Hemorrhage after low-energy pelvic trauma

Impact of Pelvic Fracture on Patients with Blunt Bowel Mesenteric Injury: Is Immediate Laparotomy Warranted?

The management of blunt abdominopelvic trauma with combined hemoperitoneum and pelvic fractures is challenging for trauma surgeons. Although angioembolization can achieve hemostasis in most visceral organ injuries and pelvic fractures after blunt abdominal trauma, it cannot effectively control hemorrhage in patients with blunt bowel mesenteric injury (BBMI). This study aimed to determine the risk factors associated with hemodynamically unstable patients with BBMI and to test the hypothesis that pelvic fracture is an independent risk factor for patients with unstable BBMI and concomitant pelvic fracture to guide the therapeutic sequence for difficult-to-manage patients. This retrospective study reviewed the data of hospitalized patients with trauma between 2009 and 2021 and included 158 adult patients with surgically proven BBMI. The patients were divided on the basis of the presence of a shock episode before emergency laparotomy. The shock group included 44.3% of all patients in the study (n = 70). Clinical injury severity and prognosis for patients in the shock group were poorer than those for patients in the non-shock group, and more invasive treatments and transfusions were performed for patients in the shock group than for those in the non-shock group. Pelvic fractures were more frequently associated with the shock group than with the non-shock group (21.4% vs. 5.7%; p = 0.003). In multivariate analysis, the presence of intracerebral hemorrhage (odds ratio [OR] = 10.87, 95% confidence intervals [CIs]: 1.70-69.75) and rib fracture (OR = 5.94, 95% CIs = 1.06-33.45) was identified as an independent predictor of shock, whereas the effect of pelvic fracture did not achieve statistical significance (OR = 2.94, 95% CIs = 0.66-13.13) after adjusting for confounding factors. For patients with BBMI, outcomes need to be improved during early diagnosis, and treatments should be expeditiously performed on the basis of the rapid identification of unstable hemodynamic status. Our results support the recommendation of emergency laparotomy in unstable patients with concomitant pelvic fractures, followed by damage control TAE if needed.

Stress-Induced (Not Diabetic) Hyperglycemia is Associated With Mortality in Geriatric Trauma Patients

INTRODUCTION

Stress-induced hyperglycemia (SIH) is associated with worse outcomes among trauma patients. It is also known that injured geriatric patients have higher mortality when compared to younger patients. We sought to investigate the association of all levels of SIH with mortality among geriatric trauma patients at a level 1 academic trauma center. We hypothesized that SIH in the geriatric trauma population would be associated with increased mortality.

METHODS

A retrospective review of all geriatric patients admitted to our level 1 trauma center over a 3-year period (January 2018-December 2020) was performed using the institutional trauma database. Data collected included demographics, injury severity score (ISS), emergency department (ED) blood glucose level, ED systolic blood pressure (SBP), and mortality. Patients were divided into 4 groups based on emergency room blood glucose level, as follows: normoglycemic (<120 mg/dL), mild hyperglycemia (120-150 mg/dL), moderate hyperglycemia (151-199 mg/dL), and severe hyperglycemia (≥200 mg/dL). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association of SIH and in-hospital mortality adjusting for ISS, age, comorbidities, and ED SBP.

RESULTS

A total of 4432 geriatric trauma patients were admitted during the study period, of which 3358 patients (75.8%) were not diabetic. There were 2206 females (65.7%), 2993 were White (89.2%), with a mean age of 81.5 y. There were 114 deaths (3.4%). Univariate results showed that there was a statistically significant association between mortality and glucose groups (P < 0.01). The number of deaths in the four glucose groups were, as follows: 30 (2.0%), 32 (3.8%), 20 (6.2%), and 10 (12.2%), respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis results showed that compared to the normoglycemic group, the risk of death was higher in the mild, moderate, and severe glucose groups, as follows: mild group (OR 1.80, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04-3.13, P 0.04), moderate group (OR 2.53, 95% CI 1.34-4.80, P < 0.01), and severe group (OR 5.04, 95% CI 2.18-11.67, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Mild, moderate, and severe SIH are statistically significant predictors of death among geriatric trauma patients independently of ISS, age, comorbidities, and SBP.

Fragility Fractures of the Pelvis: Current Practices and Future Directions

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To summarise the current evidence and clinical practices for patients with fragility fractures of the pelvis (FFP).

