Lower Extremity Vascular Injury in the Pediatric Trauma Patient: Management and Outcomes at an Adult Level I Trauma Center

BACKGROUND

Traumatic vascular injuries of the lower extremity in the pediatric population are uncommon but can result in significant morbidity. The objective of this study is to demonstrate our experience with these injuries by describing patterns of traumatic vascular injury, the initial management, and data regarding early outcomes.

METHODS

In total, 506 patients presented with lower extremity vascular injury between January 1, 2009 and January 1, 2021 to Grady Memorial Hospital, an urban, adult Level I trauma center in Atlanta, Georgia. Thirty-two of the 506 patients were aged less than 18 years and were evaluated for a total of 47 lower extremity vascular injuries. To fully elucidate the injury patterns and clinical course in this population, we examined patient demographics, mechanism of injury, type of vessel injured, surgical repair performed, and early outcomes and complications.

RESULTS

The median (interquartile range) age was 16 (2) years (range, 3-17 years), and the majority were male (n = 29, 90.6%). Of the vascular injuries identified, 28 were arterial and 19 were venous. Of these injuries, 14 patients had combined arterial-venous injuries. The majority of injuries were the result of a penetrating injury (n = 28, 87.5%), and of these, all but 2 were attributed to gunshot wounds. Twenty-seven vascular interventions were performed by nonpediatric surgeons: 11 by trauma surgeons, 13 by vascular surgeons, 2 by orthopedic surgeons, and 1 by an interventional radiologist. Two patients required amputation: 1 during the index admission and 1 delayed at 3 months. Overall survival was 96.9%.

CONCLUSIONS

Vascular injuries as the result of trauma at any age often require early intervention, and we believe that these injuries in the pediatric population can be safely managed in adult trauma centers with a multidisciplinary team composed of trauma, vascular, and orthopedic surgeons with the potential to decrease associated morbidity and mortality from these injuries.

Optimizing Transitions of Care and Enhancing Surgical Education on Acute Care Surgery: A Multi-Institutional Survey Study

OBJECTIVE

Critically ill and injured patients are routinely managed on the Trauma and Acute Care Surgery (ACS) service and receive care from numerous residents during hospital admission. The Clinical Learning Environment Review (CLER) program established by the ACGME identified variability in resident transitions of care (TC) while observing quality care and patient safety concerns. The aim of our multi-institutional study was to review surgical trainees' impressions of a specialty-specific handoff format in order to optimize patient care and enhance surgical education on the ACS service.

DESIGN

A survey study was conducted with a voluntary electronic 20-item questionnaire that utilized a 5 point Likert scale regarding TC among resident peers, supervised handoffs by trauma attendings, and surgical education. It also allowed for open-ended responses regarding perceived advantages and disadvantages of handoffs.

SETTING

Ten American College of Surgeons-verified Level 1 adult trauma centers.

PARTICIPANTS

All general surgery residents and trauma/acute/surgical critical care fellows were surveyed.

RESULTS

The study task was completed by 147 postgraduate trainees (125 residents, 14 ACS fellows, and 8 surgical critical care fellows) with a response rate of 61%. Institutional responses included: university hospital (67%), community hospital-university affiliate (16%), and private hospital-university affiliate (17%). A majority of respondents were satisfied with morning TC (62.6%) while approximately half were satisfied with evening TC (52.4%). Respondees believe supervised handoffs improved TC and prevented patient care delays (80.9% and 74.8%, respectively). A total of 35% of trainees utilized the open-ended response field to highlight specific best practices of their home institutions.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical trainees view ACS morning handoff as an effective standard to provide the highest level of clinical care and an opportunity to enhance surgical knowledge. As TC continue to be a focus of certifying bodies, identifying best practices and opportunities for improvement are critical to optimizing quality patient care and surgical education.

Complete Heart Block After Low Dose Octreotide Infusion for Esophageal Variceal Bleeding

Cirrhosis and chronic liver disease cause a myriad of systemic health problems mostly caused by the presence of portal hypertension. Esophageal varices are one result of portal hypertension. They can rupture and bleed, which can be catastrophic in already coagulopathic liver failure patients. We present a patient who presented with decompensated liver failure for transplant. He developed a severe and refractory gastrointestinal bleed and was put on an octreotide infusion to increase splanchnic flow and decrease portal pressures. He subsequently developed complete heart block. Understanding the mechanisms of octreotide is imperative due to its frequent use in medically complex patients.

