Predictive model for survival at the conclusion of a damage control laparotomy

Predictive factors of mortality in damage control surgery for abdominal trauma

INTRODUCTION

damage control surgery (DCS) is well recognized as a surgical strategy for patients sustaining severe abdominal trauma. Literature suggests the indications, operative times, therapeutic procedures, laboratory parameters and intraoperative findings have a direct bearing on the outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

to analyze the clinical profile of patients undergoing DCS and determine predictors of morbidity and mortality.

METHODS

a retrospective cohort study was conducted on all patients undergoing DCS following abdominal trauma from November 2015 and December 2021. Data on subjects' demographics, baseline presentation, mechanism of injury, associated injuries, injury severity scores, laboratory parameters, operative details, postoperative complications, length of stay and mortality were assessed. A binary logistic regression analysis was performed to determine potential risk factors for mortality.

RESULTS

During the study period, 696 patients underwent trauma laparotomy. Of these, 8.9% (n=62) were DCS, with more than 80% due to penetrating mechanisms. Overall mortality was 59.6%. In the logistic regression stratified by survival, several variables were significantly associated with mortality, including hypotension, and altered mental status at admission, intraoperative cardiorespiratory arrest, need for resuscitative thoracotomy, metabolic acidosis, hyperlactatemia, coagulopathy, fibrinolysis, and severity of the trauma injury scores.

CONCLUSION

DCS may be appropriate in critically injured patients; however, it remains associated with significant morbidity and high mortality, even at specialized trauma care centers. From pre and postoperative clinical and laboratory parameters, it was possible to predict the risk of death in the studied sample.

Fatores preditivos de mortalidade na cirurgia de controle de danos no trauma abdominal

RESUMO Introdução: a cirurgia de controle de danos (CCD) é estratégia bem definida de manejo cirúrgico para pacientes vítimas de trauma grave. A literatura sugere que as indicações, tempo operatório, medidas terapêuticas adotadas, alterações laboratoriais e achados transoperatórios apresentam impacto direto sobre o desfecho. Objetivo: analisar o perfil clínico-demográfico dos pacientes submetidos à CCD e identificar fatores preditivos de morbimortalidade na amostra. Métodos: coorte retrospectiva a partir da análise de prontuários de pacientes submetidos à CCD por trauma abdominal entre novembro de 2015 e dezembro de 2021. As variáveis analisadas incluíram dados demográficos, tempo da admissão, mecanismo do trauma, lesões associadas, escores de trauma, parâmetros laboratoriais, achados cirúrgicos, reposição volêmica e de hemoderivados, complicações pós-operatórias, tempo de internação e mortalidade. Para analisar os fatores de risco para mortalidade, foi utilizada análise de regressão logística binária. Resultados: no período, foram realizadas 696 laparotomias por trauma abdominal e destas, 8.9% (n=62) foram CCD, sendo mais de 80% por mecanismo penetrante. A mortalidade foi de 59.6%. Na regressão logística estratificada pela sobrevida, diversas variáveis foram associadas à mortalidade com significância estatística, incluindo hipotensão e alteração do estado mental à admissão, parada cardiorrespiratória no transoperatório, necessidade de toracotomia de reanimação, acidose metabólica, hiperlactatemia, coagulopatia, fibrinólise, gravidade dos escores de trauma e necessidade de hemoderivados. Conclusão: apesar da condução da estratégia de CCD em centro de trauma, a morbimortalidade ainda é elevada. A partir de parâmetros clínicos e laboratoriais pré e pós-operatórios, é possível predizer o risco de evolução para óbito na amostra estudada.

Damage control surgery: are we losing control over indications?

OBJECTIVE

to analyze the surgeons' subjective indications for damage control surgery, correlating with objective data about the patients' physiological state at the time the surgery was chosen.

METHODS

we carried out a prospective study between January 2016 and February 2017, with 46 trauma victims who were submitted to damage control surgery. After each surgery, we applied a questionnaire to the attending surgeon, addressing the motivations for choosing the procedure. We collected data in the medical records to assess hemodynamic conditions, systolic blood pressure and heart rate on arrival at the emergency room (grade III or IV shock on arrival at the emergency room would partially justify the choice). We considered elevation of serum lactate level, prolonged prothrombin time and blood pH below 7.2 as laboratory indicators of worse prognosis, objectively corroborating the subjective choice of the procedure.