RECENT FINDINGS

FFPs are an increasingly prevalent and recognised problem in the elderly population. Recent evidence indicates they have a significant impact on function, morbidity and mortality. While traditional management of FFPs was predominantly non-surgical, surgical options have been increasingly used, with a range of surgical methods available. To date, limited consensus exists on the optimal strategy for suitable patient selection, and clinical trials in this population have proved problematic. The management of FFPs requires a multi-faceted approach to enhance patient care, including adequate pain control, minimisation of complications and optimisation of medical management. Early return to mobilisation should be a key treatment goal to maintain functional independence. The selection of patients who will maximally benefit from surgical treatment, and the most appropriate surgical strategy to employ, remains contentious.

Factors Predictive of Mortality among Geriatric Patients Sustaining Low-Energy Blunt Trauma

Background: In geriatric trauma patients, higher mortality rate is observed compared to younger patients. A significant portion of trauma sustained by this age group comes from low-energy mechanisms (fall from standing or sitting). We sought to investigate the outcome of these patients and identify factors associated with mortality. Methods: A retrospective review of 1285 geriatric trauma patients who came to our level 1 trauma center for trauma activation (hospital alert to mobilize surgical trauma service, emergency department trauma team, nursing, and ancillary staff for highest level of critical care) after sustaining low-energy blunt trauma over a 1-year period. IRB approval was obtained, data collected included demographics, vital signs, laboratory data, injuries sustained, length of stay and outcomes. Patients were divided into three age categories: 65−74, 75−84 and >85. Comorbidities collected included a history of chronic renal failure, COPD, Hypertension and Myocardial Infarction. Results: 1285 geriatric patients (age > 65 years) presented to our level 1 trauma center for trauma activation with a low-energy blunt trauma during the study period; 34.8% of the patients were men, 20.5% had at least one comorbidity, and 89.6% were white. Median LOS was 5 days; 37 (2.9%) patients died. Age of 85 and over (OR 3.44 with 95% CI 1.01−11.7 and 2.85 with 95% CI 1.0−6.76, when compared to 65−74 and 75−84, respectively), injury severity score (ISS) (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.15) and the presence of more than one comorbidity (OR 2.68, 95% CI 1.26 to 5.68) were independently predictive of death on multi-variable logistic regression analysis. Conclusion: Age more than 85 years, higher injury severity score and the presence of more than one comorbidity are independent predictors of mortality among geriatric patients presenting with low-energy blunt trauma.

Accuracy of plain radiography in detecting fractures in older individuals after low-energy falls: current evidence

Background

Older individuals sustaining low-energy falls (LEF) and presenting to the emergency department (ED) demand straightforward diagnostic measures for injury detection. Plain radiography (XR) series for diagnosis of fall-related injuries are standard of care, but frequently subsequent CT examination is required for diagnostic assurance. A systematic database search of diagnostic accuracy of XR for detection of fractures in older LEF patients was performed.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, WHO International Clinical Trial Platform, and Clinical trials.gov databases from inception to January 2020 for studies including older patients (≥65 years) with LEF and obtaining CT examination and XR of the skeleton in an ED setting.

Results

From 8944 references screened, 11 studies met the criteria for inclusion. Performance of XR for detection of fractures of the pelvic ring and hip was analyzed in nine studies, two studies investigated XR performance to detect rib fractures, and two studies compared diagnostic accuracy of thoracolumbar spine XR. Sensitivity estimates ranged from 10% to 58% and specificity estimates from 55% to 100%. Clinical and statistical heterogeneity was significant among included studies, with an overall considerable risk of bias.

Discussion

High-quality evidence on accurate imaging strategies in older patients with LEF is lacking to date. XR is missing a reasonable amount of fractures of the pelvic ring, rib cage, and thoracic and lumbar spine. However, the utility of first-line CT imaging and the benefit of diagnosing every fracture is unknown, demanding high-quality prospective trials considering patient-oriented outcome as well.

Bleeding Risk Associated With Hemodynamically Stable Low-Energy Pelvic Fracture

Introduction:

Life-threatening hemorrhage associated with low-energy pelvic fracture has been described in single cases in the literature. However, there is limited evidence available on the bleeding risk associated with hemodynamically stable osteoporotic pelvic fractures. The objective of this study was to estimate the bleeding risk associated with low-energy osteoporotic pelvic fractures in the elderly population.

Materials and Methods:

A retrospective review of patients aged > 65 years old with pelvic fractures admitted between 2015 and 2018 was performed. Eighty-two patients were identified: 12 males and 70 females with a median age of 86 years. The median Charlson comorbidity index was 6 (interquartile range = 5-7). Eighty-one fractures were classified as lateral compression I or Tile A2, and 1 fracture was classified as lateral compression II or Tile B2. Forty patients were on concurrent anticoagulation treatment. In 4 patients on warfarin, this treatment was reversed on admission.

