedical transports for trauma cases have been very effective in the integration of data from multiple computer databases and telephone follow-ups with field crews and receiving emergency department staffs. This has facilitated significant improvements in the performance of these and many other aspects of our EMS system.

Nonoperative management for patients with grade IV blunt hepatic trauma.

PubMed

Zago, Thiago Messias; Tavares Pereira, Bruno Monteiro; Araujo Calderan, Thiago Rodrigues; Godinho, Mauricio; Nascimento, Bartolomeu; Fraga, Gustavo Pereira

2012-08-22

The treatment of complex liver injuries remains a challenge. Nonoperative treatment for such injuries is increasingly being adopted as the initial management strategy. We reviewed our experience, at a University teaching hospital, in the nonoperative management of grade IV liver injuries with the intent to evaluate failure rates; need for angioembolization and blood transfusions; and in-hospital mortality and complications. This is a retrospective analysis conducted at a single large trauma centre in Brazil. All consecutive, hemodynamically stable, blunt trauma patients with grade IV hepatic injury, between 1996 and 2011, were analyzed. Demographics and baseline characteristics were recorded. Failure of nonoperative management was defined by the need for surgical intervention. Need for angioembolization and transfusions, in-hospital death, and complications were also assessed Eighteen patients with grade IV hepatic injury treated nonoperatively during the study period were included. The nonoperative treatment failed in only one patient (5.5%) who had refractory abdominal pain. However, no missed injuries and/or worsening of bleeding were observed during the operation. None of the patients died nor need angioembolization. No complications directly related to the liver were observed. Unrelated complications to the liver occurred in three patients (16.7%); one patient developed a tracheal stenosis (secondary to tracheal intubation); one had pleural effusion; and one developed an abscess in the pleural cavity. The hospital length of stay was on average 11.56 days. In our experience, nonoperative management of grade IV liver injury for stable blunt trauma patients is associated with high success rates without significant complications.

Abdominal injuries in a major Scandinavian trauma center – performance assessment over an 8 year period

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Introduction Damage control surgery and damage control resuscitation have reduced mortality in patients with severe abdominal injuries. The shift towards non-operative management in haemodynamically stable patients suffering blunt abdominal trauma has further contributed to the improved results. However, in many countries, low volume of trauma cases and limited exposure to trauma laparotomies constitute a threat to trauma competence. The aim of this study was to evaluate the institutional patient volume and performance for patients with abdominal injuries over an eight-year period. Methods Data from 955 consecutive trauma patients admitted in Oslo University Hospital Ulleval with abdominal injuries during the eight-year period 2002-2009 were retrospectively explored. A separate analysis was performed on all trauma patients undergoing laparotomy during the same period, whether abdominal injuries were identified or not. Variable life-adjusted display (VLAD) was used in order to describe risk-adjusted survival trends throughout the period and the patients admitted before (Period 1) and after (Period 2) the institution of a formal Trauma Service (2005) were compared. Results There was a steady increase in admitted patients with abdominal injuries, while the number of patients undergoing laparotomy was constant exposing the surgical trauma team leaders to an average of 8 trauma laparotomies per year. No increase in missed injuries or failures of non-operative management was detected. Unadjusted mortality rates decreased from period 1 to period 2 for all patients with abdominal injuries as well as for the patients undergoing laparotomy. However, this apparent decrease was not confirmed as significant in TRISS-based analysis of risk-adjusted mortality. VLAD demonstrated a steady performance throughout the study period. Conclusion Even in a high volume trauma center the exposure to abdominal injuries and trauma laparotomies is limited. Due to increasing NOM, an increasing number of patients with abdominal injuries was not accompanied by an increase in number of laparotomies. However, we have demonstrated a stable performance throughout the study period as visualized by VLAD without an increase in missed injuries or failures of NOM. PMID:25097664

Team-based simulations for new surgeons: Does early and often make a difference?

PubMed

AbdelFattah, Kareem R; Spalding, M Chance; Leshikar, David; Gardner, Aimee K

2018-04-01

Current work hour restrictions and the expansion of requirements for surgery residents has led to decreased time on high-acuity rotations such as trauma and acute care surgery. In an effort to improve resident competency, we examined the efficacy of a new team-based trauma curriculum for postgraduate year 1 (PGY1) residents. After completing required Advanced Trauma Life Support certification, PGY1s participated in a series of trauma simulations in 3-person teams from June to August. Scenarios were created to develop skills related to trauma management, teamwork, and communication. Each simulation was followed by video-based debriefing with a faculty facilitator. Clinical performance on a 1-month trauma rotation during the year was assessed by trauma faculty using a 24-item evaluation assessing management of acutely ill patients, leadership, communication, cooperation, and professionalism on a 1 (poor) to 5 (very effective) scale. Performance metrics of this intern class were compared with 2 years of previous cohorts who had not participated in any trauma-focused simulation curricula. One-way analysis of variance was used to examine differences in performance ratings across groups. The 2015 intern class (n = 30) each participated in 6 scenarios during their first 2 months in residency. Trauma as intended specialty and performance on preinternship Advanced Trauma Life Support course were similar across 2013, 2014, and 2015 cohorts. Average performance on the trauma rotation was 3.55 ± 0.56 for the 2013 cohort (n = 11), 3.50 ± 0.57 for the 2014 cohort (n = 11), and 4.35 ± 0.68 for the 2015 cohort (n = 12). Post hoc analyses indicated no difference between means of the 2013 and 2014 cohort. However, the mean of the 2015 cohort was statistically significantly better than both the 2013 cohort (P < .01) and the 2014 cohort (P < .01). Trauma-focused simulation improved PGY1 faculty ratings of performance in the clinical setting compared with previous cohorts with no such simulation experience. Adoption of these curricula is both feasible and beneficial. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Decision-support information system to manage mass casualty incidents at a level 1 trauma center.

PubMed

Bar-El, Yaron; Tzafrir, Sara; Tzipori, Idan; Utitz, Liora; Halberthal, Michael; Beyar, Rafael; Reisner, Shimon

2013-12-01

Mass casualty incidents are probably the greatest challenge to a hospital. When such an event occurs, hospitals are required to instantly switch from their routine activity to conditions of great uncertainty and confront needs that exceed resources. We describe an information system that was uniquely designed for managing mass casualty events. The web-based system is activated when a mass casualty event is declared; it displays relevant operating procedures, checklists, and a log book. The system automatically or semiautomatically initiates phone calls and public address announcements. It collects real-time data from computerized clinical and administrative systems in the hospital, and presents them to the managing team in a clear graphic display. It also generates periodic reports and summaries of available or scarce resources that are sent to predefined recipients. When the system was tested in a nationwide exercise, it proved to be an invaluable tool for informed decision making in demanding and overwhelming situations such as mass casualty events.

Severe hepatic trauma: nonoperative management, definitive repair, or damage control surgery?

