Giving back to the Community: Outcomes from a free hernia repair program.

Introduction: This study aimed to assess quality of life (QoL) for patients involved in a free hernia repair program (FHRP), hypothesizing improvements in these patients' QoL.

Methods: Single-center, retrospective survey study of underserved patients who underwent inguinal/umbilical hernia repair through our FHRP from 2016 to 2024. Basic demographics obtained.

Plasminogen supplementation improves lysis of inflammatory retained traumatic hemothorax.

Introduction: Retained hemothorax (rHTX) occurs when blood persists in the pleural space beyond 72 hours. While initial management involves chest tube placement, failure often necessitates surgical intervention. Intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy (IPFT) with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA)/DNase is a nonoperative alternative, but failure rates remain high (>20%).

Factors associated with discharge to home after traumatic rib fractures.

Background: Chest wall injury is common among trauma patients. Generally, patients with more medical problems tend to have worse outcomes with rib fractures. Our aim was to determine if surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF) increases the likelihood of discharge to home.

Thoracostomy for removal of excess fluid in surgical stabilization of rib fractures: the T-REX trial.

Background: Management of the pleural space during and after SSRF is a matter of debate. Tube thoracostomy (TT), intra-operative pleural lavage (PL) and video assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) use varies between surgeons. The purpose of this study is to describe differences in practice patterns of pleural space management (TT, PL, VATS) after SSRF at institutions with extensive experience in chest wall reconstruction.

An Early Presentation of Tricuspid Valve Rupture in a Trauma Patient With Congenital Heart Disease.

Tricuspid valve regurgitation/rupture is a rare complication of trauma, with only around 150 cases reported in the literature, though this prevalence may be underestimated due to subtle clinical manifestations. The tricuspid valve is the most frequently affected heart valve following blunt chest trauma due to its anterior anatomical position between the sternum and the vertebrae. The diagnosis of tricuspid regurgitation is often delayed in the traumatic setting due to the subtlety of clinical manifestations.

An early analysis of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) plates for the surgical stabilization of rib fractures: A pilot study.

Background: Surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF) is a viable treatment option for rib fracture patients. Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) plates have become available for SSRF. The objective of this pilot study was to examine the use of PEEK plates for SSRF.

It doesn't hurt as long as I don't move: Aligning pain assessment in patients with rib fractures with mobilization needed for recovery.

Background: Rib fracture pain is a major issue but likely underappreciated, given that patients avoid activity due to the pain. Pain is one criterion used to determine if someone is a candidate for surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF). The purpose of this study was to assess pain for rib fracture patients, hypothesizing pain from rib fractures is underappreciated in current practice.

Inpatient Outcomes of Intercostal Nerve Cryoablation With Surgical Rib Fixation.

Introduction: Rib fractures are associated with significant pain and morbidity. Intercostal nerve cryoablation (INCA) offers targeted, prolonged pain relief for these patients. Over the last decade, more patients have undergone surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF) after injury.

Sternal fixation for traumatic sternal fractures demonstrates better long-term quality of life outcomes than nonoperative management: A survey analysis.

Introduction: Sternal fractures are rare, causing significant pain, respiratory compromise, and decreased upper extremity range of motion. Sternal fixation (SF) is a viable treatment option; however, there remains a paucity of literature demonstrating long-term benefits. This study examined long-term outcomes of SF, hypothesizing they have better long-term quality of life (QoL) than patients managed nonoperatively (NOM).

Rural Trauma Team Development Course Positively Impacts its Desired Objectives.

Background: The Rural Trauma Team Development Course (RTTDC) is designed to help rural hospitals better organize and manage trauma patients with limited resources. Although RTTDC is well-established, limited literature exists regarding improvement in the overall objectives for which the course was designed. The aim of this study was to analyze the goals of RTTDC, hypothesizing improvements in course objectives after course completion.

A Contemporary Study of Pre-hospital Traumatic Cardiac Arrest: Distinguishing Exsanguination From Non-exsanguination Arrest With a Review of Current Literature.

Background Traumatic cardiac arrest (TCA) remains a challenging problem in terms of diagnosis and management. This is due to difficulty distinguishing the TCA cause and therefore understanding the pathophysiology. The goal of this study was to analyze a contemporary series of TCA patients and classify the causes of TCA into exsanguination (EX) arrest and non-exsanguination (non-EX) arrest.

An initiative to assess and improve the resources and patient care processes used among Chest Wall Injury Society collaborative centers study (CWIS-CC2).

Background: Over the last two decades, the acute management of rib fractures has changed significantly. In 2021, the Chest Wall injury Society (CWIS) began recognizing centers that epitomize their mission as CWIS Collaborative Centers. The primary aim of this study was to determine the resources, surgical expertise, access to care, and institutional support that are present among centers.

Is Traumatic Anterior Stove-In Chest Truly so Rare? A Single Institution Experience.

Introduction: The anterior stove-in chest (ASIC) is a rare form of flail chest involving bilateral rib or sternal fractures resulting in an unstable chest wall that caves into the thoracic cavity. Given ASIC has only been described in a handful of case reports, this study sought to review our institution's experience in the surgical management of ASIC injuries.

Methods: A retrospective review of patients with ASIC was conducted at our level I trauma center from 1//2021 to 3//2023.

Chest Wall Injury Society recommendation for surgical stabilization of nonunited rib fractures to decrease pain, reduce opiate use, and improve patient reported outcomes in patients with rib fracture nonunion after trauma.

Background: Rib fractures are common injuries which can be associated with acute pain and chronic disability. While most rib fractures ultimately go on to achieve bony union, a subset of patients may go on to develop non-union. Management of these nonunited rib fractures can be challenging and variability in management exists.

Surgical stabilization of rib fractures is associated with better return on investment for a health care institution than nonoperative management.

Background: Surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRFs) continues to gain popularity due to patient benefits. However, little has been produced regarding the economic benefits of SSRF and its impact on hospital metrics such as Vizient. The aim of this study was to explore these benefits hypothesizing SSRF will demonstrate positive return on investment (ROI) for a health care institution.

Better late than never-a single-center review of delayed rib fixation for symptomatic rib fractures and nonunions.

Background: Surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRFs) has become an emerging therapy for treatment of patients with rib fractures. More commonly, it is used in the acute setting; however, delayed SSRF can be utilized for symptomatic rib fracture nonunions. Here, we describe our institution's experience with delayed SSRF, hypothesizing it is safe and resolves patient symptoms.

Increase in Alcohol Use Among the Geriatric Trauma Population During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had profound effects on the everyday behaviors of all patients. At the same time, the United States population is aging, and an increasing portion of traumatically injured patients are geriatric. Our study aims to examine the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the geriatric trauma population.

Hardware Infection From Surgical Stabilization of Rib Fractures Is Lower Than Previously Reported.

Introduction Surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF) is an emerging therapy for the treatment of patients with traumatic rib fractures. Despite the demonstrated benefits of SSRF, there remains a paucity of literature regarding the complications from SSRF, especially those related to hardware infection. Currently, literature quotes hardware infection rates as high as 4%.

Impact of sternal fixation on patient outcomes: A case matched review.

Introduction: Sternal fractures are debilitating injuries often resulting in severe pain and respiratory compromise. Surgical fixation of sternal fractures is gaining popularity as a treatment modality for sternal fractures. Unfortunately, little literature exists on this topic.