The journal of trauma and acute care surgery
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J Trauma Acute Care Surg · Apr 2021
Observational StudyEvaluation of the Berlin polytrauma definition: A Dutch nationwide observational study.
The Berlin polytrauma definition (BPD) was established to identify multiple injury patients with a high risk of mortality. The definition includes injuries with an Abbreviated Injury Scale score of ≥3 in ≥2 body regions (2AIS ≥3) combined with the presence of ≥1 physiological risk factors (PRFs). The PRFs are based on age, Glasgow Coma Scale, hypotension, acidosis, and coagulopathy at specific cutoff values. This study evaluates and compares the BPD with two other multiple injury definitions used to identify patients with high resource utilization and mortality risk, using data from the Dutch National Trauma Register (DNTR). ⋯ Epidemiological study, level III.
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J Trauma Acute Care Surg · Apr 2021
Observational Study"Safer at home": The effect of the COVID-19 lockdown on epidemiology, resource utilization, and outcomes at a large urban trauma center.
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the entire global health care system. In California, because of a high burden of cases, a lockdown order was announced on March 19, 2020. This study investigated the impact of the lockdown on the epidemiology and outcomes of trauma admissions at the largest trauma center in Los Angeles. ⋯ Epidemiological study, level III; Retrospective observational, level III.
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J Trauma Acute Care Surg · Mar 2021
Nationwide cost-effectiveness analysis of surgical stabilization of rib fractures by flail chest status and age groups.
Surgical stabilization of rib fracture (SSRF) is increasingly used to manage patients with rib fractures. Benefits of performing SSRF appear variable, and the procedure is costly, necessitating cost-effectiveness analysis for distinct subgroups. We aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness of SSRF versus nonoperative management among patients with rib fractures younger than 65 years versus 65 years or older, with versus without flail chest. We hypothesized that, compared with nonoperative management, SSRF is cost-effective only for patients with flail chest. ⋯ Economic/decision, level II.
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J Trauma Acute Care Surg · Mar 2021
Early dynamic orchestration of immunologic mediators identifies multiply injured patients who are tolerant or sensitive to hemorrhage.
Multiply injured patients (MIPs) are at risk of complications including infections, and acute and prolonged organ dysfunction. The immunologic response to injury has been shown to affect outcomes. Recent advances in computational capabilities have shown that early dynamic coordination of the immunologic response is associated with improved outcomes after trauma. We hypothesized that patients who were sensitive or tolerant of hemorrhage would demonstrate differences in dynamic immunologic orchestration within hours of injury. ⋯ Prospective clinical outcomes study, level III.
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J Trauma Acute Care Surg · Mar 2021
Evaluation of the efficacy of commercial and noncommercial tourniquets for extremity hemorrhage control in a perfused cadaver model.
Tourniquets are a critical tool in the immediate response to life-threatening extremity hemorrhage; however, the optimal tourniquet type and effectiveness of noncommercial devices remain unclear. Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy of five tourniquets in a perfused-cadaver model. ⋯ Four of five tourniquets evaluated, including both noncommercial devices, effectively achieved hemostasis. A standard leather belt was the fastest to place and was able to stop the bleeding. However, it required continuous pressure to maintain hemostasis. The improvised windlass was as effective as the commercial devices and was the easiest to apply. In an emergency setting where commercial devices are not available, improvised tourniquets may be an effective bridge to definitive care.