Results:

The mean hemoglobin (Hb) level on arrival was 12.36 g/dL (±1.67 g/dL). There were significant drops in Hb levels on day 1 (Hb = 11.22 ± 1.86 g/dL, P < .001) and day 4 (Hb = 10.97 ± 1.6 g/dL, P < .001). Nine percent of patients required a blood transfusion. The mean baseline Hb level pre-transfusion was 8.33 g/dL (±1.15). Preexisting anticoagulation treatment did not predispose patients to greater decreases in Hb levels on day 1 (mean difference = 0.16 g/dL, P = .62) or day 4 (mean difference = 0.29 g/dL, P = .48) post-admission.

Discussion:

An observed mean decrease in Hb level of up to 1.4 g/dL can occur in hemodynamically stable elderly patients with osteoporotic pelvic fractures, reflecting an approximate loss of 1.4 units of packed red blood cells.

Conclusion:

This degree of decrease in Hb may be clinically significant in geriatric patients with chronic anemia and a history of cardiovascular disease.

Pelvic ring fractures in the elderly

Pelvic ring fractures are rare injuries in the elderly though the incidence is increasing due to the increasing age of the population.

Main goal of treatment is the quickest possible re-mobilization to prevent side-effects of immobilization such as osteopenia, pulmonary infections or thromboembolic events.

Isolated anterior pelvic ring fractures are stable injuries and therefore they usually can be treated conservatively, while pelvic ring injuries with involvement of the posterior ring are considered unstable and should undergo surgical stabilization if the patient’s condition allows for it.

Conservative treatment includes adequate analgesia, guided mobilization with partial weight bearing if possible and osteoanabolic medication.

The appropriate surgical procedure should be discussed in an interdisciplinary round considering patient’s pre-injury condition, anaesthetic and surgical risks.

Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2019;4 DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.4.180062

Prognostic factors in endovascular treated pelvic haemorrhage after blunt trauma

Background

Angioembolization is the method of choice for treating haemorrhage after blunt pelvic trauma. The aim of this study was to determine technical factors related to endovascular procedures which might be related to patient outcome.

Methods

This retrospective study included 112 consecutive patients (40 women and 72 men; mean age 57.2 ± 20.0).

Results

There were age peaks at 43 and at 77 years. Patients over 65 years had mainly “low-energy” trauma; younger patients were more likely to have polytraumas. Younger patients were more severely injured and had more surgical interventions, larger haematoma volumes, lower Hb levels and required more transfusions than older patients. Women were older than men, had fewer surgeries and waited longer for an angiography (p < 0.05 each). Logistic regression analyses identified the injury severity score (ISS) as relevant for survival before age, haematoma volume and Hb. Propensity score analyses showed that in addition to the need for transfusions, haemoglobin, and haematoma volume, the length of the coils and the number of microcoils used were relevant (p < 0.05 each). The location of haemorrhage in peripheral parietal arteries (superior and inferior gluteal artery) was an influencing factor for re-angiographies, which were associated with considerably longer hospital stays of more than 40 days. Fewer particles had generally been used in these patients.

Conclusions

The use of too few coils and not using microparticles in angioembolization for pelvic haemorrhage are major influencing factors for the mortality or re-angiography rate. Special attention should be given to thorough peripheral embolization with microcoils, in particular for haemorrhage from the parietal branches of the internal iliac artery.

Pelvic fractures presenting with haemodynamic instability: treatment options and outcomes

The management of trauma patients with haemodynamic instability and an unstable pelvic fracture is an issue of vivid debate in "trauma community". A multidisciplinary approach needs to be instituted regarding the required diagnostic and therapeutic measures. Control of haemorrhage is the first priority. Arterial embolization and/or preperitoneal pelvic packing follow the provisional skeletal pelvic stabilization. The sequence of these interventions still remains an issue of controversy. It needs to be determined on an institutional basis based on the available local resources such as angiography suite and whole-body CT scan and the expertise of the treating surgical team. Despite the fact that recent advances in diagnostic modalities and trauma care systems have improved the overall outcome of patients with pelvic fractures, the early mortality associated with high-energy pelvic injuries presenting with haemodynamic instability remains high. Any suspected injured person with pelvic ring injury should automatically be taken to a level one-trauma centre where all the facilities required are in place for these patients to survive.