Category: Trauma
Keywords: Head injury, TBI, oxygenation, hypoxia, outcome, (PubMed Search)
Posted: 3/26/2023 by Robert Flint, MD
(Updated: 10/10/2024)
Click here to contact Robert Flint, MD
This study is a secondary analysis of another studying looking at hypertonic saline in traumatic brain injury (TBI) making it not the most robust study however it found that TBI patients who’s PaO2 dropped below 100 had a worse outcome than those whose PaO2 did not fall below 100.
Bottom line: This is a reminder that traumatic brain injury patients do not do well with hypoxia or hypotension even if transient (during intubation, etc.). Pre-oxygenate and resuscitate prior to intubation and maintain oxygen saturations in the mid-90s for your traumatic brain injured patients. This applies to prehospital, emergency department, and ICU settings
Effect of Different Early Oxygenation levels on Clinical Outcomes of Patients presenting in the Emergency Department with Severe Traumatic Brain Injury
CS Vrettou, et al. Annals of Emergency Medicine March 2023 Volume 81, No. 3, 273-81
Category: Trauma
Keywords: trauma, whole blood, reduction, blood products, MHP, Shock index, RABT, hemorrhage (PubMed Search)
Posted: 3/19/2023 by Robert Flint, MD
(Updated: 10/10/2024)
Click here to contact Robert Flint, MD
Predicting the need for a mass hemorrhage protocol (MHP) activation is important both for individual patient outcome as well as for proper utilization of critical resources such as blood products and healthcare workers time and effort. These two studies look at using the RABT score to predict the need for mass transfusion. The RABT score is:
A 4-point score
blunt (0)/penetrating trauma (1),
shock index (hr/SBP)≥ 1 (1),
pelvic fracture (1)
FAST positive (1)
With a score >2 predictive of needing MHP.
These studies (one in Canadian trauma centers, the other in US trauma centers) validate the use of this score to predict the need for activation of a mass hemorrhage protocol.
1, Prediction of massive transfusion with the Revised Assessment of Bleeding and Transfusion (RABT) score at Canadian level I trauma centers Karan D'Souza , Mathew Norman , Adam Greene , Colby J.F. Finney Matthew T.S. Yan , Jacqueline D. Trudeau , Michelle P. Wong , Andrew Shih , Philip Dawe Injury Volume 54, Issue 1, January 2023, Pages 19-24
2.2. Multicenter Validation of the Revised Assessment of Bleeding and Transfusion (RABT) Score for Predicting Massive Transfusion Kamil Hanna 1, Charles Harris , Marc D Trust , Andrew Bernard , Carlos Brown , Mohammad Hamidi , Bellal Joseph World J Surg 2020 Jun;44(6):1807-1816. doi: 10.1007/s00268-020-05394-5.
Category: Trauma
Keywords: thoracic trauma, rib fractures, Sweden, trauma, 30 day mortality (PubMed Search)
Posted: 3/12/2023 by Robert Flint, MD
(Updated: 10/10/2024)
Click here to contact Robert Flint, MD
This study from Sweden looked at 2397 trauma patients and identified 768 with thoracic injury. Those with thoracic injury had a 30-day mortality of 11% whereas those without thoracic injury had a 4% 30-day mortality. Patients over age 60 had higher mortality and were more likely to have rib fractures. Those under 60 with thoracic injury were more likely to have thoracic organ injury than rib fracture.
Bottom line: Rib fractures were more common over age 60 and there was a higher mortality for those with thoracic vs non-thoracic trauma.
Lundin, A., Akram, S.K., Berg, L. et al. Thoracic injuries in trauma patients: epidemiology and its influence on mortality. Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med 30, 69 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13049-022-01058-6
https://rdcu.be/c7q1w
Category: Trauma
Keywords: EMS, C-Spine, Canadian C-Spine Rule, spinal injury, trauma (PubMed Search)
Posted: 3/5/2023 by Robert Flint, MD
Click here to contact Robert Flint, MD
Applying a cervical collar to all patients involved in motor vehicle collisions and mechanical falls has been shown to add to patient discomfort, unwarranted imaging studies and prolonged on scene time for emergency medical services. This study adds further evidence that paramedics can use validated algorithms to clinically clear cervical spine injuries without any bad outcomes including spinal cord injuries. EMS medical directors and all of us who interact with EMS providers should be proactive in developing protocols to use cervical immobilization in appropriately selected patients only. This study used the Modified Canadian C-Spine Rule.
