Predictors of early versus late mortality in pelvic trauma patients

TERMINAL-24 Score in Predicting Early and In-hospital Mortality of Trauma Patients; a Cross-sectional

Introduction

Determining the trauma patients' prognosis is crucial for patients' safety, triage, and appropriate management. This study aimed to evaluate the screening performance of Traumatic Emergency Room Major Injury Death At Least 24 hours (TERMINAL-24) score in predicting the mortality of trauma patients.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted in the emergency department (ED) of a referral trauma center, between October 2023 and September 2024. The main goals of the project were determining the value of TERMINAL-24 score in predicting early (within 8 hours of admission to ED) and in-hospital mortality of multi-trauma patients as well as comparing the accuracy of TERMINAL-24 with other trauma severity scores (GAP, RGAP, NTS) in this regard.

Results

963 multi-trauma patients were included in this study. The mean age of the patients was 37.75±17.10 years (73.2% male). 55 patients died in the emergency department and 46 patients died during hospitalization in other departments. Male gender (p = 0.009), older age (p =0.011), traffic accidents (p = 0.005), more critical vital signs (p = <0.001), admitting in neurosurgery ward (p < 0.001), and higher trauma severity (P < 0.001) were significantly associated with higher mortality rate. The area under the curve (AUC) of TERMINAL-24 score in predicting early and in-hospital mortality of trauma patients were 0.964 (95%CI: 0.937-0.991) and 0.954 (95%CI: 0.925-0.983), respectively. The specificity and sensitivity of TERMINAL-24 score for predicting early mortality at its best cut-off point (cut-off = 2.5) were 95.04% (95%CI: 93.43-96.28) and 96.36% (95%CI: 87.63-99.35), respectively. For predicting in-hospital mortality, these measures were 98.84% (95%CI: 97.88-99.37) and 87.13% (95%CI: 79.22-92.32), respectively (best cut-off = 2.5).

Conclusions

It seems that, TERMINAL-24 score has the same accuracy in predicting both early and in-hospital outcomes of trauma patients. Considering the calculation formula of this score and its simplicity, it can be used in pre-hospital and in-hospital settings to predict the outcome of trauma patients.

Time and Risk Factors of Trauma-Related Mortality: A 5-Year Retrospective Analysis From a National Level I Trauma Center

Background: We aimed to analyze in-hospital timing and risk factors for mortality in a level 1 trauma center. Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of all trauma-related mortality between 2013 and 2018. Patients were divided and analyzed based on the time of mortality (early (≤48 h) vs late (>48 h)), and within different age groups. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to predict in-hospital mortality. Results: 8624 trauma admissions and 677 trauma-related deaths occurred (47.7% at the scene and 52.3% in-hospital). Among in-hospital mortality, the majority were males, with a mean age of 35.8 ± 17.2 years. Most deaths occurred within 3-7 days (35%), followed by 33% after 1 week, 20% on the first day, and 12% on the second day of admission. Patients with early mortality were more likely to have a lower Glasgow coma scale, a higher shock index, a higher chest and abdominal abbreviated injury score, and frequently required exploratory laparotomy and massive blood transfusion (P < .005). The injury severity scores and proportions of head injuries were higher in the late mortality group than in the early group. The severity of injuries, blood transfusion, in-hospital complications, and length of intensive care unit stay were comparable among the age groups, whereas mortality was higher in the age group of 19 to 44. The higher proportions of early and late in-hospital deaths were evident in the age group of 24 to 29. In multivariate analysis, the shock index (OR 2.26; 95%CI 1.04-4.925; P = .04) was an independent predictor of early death, whereas head injury was a predictor of late death (OR 4.54; 95%CI 1.92-11.11; P = .001). Conclusion: One-third of trauma-related mortalities occur early after injury. The initial shock index appears to be a reliable hemodynamic indicator for predicting early mortality. Therefore, timely hemostatic resuscitation and appropriate interventions for bleeding control may prevent early mortality.

Management strategy for open pelvic fractures: A 11-year single-centre, retrospective observational study

INTRODUCTION

Open pelvic fractures are commonly associated with life-threatening, uncontrollable haemorrhages. Although management methods for pelvic injury-associated haemorrhage have been established, the early mortality rate associated with open pelvic fractures remains high. This study aimed to identify predictors of mortality and effective treatment methods for open pelvic fractures.

