Brian A. Hoey

Rib Fractures in the Elderly: A Marker of Injury Severity

Objectives: To examine the relationship between the number of rib fractures (RIBFs) and mortality, injury severity, and resource consumption in elderly patients admitted to trauma centers.

Functional outcomes in octogenarian trauma.

BACKGROUND Outcome data on geriatric trauma patients (GTPs) (age >or= 65) focus on mortality and resource use. We examined mortality and outcome in GTPs and octogenarian trauma patients (OTPs) (age >or= 80). We hypothesized that OTPs would have worse functional outcomes than GTPs as defined by functional independence measurement (FIM) scales. METHODS Our study was a 13-year retrospective analysis of a statewide trauma database. Isolated hip fractures and intubation with Glasgow Coma Scale scores of 3 at admission were excluded. Demographic data, preexisting conditions, complications, discharge destination, mortality, and FIM were analyzed. RESULTS OTPs constituted 17742 (40.9%) of 43297 GTPs admitted to trauma centers. Falls (64.4%) and motor vehicle collisions (24.5%) were predominant. Average Injury Severity Score (ISS) was higher in GTPs (11.5 +/- 9.2 vs. 10.8 +/- 8.3, p = 0.001). Cardiac disease was the most common preexisting condition. Diabetes, obesity, and pulmonary disease were more common in GTPs than in OTPs (p = 0.001). Dementia, congestive heart failure, and hematologic disease were more common in OTPs than in GTPs (p = 0.001). Pulmonary and infectious complications were most common and occurred with equal frequency in OTPs and GTPs. Mortality rates were higher (10.0% vs. 6.6%, p = 0.001) for OTPs overall and when stratified into low (<10), moderate (11-20), and high (>20) ISS subgroups (p = 0.001). Discharge destination was most often home (53.3% vs. 28.8%, p = 0.001) or a rehabilitation facility (20.0% vs. 17.4%, p = 0.001) for GTPs versus OTPs. OTPs were discharged to skilled nursing facilities (37.2% vs. 14.9%, p = 0.001) far more often than GTPs. FIM at discharge was lower in all categories for OTPs. Modified dependence in locomotion and transfer was seen for OTPs but not GTPs overall and when stratified by ISS subgroups (p = 0.001). Some dependence in feeding was seen for OTPs but not GTPs with high injury severity (p = 0.001). Otherwise, feeding, expression, and social independence were preserved for both OTPs and GTPs. CONCLUSION Functional outcomes after blunt trauma are worse for OTPs; however, functional independence in feeding and social interaction are preserved in OTPs even with moderate injury severity.

Emergency traumatologists as partners in trauma care: the future is now.

BACKGROUND Decreasing manpower available to care for trauma patients both in and out of the ICU has led to a number of proposed solutions, including increasing involvement of emergency medicine-trained physicians in the care of these patients. We performed a descriptive comparative study in an effort to define the role of fellowship-trained emergency medicine physicians as full-time traumatologists. STUDY DESIGN We performed a retrospective review of concurrent and prospectively collected data comparing process of care and outcomes for the resuscitative phase of trauma patients cared for by full-time fellowship-trained trauma surgeons (TS), a fellowship-trained emergency medicine physician (ET), and a first-year fellowship-trained trauma surgeon (TS1). RESULTS Patient age, Revised Trauma Score, and Injury Severity Score were similar between groups. Process of care, defined by transfusion of uncrossmatched blood, prevalence of hypotension in patients receiving uncrossmatched blood, time spent in the emergency department, frequency of ICU admission, severity of injury for ICU admission, and time between emergency department and operating room for patients requiring surgery, was equivalent between groups. Outcomes evaluated by mortality and length of stay in the hospital and ICU did not differ between groups, and provider group was not predictive of mortality in stepwise logistic regression. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that emergency traumatologists can provide trauma care effectively within a defined scope of practice and may provide an effective solution to manpower issues confronting trauma centers.

The Dead Continue to Teach the Living: Examining the Role of Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Setting of Postmortem Examinations

High-resolution imaging methods are used more frequently in the setting of postmortem investigation. Used for some time in forensics, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are now being evaluated as complementary or even as alternative means of postmortem examination. We review briefly the history of autopsy and the reasons for the gradual decrease in autopsy rates. An overview of advantages and limitations of modern imaging autopsy techniques is then presented, which includes a discussion of the potential role of imaging autopsy in medical and surgical education. Potential future applications of this technology in postmortem analysis, which includes the incorporation of ultrasound technology, are then discussed.

Evolving role of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in management of extrahepatic hepatic ductal injuries due to blunt trauma: diagnostic and treatment algorithms.

Extrahepatic hepatic ductal injuries (EHDIs) due to blunt abdominal trauma are rare. Given the rarity of these injuries and the insidious onset of symptoms, EHDI are commonly missed during the initial trauma evaluation, making their diagnosis difficult and frequently delayed. Diagnostic modalities useful in the setting of EHDI include computed tomography (CT), abdominal ultrasonography (AUS), nuclear imaging (HIDA scan), and cholangiography. Traditional options in management of EHDI include primary ductal repair with or without a T-tube, biliary-enteric anastomosis, ductal ligation, stenting, and drainage. Simple drainage and biliary decompression is often the most appropriate treatment in unstable patients. More recently, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) allowed for diagnosis and potential treatment of these injuries via stenting and/or papillotomy. Our review of 53 cases of EHDI reported in the English-language literature has focused on the evolving role of ERCP in diagnosis and treatment of these injuries. Diagnostic and treatment algorithms incorporating ERCP have been designed to help systematize and simplify the management of EHDI. An illustrative case is reported of blunt traumatic injury involving both the extrahepatic portion of the left hepatic duct and its confluence with the right hepatic duct. This injury was successfully diagnosed and treated using ERCP.

Acute care surgeons and emergency traumatologists: a partnership for patient care.

ols, these data support that emphasis should be placed not nly on product ratios, but also on availability and timing f plasma and platelet administration within the early reuscitation period. As massive transfusion protocols become commonplace nd similar between institutions, it is important to critially evaluate elements and goals of protocol-based aspects f resuscitation. We agree with Snyder et al that further rospective trials are warranted. Of note, a multicenter rospective trial entitled Prospective, Observational, ulti-center Massive Transfusion Trial (PROMMT), upported by the Department of Defense, is currently nderway with the data coordinating center based at he University of Texas, Houston. We look forward to he findings and contributions of this large scale propective endeavor.