Implementation of Modified Canadian C-Spine Rule by Paramedics
Christian Vaillancourt, Manya Charette, Julie Sinclair, Richard Dionne, et al
Annals of Emergency Medicine Volume 81, No.2 February 2023. 187-196.
Category: Trauma
Keywords: substance abuse, trauma, fentanyl, injury (PubMed Search)
Posted: 2/26/2023 by Robert Flint, MD
(Updated: 10/10/2024)
Click here to contact Robert Flint, MD
In a small study at a single level one trauma center, ? of patients screened positive for illicit fentanyl use prior to violent or intentional injury. Those who screened positive were more likely to require ICU admission and had a higher rate of previous trauma center admission. The authors concluded:
“Exposure to illicit fentanyl was common among victims of violence in this single-center study. These patients are at increased risk of being admitted to intensive care units and repeated trauma center visits, suggesting fentanyl testing may help identify those who could benefit from violence prevention and substance abuse treatment.”
Illicit Fentanyl Exposure Among Victims of Violence Treated at a Trauma Center
ACUTE CARE SURGERY| VOLUME 283, P937-944,
Kyle R. Fischer, MD, MPH
Timothy Traynor, BS
Benoit Stryckman, MA
Joseph Richardson, PhD
Laura Buchanan, MD
Zachary D.W. Dezman, MD, MS
Category: Trauma
Keywords: head injury, anticoagulation, delayed, intracranial, warfarin, DOAC, risk (PubMed Search)
Posted: 2/18/2023 by Robert Flint, MD
(Emailed: 2/19/2023)
(Updated: 10/10/2024)
Click here to contact Robert Flint, MD
This study looked at 69,321 head injured patients over age 65 in a health care database for delayed intracranial hemorrhage (within 90 days of visit). 58,233 patients were not on oral anticoagulants, 3081 (4.4%) were on warfarin and 8007 (11.6%) were on direct oral anticoagulants. One percent of patients not on anticoagulation and those on oral direct anticoagulation had a delayed hemorrhage while those on warfarin had a 1.8% delayed hemorrhage rate.
Bottom Line: Direct oral anticoagulants do not increase the risk of delayed intracranial hemorrhage in patients over age 65 from baseline but warfarin does.
Sharon Liu et al Delayed intracranial hemorrhage after head injury among elderly patients on anticoagulation seen in the emergency department CJEM 2022 Dec:24(8):853-861 doi:10.1007/s43678-022-00392-z.
Category: Trauma
Keywords: substance abuse, alcohol abuse, SBIRT, intervention, FACS (PubMed Search)
Posted: 2/10/2023 by Robert Flint, MD
(Emailed: 2/12/2023)
Click here to contact Robert Flint, MD
In December 2022, The American College of Surgeons released a practice guidine discussing screening trauma patients for mental health disorders and substance use disorders. There is a very high likelihood that your acute trauma patient has a pre-existing disorder.
"Over 50% of hospitalized trauma patients report an alcohol and/or drug use diagnosis during their lifetime. At the time of admission, one in four trauma victims meet diagnostic criteria for an active alcohol use problem and 18% meet diagnostic criteria for a drug use problem".
Screening, Brief Intervention and Referal to Treatment (SBIRT) programs have a major impact on injury recidivism and future mortality. Trauma patients should be screened for mental health disorders and substance use disorders.