METHODS

We defined open pelvic fractures as pelvic fractures with an open wound directly connected to the adjacent soft tissue, genitals, perineum, or anorectal structures, resulting in soft tissue injuries. This study was performed on trauma patients (age ≥15 years) injured by a blunt mechanism between 2011 and 2021 at a single trauma centre. We collected and analysed the data on the Injury Severity Score (ISS), the Revised Trauma Score (RTS), the Trauma and Injury Severity Score (TRISS), length of hospital stay, length of intensive care unit stay, transfusion, preperitoneal pelvic packing (PPP), resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA), therapeutic angio-embolisation, laparotomy, faecal diversion, and mortality.

RESULTS

Forty-seven patients with blunt open pelvic fractures were included. The median age was 45 years (interquartile range, 27-57 years) and median ISS was 34 (24-43). The most frequently performed treatment methods were laparotomy (53%) and pelvic binder (53%), followed by faecal diversion (40%) and PPP (38%). PPP was the only method performed at a higher rate in the survival group for haemorrhagic control (41% vs. 30%). Haemorrhagic mortality was present in one case that received PPP. The overall mortality was 21%. In the univariate logistic regression analysis, initial systolic blood pressure (SBP), TRISS, RTS, packed red blood cell transfusion for the first 24 h, and base excess showed statistical significance (p<0.05). In the multivariate logistic regression model, initial SBP was identified as an independent risk factor for mortality (odds ratio, 0.943; 95% confidence interval, 0.907-0.980; p = 0.003).

CONCLUSION

A low initial SPB may be an independent predictor of mortality in patients with open pelvic fractures. Our findings suggest that PPP might be a feasible method to decrease haemorrhagic mortality from open pelvic fractures, especially for haemodynamically unstable patients with low initial SBP. Further studies are required to validate these clinical findings.

Management of high-energy blunt pelvic ring injuries: A retrospective cohort study evaluating an institutional protocol

INTRODUCTION

High-energy blunt pelvic ring injuries with hemodynamic instability are complicated by a high mortality rate (up to 32%). There is no consensus on the best management strategy for these injuries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the high-energy blunt pelvic ring injury management protocol implemented in the authors' institution.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This retrospective cohort study was performed in an academic level I trauma center. The institutional protocol incorporates urgent pelvic mechanical stabilization of hemodynamically unstable patients not responding to a pelvic belt, fluids, and transfusions. If hemodynamic instability persists, angiography ± embolization is performed. Adult patients sustaining a high-energy blunt pelvic ring injury between 2014.01.01 and 2019.12.31 were included in the study. The primary outcome was mortality at 1, 2, 30 and 60 days. The secondary outcomes were the number of packed red blood cell units transfused during the first 24 h, intensive care unit stay, and total hospitalization length of stay.

RESULTS

192 high-energy blunt pelvic ring injury patients were analyzed. Of these, 71 (37%) were hemodynamically unstable, and 121 (63%) were stable. The overall in-hospital mortality of the hemodynamically unstable and stable groups was 20/71 (28.2%) and 4/121 (3.3%) respectively (p<0.001). Cumulative mortality rates for hemodynamically unstable patients were 15.5% at day 1, 16.9% at day 2, 26.8% at day 30 and 28.2% at day 60, and for hemodynamically stable patients, rates were 0% at day 1 and 2, 2.5% at day 30 and 3.3% at day 60. Unstable patients required a higher number of packed red blood cell units than stable patients during the first 24 h (5.1 vs. 0.1; p<0.001). Intensive care unit length of stay and total hospitalization duration was 11.25 and 37.4 days for unstable patients and 1.9 and 20.9 days for stable patients (p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

For both hemodynamically unstable and stable patients, the institutional protocol showed favorable mortality rates when compared to available literature. Comparative studies are needed to determine the management strategies with the best clinical outcome and survival.

