scholarly journals Necessity of Immediate MRI Imaging in the Acute Care of Severely Injured Patients

Medicina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (9) ◽  
pp. 982
Author(s):  
Daniel Popp ◽  
Maximilian Kerschbaum ◽  
Daniel Mahr ◽  
Claudius Thiedemann ◽  
Antonio Ernstberger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Injury Severity ◽  
Injured Patient ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Severely Injured ◽  
Vascular Injuries ◽  
Mri Imaging ◽  
Severely Injured Patients ◽  
Patient Will ◽  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mri ◽  
Injured Patients

Background and Objectives: The standard diagnostic procedure for a patient with a suspected polytrauma injury is computed tomography (CT). In individual cases, however, extended acute imaging using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can provide valuable and therapy-relevant information. The aim of our cohort study was to find such cases and to describe their characteristics in order to be able to give possible recommendations for MRI application in acute trauma situations. Materials and Methods: In the study period from 2015–2019, an evaluation of the imaging performed on polytrauma patients was carried out. The specific diagnostic and therapeutic criteria of the MRI group were further defined. Results: In total, 580 patients with an ISS ≥16 (injury severity score) were included in the study. Of these 580 patients, 568 patients received a CT scan and 12 patients an MRI scan as part of the initial diagnostic. Altogether, 66.67% of the MRIs took place outside of regular service hours. The main findings for MRI indications were neurological abnormalities with a focus on myelon injuries. Further MRI examinations were performed to rule out vascular injuries. All in all, 58.3% of the MRIs performed resulted in modified therapeutic strategies afterward. Conclusions: MRI in the context of acute diagnostic of a severely injured patient will likely remain reserved for special indications in the future. However, maximum care hospitals with a high flow of severely injured patients should provide 24/7 MR imaging to ensure the best possible care, especially in neurological and blunt vascular injuries.

Delays in Transfer of Elderly Less-injured Trauma Patients Can Have Deadly Consequences

2014 ◽  
Vol 80 (11) ◽  
pp. 1132-1135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter E. Fischer ◽  
Paul D. Colavita ◽  
Gregory P. Fleming ◽  
Toan T. Huynh ◽  
A. Britton Christmas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Trauma Center ◽  
Injury Severity ◽  
Trauma Patients ◽  
Severely Injured ◽  
Severely Injured Patients ◽  
Local Trauma ◽  
Level 1 ◽  
Poor Outcomes ◽  
Injured Patients ◽  
Level 1 Trauma Center

Transfer of severely injured patients to regional trauma centers is often expedited; however, transfer of less-injured, older patients may not evoke the same urgency. We examined referring hospitals’ length of stay (LOS) and compared the subsequent outcomes in less-injured transfer patients (TP) with patients presenting directly (DP) to the trauma center. We reviewed the medical records of less-injured (Injury Severity Score [ISS] 9 or less), older (age older than 60 years) patients transferred to a regional Level 1 trauma center to determine the referring facility LOS, demographics, and injury information. Outcomes of the TP were then compared with similarly injured DP using local trauma registry data. In 2011, there were 1657 transfers; the referring facility LOS averaged greater than 3 hours. In the less-injured patients (ISS 9 or less), the average referring facility LOS was 3 hours 20 minutes compared with 2 hours 24 minutes in more severely injured patients (ISS 25 or greater, P < 0.05). The mortality was significantly lower in the DP patients (5.8% TP vs 2.6% DP, P = 0.035). Delays in transfer of less-injured, older trauma patients can result in poor outcomes including increased mortality. Geographic challenges do not allow for every patient to be transported directly to a trauma center. As a result, we propose further outreach efforts to identify potential causes for delay and to promote compliance with regional referral guidelines.

Vasopressor Use during Emergency Trauma Surgery

2014 ◽  
Vol 80 (5) ◽  
pp. 472-478 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert M. Van Haren ◽  
Chad M. Thorson ◽  
Evan J. Valle ◽  
Gerardo A. Guarch ◽  
Jassin M. Jouria ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Arrest ◽  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Injury Severity ◽  
Trauma Surgery ◽  
Vital Signs ◽  
Severely Injured ◽  
Severely Injured Patients ◽  
Vasopressor Use ◽  
Injured Patients