RESULTS

the main indications for damage control surgery were hemodynamic instability (47.8%) and high complexity lesions (30.4%). Hemodynamic and laboratory changes corroborated the choice in 65.2% of patients, regardless of the time; 23.9% presented hemodynamic changes compatible with degree III and IV shock, but without laboratory alterations; 4.3% had only laboratory abnormalities and 6.5% had no alterations at all.

CONCLUSION

in the majority of cases, there was early indication for damage control surgery, based mainly on hemodynamic status and severity of lesions, and in 65.2%, the decision was compatible with alterations in objective hemodynamic and laboratory data.

An outcome prediction model for exsanguinating patients with blunt abdominal trauma after damage control laparotomy: a retrospective study

Background

We present a series of patients with blunt abdominal trauma who underwent damage control laparotomy (DCL) and introduce a nomogram that we created to predict survival among these patients.

Methods

This was a retrospective study. From January 2002 to June 2012, 91 patients underwent DCL for hemorrhagic shock. We excluded patients with the following characteristics: a penetrating abdominal injury, age younger than 18 or older than 65 years, a severe or life-threatening brain injury (Abbreviated Injury Scale [AIS] ≥ 4), emergency department (ED) arrival more than 6 hours after injury, pregnancy, end-stage renal disease, or cirrhosis. In addition, we excluded patients who underwent DCL after ICU admission or later in the course of hospitalization.

Results

The overall mortality rate was 61.5%: 35 patients survived and 56 died. We identified independent survival predictors, which included a preoperative Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score < 8 and a base excess (BE) value < -13.9 mEq/L. We created a nomogram for outcome prediction that included four variables: preoperative GCS, initial BE, preoperative diastolic pressure, and preoperative cardiopulmonary cerebral resuscitation (CPCR).

Conclusions

DCL is a life-saving procedure performed in critical patients, and devastating clinical outcomes can be expected under such dire circumstances as blunt abdominal trauma with exsanguination. The nomogram presented here may provide ED physicians and trauma surgeons with a tool for early stratification and risk evaluation in critical, exsanguinating patients.

Risk factors for late death of patients with abdominal trauma after damage control laparotomy for hemostasis

Introduction

In this study, we explored the possible causes of death and risk factors in patients who overcame the initial critical circumstance when undergoing a damage control laparotomy for abdominal trauma and succumbed later to their clinical course.

Methods

This was a retrospective study. We selected patients who fulfilled our study criteria from 2002 to 2012. The medical and surgical data of these patients were then reviewed. Fifty patients (survival vs. late death, 39 vs. 11) were enrolled for further analysis.

Results

In a univariable analysis, most of the significant factors were noted in the initial emergency department (ED) stage and early intensive care unit (ICU) stage, while an analysis of perioperative factors revealed a minimal impact on survival. Initial hypoperfusion (pH, BE, and GCS level) and initial poor physiological conditions (body temperature, RTS, and CPCR at ED) may contribute to the patient’s final outcome. An analysis and summary of the causes of death were also performed.

Conclusions

According to our study, the risk factors for late death in patients undergoing DCL may include both the initial trauma-related status and clinical conditions after DCL. In our series, the cause of death for patients with late mortality included the initial brain insult and later infectious complications.

In-vitro comparison of free oscillation rheometry (ReoRox) and rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) in trauma patients upon hospital admission