PubMed

Leppäniemi, Ari K; Mentula, Panu J; Streng, Mari H; Koivikko, Mika P; Handolin, Lauri E

2011-12-01

Management of severe liver injuries has evolved to include the options for nonoperative management and damage control surgery. The present study analyzes the criteria for choosing between nonoperative management and early surgery, and definitive repair versus damage control strategy during early surgery. In a retrospective analysis of 144 patients with severe (AAST grade III-V) liver injuries (94% blunt trauma), early laparotomy was performed in 50 patients. Initial management was nonoperative in 94 blunt trauma patients with 8 failures. Uni- and multivariate analyses were used to calculate predictor odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Factors associated with early laparotomy in blunt trauma included shock on admission, associated grade IV-V splenic injury, grade IV-V head injury, and grade V liver injury. Only shock was an independent predictor (OR, 26.1; 95% CI, 8.9-77.1; P < 0.001). The presence of a grade IV-V splenic injury predicted damage control strategy (OR infinite; P = 0.021). Failed nonoperative management was associated with grade IV-V splenic injury (OR, 14.00; 95% CI, 1.67-117.55), and shock (OR, 6.82; 95% CI, 1.49-31.29). The hospital mortality rate was 15%; 8 of 21 deaths were liver-related. Shock (OR, 9.3; 95% CI, 2.4-35.8; P = 0.001) and severe head injury (OR, 9.25; 95% CI, 3.0-28.9; P = 0.000) were independent predictors for mortality. In patients with severe liver injury, associated severe splenic injury favors early laparotomy and damage control strategy. Patients who arrive in shock or have an associated severe splenic injury should not be managed nonoperatively. In addition to severe head injury, uncontrollable bleeding from the liver injury is still a major cause of early death.

[Surgical treatment of blunt liver trauma, indications for surgery and results].

PubMed

Morales Uribe, Carlos H; López, Carolina Arenas; Cote, Juan Camilo Correa; Franco, Sebastián Tobón; Saldarriaga, Maria Fernanda; Mosquera, Jackson; Villegas Lanau, María I

2014-01-01

The liver is the most frequently injured organ in blunt abdominal trauma. Patients that are hemodynamically unstable must undergo inmmediate surgical treatment. There are 2 surgical approaches for these patients; Anatomical Liver resection or non-anatomic liver resection. Around 80-90% of patients are candidates for non-operative management. -Several risk factors have been studied to select the patients most suited for a non operative management. We performed a retrospective study based on a prospective database. We searched for risk factors related to immediate surgical management and failed non-operative management. We also described the surgical procedures that were undertaken in this cohort of patients and their outcomes and complications. During the study period 117 patients presented with blunt liver trauma. 19 patients (16.2%) required a laparotomy during the initial 24h after their admission. There were 11 deaths (58%) amongst these patients. Peri-hepatic packing and suturing were the most common procedures performed. A RTS Score<7.8 (RR: 7.3; IC 95%: 1.8-30.1), and ISS Score >20 (RR 2,5 IC 95%: 1.0-6.7), and associated intra-abdominal injuries (RR: 2.95; IC 95%: 1.25-6.92) were risk factors for immediate surgery. In 98 (83.7%) patients a non-operative management was performed. 7 patients had a failed non-operative management. The need for immediate surgical management is related to the presence of associated intra-abdominal injuries, and the ISS and RTS scores. In this series the most frequently performed procedure for blunt liver trauma was peri-hepatic packing. Copyright © 2013 AEC. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.

Training in paediatric trauma: the problem of safer societies.

PubMed

Hamill, James; Beasley, Spencer W

2006-07-01

Trauma remains the most common cause of child death worldwide but the incidence of major trauma is declining in many developed countries: this has implications for training. A survey of paediatric surgeons and paediatric surgical trainees was undertaken to evaluate perceptions of the relative importance of various forms of trauma training. A questionnaire was e-mailed to Australasian paediatric surgeons and trainees to determine trauma courses they had undertaken, operative and non-operative paediatric trauma experience and attitudes towards trauma training. The overall response rate was 49% (40 of 83 consultants and 11 of 22 trainees). The Early Management of Severe Trauma course had been undertaken by 82% of consultants and all trainees. The Definitive Surgical Trauma Care course had been undertaken by 22% of consultants and one trainee. The number of trauma laparotomies carried out in the previous year was in the one to five range for 71% of responders. Greater emphasis was placed on the value of adult trauma experience by consultants who had a general surgical fellowship. In societies where major trauma in children is relatively rare (fortunately) and the opportunities for training are limited, it is important to ensure that advanced trainees in paediatric surgery gain sufficient skills from a variety of sources to enable them to treat competently the severely injured child with multiple injuries.

Impact of concomitant trauma in the management of blunt splenic injuries.

PubMed

Lo, Albert; Matheson, Anne-Marie; Adams, Dave

2004-09-10

Conservative management of isolated blunt splenic injuries has become widely accepted for haemodynamically stable patients, but may be untenable in those with multiple injuries. A retrospective review was performed to evaluate of our cumulative experience with non-operative management of splenic injuries, and to identify the risk factors for operative management. Eighty patients were identified. Demographics, mechanism of injury, injury severity score (ISS), clinical signs at presentation, utility of computed tomography scans and methods of treatment (operative management vs conservative management) were documented and statistically analysed to identify predictors for operative management. Initially, 45 patients (56%) were managed without operation, while 35 patients underwent urgent laparotomy - with 26 (74% in operative group) of these having splenectomy performed. Two patients (out of 45) failed conservative management and required delayed splenectomy, a 96% success rate for intended conservative management. Thus, overall rates of 54% non-operative management and 65% splenic conservation were achieved. The mean ISS of the operative management group (ISS=30) was higher than that of the non-operative treatment group (ISS=13, p<0.05), reflecting not only the grade of the splenic injury but also the severity of concomitant trauma. Risk factors for patients with blunt splenic injuries requiring operative management include ISS > or =16, hypotension, GCS < or =13, and requirement for blood transfusion (p<0.05). Appropriate patient selection is the most important element of non-operative management. Patients with splenic injuries who are haemodynamically stable can be managed non-operatively with acceptable outcome. However, in the presence of concomitant trauma, there is an increasing trend towards operative management.

Using Trauma and Injury Severity Score (TRISS)-based analysis in the development of regional risk adjustment tools to trend quality in a voluntary trauma system: the experience of the Trauma Foundation of Northeast Ohio.

PubMed

Mancuso, C; Barnoski, A; Tinnell, C; Fallon, W

2000-04-01

Presently, no trauma system exists in Ohio. Since 1993, all hospitals in Cuyahoga County (CUY), northeast Ohio (n = 22) provide data to a trauma registry. In return, each received hospital-specific data, comparison data by trauma care level and a county-wide aggregate summary. This report describes the results of this approach in our region. All cases were entered by paper abstract or electronic download. Interrater reliability audits and z score analysis was performed by using the Major Trauma Outcome Study and the CUY 1994 baseline groups. Risk adjustment of mortality data was performed using statistical modeling and logistic regression (Trauma and Injury Severity Score, Major Trauma Outcome Study, CUY). Trauma severity measures were defined. In 1995, 3,375 patients were entered. Two hundred ninety-one died (8.6%). Severity measures differed by level of trauma care, indicating differences in case mix. Probability of survival was lowest in the Level I centers, highest in the acute care hospitals. Outcomes z scores demonstrated survival differences for all levels. In a functioning trauma system, the most severely injured patients should be cared for at the trauma centers. A low volume at acute care hospitals is desirable. By using Trauma and Injury Severity Score with community-specific constants, NE Ohio is accomplishing these goals. The Level I performance data are an interesting finding compared with the data from the Level II centers in the region

Chest trauma experience over eleven-year period at al-mouassat university teaching hospital-Damascus: a retrospective review of 888 cases

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Thoracic trauma is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in developing countries. In this study, we present our 11-year experience in the management and clinical outcome of 888 chest trauma cases as a result of blunt and penetrating injuries in our university hospital in Damascus, Syria. Methods We reviewed files of 888 consequent cases of chest trauma between January 2000 and January 2011. The mean age of our patients was 31 ± 17 years mostly males with blunt injuries. Patients were evaluated and compared according to age, gender, etiology of trauma, thoracic and extra-thoracic injuries, complications, and mortality. Results The leading cause of the trauma was violence (41%) followed by traffic accidents (33%). Pneumothorax (51%), Hemothorax (38%), rib fractures (34%), and lung contusion (15%) were the most common types of injury. Associated injuries were documented in 36% of patients (extremities 19%, abdomen 13%, head 8%). A minority of the patients required thoracotomy (5.7%), and tube thoracostomy (56%) was sufficient to manage the majority of cases. Mean hospital LOS was 4.5 ± 4.6 days. The overall mortoality rate was 1.8%, and morbidity (n = 78, 8.7%). Conclusions New traffic laws (including seat belt enforcement) reduced incidence and severity of chest trauma in Syria. Violence was the most common cause of chest trauma rather than road traffic accidents in this series, this necessitates epidemiologic or multi-institutional studies to know to which degree violence contributes to chest trauma in Syria. The number of fractured ribs can be used as simple indicator of the severity of trauma. And we believe that significant neurotrauma, traffic accidents, hemodynamic status and GCS upon arrival, ICU admission, ventilator use, and complication of therapy are predictors of dismal prognosis. PMID:22515842

Penetrating and blunt trauma to the neck: clinical presentation, assessment and emergency management.

