Outcomes and costs in splenectomy after failed splenic arterial embolization for blunt splenic injury.

Background: Splenic injury (BSI) is present in nearly 45 % of abdominal blunt trauma cases in the US and splenic artery embolization (SAE) has been increasingly utilized to manage BSI in recent years. However, SAE failure necessitating delayed splenectomy remains a critical concern with significant implications for patient outcomes and healthcare resource utilization.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study utilizing the 2016-2021 Nationwide Readmissions Database.

Association of dementia with adverse outcomes after emergent hernia repair.

Background: As the prevalence of dementia within an aging population increases, its impact on surgical outcomes, particularly in emergent settings, is a growing concern. We aimed to evaluate the association between dementia and outcomes after emergent hernia repair.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed of patients (≥65 years) undergoing nonelective hernia repair using the Nationwide Readmissions Database from 2016 to 2021.

Validation of the uChicago Health Inequity Classification System (CHI-CS): A multi-institution pilot study.

Background: Health inequities permeate the American health care system, disproportionately impacting marginalized patients. The uChicago Health Inequity Classification System was developed in 2021 to facilitate structured discussions on bias and access at surgical morbidity and mortality conferences. This study sought to understand uChicago Health Inequity Classification System's impact and validate findings from the single-institution pilot study.

Association of frailty with clinical and financial outcomes of hospitalization for non-operative trauma.

Background: With advances in imaging and interventional techniques, traumatic injuries are increasingly managed non-operatively. However, the impact of frailty on outcomes of non-operatively managed traumatic injuries remains generally unexplored. Using a national cohort, we characterized the association of frailty with clinical and financial outcomes of non-operative trauma hospitalizations.

Association of Tracheostomy Timing With Outcomes Following Traumatic Cervical Spinal Cord Injury.

BackgroundPatients with cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI) often require tracheostomy due to a prolonged ventilator dependence. However, optimal time for tracheostomy remains controversial.MethodsAll adult patients (≥18 years) with CSCI who underwent tracheostomy were identified in the 2018-2021 Trauma Quality Improvement Program database.

National Prevalence and Associated Outcomes of Substance Use in Scooter-Related Trauma.

IntroductionElectric scooters have rapidly gained popularity as a sustainable mode of transportation, but this rise has coincided with an increase in scooter-related injuries (SRI) and associated health care costs. Despite growing evidence of adverse outcomes, the role of substance use (SU) in SRI remains underexplored.MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study utilizing the 2016-2021 National Inpatient Sample.

Organizational change using a novel, structured plan for justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) in an academic surgical department.

Introduction: Ethnic, gender-based, socioeconomic, and racial inequities persist in academic medical centers across the United States. Integration of principles of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) with policies, procedures and organizational culture remains a challenge for many departments of Surgery.

Methods: Starting in June of 2021, we implemented a structured justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion plan with the goal of enhancing organizational and cultural change within our department.

Beyond American College of Surgeons Verification: Quality Metrics Associated with High Performance at Level I and II Trauma Centers.

Background: The American College of Surgeons (ACS) Committee on Trauma has established a framework for trauma center quality improvement. Despite efforts, recent studies show persistent variation in patient outcomes across national trauma centers. We aimed to investigate whether risk-adjusted mortality varies at the hospital level and if high-performing centers demonstrate better adherence to ACS Verification, Review, and Consultation (VRC) program quality measures.

Demystifying the association of center-level operative trauma volume and outcomes of emergency general surgery.

Background: Recent studies have demonstrated a positive volume-outcome relationship in emergency general surgery. Some have advocated for the sub-specialization of emergency general surgery independent from trauma. We hypothesized inferior clinical outcomes of emergency general surgery with increasing center-level operative trauma volume, potentially attributable to overall hospital quality.

Association of rurality with short-term outcomes of peripheral vascular trauma.

Background: Peripheral vascular trauma is a major contributing factor to long-term disability and mortality among patients with traumatic injuries. However, an analysis focusing on individuals at a high risk of experiencing limb loss due to rural and urban peripheral vascular trauma is lacking.

Method: This was a retrospective analysis of the 2016 to 2020 Nationwide Readmissions Database.