Plasma-based assays do not provide accurate information on haemostatic resuscitation hence viscoelastic point-of-care haemostatic assays such as rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM Delta, Pentapharm) are used to monitor coagulopathy in trauma patients. Free oscillation rheometry (FOR) is a new whole blood haemostatic assay that measures not only the clot-forming process but also the initial viscous phase; this could potentially be of value when assessing traumatic coagulopathy. A comparative analysis between FOR and ROTEM was therefore performed. This is a prospective observational study of 40 adult trauma patients admitted to a level 1 trauma centre. Citrated whole blood was analysed with ROTEM EXTEM and FIBTEM assays and FOR Fibscreen1 and Fibscreen2 assays. Predefined variables of ROTEM and FOR were compared using Spearman's ρ. ROTEM maximum clot function (MCF) in both EXTEM and FIBTEM correlated (P < 0.0001 for both) with FOR maximum elasticity Fibscreen1 and Fibscreen2, respectively. Interestingly, ROTEM EXTEM clotting time did not correlate with any of the FOR clot initiation parameters COT1, COT2 or COT2-1 of Fibscreen1. A correlation between ROTEM EXTEM and FIBTEM and FOR Fibscreen1 and Fibscreen2 clot formation and clot strength was found as was a significant correlation between lysis index after 60 min and ClotSR30. ROTEM EXTEM did not correlate with COT1, COT2 or COT2-1 of Fibscreen1 and this warrants further investigation.

Results on mining NHANES data: a case study in evidence-based medicine

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), administered annually by the National Center for Health Statistics, is designed to assess the general health and nutritional status of adults and children in the United States. Given to several thousands of individuals, the extent of this survey is very broad, covering demographic, laboratory and examination information, as well as responses to a fairly comprehensive health questionnaire. In this paper, we adapt and extend association rule mining and clustering algorithms to extract useful knowledge regarding diabetes and high blood pressure from the 1999-2008 survey results, thus demonstrating how data mining techniques may be used to support evidence-based medicine.

Improving Mortality Predictions in Trauma Patients Undergoing Damage Control Strategies

The increased use of damage control surgery in complex trauma patients requires accurate prognostic indicators. We compared the discriminatory capacity of commonly used trauma and intensive care unit (ICU) scores, including revised trauma score, injury severity scores, trauma score-injury severity scores, acute physiology and chronic health evaluations II, and clinical and laboratory parameters, on 83 consecutive trauma patients admitted to the ICU, undergoing damage control. Logistic regressions were built for mortality prediction within 30 days. Performances of the models were assessed in terms of discrimination and calibration. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve from the models were compared. Overall mortality was 38.5 per cent. A “clinical” model was constructed including ICU admission pH and hypothermia (≤ 35 C °) and the number of packed red blood cells during the first 24 hours. This model was adjusted for age and demonstrated better discrimination for mortality prediction (areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.8054) than injury severity score ( P value = 0.049), abdominal trauma index ( P value = 0.049), and acute physiology and chronic health evaluations II ( P value = 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in discrimination for mortality prediction between the “clinical” model and revised trauma score ( P value = 0.4) and trauma score-injury severity score ( P value = 0.4). We concluded that the combination of ICU admission pH and hypothermia and blood transfusions during 24 hours provided an excellent discriminatory capacity for mortality prediction in this complex patient population.

Damage control in trauma and abdominal sepsis

Damage control surgery, initially formalized <20 yrs ago, was developed to overcome the poor outcomes in exsanguinating abdominal trauma with traditional surgical approaches. The core concepts for damage control of hemorrhage and contamination control with abbreviated laparotomy followed by resuscitation before definitive repair, although simple in nature, have led to an alteration in which emergent surgery is handled among a multitude of problems, including abdominal sepsis and battlefield surgery. With the aggressive resuscitation associated with damage control surgery, understanding of abdominal compartment syndrome has expanded. It is probably through avoiding this clinical entity that the greatest improvement in surgical outcomes for various emergent surgical problems has occurred in the past two decades. However, with its success, new problems have emerged, including increases in enterocutaneous fistulas and open abdomens. But as with any crisis, innovative strategies are being developed. New approaches to control of the open abdomen and reconstruction of the abdominal wall are being developed from negative pressure dressing therapies to acellular allograft meshes. With further understanding of new resuscitative strategies, the need for damage control surgery may decline, along with its concomitant complications, at the same time retaining the success that damage control surgery has brought to the critically ill trauma and general surgery patient in the past few years.

Evidence supporting the use of recombinant activated factor VII in congenital bleeding disorders

BACKGROUND

Recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa, NovoSeven) was introduced in 1996 for the treatment of hemophilic patients with antibodies against coagulation factor VIII or IX.

OBJECTIVE

To review the evidence supporting the use of rFVIIa for the treatment of patients with congenital bleeding disorders.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

English-language databases were searched in September 2009 for reports of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the ability of rFVIIa to restore hemostasis in patients with congenital bleeding disorders.