PubMed

Perdonck, P; de Schoutheets, J C; Monsieurs, K G; Van Laer, C; Vander Poorten, V; Vanderveken, O

Penetrating and blunt trauma to the neck: clinical presentation, assessment ana emergency management. In Belgium, and even in Western Europe, penetrating and blunt injury to the neck is relatively uncommon in both the civilian and military populations. Pre-hospital and emergency assessment and management will therefore always prove challenging, as individual exposure to this specific type of injury remains low. Historically, the neck has been divided into three anatomical zones with specific landmarks to guide the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to penetrating neck injuries. Most penetrating injuries need to be explored surgically, although with the advent of multi-detector computed tomographic angiography (MDCTA), which yields high diagnostic sensitivity, this inflexible approach has recently changed to a more targeted management, based on clinical, radiographic and, if deemed necessary, endoscopic findings. However, some authors have addressed their concern about this novel, 'no-zone' approach, since the risk of missing less apparent aerodigestive tract injuries may increase. It is recommended, therefore, that all patients with penetrating neck injuries be closely observed, irrespective of the initial findings. The incidence of blunt neck injury is much lower, and this makes risk assessment and management even more difficult in comparison with penetrating injuries. Again, MDCTA is most often the first diagnostic tool if a blunt neck injury is suspected, due to its good sensitivity for blunt cerebrovascular injuries (BCVI) as well as for aerodigestive tract injuries. Specific patterns of injury and unexpected neurological and neuro-radiological findings in trauma patients should always warrant further investigation. Despite ongoing debate, systemic anticoagulation is recommended for most BCVI, sometimes combined with endovascular treatment. Aerodigestive tract injuries may present dramatically, but are often more subtle, making the diagnosis more difficult than other types of neck injuries. Treatment may be conservative if damage is minimal, but surgery is warranted in all other cases.

Office management of mild head injury in children and adolescents.

PubMed

Garcia-Rodriguez, Juan Antonio; Thomas, Roger E

2014-06-01

To provide family physicians with updated, practical, evidence-based information about mild head injury (MHI) and concussion in the pediatric population. MEDLINE (1950 to February 2013), the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2005 to 2013), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (2005 to 2013), and DARE (2005 to 2013) were searched using terms relevant to concussion and head trauma. Guidelines, position statements, articles, and original research relevant to MHI were selected. Trauma is the main cause of death in children older than 1 year of age, and within this group head trauma is the leading cause of disability and death. Nine percent of reported athletic injuries in high school students involve MHI. Family physicians need to take a focused history, perform physical and neurologic examinations, use standardized evaluation instruments (Glasgow Coma Scale; the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool, version 3; the child version of the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool; and the Balance Error Scoring System), instruct parents how to monitor their children, decide when caregivers are not an appropriately responsible resource, follow up with patients promptly, guide a safe return to play and to learning, and decide when neuropsychological testing for longer-term follow-up is required. A thorough history, physical and neurologic assessment, the use of validated tools to provide an objective framework, and periodic follow-up are the basis of family physician management of pediatric MHI. Copyright© the College of Family Physicians of Canada.

Gastroduodenal artery aneurysm - A rare complication of traumatic pancreatic injury.

PubMed

Babu, Annu; Rattan, Amulya; Singhal, Maneesh; Gupta, Amit; Kumar, Subodh

2016-12-01

Aneurysm of gastroduodenal artery (GDA) is rare. Most reported cases are due to pancreatitis and atherosclerosis; however, those following pancreatic trauma have not been reported. We encoun- tered GDA aneurysm in a patient of blunt abdominal trauma, who had pancreatic contusion and retroduodenal air on contrast enhanced computed tomography of abdomen. Emergency laparotomy for suspected duodenal injury revealed duodenal wall and pancreatic head contusion, mild hemo- peritoneum and no evidence of duodenal perforation. In the postoperative period, the patient developed upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage on day 5. Repeat imaging revealed GDA aneurysm, which was managed successfully by angioembolization. This case highlights, one, delayed presen- tation of GDA aneurysm after blunt pancreatic trauma and two, its successful management using endovascular technique.

Variation in treatment of blunt splenic injury in Dutch academic trauma centers.

PubMed

Olthof, Dominique C; Luitse, Jan S K; de Rooij, Philippe P; Leenen, Loek P H; Wendt, Klaus W; Bloemers, Frank W; Goslings, J Carel

2015-03-01

The incidence of splenectomy after trauma is institutionally dependent and varies from 18% to as much as 40%. This is important because variation in management influences splenic salvage. The aim of this study was to investigate whether differences exist between Dutch level 1 trauma centers with respect to the treatment of these injuries, and if variation in treatment was related to splenic salvage, spleen-related reinterventions, and mortality. Consecutive adult patients who were admitted between January 2009 and December 2012 to five academic level 1 trauma centers were identified. Multinomial logistic regression was used to measure the influence of hospital on treatment strategy, controlling for hemodynamic instability on admission, high grade (American Association for the Surgery of Trauma 3-5) splenic injury, and injury severity score. Binary logistic regression was used to quantify differences among hospitals in splenic salvage rate. A total of 253 patients were included: 149 (59%) were observed, 57 (23%) were treated with splenic artery embolization and 47 (19%) were operated. The observation rate was comparable in all hospitals. Splenic artery embolization and surgery rates varied from 9%-32% and 8%-28%, respectively. After adjustment, the odds of operative management were significantly higher in one hospital compared with the reference hospital (adjusted odds ratio 4.98 [1.02-24.44]). The odds of splenic salvage were significantly lower in another hospital compared with the reference hospital (adjusted odds ratio 0.20 [0.03-1.32]). Although observation rates were comparable among the academic trauma centers, embolization and surgery rates varied. A nearly 5-fold increase in the odds of operative management was observed in one hospital, and another hospital had significantly lower odds of splenic salvage. The development of a national guideline is recommended to minimalize splenectomy after trauma. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Influence of socioeconomic status on trauma center performance evaluations in a Canadian trauma system.

