Multiple Laparotomies are a Predictor of Fascial Dehiscence in the Setting of Severe Trauma

2005 ◽  
Vol 71 (5) ◽  
pp. 402-405 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mamta Swaroop ◽  
Michael Williams ◽  
Wendy Ricketts Greene ◽  
Jack Sava ◽  
Kenneth Park ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wound Infection ◽  
Injury Severity ◽  
Damage Control ◽  
Wound Dehiscence ◽  
Severe Trauma ◽  
Outcome Data ◽  
Fascial Closure ◽  
Trauma Patients ◽  
Abdominal Abscess ◽  
Increased Risk

The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of wound dehiscence after repeat trauma laparotomy. We performed a retrospective analysis of adult trauma patients who underwent laparotomy at an urban level 1 trauma center during the past 5 years. Patients were divided into single (SL) and multiple laparotomy (ML) groups. Demographic, clinical, and outcome data were collected. Data were analyzed using χ2, t testing, and ANOVA. Overall dehiscence rate was 0.7 per cent. Multiple laparotomy patients had damage control, staged management of their injuries, or abdominal compartment syndrome as the reason for reexploration. SL and ML patients had similar age and sex. ML patients had a higher rate of intra-abdominal abscess than SL patients (13.7% vs 1.2% P < 0.0001), but intra-abdominal abscess did not predict wound dehiscence in the ML group ( P = 0.24). This was true in spite of the fact that ML patients had a significantly higher Injury Severity Score (ISS) than SL patients (21.68 vs 14.35, P < 0.0001). Interestingly, wound infection did not predict dehiscence. Patients undergoing repeat laparotomy after trauma are at increased risk for wound dehiscence. This risk appears to be associated with intraabdominal abscess and ISS, but not wound infection. Surgeons should leave the skin open in the setting of repeat trauma laparotomy, which will allow serial assessment of the integrity of the fascial closure.

Damage Control Resuscitation Protocol and the Management of Open Abdomens in Trauma Patients

2014 ◽  
Vol 80 (8) ◽  
pp. 768-775 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Bradley ◽  
Samuel Galvagno ◽  
Amit Dhanda ◽  
Carlos Rodriguez ◽  
Margaret Lauerman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Injury Severity ◽  
Damage Control ◽  
Fascial Closure ◽  
Trauma Patients ◽  
Damage Control Resuscitation ◽  
Total Blood ◽  
Independent Risk Factors ◽  
Student’S T ◽  
Admission Glasgow Coma Scale

Although the use of damage control laparotomy (DCL) is well established, the effect of damage control resuscitation (DCR) on the management of open abdomens is relatively poorly studied. The aim of the present study was to determine the predictors for failure to achieve primary fascial closure (PFC) after DCL in the setting of a massive transfusion (MT) and DCR. This is a retrospective review over a 12-year period of all patients that underwent MT and DCL. Patients who achieved PFC were compared with those who did not (NPFC). Student's t tests were used to compare the two groups. A multiple logistic regression model was performed to identify independent risk factors for failure to attain PFC. Of 174 patients, 101 achieved PFC. Mean (6 standard deviation) age was 35.6 ± 14.9 years for PFC and 36.3 ± 14.0 years for NPFC ( P = 0.75). Admission Glasgow Coma Scale score was 11.4 ± 4.6 for PFC and 10.6 ± 5.0 for NPFC ( P = 0.25). Initial lactate (7.3 ± 3.8 vs 7.7 ± 4.1, P = 0.50), hemoglobin (11.3 ± 1.9 vs 11.0 ± 2.2, P = 0.43), systolic blood pressure (108 ± 44 vs 107 ± 35, P = 0.82), Injury Severity Score (34 ± 14 vs 36 ± 15, P = 0.32), and abdominal Abbreviated Injury Score (3.6 ± 1.1 vs 3.9 ± 1.0, P = 0.13) were similar between the two groups. There was no difference in total blood products administered at 24 hours (46 ± 26 vs 49 ± 29 units, P = 0.45). Logistic regression identified increasing volume of crystalloid at 24 hours (odds ratio, 0.86; 95% confidence interval, 0.74 to 0.99; P = 0.047), earlier operative year (2.1; 1.52 to 2.91; P < 0.001), and increased number of procedures (0.32, 0.18 to 0.58; P < 0.001) as independent predictors for failure to obtain PFC. Injury severity is not associated with failure to achieve PFC, whereas administration of large-volume crystalloid resuscitation, increasing number procedures, and earlier year of DCL are independent predictors for failure to achieve PFC. Application of DCR to DCL techniques results in an improvement in ability to achieve PFC.