BEST PRACTICES GUIDELINES SCREENING AND INTERVENTION FOR MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS AND SUBSTANCE USE AND MISUSE IN THE ACUTE TRAUMA PATIENT American College of Surgeons December 2022
https://www.facs.org/media/nrcj31ku/mental-health-guidelines.pdf
Category: Trauma
Keywords: penetrating neck trauma, zones, hard signs, operative management (PubMed Search)
Posted: 2/5/2023 by Robert Flint, MD
Click here to contact Robert Flint, MD
The classic teaching regarding penetrating neck trauma is violation of the platysma muscle in zones 1 and 3 requires angiography, endoscopy and bronchoscopy. Injury to zone 2 is an automatic operative evaluation. Now, more anatomic and physiologic signs dictate operative management and those not meeting these hard signs get evaluated with Ct angiography.
Neck zones and hard vs soft signs available by clicking link
Zone | Boundaries | Structures |
---|---|---|
I (lower) | Clavicles and sternum to the cricoid cartilage | Vascular: subclavian arteries and veins, jugular veins, carotid arteries, vertebral arteryAerodigestive: lungs, trachea, esophagusNeurologic: spinal cord, vagus nerveOther: thoracic duct, thyroid gland |
II (middle) | Cricoid cartilage to the angle of the mandible | Vascular: common/internal/external carotid arteries, vertebral arteries, jugular veinsAerodigestive: trachea, larynx, pharynx, esophagusNeurologic: spinal cord, vagus nerve, recurrent laryngeal nerve |
III (upper) | Angle of the mandible to the base of the skull | Vascular: internal carotid arteries, vertebral arteries, jugular veinsAerodigestive: pharynxNeurologic: spinal cord, CN IX, X, XI, XI, sympathetic chainOther: salivary glands |
Hard SignsVascular injury
Severe uncontrolled hemorrhage
Refractory shock/hypotension
Large, expanding, or pulsatile hematoma
Unilateral extremity pulse deficit
Bruit or thrill
Neurologic deficit consistent with strokeMinor bleeding
Soft Signs Vascular
Small, nonexpanding hematoma
Proximity wound
Hard SignsAerodigestive tract injuryAirway compromise
Bubbling through wound
Extensive subcutaneous emphysema
Stridor
Hoarse voice
Soft Signs
Mild hemoptysis
Mild hematemesis
Dysphonia
Dysphagia
Mild subcutaneous emphysema
Protect That Neck! Management of Blunt and Penetrating Neck Trauma
Matt Piaseczny, MD, MSc Julie La, MD, MESc Tim Chaplin, MD Chris Evans, MD :https://doi.org/10.1016/j.emc.2022.09.005
Category: Trauma
Keywords: Blunt neck trauma, Denver criteria, expanded Denver Criteria, cervical trauma (PubMed Search)
Posted: 1/29/2023 by Robert Flint, MD
(Updated: 10/10/2024)
Click here to contact Robert Flint, MD
Missing blunt cervical vascular injuries can lead to delayed catastrophic sequela such as stroke. Usie the epanded Denver criteria to help you identify these injuries.
Expanded Denver criteria for BCVI
-Signs/symptoms of BCVI
Potential arterial hemorrhage from neck/nose/mouth
Cervical bruit in patient less than 50 years old
Expanding cervical hematoma
Focal neurologic defect: TIA, hemiparesis, vertebrobasilar symptoms, Horner's syndrome
Neurologic deficit inconsistent with head CT
Stroke on CT or MRI
-Risk factors for BCVI
High-energy transfer mechanism
Displaced midface fracture (LeFort II or III)
Mandible fracture
Complex skull fracture/basilar skull fracture/occipital condyle fracture
Severe TBI with GCS less than 6
Cervical spine fracture, subluxation, or ligamentous injury at any level
Near hanging with anoxic brain injury
Clothesline type injury or seat belt abrasion with significant swelling, pain, or altered mental status
TBI with thoracic injuries
Scalp degloving
Thoracic vascular injuries
Blunt cardiac rupture
Upper rib fractures
Protect that Neck! Management of Blunt and Penetrating Neck Trauma Julie La, MD, MESc Tim Chaplin, MD Chris Evans, MD :https://doi.org/10.1016/j.emc.2022.09.005
Category: Trauma
Keywords: trauma, unstable, intubation, arrest, resuscitate (PubMed Search)
Posted: 1/22/2023 by Robert Flint, MD
(Updated: 10/10/2024)
Click here to contact Robert Flint, MD
At this month’s Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma annual meeting there was a presentation asserting that hemodynamically unstable trauma patients have worse outcomes when intubated in the emergency department vs the operating room. This was not a study diminishing the intubating skills of EM providers but a look at the fact that hemorrhaging patients will crash after intubation and if they are not in a position for immediate surgical intervention they will die. The loss of sympathetic tone, positive inter-thoracic pressure, loss of muscle tone as well as the agents used all contribute to peri-intubation arrest. This month’s EmCrit episode tackled this topic as well.