RESULTS

Eight RCTs involving 256 hemophilic patients with antibodies against coagulation factors, also known as inhibitors, were identified. The evidence supporting the use of rFVIIa in these patients was weak with regard to dose, clinical setting, mode of administration, efficacy, and adverse events, given the limited sample size of each RCT and the heterogeneity of the studies.

CONCLUSION

The authors suggest that rFVIIa therapy in hemophilic patients with inhibitors should be based on the individual's ability to generate thrombin and form a clot, and not on the patient's weight alone. Therefore, assays for thrombin generation, such as whole-blood thromboelastography, have the potential to significantly improve the treatment of these patients.

Avoiding futile damage control laparotomy

BACKGROUND

The age of a patient, lowest pre-operative pH and lowest core temperature are significant predictors of mortality in patients undergoing damage control surgery (DCS). An equation had previously been devised based on these three variables, which could predict which patients would die despite undergoing DCS (100% positive predictive value, 25% sensitivity). The aim of this study was to validate this equation by testing it on a different cohort of patients undergoing DCS.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective validation study of patients who underwent DCS over a four-year period (1998-2001) was undertaken. The lowest pre-operative pH, lowest pre-operative core temperature and age were recorded and the equation was used to predict which patients were "unsalvageable". This was then compared to the true outcomes of these patients.

RESULTS

A total of 73 case notes were analysed for the period 1998-2001. The equation predicted that eight patients were unsalvageable. All eight patients died (100% positive predictive value), despite DCS being utilised. A further 25 of the rest of the "potentially salvageable" patients also died (24% sensitivity). When data of the original study (2002-2004) was combined with the current study data, the cohort totalled 145 patients, of whom 53 died (37%). Thirteen of these would have been predicted as unsalvageable with a 100% positive predictive value, had the equation been used during this time.

CONCLUSION

Both the positive predictive value and sensitivity of the equation remain consistent. When resources are overwhelmed by multiple casualties, this equation could prove useful in identifying patients in whom surgery may be futile, allowing surgical triage to be directed in a more efficient manner.

Thrombelastography and tromboelastometry in assessing coagulopathy in trauma

Death due to trauma is the leading cause of lost life years worldwide, with haemorrhage being responsible for 30-40% of trauma mortality and accounting for almost 50% of the deaths the initial 24 h. On admission, 25-35% of trauma patients present with coagulopathy, which is associated with a several-fold increase in morbidity and mortality. The recent introduction of haemostatic control resuscitation along with emerging understanding of acute post-traumatic coagulability, are important means to improve therapy and outcome in exsanguinating trauma patients. This change in therapy has emphasized the urgent need for adequate haemostatic assays to monitor traumatic coagulopathy and guide therapy. Based on the cell-based model of haemostasis, there is emerging consensus that plasma-based routine coagulation tests (RCoT), like prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), are inappropriate for monitoring coagulopathy and guide therapy in trauma. The necessity to analyze whole blood to accurately identify relevant coagulopathies, has led to a revival of the interest in viscoelastic haemostatic assays (VHA) such as Thromboelastography (TEG) and Rotation Thromboelastometry (ROTEM). Clinical studies including about 5000 surgical and/or trauma patients have reported on the benefit of using the VHA as compared to plasma-based assays, to identify coagulopathy and guide therapy. This article reviews the basic principles of VHA, the correlation between the VHA whole blood clot formation in accordance with the cell-based model of haemostasis, the current use of VHA-guided therapy in trauma and massive transfusion (haemostatic control resuscitation), limitations of VHA and future perspectives of this assay in trauma.