Emergent Right Hemicolectomies

2005 ◽  
Vol 71 (8) ◽  
pp. 653-657 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy D. Wyrzykowski ◽  
David V. Feliciano ◽  
Timothy A. George ◽  
Lorraine N. Tremblay ◽  
Grace S. Rozycki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Damage Control ◽  
Primary Anastomosis ◽  
Bowel Perforation ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Wound Dehiscence ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Morbidity And Mortality ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
Trauma Patients ◽  
Abdominal Abscess

Emergent right hemicolectomies have historically been associated with surprisingly high morbidity and mortality rates. A retrospective review of emergent right hemicolectomies over a 7-year period was performed to assess current morbidity and mortality. Emergent right hemicolectomy was defined as a procedure performed for an acute abdomen with no formal preoperative cleansing of the colon. Demographic data, diagnostic evaluation, length of stay and outcomes were evaluated. Over the study period, 122 emergent right hemicolectomies were performed on both general surgery and trauma patients. The average patient was 52.9 ± 18.5 years old, and the majority of patients (66.4%) were male. The indications for the procedures performed were bowel perforation (51), hemorrhage (25), cancer (16), benign obstruction (14), phlegmon (8), ischemia (6), or other (2). Resection with primary anastomosis was performed in 98 patients, 16 had an end ileostomy, and 8 underwent damage control procedures in which gastrointestinal continuity was not reestablished at the time of the original operation. Postoperative complications developed in 48 patients (39.3%). The majority of the complications (83.3%) were related to infection including intra-abdominal abscess (21 patients), sepsis (16), and wound infection (5). Other complications included anastomotic leak (5), wound dehiscence (3), stoma-related (3) and postoperative bowel obstruction (2). The patients who developed complications did not differ from those who had an uneventful postoperative course in terms of age, indication for procedure, or presence of intra-abdominal abscess or gross contamination at the time of the original procedure. The overall mortality rate was 13 per cent. Patients who died were older than those who lived (63 ± 19 vs 52 ± 18; P = 0.03) and were significantly more likely to have evidence of shock on presentation ( P = 0.0013). Emergent right hemicolectomies continue to be associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. The most common complications are related to infection. Age and manifestations of shock at the time of admission are strong predictors of mortality.

Splanchnic Hypoperfusion-Directed Therapies in Trauma: A Prospective, Randomized Trial

2005 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
pp. 252-260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen M. Cohn ◽  
Stephen M. Cohn ◽  
Orlando Kirton ◽  
Margaret Brown ◽  
S. Morad Hameed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Trial ◽  
Injury Severity ◽  
Ischemia Reperfusion ◽  
Unit Group ◽  
Severe Trauma ◽  
Prospective Randomized Trial ◽  
Gastric Tonometry ◽  
Trauma Patients ◽  
Splanchnic Perfusion ◽  
Splanchnic Hypoperfusion