PubMed

Moore, Lynne; Turgeon, Alexis F; Sirois, Marie-Josée; Murat, Valérie; Lavoie, André

2011-09-01

Trauma center performance evaluations generally include adjustment for injury severity, age, and comorbidity. However, disparities across trauma centers may be due to other differences in source populations that are not accounted for, such as socioeconomic status (SES). We aimed to evaluate whether SES influences trauma center performance evaluations in an inclusive trauma system with universal access to health care. The study was based on data collected between 1999 and 2006 in a Canadian trauma system. Patient SES was quantified using an ecologic index of social and material deprivation. Performance evaluations were based on mortality adjusted using the Trauma Risk Adjustment Model. Agreement between performance results with and without additional adjustment for SES was evaluated with correlation coefficients. The study sample comprised a total of 71,784 patients from 48 trauma centers, including 3,828 deaths within 30 days (4.5%) and 5,549 deaths within 6 months (7.7%). The proportion of patients in the highest quintile of social and material deprivation varied from 3% to 43% and from 11% to 90% across hospitals, respectively. The correlation between performance results with or without adjustment for SES was almost perfect (r = 0.997; 95% CI 0.995-0.998) and the same hospital outliers were identified. We observed an important variation in SES across trauma centers but no change in risk-adjusted mortality estimates when SES was added to adjustment models. Results suggest that after adjustment for injury severity, age, comorbidity, and transfer status, disparities in SES across trauma center source populations do not influence trauma center performance evaluations in a system offering universal health coverage. Copyright © 2011 American College of Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Awareness in Primary School Teachers regarding Traumatic Dental Injuries in Children and Their Emergency Management: A Survey in South Jaipur.

PubMed

Nirwan, Mitakshara; Syed, Ather Ahmed; Chaturvedi, Shefali; Goenka, Puneet; Sharma, Swati

2016-01-01

Trauma to primary and permanent teeth and their supporting structures is one of the most common dental problems seen in children. The prognosis of traumatized teeth depends on timely attention with prompt and appropriate treatment, which often relies on knowledge of the teachers who may be present at the place of accidents. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate via a questionnaire the knowledge level of primary school teachers in South Jaipur regarding dental trauma. Questionnaire survey. A self-designed questionnaire was administered to 300 primary school teachers from 20 randomly selected private and semi-aided schools of South Jaipur. A total of 278 teachers responded to the survey. The collected data were subjected to statistical analysis. It was found that most of the respondents had accepted poor knowledge regarding dental trauma, with a mean knowledge of 10.56 ± 2.58. This study highlighted inadequate knowledge regarding emergency management of traumatic dental injuries, and teachers felt the need for training in the management of dental trauma as part of their training program. How to cite this article: Nirwan M, Syed AA, Chaturvedi S, Goenka P, Sharma S. Awareness in Primary School Teachers regarding Traumatic Dental Injuries in Children and Their Emergency Management: A Survey in South Jaipur. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2016;9(1):62-66.

Effectiveness of Educational Poster on Knowledge of Emergency Management of Dental Trauma–Part 1. Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial for Primary and Secondary School Teachers

PubMed Central

Young, Cecilia; Wong, Kin Yau; Cheung, Lim K.

2013-01-01

Objective To investigate the effectiveness of educational posters in improving the knowledge level of primary and secondary school teachers regarding emergency management of dental trauma. Methods A cluster randomised controlled trial was conducted. 32 schools with a total of 515 teachers were randomised into intervention (poster) and control groups at the school level. Teachers’ baseline levels of knowledge about dental trauma were obtained by using a questionnaire. Posters containing information on dental trauma management were displayed in the school medical room, the common room used by staff, and on a notice board for 2 weeks in each school of the intervention group; in the control group, no posters were displayed. Teachers in both groups completed the questionnaire after 2 weeks. Results The teachers in the intervention schools (where posters were displayed for 2 weeks) showed statistically significant improvement in scores in cases where they had not previously learned about dental emergencies from sources other than first aid training, with an average score increase of 2.6656 (score range of questionnaire, −13 to 9; p-value <0.0001). Conclusion Educational posters on the management of dental trauma can significantly improve the level of knowledge of primary and secondary school teachers in Hong Kong. KClinicalTrials.com HKCTR-1307 ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01707355 PMID:24147154

Risk Factors for Venous Thromboembolism in Pediatric Trauma Patients and Validation of a Novel Scoring System: The Risk of Clots in Kids with Trauma (ROCKIT score)

PubMed Central

Yen, Jennifer; Van Arendonk, Kyle J.; Streiff, Michael B.; McNamara, LeAnn; Stewart, F. Dylan; Conner G, Kim G; Thompson, Richard E.; Haut, Elliott R.; Takemoto, Clifford M.

2017-01-01

OBJECTIVES Identify risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE) and develop a VTE risk assessment model for pediatric trauma patients. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS We performed a retrospective review of patients 21 years and younger who were hospitalized following traumatic injuries at the John Hopkins level 1 adult and pediatric trauma center (1987-2011). The clinical characteristics of patients with and without VTE were compared, and multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent risk factors for VTE. Weighted risk assessment scoring systems were developed based on these and previously identified factors from patients in the National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB 2008-2010); the scoring systems were validated in this cohort from Johns Hopkins as well as a cohort of pediatric admissions from the NTDB (2011-2012). MAIN RESULTS Forty-nine of 17,366 pediatric trauma patients (0.28%) were diagnosed with VTE after admission to our trauma center. After adjusting for potential confounders, VTE was independently associated with older age, surgery, blood transfusion, higher Injury Severity Score (ISS), and lower Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score. These and additional factors were identified in 402,329 pediatric patients from the NTDB from 2008-2010; independent risk factors from the logistic regression analysis of this NTDB cohort were selected and incorporated into weighted risk assessment scoring systems. Two models were developed and were cross-validated in 2 separate pediatric trauma cohorts: 1) 282,535 patients in the NTDB from 2011 to 2012 2) 17,366 patients from Johns Hopkins. The receiver operator curve using these models in the validation cohorts had area under the curves that ranged 90% to 94%. CONCLUSIONS VTE is infrequent after trauma in pediatric patients. We developed weighted scoring systems to stratify pediatric trauma patients at risk for VTE. These systems may have potential to guide risk-appropriate VTE prophylaxis in children after trauma. PMID:26963757

Workplace disaster preparedness and response: the employee assistance program continuum of services.

PubMed

Paul, Jan; Blum, Dorothy

2005-01-01

Response programs for workplace critical and traumatic events are becoming an acknowledged and sought after standard of care. The current trauma literature recognizes what goes on in the workplace between the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and management. The authors have taken this intra-organizational relationship, assimilated the information, and developed a model that recognizes and supports management throughout the continuum of response to workplace traumatic events. The model recognizes the EAP as an important workplace resource and tool in management's ability to strike the balance of managing the workforce while assisting in recovery following workplace trauma. The introduced concept defines the continuum and highlights the before, during, and after phases, showing how EAP supports management in most effectively doing their job.

Trauma center staffing, infrastructure, and patient characteristics that influence trauma center need.

PubMed

Faul, Mark; Sasser, Scott M; Lairet, Julio; Mould-Millman, Nee-Kofi; Sugerman, David

2015-01-01

The most effective use of trauma center resources helps reduce morbidity and mortality, while saving costs. Identifying critical infrastructure characteristics, patient characteristics and staffing components of a trauma center associated with the proportion of patients needing major trauma care will help planners create better systems for patient care. We used the 2009 National Trauma Data Bank-Research Dataset to determine the proportion of critically injured patients requiring the resources of a trauma center within each Level I-IV trauma center (n=443). The outcome variable was defined as the portion of treated patients who were critically injured. We defined the need for critical trauma resources and interventions ("trauma center need") as death prior to hospital discharge, admission to the intensive care unit, or admission to the operating room from the emergency department as a result of acute traumatic injury. Generalized Linear Modeling (GLM) was used to determine how hospital infrastructure, staffing Levels, and patient characteristics contributed to trauma center need. Nonprofit Level I and II trauma centers were significantly associated with higher levels of trauma center need. Trauma centers that had a higher percentage of transferred patients or a lower percentage of insured patients were associated with a higher proportion of trauma center need. Hospital infrastructure characteristics, such as bed capacity and intensive care unit capacity, were not associated with trauma center need. A GLM for Level III and IV trauma centers showed that the number of trauma surgeons on staff was associated with trauma center need. Because the proportion of trauma center need is predominantly influenced by hospital type, transfer frequency, and insurance status, it is important for administrators to consider patient population characteristics of the catchment area when planning the construction of new trauma centers or when coordinating care within state or regional trauma systems.

