Dirk C. Johnson

Evaluation and management of small-bowel obstruction: an Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma practice management guideline.

BACKGROUND Small-bowel obstruction (SBO) represents as many as 16% of surgical admissions and more than 300,000 operations annually in the United States. The optimal strategies for the diagnosis and management of SBO continue to evolve secondary to advances in imaging techniques, critical care, and surgical techniques. This updated systematic literature review was developed by the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma to provide up-to-date evidence-based recommendations for SBO. METHODS A search of the National Library of Medicine MEDLINE database was performed using PubMed interface for articles published from 2007 to 2011. RESULTS The search identified 53 new articles that were then combined with the 131 studies previously reviewed by the 2007 guidelines. The updated guidelines were then presented at the 2012 annual EAST meeting. CONCLUSION Level I evidence now exists to recommend the use of computed tomographic scan, especially multidetector computed tomography with multiplanar reconstructions, in the evaluation of patients with SBO because it can provide incremental clinically relevant information over plains films that may lead to changes in management. Patients with evidence of generalized peritonitis, other evidence of clinical deterioration, such as fever, leukocytosis, tachycardia, metabolic acidosis, and continuous pain, or patients with evidence of ischemia on imaging should undergo timely exploration. The remainder of patients can safely undergo initial nonoperative management for both partial and complete SBO. Water-soluble contrast studies should be considered in patients who do not clinically resolve after 48 to 72 hours for both diagnostic and potential therapeutic purposes. Laparoscopic treatment of SBO has been demonstrated to be a viable alternative to laparotomy in selected cases.

Successful Nonoperative Management of the Most Severe Blunt Liver Injuries: A Multicenter Study of the Research Consortium of New England Centers for Trauma

HYPOTHESIS Grade 4 and grade 5 blunt liver injuries can be safely treated by nonoperative management (NOM). DESIGN Retrospective case series. SETTING Eleven level I and level II trauma centers in New England. PATIENTS Three hundred ninety-three adult patients with grade 4 or grade 5 blunt liver injury who were admitted between January 1, 2000, and January 31, 2010. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Failure of NOM (f-NOM), defined as the need for a delayed operation. RESULTS One hundred thirty-one patients (33.3%) were operated on immediately, typically because of hemodynamic instability. Among 262 patients (66.7%) who were offered a trial of NOM, treatment failed in 23 patients (8.8%) (attributed to the liver in 17, with recurrent liver bleeding in 7 patients and biliary peritonitis in 10 patients). Multivariate analysis identified the following 2 independent predictors of f-NOM: systolic blood pressure on admission of 100 mm Hg or less and the presence of other abdominal organ injury. Failure of NOM was observed in 23% of patients with both independent predictors and in 4% of those with neither of the 2 independent predictors. No patients in the f-NOM group experienced life-threatening events because of f-NOM, and mortality was similar between patients with successful NOM (5.4%) and patients with f-NOM (8.7%) (P = .52). Among patients with successful NOM, liver-specific complications developed in 10.0% and were managed definitively without major sequelae. CONCLUSIONS Nonoperative management was offered safely in two-thirds of grade 4 and grade 5 blunt liver injuries, with a 91.3% success rate. Only 6.5% of patients with NOM required a delayed operation because of liver-specific issues, and none experienced life-threatening complications because of the delay.

Contrast-induced nephropathy in elderly trauma patients.

