In mature trauma centers, video review should be mandatory as a component of quality improvement.

IntroductionPelvic fractures often result in life-threatening bleeding and hemodynamic instability. Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) has emerged as a promising strategy for patients with severe pelvic fractures, facilitating subsequent hemostatic interventions. Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) is a well-established procedure for managing pelvic fractures accompanied by hemorrhage.Ideally, an angiographic access point distinct from the initial REBOA placement is sought to maintain REBOA deflation without complete removal, thereby preventing hemodynamic instability during the procedure. However, in cases of extreme and severe pelvic trauma, gaining access for REBOA is already challenging, not to mention the additional difficulty posed by subsequent angiographic access.This study aims to assess the challenges associated with gaining access in cases where successful TAE was ultimately performed, particularly in the context of severe pelvic trauma. We investigate the complexities surrounding access management and its implications for patient outcomes.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective analysis of patients who presented with pelvic fractures and underwent sequential REBOA and TAE procedures at our institution between 2017 and 2023. We excluded patients with Abbreviated Injury Scores (AIS) ≥3 in systems other than the pelvis, those who underwent TAE prior to REBOA, and cases of suboptimal REBOA insertion.We collected demographic data, injury characteristics, details of the REBOA and TAE procedures, information on complications, and data on patient survival. The primary endpoints of our analysis included overall survival and the success of TAE (defined as post TAE mean arterial pressure (MAP) ≥65 mm Hg). Secondary endpoints encompassed the duration details of two interventions.ResultsBetween 2017 and 2023, a total of 17 patients were included in this study. Among this cohort, 12 (70.6%) were male, with a median age of 51 years. Overall survival was 23.5%. Patients were grouped into angiography after REBOA deflation (AAD) or angiography after REBOA removal (AAR). AAR group was younger (39.0 vs 63.0, p=0.030) and had higher Shock Index at triage (2.30 vs 1.10, p=0.015). More patient whose post TAE MAP >=65 mm Hg was found in the AAR group, although no significant difference on overall survival (25.0% vs 22.2%, p=1.000). Angiographic cannulation times, pre-angiographic MAP, and amount of pre-angiographic transfusion of packed red blood cell were similar across groups.ConclusionOur findings provide empirical insights into vascular access selection and suggest that AAR in the management of severe pelvic fractures can be beneficial, particularly when pre-angiographic resuscitation is sufficient. Larger studies are required to validate these observations and assess long-term outcomes.Level of evidenceIII.

BackgroundNon-compressible torso hemorrhage (NCTH) represents a leading cause of preventable mortality in trauma. Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) stabilizes NCTH but may predispose patients to thrombus generation. REBOA must therefore be prospectively evaluated for coagulation risks with concomitant usage of anti-fibrinolytic tranexamic acid (TXA). Using a porcine model of hemorrhage, it was hypothesized that TXA with REBOA would worsen coagulation outcomes and organ damage.Materials and methodsThirty-two male Yorkshire swine underwent 30% blood volume hemorrhage with randomization to vehicle control (VC; normal saline), VC+REBOA, TXA, or TXA+REBOA. At T0, animals received 10 mL/minute of group-specific infusion (GSI) followed at T10 by 500 mL of whole blood (WB), second GSI at 13 mL/hour, and Zone 1 REBOA inflation in REBOA groups. At T40, REBOA was deflated, with additional 500 mL WB, and continuation of GSI for 3 hours. Physiological, coagulation, and inflammatory parameters were measured throughout the protocol, with postmortem histopathology.ResultsAfter REBOA deflation at T40, lactate was significantly higher for the REBOA groups versus the non-REBOA groups, and pH, bicarbonate, and base excess were all significantly lower than the non-REBOA groups. There were no significant differences observed between groups in coagulation, inflammatory, metabolic, or histopathologic parameters.ConclusionsAdministration of TXA with REBOA did not cause more deleterious coagulation outcomes. All significant changes were expected results of REBOA ischemia, and not attributable to TXA treatment. This suggests NCTH can safely be treated with both hemorrhage control methods without exacerbating clotting outcomes.Level of evidenceNot applicable—basic animal research.

Choron and colleagues should be commended for compiling this data, which adds to our cumulative experience.

Surgical dilemma A young adult with a body mass index (BMI) of 16.