Second Victim Syndrome in Trauma Practitioners and Other Ancillary Staff

In health care, second victims are traumatized clinicians involved in unanticipated or untoward patient events. Programs that address second victim syndrome are sparse and its diagnosis often goes unrecognized. Consistently, literature has identified gaps in support resources, leading to compromised patient care and provider health. This project evaluates the need for second victim resources in trauma care providers at a tertiary public level 1 trauma hospital by electronically implementing a validated second victim survey over 5 weeks. Our results illustrate that second victim syndrome is prevalent among 57.1% of trauma care providers, of which 22.9% agree that second victim syndrome results in some form of undesirable work intentions.

Superior Mesenteric Artery and Vein Injuries: Operative Strategies and Outcomes

Traumatic injuries to the mesenteric vessels are rare and often lethal. Visceral vessels, such as the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and vein (SMV), supply blood to the small and large bowel by a rich system of collaterals. Because fewer than 100 such injuries have been described in the literature, they pose challenges in both diagnosis and management and can unfortunately result in high mortality rates. Prompt diagnosis, surgical intervention, and resuscitation can lead to improved outcomes. Here, we review the literature surrounding traumatic injuries of the SMA/SMV and discuss management strategies.

Mechanisms of Self-Inflicted Injuries at an Urban City Hospital

BACKGROUND

Suicide is a major public health issue with root causes including psychological, economical, and societal factors.

METHODS

Retrospective review identified self-inflicted traumatic injuries (SITIs) at Grady Health System between 2009 and 2017. Patients were categorized by penetrating or blunt mechanism of injury (MOI). Outcomes included hospital length of stay (HLOS) and ventilator duration, mortality, and location of death.

RESULTS

678 patients in total were identified. Penetrating MOI was most prevalent (n = 474). Patients with a blunt MOI were significantly younger (32 Y vs. 37 Y; P < .0001). Psychiatric illness was equally common between MOI at more than 50%. Penetrating traumas required longer ventilator times (1 D vs. 0 D; P < .0001) but shorter overall HLOS (4 D vs. 6 D; P = .0013). Mortality was twice as high in the penetrating group (29.8% vs. 11.8%; P < .0001).

CONCLUSION

Self-inflicted traumatic injuries occurred most often among younger adults and those with history of psychiatric illness. Penetrating traumas result in worse outcomes. Self-inflicted traumatic injuries carry high morbidity and mortality. Improved prevention strategies targeting high-risk groups are needed.

Intra-abdominal Inferior Vena Cava Injuries: Operative Strategies and Outcomes

Visceral vascular injuries are relatively uncommon even in busy urban trauma centers. The inferior vena cava (IVC) is the most frequently injured visceral vein and can be a complex operative challenge. Despite advances in early volume resuscitation, improved transport times, prompt operative intervention, and hemorrhage control, mortality rates have remained largely unchanged. This article conducts an in-depth review of the literature surrounding IVC injuries and a detailed discussion of operative strategies and management as survivability is ultimately dependent on the grade of injury, location, and the presence of hemorrhagic shock.

Mass Casualty Shootings and Emergency Preparedness: A Multidisciplinary Approach for an Unpredictable Event

Mass casualty events (MCE) are an infrequent occurrence to most daily healthcare systems however these incidents are the causation for new hospital preparedness and the development of coordinated emergency services. The broad support and operational plans outside the hospital include emergency medical services, local law enforcement, government agencies, and city officials. Modern-day hospital disaster preparedness goals include scheduled training for healthcare personnel to ensure effective and accurate triage for a high-volume of injured patients. This MDT collaboration strengthens the emergency response to optimize the delivery of life-saving care during MCEs. This review identifies the clinical importance of the interdisciplinary team interactions and the lessons learned from past MCE experiences, strengthening healthcare system readiness for such critical incidents.