Impact of Hollow Viscus Injuries on Outcome of Abdominal Gunshot Wounds

Abdominal gunshot wounds (GSW) are a source of morbidity and mortality. Limited data are available on the effect of hollow viscus injuries (HVI) secondary to gunshot wounds. GSW sustained in the Louisville area from 2004 to 2007 were reviewed. Attention was given to the impact of HVI from abdominal GSW. Statistical significance was determined. One-hundred ten patients sustained GSW with peritoneal violation. Eighty-six had HVI. Eighteen died after laparotomy with 15 having an HVI. Patients undergoing damage control (DC) have a significant increase in mortality compared with those not requiring DC. Exsanguination was the major cause of mortality (67%). Mortality directly related to HVI was found in 11 per cent. Twenty patients underwent DC with 11 deaths. Isolated HVI did not show a significantly increased mortality compared with other injury patterns involving solid organ or major vascular structures. Various methods of repair showed no significant survival advantage. Recognition and repair of HVI in abdominal GSW is crucial to patient salvage. Definitive repair of HVI at the initial operation should be considered. Primary repair of HVI is preferred although no survival disadvantage is seen in other forms of repair in marginally stable patients. Definitive repair at the initial operation decreases complications.

Is it more dangerous to perform inadequate packing?

Peri-hepatic packing procedure, which is the basic damage control technique for the treatment of hepatic hemorrhage, is one of the cornerstones of the surgical strategy for abdominal trauma. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the perihepatic packing procedure by comparing the outcomes of appropriately and inappropriately performed interventions. Trauma patients with liver injury were retrospectively evaluated. The patients who had undergone adequate packing were classified as Group A, and the patients who had undergone inappropriate packing, as Group B. Over a five-year period, nineteen patients underwent perihepatic packing. Thirteen of these patients were referred by other hospitals. Of 13 patients, 9 with inappropriate packing procedure due to insertion of intraabdominal drainage catheter (n=4) and underpacking (n=5) were evaluated in Group B, and the others (n=10) with adequate packing were assessed in Group A. Mean 3 units of blood were transfused in Group A and unpacking procedure was performed in the 24th hour. Only 3 (30%) patients required segment resection with homeostasis, and the mortality rate was 20% (2/10 patients). In Group B, 4 patients required repacking in the first 6 hrs. Mean 8 units of blood were transfused until unpacking procedure. The mortality rate was 44% (4/9 patients). The length of intensive care unit stay and requirement of blood transfusion were statistically significantly lower in Group A (p < 0.05). The mortality rate of this group was also lower. However, the difference between the groups for mortality rates was not statistically significant. This study emphasizes that efficacy of the procedure is one of the determinants that affects the results, and inadequate or inappropriate packing may easily result in poor outcome.

Damage control surgery in the abdomen: An approach for the management of severe injured patients

Damage control is well established as a potentially life-saving procedure in a few selected critically injured patients. In these patients the 'lethal triad' of hypothermia, acidosis, and coagulopathy is presented as a vicious cycle that often can not be interrupted and which marks the limit of the patient's ability to cope with the physiological consequences of injury. The principles of damage control have led to improved survival and to stopped bleeding until the physiologic derangement has been restored and the patient could undergo a prolong operation for definitive repair. Although morbidity is remaining high, it is acceptable if it comes in exchange for improved survival. There are five critical decision-making stages of damage control: I, patient selection and decision to perform damage control; II, operation and intraoperative reassessment of laparotomy; III, resuscitation in the intensive care unit; IV, definitive procedures after returning to the operating room; and V, abdominal wall reconstruction. The purpose of this article is to review the physiology of the components of the 'lethal triad', the indication and principles of abdominal damage control of trauma patients, the reoperation time, and the pathophysiology of abdominal compartment syndrome.

Hepatic injury

Hepatic trauma occurs in approximately 5% of all admissions in emergency rooms. The anatomic location and the size of the liver make the organ even more susceptible to trauma and frequently in penetrating injuries. The American Association for the Surgery of Trauma established a detailed classification system that provides for uniform comparisons of hepatic injury. Diagnosis of hepatic injury can be sometimes easy; however the use diagnostic modalities as diagnostic peritoneal lavage, ultrasound and computed tomography allow faster and more accurate diagnosis. Nonoperative management of the hemodynamically stable patient with blunt injury has become the standard of care in most trauma centers. Few penetrating abdominal lesions allow conservative management; exceptions can be some penetrating wounds to right upper abdominal quadrant. Operative treatment of minor liver injuries requires no fixation or can only be managed with eletrocautery or little sutures. Major liver injuries continue, despite technical advances, a challenge to surgeons. Many procedures can be done as direct repair, debridement associated to resections, or even in more severe lesions, packing. This constitutes a damage control which can allow time to recovery of patient and decreasing mortality shortly after trauma.

