Predictors of pulmonary failure following severe trauma: a trauma registry-based analysis

Early Internal Fixation of Concomitant Clavicle Fractures in Severe Thoracic Trauma Prevents Posttraumatic Pneumonia

BACKGROUND

Severe thoracic trauma can lead to pulmonary restriction, loss of lung volume, and difficulty with ventilation. In recent years, there has been increasing evidence of better clinical outcomes following surgical stabilization of clavicle fractures in the setting of this combination of injuries. The aim of this study was to evaluate surgical versus non-surgical treatment of clavicle fractures in severe thoracic trauma in terms of clinical and radiological outcomes in order to make a generalized treatment recommendation based on the results of a large patient cohort.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This retrospective study included 181 patients (42 women, 139 men) from a European level I trauma centre with a median of 49.3 years in between 2005 and 2021. In 116 cases, the clavicle fracture was stabilized with locking plate or hook plate fixation (group 1), and in 65 cases, it was treated non-surgically (group 2). Long-term functional outcomes at least one year postoperatively using the disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) questionnaire and the Nottingham Clavicle Score (NCS) as well as radiological outcomes were collected in addition to parameters such as hospital days, intensive care days, and complication rates.

RESULTS

The Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 17.8 ± 9.8 in group 1 and 19.9 ± 14.4 in group 2 (mean ± SEM; p = 0.93), the time in hospital was 21.5 ± 27.2 days in group 1 versus 16 ± 29.3 days in group 2 (p = 0.04). Forty-seven patients in group 1 and eleven patients in the group 2 were treated in the ICU. Regarding the duration of ventilation (group 1: 9.1 ± 8.9 days, group 2: 8.1 ± 7.7 days; p = 0.64), the functional outcome (DASH group 1: 11 ± 18 points, group 2: 13.7 ± 18. 4 points, p = 0.51; NCS group 1: 17.9 ± 8.1 points, group 2: 19.4 ± 10.3 points, p = 0.79) and the radiological results, no significant differences were found between the treatment groups. With an overall similar complication rate, pneumonia was found in 2% of patients in group 1 and in 14% of patients in group 2 (p = 0.001).

DISCUSSION

This study could demonstrate that surgical locking plate fixation of clavicle fractures in combination with CWI significantly reducing the development of posttraumatic pneumonia in a large patient collection and, therefore, can be recommended as standard therapeutic approach for severe thoracic trauma.

Lung failure after polytrauma with concomitant thoracic trauma in the elderly: an analysis from the TraumaRegister DGU®

Background

In developed countries worldwide, the number of older patients is increasing. Pulmonary complications are common in multiple injured patients with chest injuries. We assessed whether geriatric patients develop lung failure following multiple trauma with concomitant thoracic trauma more often than younger patients.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of severely injured patients with concomitant blunt thoracic trauma registered in the TraumaRegister DGU® (TR-DGU) between 2009 and 2018 was performed. Patients were categorized into four age groups: 55–64 y, 65–74 y, 75–84 y, and ≥ 85 y. Adult patients aged 18–54 years served as a reference group. Lung failure was defined as PaO2/FIO2 ≤ 200 mm Hg, if mechanical ventilation was performed.

Results

A total of 43,289 patients were included, of whom 9238 (21.3%) developed lung failure during their clinical stay. The rate of posttraumatic lung failure was seen to increase with age. While lung failure markedly increased the length of hospital stay, duration of mechanical ventilation, and length of ICU stay independent of the patient’s age, differences between younger and older patients with lung failure in regard to these parameters were clinically comparable. In addition, the development of respiratory failure showed a distinct increase in mortality with higher age, from 16.9% (18–54 y) to 67.2% (≥ 85 y).

Conclusion

Development of lung failure in severely injured patients with thoracic trauma markedly increases hospital length of stay, length of ICU stay, and duration of mechanical ventilation in patients, regardless of age. The development of respiratory failure appears to be related to the severity of the chest trauma rather than to increasing patient age. However, the greatest effects of lung failure, particularly in terms of mortality, were observed in the oldest patients.