Most evidence suggests early vasopressor use is associated with death after trauma, but no previous study has focused on patients requiring emergency operative intervention (OR). We test the hypothesis that vasopressors are harmful in this population. Records from 746 patients requiring OR from July 2009 to March 2013 were retrospectively reviewed and stratified based on vasopressor use (epinephrine [EPI], phenylephrine, ephedrine, norepinephrine, dobutamine, vasopressin) or no vasopressor use. Vasopressors were administered to 225 patients (30%) during OR; 59 patients (8%) received multiple vasopressors. Patients who received vasopressors were older, more severely injured, had worse vital signs, and increased mortality rate (all P < 0.001). EPI was independently associated with mortality (odds ratio, 6.88; P = 0.001). If patients who received EPI were excluded, there was no difference in mortality between those who received vasopressors alone or in combination and those that did not (5 vs 6%, P = 0.523), although multiple markers of injury severity were worse. We conclude that vasopressor use is relatively common in the most severely injured patients requiring OR and is associated with mortality. EPI is most often used for cardiac arrest, whereas other vasopressors are used for their vasoconstrictive properties. This suggests that, except for EPI, vasopressors during OR are not independently associated with mortality.

Despite Trauma Center Closures, Trauma System Regionalization Reduces Mortality and Time to Definitive Care in Severely Injured Patients

2017 ◽  
Vol 83 (6) ◽  
pp. 591-597 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jack C. He ◽  
David Schechtman ◽  
Debra L. Allen ◽  
Jillian J. Cremona ◽  
Jeffrey A. Claridge
Keyword(s):  
Median Time ◽  
Injury Severity ◽  
Trauma System ◽  
Relative Reduction ◽  
Severely Injured ◽  
Severely Injured Patients ◽  
Trauma Outcomes ◽  
Hospital Systems ◽  
Injured Patients ◽  
Patient Subgroups

The Northern Ohio Trauma System (NOTS), consisting of multiple hospital systems, was established in 2010 to improve trauma outcomes. This study assessed its impact on mortality and time to definitive care, focusing especially on the severely injured patients. NOTS trauma registry was queried for all trauma activations from 2008 to 2013. The years between 2008–2009 and 2011–2013 were designated as pre- and post-NOTS, respectively. Data from 2010 was excluded as a transitional year. Two trauma centers (TCs) closed in 2010. Predetermined patient subgroups were analyzed. A total of 27,843 patients were examined. Mean age was 46 and 64 per cent were male. Median Injury Severity Score (ISS) was five, and 87 per cent sustained blunt injuries. Of these, 10,641 patients were pre-NOTS and 17,202 were post-NOTS. Comparing the two groups, mortality decreased from 5 to 4 per cent post-NOTS (P < 0.001); median time to definitive care increased by 12 minutes post-NOTS. Multivariate logistic regression showed that NOTS implementation was an independent predictor for survival (P = 0.008), whereas time to definitive care was not. Subgroup analyses demonstrated mortality reductions post-NOTS for all subgroups except patients with penetrating injuries, where mortality remained the same despite an increase in ISS. Patients with ISS ≥15 had a 23 per cent relative reduction in mortality, and their median time to definitive care decreased by 12 minutes. Implementation of a collaborative, regional trauma system was associated with mortality reduction and shortened time to definitive care in the severely injured patients. These findings highlight the importance of collaboration in the future development of regional trauma systems.

Vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) for craniocerebral wounds in severely injured patients: technical note of a damage control procedure

2019 ◽  
Vol 165 (6) ◽  
pp. e1-e1
Author(s):  
Christophe Joubert ◽  
A Sellier ◽  
J-B Morvan ◽  
N Beucler ◽  
J Bordes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Damage Control ◽  
Injured Patient ◽  
Technical Note ◽  
Cerebrospinal Fluid Leakage ◽  
Control Procedure ◽  
Illustrative Case ◽  
Severely Injured ◽  
Vacuum Assisted Closure ◽  
Severely Injured Patients ◽  
Injured Patients

The management of a craniocerebral wound (CCW) remains challenging, particularly in a severely injured patient. Considering the complexity of the multilayer insult and damage control care in an unstable patient, every procedure performed should promptly benefit the patient. We report an illustrative case of a patient with a gunshot wound to the head that resulted in a CCW for which we applied vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) therapy according to damage control principles. We describe the technical approach and discuss the indications, results and technique by considering the literature available. VAC can be used for CCWs, particularly for large defects in selected patients according to clinical and CT evaluations following immediate resuscitation. In severely injured and unstable patients, VAC aims to delay definitive reconstructive and time-consuming treatment. Interestingly, it appears to be a safe treatment based on the previously described—but not exclusively trauma—cases with no secondary cerebrospinal fluid leakage encountered.

