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Objective: Computed tomographic angiography (CTA) by 16-channel multidetector scanner is increasingly replacing conventional digital subtraction angiography (DSA) for diagnosing or excluding blunt carotid/vertebral injuries (BCVI). To date there has been only 1 study in which all patients received both examinations. That study reported a high accuracy for 16-detector CTA. The current prospective parallel comparative study aims at validating this high accuracy and examining the rates of evaluability of CTA performed with a 16-detector scanner with image reconstruction by modem imaging software. Methods: Patients at risk for BCVI (facial/cervical-spinal fractures; unexplained neurologic deficit; anisocoria; lateral neck soft tissue injury; clinical suspicion) underwent both CTA (16-channel multidetector scanner) and DSA. Results of the 2 studies and the clinical course were prospectively recorded. Results: During the 40-month study period ending March 2007, approximately 7000 blunt trauma patients were evaluated and of these 119 (1.7%) consecutive patients meeting inclusion criteria were screened by CTA. Ninety-two patients underwent confirmatory DSA. Twenty-three (22%) DSA identified 26 BCVI (vertebral, 13; carotid, 13). Among these 23 CTAs, 17 identified 19 BCVIs (vertebral, 10; carotid, 9) (true positives), and 6 failed to identify 7 BCVIs (vertebral, 3; carotid, 4) (false negatives). Sixty-nine of the 92 DSA were normal. Of these 69 CTAs, 10 were falsely suspicious for 11 BCVIs (vertebral, 7; carotid, 4) (false positives), and 56 were normal (true negatives). The remaining 3 CTAs were nonevaluable (mistimed contrast, 1; streak artifact, 2). Sixteen of 89 (18%) evaluable CTAs, were suboptimal (mistimed contrast, 9; streak artifacts, 4; motion artifact, 2; body habitus, 1). Excluding the 3 nonevaluable CTAs, the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of CTA for diagnosing or excluding BCVI were 74%, 86%, 65%, and 90% respectively. One patient with grade II carotid artery injuries (by CTA and DSA) on antiplatelet agent developed stroke related to carotid artery injuries. Conclusions: Current CTA technology cannot reliably diagnose or exclude BCVI. Twenty percent of CTAs are either nonevaluable or suboptimal. Until more data are available and the technique is standardized, the current trend towards using CTA to screen for and/or diagnose these rare but potentially devastating injuries is dangerous.

Injury Severity Score (ISS) and lactate are controversial in predicting fetal outcome. A retrospective review was conducted to determine whether ISS and lactate are valuable in predicting fetal survival in injured pregnant patients. Injured pregnant women were identified by ICD-9 codes from our Trauma Registry, Emergency Department Registry, and hospital medical records. Records were reviewed for demographic data, mechanism of injury, ISS, Glascow Coma Scale, lactate, vital signs, and maternal/fetal outcome. To determine statistical analysis, chi2 and t test analysis was performed. From 2001 to 2005, 294 women reported injuries. Most patients (51.7%) were discharged from the Emergency Department, yet 18 per cent were admitted to Trauma Surgery. The average maternal and gestational age was 23.4 years and 19.6 weeks, respectively. Seventy-two (33.3%) patients were in the first trimester. The majority of patients (88.1%) were involved in blunt trauma, and 10 (3.9%) had poor fetal outcome (nine fetal deaths and one hydrops fetalis). There were no maternal deaths. Maternal age, first trimester, elevated lactate, and high ISS were significant risk factors for poor fetal outcome (P = 0.044, P = 0.0173, P = 0.0001, and P = 0.0001, respectively). Specific parameters (ISS, lactate, maternal age, and gestational age) may be helpful in predicting poor fetal outcome and directing patient management.

The Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma (EAST) guidelines recommend that cervical spine (c-spine) radiographic evaluation is unnecessary in the awake, alert blunt trauma patient who is not intoxicated, has no distracting injuries, and demonstrates no tenderness over the c-spine or neurologic deficits. The purpose of this study was to compare the reliability of the clinical examination (CE) with that of computed tomography in identifying the presence of c-spine fractures.We prospectively evaluated 534 blunt trauma patients between February 2004 and January 2005. Positive CE was defined as complaints of neck pain, external trauma of the c-spine or neurologic deficit, tenderness or abnormalities to palpation over the cervical spine. Computed tomography was used to define the accuracy of CE.There were 52 patients with, and 482 patients without, c-spine fractures. Forty of the 52 patients with fractures were accurately identified by CE for a sensitivity of 76.9% and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 95.7%. In the group with an initial Glasgow Coma Score of 15, 16 of 24 patients with fractures were accurately identified for a sensitivity of 66.7% and an NPV of 96.5%. In the subset of patients who by EAST guidelines would not require any radiographic evaluation, there were 17 fractures and 10 were accurately identified by clinical examination. The sensitivity in this group was 58.8% with an NPV of 96.4%. Four of the seven missed injuries required intervention.This trial suggests that with a normal Glasgow Coma Score, CE cannot be relied upon to rule out c-spine fracture. CE is unreliable to diagnose or exclude a cervical spine fracture.

Duodenal injuries are uncommon injuries but are associated with significant morbidity and mortality from a delayed diagnosis in the case of blunt trauma and associated major vascular injuries in penetrating trauma. A simplistic approach with primary repair or resection and anastomosis is ideal for the vast majority. Complex procedures such as pyloric exclusion with or without gastrojejunostomy may be indicated for delayed treatment or severe, high-grade combined pancreato-duodenal injuries. A high index of suspicion and a judicious treatment plan based on a careful consideration of all the available options are crucial for optimal outcome.

Little data exists regarding extubation protocols in critically injured trauma patients. The objective of the current study was to prospectively examine the impact of implementing an extubation protocol on the outcomes of ventilated trauma patients in a surgical intensive care unit (STICU). Trauma patients admitted to the STICU over a 15-month period at a Level 1 trauma center were prospectively evaluated. The total period was divided into an education and institution period (April 2002-November 2003) and an evaluation period (December 2003-July 2003). Patient demographics, hospital course, complications, and outcomes from period I were compared with those obtained during period II. From April 8, 2002 through July 5, 2003, 69 patients intubated for greater than 24 hours were included in our analysis. Thirty-three were treated during period I and 36 were treated during period II. Both groups were well matched in terms of age, sex, Injury Severity Score, and chest Abbreviated Injury Score. Ventilation days significantly decreased from a mean of 16.3 to 8.2 days (P = 0.04). ICU length of stay also decreased, nearly meeting significance. A rigorously enforced extubation protocol significantly decreased ventilator days in STICU patients. Continued education of health care providers is key to the success of the protocol.

Primary and secondary abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) are well-recognized entities after trauma. The current study describes a “hyperacute” form of secondary ACS (HACS) that develops intraoperatively while repair of extra-abdominal injuries is being carried out simultaneous with massive resuscitation for shock caused by those injuries. The charts of patients requiring abdominal decompression (AD) for HACS at time of extra-abdominal surgery at our level I trauma center were reviewed. The following data was gathered: age, Injury Severity Score (ISS), mechanism, resuscitation details, time to AD, time to abdominal closure, and outcome. All continuous data are presented as mean ± standard error of mean. Hemodynamic and ventilatory data pre- and post-AD was compared using paired t test with significance set at P < 0.05. Five (0.13%) of 3,750 trauma admissions developed HACS during the 15-month study period ending February 2004. Mean age was 32 ± 7 years, and mean ISS was 19 ± 2. Four of five patients arrived in hemorrhagic shock (blunt subclavian artery injury, 1; chest gunshot, 1; gunshot to brachial artery, 1; stab transection of femoral vessels, 1) and were immediately operated upon. One of five patients (70% burn) developed HACS during burn wound excision on day 2. HACS developed after massive crystalloid (15 ± 1.7 L) and blood (11 ± 0.4 units) resuscitation during prolonged surgery (4.8 ± 0.8 hours). Pre- versus post-AD comparisons revealed significant ( P < 0.05) improvements in mean arterial pressure (55 ± 6 vs 88 ± 3 mm Hg), peak airway pressure (44 ± 5 vs 31 ± 2 mm Hg), tidal volume (432 ± 96 vs 758 ± 93 mL), arterial pH (7.16 ± 0.0 vs 7.26 ± 0.04), and PaCO2 (52 ± 6 vs 45 ± 6 mm Hg). There was no mortality among the group, and all patients underwent abdominal closure by fascial reapproximation in 2–5 days. Two (40%) of the five patients required extremity fasciotomy for compartment syndrome. HACS is a rare complication of massive resuscitation for extra-abdominal injuries. It should be considered in such patients in the face of unexplained hemodynamic and/or ventilatory decompensation. Prompt AD is life saving. Early abdominal closure is usually possible. Vigilance for compartment syndromes elsewhere in the body is warranted in any patient with HACS.)