Influence of surgical stabilization of clavicle fractures in multiply-injured patients with thoracic trauma

Thoracic trauma has decisive influence on the outcome of multiply-injured patients and is often associated with clavicle fractures. The affected patients are prone to lung dysfunction and multiple organ failure. A multi-center, retrospective analysis of patient records documented in the TraumaRegister DGU was performed to assess the influence of surgical stabilization of clavicle fractures in patients with thoracic trauma. A total of 3,209 patients were included in the analysis. In 1362 patients (42%) the clavicle fracture was treated operatively after 7.1 ± 5.3 days. Surgically treated patients had a significant reduction in lung failure (p = 0.013, OR = 0.74), multiple organ failure (p = 0.001, OR = 0.64), intubation time (p = 0.004; -1.81 days) and length of hospital stay (p = 0.014; -1.51 days) compared to non-operative treatment. Moreover, surgical fixation of the clavicle within five days following hospital admission significantly reduced the rates of lung failure (p = 0.01, OR = 0.62), multiple organ failure (p = 0.01, OR = 0.59) and length of hospital stay (p = 0.01; -2.1 days). Based on our results, multiply-injured patients with thoracic trauma and concomitant clavicle fracture may benefit significantly from surgical stabilization of a clavicle fracture, especially when surgery is performed within the first five days after hospital admission.

Data quality of Glasgow Coma Scale and Systolic Blood Pressure in scientific studies involving physician-staffed emergency medical services: Systematic review

BACKGROUND

Emergency physicians on-scene provide highly specialized care to severely sick or injured patients. High-quality research relies on the quality of data, but no commonly accepted definition of EMS data quality exits. Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) and Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) are core physiological variables, but little is known about the quality of these data when reported in p-EMS research. This systematic review aims to describe the quality of pre-hospital reporting of GCS and SBP data in studies where emergency physicians are present on-scene.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was performed using CINAHL, Cochrane, Embase, Medline, Norart, Scopus, SweMed + and Web of Science, in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Reported data on accuracy of reporting, completeness and capture were extracted to describe the quality of documentation of GCS and SBP. External and internal validity assessment was performed by extracting a set of predefined variables.

RESULTS

We included 137 articles describing data collection for GCS, SBP or both. Most studies (81%) were conducted in Europe and 59% of studies reported trauma cases. Reporting of GCS and SBP data were not uniform and may be improved to enable comparisons. Of the predefined external and internal validity data items, 26%-45% of data were possible to extract from the included papers.

CONCLUSIONS

Reporting of GCS and SBP is variable in scientific papers. We recommend standardized reporting to enable comparisons of p-EMS.

Leukotriene B4 indicates lung injury and on-going inflammatory changes after severe trauma in a porcine long-term model

BACKGROUND

Recognizing patients at risk for pulmonary complications (PC) is of high clinical relevance. Migration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) to inflammatory sites plays an important role in PC, and is tightly regulated by specific chemokines including interleukin (IL)-8 and other mediators such as leukotriene (LT)B4. Previously, we have reported that LTB4 indicated early patients at risk for PC after trauma. Here, the relevance of LTB4 to indicating lung integrity in a newly established long-term porcine severe trauma model (polytrauma, PT) was explored.

METHODS

Twelve pigs (3 months old, 30 ± 5kg) underwent PT including standardized femur fracture, lung contusion, liver laceration, hemorrhagic shock, subsequent resuscitation and surgical fracture fixation. Six animals served as controls (sham). After 72h lung damage and inflammatory changes were assessed. LTB4 was determined in plasma before the experiment, immediately after trauma, and after 2, 4, 24 or 72h. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)-fluid was collected prior and after the experiment.

