Erica I. Hodgman

Base deficit as a marker of survival after traumatic injury: Consistent across changing patient populations and resuscitation paradigms

BACKGROUND: Damage control resuscitation (DCR) has improved outcomes in severely injured patients. In civilian centers, massive transfusion protocols (MTPs) represent the most formal application of DCR principles, ensuring early, accurate delivery of high fixed ratios of blood components. Recent data suggest that DCR may also help address early trauma-induced coagulopathy. Finally, base deficit (BD) is a long-recognized and simple early prognostic marker of survival after injury. METHODS: Outcomes of patients with admission BD data resuscitated during the DCR era (2007–2010) were compared with previously published data (1995–2003) of patients cared for before the DCR era (pre-DCR). Patients were considered to have no hypoperfusion (BD, >−6), mild (BD, −6 to −14.9), moderate (BD, −15 to −23.9), or severe hypoperfusion (BD, <−24). RESULTS: Of 6,767 patients, 4,561 were treated in the pre-DCR era and 2,206 in the DCR era. Of the latter, 218 (9.8%) represented activations of the MTP. DCR patients tended to be slightly older, more likely victims of penetrating trauma, and slightly more severely injured as measured by trauma scores and BD. Despite these differences, overall survival was unchanged in the two eras (86.4% vs. 85.7%, p = 0.67), and survival curves stratified by mechanism of injury were nearly identical. Patients with severe BD who were resuscitated using the MTP, however, experienced a substantial increase in survival compared with pre-DCR counterparts. CONCLUSION: Despite limited adoption of formal DCR, overall survival after injury, stratified by BD, is identical in the modern era. Patients with severely deranged physiology, however, experience better outcomes. BD remains a consistent predictor of mortality after traumatic injury. Predicted survival depends more on the energy level of the injury (stab wound vs. nonstab wound) than the mechanism of injury (blunt vs. penetrating). LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, therapeutic/prognostic study.

Epidemiology and outcomes of pediatric burns over 35 years at Parkland Hospital

BACKGROUND Since opening its doors in 1962, the Parkland Burn Center has played an important role in improving the care of burned children through basic and clinical research while also sponsoring community prevention programs. The aim of our study was to retrospectively analyze the characteristics and outcomes of pediatric burns at a single institution over 35 years. STUDY DESIGN The institutional burn database, which contains data from January 1974 until August 2010, was retrospectively reviewed. Patients older than 18 years of age were excluded. Patient age, cause of burn, total body surface area (TBSA), depth of burn, and patient outcomes were collected. Demographics were compared with regional census data. RESULTS Over 35 years, 5748 pediatric patients were admitted with a thermal injury. Males comprised roughly two-thirds (66.2%) of admissions. Although the annual admission rate has risen, the incidence of pediatric burn admissions, particularly among Hispanic and African American children has declined. The most common causes of admission were scald (42%), flame (29%), and contact burns (10%). Both the median length of hospitalization and burn size have decreased over time (r(2)=0.75 and 0.62, respectively). Mortality was significantly correlated with inhalation injury, size of burn, and history of abuse. It was negatively correlated with year of admission. CONCLUSIONS Over 35 years in North Texas, the median burn size and incidence of pediatric burn admissions has decreased. Concomitantly, length of stay and mortality have also decreased.

Pediatric surgery on YouTube™: Is the truth out there?

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE In 2000, we described the variability of pediatric surgical information on the Internet. Since then, online videos have become an increasingly popular medium for education and personal expression. The purpose of this study was to examine the content and quality of videos related to pediatric surgical diagnoses on the Internet. METHODS YouTube™ was searched for videos on gastroschisis, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, pediatric inguinal hernia, and pectus excavatum. The first 40 English language videos for each diagnosis were reviewed for owner and audience characteristics, content and quality. RESULTS A small majority of videos were made by medical professionals (50.63%, vs. 41.25% by lay persons and 8.13% by fundraising organizations). Eighty percent of videos were intended for a lay audience. Videos by medical professionals were more accurate and complete than those posted by lay persons. CONCLUSIONS The YouTube™ videos varied significantly in content and quality. Videos by lay persons often focused on the emotional aspect of the diagnosis and clinical course. Videos by members of the medical profession tended to be more complete and accurate. These findings underscore the continued need for high quality pediatric surgical information on the Internet for patients and their families.