Previously, we had shown that elevation of cerebral perfusion pressure, using pressors, improved short-term outcomes after traumatic brain injury and hemorrhagic shock in swine. The current study evaluates outcomes after resuscitation with diaspirin cross-linked hemoglobin (DCLHb)--a hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier with pressor activity--in the same swine model of traumatic brain injury and hemorrhagic shock.Anesthetized and ventilated swine received traumatic brain injury via cortical fluid percussion (6-8 atm) followed by 45% blood volume hemorrhage. One hour later, animals were randomized to either a control group (SAL) resuscitated with normal saline equal to three times shed blood volume or to one of two experimental groups resuscitated with DCLHb. The two experimental groups consisted of a low-dose group, resuscitated with 250 mL of DCLHb (Hb1), and a high-dose group, resuscitated with 500 mL of DCLHb (Hb2). Animals were observed for 210 minutes postresuscitation. Outcomes evaluated were cerebral oxygenation by measuring partial pressure and saturation of oxygen in cerebrovenous blood; cerebral function by evaluating the preservation and magnitude of cerebrovascular carbon dioxide reactivity; and brain structural damage by semiquantitatively assessing beta amyloid precursor protein positive axons.Postresuscitation, cerebral perfusion pressure was higher in the DCLHb groups (p0.05, Hb1 and Hb2 vs. SAL), and intracranial pressure was lower in the Hb2 group (p0.05 vs. SAL). Cerebrovenous oxygen level was similar in all groups (p0.05). At baseline, 5% carbon dioxide evoked a 16 +/- 1% increase in cerebrovenous oxygen saturation, indicating vasodilatation. At 210 minutes, this response was nearly absent in SAL (4 +/- 4%) (p0.05 vs. baseline) and Hb1 (1 +/- 5%), but was partially preserved in Hb2 (9 +/- 5%). There was no intergroup difference in beta amyloid precursor protein positive axons. Five of 20 SAL and 0 of 13 DCLHb animals developed brain death (flat electroencephalogram) (p = 0.05, SAL vs. DCLHb). Postresuscitation, DCLHb animals maintained higher mean pulmonary arterial pressure (28 +/- 1 mm Hg, SAL; 42 +/- 1 mm Hg, Hb1; 45 +/- 1 mm Hg, Hb2) (p0.05, Hb1 and Hb2 vs. SAL) and lower cardiac output (3.9 +/- 1.6 L/min, SAL; 2.6 +/- 0.1 L/min, Hb1; 2.7 +/- 0.1 L/min, Hb2) (p0.05, Hb1 and Hb2 vs. SAL). Three Hb2 animals died as a result of cardiac failure, and one SAL animal died as a result of irreversible shock.In this swine model of traumatic brain injury and hemorrhagic shock, resuscitation with DCLHb maintained a higher cerebral perfusion pressure. Low-dose DCLHb (minimal increase in oxygen carriage) failed to significantly improve short-term outcome. With high-dose DCLHb (significant improvement in oxygen carriage), intracranial pressure was lower and cerebrovascular carbon dioxide reactivity was partially preserved; however, this was at the cost of poorer cardiac performance secondary to high afterload.

