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Use of sleeve gastrectomy (SG) for weight loss has grown exponentially; however, clear indications for SG versus Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RNYGB) are lacking. Certain populations may be more likely to undergo SG due to its simpler technique and without clear clinical indications. We aim to examine underlying predictors of patients undergoing SG vs RNY across a single state.We queried the Colorado All Payers Claim Database for patients undergoing laparoscopic SG or RNY. Patient-level variables included patient demographics, comorbidities, distance traveled for surgery, and distressed communities index (DCI), a zip code-based measure of socioeconomic status. Hospital-level variables included annual bariatric surgery volume, academic status, and whether hospitals were a bariatric Center of Excellence. We performed mixed-effects logistic regression adjusting for demographics, insurance coverage, and comorbidities to compare odds of undergoing SG vs RNY, with a random effect for hospital.5,017 patients were included with 3,042 (60.6%) undergoing SG and 1,975 (39.4%) undergoing RNY. On multivariable analysis, patients with a high DCI were not more likely to undergo a SG (OR 1.18, CI 0.89-1.55, p = 0.25). However, patients who underwent surgery at hospitals serving the greatest proportion of those from highly distressed communities were significantly more likely to undergo SG (OR 4.22, CI 1.38-12.96, p = 0.01). Patients managed at Bariatric Centers of Excellence were less likely to undergo SG (OR 0.22, CI 0.07-0.62, p = 0.005). Patients with higher BMI, diabetes, or GERD were all more likely to undergo RNY.While patients with high DCI were more likely to undergo SG on univariate analysis, these associations disappeared after addition of a hospital-level random effect, suggesting that disparities may be due access to surgeons or systems with preference for one procedure. However, hospitals serving a higher proportion of high-DCI patients are more likely to utilize SG.

Background Prior studies have found rates of emergency department (ED) visits after bariatric surgery approach 15% with the majority (>60%) not requiring admission. The timeframe for which ED utilization remains elevated postoperatively remains unknown. We hypothesize that ED utilization following bariatric surgery remains elevated for months after surgery with the majority of visits not requiring admission. Objective No study has determined the impact bariatric surgery has on health care resource utilization in the two years following surgery. The aim of this study is to determine the frequency of ED visitation in the 2 years following bariatric surgery. Settings Database study, single state-wide insurance database. Methods We queried the Colorado All Payers Claim Database. Patients with data 1 year before and 2 years after surgery were included. Primary outcomes of interest were ED visits or readmissions during the 2-year period. Bariatric surgeries were identified using CPT codes. Diagnoses for an ED visit or readmission were determined by ICD codes. Results A total of 5399 patients underwent bariatric surgery from January 2013–November 2017. Of these, 59% underwent sleeve gastrectomy, 38% Roux-en-Y, 2% gastric band, and 1% another surgery. Median age was 44 (IQR 35–54) years, and 82% were female. Overall, 3103 patients (57%) visited the ED at least once with a total of 12,988 visits, 1267 of which (9.8%) resulted in admission. ED use was highest in the 30 days following surgery (17%) but remained above presurgery baseline for 8 months (7.4% at 8 mo compared with baseline mean 6.4% [95% CI 6.0%–6.8%]). Conclusions ED visits remain elevated for 8 months post bariatric surgery with over 90% of visits not requiring an admission. Interventions that prevent emergency department utilization should be key focus of quality improvement projects to limit health care resource utilization following bariatric surgery.

Background Despite the prevalence of hypocoagulability after injury, the majority of trauma patients paradoxically present with elevated thrombin generation (TG). While several studies have examined plasma TG post-injury, this has not been assessed in whole blood. We hypothesize that whole blood TG is lower in hypocoagulopathy, and TG effectively predicts massive transfusion. Study Design Blood was collected from trauma activation patients at an urban Level-1 trauma center. Whole blood TG was performed with a prototype point-of-care device. Whole blood TG values in healthy volunteers were compared to trauma patients, and TG values were examined in trauma patients with shock and massive transfusion requirement (MT). Results Overall, 118 patients were included (Table 1). Compared to healthy volunteers, trauma patients overall presented with more robust TG; however, those arriving in shock (n=23) had a depressed TG, with significantly lower peak thrombin (88.3 versus 133.0 nM, p=0.01) and slower maximum rate of thrombin generation (27.4 versus 48.3 nM/min, p=0.04). Patients who required massive transfusion (n=26) had significantly decreased TG, with a longer lag time (median 4.8 min versus 3.9 min, p=0.04), decreased peak thrombin (median 71.4 nM versus 124.2 nM, p=0.0003), and lower maximum rate of TG (median 15.8 nM/min versus 39.4 nM/min, p=0.01). AUROC analysis revealed lag time (AUROC 0.6), peak thrombin (AUROC 0.7), and maximum rate of TG (AUROC 0.7) predict early MT. Conclusion These data challenge the prevailing bias that all trauma patients present with elevated TG and highlight that deficient thrombin contributes to the hypocoagulopathic phenotype of trauma-induced coagulopathy. Further, whole blood TG predicts massive transfusion, suggesting point of care whole blood TG may be a useful tool for diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in trauma.

