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Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic has reformed global healthcare delivery. On 25 March 2020, Intercollegiate guidelines were published in the UK to promote safe surgical provision during the COVID-19 outbreak advocating non-operative management or avoidance of laparoscopy when surgery is essential. The effects of this on the investigation and management of appendicitis remain unknown., Methods: We performed a multicentre, prospective, observational study from the start of the new guidelines to the 6th of May 2020. We included all patients referred to surgical teams with suspected appendicitis. A recent historical cohort was identified for comparison. The primary outcome was the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the use of non-operative management in appendicitis. Secondary outcomes included imaging, negative appendicectomy rate (NAR), length of stay (LOS) and 30-day complications., Results: A total of 63/164 (38%) patients compared to 79/191 (41%) were diagnosed with appendicitis before and after the guidelines were introduced (p = 0.589). CT scanning increased (71/164 vs 105/191; p = 0.033) while ultrasound scanning decreased (71/164 vs 62/191; p = 0.037). Appendicitis was more likely to be managed non-operatively (11/63 vs 51/79; p < 0.001) and, of those managed surgically, with an open approach (3/52 vs 26/28 p < 0.001). The NAR also reduced (5/52 vs 0/28; p = 0.157). LOS was shorter in non-operatively managed patients (1 day vs 3 days; p < 0.001) without a difference in complications (10/51 vs 4/28; p = 0.760)., Conclusion: Introduction of the guidelines was associated with changes in practice. Despite these changes, short-term complications did not increase and LOS decreased. Questions remain on the longer-term complication rates in non-operatively managed patients.

Aim: To report the initial experience and outcomes of Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta (REBOA) as an adjunct to pre-hospital resuscitation of patients with exsanguinating pelvic haemorrhage., Methods: Descriptive case series of consecutive adult patients, treated with pre-hospital Zone III REBOA by a physician-led pre-hospital trauma service, between January 2014 and July 2018., Results: REBOA was attempted in 19 trauma patients (13 successful, six failed attempts) and two non-trauma patients (both successful) with exsanguinating pelvic haemorrhage. Trauma patients were severely injured (median ISS 34, IQR: 27-43) and profoundly hypotensive (median systolic blood pressure [SBP] 57, IQR: 40-68 mmHg). REBOA significantly improved blood pressure (Pre-REBOA median SBP 57, IQR: 35-67 mmHg versus Post- REBOA SBP 114, IQR: 86-132 mmHg; Median of differences 66, 95% CI: 25-74 mmHg; P < 0.001). REBOA was associated with significantly lower risk of pre-hospital cardiac arrest (REBOA 0/13 [0%] versus no REBOA 3/6 [50%], P = 0.021) and death from exsanguination (REBOA 0/13 [0%] versus no REBOA 4/6 [67%], P = 0.004), when compared to patients with a failed attempt. Successful REBOA was associated with improved survival (REBOA 8/13 [62%] versus no REBOA 2/6 [33%]; P = 0.350). Distal arterial thrombus requiring thrombectomy was common in the REBOA group (10/13, 77%)., Conclusion: REBOA is a feasible pre-hospital resuscitation strategy for patients with exsanguinating pelvic haemorrhage. REBOA significantly improves blood pressure and may reduce the risk of pre-hospital hypovolaemic cardiac arrest and early death due to exsanguination. Distal arterial thrombus formation is common, and should be actively managed., (Crown Copyright © 2019. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: The management of trauma patients has changed radically in the last decade, and studies have shown overall improvements in survival. However, reduction in mortality for the many may obscure a lack of progress in some high-risk patients. We sought to examine the outcomes for hypotensive patients requiring laparotomy in UK military and civilian cohorts., Methods: We undertook a review of two prospectively maintained trauma databases: the UK Joint Theatre Trauma Registry for the military cohort (February 4, 2003, to September 21, 2014) and the trauma registry of the Royal London Hospital major trauma center (January 1, 2012, to January 1, 2017) for civilian patients. Adults undergoing trauma laparotomy within 90 minutes of arrival at the emergency department (ED) were included., Results: Hypotension was present on arrival at the ED in 155 (20.4%) of 761 military patients. Mortality was higher in hypotensive casualties (25.8% vs. 9.7% in normotensive casualties; p < 0.001). Hypotension was present on arrival at the ED in 63 (35.7%) of 176 civilian patients. Mortality was higher in hypotensive patients (47.6% vs. 12.4% in normotensive patients; p < 0.001). In both cohorts of hypotensive patients, neither the average injury severity, the prehospital time, the ED arrival systolic blood pressure, nor mortality rate changed significantly during the study period., Conclusions: Despite improvements in survival after trauma for patients overall, the mortality for patients undergoing laparotomy who arrive at the ED with hypotension has not changed and appears stubbornly resistant to all efforts. Specific enquiry and research should continue to be directed at this high-risk group of patients., Level of Evidence: Prognostic/Epidemiologic, level IV.