Splanchnic hypoperfusion as reflected by gastric intramucosal acidosis has been recognized as an important determinant of outcome in shock. A comprehensive splanchnic hypoperfusion-ischemia reperfusion (IRP) protocol was evaluated against conventional shock management protocols in critical trauma patients. The study was a prospective randomized trial comparing three therapeutic approaches to hypoperfusion after severe trauma in 151 trauma patients admitted to the intensive care unit. Group 1 patients received hemodynamic support based on conventional indicators of hypoperfusion. In group 2, resuscitation was further guided by gastric tonometry-derived estimates of splanchnic hypoperfusion and included more invasive hemodynamic monitoring and additional administration of colloid or crystalloid solutions, or inotropic support. Group 3 patients additionally received therapies specifically aimed at optimizing splanchnic perfusion and minimizing oxidant-mediated damage from reperfusion. The three groups were similar based on age, Injury Severity Score, and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II Scores. There were no statistically significant differences in mortality rates, organ dysfunction, ventilator days, or length of stay between any of the interventions. Techniques of optimization of splanchnic perfusion and minimization of oxidant-mediated reperfusion injury evaluated in this study were not advantageous relative to standard resuscitation measures guided by conventional or tonometric measures of hypoperfusion in the therapy of occult and clinical shock in trauma patients.

Evaluation of Microvascular Perfusion and Resuscitation after Severe Injury

2015 ◽  
Vol 81 (12) ◽  
pp. 1272-1278 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yann-Leei L. Lee ◽  
Jon D. Simmons ◽  
Mark N. Gillespie ◽  
Diego F. Alvarez ◽  
Richard P. Gonzalez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Injury Severity ◽  
Capillary Flow ◽  
Severe Trauma ◽  
Dark Field ◽  
Serum Lactate ◽  
Microvascular Perfusion ◽  
Trauma Patients ◽  
Sidestream Dark Field ◽  
Trauma Population ◽  
Severity Scores

Achieving adequate perfusion is a key goal of treatment in severe trauma; however, tissue perfusion has classically been measured by indirect means. Direct visualization of capillary flow has been applied in sepsis, but application of this technology to the trauma population has been limited. The purpose of this investigation was to compare the efficacy of standard indirect measures of perfusion to direct imaging of the sublingual microcirculatory flow during trauma resuscitation. Patients with injury severity scores >15 were serially examined using a handheld sidestream dark-field video microscope. In addition, measurements were also made from healthy volunteers. The De Backer score, a morphometric capillary density score, and total vessel density (TVD) as cumulative vessel area within the image, were calculated using Automated Vascular Analysis (AVA3.0) software. These indices were compared against clinical and laboratory parameters of organ function and systemic metabolic status as well as mortality. Twenty severely injured patients had lower TVD (X = 14.6 ± 0.22 vs 17.66 ± 0.51) and De Backer scores (X = 9.62 ± 0.16 vs 11.55 ± 0.37) compared with healthy controls. These scores best correlated with serum lactate (TVD R2 = 0.525, De Backer R2 = 0.576, P < 0.05). Mean arterial pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation, pH, bicarbonate, base deficit, hematocrit, and coagulation parameters correlated poorly with both TVD and De Backer score. Direct measurement of sublingual microvascular perfusion is technically feasible in trauma patients, and seems to provide real-time assessment of micro-circulatory perfusion. This study suggests that in severe trauma, many indirect measurements of perfusion do not correlate with microvascular perfusion. However, visualized perfusion deficiencies do reflect a shift toward anaerobic metabolism.

scholarly journals Outcomes of major trauma among patients with chronic kidney disease and receiving dialysis in Nova Scotia: a retrospective analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. e000672
Author(s):  
Ryan Pratt ◽  
Mete Erdogan ◽  
Robert Green ◽  
David Clark ◽  
Amanda Vinson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Kidney Disease ◽  
Nova Scotia ◽  
Kidney Disease ◽  
Hospital Mortality ◽  
Major Trauma ◽  
Injury Severity ◽  
Cox Regression ◽  
Trauma Patients ◽  
Risk Of Death ◽  
Increased Risk