BACKGROUND Evidence guiding firearm injury prevention is limited by current data collection infrastructure. Trauma registries (TR) omit prehospital deaths and underestimate the burden of injury. In contrast, the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) tracks all firearm deaths including prehospital fatalities, excluding survivors. This is a feasibility study to link these data sets through collaboration with our state public health department, aiming to better estimate the burden of firearm injury and assess comparability of data. METHODS We reviewed all firearm injuries in our Level I TR from 2011 to 2017. We provided the public health department with in-hospital deaths, which they linked to NVDRS using patient identifiers and time of injury/death. The NVDRS collates information about circumstances, incident type, and wounding patterns from multiple sources including death certificates, autopsy records, and legal proceedings. We considered only subjects with injury location in a single urban county to best estimate in-hospital and prehospital mortality. RESULTS Of 168 TR deaths, 166 (99%) matched to NVDRS records. Based on data linkages, we estimate 320 prehospital deaths, 184 in-hospital deaths, and 453 survivors for a total of 957 firearm injuries. For the matched patients, there was near-complete agreement regarding simple demographic variables (e.g., age and sex) and good concordance between incident types (suicide, homicide, etc.). However, agreement in wounding patterns between NVDRS and TR varied. CONCLUSION We demonstrate the feasibility of linking TR and NVDRS data with good concordance for many variables, allowing for good estimation of the trauma denominator. Standardized data collection methods in one data set could improve methods used by the other, for example, training NVDRS abstractors to utilize Abbreviated Injury Scale designations for injury patterns. Such data integration holds immediate promise for guiding prevention strategies. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Epidemiological study, level IV.

OBJECTIVE Surgical departments are increasingly utilizing media to disseminate knowledge, discuss ideas, and mentor future surgeons. Podcasts are a form of media where digitally recorded content can be downloaded or streamed. This study aims (1) to describe the audience reached by a single surgical department podcast and (2) to evaluate what sources of information surgery residency applicants use to formulate a rank list. DESIGN In Fall 2017, the Rocky Mountain Surgery Podcast (RMSP) was created, produced, and edited by 2 general surgery (GS) residents at a large academic training program. Each episode discussed a topic within GS training and/or educational experiences specific to the program. Interviewing GS applicants for the 2019 match were asked to complete an anonymous voluntary survey on their familiarity and opinion of RMSP and the role of podcasts in the application process. RESULTS Twenty-two episodes were completed over a 16-month period (October 4, 2017 - February 11, 2019). A total of 7002 individual listens occurred in 644 cities across 46 states. Ninety-eight interviewing applicants responded to the survey (99% response rate), and one-fourth had previously listened to the RMSP. Only half felt that the traditional interview experience provided enough information about a GS program, and a significant majority (97%) stated they would listen to one or more podcast episodes to gain information regarding a GS residency program. CONCLUSIONS Applicants to GS residency commonly feel inadequate information is gained during the interview process. Podcasts are a tool familiar to applicants that allow for exploration of topics which cannot be adequately addressed in a typical interview day, thus expanding an applicant's knowledge of a GS training program.

More than 3 million patients have a cardiac implanted electronic device (CIED) such as a pacemaker or implanted cardioverter-defibrillator in the USA. These devices are susceptible to electromagnetic interference (EMI) leading to malfunction and injury. Radiofrequency energy, the most common modality for obtaining hemostasis during endoscopy, is the most common source of EMI. Few studies have evaluated the effect of endoscopic radiofrequency energy on CIEDs. We aim to characterize CIED dysfunction related to endoscopic procedures. We hypothesize that EMI from endoscopic energy can result in patient injury. We queried the Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience (MAUDE) database for CIED dysfunction related to electrosurgical devices over a 10-year period (2009–2019). CIED dysfunction events were identified using seven problem codes (malfunction, electromagnetic interference, ambient noise, pacing problem, over-sensing, inappropriate shock, defibrillation). These were cross-referenced for the terms “cautery, electrocautery, endoscopy, esophagus, colonoscopy, colon, esophagoscopy, and esophagogastroduodenoscopy.” Reports were individually reviewed to confirm and characterize CIED malfunction due to an endoscopic procedure. A search for CIED dysfunction resulted in 43,759 reports. Three hundred and eleven reports (0.7%) were associated with electrocautery, and of these, 45 reports (14.5%) included endoscopy. Ten reports involving endoscopy (22%) specified upper (3, 7%) or lower (7, 16%) endoscopy while the remainder were non-specific. Twenty-six of reports involving endoscopy (58%) suffered injury because of CIED dysfunction: Of these, 17 (65%) received inappropriate shocks, 5 (19%) had pacing inhibition with bradycardia or asystole, 3 (12%) had CIED damage requiring explant and replacement, and 1 (4%) patient suffered ventricular tachycardia requiring hospital admission. The use of energy during endoscopy can cause dysfunction of CIEDs. This most commonly results in inappropriate defibrillation, symptomatic bradycardia, and asystole. Patients with CIEDs undergoing endoscopy should undergo pre- and post-procedure device interrogation and re-programming to avoid patient injury.

Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta (REBOA) was first described in the 1950s, but early attempts at REBOA faced several technical challenges. Subsequent advances in endovascular technologies led to renewed interest in employing REBOA for management of hemorrhagic shock. However, REBOA usage remains infrequent, and indications for REBOA implementation remain unclear. We evaluated current opinions of trauma surgeons toward the use of REBOA for control of trauma-related hemorrhage and other causes of hemorrhagic shock. We hypothesize, that despite heightened interest in REBOA, implementation remains limited. A 25-question survey was thus created to query institutional and surgeon-specific training and practice patterns related to REBOA usage. The anonymized survey was distributed via email to a national trauma surgeon database and responses were recorded online. 992 subjects were invited to participate, of whom 31% (n=311) responded. Of these, 89% reported to be a trauma or acute care surgeon at a Level I trauma center, 50% reported practicing for ≥20 years. Two-thirds (68%) reported REBOA use at their institution, and the majority (59%) employed REBOA at least once. However, most (78%) performed ≤5 REBOA placements last year. Respondents supported REBOA usage in non-trauma causes of shock including gastrointestinal bleeding (60%), post-partum hemorrhage (83%), and ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (69%). A significant minority (20.3%) reported either only slight confidence or no confidence in their ability to deploy REBOA, and thus 21% reported being 'very interested' in attending a REBOA skills course.We thus conclude that REBOA has gained wide interest among trauma surgeons. However, placement remains infrequent with most providers placing a few annually. Educational courses are needed to disseminate the necessary skills for REBOA utilization.