The Parkland Burn Center experience with 297 cases of child abuse from 1974 to 2010

INTRODUCTION Pediatric burns due to abuse are unfortunately relatively common, accounting for 5.8-8.8% of all cases of abuse annually. Our goal was to evaluate our 36-year experience in the evaluation and management of the victims of abuse in the North Texas area. METHODS A prospectively maintained database containing records on all admissions from 1974 through 2010 was queried for all patients aged less than 18 years. Patients admitted for management of a non-burn injury were excluded from the analysis. RESULTS Of 5,553 pediatric burn admissions, 297 (5.3%) were due to abuse. Children with non-accidental injuries tended to be younger (2.1 vs. 5.0 years, p<0.0001) and male (66.0 vs. 56.5%, p=0.0008). Scald was the most common mechanism of injury overall (44.8%), and was also the predominant cause of inflicted burns (89.6 vs. 42.3%, p<0.0001). Multivariate logistic regression identified age, gender, presence of a scald, contact, or chemical burn, and injury to the hands, bilateral feet, buttocks, back, and perineum to be significant predictors of abuse. Victims of abuse were also found to have worse outcomes, including mortality (5.4 vs. 2.3%, p=0.0005). After adjusting for age, mechanism of injury, and burn size, abuse remained a significant predictor of mortality (OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.5-7.2) CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians should approach all burn injuries in young children with a high index of suspicion, but in particular those with scalds, or injuries to the buttocks, perineum, or bilateral feet should provoke suspicion. Burns due to abuse are associated with worse outcomes, including length of stay and mortality.

Creation of a decision aid for goal-setting after geriatric burns: A study from the prognostic assessment of life and limitations after trauma in the elderly [PALLIATE] consortium

OBJECTIVES We hypothesized that a decision-support aid to predict index admission mortality and discharge disposition for geriatric burns could be constructed using the well-accepted Baux score (age +total body surface area burned) in a geriatric-specific cohort. METHODS National Burn Repository version 8.0 (2002–2011) was queried for all subjects aged 65 years or older. Baux scores were calculated and patients grouped into deciles. Three discharge outcomes (death,home, discharge to nonhome setting) were measured per decile. A receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to determine optimal Baux score cutpoints based on the Youden Index. The odds of mortality at various Baux score cutoffs were estimated using logistic regression. RESULTS The sample was composed of 8,001 subjects. Withdrawal of care was documented in 264 deaths; median time to withdrawal was three days. As Baux score increased, three peaks in disposition were seen. Less than 50% of patients with a Baux score of 80 or greater were discharged home. Patients with a moderate Baux score (80–130) had an increased likelihood of discharge to a nonhome setting. Baux scores of 130 or greater were nearly uniformly fatal (mortality, 94–100%). Baux score of 86.15 or less was predictive of discharge home (area under the curve, 0.698; sensitivity, 75.28%; specificity, 54.64%), and a score greater than 93.3 was predictive of mortality (area under the curve, 0.779; sensitivity, 57.46%; specificity, 87.08%). CONCLUSION For geriatric patients whose Baux scores exceed 86, return-to-home rates drop drastically; mortality increases at a score greater than 93, and mortality is nearly universal at a score ≥130 or greater. We are piloting a display of these findings as a decision-making aid when setting goals of care with stakeholders after geriatric burns. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Epidemiologic/prognostic study, level III; therapeutic/care management, level IV.

The effect of burn center volume on mortality in a pediatric population: an analysis of the National Burn Repository

The effect of burn center volume on mortality has been demonstrated in adults. The authors sought to evaluate whether such a relationship existed in burned children. The National Burn Repository, a voluntary registry sponsored by the American Burn Association, was queried for all data points on patients aged 18 years or less and treated from 2002 to 2011. Facilities were divided into quartiles based on average annual burn volume. Demographics and clinical characteristics were compared across groups, and univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were performed to evaluate relationships between facility volume, patient characteristics, and mortality. The authors analyzed 38,234 patients admitted to 88 unique facilities. Children under age 4 years or with larger burns were more likely to be managed at high-volume and very high–volume centers (57.12 and 53.41%, respectively). Overall mortality was low (0.85%). Comparing mortality across quartiles demonstrated improved unadjusted mortality rates at the low- and high-volume centers compared with the medium-volume and very high–volume centers although univariate logistic regression did not find a significant relationship. However, multivariate analysis identified burn center volume as a significant predictor of decreased mortality after controlling for patient characteristics including age, mechanism of injury, burn size, and presence of inhalation injury. Mortality among pediatric burn patients is low and was primarily related to patient and injury characteristics, such as burn size, inhalation injury, and burn cause. Average annual admission rate had a significant but small effect on mortality when injury characteristics were considered.

Future Therapies in Burn Resuscitation

Since the 1940s, the resuscitation of burn patients has evolved with dramatic improvements in mortality. The most significant achievement remains the creation and adoption of formulae to calculate estimated fluid requirements to guide resuscitation. Modalities to attenuate the hypermetabolic phase of injury include pharmacologic agents, early enteral nutrition, and the aggressive approach of early excision of large injuries. Recent investigations into the genomic response to severe burns and the application of computer-based decision support tools will likely guide future resuscitation, with the goal of further reducing mortality and morbidity, and improving functional and quality of life outcomes.

