Faculty Bibliography

INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND:Health-care disparities based on race and socioeconomic status among trauma patients are well-documented. However, the influence of these factors on the management of rib fractures following thoracic trauma is unknown. The aim of this study is to describe the association of race and insurance status on management and outcomes in patients who sustain rib fractures. METHODS:The Trauma Quality Improvement Program database was used to identify adult patients who presented with rib fractures between 2015 and 2016. Patient demographics, injury severity, procedures performed, and outcomes were evaluated. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the effect of race and insurance status on mortality and the likelihood of rib fixation surgery and epidural analgesia for pain management. RESULTS:A total of 95,227 patients were identified. Of these, 2923 (3.1%) underwent rib fixation. Compared to White patients, Asians (AOR: 0.57, P = 0.001), Blacks or African-Americans (AA) (AOR: 0.70, P < 0.001), and Hispanics/Latinos (HL) (AOR: 0.78, P < 0.001) were less likely to undergo rib fixation surgery. AA patients (AOR: 0.67, P = 0.004), other non-Whites (ONW) (AOR: 0.61, P = 0.001), and HL (AOR 0.65, P = 0.006) were less likely to receive epidural analgesia. Compared to privately insured patients, mortality was higher in uninsured patients (AOR: 1.72, P < 0.001), Medicare patients (AOR: 1.80, P < 0.001), and patients with other non-private insurance (AOR: 1.23, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS:Non-White race is associated with a decreased likelihood of rib fixation and/or epidural placement, while underinsurance is associated with higher mortality in patients with thoracic trauma. Prospective efforts to examine the socioeconomic disparities within this population are warranted.

BACKGROUND:Aortic occlusion (AO) is utilized for patients in extremis, with resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) use increasing. Our objective was to examine changes in AO practices and outcomes over time. The primary outcome was the temporal variation in AO mortality, while secondary outcomes included changes in technique, utilization, and complications. STUDY DESIGN/METHODS:This study examined the AORTA registry over a 5-year period (2014-2018). AO outcomes and utilization were analyzed using year of procedure as an independent variable. A multivariable model adjusting for year of procedure, signs of life (SOL), SBP at AO initiation, operator level, timing of AO, and hemodynamic response to AO was created to analyze AO mortality. RESULTS:1458 AO were included. Mean age (39.1 ± 16.7) and Median ISS (34[25,49]) were comparable between REBOA and Open AO. Open AO patients were more likely: male (84% vs. 77%, p = 0.001), s/p penetrating trauma (61% vs. 19%, p < 0.001), and arrived without SOL (60% vs. 40%, p = 0.001). REBOA use increased significantly and adjusted mortality decreased 22%/year while open AO survival was unchanged. REBOA initiation SBP increased significantly over the study period (52.2 vs. 65, p = 0.04). Compared with patients undergoing AO with CPR, each decile increase in SBP improved survival 12% (AOR 1.12, adj p = 0.001). The use of 7F REBOA (2.9% to 54.8%) and Zone III deployment increased significantly (14.7% vs 40.6%), with Zone III placement having decreased associated mortality (AOR 0.33, adj p = 0.001). Overall REBOA complication rate was 4.5% and did not increase over time (p = 0.575). CONCLUSIONS:REBOA survival has increased significantly while open AO survival remained unchanged. This may be related to lower thresholds for REBOA insertion at higher blood pressures, increased operator experience and improved catheter technology leading to earlier deployment.

OBJECTIVE:To describe and evaluate trends of general surgery residency applicants, matriculants, and graduates over the last 13 years. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA/BACKGROUND:The application and matriculation rates of URMs to medical school has remained unchanged over the last three decades with Blacks and Hispanics representing 7.1% and 6.3% of matriculants, respectively. With each succession along the surgical career pathway, from medical school to residency to a faculty position, the percentage of URMs decreases. METHODS:The Electronic Residency Application Service to General Surgery Residency and the Graduate Medical Education Survey of residents completing general surgery residency were retrospectively analyzed (2005-2018). Data were stratified by race, descriptive statistics were performed, and time series were charted. RESULTS:From 2005 to 2018, there were 71,687 Electronic Residency Application Service applicants to general surgery residencies, 26,237 first year matriculants, and 24,893 general surgery residency graduates. Whites followed by Asians represented the highest percentage of applicants (n = 31,197, 43.5% and n = 16,602, 23%), matriculants (n = 16,395, 62.5% and n = 4768, 18.2%), and graduates (n = 15,239, 61% and n = 4804, 19%). For URMs, the applicants (n = 8603, 12%, P < 0.00001), matriculants (n = 2420, 9.2%, P = 0.0158), and graduates (n = 2508, 10%, P = 0.906) remained significantly low and unchanged, respectively, whereas the attrition was significantly higher (3.6%, P = 0.049) when compared to Whites (2.6%) and Asians (2.9%). CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:Significant disparities in the application, matriculation, graduation, and attrition rates for general surgery residency exists for URMs. A call to action is needed to re-examine and improve existing recommendations/paradigms to increase the number of URMs in the surgery training pipeline.

INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND:The population and spatial characteristics of COVID-19 infections are poorly understood, but there is increasing evidence that in addition to individual clinical factors, demographic, socioeconomic and racial characteristics play an important role. METHODS:We analyzed positive COVID-19 testing results counts within New York City ZIP Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTA) with Bayesian hierarchical Poisson spatial models using integrated nested Laplace approximations. RESULTS:Spatial clustering accounted for approximately 32% of the variation in the data. There was a nearly five-fold increase in the risk of a positive COVID-19 test. (IDR = 4.8, 95% Cr I 2.4, 9.7) associated with the proportion of Black / African American residents. Increases in the proportion of residents older than 65 years, housing density and the proportion of residents with heart disease were each associated with an approximate doubling of risk. In a multivariable model including estimates for age, COPD, heart disease, housing density and Black/African American race, the only variables that remained associated with positive COVID-19 testing with a probability greater than chance were the proportion of Black/African American residents and proportion of older persons. CONCLUSIONS:Areas with large proportions of Black/African American residents are at markedly higher risk that is not fully explained by characteristics of the environment and pre-existing conditions in the population.

BACKGROUND:While mass-casualty incidents (MCIs) may have competing absolute definitions, a universally accepted criterion is one that strains locally available resources. In the fall of 2017, a MCI occurred in New York and Bellevue Hospi-tal received multiple injured patients within minutes; lessons learned included the need for a formalized, efficient patient and injury tracking system. Our objective was to create an organized MCI clinical tracking form for civilian trauma centers. METHODS:After the MCI, the notes of the surgeon responsible for directing patient triage were analyzed. A suc-cinct, organized template was created that allows MCI directors to track demographics, injuries, interventions, and other important information for hmultiple patients in a real-time fashion. This tool was piloted during a subsequent MCI. RESULTS:In late 2018, the hospital received six patients following another MCI. They arrived within a 4-minute window, with 5 patients being critically injured. Two emergent surgeries and angioembolizations were performed. The tool was used by the MCI director to prioritize and expedite care. All physicians agreed that the tool assisted in organizing diagnostic and therapeutic triage. CONCLUSIONS:During MCIs, a streamlined patient tracking template assists with information recall and communica-tion between providers and may allow for expedited care.

While the incidence of geriatric trauma continues to increase, outcomes following severe blunt liver injury (BLI) are unknown. We sought to investigate independent predictors of mortality among elderly trauma patients with severe BLI. A retrospective study of the NTDB (2014-15) identified patients with isolated, high-grade BLI. Patients were stratified into two groups, non-elderly (<65 years) and elderly (≥65 years), and then two management groups: operative within 24 h of admission and non-operative. Demographics and outcomes were compared. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate association with mortality. A total of 1133 patients met our inclusion criteria. 107 patients required surgery and 1011 patients were managed non-operatively. Age was independently associated with mortality (AOR 1.04, p < .001). For patients <65 years, need for operative intervention was associated with a 55 times greater likelihood of death (AOR 55.1, p < .001). In patients ≥65 years, operative intervention was associated with a 122 times greater likelihood of death (AOR 122.09, p = .005). Age is independently associated with mortality in patients with high grade BLI.

Importance/UNASSIGNED:An important consequence of cannabis legalization is the potential increase in the number of cannabis-impaired drivers on roads, which may result in higher rates of traffic-related injuries and fatalities. To date, limited information about the effects of recreational cannabis laws (RCLs) on traffic fatalities is available. Objective/UNASSIGNED:To estimate the extent to which the implementation of RCLs is associated with traffic fatalities in Colorado and Washington State. Design, Setting, and Participants/UNASSIGNED:This ecological study used a synthetic control approach to examine the association between RCLs and changes in traffic fatalities in Colorado and Washington State in the post-RCL period (2014-2017). Traffic fatalities data were obtained from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System from January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2017. Data from Colorado and Washington State were compared with synthetic controls. Data were analyzed from January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2017. Main Outcome(s) and Measures/UNASSIGNED:The primary outcome was the rate of traffic fatalities. Sensitivity analyses were performed (1) excluding neighboring states, (2) excluding states without medical cannabis laws (MCLs), and (3) using the enactment date of RCLs to define pre-RCL and post-RCL periods instead of the effective date. Results/UNASSIGNED:Implementation of RCLs was associated with increases in traffic fatalities in Colorado but not in Washington State. The difference between Colorado and its synthetic control in the post-RCL period was 1.46 deaths per 1 billion vehicle miles traveled (VMT) per year (an estimated equivalent of 75 excess fatalities per year; probability = 0.047). The difference between Washington State and its synthetic control was 0.08 deaths per 1 billion VMT per year (probability = 0.674). Results were robust in most sensitivity analyses. The difference between Colorado and synthetic Colorado was 1.84 fatalities per 1 billion VMT per year (94 excess deaths per year; probability = 0.055) after excluding neighboring states and 2.16 fatalities per 1 billion VMT per year (111 excess deaths per year; probability = 0.063) after excluding states without MCLs. The effect was smaller when using the enactment date (24 excess deaths per year; probability = 0.116). Conclusions and Relevance/UNASSIGNED:This study found evidence of an increase in traffic fatalities after the implementation of RCLs in Colorado but not in Washington State. Differences in how RCLs were implemented (eg, density of recreational cannabis stores), out-of-state cannabis tourism, and local factors may explain the different results. These findings highlight the importance of RCLs as a factor that may increase traffic fatalities and call for the identification of policies and enforcement strategies that can help prevent unintended consequences of cannabis legalization.