BackgroundThe risk of death and complications after major trauma in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is higher than in the general population, but whether this association holds true among Canadian trauma patients is unknown.ObjectivesTo characterize patients with CKD/receiving dialysis within a regional major trauma cohort and compare their outcomes with patients without CKD.MethodsAll major traumas requiring hospitalization between 2006 and 2017 were identified from a provincial trauma registry in Nova Scotia, Canada. Trauma patients with stage ≥3 CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m2) or receiving dialysis were identified by cross-referencing two regional databases for nephrology clinics and dialysis treatments. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality; secondary outcomes included hospital/intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS) and ventilator-days. Cox regression was used to adjust for the effects of patient characteristics on in-hospital mortality.ResultsIn total, 6237 trauma patients were identified, of whom 4997 lived within the regional nephrology catchment area. CKD/dialysis trauma patients (n=101; 28 on dialysis) were older than patients without CKD (n=4896), with higher rates of hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, and had increased risk of in-hospital mortality (31% vs 11%, p<0.001). No differences were observed in injury severity, ICU LOS, or ventilator-days. After adjustment for age, sex, and injury severity, the HR for in-hospital mortality was 1.90 (95% CI 1.33 to 2.70) for CKD/dialysis compared with patients without CKD.ConclusionIndependent of injury severity, patients without CKD/dialysis have significantly increased risk of in-hospital mortality after major trauma.

scholarly journals A retrospective cohort study of 27,049 polytraumatized patients age 60 and above: identifying changes over 16 years

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Kalbas ◽  
M. Lempert ◽  
F. Ziegenhain ◽  
J. Scherer ◽  
V. Neuhaus ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Injury Severity ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
Severe Trauma ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Trauma Patients ◽  
Treatment Algorithms ◽  
Injured Patients ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Purpose The number of severely injured patients exceeding the age of 60 has shown a steep increase within the last decades. These patients present with numerous co-morbidities, polypharmacy, and increased frailty requiring an adjusted treatment approach. In this study, we establish an overview of changes we observed in demographics of older severe trauma patients from 2002 to 2017. Methods A descriptive analysis of the data from the TraumaRegister DGU® (TR-DGU) was performed. Patients admitted to a level one trauma center in Germany, Austria and Switzerland between 2002 and 2017, aged 60 years or older and with an injury severity score (ISS) over 15 were included. Patients were stratified into subgroups based on the admission: 2002–2005 (1), 2006–2009 (2), 2010–2013 (3) and 2014–2017 (4). Trauma and patient characteristics, diagnostics, treatment and outcome were compared. Results In total 27,049 patients with an average age of 73.9 years met the inclusion criteria. The majority were males (64%), and the mean ISS was 27.4. The proportion of patients 60 years or older [(23% (1) to 40% (4)] rose considerably over time. Trauma mechanisms changed over time and more specifically low falls (< 3 m) rose from 17.6% (1) to 40.1% (4). Altered injury patterns were also identified. Length-of-stay decreased from 28.9 (1) to 19.5 days (4) and the length-of-stay on ICU decreased from 17.1 (1) to 12.7 days (4). Mortality decreased from 40.5% (1) to 31.8% (4). Conclusion Length of stay and mortality decreased despite an increase in patient age. We ascribe this observation mainly to increased use of diagnostic tools, improved treatment algorithms, and the implementation of specialized trauma centers for older patients allowing interdisciplinary care.

Abstract 287: Plasma PCSK9 Concentrations in Critically Ill Patients

2012 ◽  
Vol 32 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bertrand Cariou ◽  
Maëlle Le Bras ◽  
Antoine Roquilly ◽  
Fanny Feuillet ◽  
Véronique Sebille ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Trauma ◽  
Injury Severity ◽  
Ldl Receptor ◽  
Plasma Lipid ◽  
Severity Of Illness ◽  
Inverse Correlation ◽  
Severe Trauma ◽  
Trauma Patients ◽  
Intensive Care Patients ◽  
Pearson Coefficient