Background Many medical students cite an unwelcoming culture in surgery and perceive surgeons as arrogant or unfriendly. These perceptions have been reported as factors discouraging medical students from applying to surgical residency programs. This highlights an opportunity early in medical education to address these negative stereotypes and create opportunities for positive interactions with surgeons. We hypothesize that positive experiences with surgical residents and introduction to representative surgical cases early in the medical school curriculum can provide a real-world context for learning anatomy and encourage students to consider a surgical career. Methods We developed and implemented a series of structured, one-hour, cadaver-based sessions cofacilitated by anatomists and surgical residents for medical students during their anatomy didactics. Sessions included common surgical cases and focused on critical thinking and problem-solving skills, while offering opportunities to review cadaver anatomy. Students completed a postcourse survey. Results Nine sessions were implemented with involvement of eight surgical residents and 185 students; 83 students completed a postcourse survey (response rate of 45%). A majority of students rated the sessions “very helpful” in terms of highlighting the importance of anatomy in medical education (n = 52, 63%) and providing clinical context (n = 59, 71%). 54% (n = 45) indicated interest in a surgical career and 64% (n = 53) agreed that session participation had increased their interest in surgery. Conclusions Overall, students agreed that sessions provided clinical context for their learning and increased interest in a surgical career. Surgical faculty and residents should engage in preclinical medical education to bridge the basic science and clinical years and introduce positive surgical role models early during medical training.

INTRODUCTION: Several disease processes trigger prolonged activation of the alternative complement pathway. Crosslinks between complement activation and physiologic changes in platelets and neutrophils have been identified, but how this interplay alters the hemostatic potential in humans remains undefined. We hypothesize that activation of the alternative pathway triggers a hypercoagulable state. METHODS: C3/C5 convertase Cobra Venom Factor (CVF, 10 Units/mL) was employed to activate the alternative complement pathway in whole blood. Complement inhibition was completed with inhibitors for C3/C3b (Compstatin, 25 and 50 μM), C3a receptor (SB290157, 300 nM, C3aR), and C5a receptor (W54011, 6 nM, C5aR). Coagulation was assessed using native thrombelastography which produces the following: reaction time (R time); angle; maximum amplitude (MA); percent fibrinolysis at 30-minutes post-MA (LY30). RESULTS: Inhibition with C3aR and C5aR inhibitors did not alter clot formation (R time, 11.2 vs 11.6 min, p=0.36), clot strength (MA, 52.0 vs 52.3 mm, p=0.43) or fibrinolysis (LY30, 1.6 vs 4.0%, p=0.19). Compstatin did not influence clot formation or clot strength but did induce a dose-dependent increase in fibrinolysis (control LY30 3.0 vs 7.8% and 12.4% for 25 and 50 μM respectively, p=0.0002). CVF increased MA (58.0 vs 62.8 mm, p

BACKGROUND: While tissue injury provokes fibrinolysis shutdown in trauma, the mechanism remains elusive. Cellular death causes release of structural proteins, including actin and myosin, which may interact with clot formation and structure. We hypothesized that tissue injury is associated with high circulating actin and that actin produces a hypercoagulable profile with decreased fibrinolysis in vitro. METHODS: Blood was collected from trauma activation patients at a single Level I trauma center for thrombelastography and proteomics. Proteomic analyses were performed through targeted liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry using isotope-labeled standards for quantification of actin and its endogenous inhibitor gelsolin. Based on the results, we added physiologic concentrations of cytoskeletal G-actin to whole blood from healthy volunteers and analyzed changes in thrombelastography, as well as to plasma and examined clot architecture using confocal microscopy of fluorescently labeled fibrinogen. RESULTS: Overall, 108 trauma patients were included: majority (71%) men, median age of 32.7 years, 66% blunt mechanism, median New Injury Severity Score (NISS) of 41. Compared with patients without severe tissue injury (NISS < 15, n = 10), patients with severe tissue injury (NISS > 15, n = 98) had higher levels of circulating actin (0.0428 vs. 0.0301, p = 0.02). Further, there was a trend toward lower gelsolin levels in patients with fibrinolysis shutdown (0.1844 vs. 0.2052, p = 0.17) and tissue plasminogen activator resistance (0.1676 vs. 0.2188, p = 0.06).Ten healthy volunteers were included in the in vitro experiments (50% male; median age, 31.3 years). Actin significantly increased angle (40.0° to 52.9°, p = 0.002) and decreased fibrinolysis (percent clot lysis 30 minutes after reaching maximum amplitude, 4.0% to 1.6%; p = 0.002), provoking fibrinolytic shutdown in three patients. The addition of actin to control plasma decreased fiber resolvability of fibrin clots, monitored by microscopy, and decreased plasmin-mediated fibrinolysis. CONCLUSION: Actin increases clot propagation and provokes fibrinolysis shutdown in vitro, through a mechanism of plasmin inhibition. High circulating levels of actin are present in trauma patients with severe tissue injury, suggesting actin contributes to fibrinolysis shutdown in the setting of tissue injury.