Synthesizing all of the opinion and literature regarding hemodynamically unstable trauma patients requiring operative intervention the take home points are:
Much of this is counter to historical teaching of early airway management on ED arrival. It certainly fits with recent literature supporting resuscitation prior to airway management whenever feasible.
EMCrit – Ghali Grills 2 – Should You Tube the Patient in Severe Hemorrhagic Shock if there is a Delay to OR?
January 21, 2023 by Scott Weingart, MD FCCM
Category: Trauma
Keywords: chest tube, antibiotics, tube thoracotomy, prophylaxis, meta-analysis, EAST (PubMed Search)
Posted: 1/15/2023 by Robert Flint, MD
(Updated: 10/10/2024)
Click here to contact Robert Flint, MD
A systemic review and meta-analysis revealed that the literature and science surrounding timing and effectiveness of prophlactic antibiotic use in tube thoracotomy for trauma is not robust. The heterogeneity of the antibiotics used, the duration of antibiotics and the nature of the trauma (majority penetrating) make it very difficult to give an iron clad recommendation. The authors conclusion, which is the practice management guideline from the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma, ultimately was:
“We conditionally recommend that antibiotic prophylaxis be given at the time of insertion to reduce empyema in adult patients who require TT for traumatic hemothorax or pneumothorax.”
Jennifer J Freeman Sofya H Asfaw, Cory J Vatsaas, Brian K Yorkgitis, Krista L HaineJ Bracken Burns, Dennis Kim, Erica A Loomi, Andy J Kerwin, Amy McDonald, Suresh Agarwal, Jr., Nicole Fox Elliott R Haut, Marie L Crandall, John J Como George Kasotakis
Antibiotic prophylaxis for tube thoracostomy placement in trauma: a practice management guideline from the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma
Trauma Surgery and Acute Care Open 2022 Volume 7, Issue 1
Category: Trauma
Keywords: Pelvic Trauma, education, pelvic binder, hemorrhage control, pelvic compression (PubMed Search)
Posted: 1/1/2023 by Robert Flint, MD
(Updated: 10/10/2024)
Click here to contact Robert Flint, MD
Pelvic fractures caused by large force compression (open book) and vertical sheer injuries can lead to life threatening massive hemorrhage from arterial injury, venous injury (most common), bone bleeding or muscle hemorrhage. Advanced Trauma Life Support and many other trauma organizations recommend pelvic binding be applied after the secondary survey is complete. This should preferentially happen in the pre-hospital envirnonment. The literature has not shown a mortality benefit to pelvic binding. One reason that external compression has not been shown to be of benefit is the high percentage of incorrectly applied compression devices. Commercial pelvic compression devices are superior to the old sheet method. If the device is not applied with maxim compression over the greater trochanters the benefit of pelvic compression is lost.
Beser et al. demonstrated in their recent study in the Journal of Trauma Nursing that it takes about 8 attempts to learn to properly place the binder over the greater trochanters. This adds to the literature that appropriate education and continuing education is needed to assure that these devices are appropriately applied.
It is this pearl author’s recommendation that new EMS, nursing and ED and trauma provider staff receive training on these devices with repetitive application until proficient and that yearly competency be performed to maintain our skills in this low frequency potentially high yield procedure.
Open to thoughts and comments.
Happy New Year!