RESULTS

Lung injury, local gene expression of IL-8, IL-1β, IL-10, IL-18 and PMN-infiltration into lungs increased significantly in PT compared with sham. Systemic LTB4 increased markedly in both groups 4h after trauma. Compared with declined plasma LTB4 levels in sham, LTB4 increased further in PT after 72h. Similar increase was observed in BAL-fluid after PT.

CONCLUSIONS

In a severe trauma model, sustained changes in terms of lung injury and inflammation are determined at day 3 post-trauma. Specifically, increased LTB4 in this porcine long-term model indicated a rapid inflammatory alteration both locally and systemically. The results support the concept of LTB4 as a biomarker for PC after severe trauma and lung contusion.

Thoracic trauma severity contributes to differences in intensive care therapy and mortality of severely injured patients: analysis based on the TraumaRegister DGU®

Background

Thoracic trauma is a relevant source of comorbidity throughout multiply-injured patient care. We aim to determine a measurable influence of chest trauma’s severity on early resuscitation, intensive care therapy, and mortality in severely injured patients.

Methods

Patients documented between 2002 and 2012 in the TraumaRegister DGU®, aged ≥ 16 years, injury severity score (ISS) ≥ 16 are analyzed. Isolated brain injury and severe head injury led to exclusion. Subgroups are formed using the Abbreviated Injury Scale_Thorax.

Results

Twenty-two thousand five hundred sixty-five patients were predominantly male (74%) with mean age of 45.7 years (SD 19.3), blunt trauma (95%), mean ISS 25.6 (SD 9.6). Overall mean intubation period was 5.6 days (SD 10.7). Surviving patients were discharged from the ICU after a mean of about 5 days following extubation. Thoracic trauma severity (AIS_Thorax ≥ 4) and fractures to the thoracic cage significantly prolonged the ventilation period. Additionally, fractures extended the ICU stay significantly. Suffering from more than one thoracic injury was associated with a mean of 1–2 days longer intubation period and longer ICU stay. Highest rates of sepsis, respiratory, and multiple organ failure occurred in patients with critical compared to lesser thoracic trauma severity.

Conclusion

Thoracic trauma severity in multiply-injured patients has a measurable impact on rates of respiratory and multiple organ failure, sepsis, mortality, time of mechanical ventilation, and ICU stay.

Influence of intraoperative positive end-expiratory pressure level on pulmonary complications in emergency major trauma surgery

INTRODUCTION

Pulmonary complications have a major impact on the morbidity and mortality of critically ill patients with multiple trauma. Intraoperative protective ventilation with low tidal volume may prevent lung injury and infection, whereas the role of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) levels is unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of different intraoperative PEEP levels on incidence of pulmonary complications after emergency trauma surgery.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We retrospectively analysed data of multiple trauma patients who underwent emergency surgery within 24 h after injury in our level I trauma centre (n = 86). On the basis of their intraoperative PEEP level, patients were divided into a low PEEP group with a PEEP of < 8 mbar and a high PEEP group with a PEEP of 8 mbar or higher.

RESULTS

Besides differences in body mass index and preoperative oxygenation, there were no differences in patients' baseline data. There was a significant difference between incidence of pneumonia within 7 days after trauma surgery, with an incidence 26.7% in the low PEEP group and 7.3% in the high PEEP group (p = 0.02). The low PEEP group had higher pulmonary infection scores at days 3 and 5 after surgery. Oxygenation was better in the higher PEEP group postoperatively. There was no difference with respect to the incidence of acute respiratory distress syndrome, the mortality up until hospital discharge or haemodynamic parameters between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher PEEP levels were associated with perioperative improvement of oxygenation and a lower incidence of pneumonia, without impairment of haemodynamics. Additional studies should be initiated to confirm these observations.