Current advances in the surgical approach to abdominal trauma

The management of abdominal injury has changed dramatically during the past two decades. This review examines the historic perspectives and recent developments of diagnosis and treatment of liver injuries, splenic injuries, and pancreatic injuries. The incorporation of non-operative management for liver injuries has had a very positive effect on mortality. Likewise, splenic conservative therapy is routinely used. The early treatment of pancreatic injury has changed very little; however, the ability to recognize these difficult injuries has improved with higher quality CT scanning. The authors present their preferred treatment for these three common types of abdominal solid organ injury and present an illustrative case example.

Damage control surgery and the abdomen

There is a complex interplay between primary injury, particularly major abdominal injury in the multi-system trauma patient, and secondary injury, which relate to patient physiology, decision making and surgical technique. Analysis of outcomes is further confounded by the variety of surgical techniques used. The challenge is to match the correct operation, for a critically injured patient, with the patient's physiology. Excellence in general surgery does not equate with excellence in trauma surgery, and a clear understanding of damage control is essential.

Damage control in the abdomen and beyond

Background

Damage control is not a modern concept, but the application of this approach represents a new paradigm in surgery, borne out of a need to care for patients sustaining multiple high-energy injuries.

Methods

A Medline search was performed to locate English language articles relating to damage control procedures in trauma patients. The retrieved articles were manually cross-referenced, and additional academic and historical articles were identified.

Results and conclusion

Damage control surgery, sometimes known as ‘damage limitation surgery’ or ‘abbreviated laparotomy’, is best defined as creating a stable anatomical environment to prevent the patient from progressing to an unsalvageable metabolic state. Patients are more likely to die from metabolic failure than from failure to complete organ repairs. It is with this awareness that damage control surgery is performed, enabling the patient to maintain a sustainable physiological envelope.

Damage control surgery

Damage control is a staged approach to severely injured patients predicated on treatment priorities. Initially, life-threatening injuries are addressed expediently, and procedures are truncated. Normal physiology is restored in the ICU, and patients subsequently are returned to the operating room for definitive management. This strategy breaks the bloody vicious cycle and results in improved outcomes. Novel technologies like CAVR and rFVIIa contribute to the effectiveness of damage control.

Trauma laparotomy in a rural setting before transfer to a regional center: does it save lives?

BACKGROUND

In the rural setting, long distances may necessitate that a patient undergo emergency laparotomy before transfer to a regional trauma center for definitive management. The purpose of this study was to review the experience of three regional trauma centers with such treated patients.

METHODS

This study was a retrospective chart review of patients who underwent emergency laparotomy for trauma before transfer, identified from the respective databases of participating centers over a 6-year period.

RESULTS

Fifty-six patients met the study criteria. Twenty-six (46%) were transferred primarily for management of the abdominal injury, and 14 of these patients (25% overall) underwent damage control procedures. Overall survival was 82%. Logistic regression demonstrated that transfer for treatment of the extra-abdominal injury was the only significant predictor of survival (odds ratio, 34.33; 95% confidence interval, 1.80-655.24).

CONCLUSION

Although patients undergoing laparotomy who were subsequently transferred for management of abdominal injury have reasonable outcome, patients transferred primarily for management of extra-abdominal injury seem to have a survival advantage.

[Damage control laparotomy for haemorragic abdominal trauma. A retrospective multicentric study about 109 cases]

AIM OF THE STUDY

Damage control laparotomy is a new approach to the more severe abdominal traumas. It stems from a better understanding of the physiopathology of the haemorragic shock.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A national retrospective study from 27 centers about 109 trauma patients who underwent a damage control procedure between January 1990 and December 2001, is analysed. Surgical procedures included 97 hepatic packing, 10 abdominal packing, 4 exclusive skin closure, 1 open laparotomy technique and 3 digestive stapplings.

RESULTS

The mortality rate is 42%. Eleven abdominal compartment syndromes have occurred with 7 decompressive laparomy (4 deaths).

CONCLUSION

This study is based on the largest series of damage control laparotomy published in France. Results in terms of mortality and morbidity are similar to those of published studies from the USA.