Knowledge of the management of paediatric dental traumas by non-dental professionals in emergency rooms in South Araucanía, Temuco, Chile.

PubMed

Díaz, Jaime; Bustos, Luís; Herrera, Samira; Sepulveda, Jaqueline

2009-12-01

The objective of this study was to investigate the level of knowledge and attitudes regarding first aid for dental trauma in children (TDI) by non-dental professionals and paramedical technicians of hospital emergency rooms in the South Araucanía Health Service, Chile, which was attained through application of a survey. Samples were collected from people with occupations in the respective emergency rooms. The participants were 82 people that were interviewed using a questionnaire regarding management of dental trauma. Paramedic technicians, general and specialist doctors, and nurses were included in this survey. The appraisal covered diverse aspects: birth date, age, sex, years of experience in the emergency room, and questions regarding specific dental trauma topics, which focused on crown fractures, luxation injuries in permanent dentition, avulsion in primary and permanent teeth, and the respective emergency treatments. Of the participants, 78.1% reported to have been presented with a TDI patient. The majority (90.2%) had not received formal training on TDI. These results revealed a wide distribution of responses. The overall dental trauma knowledge among the participants was relatively poor. For crown fractures management 54.9% indicated that they would ask the affected child about the crown remnants. In regard to transport and storage medium of avulsed permanent teeth, only 9.8% of the participants answered correctly and 43.9% of respondents stated that they would not replant an avulsed permanent tooth, since that procedure is considered the responsibility of a dentist. The majority of the respondents were not knowledgeable regarding TDI or the management and benefits of timely care, particularly in cases of avulsed permanent teeth. Therefore, formal education and training on the topic is suggested during undergraduate studies.

Isolated free intra-abdominal fluid on CT in blunt trauma: The continued diagnostic dilemma.

PubMed

Kong, Victor Y; Jeetoo, Damon; Naidoo, Leah C; Oosthuizen, George V; Clarke, Damian L

2015-01-01

The clinical significance of isolated free fluid (FF) without solid organ injury on computed to- mography (CT) continues to pose significant dilemma in the management of patients with blunt abdominal trauma (BAT). We reviewed the incidence of FF and the clinical outcome amongst patients with blunt abdominal trauma in a metropolitan trauma service in South Africa. We performed a retrospective study of 121 consecutive CT scans over a period of 12 months to determine the incidence of isolated FF and the clinical outcome of patients managed in a large metropolitan trauma service. Of the 121 CTs, FF was identified in 36 patients (30%). Seven patients (6%) had isolated FF. Of the 29 patients who had free fluid and associated organ injuries, 33 organ injuries were identified. 86% (25/ 29) of all 29 patients had a single organ injury and 14% had multiple organ injuries. There were 26 solid organ injuries and 7 hollow organ injuries. The 33 organs injured were: spleen, 12; liver, 8; kidney, 5; pancreas, 2; small bowel, 4; duodenum, 1. Six (21%) patients required operative management for small bowel perforations in 4 cases and pancreatic tail injury in 2 cases. All 7 patients with isolated FF were initially observed, and 3 (43%) were eventually subjected to operative intervention. They were found to have an intra-peritoneal bladder rupture in 1 case, a non-expanding zone 3 haematoma in 1 case, and a negative laparotomy in 1 case. Four (57%) patients were successfully managed without surgical interventions. Isolated FF is uncommon and the clinical significance remains unclear. Provided that reli- able serial physical examination can be performed by experienced surgeons, an initial non-operative approach should be considered.

Rural and urban distribution of trauma incidents in Scotland.

PubMed

Morrison, J J; McConnell, N J; Orman, J A; Egan, G; Jansen, J O

2013-02-01

Trauma systems reduce mortality and improve functional outcomes from injury. Regional trauma networks have been established in several European regions to address longstanding deficiencies in trauma care. A perception of the geography and population distribution as challenging has delayed the introduction of a trauma system in Scotland. The characteristics of trauma incidents attended by the Scottish Ambulance Service were analysed, to gain a better understanding of the geospatial characteristics of trauma in Scotland. Data on trauma incidents collected by the Scottish Ambulance Service between November 2008 and October 2010 were obtained. Incident location was analysed by health board region, rurality and social deprivation. The results are presented as number of patients, average annual incidence rates and relative risks. Of the 141,668 incidents identified, 72·1 per cent occurred in urban regions. The risk of being involved in an incident was similar across the most populous regions, and decreased slightly with increasing rurality. Social deprivation was associated with greater numbers and risk. A total of 53·1 per cent of patients were taken to a large general hospital, and 38·6 per cent to a teaching hospital; the distribution was similar for the subset of incidents involving patients with physiological derangements. The majority of trauma incidents in Scotland occur in urban and deprived areas. A regionalized system of trauma care appears plausible, although the precise configuration of such a system requires further study. Copyright © 2012 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Improving outcome of trauma patients by implementing patient blood management.

PubMed

Füllenbach, Christoph; Zacharowski, Kai; Meybohm, Patrick

2017-04-01

Patient blood management aims to improve patient outcome and safety by reducing the number of unnecessary red blood cell transfusions and vitalizing patient-specific anemia reserves. While this is increasingly recognized as best clinical practice in elective surgery, the implementation in the setting of trauma is restrained because of typically nonelective (emergency) surgery and, in specific circumstances, allogeneic blood transfusions as life-saving therapy. Viscoelastic diagnostics allow a precise identification of trauma-induced coagulopathy. A coagulation factor concentrate-based therapy is increasingly recognized as a fast and effective concept to correct coagulopathy and minimize blood loss. Using smaller tubes has a great potential to reduce the severity of phlebotomy-induced anemia. Washed cell salvage may reduce the number of allogeneic blood transfusions. Intravenous iron (with or without erythropoietin) may result in an increase of hemoglobin levels and reduced red blood cell transfusion requirements. Although a restrictive transfusion strategy is recommended in general, a target hemoglobin level of 7-9 g/dl is recommended in acute bleeding patients. In the setting of trauma, options to avoid unnecessary blood loss and reduce blood transfusion are manifold. These are likely to improve safety and outcome of trauma patients while potentially reducing therapeutic costs.

Injury and violence in Los Angeles. Impact on access to health care and surgical education.

PubMed

Fleming, A W; Sterling-Scott, R P; Carabello, G; Imari-Williams, I; Allmond, B; Foster, R S; Kennedy, F; Shoemaker, W C

1992-06-01

The Los Angeles County (California) Trauma Hospital System was designed to ensure that all patients requiring specialized trauma care would be transported directly to a trauma center using established trauma triage criteria. The designation and implementation of all level 1, 2, and 3 (rural) trauma centers were completed between October 1983 and July 1985. However, by February 1, 1985, one level 2 trauma center withdrew, and nine other level 2 and 3 trauma centers followed suit over the next few months and years. The reasons for closure of these 10 trauma centers were almost exclusively related to economic factors. The major impact of trauma center closure on surgical educational programs at the Drew University of Medicine and Science and the Martin Luther King, Jr/Charles R. Drew Medical Center have been additive and cumulative. The high volume of patients with trauma has been cited, sometimes correctly and sometimes incorrectly, as the primary reason for a lack of access to health care for patients without trauma. We have developed a blueprint for survival that, when fully implemented, will improve access to health care for all residents in our catchment area and optimize surgical education. While the Los Angeles County Trauma Hospital System has had many difficulties during the last 9 years, the population it serves is greater than that in 42 states in the United States. The experiences gained in Los Angeles County may be beneficial to statewide systems in the United States and in countries of comparable size.