There is a paucity of studies, clinical and experimental, attesting to the benefit of cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) directed pressor therapy following traumatic brain injury (TBI). The current study evaluates this therapy in a swine model of TBI and hypotension. Forty-five anesthetized and ventilated swine received TBI followed by a 45% blood volume bleed. After 1 h, all animals were resuscitated with 0.9% sodium chloride equal to three times the shed blood volume. The experimental group (PHE) received phenylephrine to maintain CPP80 mm Hg; the control group (SAL) did not. Outcomes in the first phase (n = 33) of the study were as follows: cerebro-venous oxygen saturation (S(cv)O(2)), cerebro-vascular carbon dioxide reactivity (DeltaS(cv)O(2)), and brain structural damage (beta-amyloid precursor protein [betaAPP] immunoreactivity). In the second phase (n = 12) of the study, extravascular blood free water (EVBFW) was measured in the brain and lung. After resuscitation, intracranial and mean arterial pressures were15 and80 mm Hg, respectively, in both groups. CPP declined to 64 +/- 5 mm Hg in the SAL group, despite fluid supplements. CPP was maintained at80 mm Hg with pressors in the PHE group. PHE animals maintained better S(cv)O(2) (p0.05 at 180, 210, 240, 270, and 300 min post-TBI). At baseline, 5% CO(2) evoked a 16 +/- 4% increase in S(cv)O(2), indicating cerebral vasodilatation and luxury perfusion. By 240 min, this response was absent in SAL animals and preserved in PHE animals (p0.05). Brain EVBFW was higher in SAL animals; however, lung EVBFW was higher in PHE animals. There was no difference in betaAPP immunoreactivity between the SAL and PHE groups (p0.05). In this swine model of TBI and hypotension, CPP directed pressor therapy improved brain oxygenation and maintained cerebro-vascular CO(2) reactivity. Brain edema was lower, but lung edema was greater, suggesting a higher propensity for pulmonary complications.

Systemic and pulmonary hypertension, possibly related to nitric oxide scavenging by free hemoglobin (Hb), is often seen during resuscitation with hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers (HBOCs). Recently, a second-generation HBOC, rHb2.0 for Injection (rHb), has been developed using recombinant human Hb that has reduced reactivity with nitric oxide. The current study evaluates the efficacy of this novel compound for resuscitation in a swine model of uncontrolled perioperative hemorrhage.After instrumentation, animals underwent splenectomy and rapid hemorrhage to a systolic blood pressure of 35 mm Hg and isoelectric electroencephalography. 15 minutes of shock was followed by resuscitation over 30 minutes. In phase I, 18 animals were randomized into three resuscitation groups: (1) lactated Ringer's (LR) equal to three times the shed blood, the negative control group; (2) heterologous blood (BL) equal to Hb 2 g/kg, the positive control group; and (3) rHb equal to 2 g/kg, the treatment group. In phase II, six animals underwent the same experiment with a first-generation HBOC, diaspirin cross-linked Hb (DCLHb) equal to 2 g/kg, an additional control group. On day 0 after 2 hours of observation, spontaneously breathing animals were returned to their cages. Surviving animals were redosed on days 1, 2, and 3 (rHb/DCLHb 1 g/kg; LR/BL-LR 500 mL). Survivors were killed on day 5 and organs harvested for histologic examination. Group comparisons were performed using Student's t test, repeated-measures analysis of variance, and chi2 test. Significance was set at 95% confidence intervals.After resuscitation, systemic mean arterial pressure (MAP) (baseline = 107 +/- 15 mm Hg) was 128 +/- 34 and 108 +/- 15 mm Hg in rHb and BL animals, respectively, and remained stable. In LR and DCLHb animals, after normalization, MAP declined to 67 +/- 13 and 84 +/- 34 mm Hg, respectively. The rHb group maintained higher MAP than the LR and BL groups (p0.05 vs. both). With resuscitation, mean pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) (baseline = 25 +/- 5 mm Hg) increased in rHb (40 +/- 4 mm Hg), BL (34 +/- 3 mm Hg), and DCLHb (40 +/- 3 mm Hg) groups, but stayed elevated only in the DCLHb group (36 +/- 3 mm Hg). PAP in the rHb group was similar to the BL group (p0.05), and both rHb and BL groups showed a higher PAP than the LR group (p0.05 vs. both). PAP was highest in the DCLHb group (p0.05 vs. rHb). Cardiac output of rHb and BL groups was similar (p0.05) throughout the observation period. Arterial lactate increased to 5.6 +/- 2.5 mmol/L with shock and then normalized to2.0 mmol/L in the rHb, BL, and LR groups within 30 minutes of resuscitation. It remained elevated to3.5 mmol/L and showed a delayed increase in the DCLHb group (p0.05). Causes and number of deaths were as follows: rHb, zero of six; BL-transfusion reaction, one of six; LR-irreversible shock, four of six; and DCLHb-ventricular failure, six of six. There was no significant increase in plasma methemoglobin (rHb) and no difference in liver or cardiac enzymes (rHb vs. BL). No histologic abnormalities were seen in the rHb group except for cytoplasmic vacuolation, a process thought to be related to metabolism of the test article.rHb2.0 for Injection, a second-generation recombinant human HBOC, performs as well as heterologous blood for resuscitation after perioperative blood loss, does not cause sustained pulmonary hypertension, maintains adequate cardiac output and oxygen delivery, and is superior to either LR or DCLHb.