Relationship between injury severity and lactate levels in severely injured patients

2003 ◽  
Vol 29 (8) ◽  
pp. 1300-1305 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ognjen Cerović ◽  
Vesna Golubović ◽  
Ana Špec-Marn ◽  
Boriana Kremžar ◽  
Gaj Vidmar
Keyword(s):  
Injury Severity ◽  
Severely Injured ◽  
Severely Injured Patients ◽  
Lactate Levels ◽  
Injured Patients

scholarly journals Interobserver variability of injury severity assessment in polytrauma patients: does the anatomical region play a role?

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eftychios Bolierakis ◽  
Sylvia Schick ◽  
Kai Sprengel ◽  
Kai Oliver Jensen ◽  
Frank Hildebrand ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Injury Severity Score ◽  
Severity Score ◽  
Injury Severity ◽  
Interobserver Variability ◽  
Severity Assessment ◽  
Severely Injured ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Severely Injured Patients ◽  
Anatomical Region ◽  
Injured Patients

Abstract Background The Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) and Injury Severity Score (ISS) are widely used to assess trauma patients. In this study, the interobserver variability of the injury severity assessment for severely injured patients was analyzed based on different injured anatomical regions, and the various demographic backgrounds of the observers. Methods A standardized questionnaire was presented to surgical experts and participants of clinical polytrauma courses. It contained medical information and initial X-rays/CT-scans of 10 cases of severely injured patients. Participants estimated the severity of each injury based on the AIS. Interobserver variability for the AIS, ISS, and New Injury Severity Score (NISS) was calculated by employing the statistical method of Krippendorff's α coefficient. Results Overall, 54 participants were included. The major contributing medical specialties were orthopedic trauma surgery (N = 36, 67%) and general surgery (N = 13, 24%). The measured interobserver variability in the assessment of the overall injury severity was high (α ISS: 0.33 / α NISS: 0.23). Moreover, there were differences in the interobserver variability of the maximum AIS (MAIS) depending on the anatomical region: αhead and neck: 0.06, αthorax: 0.45, αabdomen: 0.27 and αextremities: 0.55. Conclusions Interobserver agreement concerning injury severity assessment appears to be low among clinicians. We also noted marked differences in variability according to injury anatomy. The study shows that the assessment of injury severity is also highly variable between experts in the field. This implies the need for appropriate education to improve the accuracy of trauma evaluation in the respective trauma registries.

scholarly journals The Relationship between Hospital Volume and In-Hospital Mortality of Severely Injured Patients in Dutch Level-1 Trauma Centers

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1700
Author(s):  
Charlie Sewalt ◽  
Esmee Venema ◽  
Erik van Zwet ◽  
Jan van Ditshuizen ◽  
Stephanie Schuit ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hospital Mortality ◽  
Trauma Center ◽  
Hospital Volume ◽  
Injury Severity ◽  
Severely Injured ◽  
Trauma Centers ◽  
Severely Injured Patients ◽  
Level 1 ◽  
Injured Patients ◽  
Level 1 Trauma Center

Centralization of trauma centers leads to a higher hospital volume of severely injured patients (Injury Severity Score (ISS) > 15), but the effect of volume on outcome remains unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the association between hospital volume of severely injured patients and in-hospital mortality in Dutch Level-1 trauma centers. A retrospective observational cohort study was performed using the Dutch trauma registry. All severely injured adults (ISS > 15) admitted to a Level-1 trauma center between 2015 and 2018 were included. The effect of hospital volume on in-hospital mortality was analyzed with random effects logistic regression models with a random intercept for Level-1 trauma center, adjusted for important demographic and injury characteristics. A total of 11,917 severely injured patients from 13 Dutch Level-1 trauma centers was included in this study. Hospital volume varied from 120 to 410 severely injured patients per year. Observed mortality rates varied between 12% and 24% per center. After case-mix correction, no statistically significant differences between low- and high-volume centers were demonstrated (adjusted odds ratio 0.97 per 50 extra patients per year, 95% Confidence Interval 0.90–1.04, p = 0.44). The variation in hospital volume of the included Level-1 trauma centers was not associated with the outcome of severely injured patients. Our results suggest that well-organized trauma centers with a similar organization of care could potentially achieve comparable outcomes.