The French initiated FESUM - historical development, experience and perspectives.

PubMed

Dubert, T; Merle, M

2013-12-01

FESUM is an association dedicated to management, research and education of hand trauma. Created by surgeons in 1979, it is now accepted by the national and regional health administrations. The first goal of FESUM is to apply strict guidelines for specialized hand trauma centers. These guidelines are verified on site by 2 FESUM surgeons, and re-checked every 3 years. Patients are selected to be directed to the FESUM cen-ters following very simple recommendations: every severe trauma must be addressed to and accepted by FESUM centers, 24/7. Seemingly less severe lesions such as deep palmar lacerations must also be systematically explored in FESUM centers to ensure patients have the best opportunity for treatment. Prevention is also a very important part of FESUM activities. The FESUM prevention campaigns are currently focused more specifically on daily life trauma, that represents 2/3 of the total injuries and is very poorly managed by authorities. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Prehospital management and fluid resuscitation in hypotensive trauma patients admitted to Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm.

PubMed

Talving, Peep; Pålstedt, Joakim; Riddez, Louis

2005-01-01

Few previous studies have been conducted on the prehospital management of hypotensive trauma patients in Stockholm County. The aim of this study was to describe the prehospital management of hypotensive trauma patients admitted to the largest trauma center in Sweden, and to assess whether prehospital trauma life support (PHTLS) guidelines have been implemented regarding prehospital time intervals and fluid therapy. In addition, the effects of the age, type of injury, injury severity, prehospital time interval, blood pressure, and fluid therapy on outcome were investigated. This is a retrospective, descriptive study on consecutive, hypotensive trauma patients (systolic blood pressure < or = 90 mmHg on the scene of injury) admitted to Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm, Sweden, during 2001-2003. The reported values are medians with interquartile ranges. Basic demographics, prehospital time intervals and interventions, injury severity scores (ISS), type and volumes of prehospital fluid resuscitation, and 30-day mortality were abstracted. The effects of the patient's age, gender, prehospital time interval, type of injury, injury severity, on-scene and emergency department blood pressure, and resuscitation fluid volumes on mortality were analyzed using the exact logistic regression model. In 102 (71 male) adult patients (age > or = 15 years) recruited, the median age was 35.5 years (range: 27-55 years) and 77 patients (75%) had suffered blunt injury. The predominant trauma mechanisms were falls between levels (24%) and motor vehicle crashes (22%) with an ISS of 28.5 (range: 16-50). The on-scene time interval was 19 minutes (range: 12-24 minutes). Fluid therapy was initiated at the scene of injury in the majority of patients (73%) regardless of the type of injury (77 blunt [75%] / 25 penetrating [25%]) or injury severity (ISS: 0-20; 21-40; 41-75). Age (odds ratio (OR) = 1.04), male gender (OR = 3.2), ISS 21-40 (OR = 13.6), and ISS >40 (OR = 43.6) were the significant factors affecting outcome in the exact logistic regression analysis. The time interval at the scene of injury exceeded PHTLS guidelines. The vast majority of the hypotensive trauma patients were fluid-resuscitated on-scene regardless of the type, mechanism, or severity of injury. A predefined fluid resuscitation regimen is not employed in hypotensive trauma victims with different types of injuries. The outcome was worsened by male gender, progressive age, and ISS > 20 in the exact multiple regression analysis.

A Hybrid Web-Based and In-Person Self-Management Intervention to Prevent Acute to Chronic Pain Transition After Major Lower Extremity Trauma (iPACT-E-Trauma): Protocol for a Pilot Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

Background Acute pain frequently transitions to chronic pain after major lower extremity trauma (ET). Several modifiable psychological risk and protective factors have been found to contribute to, or prevent, chronic pain development. Some empirical evidence has shown that interventions, including cognitive and behavioral strategies that promote pain self-management, could prevent chronic pain. However, the efficacy of such interventions has never been demonstrated in ET patients. We have designed a self-management intervention to prevent acute to chronic pain transition after major lower extremity trauma (iPACT-E-Trauma). Objective This pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) aims to evaluate the feasibility and research methods of the intervention, as well as the potential effects of iPACT-E-Trauma, on pain intensity and pain interference with daily activities. Methods A 2-arm single-blind pilot RCT will be conducted. Participants will receive the iPACT-E-Trauma intervention (experimental group) or an educational pamphlet (control group) combined with usual care. Data will be collected at baseline, during iPACT-E-Trauma delivery, as well as at 3 and 6 months post-injury. Primary outcomes are pain intensity and pain interference with daily living activities at 6 months post-injury. Secondary outcomes are pain self-efficacy, pain acceptance, pain catastrophizing, pain-related fear, anxiety and depression symptoms, health care service utilization, and return to work. Results Fifty-three patients were recruited at the time of manuscript preparation. Comprehensive data analyses will be initiated in July 2017. Study results are expected to be available in 2018. Conclusions Chronic pain is an important problem after major lower ET. However, no preventive intervention has yet been successfully proven in these patients. This study will focus on developing a feasible intervention to prevent acute to chronic pain transition in the context of ET. Findings will allow for the refinement of iPACT-E-Trauma and methodological parameters in prevision of a full-scale multi-site RCT. Trial Registration International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN): 91987302; http://www.controlled-trials.com/ISRCTN91987302 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6rR8G2vMs) PMID:28652226

Effects on mortality, treatment, and time management as a result of routine use of total body computed tomography in blunt high-energy trauma patients.

PubMed

van Vugt, Raoul; Kool, Digna R; Deunk, Jaap; Edwards, Michael J R

2012-03-01

Currently, total body computed tomography (TBCT) is rapidly implemented in the evaluation of trauma patients. With this review, we aim to evaluate the clinical implications-mortality, change in treatment, and time management-of the routine use of TBCT in adult blunt high-energy trauma patients compared with a conservative approach with the use of conventional radiography, ultrasound, and selective computed tomography. A literature search for original studies on TBCT in blunt high-energy trauma patients was performed. Two independent observers included studies concerning mortality, change of treatment, and/or time management as outcome measures. For each article, relevant data were extracted and analyzed. In addition, the quality according to the Oxford levels of evidence was assessed. From 183 articles initially identified, the observers included nine original studies in consensus. One of three studies described a significant difference in mortality; four described a change of treatment in 2% to 27% of patients because of the use of TBCT. Five studies found a gain in time with the use of immediate routine TBCT. Eight studies scored a level of evidence of 2b and one of 3b. Current literature has predominantly suboptimal design to prove terminally that the routine use of TBCT results in improved survival of blunt high-energy trauma patients. TBCT can give a change of treatment and improves time intervals in the emergency department as compared with its selective use.

[Trauma network of the German Association of Trauma Surgery (DGU). Establishment, organization, and quality assurance of a regional trauma network of the DGU].