Objective: The current study was undertaken to examine how concomitant injury to liver and spleen after blunt abdominal trauma affects management and outcomes. Methods: This study was a retrospective chart review of all blunt abdominal trauma patients admitted with a diagnosis of liver or spleen injury at two Level I trauma centers over a 4-year period. Presentation, injury grade, management, and outcomes were analyzed. Patients with single-organ injury (liver or spleen) were compared with patients having injury to both organs (liver and spleen). Significance was set at 95% confidence intervals. Results: Of 1,288 patients who met entry criteria, 1,125 had single (spleen, 573; liver, 552) organ injury (group S) and 163 had injury to both organs (group B). Group B patients had significantly higher Injury Severity Score, higher admission lactate, and lower admission systolic blood pressure and base excess. Eighty-one percent (915 of 1,125) of group S and 69% (112 of 163) of group B patients were managed nonoperatively (p < 0.05). Of the nonoperatively managed patients, 5.8% (53 of 915) in group S and 11.6% (13 of 112) in group B failed this form of therapy (p < 0.05). Higher failure rate in group B was because of bleeding from injured solid organ(s), and not non-solid organ related failures. Mortality, intensive care unit and hospital lengths of stay, and transfusion requirements were all significantly higher in group B. Conclusion: Blunt trauma patients with concomitant injury to liver and spleen have higher Injury Severity Score, mortality, lengths of stay, and transfusion requirements. There is a higher failure rate with nonoperative management, and therefore extra vigilance is warranted when choosing this form of therapy in the presence of injury to both organs.

Blunt trauma accounts for 80–90 % of the trauma seen in most civilian trauma centers. Significant abdominal trauma is present in 12–15 % of such patients and usually occurs in association with multisystem injury. Although laparotomy is required in only 30–40 % of patients with blunt abdominal trauma, the importance of prompt evaluation and operative therapy is underscored by the observation that the majority of preventable deaths after blunt trauma is due to either unrecognized abdominal injury, or under-appreciation of the severity of abdominal injury (1). This review will focus first on the currently available modalities for evaluation of the abdomen, and then discuss how these modalities may be applied to the multiply injured blunt trauma patient. Finally the indications for laparotomy in general and related to specific organs will be presented.

Background: With the increasing use of high-resolution diagnostic techniques, minimal aortic injuries (MAI) are being recognized more frequently. Recently, we have used nonoperative therapy as definitive treatment for patients with MAI. The current study examines our institutional experience with these patients from July 1994 to June 2000. Methods: All patients suspected of blunt aortic injury (BAI) by screening helical CT (HCT) underwent confirmatory aortography with or without intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). MAI was defined as a small ( < 1 cm) intimal flap with minimal to no periaortic hematoma. Results: Of the 15,000 patients evaluated by screening HCT, 198 (1.3%) were suspected of having BAI. BAI was confirmed in 87 (44%), and 9 (10%) of these had MAI. The initial aortogram was considered normal in five of the MAI patients. The correct diagnosis was made by IVUS (four patients), and video angiography (one patient). One MAI patient had surgery, and two (22%) died of causes not related to the aortic injury. Follow-up studies were done on the six MAI patients that were discharged. In two, the flap had completely resolved, and in one it remained stable. The remaining three patients formed small pseudoaneurysms. Conclusion: Ten percent of BAI diagnosed with high resolution techniques have MAI. These intimal injuries heal spontaneously and hence may be managed nonoperatively. However, the long-term natural history of these injuries is not known, and hence caution should be exercised in using this form of treatment.