Predictors of fetal delivery in pregnant trauma patients: A multicenter study.

Background: Pregnant trauma patients (PTPs) undergo observation and fetal monitoring following trauma due to possible fetal delivery (FD) or adverse outcome. There is a paucity of data on PTP outcomes, especially related to risk factors for FD. We aimed to identify predictors of posttraumatic FD in potentially viable pregnancies.

The Effect of 2019 Coronavirus Stay-at-Home Order on Geriatric Trauma Patients in Southern California.

Background: California issued stay-at-home (SAH) orders to mitigate COVID-19 spread. Previous studies demonstrated a shift in mechanisms of injuries (MOIs) and decreased length of stay (LOS) for the general trauma population after SAH orders. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of SAH orders on geriatric trauma patients (GTPs), hypothesizing decreased motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) and LOS.

Association of frailty with outcomes of resection for colonic volvulus: A national analysis.

Background: With limited national studies available, we characterized the association of frailty with outcomes of surgical resection for colonic volvulus.

Methods: Adults with sigmoid or cecal volvulus undergoing non-elective colectomy were identified in the 2010-2019 Nationwide Readmissions Database. Frailty was identified using the Johns Hopkins indicator which utilizes administrative codes.

A Multi-Institutional Needs Assessment in the Development of a Robotic Surgery Curriculum: Perceptions From Resident and Faculty Surgeons.

Background: The growing adoption of robotic-assisted surgery mandates residents must acquire robotic skills. No standardized curriculum for robotic surgery exists. Therefore, programs have developed their own curricula, which are often unstructured and based on resource availability.

American College of Surgeons Objective Assessment of Skills in Surgery (ACS OASIS): A Formative Assessment of Junior Residents' Technical Skills.

Objective: The objective assessment of technical skills of junior residents is essential in implementing competency-based training and providing specific feedback regarding areas for improvement. An innovative assessment that can be easily implemented by training programs nationwide has been developed by expert surgeon educators under the aegis of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Division of Education. This assessment, ACS Objective Assessment of Skills in Surgery (ACS OASIS) uses eight stations to address technical skills important for junior residents within the domains of laparoscopic appendectomy, excision of lipoma, central line placement, laparoscopic cholecystectomy, trocar placement, exploratory laparotomy, repair of enterotomy, and tube thoracostomy.

Adolescent Trauma During the COVID Pandemic: Just Like Adults, Children, or Someone Else?

COVID-19 stay-at-home (SAH) orders were impactful on adolescence, when social interactions affect development. This has the potential to change adolescent trauma. A post-hoc multicenter retrospective analysis of adolescent (13-17 years-old) trauma patients (ATPs) at 11 trauma centers was performed.

Association of research timing with surgery resident perceptions of operative autonomy and satisfaction: A multi-institutional study.

Background: General surgery residents commonly engage in research years after the second (Post-postgraduate year 2 [PostPGY2]) or third (PostPGY3) clinical training year. The impact of dedicated research training timing on training experience is unknown. Our aim was to examine the progression of residents' perceived meaningful operative autonomy and evaluate career satisfaction, in relation to research timing.

Decreased hospital length of stay and intensive care unit admissions for non-COVID blunt trauma patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic overwhelmed hospitals, forcing adjustments including discharging patients earlier and limiting intensive care unit (ICU) utilization. This study aimed to evaluate ICU admissions and length of stay (LOS) for blunt trauma patients (BTPs).

Methods: A retrospective review of COVID (3/19/20-6/30/20) versus pre-COVID (3/19/19-6/30/19) BTPs at eleven trauma centers was performed.

Professionalism of Admitting and Consulting Services and Trauma Patient Outcomes.

Objective: To determine whether trauma patients managed by an admitting or consulting service with a high proportion of physicians exhibiting patterns of unprofessional behaviors are at greater risk of complications or death.

Summary Background Data: Trauma care requires high-functioning interdisciplinary teams where professionalism, particularly modeling respect and communicating effectively, is essential.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study used data from 9 level I trauma centers that participated in a national trauma registry linked with data from a national database of unsolicited patient complaints.