Transdiaphragmatic Chest Wall Herniation

BACKGROUND: The combination of traumatic simultaneous diaphragmatic rupture and chest wall herniation remains rare, with 42 cases of traumatic transdiaphragmatic intercostal hernia (TDIH) reported in the literature since 1946. An accurate count of cases is difficult to obtain, as TDIH nomenclature has been variable. Risk factors for traumatic TDIH are not well established. As these injuries are uncommon, best management techniques have yet to be established. Reported repair techniques include primary closure, closure with mesh, and implantation of prosthetic or autologous material. We present our single-center series of 7 patients, the largest reported to our knowledge, and discuss the challenges of repairing these difficult injuries. METHODS: After obtaining institutional review board approval, data were abstracted from the electronic medical record on all adults who underwent evaluation and treatment for traumatic TDIH between July 2014 and January 2019. RESULTS: Of the 7 cases of traumatic TDIH, 6 patients developed TDIH secondary to cough; the seventh patient presented with chronic chest wall pain after an episode of heavy lifting. All patients were obese or overweight. Pain and a popping sensation were the most common presenting symptoms. All patients underwent operative intervention with primary repair of the diaphragm and suture approximation of the ribs. 3 patients had onlay mesh repair of the chest wall and/or abdominal wall. 1 patient had plating of his rib fracture. 3 patients had a recurrence of the intercostal portion of the hernia No patients have undergone reoperation thus far. DISCUSSION: While previously thought to more commonly occur on the left side due to the protective effects of the diaphragm, the majority in this series had right-sided injuries. Herniation through the ninth-10th interspace remains the most common location. Computed tomography imaging should be used for diagnosis and operative planning. It is best to manage these hernias acutely to re-establish normal anatomy. Mesh may be required in delayed reconstructions of if the chest wall cannot be re-approximated. Rib plating should be considered in cases of instability or flail. High rates of complications are not unexpected given the complicated and rare nature of the injury. Given the high rate of intercostal hernia recurrence, it is likely that mesh repair or should be more often used in the treatment of this injury

Management of rhabdomyolysis: A practice management guideline from the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma

BACKGROUND: The treatment of rhabdomyolysis remains controversial. Although there is no question that any associated compartment syndrome needs to be identified and released, debate persists regarding the benefit of further therapy including aggressive intravenous fluid resuscitation (IVFR), urine alkalization with bicarbonate, and the use of mannitol. The goal of this practice management guideline was to evaluate the effects of bicarbonate, mannitol, and aggressive intravenous fluids on patients with rhabdomyolysis. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis comparing treatments in patients with rhabdomyolysis was performed. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology was applied to assess the quality of evidence and to create evidence-based recommendations regarding the use of bicarbonate, mannitol, and aggressive IVFR in patients with rhabdomyolysis. RESULTS: A total of 12 studies were identified for analysis. On quantitative analysis, IVFR decreased the incidence of acute renal failure (ARF) and need for dialysis in patients with rhabdomyolysis. Neither bicarbonate nor mannitol administration improved the incidence of acute renal failure and need for dialysis in patients with rhabdomyolysis. Quality of evidence was deemed to be very low, with the vast majority of the literature being retrospective studies. CONCLUSION: In patients with rhabdomyolysis, we conditionally recommend for aggressive IVFR to improve outcomes of ARF and lessen the need for dialysis. We conditionally recommend against treatment with bicarbonate or mannitol in patients with rhabdomyolysis

Outcomes of Protocol-Driven Venous Thromboembolic Chemo-Prophylaxis in Trauma Patients: A Trauma Quality Improvement Project Analysis