Background: Early generation scanners have demonstrated poor sensitivity detecting blunt bowel/mesenteric injuries (BBMI). This study was aimed at determining the accuracy and role of helical scanners in BBMI. Methods: Retrospective chart review of patients with BBMI, or computed tomographic scans suspicious of BBMI, from August of 1995 to December of 1998. Results: One hundred of 8,112 scans (1.2%) were suspicious of BBMI. Of these suspicious scans, 53 patients had BBMI (true positive-TP) and 47 patients did not (false positive-FP). Seven patients with negative scans had BBMI (false negative-FN). Computed tomography contributed toward early surgery in 77% of patients who may have been delayed. Six patients developed intra-abdominal abscess. The abscess group had a significantly longer time interval from injury to surgery. Multiple findings were seen in 57% of true positive scans, whereas in 13% of false positive scans (p < 0.0001). An algorithm for management of BBMI is presented. Conclusion: Helical scanners have high accuracy in detecting BBMI. Single versus multiple findings are useful in managing these injuries.

Fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FB) plays an important role in making the diagnosis of nosocomial pneumonia and resolving lobar atelectasis in critically injured trauma patients. It has been shown to be a safe procedure with only occasional complications. However, in patients with head injuries, FB can lead to intracranial hypertension. Sustained increases in intracranial pressure (ICP) leads to poor outcome in these patients. Because of this, a prospective study was done not only to assess the effect of FB on ICP and cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) in patients with brain injuries, but also to identify a regimen of sedation and anesthesia that could prevent significant increases in ICP during FB.Twenty-six FB were performed in 23 patients with ICP monitors or ICP monitors and ventriculostomy drains in place for Glasgow Coma Scale score8 or management of postcraniotomy trauma. FB was performed to aid in the diagnosis of nosocomial pneumonia or to aid in resolving lobar atelectasis. Before FB, all patients received a standard anesthetic regimen consisting of vecuronium (10 mg), morphine sulfate (4 mg), and midazolam (2.5 mg). Patients with diminished cranial compliance, defined as ICP10 mm Hg, also received a nebulizer treatment of 3 mL of 4% lidocaine before FB. All patients were preoxygenated with FIO2 = 1.0 for 10 minutes. Intracranial pressure, mean arterial pressure, and CPP were monitored continuously throughout the procedure. These same variables were also recorded at baseline and at 2-minute intervals during the procedure. The time to return to baseline ICP was also recorded.The mean ICP at baseline (immediately before FB) was 12.6 mm Hg. After introduction of the bronchoscope, the ICP rapidly increased in 21 procedures (81%) and the mean highest ICP was 38.0 mm Hg. There was also a concomitant increase in mean arterial pressure such that there was no substantial change in CPP. The mean lowest CPP was 73.1 mm Hg. The average time for return of ICP to baseline was 13.9 minutes. In the subgroup of patients with ICP10, attempting to blunt the tracheal stimulation by anesthetizing the trachea with 4% nebulized lidocaine did not seem to be successful. The mean highest ICP in this subgroup was 41.8 mm Hg. The CPP changed in a similar manner, as the mean lowest CPP was 74.0 mm Hg. The mean time to return to baseline was 12.5 minutes. No patient had acute neurologic deterioration secondary to FB.Although FB is an important procedure in the pulmonary care of head injured patients, it produces substantial, but transient, increases in ICP and should be used with caution in patients with diminished cranial compliance. Sedation, analgesia, paralysis, and topical tracheal anesthesia did not completely prevent the rise in ICP. Although no acute deterioration in condition occurred, secondary brain injury caused by localized cerebral ischemia is certainly possible. Because of the substantial increases in ICP, herniation may be precipitated in an occasional patient. Further study is needed to identify a regimen that will confer protection.