Screening colonoscopy is one of the few procedures that can prevent cancer. While the majority of colonoscopies in the USA are performed by gastroenterologists, general surgeons play a key role in at-risk, rural populations. The aim of this study was to examine geographic practice patterns in colonoscopy using a nationwide Medicare claims database.The 2017 Medicare Provider Utilization and Payment database was used to identify physicians performing colonoscopy. Providers were classified as gastroenterologists, surgeons, ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs), or other. Rural-Urban Commuting Area classification at the zip code level was used to determine whether the practice location for an individual provider was in a rural area/small town (lt; 10,000 people), micropolitan area (10-50,000 people), or metropolitan area (gt; 50,000 people).Claims data from 3,861,187 colonoscopy procedures on Medicare patients were included. The majority of procedures were performed by gastroenterologists (57.2%) and ASCs (32.1%). Surgeons performed 6.8% of cases overall. When examined at a zip code level, surgeons performed 51.6% of procedures in small towns/rural areas and 21.7% of procedures in micropolitan areas. Individual surgeons performed fewer annual procedures as compared to gastroenterologists (median 51 vs. 187, p lt; 0.001).Surgeons perform the majority of colonoscopies in rural zip codes on Medicare patients. High-quality, surgical training in endoscopy is essential to ensure access to colonoscopy for patients outside of major metropolitan areas.

Background Indications for angioembolization (AE) following liver injury are not clearly defined. This study evaluated the outcomes and complications of hepatic AE. We hypothesize hepatic angioembolization is a useful adjunct to non-operative management of liver injury but with significant morbidity. Methods Subjects were identified utilizing trauma registries from centers in a regional trauma network from 2010 to 2017 with an Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) coded hepatic injury and an ICD9/10 for hepatic angiography (HA). Results 1319 patients with liver injuries were identified, with 30 (2.3%) patients undergoing HA: median ISS was 26, and median liver AIS was 4. Twenty-three subjects required AE. 81% had extravasation on CT from a liver injury. 63% underwent HA as initial intervention. 43% of AE subjects had liver-related complications with 35% 30-day readmission but with zero 30-day mortality. Conclusions While there were zero reported deaths, a high rate of morbidity and readmission was found. This may be due to the angioembolization or the liver injury itself.

BACKGROUND: Morbid obesity is associated with an increased risk of thrombotic events, which has been attributed to increased thrombotic activity. Multiple mechanisms have been proposed to explain this increased risk, including an inflammatory state with upregulation of procoagulant and antifibrinolytic proteins. We therefore hypothesize that patients with morbid obesity are hypercoagulable and will revert to normal after bariatric surgery. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate changes in the hypercoagulable state after bariatric surgery. SETTING: University Hospital, Bariatric Center of Excellence, United States. METHODS: Thromboelastography (TEG) data were collected on 72 subjects with morbid obesity, with 36 who had 6 months of follow-up after bariatric surgery. TEG data of 75 healthy subjects (HS) without obesity, recent trauma or surgery, acute infection, or chronic conditions (e.g., liver, cardiovascular, or kidney disease; cancer; diabetes; autoimmune or inflammatory disorders; and disorders of coagulation) were used for comparison. TEG was performed alone and with the addition of 75 and 150 ng/mL tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) to quantify fibrinolysis resistance (tPA-challenged TEG). RESULTS: The bariatric surgery cohort had a median age of 40.5 years, a median body mass index of 44.6 kg/m(2), and 90% female patients. Median body mass index reduced significantly 6 months post surgery but remained elevated compared with the HS group (31.4 versus 25.4 kg/m(2), P < .0001). At 6 months post surgery, subjects had longer reaction time (mean difference, 1.3; P = .02), lower maximum amplitude (−2.4, P = .01), and increased fibrinolysis with low-dose (3.1, P < .0001) and high-dose tPA-challenged TEG (9, P < .0001). Compared with HS, the postsurgery TEG values were still more likely to be abnormal (all P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with morbid obesity form stronger clots more rapidly and are more resistant to fibrinolysis than subjects without obesity. Bariatric surgery significantly improved the hypercoagulable

Surgical fires are a rare event that still occur at a significant rate and can result in severe injury and death. Surgical fires are fueled by vapor from alcohol-based skin preparations in the presence of increased oxygen concentration and a spark from an energy device. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is used to extinguish electrical fires, and we sought to evaluate its effect on fire creation in the operating room. We hypothesize that CO2 delivered by the energy device will decrease the frequency of surgical fires fueled by alcohol-based skin preparations. An ex vivo model with 15 × 15 cm section of clipped, porcine skin was used. A commercially available electrosurgical pencil with a smoke evacuation tip was connected to a laparoscopic CO2 insufflation system. The electrosurgical pencil was activated for 2 s at 30 watts coagulation mode immediately after application of alcohol-based surgical skin preparations: 70% isopropyl alcohol with 2% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG-IPA) or 74% isopropyl alcohol with 0.7% iodine povacrylex (Iodine-IPA). CO2 was infused via the smoke evacuation pencil at flow rates from 0 to 8 L/min. The presence of a flame was determined visually and confirmed with a thermal camera (FLIR Systems, Boston, MA). Carbon dioxide eliminated fire formation at a flow rate of 1 L/min with CHG-IPA skin prep (0% vs. 60% with no CO2, p