Objective. Pro-protein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a circulating protein that impairs LDL clearance by promoting the LDL receptor (LDLR) degradation. Plasma lipid parameters (LDL-C and HDL-C) are related to severity of illness and survival in intensive care patients. Here, we aimed to determine whether circulating PCSK9 concentrations were correlated to the severity of illness in patients with multiple trauma. Methods/Results. Plasma PCSK9 were measured, at day 0 and 8 after admission, by ELISA in 111 patients hospitalized in ICU for severe trauma. Patients were included in the HIPOLYTE study and were randomly assigned to hydrocortisone therapy or placebo. Plasma PCSK9 levels were significantly increased by 161% at day 8 compared to day 0 (481 ± 227 vs 231 ± 117 ng/ml, P=0.0001). Hydrocortisone therapy did not alter PCSK9 concentrations at day 8 compared to placebo (451 ± 216 vs 511 ± 239ng/ml, P=0.33). In the whole population of the study, PCSK9 was positively associated with LDL-C (Pearson coefficient : 0.26, p=0.007) at day 0, but not with markers of severity illness. At day 8, an inverse correlation was found between PCSK9 and HDL-C (β =-653 ; P=0.004). Interestingly, PCSK9 concentrations at day 8 were related to markers of severity illness as injury severity score (β =6.17 ; P=0.0007), length of stay in ICU (β =6.14 ; P=0.0001), duration of both mechanical ventilation (β =8.26 ; P=0.0001) and cathecolamines infusion (β =18.57; P=0.015). Conclusion. PCSK9 appears as a late biomarker of severity illness in patients hospitalized for multiple trauma in ICU. These results open new perspectives for a role of PCSK9 in critical illness.

Correlation between surgical site infection and obesity after exploratory laparotomy in trauma patients

QJM ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 114 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Abdelaziz ◽  
Ahmed Sabry ◽  
Mohamed Fayek
Keyword(s):  
Surgical Site Infection ◽  
Abdominal Trauma ◽  
Damage Control ◽  
Exploratory Laparotomy ◽  
Fascial Closure ◽  
Wound Complications ◽  
Trauma Patients ◽  
Obese Patients ◽  
Site Infection ◽  
University Hospitals

Abstract Background Obesity has become a major contributor to the global burden of chronic disease and disability. Understanding the effect of obesity on the incidence of wound infections and other wound complications remains incomplete despite considerable attention to both the growing ‘‘epidemic’’ of obesity and the frequent occurrence of surgical site infection (SSI) after surgical procedures. Damage-control laparotomy specifically has been associated with a higher rate of infectious complications and a lower rate of primary fascial closure in obese patients. Aim of the work The aim of the study is to evaluate the correlation between obesity and surgical site infection (SSI) in patients undergoing exploratory laparotomy after abdominal trauma. Patients and methods A retrospective study performed on obese patients of both genders aged between 18 and 60 years old undergoing exploratory laparotomy after abdominal trauma at the surgery departments of Ain Shams University Hospitals, Al-Bank Al-Ahly Hospital, Al-Mataria Hospital and Al-Salam Hospital, Cairo, Egypt for two years (1st of January 2018 to 1st of January 2020). Patients with infected wounds, receiving antibiotic therapy at the time of injury, those with a known immunodeficiency, who died within 48 hours after injury, who had sustained burn injuries, who underwent surgery at another institution before admission to our hospital were excluded. The rate of 30-day SSI post-operatively among obese and non-obese patients were compared. Statistical analysis was also done. Results Out of 782 patients, only 480 of those patients for whom BMI data were available, 360 (75%) were males and 120 (25%) were females. Out of the 480 patients: 168 patients had BMI more than 30; 114 patients (67.8%) had SSI (P &lt; 0.05), 312 patients had BMI less than 30; 61 patients (19.5%) had SSI. All of the included patients were fulfilling the inclusion and the exclusion criteria. On multivariate analysis, obesity was the strongest predictor of SSI (odds ratio = 1.59; 95% confidence interval, 1.32-1.91) after adjustment for sex and age. Obese patients with SSI compared with the non-obese had longer hospital stays (mean, 9.5 vs 8.1 days, respectively; P &lt; .001) and markedly higher rates of hospital readmission (27.1% vs 6.5%, respectively; P &lt; .001). Conclusion Obesity is considered as one of the risk factors in causing surgical site infection. Thus, this study showed the relation of BMI and obesity with surgical site infection in case of exploratory laparotomy after abdominal trauma.