Objectives To quantify and describe the mechanism of road traffic injury (RTI) deaths in India. Design We conducted a nationally representative mortality survey where at least two physicians coded each non-medical field staff9s verbal autopsy reports. RTI mechanism data were extracted from the narrative section of these reports. Setting 1.1 million homes in India. Participants Over 122 000 deaths at all ages from 2001 to 2003. Primary and secondary outcome measures Age-specific and sex-specific mortality rates, place and timing of death, modes of transportation and injuries sustained. Results The 2299 RTI deaths in the survey correspond to an estimated 183 600 RTI deaths or about 2% of all deaths in 2005 nationally, of which 65% occurred in men between the ages 15 and 59 years. The age-adjusted mortality rate was greater in men than in women, in urban than in rural areas, and was notably higher than that estimated from the national police records. Pedestrians (68 000), motorcyclists (36 000) and other vulnerable road users (20 000) constituted 68% of RTI deaths (124 000) nationally. Among the study sample, the majority of all RTI deaths occurred at the scene of collision (1005/1733, 58%), within minutes of collision (883/1596, 55%), and/or involved a head injury (691/1124, 62%). Compared to non-pedestrian RTI deaths, about 55 000 (81%) of pedestrian deaths were associated with less education and living in poorer neighbourhoods. Conclusions In India, RTIs cause a substantial number of deaths, particularly among pedestrians and other vulnerable road users. Interventions to prevent collisions and reduce injuries might address over half of the RTI deaths. Improved prehospital transport and hospital trauma care might address just over a third of the RTI deaths.

There is very little data on the value of specialized intensive care unit (ICU) care in the literature. To determine if specialize ICU care for the trauma patient improved outcomes in this patient population. Level I Trauma Center Compared outcomes of trauma patients treated in a surgical trauma ICU (STICU) to those treated in non- trauma ICUs (non-STICU). Retrospective review of trauma registry data. Statistical Analysis: Wilcoxon Rank Test, Fischer's Exact test, logistic regression. There were 1146 STICU patients compared to 1475 non-STICU. In all ISS groups there were more penetrating trauma patients in the STICU (32.54% STICU vs. 18.15% non-STICU, P 25)). All groups had similar lengths of stay. The blunt trauma patients were sicker in the STICU (20.8 ISS ± 12.2 STICU vs. 19.7 ISS ± 11.9 non-STICU, P=0.03) yet had similar outcomes to the non-STICU group. Logistic regression identified penetrating trauma and not ICU location as a predictor of mortality. Sicker STICU patients do as well as less injured non-STICU patients. Severely injured patients should be preferentially treated in a STICU where they are better equipped to care for the complex multi-trauma patient. All patients, regardless of location, do well when their management is guided by a surgical critical care team.

Introduction: Estimates of the burden of injuries occurring in the Amazon jungles of Ecuador are lacking. The definition of trauma does not exist among local healthcare providers (HCP). The inability of HCP to recognize and adequately assess trauma patients results in underreporting of traumatic injuries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge of the HCP in the Amazon jungle of Ecuador regarding trauma patient care after administration of a basic trauma course based on regional needs and resources. Methods: A basic trauma care course was developed based on a patient pathway system: from the site of injury in the jungle, to rudimentary health posts, continuing to provincial hospitals and definitive referral centers. The course was similar to PHTLS and was administered to HCP in the province of Morona Santiago in the Southeastern region of Ecuador. A fifteen-question test was given prior to, post and 6 months after the course. One-way ANOVA and pair-wise comparisons analyzed the grades at the 3 time points. Results: 52 students (23 physicians, 12 medical students, 17 health care administrators) participated in the course. 39 took the pre-test, 33 the post-test and 24 the six-month follow-up test, averaging a mean correct score of 47%, 56% and 75%, respectively. All 3 sets of grades were statistically significant from each other. Table AEcuador Trauma CourseTestNMeanStd DevMinMaxp ValuePre-course3946.814.57.080—Post-course3356.123.57.0800.02346 months post2475.47.362.085 Conclusions: The trauma course addressed the specific conditions of the region, was effective in educating local providers, and has the potential to improve regional trauma statistics and overall care of trauma victims.