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Hemostatic powders used to manage upper GI bleeding continue to exhibit high recurrent bleeding rates. Previously, self-propelling thrombin powder (SPTP) sprayed endoscopically managed severe Forrest class 1A bleeding. Here, we evaluate SPTP in a 3-day recovery model of diffuse ulcerated bleeding. Five anesthetized pigs underwent an endoscopic mucosal snare resection to trigger diffuse ulcer bleeding and were treated with SPTP. The time to hemostasis and the amount of powder delivered were measured. Pigs were recovered and monitored. Five pigs achieved hemostasis in 4.5 ± 1.2 minutes At 3 days after the procedure, the pigs were rescoped and showed no recurrent bleeding. Measured blood parameters were not significantly different from baseline. There were no signs of foreign bodies or thromboembolism during gross necropsy and histopathology of key organs. SPTP is a promising novel material that stopped diffuse ulcer bleeding in 5 pigs without recurrent bleeding or adverse local or systemic events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Freeze-drying extends the shelf-life of transfusable plasma and allows storage at room temperature. • Freeze-dried plasma (FDP) can be rapidly reconstituted with sterile water. • Systematically reviewing the literature identified 3 randomized clinical trials (RCT) of FDP in trauma. • No RCT reported an improvement in clinical outcomes for FDP over saline or standard of care. • Further research is needed to determine if subgroups of trauma patients might benefit from FDP. Major traumatic hemorrhage is now frequently treated by early hemostatic resuscitation on hospital arrival. Prehospital hemostatic resuscitation could therefore improve outcomes for bleeding trauma patients, but there are logistical challenges. Freeze-dried plasma (FDP) offers indisputable logistical advantages over conventional blood products, such as long shelf life, stability at ambient temperature, and rapid reconstitution without specialized equipment. We sought high level, randomized, controlled evidence of FDP clinical efficacy in trauma. A structured systematic search of MEDLINE/PubMed was carried out and identified 52 relevant English language publications. Three studies involving 607 patients met our criteria: Resuscitation with Blood Products in Patients with Trauma-related Hemorrhagic Shock receiving Prehospital Care (RePHILL, n = 501); Prehospital Lyophilized Plasma Transfusion for Trauma-Induced Coagulopathy in Patients at Risk for Hemorrhagic Shock (PREHO-PLYO, n = 150); and a pilot Australian trial (n = 25). RePHILL found no effect of FDP plus packed red blood cells (PRBC) concentrate transfusion versus saline on mortality. PREHO-PLYO found no effect of FDP versus saline on International Normalized Ratio (INR) at hospital arrival. The pilot trial found that study of PRBC versus PRBC plus FDP was feasible during long air transport times to an Australian trauma centre. Further research is required to determine under what conditions FDP might provide prehospital benefit to trauma patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Recent humanitarian crises have led to a call for professionalization of the humanitarian field, but core competencies for the delivery of surgical care have yet to be established. The objective of this study was to survey surgeons with experience in disaster response to identify surgical competencies required to be effective in these settings. Methods An online survey elucidating demographic information, scope of practice, and previous experience in global health and disaster response was transmitted to surgeons from a variety of surgical societies and nongovernmental organizations. Participants were provided with a list of 111 operative procedures and were asked to identify those deemed essential to the toolset of a frontline surgeon in disaster response via a Likert scale. Responses from personnel with experience in disaster response were contrasted with those from nonexperienced participants. Results A total of 147 surgeons completed the survey. Participants held citizenship in 22 countries, were licensed in 30 countries, and practiced in >20 countries. Most respondents (56%) had previous experience in humanitarian response. The majority agreed or strongly agreed that formal training (54%), past humanitarian response (94%), and past global health experiences (80%) provided adequate preparation. The most commonly deemed important procedures included control of intraabdominal hemorrhage (99%), abdominal packing for trauma (99%), and wound debridement (99%). Procedures deemed important by experienced personnel spanned multiple specialties. Conclusion This study addressed specifically surgical competencies in disaster response. We provide a list of operative procedures that should set the stage for further structured education programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Multidisciplinary trauma care systems have been shown to improve patient outcomes. Medical care in support of the global war on terror has provided opportunities to refine these systems. We report on the multidisciplinary trauma care system at the Role III Hospital at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. We reviewed the Joint Trauma System Registry, Kandahar database from 1 October 2009 to 31 December 2010 and extracted data regarding patient demographics, clinical variables and outcomes. We also queried the operating room records from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2010. In the study period of 1 October 2009 to 31 December 2010, 2599 patients presented to the trauma bay, with the most common source of injury being from Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blasts (915), followed by gunshot wounds (GSW) (327). Importantly, 19 patients with triple amputations as a result of injuries from IEDs were seen. 127 patients were massively transfused. The in-hospital mortality was 4.45%. From 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2010, 4106.24 operating room hours were logged to complete 1914 patient cases. The mean number of procedures per case in 2009 was 1.27, compared to 3.11 in 2010. Multinational, multidisciplinary care is required for the large number of severely injured patients seen at Kandahar Airfield. Multidisciplinary trauma care in Kandahar is effective and can be readily employed in combat hospitals in Afghanistan and serve as a model for civilian centres. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: Exsanguinating haemorrhage is a leading cause of death in severely injured trauma patients. Management includes achieving haemostasis, replacing lost intravascular volume with fluids and blood, and treating coagulopathy. The provision of fluids and blood products is contingent on obtaining adequate vascular access to the patient's venous system. We sought to examine the nature and timing of achieving adequate intravenous (IV) access in trauma patients requiring uncrossmatched blood in the trauma bay. Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of all patients admitted to our trauma centre from 2005 to 2009 who were transfused uncrossmatched blood in the trauma bay. We examined the impact of IV access on prehospital times and time to first PRBC transfusion. Results: Of 208 study patients, 168 (81%) received prehospital IV access, and the on-scene time for these patients was 5min longer (16.1 vs 11.4, p <0.01). Time to achieving adequate IV access in those without any prehospital IVs occurred on average 21min (6.6–30.5) after arrival to the trauma bay. A central venous catheter was placed in 92 (44%) of patients. Time to first blood transfusion correlated most strongly with time to achieving central venous access (Pearson correlation coefficient 0.94, p <0.001) as opposed to time to achieving adequate peripheral IV access (Pearson correlation coefficient 0.19, p =0.12). Conclusions: We found that most bleeding patients received a prehospital IV; however, we also found that obtaining prehospital IVs was associated with longer EMS on-scene times and longer prehospital times. Interestingly, we found that obtaining a prehospital IV was not associated with more rapid initiation of blood product transfusion. Obtaining optimal IV access and subsequent blood transfusion in severely injured patients continues to present a challenge. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Rib fracture non-union is an uncommon complication of traumatic rib fractures. Our objective was to perform a scoping review of the literature for the management of rib fracture non-union. This included analysis of the variations in surgical technique, complications experienced, and reported outcomes. We conducted a scoping review and searched databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Embase). We performed abstract and full-text screening, and abstracted data related to pre-operative assessment, surgical technique, complications, and reported outcome measures. We included 29 articles of which 19 were case reports and 10 were case series. The data quality was generally heterogeneous. The studies included 229 patients and the commonest symptoms of rib fracture non-union included chest pain, clicking, dyspnea and deformities. The patients underwent surgical management of rib fracture non-union (excluding first rib fractures) using various techniques. The majority used surgical stabilization of rib fracture with or without a graft. The reported outcomes were inconsistent between studies, but showed high rates of union (>94 %), reduction in reported VAS scores, and improved return to work when included. Implant failure occurred in 10 % of the 229 total patients reported in our studies, the re-operation rate was 13 %, and the overall complication rate was 27 %. Surgical management of rib fracture non-union often involving locking plates and screws with or without a graft has been shown in several case reports and series as an effective treatment with acceptable implant failure and complication rates. Surgical management is therefore a viable option for symptomatic patients. Further research is required to determine optimal management strategies that further reduce surgical complications for these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Non-compressible intra-abdominal hemorrhage (NCIAH) is a major cause of preventable death on the battlefield and in civilian trauma. Currently, it can only be definitively managed with surgery, as there are limited strategies for controlling ongoing NCIAH in the prehospital environment. We hypothesized that a self-propelling thrombin-containing powder (SPTP) could increase survival in a swine model of NCIAH when delivered percutaneously into the closed abdomen using an engineered spray system.Materials and Methods: Nineteen swine underwent surgical laparotomy followed by a Grade V liver injury that created massive hemorrhage, before closing the abdomen with sutures. Animals either received treatment with standard of care fluid resuscitation (n=9) or the SPTP spray system (n=10), which consisted of a spray device and a 14 Fr catheter. Using the spray system, SPTP was delivered into a hemoperitoneum identified using a focused assessment with sonography in trauma (FAST) exam. Lactated Ringer's solution was administered to all animals to maintain a mean arterial pressure (MAP) of >50 mmHg. The primary outcome was percentage of animals surviving at three hours following injury.Results: In the swine model of NCIAH, a greater percentage of animals receiving SPTP survived to three hours, although differences were not significant. The SPTP spray system increased the median survival of animals from 1.6 hr in the fluid resuscitation group to 4.3 hr. The SPTP spray system delivered a total mass of 18.5 ± 1.0 g of SPTP. The mean change in intra-abdominal pressure following SPTP delivery was 5.2 ± 1.8 mmHg (mean ± SEM). The intervention time was 6.7 ± 1.7 min. No adverse effects related to the SPTP formulation or the spray system were observed. SPTP was especially beneficial in animals that had either severely elevated lactate concentrations or low mean arterial pressure of <35 mmHg shortly after injury.Conclusions: This demonstrates proof-of-concept for use of a new minimally invasive procedure for managing NCIAH, which could extend survival time to enable patients to reach definitive surgical care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Uncontrolled bleeding is the primary cause of death in complex liver trauma and perihepatic packing is regularly utilized for hemorrhage control. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a novel inflatable device (the airbag) for perihepatic packing using a validated liver injury damage control model in swine.Material and Methods: The image of the human liver was digitally isolated within an abdominal computerized tomography scan to produce a silicone model of the liver to mold the airbag. Two medical grade polyurethane sheets were thermal bonded to the configuration of the liver avoiding compression of the hepatic pedicle, hepatic veins, and the suprahepatic vena cava after inflation. Yorkshire pigs (n = 22) underwent controlled hemorrhagic shock (35% of the total blood volume), hypothermia, and fluid resuscitation to reproduce the indications for damage control surgery (coagulopathy, hypothermia, and acidosis) prior to a liver injury. A 3 × 10 cm rectangular segment of the left middle lobe of the liver was removed to create the injury. Subsequently, the animals were randomized into 4 groups for liver damage control (240 min), Sponge Pack (n = 6), Pressurized Airbag (n = 6), Vacuum Airbag (n = 6), and Uncontrolled (n = 4). Animals were monitored throughout the experiment and blood samples obtained.Results: Perihepatic packing with the pressurized airbag led to significantly higher mean arterial pressure during the liver damage control phase compared to sponge pack and vacuum airbag 52 mmHg (SD 2.3), 44.9 mmHg (SD 2.1), and 32 mmHg (SD 2.3), respectively (p < 0.0001), ejection fraction was also higher in that group. Hepatic hemorrhage was significantly lower in the pressurized airbag group compared to sponge pack, vacuum airbag, and uncontrolled groups; respectively 225 ml (SD 160), 611 ml (SD 123), 991 ml (SD 385), 1162 ml (SD 137) (p < 0001). Rebleeding after perihepatic packing removal was also significantly lower in the pressurized airbag group; respectively 32 ml (SD 47), 630 ml (SD 185), 513 ml (SD 303), (p = 0.0004). Intra-abdominal pressure remained similar to baseline, 1.9 mmHg (SD 1), (p = 0.297). Histopathology showed less necrosis at the border of the liver injury site with the pressurized airbag.Conclusion: The pressurized airbag was significantly more effective at controlling hepatic hemorrhage and improving hemodynamics than the traditional sponge pack technique. Rebleeding after perihepatic packing removal was negligible with the pressurized airbag and it did not provoke hepatic injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The incidence of heterotopic ossification (HO) following damage control laparotomy (DCL) is unknown. Abdominal wall reconstruction may prove more challenging in patients with HO. This study examines the incidence and factors associated with HO in patients with an open abdomen following DCL.Methods: A retrospective review of all patients with an open abdomen after DCL at a level 1 trauma centre from 2009 to 2015 was conducted. Demographics and peri-operative outcomes of patients with and without HO were compared. Univariate and multivariable binary logistic regression models were used to determine the association of peri-operative factors with the development of HO.Results: 68 patients were included, of which 36 (53%) developed HO. On univariate analysis, development of HO was significantly associated with hollow viscus injury (OR, 3.89; CI 1.42-10.7), greater number of abdominal surgeries prior to definitive closure (OR, 1.84; CI, 1.10-3.05), non-fascial closure (OR, 4.33; CI, 1.44-13.1) and higher peak ALP (OR 1.01; CI, 1.00-1.02). The presence of a hollow viscus injury remained an independent predictor of HO on multivariable analysis after adjusting for covariates (OR, 3.77; CI, 1.22-11.6).Conclusion: Heterotopic ossification develops in a high proportion of trauma patients following damage control laparotomy, particularly in the presence of hollow viscus injury. Its impact on delayed abdominal wall reconstruction and the efficacy of prophylaxis strategies merit further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Emergency department (ED) thoracotomy can be lifesaving. It can also lead to resource waste and exposure to blood-borne infections. We investigated the frequency with which ED thoracotomy was performed for inappropriate indications and the resulting societal costs. Study Design: This retrospective cohort study examined all trauma patients admitted directly from the scene of injury from 1992 to 2009 who underwent ED thoracotomy. The main outcomes included inappropriate ED thoracotomy. Secondary outcomes included resource use and societal costs for performing ED thoracotomy for improper indications. Specifically, we analyzed for operating room use, blood transfusions, ICU and hospital stay, needlestick injuries, survivor rate, and neurological outcomes in this group. Results: One hundred and twenty-three patients underwent ED thoracotomy during the study period. Of those, 63 (51%) were considered inappropriate. In this group, we observed no survivors, none became organ donors, 3 cases of needlestick injuries to health care providers occurred, and 335 U of blood products were used in their care. Also, 4 patients of 63 survived to the operating room and required a total of 6 separate operating room visits. Three of these patients had an ICU stay of 1 day and 1 died on day 5. Conclusions: ED thoracotomy should be reserved for potentially salvageable patients, but discouraged for other indications. From the societal point of view, inappropriate use of the procedure resulted in substantial costs and waste of resources, exposure of health care providers to possible blood-borne infections, and offered no survival benefit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]