Pelvic Compression Device (Binder) Application Training in Medical Students: A Manikin Study Be?er, Zafer MD; O?uz, Ahmet Burak MD; Koca, Ayça MD; Genç, Sinan MD; Erdurmu?, Ömer Yusuf MD; Polat, Onur MD Journal of Trauma Nursing 29(6):p 298-304, November/December 2022. | DOI: 10.1097/JTN.0000000000000682
Application of Circumferential Compression Device (Binder) in Pelvic Injuries: Room for Improvement Rahul Vaidya, MD et al. Western Journal of Emergency Medicine ARTICLES , CRITICAL CARE , CURRENT ISSUE: VOLUME 17 ISSUE 6 , ORIGINAL RESEARCH PUBLISHED: OCTOBER 20, 2016 DOI: 10.5811/WESTJEM.2016.7.30057
Pelvic circumferential compression devices for prehospital management of suspected pelvic fractures: a rapid review and evidence summary for quality indicator evaluation Robin Pap, Rachel McKeown, Craig Lockwood, Matthew Stephenson, Paul Simpson Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine volume 28, Article number: 65 (2020)
Application of Pelvic Circumferential Compression Devices in Pelvic Ring Fractures—Are Guidelines Followed in Daily Practice? Valerie Kuner,,* Nicole van Veelen, Stephanie Studer, Bryan Van de Wall, Jürgen Fornaro, Michael Stickel, Matthias Knobe, Reto Babst, Frank J.P. Beeres, and Björn-Christian Link J Clin Med. 2021 Mar; 10(6): 1297.
Published online 2021 Mar 21. doi: 10.3390/jcm10061297
Category: Trauma
Keywords: Rib Fractures, re-admission, 30 day (PubMed Search)
Posted: 12/9/2022 by Robert Flint, MD
(Emailed: 12/25/2022)
(Updated: 10/10/2024)
Click here to contact Robert Flint, MD
In this retrospective chart review, 3720 admitted trauma patients with rib fractures were looked at for 30 day readmission. 206 patients in the group were readmitted within 30 days.
The authors concluded:
In patients with traumatic rib fractures, those with anticoagulant use, those who actively smoke, those with a psychiatric diagnosis, or those with associated abdominal injuries are at the highest risk of re-hospitalization following discharge.
While this study is retrospective and looks at patients that were sick enough to be admitted, it is a good reminder that patients with rib fractures can have high morbidity and mortality and it gives us certain patient populations in which to show extra concern.
Hospital readmission after blunt traumatic rib fractures
Marthy, Andrew G. MD; Mounsey, Molly MSIV; Ata, Ashar MBBS, MPH, PhD; Stain, Steven C. MD, FACS; Tafen, Marcel MD, FACS
Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery: December 2022 - Volume 93 - Issue 6 - p 793-799 doi: 10.1097/TA.0000000000003558
Category: Trauma
Keywords: rib fracture, pain control, trauma, nerve block (PubMed Search)
Posted: 12/9/2022 by Robert Flint, MD
(Emailed: 12/18/2022)
(Updated: 10/10/2024)
Click here to contact Robert Flint, MD
The use of a serratus anterior plane nerve block has previously been described as effective for anterior and lateral rib fracture pain control. A new, small study by Singh et al. shows efficacy in using this block for posterior rib fractures as well.
The reference link to the ACEPNow website shows how to perform this block using ultrasound guidance.
