General surgeon management of complex hepatopancreatobiliary trauma at a level I trauma center

Peter Kilen, Alissa Greenbaum, Richard Miskimins, Manuel Rojo, Razvan Preda, Thomas Howdieshell, Stephen Lu, Sonlee West

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background The impact of general surgeons (GS) taking trauma call on patient outcomes has been debated. Complex hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) injuries present a particular challenge and often require specialized care. We predicted no difference in the initial management or outcomes of complex HPB trauma between GS and trauma/critical care (TCC) specialists. Materials and methods A retrospective review of patients who underwent operative intervention for complex HPB trauma from 2008 to 2015 at an ACS-verified level I trauma center was performed. Chart review was used to obtain variables pertaining to demographics, clinical presentation, operative management, and outcomes. Patients were grouped according to whether their index operation was performed by a GS or TCC provider and compared. Results 180 patients met inclusion criteria. The GS (n = 43) and TCC (n = 137) cohorts had comparable patient demographics and clinical presentations. Most injuries were hepatic (73.3% GS versus 72.6% TCC) and TCC treated more pancreas injuries (15.3% versus GS 13.3%; P = 0.914). No significant differences were found in HPB-directed interventions at the initial operation (41.9% GS versus 56.2% TCC; P = 0.100), damage control laparotomy with temporary abdominal closure (69.8% versus 69.3%; P = 0.861), LOS, septic complications or 30-day mortality (13.9% versus 10.2%; P = 0.497). TCC were more likely to place an intraabdominal drain than GS (52.6% versus 34.9%; P = 0.043). Conclusions We found no significant differences between GS and TCC specialists in initial operative management or clinical outcomes of complex HPB trauma. The frequent and proper use of damage control laparotomy likely contribute to these findings.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)226-231
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Surgical Research
Volume217
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2017
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Complex hepatopancreatobiliary trauma
  • Damage control laparotomy
  • General surgeons
  • Mortality
  • Outcomes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery

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