INTRODUCTION: Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) is the standard for venous thromboembolic (VTE) chemo-prophylaxis in trauma patients; however, inconsistencies in the use of LMWH exist. The objective of this study was to assess VTE outcomes in response to a chemo-prophylaxis protocol guided by patient physiology (eg, creatinine clearance) and comorbidities. METHODS: ACS TQIP Benchmark Reports at a level 1 trauma center using a patient physiology and comorbidity directed VTE chemo-prophylaxis protocol were analyzed for Spring 2019 to Fall 2021. Patient demographics, VTE rates and pharmacologic VTE prophylaxis type were collected for All Patients and Elderly (TQIP: age ≥ 55 years) cohorts. RESULTS: Data was analyzed for 1919183 All Hospitals (AH) and 5843 patients single institution (SI) using the physiologic and comorbidity guided VTE chemo-prophylaxis protocol. Elderly subgroup had 701965 (AH) and 2939 (SI) patients. Use of non-LMWH chemo-prophylaxis was significantly higher at SI: All patients = 62.6% SI vs 22.1% ( \u3c .01); Elderly = 68.8% SI vs 28.1% AH ( \u3c .01). VTE, DVT, and PE rates for All Patients and Elderly subgroup were significantly reduced at SI, except Elderly PE which was statistically equivalent. CONCLUSIONS: Protocol-driven VTE chemo-prophylaxis was associated with significantly lower LMWH use accompanied by significant reductions in All VTE, DVT, PE, and Elderly VTE and DVT with no difference in Elderly PE rates. These results may imply that adherence to a physiologic and comorbidity directed chemo-prophylaxis protocol, rather than LMWH, reduces VTE events in trauma patients. Further investigation to elucidate best practice is warranted

Thromboelastography and Rotational Thromboelastometry in Bleeding Patients with Coagulopathy: Practice Management Guideline from the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma.

BACKGROUND: Assessment of the immediate need for specific blood product transfusions in acutely bleeding patients is challenging. Clinical assessment and commonly used coagulation tests are inaccurate and time-consuming. The goal of this practice management guideline was to evaluate the role of the viscoelasticity tests: thromboelastography (TEG) and rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM), in the management of acutely bleeding trauma, surgical and critically ill patients. METHODS: Systematic review and meta-analyses of manuscripts comparing TEG/ROTEM to non-TEG/ROTEM-guided blood products transfusions strategies were performed. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology was applied to assess the level of evidence and create recommendations for TEG/ROTEM-guided blood product transfusions in adult trauma, surgical, and critically ill patients. RESULTS: Utilizing TEG/ROTEM-guided blood transfusions in acutely bleeding trauma, surgical, and critically ill patients was associated with a tendency to fewer blood product transfusions in all populations. TEG/ROTEM-guided transfusions were associated with a reduced number of additional invasive hemostatic interventions (angioembolic, endoscopic, or surgical) in surgical patients. TEG/ROTEM -guided transfusions were associated with a reduction in mortality in trauma patients. CONCLUSION: In patients with ongoing hemorrhage and concern for coagulopathy, we conditionally recommend using TEG/ROTEM-guided transfusions, compared with traditional coagulation parameters, to guide blood component transfusions in each of the following three groups: adult trauma patients, adult surgical patients, and patients with critical illness. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II TYPE OF STUDY: Therapeutic

Thromboelastography and rotational thromboelastometry in bleeding patients with coagulopathy: Practice management guideline from the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma

BACKGROUND: Assessment of the immediate need for specific blood product transfusions in acutely bleeding patients is challenging. Clinical assessment and commonly used coagulation tests are inaccurate and time-consuming. The goal of this practice management guideline was to evaluate the role of the viscoelasticity tests: thromboelastography (TEG) and rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM), in the management of acutely bleeding trauma, surgical and critically ill patients. METHODS: Systematic review and meta-analyses of manuscripts comparing TEG/ROTEM to non-TEG/ROTEM-guided blood products transfusions strategies were performed. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology was applied to assess the level of evidence and create recommendations for TEG/ROTEM-guided blood product transfusions in adult trauma, surgical, and critically ill patients. RESULTS: Utilizing TEG/ROTEM-guided blood transfusions in acutely bleeding trauma, surgical, and critically ill patients was associated with a tendency to fewer blood product transfusions in all populations. TEG/ROTEM-guided transfusions were associated with a reduced number of additional invasive hemostatic interventions (angioembolic, endoscopic, or surgical) in surgical patients. TEG/ROTEM -guided transfusions were associated with a reduction in mortality in trauma patients. CONCLUSION: In patients with ongoing hemorrhage and concern for coagulopathy, we conditionally recommend using TEG/ROTEM-guided transfusions, compared with traditional coagulation parameters, to guide blood component transfusions in each of the following three groups: adult trauma patients, adult surgical patients, and patients with critical illness. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II TYPE OF STUDY: Therapeutic