Efficacy of serratus anterior plane block in pain control in traumatic posterior rib fractures: A case series
Paramvir Singh pasingh@augusta.edu, Ashish Sakharpe https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5398-1963, https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/14604086211046779
Volume 24, Issue 4 https://doi.org/10.1177/14604086211046779
Ultrasound-Guided Serratus Anterior Plane Block Can Help Avoid Opioid Use for Patients with Rib Fractures
By Arun Nagdev, MD; Daniel Mantuani, MD, MPH; Edward Durant, MD; & Andrew Herring, MD | on March 14, 2017 |
https://www.acepnow.com/article/ultrasound-guided-serratus-anterior-plane-block-can-help-avoid-opioid-use-patients-rib-fractures/2/?singlepage=1
Category: Trauma
Posted: 12/11/2022 by Robert Flint, MD
(Updated: 10/10/2024)
Click here to contact Robert Flint, MD
TACTICS
Transfusion
1:1:1
Whole Blood O+
Activate mass transfusion
TXA
TEG
Adjuncts
Arterial Line
Antibiotics( 2 grams cefazolin with first blood product, redoes 1 gram every 4th product)
Calcium
Treat hypocalcemia with CaCl2 (1 gram after every fourth product)
Check ionized calcium after second dose of calcium
Temperature
Increase room tem to 80 F
Warm blankets
Warm blood products
IV Access
Peripheral x2
I/O
Central Line
Consider
Hemostatic gauze
Tourniquet
Pelvic Binder
Reboa
IR
Cryopercipitate (10 units if fibrinogen low)
Scrub
Call OR
Hybrid Room
Call anesthesia
Call for Back up
Due to technical error, the poster did not come through with the pearl. Here is Harford Health's escellent poster
Category: Trauma
Keywords: simulation, trauma, exsanguination, TACTICS, mass transfusion (PubMed Search)
Posted: 12/9/2022 by Robert Flint, MD
(Emailed: 12/11/2022)
(Updated: 12/11/2022)
Click here to contact Robert Flint, MD
This paper outlines a training course by Hartford Hospital for general surgery and emergency medicine residents. Their goal was to assess pre-and post-training effectiveness of hemorrhagic shock management in a simulation environment. The training was on using a novel aid (TACTICS) to prompt the participants in appropriate care decisions involving patients with massive hemorrhage.
The bottom line is having a poster in the resuscitation bay helped the health care providers manage hemorrhagic shock patients. Visual prompts work, especially for new and learning physicians.
Please click below to see their fantastic poster.
Tactics for hemorrhagic shock: A virtual course and visual aid for improved resuscitation
Keating, Jane Josephine MD; Silvis, Jennifer DO; Ricaurte, Daniel MD; Desrochers, Ryan MD; Jacobs, Lenworth MD; Saccomanno, Fabio BS; Staff, Ilene PhD; Croteau, Alfred MD; Merchant, Nishant MD; Gates, Jonathan MD
Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery: December 2022 - Volume 93 - Issue 6 - p 800-805 doi: 10.1097/TA.0000000000003552
Category: Trauma
Posted: 12/4/2022 by Robert Flint, MD
Click here to contact Robert Flint, MD
In follow-up to last week’s pearl regarding the inequitable distribution of trauma care, there were a few more thoughts:
1. A huge shout out to those ED physicians working in critical access facilities without surgical back up, access to specialists, and who are regularly struggling to get their patients transferred to trauma centers to receive the care they need.
2. All centers, big and small, are struggling with crowding, staffing, and patient flow. It is critical to the entire system that these issues get addressed. They need to be addressed at a system level by all stake holders. Smaller EDs, critical access EDs, or Level 2 and 3 centers holding patients that need to be transferred has a deleterious effect not only on that individual patient, but the patients that can’t be seen while the most critically ill are being attended to.
3. Hospital administrators, medical directors, national organizations, department leaders, and each of us in the trenches owe it to our communities and patients to get involved in fixing the problems. These issues are best addressed by a meeting of stake holders than by an overwhelmed ED provider at 2 am desperately trying to do the right thing for their patient.
4. The best systems have:
a. ongoing education for EMS providers, hospital providers, nurses and the general public,
b. pre-hospital protocols regarding trauma patients,
c. a timely means to get patients to the correct facility,
d. injury prevention programs,
e. post-acute care rehabilitation services, and
f. family support services in place.
5. Those with well-functioning systems, please publish your results and the steps you have taken to become well-functioning. We need leadership. We do not need to reinvent the wheel. Please take an active role in lifting the less functional systems to your level.
6. Those that are struggling, ask for help! Also publish your efforts, your struggles, and your needs.
For those interested in a deeper dive into where we have come from and the concept of trauma systems, please read the attached reference. This is a call to all that care for the critically ill to work to improve our stressed system, publish your work so we ca all learn and to advocate and lobby for your patients.
This pearl's author is open to comments, criticism, concerns and questions.
Back to clinical pearls next week.