scholarly journals Which Risk Factors Predict Knee Ligament Injuries in Severely Injured Patients?—Results from an International Multicenter Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 1437 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian D. Weber ◽  
Lucian B. Solomon ◽  
Rolf Lefering ◽  
Klemens Horst ◽  
Philipp Kobbe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Knee Injury ◽  
Injury Severity ◽  
Knee Injuries ◽  
Severely Injured ◽  
Ligament Injuries ◽  
Severely Injured Patients ◽  
Injury Group ◽  
Injured Patients ◽  
Knee Dislocations

Introduction: Ligament injuries around the knee joint and knee dislocations are rare but potentially complex injuries associated with high-energy trauma. Concomitant neurovascular injuries further affect their long-term clinical outcomes. In contrast to isolated ligamentous knee injuries, epidemiologic data and knowledge on predicting knee injuries in severely injured patients is still limited. Methods: The TraumaRegister DGU® (TR-DGU) was queried (01/2009–12/2016). Inclusion criteria for selection from the database: maximum abbreviated injury severity ≥ 3 points (MAIS 3+). Participating countries: Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The two main groups included a “control” and a “knee injury” group. The injury severity score (ISS) and new ISS (NISS) were used for injury severity classification, and the abbreviated injury scale (AIS) was used to classify the severity of the knee injury. Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate various risk factors for knee injuries. Results: The study cohort included 139,462 severely injured trauma patients. We identified 4411 individuals (3.2%) with a ligament injury around the knee joint (“knee injury” group) and 1153 patients with a knee dislocation (0.8%). The risk for associated injuries of the peroneal nerve and popliteal artery were significantly increased in dislocated knees when compared to controls (peroneal nerve from 0.4% to 6.7%, popliteal artery from 0.3% to 6.9%, respectively). Among the predictors for knee injuries were specific mechanisms of injury: e.g., pedestrian struck (Odds ratio [OR] 3.2, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.69–3.74 p ≤ 0.001), motorcycle (OR 3.0, 95% CI: 2.58–3.48, p ≤ 0.001), and motor vehicle accidents (OR 2.2, 95% CI: 1.86–2.51, p ≤ 0.001) and associated skeletal injuries, e.g., patella (OR 2.3, 95% CI: 1.99–2.62, p ≤ 0.001), tibia (OR 1.9, 95% CI: 1.75–2.05, p ≤ 0.001), and femur (OR 1.8, 95% CI: 1.64–1.89, p ≤ 0.001), but neither male sex nor general injury severity (ISS). Conclusion: Ligament injuries and knee dislocations are associated with high-risk mechanisms and concomitant skeletal injuries of the lower extremity, but are not predicted by general injury severity or sex. Despite comparable ISS, knee injuries prolong the hospital length of stay. Delayed or missed diagnosis of knee injuries can be prevented by comprehensive clinical evaluation after fracture fixation and a high index of suspicion is advised, especially in the presence of the above mentioned risk factors.

scholarly journals Impact of Chest Trauma and Overweight on Mortality and Outcome in Severely Injured Patients

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 2752 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thurid Eckhardt ◽  
Klemens Horst ◽  
Philipp Störmann ◽  
Felix Bläsius ◽  
Martijn Hofman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Survival Benefit ◽  
Multivariate Regression ◽  
Chest Trauma ◽  
Injury Severity ◽  
Severely Injured ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Severely Injured Patients ◽  
Multiple Factors ◽  
Injured Patients

The morbidity and mortality of severely injured patients are commonly affected by multiple factors. Especially, severe chest trauma has been shown to be a significant factor in considering outcome. Contemporaneously, weight-associated endocrinological, haematological, and metabolic deviations from the norm seem to have an impact on the posttraumatic course. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the influence of body weight on severely injured patients by emphasizing chest trauma. A total of 338 severely injured patients were included. Multivariate regression analyses were performed on patients with severe chest trauma (AIS ≥ 3) and patients with minor chest trauma (AIS < 3). The influence of body weight on in-hospital mortality was evaluated. Of all the patients, 70.4% were male, the median age was 52 years (IQR 36–68), the overall Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 24 points (IQR 17–29), and a median BMI of 25.1 points (IQR 23–28) was determined. In general, chest trauma was associated with prolonged ventilation, prolonged ICU treatment, and increased mortality. For overweight patients with severe chest trauma, an independent survival benefit was found (OR 0.158; p = 0.037). Overweight seems to have an impact on the mortality of severely injured patients with combined chest trauma. Potentially, a nutritive advantage or still-unknown immunological aspects in these patients affecting the intensive treatment course could be argued.

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