PubMed

Ruchholtz, S; Kühne, C A; Siebert, H

2007-04-01

The quality of care in Germany for seriously injured patients varies greatly in individual hospitals due to geographic variations among States and differences in resource allocation and treatment concepts. To assure and enhance treatment quality it seems sensible to establish a structured, quality assured network of clinics, which participate in the management of seriously injured patients according to different specified assignments. The conditions necessary for this type of network on a regional scale and for the clinics charged with the care of the seriously injured were summarized in the White Paper entitled "Management of the Seriously Injured-Recommendations for the Structure and Organization of Facilities in Germany for the Treatment of Seriously Injured Persons." The goal of this action is to ensure that every seriously injured person in Germany receives the best possible round-the-clock care in adherence to standardized quality criteria. This requires specialized expertise and the willingness of all involved parties-care providers, cost bearers, and hospital owners-to cooperate in further improving existing treatment concepts. As a logical consequence of long years of experience and scientific knowledge, the German Association of Trauma Surgery has developed a concept for establishing a regional trauma network of clinics, adapted to local conditions, for management of seriously injured patients. The participating facilities assume different responsibilities in the network depending on their equipment and structure. This article describes the individual steps toward establishing and organizing a network.

Critical care considerations in the management of the trauma patient following initial resuscitation

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Care of the polytrauma patient does not end in the operating room or resuscitation bay. The patient presenting to the intensive care unit following initial resuscitation and damage control surgery may be far from stable with ongoing hemorrhage, resuscitation needs, and injuries still requiring definitive repair. The intensive care physician must understand the respiratory, cardiovascular, metabolic, and immunologic consequences of trauma resuscitation and massive transfusion in order to evaluate and adjust the ongoing resuscitative needs of the patient and address potential complications. In this review, we address ongoing resuscitation in the intensive care unit along with potential complications in the trauma patient after initial resuscitation. Complications such as abdominal compartment syndrome, transfusion related patterns of acute lung injury and metabolic consequences subsequent to post-trauma resuscitation are presented. Methods A non-systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews up to May 2012. Results and conclusion Polytrauma patients with severe shock from hemorrhage and massive tissue injury present major challenges for management and resuscitation in the intensive care setting. Many of the current recommendations for “damage control resuscitation” including the use of fixed ratios in the treatment of trauma induced coagulopathy remain controversial. A lack of large, randomized, controlled trials leaves most recommendations at the level of consensus, expert opinion. Ongoing trials and improvements in monitoring and resuscitation technologies will further influence how we manage these complex and challenging patients. PMID:22989116

Changing the surgical dogma in frontal sinus trauma: transnasal endoscopic repair.

PubMed

Grayson, Jessica W; Jeyarajan, Hari; Illing, Elisa A; Cho, Do-Yeon; Riley, Kristen O; Woodworth, Bradford A

2017-05-01

Management of frontal sinus trauma includes coronal or direct open approaches through skin incisions to either ablate or obliterate the frontal sinus for posterior table fractures and openly reduce/internally fixate fractured anterior tables. The objective of this prospective case-series study was to evaluate outcomes of frontal sinus anterior and posterior table trauma using endoscopic techniques. Prospective evaluation of patients undergoing surgery for frontal sinus fractures was performed. Data were collected regarding demographics, etiology, technique, operative site, length involving the posterior table, size of skull base defects, complications, and clinical follow-up. Forty-six patients (average age, 42 years) with frontal sinus fractures were treated using endoscopic techniques from 2008 to 2016. Mean follow-up was 26 (range, 0.5 to 79) months. Patients were treated primarily with a Draf IIb frontal sinusotomies. Draf III was used in 8 patients. Average fracture defect (length vs width) was 17.1 × 9.1 mm, and the average length involving the posterior table was 13.1 mm. Skull base defects were covered with either nasoseptal flaps or free tissue grafts. One individual required Draf IIb revision, but all sinuses were patent on final examination and all closed reductions of anterior table defects resulted in cosmetically acceptable outcomes. Frontal sinus trauma has traditionally been treated using open approaches. Our findings show that endoscopic management should become part of the management algorithm for frontal sinus trauma, which challenges current surgical dogma regarding mandatory open approaches. © 2017 ARS-AAOA, LLC.

Trauma-Informed Care in the Massachusetts Child Trauma Project.

PubMed

Bartlett, Jessica Dym; Barto, Beth; Griffin, Jessica L; Fraser, Jenifer Goldman; Hodgdon, Hilary; Bodian, Ruth

2016-05-01

Child maltreatment is a serious public health concern, and its detrimental effects can be compounded by traumatic experiences associated with the child welfare (CW) system. Trauma-informed care (TIC) is a promising strategy for addressing traumatized children's needs, but research on the impact of TIC in CW is limited. This study examines initial findings of the Massachusetts Child Trauma Project, a statewide TIC initiative in the CW system and mental health network. After 1 year of implementation, Trauma-Informed Leadership Teams in CW offices emerged as key structures for TIC systems integration, and mental health providers' participation in evidence-based treatment (EBT) learning collaboratives was linked to improvements in trauma-informed individual and agency practices. After approximately 6 months of EBT treatment, children had fewer posttraumatic symptoms and behavior problems compared to baseline. Barriers to TIC that emerged included scarce resources for trauma-related work in the CW agency and few mental providers providing EBTs to young children. Future research might explore variations in TIC across service system components as well as the potential for differential effects across EBT models disseminated through TIC. © The Author(s) 2015.

American Association for the Surgery of Trauma Prevention Committee topical overview: National Trauma Data Bank, geographic information systems, and teaching injury prevention.

PubMed

Crandall, Marie; Zarzaur, Ben; Tinkoff, Glen

2013-11-01

Injury is the leading cause of death for all Americans aged 1 to 35 years, and injury-related costs exceed $100 billion per year in the United States. Trauma centers can be important resources for risk identification and prevention strategies. The authors review 3 important resources for injury prevention education and research: the National Trauma Data Bank, geographic information systems, and an overview of injury prevention education. The National Trauma Data Bank and the Trauma Quality Improvement Program are available through the Web site of the American College of Surgeons. Links to research examples using geographic information systems software and the National Trauma Data Bank are provided in the text. Finally, resources for surgical educators in the area of injury prevention are summarized and examples provided. Database research, geographic information systems, and injury prevention education are important tools in the field of injury prevention. This article provides an overview of current research and education strategies and resources. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress in UK therapists who work with adult trauma clients.

PubMed

Sodeke-Gregson, Ekundayo A; Holttum, Sue; Billings, Jo

2013-01-01

Therapists who work with trauma clients are impacted both positively and negatively. However, most studies have tended to focus on the negative impact of the work, the quantitative evidence has been inconsistent, and the research has primarily been conducted outside the United Kingdom. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of, and identify predictor variables for, compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress in a group of UK therapists (N=253) working with adult trauma clients. An online questionnaire was developed which used The Professional Quality of Life Scale (Version 5) to assess compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress and collect demographics and other pertinent information. Whilst the majority of therapists scored within the average range for compassion satisfaction and burnout, 70% of scores indicated that therapists were at high risk of secondary traumatic stress. Maturity, time spent engaging in research and development activities, a higher perceived supportiveness of management, and supervision predicted higher potential for compassion satisfaction. Youth and a lower perceived supportiveness of management predicted higher risk of burnout. A higher risk of secondary traumatic stress was predicted in therapists engaging in more individual supervision and self-care activities, as well as those who had a personal trauma history. UK therapists working with trauma clients are at high risk of being negatively impacted by their work, obtaining scores which suggest a risk of developing secondary traumatic stress. Of particular note was that exposure to trauma stories did not significantly predict secondary traumatic stress scores as suggested by theory. However, the negative impact of working with trauma clients was balanced by the potential for a positive outcome from trauma work as a majority indicated an average potential for compassion satisfaction.

Compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress in UK therapists who work with adult trauma clients

PubMed Central

Sodeke-Gregson, Ekundayo A.; Holttum, Sue; Billings, Jo

2013-01-01

Background Therapists who work with trauma clients are impacted both positively and negatively. However, most studies have tended to focus on the negative impact of the work, the quantitative evidence has been inconsistent, and the research has primarily been conducted outside the United Kingdom. Objectives This study aimed to assess the prevalence of, and identify predictor variables for, compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress in a group of UK therapists (N=253) working with adult trauma clients. Method An online questionnaire was developed which used The Professional Quality of Life Scale (Version 5) to assess compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress and collect demographics and other pertinent information. Results Whilst the majority of therapists scored within the average range for compassion satisfaction and burnout, 70% of scores indicated that therapists were at high risk of secondary traumatic stress. Maturity, time spent engaging in research and development activities, a higher perceived supportiveness of management, and supervision predicted higher potential for compassion satisfaction. Youth and a lower perceived supportiveness of management predicted higher risk of burnout. A higher risk of secondary traumatic stress was predicted in therapists engaging in more individual supervision and self-care activities, as well as those who had a personal trauma history. Conclusions UK therapists working with trauma clients are at high risk of being negatively impacted by their work, obtaining scores which suggest a risk of developing secondary traumatic stress. Of particular note was that exposure to trauma stories did not significantly predict secondary traumatic stress scores as suggested by theory. However, the negative impact of working with trauma clients was balanced by the potential for a positive outcome from trauma work as a majority indicated an average potential for compassion satisfaction. PMID:24386550

Negative pressure wound therapy management of the “open abdomen” following trauma: a prospective study and systematic review

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Introduction The use of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) for temporary abdominal closure of open abdomen (OA) wounds is widely accepted. Published outcomes vary according to the specific nature and the aetiology that resulted in an OA. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a new NPWT system specifically used OA resulting from abdominal trauma. Methods A prospective study on trauma patients requiring temporary abdominal closure (TAC) with grade 1or 2 OA was carried out. All patients were treated with NPWT (RENASYS AB Smith & Nephew) to achieve TAC. The primary outcome measure was time taken to achieve fascial closure and secondary outcomes were complications and mortality. Results A total of 20 patients were included. Thirteen patients (65%) achieved fascial closure following a median treatment period of 3 days. Four patients (20%) died of causes unrelated to NPWT. Complications included fistula formation in one patient (5%) with spontaneous resolution during NPWT), bowel necrosis in a single patient (5%) and three cases of infection (15%). No fistulae were present at the end of NPWT. Conclusion This new NPWT kit is safe and effective and results in a high rate of fascial closure and low complication rates in the severely injured trauma patient. PMID:23305306

Pancreatic trauma

PubMed Central

Bhattacharya, S

2013-01-01

Introduction Pancreatic trauma occurs in approximately 4% of all patients sustaining abdominal injuries. The pancreas has an intimate relationship with the major upper abdominal vessels, and there is significant morbidity and mortality associated with severe pancreatic injury. Immediate resuscitation and investigations are essential to delineate the nature of the injury, and to plan further management. If main pancreatic duct injuries are identified, specialised input from a tertiary hepatopancreaticobiliary (HPB) team is advised. Methods A comprehensive online literature search was performed using PubMed. Relevant articles from international journals were selected. The search terms used were: ‘pancreatic trauma’, ‘pancreatic duct injury’, ‘radiology AND pancreas injury’, ‘diagnosis of pancreatic trauma’, and ‘management AND surgery’. Articles that were not published in English were excluded. All articles used were selected on relevance to this review and read by both authors. Results Pancreatic trauma is rare and associated with injury to other upper abdominal viscera. Patients present with non-specific abdominal findings and serum amylase is of little use in diagnosis. Computed tomography is effective in diagnosing pancreatic injury but not duct disruption, which is most easily seen on endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography or operative pancreatography. If pancreatic injury is suspected, inspection of the entire pancreas and duodenum is required to ensure full evaluation at laparotomy. The operative management of pancreatic injury depends on the grade of injury found at laparotomy. The most important prognostic factor is main duct disruption and, if found, reconstructive options should be determined by an experienced HPB surgeon. Conclusions The diagnosis of pancreatic trauma requires a high index of suspicion and detailed imaging studies. Grading pancreatic injury is important to guide operative management. The most important prognostic factor is pancreatic duct disruption and in these cases, experienced HPB surgeons should be involved. Complications following pancreatic trauma are common and the majority can be managed without further surgery. PMID:23676806

Group counseling: A silver lining in the psychological management of disaster trauma

PubMed Central

Maheshwari, Nidhi; Yadav, Ravinder; Singh, Nirender Pal

2010-01-01

Management of disaster effects, physical or psychological, has been the subject of considerable research. Though physical rehabilitation of the victims of any disaster, whether natural or man-made, receives immediate attention, the management of psychological trauma often remains a challenge for the disaster management machinery, in general, and mental health professionals, in particular. The magnitude of population affected, on the one hand, and lack of sufficient mental health professionals, on the other hand, often hinders the psychological rehabilitation of a cross section of the affected population. We attempt to present an overview of the literature to bring home the understanding of correlates of psychological effects in the mass disaster affected population in this article. It dwells on the efficacy of group counseling as the most appropriate paradigm of primary prevention to check the onset of severe psychological disorders. The article also presents an overview of two case studies: tsunami disaster (Nagapatanam, Tamil Nadu, India) and victims of bomb blast (Dhimajee, Assam, India) to highlight the silver lining in the psychological management of disaster traumas. It is proposed that group counseling can prove to be a most important mental rehabilitation program to further strengthen the efficacy of individual therapeutic interventions. PMID:21829322

Head trauma in the cat: 2. assessment and management of traumatic brain injury.

PubMed

Garosi, Laurent; Adamantos, Sophie

2011-11-01

Feline trauma patients are commonly seen in general practice and frequently have sustained some degree of brain injury. Cats with traumatic brain injuries may have a variety of clinical signs, ranging from minor neurological deficits to life-threatening neurological impairment. Appropriate management depends on prompt and accurate patient assessment, and an understanding of the pathophysiology of brain injury. The most important consideration in managing these patients is maintenance of cerebral perfusion and oxygenation. For cats with severe head injury requiring decompressive surgery, early intervention is critical. There is a limited clinical evidence base to support the treatment of traumatic brain injury in cats, despite its relative frequency in general practice. Appropriate therapy is, therefore, controversial in veterinary medicine and mostly based on experimental studies or human head trauma studies. This review, which sets out to describe the specific approach to diagnosis and management of traumatic brain injury in cats, draws on the current evidence, as far as it exists, as well as the authors' clinical experience. Copyright © 2011 ISFM and AAFP. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The Epidemiology of Noncompressible Torso Hemorrhage in the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-03-01

torso vascular or pulmonary hemorrhage. Recently, Zonies and Eastridge20 reported 10 years of wartime splenic trauma man- agement with a series of 393...benchmark. J Vasc Surg. 2012;56:728Y736. 20. Zonies D, Eastridge B. Combat management of splenic injury: trends during a decade of conflict. J Trauma ...is the leading cause of potentially survivable trauma in the battlefield and has re- cently been defined using anatomic and physiologic criteria

Surgical Stabilization of Rib Fractures in a 6-Year-Old Child After Blunt Trauma.

PubMed

Abdelsattar, Zaid M; Ishitani, Michael B; Kim, Brian D

2017-12-01

When identified, rib fractures in children are associated with high-energy trauma, nonaccidental trauma, or both. Traditionally, the optimal management of rib fractures in children is supportive care. In this case report, we present a 6-year-old boy who underwent surgical rib fixation for multiple displaced and comminuted rib fractures after being stepped on by a horse. Copyright © 2017 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.