Evaluating Pre Burn Center Intubation Practices: An Update

A significant proportion of patients appeared to arrive at our American Burn Association-verified burn center intubated without clear benefit. The current study aims to evaluate regional prehospital intubation practices and their outcomes. All consecutive admissions from November 2012 to June 2014 were reviewed for data points associated with intubation. Demographics and outcomes for patients who were intubated before arrival or within 24 hours of admission were compared using &khgr;2, Fisher’s exact test, and the Kruskal–Wallis test as appropriate. During this period, 958 patients were admitted. Of these, 120 were intubated before arrival, and 91 survived their injuries. Of these 91 survivors, 45 were extubated within 2 days, suggesting unnecessary intubation rate in 37.5%. Intubation-related complications were roughly three times as common among those intubated before arrival (12.5% vs 4.4%). Patients intubated before arrival to our burn center had a shorter median duration of intubation (1.0 vs 4.0 days), median hospital LOS (5.0 vs 22.0 days), and median intensive care unit length of stay (3.0 vs 10.0 days). Furthermore, we found a significant difference in the pattern of ventilator support duration between those arriving intubated, with a median of 2.0 days, and those intubated at our burn center, with a median of 5.5 days. Patients intubated by pre burn center providers have shorter intubation durations and shorter hospitalizations, suggesting inappropriate use of resources. Impending loss of airway appears unlikely among patients with adequate gas exchange at the time of examination. The current criteria for prehospital intubation should be revised to more accurately identify those who truly benefit from advanced airway maneuvers.

A case for less workup in near hanging

BACKGROUND No guidelines exist for the evaluation of patients after near hanging. Most patients receive a comprehensive workup, regardless of examination. We hypothesize that patients with a normal neurologic examination, without major signs or symptoms suggestive of injury, require no additional workup. METHODS We reviewed medical charts of adult trauma patients who presented to a Level I trauma center between 1995 and 2013 after an isolated near-hanging episode. Demographics, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, imaging, and management were collected. Patients were stratified by neurologic examination into normal (GCS score = 15) and abnormal (GCS score <15) groups. Comparison between the groups was completed using univariate analyses. RESULTS One hundred twenty-five patients presented after near hanging: 42 (33.6%) had abnormal GCS score, and 83 (66.4%) were normal. Among the normal patients, seven patients (8.5%) reported cervical spine tenderness; these patients also had abnormal examination findings including dysphagia, dysphonia, stridor, or crepitus. The normal group underwent 133 computed tomography scans and seven magnetic resonance imaging scans, with only two injuries identified: C5 facet fracture and a low-grade vertebral artery dissection. Neither injury required intervention. In patients with normal GCS score, cervical spine tenderness and at least one significant examination finding were 100% sensitive and 79% specific for identifying an underlying injury. CONCLUSION Patient with normal GCS score, without signs and symptoms of injury, are unnecessarily receiving extensive diagnostic imaging. Imaging should be reserved for patients with cervical spine tenderness and dysphagia, dysphonia, stridor, and/or crepitus without the fear of incomplete workup. All patients with signs of additional trauma or decreased GCS score should be studied based on preexisting protocols. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic/care management study, level V.

Thromboelastometry analysis of severe North American pit viper-induced coagulopathy: A case report

Case details: A 51‐year‐old man presented with rapid onset encephalopathy and respiratory failure after a suspected intravascular envenomation from a North American pit viper. The patient received antivenom and was transferred to a tertiary care facility where he had cardiovascular collapse and persistent coagulopathy requiring 28 vials of Crotalidae polyvalent immune Fab antivenom for initial control and six vials for maintenance. The patients coagulopathy was monitored using “traditional” measures (platelets, fibrinogen, and prothrombin time/international normalized ratio) and rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM®). The patient also subsequently developed intestinal necrosis requiring exploratory laparotomy with ileum and colonic resections, and anuric renal failure requiring continuous renal replacement therapy. After coordinated multidisciplinary management, he was discharged to an acute inpatient rehabilitation on hospital day 25 and has since made a full recovery. Discussion: In the setting of a severe intravascular pit viper envenomation, thromboelastometry correlated well with “traditional” measures. During recovery, ROTEM® demonstrated measurable improvements in the extrinsic coagulation pathway while the INR remained between 1.5 and 1.6. Patients intestinal necrosis may have resulted from microvascular thrombosis due to Crotalinae venom. The patients ultimate recovery necessitated a coordinated multidisciplinary effort. ROTEM® abnormalities after North American pit viper envenomation may be more sensitive than “traditional” measures and may have prognostic value to determine the severity of envenomation, but further research to define its utility is required. HighlightsA severe North American pit viper envenomation resulted in cardiovascular collapse, intestinal necrosis, and renal failure.Use of rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM®) correlates well with measurements of fibrinogen and prothrombin time/INR.EXTEM specification may be more sensitive than INR alone in evaluating extrinsic pathway abnormalities.