The impact of trauma systems on patient outcomes
Jeff Choi, MD, MSc,1 Garrison Carlos, MD,1 Aussama K. Nassar, MD, MSc, FRCSC, FACS, Lisa M. Knowlton, MD, MPH, FRCSC, and David A. Spain, MD, FACS?
Curr Probl Surg. 2021 Jan; 58(1): 100849.
Published online 2020 Jun 10. doi: 10.1016/j.cpsurg.2020.100849 PMCID: PMC7286246 PMID: 33431134
Category: Trauma
Keywords: level I, Level II, Level III, Trauma Center, Accessibility (PubMed Search)
Posted: 11/5/2022 by Robert Flint, MD
(Emailed: 11/27/2022)
(Updated: 11/26/2022)
Click here to contact Robert Flint, MD
This study found that 22% of Americans do not have access to a trauma center within 60 minutes. Eight percent of the population relied on Level III centers. Not unexpectantly, Black and Native Americans were overly represented in the group receiveing care at Level III centers. White and Native Americans were over represented in the group without access to trauma care within 60 minutes. Most disappointing of all, none of this has changed since 2010. Some states have a robust trauma network, while others need to evaluate their needs and potentially add Level III centers to cut down the time to trauma care. What is your area's trauma coverage and what level?
Jarman, Molly P. PhD, MPH; Dalton, Michael K. MD, MPH; Askari, Reza MD; Sonderman, Kristin MD, MPH; Salim, Ali MD; Inaba, Kenji MD
Accessibility of Level III trauma centers for underserved populations: A cross-sectional study
Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery: November 2022 - Volume 93 - Issue 5 - p 664-671
doi: 10.1097/TA.0000000000003725
Category: Trauma
Posted: 11/18/2022 by Robert Flint, MD
(Emailed: 11/20/2022)
(Updated: 10/10/2024)
Click here to contact Robert Flint, MD
This small study looked at patients with penetrating neck injuries and tried to determine in those with "hard signs" of injury (hemorrhage, expanding hematoma, or ischemia) if they required immediate operative managment. The authors concluded:
"Although hard signs in PCVIs are associated with the need for operative intervention, initial CT imaging can facilitate endovascular options or nonoperative management in a significant subgroup. Hard signs should not be considered an absolute indication for immediate surgical exploration."
This is a small study and it is unclear why some patients went to CT vs directly to the operating room. This may not be a practice changing study, but it may validate provider gestalt of CT vs direct to operating room. We can add this to the growing body of evidence that CT scanning in penetrating trauma can be used to diffrentiate who needs emergent operative intervention vs. endovascular therapy vs close observation. This study certainly opens the door for further reaserch in the area of management of penetratign neck injuries.
Reading the signs in penetrating cervical vascular injuries: Analysis of hard/soft signs and initial management from a nationwide vascular trauma database
Marrotte, Alexander MD; Calvo, Richard Y. PhD; Badiee, Jayraan MPH; Rooney, Alexandra S. MPH; Krzyzaniak, Andrea MA; Sise, Michael MD; Bansal, Vishal MD; DuBose, Joseph MD; Martin, Matthew J. MD; the AAST PROOVIT Study Group; Morrison, Jonny MD, PhD
Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery: November 2022 - Volume 93 - Issue 5 - p 632-638
doi: 10.1097/TA.0000000000003678
Category: Trauma
Keywords: trauma, elderly, pelvic fracture, plain radiographs (PubMed Search)
Posted: 10/28/2022 by Robert Flint, MD
(Emailed: 11/6/2022)
Click here to contact Robert Flint, MD
This retrospective study compared plain radiographs to CT scan for the detection of pelvic fractures in patients over 65 years of age. The authors concluded “Pelvic radiographs have low sensitivity in detecting traumatic pelvic fractures. These radiographically occult fractures may be clinically significant as a cause of long-term pain and may require orthopedic consultation and possible surgical management.”
If you have a high clinical suspicion due to pain or inability to ambulate, CT may be warranted if the X-Ray is negative.
Ma, Y., Mandell, J.C., Rocha, T. et al. Diagnostic accuracy of pelvic radiographs for the detection of traumatic pelvic fractures in the elderly. Emerg Radiol (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10140-022-02090-w