Late Mortality Prediction of Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte and Platelet Ratio in Patients With Trauma Who Underwent Emergency Surgery: A Retrospective Study

BACKGROUND

We aimed to evaluate the usefulness of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (N/L) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte platelet (N/LP) ratios in predicting late mortality of patients with trauma who underwent emergency surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated patients with trauma older than 19 y who underwent emergency surgery at our level I trauma center. Blood count-based ratios (N/L and N/LP at days 1, 3, and 7 of hospitalization) and trauma scores were analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed using univariable logistic regression and receiver operating curves.

RESULTS

A total of 209 patients were evaluated. N/LP at day 7, N/L at day 7, Trauma Injury Severity Score, Revised Trauma Score, and Injury Severity Score were significantly associated with late mortality. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curves for predicting mortality was highest for N/LP at day 7 (0.867 [95% confidence interval 0.798-0.936], P < 0.001). The group with N/LP greater than the cutoff value (9.3, sensitivity 77.3%, specificity 83.1%) at day 7 showed higher mortality than the group with N/LP less than the cutoff value (35.4% versus 3.2%, P < 0.001, respectively) at day 7.

CONCLUSIONS

N/LP at day 7 may be a superior predictor of late mortality compared with preexisting trauma scores in patients with major trauma undergoing emergency surgery, by better reflecting the systemic inflammation status.

Predictors of mortality after pelvic fractures: a retrospective cohort study from a level one trauma centre in Upper Egypt

PURPOSE

The primary objective was to identify the predictors of in-hospital mortality after pelvic ring injuries. Secondary objectives were to analyze the differences between adults and children and to analyze the causes and timing of death.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study from the pelvic registry of Assiut University Trauma Unit (AUTU), a level 1 trauma centre in Upper Egypt, was carried out. A total of 1188 consecutive patients with pelvic ring fractures treated from January 2010 to December 2013 were eligible for analysis. Potential predictors were identified using standard statistical tests: univariable and multivariable regression analysis.

RESULTS

Nine hundred fifty-one were adults (above 16 years) and 237 were children. According to Tile's classification, fractures type A, B, and C were 31.8%, 25.1%, and 43.1%, respectively. About a third of patients had fractures with soft tissue injury. Abdominopelvic collection as diagnosed by Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (FAST) was positive in 11%. Associated injuries were present in 67.3% with abdominal-urogenital injuries being the most prevalent (66.3%). Median hospital stay was five days. Fifty-two patients (4.4%) were admitted to the ICU. One hundred three patients died (8.7%) within two peaks: first 24 hours and between 48 hours and one week. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified increasing age, fractures with soft tissue injury, associated head injury, positive FAST examination, and admission to an ICU as significant predictors of in-hospital mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

The first 24 hours were confirmed to be critical for survival in pelvic fracture patients. Advancing age, associated soft tissue injury, associated head injury, admission to ICU, and positive FAST examination can serve as reliable predictors for an elevated mortality risk in such patients.

The Value of Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW) and Trauma-Associated Severe Hemorrhage (TASH) in Predicting Hospital Mortality in Multiple Trauma Patients

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the role of red cell distribution width (RDW) in comparison with Trauma-Associated Severe Hemorrhage (TASH) system in predicting the mortality of multiple trauma patients, referred to the hospital emergency department.

METHODS

This follow-up study was conducted on multiple trauma patients (age ≥ 18 years) with Injury Severity Scores (ISS) of ≥ 16, who were referred to the emergency department from March 1, 2017, to December 1, 2017. First, all patients were evaluated based on the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) guidelines, and then, their blood samples were sent for RDW measurements at baseline and 24 hours after admission. The ISS, Revised Trauma Score (RTS), and TASH were measured in the follow-ups and recorded by third-year emergency medicine residents. Hospital mortality was considered as the outcome of the study.

RESULTS

In this study, 200 out of 535 multiple trauma patients were recruited. The frequency of hospital mortality was 19 (9.5%). In the univariate analysis, there was no significant relationship between hospital mortality and RDW at baseline, RDW on the first day, and ΔRDW (RDW at baseline - RDW on the first day), unlike ISS, RTS, TASH (p=0.97, P= 0.28, and p=0.24, respectively). On the other hand, in the multivariate analysis, ISS, RTS, and TASH showed a significant relationship with hospital mortality. The greatest area under the ROC curve (AUC) was attributed to TASH and RTS systems (0.94 and 0.93, respectively).