BACKGROUND Computed tomography (CT) is the gold standard for the identification of occult injuries, but the intravenous (IV) contrast used in CT scans is potentially nephrotoxic. Because elderly patients have decreased renal function secondary to aging and chronic disease, we sought to determine the rate of acute kidney injury (AKI) in elderly trauma patients exposed to IV contrast. METHODS Medical records of patients older than 55 years evaluated at a level-one trauma center between January 2003 and July 2008 were reviewed. Contrast was nonionic, isosmolar, and administered in standard volumes. Groups were based on administration of contrast. AKI was defined as a 25% relative or 0.5 mg/dL absolute increase in serum creatinine within 72 hours of presentation [corrected]. RESULTS During the study period 1,371 patients older than 55 years were evaluated, and 1,152 met the inclusion criteria. CT was performed on 1,071 patients (96%); 71% of this group received IV contrast. There was no significant difference between the contrast and noncontrast groups in terms of baseline characteristics. Criteria for AKI were satisfied in 2.1% of all patients, including 1.9% the contrast group versus 2.4% in the noncontrast group. AKI diagnosed within 72 hours of patient presentation was an independent risk factor for in-hospital mortality and prolonged length of stay. CONCLUSIONS IV contrast media in elderly trauma patients is not associated with an increased risk of AKI. Development of AKI within 72 hours of admission is associated with mortality and increased length of stay.

Successful Nonoperative Management of the Most Severe Blunt Renal Injuries: A Multicenter Study of the Research Consortium of New England Centers for Trauma

IMPORTANCE Severe renal injuries after blunt trauma cause diagnostic and therapeutic challenges for the treating clinicians. The need for an operative vs a nonoperative approach is debated. OBJECTIVE To determine the rate, causes, predictors, and consequences of failure of nonoperative management (NOM) in grade IV and grade V blunt renal injuries (BRIs). DESIGN Retrospective case series. SETTING Twelve level I and II trauma centers in New England. PARTICIPANTS A total of 206 adult patients with a grade IV or V BRI who were admitted between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2011. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Failure of NOM, defined as the need for a delayed operation or death due to renal-related complications during NOM. RESULTS Of 206 patients, 52 (25.2%) were operated on immediately, and 154 (74.8%) were managed nonoperatively (with the assistance of angiographic embolization for 25 patients). Nonoperative management failed for 12 of the 154 patients (7.8%) and was related to kidney injury in 10 (6.5%). None of these 10 patients had complications because of the delay in BRI management. The mean (SD) time from admission to failure was 17.6 (27.4) hours (median time, 7.5 hours; range, 4.5-102 hours), and the cause was hemodynamic instability in 10 of the 12 patients (83.3%). Multivariate analysis identified 2 independent predictors of NOM failure: older than 55 years of age and a road traffic crash as the mechanism of injury. When both risk factors were present, NOM failure occurred for 27.3% of the patients; when both were absent, there were no NOM failures. Of the 142 patients successfully managed nonoperatively, 46 (32.4%) developed renal-related complications, including hematuria (24 patients), urinoma (15 patients), urinary tract infection (8 patients), renal failure (7 patients), and abscess (2 patients). These patients were managed successfully with no loss of renal units (ie, kidneys). The renal salvage rate was 76.2% for the entire population and 90.3% among patients selected for NOM. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Hemodynamically stable patients with a grade IV or V BRI were safely managed nonoperatively. Nonoperative management failed for only 6.5% of patients owing to renal-related injuries, and three-fourths of the entire population retained their kidneys.

Compared to conventional ventilation, airway pressure release ventilation may increase ventilator days in trauma patients.