BACKGROUND: Females are hypercoagulable and have survival benefit in trauma-induced coagulopathy (TIC). The mechanism for this sex-specific hypercoagulability is unknown. Platelets and platelet function are central in providing hemostatic potential and are the largest contributor to clot strength. Ligands (adenosine diphosphate [ADP] and platelet activating factor [PAF]) bind distinct platelet receptors to potentiate activation and aggregation. We hypothesize that female platelets have a differential response to ADP and PAF, resulting in greater aggregation and activation compared to males, and that estradiol pre-treatment of male or female platelets enhances this activity. METHODS: Platelets were collected from healthy volunteers: pre/post-menopausal females (≤54 years old,>54 years old) and similarly aged males. Platelet aggregometry and flow cytometry (fibrinogen binding capacity) were examined. After treatment with ADP or PAF, platelet aggregation was assessed with Chronolog and activation assessed by CD41 receptor surface expression using flow cytometry. Aggregation and activation were again assessed after platelet pre-treatment with estradiol. RESULTS: Healthy volunteers included 12 premenopausal and 13 postmenopausal females and 18 similarly aged males. Female platelets (combined pre- and postmenopausal) had increased aggregation with ADP stimulation, as compared to male platelets. Male and female platelets had differential fibrinogen receptor expression, with female platelets (combined pre- and postmenopausal) demonstrating robust activation with ADP versus male platelets with PAF. In the presence of estradiol incubation, male platelets’ activation with PAF approximated that of females (combined pre- and postmenopausal) and activation with PAF was enhanced in both male and female platelets. CONCLUSIONS: Male and female platelets have differential response to stimuli, suggesting sex-dependent signaling and cellular activation. Female platelets have both increased aggregation and activation potential, and estradiol pre-treatment feminizes male platelets to approximate female platelet activation with PAF. These findings offer potential explanation for sex-based differences in hemostatic potential in TIC and question whether donor sex of transfused platelets should be considered in resuscitation. Estradiol may also serve as a novel therapeutic adjunct in TIC. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: This is a basic science project and as such, does not require a level of evidence. STUDY TYPE: Original Article.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients present on a spectrum from hypocoagulability to hypercoagulability, depending on the injury complexity, severity, and time since injury. Prior studies have found a unique coagulopathy associated with TBI using conventional coagulation assays such as INR; however, few studies have assessed the association of TBI and coagulopathy using viscoelastic assays that comprehensively evaluate the coagulation in whole blood. This study aims to reevaluate the TBI-specific trauma-induced coagulopathy using arrival thrombelastography. Because brain tissue is high in key procoagulant molecules, we hypothesize that isolated TBI is associated with procoagulant and hypofibrinolytic profiles compared with injuries of the torso, extremities, and polytrauma, including TBI.Data are from the prospective Trauma Activation Protocol study. Activated clotting time (ACT), angle, maximum amplitude (MA), 30-minute percent lysis after MA (LY30), and functional fibrinogen levels (FFLEV) were recorded. Patients were categorized into isolated severe TBI (I-TBI), severe TBI with torso and extremity injuries (TBI + TORSO/EXTREMITIES), and isolated torso and extremity injuries (I-TORSO/EXTREMITIES). Poisson regression was used to adjust for multiple confounders.Overall, 572 patients (48 I-TBI, 45 TBI + TORSO/EXTREMITIES, 479 I-TORSO/EXTREMITIES) were included in this analysis. The groups differed in INR, ACT, angle, MA, and FFLEV but not in 30-minute percent lysis. When compared with I-Torso/Extremities, after adjustment for confounders, severe I-TBI was independently associated with ACT less than 128 seconds (relative risk [RR], 1.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-2.2), angle less than 65 degrees (RR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.4-3.6), FFLEV less than 356 (RR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.2-2.4) but not MA less than 55 mm, hyperfibrinolysis, fibrinolysis shutdown, or partial thromboplastin time (PTT) greater than 30.Severe I-TBI was independently associated with a distinct coagulopathy with delayed clot formation but did not appear to be associated with fibrinolysis abnormalities. Low fibrinogen and longer ACT values associated with I-TBI suggest that early coagulation factor replacement may be indicated in I-TBI patients over empiric antifibrinolytic therapy. Mechanisms triggering coagulopathy in TBI are unique and warrant further investigation.Retrospective cohort study, prognostic, level III.

More than 3 million patients have a cardiac implanted electronic device (CIED) such as a pacemaker or implanted cardioverter-defibrillator in the USA. These devices are susceptible to electromagnetic interference (EMI) leading to malfunction and injury. Radiofrequency energy, the most common modality for obtaining hemostasis during endoscopy, is the most common source of EMI. Few studies have evaluated the effect of endoscopic radiofrequency energy on CIEDs. We aim to characterize CIED dysfunction related to endoscopic procedures. We hypothesize that EMI from endoscopic energy can result in patient injury.We queried the Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience (MAUDE) database for CIED dysfunction related to electrosurgical devices over a 10-year period (2009-2019). CIED dysfunction events were identified using seven problem codes (malfunction, electromagnetic interference, ambient noise, pacing problem, over-sensing, inappropriate shock, defibrillation). These were cross-referenced for the terms "cautery, electrocautery, endoscopy, esophagus, colonoscopy, colon, esophagoscopy, and esophagogastroduodenoscopy." Reports were individually reviewed to confirm and characterize CIED malfunction due to an endoscopic procedure.A search for CIED dysfunction resulted in 43,759 reports. Three hundred and eleven reports (0.7%) were associated with electrocautery, and of these, 45 reports (14.5%) included endoscopy. Ten reports involving endoscopy (22%) specified upper (3, 7%) or lower (7, 16%) endoscopy while the remainder were non-specific. Twenty-six of reports involving endoscopy (58%) suffered injury because of CIED dysfunction: Of these, 17 (65%) received inappropriate shocks, 5 (19%) had pacing inhibition with bradycardia or asystole, 3 (12%) had CIED damage requiring explant and replacement, and 1 (4%) patient suffered ventricular tachycardia requiring hospital admission.The use of energy during endoscopy can cause dysfunction of CIEDs. This most commonly results in inappropriate defibrillation, symptomatic bradycardia, and asystole. Patients with CIEDs undergoing endoscopy should undergo pre- and post-procedure device interrogation and re-programming to avoid patient injury.