CONCLUSION

TASH scoring system, which was mainly designed to predict the need for massive transfusion, may be of prognostic value for hospital mortality in multiple trauma patients, similar to ISS and RTS scoring systems.

Factors that influence the survival of unstable pelvic fracture in the acute phase

Background: The fatality rate of unstable pelvic fracture is still high (20–50%) due to acute phase hemorrhage or late multiple organ failure. The assurance for 100% survival in acute phase had been reported if the emergency room team have the right technique, right timing, and right protocol. The aim of this study was to evaluate and to date factors that influence the non-survival unstable pelvic fracture within 2x24 hours.Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in emergency unit of Dr. Soetomo General Hospital Surabaya during 2012–2016 for unstable pelvic fracture with unstable hemodynamic, without concomitant head or thoracic injury and admitted within 4 hours after the incident. All patients were handled according to the protocol for resuscitation and C-clamp insertion immediately. X-ray was taken after the insertion to check the C-clamp position and to confirm the diagnosis. The 2x24-hour data were taken whether the patient survive or not survive, including mean arterial pressure (MAP) pre-and post, heart rate (HR) pre-and post, and initial hemoglobin and platelet count. Data were analyzed with independent t-test and multiple regression analysis.Results: Twenty two patients were recorded as the inclusive criteria, separated into 17 survivors and 5 non-survivors. They were comprised of 14 males and 8 female patients, with an average of 31.9±15.3 years old. The MAP post, HR pre-and post, and platelet count were significantly different. The factor that influenced the survival within 2x24 hours was the MAP post C-clamp (>70 mmHg) (p<0.05).Conclusion: The acute phase 2x24-hour outcome after C-clamp insertion and resuscitation was significantly influenced by MAP post C-clamp and resuscitation.

Factors affecting mortality and reoperations in high-energy pelvic fractures

AIM

Factors affecting mortality during the first year following high-energy pelvic fractures has not been reported previously. Nor has surgical complications leading to reoperations been reported in a cohort with only high-energy pelvic trauma patients.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to report and analyse factors affecting outcome, in terms of mortality and reoperations, up to 1 year after the injury in patients with a traumatic pelvic ring injury due to a high-energy trauma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data from the SweTrau (Swedish National Trauma Registry) on patients admitted to the Trauma Centre Karolinska in Stockholm, Sweden, were collected. Inclusion criteria were adults (age ≥ 18), trauma with a high-energy mechanism, alive on arrival, Swedish personal identification number, reported pelvic fracture on CT scan. Patient records and radiographies were reviewed. The study period was 2011-2015 with 1-year follow-up time. Univariate and regression analysis on factors affecting mortality was performed. Risk of reoperation was analysed using univariate and case-by-case analysis.

RESULTS

We included 385 cases with mean age 47.5 ± 20.6 years (38% females): 317 pelvic fractures, 48 acetabular fractures and 20 combined injuries. Thirty-day mortality was 8% (30/385), and 1-year mortality was 9% (36/385). The main cause of death at 1 year was traumatic brain injury (14/36) followed by high age (> 70) with extensive comorbidities (8/36). Intentional fall from high altitude (OR 6, CI 2-17), GCS < 8 (OR 12, CI 5-33) and age > 70 (OR 17, CI 6-51) were factors predicting mortality. Thirty patients (22%, 30/134) were further reoperated due to hardware-related (n = 18) or non-hardware-related complications (n = 12). Hardware-related complications included: mal-placed screws (n = 7), mal-placed plate (n = 1), implant failure (n = 6), or mechanical irritation from the implant (n = 4). Non-hardware-related reasons for reoperations were: infection (n = 10), skin necrosis (n = 1), or THR due to post-traumatic osteoarthritis (n = 1).

CONCLUSION

Non-survivors in our study died mainly because of traumatic brain injury or high age with extensive comorbidities. Most of the mortalities occurred early. Intentional injuries and especially intentional falls from high altitude had high mortality rate. Reoperation frequency was high, and several of the hardware-related complications could potentially have been avoided.