BACKGROUND Airway pressure release ventilation (APRV) is used both as a rescue therapy for patients with acute lung injury and as a primary mode of ventilation. Unlike assist-control volume (ACV) ventilation that uses spontaneous breathing trials, APRV weaning consists of gradual decreases in supporting pressure. We hypothesized that the APRV weaning process increases total ventilator days compared with those of spontaneous breathing trials–based weaning. METHODS A retrospective review of a Level I trauma center’s database identified trauma admissions from January 1, 2007, to December 31, 2010, which required mechanical ventilation for more than 24 hours and survived. Demographics, injuries, in-hospital complications, ventilation mode(s), and total ventilator days were abstracted. RESULTS A total of 362 patients fulfilled study entry criteria; 53 patients with more than one ventilator mode change were excluded. Seventy-five patients were successfully liberated from mechanical ventilation on APRV and 234 on ACV. The APRV and ACV groups, respectively, were similar in age (46.1 vs. 44.6 years) and sex (72% vs. 73% male) but differed in Injury Severity Score (20.8 vs. 17.5; p = 0.03). Patients on APRV had higher rates of abdominal compartment syndrome (6.7% vs. 0.8%, p = 0.003) and were more likely to have a higher chest Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) score ≥3 (57.3% vs. 30.8%, p < 0.001). Ventilator days were significantly greater in the APRV group (19.6 vs. 10.7 days, p < 0.001). Multiple regression was performed to adjust for the clinical differences between the two groups, identifying APRV as an independent predictor for increased number of ventilator days (B = 6.2 ± 1.5, p < 0.001) in addition to male sex, abdomen AIS score of 3 or higher, spine AIS score of 3 or higher, acute renal failure, and sepsis. CONCLUSION APRV is frequently used for patients who are more severely injured or who develop in-hospital complications such as pneumonia. However, after controlling for potential confounding factors in a multiple regression model, the APRV mode itself seems to increase ventilator days. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic study, level IV.

Uncovering System Errors Using a Rapid Response Team: Cross-coverage Caught in the Crossfire

BACKGROUND Because of the 80-hour work week, extensive service cross-coverage creates great potential for patient care errors. These patient care emergencies are increasingly managed using a rapid response team (RRT) to reduce patient morbidity. We examine the proximate causes of a surgical RRT activation. We hypothesize that most RRTs would occur during cross-coverage hours and be preventable or potentially preventable. METHODS All surgical RRTs more than a 15-month period were captured using a nursing database and the note from the staffing intensivist/fellow. RRTs were reviewed for appropriateness (pre-existing criteria) and proximate cause. Proximate causes were further classified as patient disease, team error, nursing error, or system error as well as preventable, potentially preventable, or nonpreventable. RESULTS Of 98 RRT activations, complete data were available for 82 (84%); 100% met activation criteria; and 76 (93%) occurred between 2100 and 0600. Seventy-six patients were 48 hours to 72 hours postoperative; six had nonoperatively managed injuries. The most common reason for activation was impending respiratory failure and acute volume overload (n = 72; 88%). RRT therapies included diuretics (n = 72), antiarrhythmics (n = 48), oxygen (n = 82), and bronchodilators (n = 36); only 2 received blood component therapy. Seventy-eight patients (95%) were transferred to higher level of care (61, surgical intensive care unit; 17, SSDU). Only 46% of patients required intubation. Performance improvement review identified 90% of physician related RRTs as preventable/potentially preventable because of errors in judgment or omission. Four RRTs because of patient disease were unpreventable. Two potentially preventable errors were each ascribed to RN or system concerns. CONCLUSION RRT activations principally result from team-based errors of omission, more often occur between 2100 and 0600, and are more often preventable or potentially preventable. Careful attention to fluid balance and medications for comorbid diseases would reduce RRT needs.

Routine or protocol evaluation of trauma patients with suspected syncope is unnecessary.

BACKGROUND Syncope is a commonly suspected cause of injury. Patients often undergo extensive testing without proven benefit. In this study, we investigated the utility of an inpatient syncope workup. METHODS A retrospective review was performed of all admissions to a Level I trauma center after fall or motor vehicle collision in patients older than 50 years and in whom syncope was suspected for the 3-year period ending December 2008. Demographics, diagnostic workup, number of abnormal results, and the frequency of subsequent interventions were recorded. RESULTS Two thousand one hundred seventy-one patients fulfilled study entry criteria; syncope was suspected in 302. The syncope and nonsyncope groups, respectively, were similar in age (76.9 years±12 years vs. 74.8 years±13 years) and female gender (58.3% vs. 58.4%) but differed in Injury Severity Score (7.4±5.7 vs. 9.7±7.7; p<0.01). Diagnostic workup commonly included electrocardiogram (89.4%), cardiac enzymes (88.7%), echocardiogram (78.8%), and carotid duplex or computed tomography angiography (64.9%). Significant abnormal results were uncommon: cardiac enzymes (2.9%), echocardiogram (3.8%), and carotid imaging (4.6%). Overall only 42 patients (13.9%) required further intervention, and in 29 patients (69%), the intervention was based on the initial history, physical examination, or admitting electrocardiogram. CONCLUSION Routine inpatient syncope workup has a low yield. Our data suggests that the diagnostic workup should be ordered based on clinical information rather than a standardized workup for all patients with suspected syncope.