Background/objectives Pancreatic cystic neoplasms (PCNs) are common, among which 13%–23% are serous cystic neoplasms (SCNs). However, diffuse and multifocal variants of SCNs are extremely rare. The differential diagnosis of SCNs from other PCNs is important as the former entities are benign and do not become invasive. Objective This study analyzes the clinical characteristics of multifocal/diffuse SCN through a systematic review of the literature and a case report. Methods A comprehensive literature search was executed in the Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, and Google Scholar databases. The search strategy was designed to capture the concept of multifocal/diffuse SCN cases with sufficient clinical information for detailed analysis. Using the final included articles, we analyzed tumor characteristics, diagnostic modalities used, initial management and indications, and patient outcomes. Results A review of 262 articles yielded 19 publications with 22 cases that had detailed clinical information. We presented an additional case from our institution database. The systematic review of 23 cases revealed that the diffuse variant is more common than the multifocal variant (15 vs 8 cases, respectively). Patients were managed with surgical intervention, conservative treatment, or conservative treatment followed by surgical intervention. Indications for surgery following conservative management mainly included new onset or worsening of symptoms. Only one case reported significant tumor growth after attempting an observational approach. No articles reported recurrence of SCN after pancreatectomy, and no articles reported mortality related to multifocal/diffuse SCNs. Conclusion Despite their expansive-growing and space-occupying characteristics, multifocal/diffuse SCNs should be treated similarly to their more common unifocal counterpart.

Background Young-Burgess classification (YB) is a mechanistic system which classifies pelvic ring injuries into anterior-posterior compression (APC), lateral compression (LC), vertical shear (VS) injuries, and combined mechanism (CM). The objective of this study was to identify associated injuries which require urgent operative intervention by YB classification. We hypothesize that YB classification is associated with 1) need for urgent intervention for pelvic fracture-related hemorrhage and 2) patterns of injury complexes requiring surgery. Methods This is a retrospective study of severely injured trauma patients with pelvic ring injuries who presented to an urban Level-1 trauma center from 2007 to 2017. Associated injuries and procedures were determined by Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) and ICD-9/10 codes. YB classes were compared, followed by a cluster analysis to identify injury patterns and association with YB classifications. Results Overall, 135 patients were included. 98 (72%) of patients presented with LC, 16 (12%) with APC, 8 (6%) with VS, and 13 (10%) with CM. VS and APC groups had higher rates of REBOA use compared to LC and CM groups (38% and 31% versus 11% and 0%, respectively, p = 0.01). The CM group, compared to LC, APC, and VS, had higher rates of urgent operative intervention for bleeding control (69% versus 32%, 50% and 43%, respectively, p = 0.01). 39 (29%) patients had a concomitant injury which was identified by CT scan in initial trauma work up and altered management, 46% which merited urgent intervention. On cluster analysis, there were no distinct injury complexes which required urgent operative intervention by YB class. Conclusions These data failed to identify unique injury complexes which merit urgent operative intervention by YB class. Nearly one in four patients had injuries identified by initial CT imaging which altered initial management, demonstrating the importance of early, full body CT imaging in severely injured patients with pelvic ring injuries.

BACKGROUND Hypertonic saline (23.4%, HTS) bolus administration is common practice for refractory intracranial hypertension, but its effects on coagulation are unknown. We hypothesize that 23.4% HTS in whole blood results in progressive impairment of coagulation in vitro and in vivo in a murine model of traumatic brain injury (TBI). STUDY DESIGN For the in vitro study, whole blood was collected from 10 healthy volunteers, and citrated native thrombelastography was performed with normal saline (0.9%, NS) and 23.4% HTS in serial dilutions (2.5%, 5%, and 10%). For the in vivo experiment, we assessed the effects of 23.4% HTS bolus vs NS on serial thrombelastography and tail-bleeding times in a TBI murine model (n = 10 rats with TBI and 10 controls). RESULTS For the in vitro work, clinically relevant concentrations of HTS (2.5% dilution) shortened time to clot formation and increased clot strength (maximum amplitude) compared with control and NS. With higher HTS dosing (5% and 10% blood dilution), there was progressive prolongation of time to clot formation, decreased angle, and decreased maximum amplitude. In the in vivo study, there was no significant difference in thrombelastography measurements or tail-bleeding times after bolus administration of 23.4% HTS compared with NS at 2.5% blood volume. CONCLUSIONS At clinically relevant dilutions of HTS, there is a paradoxical shortening of time to clot formation and increase in clot strength in vitro and no significant effects in a murine TBI model. However, with excess dilution, caution should be exercised when using serial HTS boluses in TBI patients at risk for trauma-induced coagulopathy.

Surgical smoke evacuators may reduce the concentration of alcohol vapors from skin preparations at the site of electrosurgical device activation, decreasing operating room fire risk. Our aim was to compare the incidence of flames with and without smoke evacuation in a porcine ex vivo model. A monopolar device was activated after application of either 70% isopropyl alcohol/2% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG-IPA) or 74% isopropyl alcohol/0.7% iodine povacrylex (iodine-IPA) skin preparations. No suction was compared with standard wall suction and 2 monopolar devices with built-in smoke evacuators. Flames were generated in 60% of CHG-IPA and 47% of iodine-IPA tests without suction. Wall suction did not significantly reduce fires (CHG-IPA 43% vs. 60%, P=0.30; iodine-IPA 57% vs. 47%, P=0.61). Use of both smoke evacuation devices reduced fires for CHG-IPA (17% vs. 60%, P=0.001 and 20% vs. 60%, P=0.004) but not for iodine-IPA. Smoke evacuation devices reduce fire risk when used with a chlorhexidine-alcohol skin preparation.