Placement of Surgical Feeding Tubes Among Patients With Severe Traumatic Brain Injury Requiring Exploratory Abdominal Surgery

2020 ◽  
Vol 86 (6) ◽  
pp. 635-642
Author(s):  
Peter I. Cha ◽  
Ronald M. Jou ◽  
David A. Spain ◽  
Joseph D. Forrester
Keyword(s):  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Abdominal Surgery ◽  
Injury Severity ◽  
Unit Length ◽  
Feeding Tube ◽  
Hospital Length ◽  
Hospital Length Of Stay ◽  
Fascial Closure ◽  
Trauma Patients ◽  
Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy Placement

Objectives The purpose of this study was to identify trauma patients who would benefit from surgical placement of an enteral feeding tube during their index abdominal trauma operation. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of all patients admitted to 2 level I trauma centers between January 2013 and February 2018 requiring urgent exploratory abdominal surgery. Results Six-hundred and one patients required exploratory abdominal surgery within 24 hours of admission after trauma activation. Nineteen (3% of total) patients underwent placement of a feeding tube after their initial exploratory surgery. On multivariate analysis, an intracranial Abbreviated Injury Scale ≥4 (odds ratio [OR] = 9.24, 95% CI 1.09-78.26, P = .04) and a Glasgow Coma Scale ≤8 (OR = 4.39, 95% CI 1.38-13.95, P = .01) were associated with increased odds of requiring a feeding tube. All patients who required a feeding tube had an Injury Severity Score ≥15. While not statistically significant, patients with an open surgical feeding tube compared with interventional radiology/percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy placement had lower median intensive care unit length of stay, fewer ventilator days, and shorter median total hospital length of stay. Conclusions Trauma patients with severe intracranial injury already requiring urgent exploratory abdominal surgery may benefit from early, concomitant placement of a feeding tube during the index abdominal operation, or at fascial closure.

Racial and Ethnic Differences in Limiting Life-Sustaining Treatment in Trauma Patients

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (11) ◽  
pp. 974-979
Author(s):  
Kamil Hanna ◽  
James Palmer ◽  
Lourdes Castanon ◽  
Muhammad Zeeshan ◽  
Mohammad Hamidi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
African Americans ◽  
Ethnic Groups ◽  
Ethnic Differences ◽  
Injury Severity ◽  
Traumatic Injury ◽  
Severe Trauma ◽  
Trauma Patients ◽  
Improvement Program ◽  
Racial And Ethnic Differences ◽  
Life Sustaining Treatment

Introduction: Differences in health care between racial and ethnic groups exist. The literature suggests that African Americans and Hispanics prefer more aggressive treatment at the end of life. The aim of this study is to assess racial and ethnic differences in limiting life-sustaining treatment (LLST) after trauma. Study Design: We performed a 2-year (2013-2014) retrospective analysis of Trauma Quality Improvement Program database. Patients with age ≥16 and Injury Severity Score (ISS) ≥ 16 were included. Outcome measures were the incidence and the predictors of LLST. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to control for confounding variables. Results: A total of 97 024 patients were identified. Mean age was 49 (21) years, 68% were male, 68% were white, and 14% were Hispanic. The overall incidence of LLST was 7.2%. Based on race, LLST was selected as consistent with goals of care more often in white when compared to African American individuals who experience serious traumatic injury (8.0% vs 4.5%; P < .001). Based on ethnicity, LLST was more often selected in non-Hispanics (7.5% vs 5.2%, P < .001) when compared to Hispanics. On regression analysis, the independent predictors of LLST were white race (odds ratio [OR]: 2.7 [1.6–4.4], P = .02), non-Hispanic ethnicity (OR: 1.9 [1.4-4.6]; P = .03), severe head injury (OR: 1.7 [1.1-3.2]; P = .04), and ISS (OR: 3.1 [2.4-5.1]; P < .01). Conclusions: Differences exist in selecting LLST between different racial and ethnic groups in severe trauma. African Americans and Hispanics are less likely to select LLST when compared to whites and non-Hispanics. Further studies are required to analyze the factors associated with selecting LLST in African Americans and Hispanics.

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