Thoracic great vein injuries are uncommon, especially in the setting of blunt trauma. We present a case report of an adult patient presenting after a motor vehicle collision with rupture of the superior vena cava into the pericardium and manifesting as cardiac tamponade. We discuss the patient’s hospital course from point of injury, initial resuscitation, trauma bay interventions, operative repair, and hospital course, as well as indications for long-term anticoagulation after superior vena cava repair.

BackgroundBedside thoracic ultrasound (US) offers numerous advantages over chest X-ray (CXR) for identification of recurrent pneumothoraces (PTX) after tube thoracostomy (TT) removal. Technologic advancements have led to the development of hand-held devices capable of producing high-quality images termed ultra-portable US (UPUS). We hypothesized that UPUS would be as successful as CXR in detecting post-TT removal PTX and would be preferred by patients.MethodsWe conducted a single-center prospective, feasibility, study at a level I trauma center investigating the use of UPUS in patients with trauma with TT placement. UPUS images were obtained daily while the TT was in place and post-TT removal (ranging from 1 through 6 hours). A clinically concerning PTX on UPUS was defined as the absence of lung sliding on two or more intercostal spaces. Poststudy Likert surveys were administered to assess patient preferences.ResultsNinety-two patients were included in the analysis. The majority were men (87%), and the median age was 47 years. Thirty-five patients (36%) had discordant imaging findings. There were 11 clinically concerning PTX, of which 10 (91%) were detected on UPUS and 8 (73%) on CXR. Three patients required an intervention for post-pull PTX, all of whom were identified on UPUS. Eighty-four percent (N=70) of surveyed patients preferred UPUS over CXR with 92% reporting no discomfort with UPUS compared with 49% with CXR.ConclusionBedside UPUS is preferred by patients and can successfully identify clinically concerning post-TT removal PTX. Implementation of UPUS as a post-TT removal diagnostic tool is a safe and effective alternative to CXR.Level of evidenceLevel II, diagnostic tests or criteria.

BackgroundPrior studies have associated nighttime transfer of patients from the intensive care unit (ICU) with increased morbidity. This study sought to examine this relationship in traumatically injured patients, as this has not been previously performed.MethodsA retrospective review of traumatically injured patients admitted to a Level I Trauma Center’s ICU from January 2021 to September 2022 was performed. “Day shift” (DS) was defined as 07:00 to 19:00 and “night shift” (NS) as 19:01 to 06:59. The time of transfer completion was based on the time of the patient arrival at the destination unit. The univariate analysis compared patients with completed transfers during DS and NS. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to predict readmission to the ICU.ResultsA total of 1,800 patients were included in the analysis, with 608 patients that had completed transfers during NS, and 1,192 during DS. Both groups were similar, with no significant differences in age, sex, Injury Severity Score (ISS), mechanism of injury, or median total comorbidities. The NS group had a longer median time to transfer completion (10.1 (IQR 5.5–13.6) hours vs 5.1 (IQR 2.9–8.4) hours; p<0.001). A significantly higher proportion of the NS group had a readmission to the ICU (60 (10.0%) vs 86 (7.0%); p=0.03) or a major complication (72 (11.9%) vs 107 (9.0%); p=0.048). When controlling for age, comorbidities, ISS, time to bed assignment and to transfer completed, and ICU length of stay, transfer completion during NS was associated with 1.56 times higher odds of having an ICU readmission (OR 1.56 (95% CI 1.05, 2.33); p=0.03).ConclusionsTrauma patients transferred from the ICU during NS experienced longer delays, readmission to the ICU, and major complications significantly more often. With increasing hospital bed shortages, patient transfers must be analyzed to minimize worsened outcomes, especially in traumatically injured patients.Level of evidenceLevel III, therapeutic/care management.

Case presentation An adult patient initially presented to an outside hospital with a 12-hour history of cramping, sharp abdominal pain and a 24-hour history of obstipation.

The appendix is a small tube-like structure about 3-4 inches long attached to the large intestine in the right lower abdomen. The appendix is a non-essential organ. It can become blocked by stool, a foreign body, or cancer leading to irritation and infection, or it can even rupture (burst, perforate) and form a pocket of infection or pus called an abscess. The classic symptom of appendicitis is abdominal pain that begins near the belly button and then shifts to the right lower side. This pain usually worsens with movement, coughing, or activities. Other symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fever, and a swollen abdomen. Less common symptoms include right lower back pain and pain with passing urine. Patient education series: understanding trauma and emergency general surgery conditions