INTRODUCTION: Trauma-induced coagulopathy (TIC) and the tissue injury-provoked procoagulant profile are prevalent in severely injured patients, but their mechanisms remain unclear. Myosin, exposed by or released from tissue injury, may play a role in promoting thrombin generation and attenuating fibrinolysis. The objective of the study is to examine the effects of cardiac and skeletal muscle myosins on coagulation in whole blood using thrombelastography (TEG). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Whole blood was collected from healthy adult volunteers (n=8) and native TEGs were performed to evaluate the global coagulation response in the presence of cardiac or skeletal muscle myosin by measuring reaction (R) time (minutes), clot angle (°), and maximum amplitude (MA, mm). TEG measurements were compared using paired t-tests. RESULTS: Cardiac and skeletal muscle myosins decreased R, from 10.8 min to 8.0 min (p

BACKGROUND Obesity is linked to hypercoagulability with an increased risk of venous thromboembolic events (VTE) in the uninjured population. Therefore, we hypothesize that obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥30 kg/m [BMI30]) is associated with a hypercoagulable state postinjury characterized by increased clot strength and resistance to fibrinolysis. METHODS Our prospective Trauma Activation Protocol database includes all trauma activations patients for whom a rapid thrombelastography is obtained within 60 minutes postinjury prior to any transfusions. The data set was then stratified by BMI and subjects with BMI30 were compared with those with BMI less than 30 kg/m). The following thrombelastography measurements were obtained: activated clotting time, clot formation rate (angle), maximum clot strength (MA), and % clot lysis 30 minutes after MA (LY30, %). Fibrinolysis shutdown (SD) was defined as LY30 < 0.6% and hyperfibrinolysis (HF) as LY30 greater than 7.6%. Continuous variables are expressed as median (interquartile range). RESULTS Overall, 687 patients were included of whom 161 (23%) had BMI30. The BMI30 group was older, had a lower proportion of males and of blunt trauma, and was less severely injured. After adjustment for confounders, BMI30 was independently associated with lower odds of MA less than 55 mm (odds ratio [OR], 0.28; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.13-0.60) and of HF (OR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.10-0.97) and higher odds of SD (OR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.09-3.05). No independent association was observed with angle less than 65° (OR 0.57 95% CI 0.30-1.05). While VTEs were more frequent among BMI30 patients (5.0 vs. 3.3%), this did not reach significance after confounding adjustment (p = 0.11). CONCLUSION Obesity was protective against diminished clot strength and hyperfibrinolysis, and obesity was associated with an increased risk of fibrinolytic SD in severely injured patients. These findings suggest a relative hypercoagulability. Although no difference in VTEs was noted in this study, these findings may explain the higher rate of VTEs reported in other studies. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Prognostic and Epidemiological, level III.

Surgical fires are a rare event that still occur at a significant rate and can result in severe injury and death. Surgical fires are fueled by vapor from alcohol-based skin preparations in the presence of increased oxygen concentration and a spark from an energy device. Carbon dioxide (COAn ex vivo model with 15 × 15 cm section of clipped, porcine skin was used. A commercially available electrosurgical pencil with a smoke evacuation tip was connected to a laparoscopic COCarbon dioxide eliminated fire formation at a flow rate of 1 L/min with CHG-IPA skin prep (0% vs. 60% with no COCarbon dioxide can eliminate surgical fires caused by energy devices in the presence of alcohol-based skin preps. Future studies should determine the optimal technique and flow rate of carbon dioxide in these settings.

Background Trauma patients with pelvic fractures have a high rate of venous thromboembolism (VTEs). The reason for this high rate is unknown. We hypothesize that fibrinolysis shutdown (SD) predicts VTE in patients with severe pelvic fracture. Methods Retrospective chart review of trauma patients who presented with pelvic fracture from 2007 to 2017 was performed. Inclusion criteria were injury severity score > 15, abdomen/pelvis abbreviated injury scale >/= 3, blunt mechanism, admission citrated rapid thrombelastography (TEG). Fibrinolytic phenotypes were defined by fibrinolysis on citrated rapid TEG as hyperfibrinolysis, physiologic lysis, and SD. Univariate analysis of TEG measurements and clinical outcomes, followed by multivariable logistic regression (MV) with stepwise selection, was performed. Results Overall, 210 patients were included. Most patients (59%) presented in fibrinolytic shutdown. VTE incidence was 11%. There were no significant differences in fibrinolytic phenotypes or other TEG measurements between those who developed VTE and those who did not. There was a higher rate of VTE in patients who underwent pelvic external fixation or resuscitative thoracotomy. On MV, pelvic fixation and resuscitative thoracotomy were independent predictors of VTE. Conclusions In severely injured patients with pelvic fractures, there was a high rate of VTE and the majority presented in SD. However, we were unable to correlate initial SD with VTE. Ultimately, the high rate of VTE in this patient population supports the concept of implementing VTE chemoprophylaxis measures as soon as hemostasis is achieved.

Angioembolization (AE) is recommended for extravasation from liver injury on CT. Data supporting AE are limited to retrospective series that have found low mortality but high morbidity. These studies did not focus on stable patients. We hypothesized that AE is associated with increased complications without improving mortality in stable patients.We queried the 2016 Trauma Quality Improvement Project database for patients with grade III or higher liver injury (Organ Injury Score ≥ 3), blunt mechanism, with stable vitals (systolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mmHg and heart rate of 50 to 110 beats/min). Exclusion criteria were nonhepatic intra-abdominal or pelvic injury (Organ Injury Score ≥ 3), laparotomy less than 6 hours, and AE implementation more than 24 hours. Patients were matched 1:2 (AE to non-AE) on age, sex, Injury Severity Score, liver Organ Injury Score, arrival systolic blood pressure and heart rate, and transfusion in the first 4 hours using propensity score logistic modeling. Primary outcomes were in-hospital mortality, length of stay, transfusion, hepatic resection, interventional radiology drainage, and endoscopic procedure.There were 1,939 patients who met criteria, with 116 (6%) undergoing hepatic AE. Median time to embolization was 3.3 hours. After successfully matching on all variables, groups did not differ with respect to mortality (5.4% vs 3.2%; p = 0.5, AE vs non-AE, respectively) or transfusion at 4 to 24 hours (4.4% vs 7.5%; p = 0.4). A larger percentage of the AE group underwent interventional radiology drainage (13.3% vs 2.2%; p0.001), with more ICU days (4 vs 3 days; p = 0.005) and longer length of stay (10 vs 6 days; p0.001).Hepatic AE was associated with increased morbidity without improving mortality, suggesting the benefits of AE do not outweigh the risks in stable liver injury. Observing these patients is likely a more prudent approach.