Severity-dependent differences in early management of thoracic trauma in severely injured patients - Analysis based on the TraumaRegister DGU®

Background

Major trauma is associated with chest injuries in nearly 50% of multiple injuries. Thoracic trauma is a relevant source of comorbidity throughout the period of multiply-injured patient care and may require swift and well-thought-out interventions in order to avert a deleterious outcome. In this epidemiological study we seek to characterize groups of different thoracic trauma severity in severely injured patients and identify related differences in prehospital and early clinical management. This may help to anticipate necessary treatment for chest injuries.

Methods

Patients documented between 2002 and 2012 in the TraumaRegister DGU®, aged ≥ 16 years, determined Injury Severity Score ≥ 16, and documentation from European trauma centers were analyzed. Isolated brain injury and severe head injury (Abbreviated Injury Scale_Head ≥ 4) led to patient exclusion. Patient subgroups were formed according to the Abbreviated Injury Scale_Thorax as Controls, AIS-2, AIS-3, AIS-4, and AIS-5/6. Demographic and clinical characteristics comparing the aforementioned groups were evaluated using descriptive statistics.

Results

Twenty two thousand five hundred sixty five predominantly male (74%) patients, mean age 45.7 years (SD 19.3), suffering from blunt trauma (95%), and presenting a mean Injury Severity Score of 25.6 (SD 9.6) were analyzed. Higher thoracic injury severity was associated with more different thoracic injuries. The highest rate of prehospital intubation (58%) occurred in AIS_Thorax-5/6. The worse the chest trauma, the more chest tubes were placed prehospitally, peaking at 22% in AIS_Thorax-5/6. Out-of-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation was successfully performed in 11% in AIS_Thorax-5/6 compared to 1%–3% in lesser thoracic trauma severity. Massive transfusion and emergency surgery was highest in AIS_Thorax-5/6 compared to lesser thoracic injury (12% vs. 5%–7% and 17% vs. 3%–7%) and both were independently associated with thoracic injuries in patients with AIS_Thorax ≥ 4.

Conclusions

We provide epidemiological data on trauma mechanism, concomitant injuries, frequencies of emergency interventions and outcome associated with different thoracic trauma severity. Prehospital and early clinical management is more complex when AIS_Thorax is ≥ 4. Severely injured patients with critical thoracic trauma are most challenging to take care of with highest rates in prehospital intubation, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, chest tube placements, blood transfusions as well as emergency surgery.

Treatments for blunt chest trauma and their impact on patient outcomes and health service delivery

Blunt chest trauma is associated with a high risk of morbidity and mortality. Complications in blunt chest trauma develop secondary to rib fractures as a consequence of pain and inadequate ventilation. This literature review aimed to examine clinical interventions in rib fractures and their impact on patient and hospital outcomes. A systematic search strategy, using a structured clinical question and defined search terms, was performed in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and the Cochrane Library. The search was limited to studies of adult humans from 1990-March 2014 and yielded 977 articles, which were screened against inclusion/exclusion criteria. A hand search was then performed of the articles that met the eligibility criteria, 40 articles were included in this review. Each article was assessed using a quantitative critiquing guideline. From these articles, interventions were categorised into four main groups: analgesia, surgical fixation, clinical protocols and other interventions. Surgical fixation was effective in patients with flail chest at improving patient outcomes. Epidural analgesia, compared to both patient controlled analgesia and intravenous narcotics in patients with three or more rib fractures improved both hospital and patient outcomes, including pain relief and pulmonary function. Clinical pathways improve outcomes in patients ≥ 65 with rib fractures. The majority of reviewed papers recommended a multi-disciplinary approach including allied health (chest physiotherapy and nutritionist input), nursing, medical (analgesic review) and surgical intervention (stabilisation of flail chest). However there was a paucity of evidence describing methods to implement and evaluate such multidisciplinary interventions. Isolated interventions can be effective in improving patient and health service outcomes for patients with blunt chest injuries, however the literature recommends implementing strategies such as clinical pathways to improve the care and outcomes of thesetre patients. The implementation of evidence-practice interventions in this area is scarce, and evaluation of interventions scarcer still.