Perioperative pulmonary complications.

Purpose of reviewThis article reviews current concepts in perioperative pulmonary management. Recent findingsPreoperative risk assessment tools for perioperative pulmonary complications (POPCs) are evolving for both children and adults. Intraoperative management strategies have a demonstrable effect on outcomes. Late POPCs may be preceded by clinical signs. SummaryPOPCs are common and lead to significant resource utilization. Optimal POPC risk mitigation must span all phases of surgical care. Preoperative assessment may identify patients at risk and effectively lower their risk by identifying targeted interventions. Intra-operative strategies impact postoperative outcome. POPCs continue to be a concern for several days postoperatively. We review the current literature on this broad subject with a focus on implementable interventions for the clinician.

Cervical spine MRI in patients with negative CT: A prospective, multicenter study of the Research Consortium of New England Centers for Trauma (ReCONECT).

BACKGROUND Although cervical spine CT (CSCT) accurately detects bony injuries, it may not identify all soft tissue injuries. Although some clinicians rely exclusively on a negative CT to remove spine precautions in unevaluable patients or patients with cervicalgia, others use MRI for that purpose. The objective of this study was to determine the rates of abnormal MRI after a negative CSCT. METHODS Blunt trauma patients who either were unevaluable or had persistent midline cervicalgia and underwent an MRI of the C-spine after a negative CSCT were enrolled prospectively in eight Level I and II New England trauma centers. Demographics, injury patterns, CT and MRI results, and any changes in cervical spine management as a result of MRI imaging were recorded. RESULTS A total of 767 patients had MRI because of cervicalgia (43.0%), inability to evaluate (44.1%), or both (9.4%). MRI was abnormal in 23.6% of all patients, including ligamentous injury (16.6%), soft tissue swelling (4.3%), vertebral disc injury (1.4%), and dural hematomas (1.3%). Rates of abnormal neurological signs or symptoms were not different among patients with normal versus abnormal MRI. (15.2 vs. 18.8%, p = 0.25). The c-collar was removed in 88.1% of patients with normal MRI and 13.3% of patients with an abnormal MRI. No patient required halo placement, but 11 patients underwent cervical spine surgery after the MRI results. Six of the eleven had neurological signs or symptoms. CONCLUSIONS In a select population of patients, MRI identified additional injuries in 23.6% of patients despite a normal CSCT. It is uncertain if this is a true limitation of CT technology or represents subtle injuries missed in the interpretation of the scan. The clinical significance of these abnormal MRI findings cannot be determined from this study group. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic study, level IV.

Early and late complications of bariatric operation

Weight loss surgery is one of the fastest growing segments of the surgical discipline. As with all medical procedures, postoperative complications will occur. Acute care surgeons need to be familiar with the common problems and their management. Although general surgical principles generally apply, diagnoses specific to the various bariatric operations must be considered. There are anatomic considerations which alter management priorities and options for these patients in many instances. These problems present both early or late in the postoperative course. Bariatric operations, in many instances, result in permanent alteration of a patient’s anatomy, which can lead to complications at any time during the course of a patient’s life. Acute care surgeons diagnosing surgical emergencies in postbariatric operation patients must be familiar with the type of surgery performed, as well as the common postbariatric surgical emergencies. In addition, surgeons must not overlook the common causes of an acute surgical abdomen—acute appendicitis, acute diverticulitis, acute pancreatitis, and gallstone disease—for these are still among the most common etiologies of abdominal pathology in these patients.