Background Plasma thrombin generation has been used to characterize trauma-induced coagulopathy, but description of whole blood thrombin generation is lacking. This study aimed to evaluate plasma and whole blood thrombin generation in healthy volunteers and trauma patients. We hypothesized that (1) plasma and whole blood thrombin generation are distinct, (2) whole blood thrombin generation is more pronounced in trauma patients than in healthy volunteers, and (3) thrombin generation correlates with clinical coagulation assays. Methods Blood was collected from healthy volunteers and trauma patients at a single, level-1 trauma center. Whole blood thrombin generation was assessed with a prototype point-of-care whole blood thrombin generation device, and plasma thrombin generation was measured with a calibrated automated thrombogram analogue. Plasma and whole blood thrombin generation were compared and correlated with international normalized ratio and thrombelastography. Results Overall, 10 healthy volunteers (average age 30, 50% men) were included and 58 trauma patients (average age 34, 76% men, 55% blunt mechanism, and with a median new injury severity score of 17) were included. Plasma and whole blood thrombin generation differed with more robust thrombin generation in plasma. Trauma patients had a significantly increased whole blood thrombin generation compared with healthy volunteers]. Plasma thrombin generation correlated with international normalized ratio, whereas whole blood thrombin generation did not correlate with thrombelastography. Conclusion Plasma and whole blood thrombin generation are distinct, highlighting the need to perform standardized assays to better understand their correlation and to assess how whole blood thrombin generation confers differential outcomes in trauma.

Background Sex dimorphisms in coagulation have been recognized, but whole blood assessment of these dimorphisms and their relationship to outcomes in trauma have not been investigated. This study characterizes the viscoelastic hemostatic profile of severely injured patients by sex, and examines how sex-specific coagulation differences affect clinical outcomes, specifically, massive transfusion (MT) and death. We hypothesized that severely injured females are more hypercoagulable and therefore, have lower rates of MT and mortality. Study Design Hemostatic profiles and clinical outcomes from all trauma activation patients from 2 level I trauma centers were examined, with sex as an experimental variable. As part of a prospective study, whole blood was collected and thrombelastography (TEG) was performed. Coagulation profiles were compared between sexes, and association with MT and mortality were examined. Poisson regression with robust standard errors was performed. Results Overall, 464 patients (23% female) were included. By TEG, females had a more hypercoagulable profile, with a higher angle (clot propagation) and maximum amplitude (MA, clot strength). Females were less likely to present with hyperfibrinolysis or prolonged activating clotting time than males. In the setting of depressed clot strength (abnormal MA), female sex conferred a survival benefit, and hyperfibrinolysis was associated with higher case-fatality rate in males. Conclusions Severely injured females have a more hypercoagulable profile than males. This hypercoagulable status conferred a protective effect against mortality in the setting of diminished clot strength. The mechanism behind these dimorphisms needs to be elucidated and may have treatment implications for sex-specific trauma resuscitation.

Background: Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) remains a challenging complication of infection with inadequate treatment and significant morbidity and mortality rates. Methods: Review of the English-language literature. Results: Disseminated intravascular coagulation arises from the immune system's response to microbial invasion, as well as the byproducts of cell death that result from severe sepsis. This response triggers the coagulation system through an interconnected network of cellular and molecular signals, which developed originally as an evolutionary mechanism intended to isolate micro-organisms via fibrin mesh formation. However, this response has untoward consequences, including hemorrhage and thrombosis caused by dysregulation of the coagulation cascade and fibrinolysis system. Ultimately, diagnosis relies on clinical findings and laboratory studies that recognize excessive activation of the coagulation system, and treatment focuses on supportive measures and correction of coagulation abnormalities. Clinically, DIC secondary to sepsis in the surgical population presents a challenge both in diagnosis and in treatment. Biologically, however, DIC epitomizes the crosstalk between signaling pathways that is essential to normal physiology, while demonstrating the devastating consequences when failure of local control results in systemic derangements. Conclusions: This paper discusses the pathophysiology of coagulopathy and fibrinolysis secondary to sepsis, the diagnostic tools available to identify the abnormalities, and the available treatments.

Damage control surgery is a combination of temporizing surgical interventions to arrest hemorrhage and control infectious source, with goal directed resuscitation to restore normal physiology. The convention of damage control surgery largely arose following the discovery of the lethal triad of hypothermia, acidosis, and coagulopathy, with the goal of Damage Control Surgery (DCS) is to avoid the initiation of this "bloody vicious cycle" or to reverse its progression. While hypothermia and acidosis are generally corrected with resuscitation, coagulopathy remains a challenging aspect of DCS, and is exacerbated by excessive crystalloid administration. This chapter focuses on resuscitative principles in the four settings of trauma care: the prehospital setting, emergency department, operating room, and intensive care unit including historical perspectives, resuscitative methods, controversies, and future directions. Each setting provides unique challenges with specific goals of care.