Traumacast

Is TEG better than 1:1? Do field tourniquets save lives? Does targeted temperature management in TBI improve outcomes?  Just a few highlights from this year’s Point Counterpoint Conference in Baltimore, MD, hosted by Dr. Scalea. The EAST Traumacast was there to cover it all. Join us for exciting interviews with Drs. Scalea, Brenner, Davis, Britt, Stein, Haut, Jacobs, Pollak, Hunt, Efron, Henry, Sarani, Murthi and Pigneri.  Will their points change your practice?Supplemental Material:"TEG Cards" - Thank you to Dr. Bryan Cotton for sharing this information with EAST.

Ever find yourself in the middle of night wondering “What am I going to do with this hernia disaster??”  Join us as we pick the brains of two experts in the field, Drs. Mike Sarr and Shirin Towfigh, as they explore the bailout options and operative considerations.  A bit of thought now may save the night later! Moderators: Drs. Carrie Valdez and Dave Morris

Join us for an in depth discussion of NSTI with Dr. Eileen Bulger, MD, Professor of Surgery at the University of Washington and Chief of Trauma Surgery for Harborview Medical Center and Dr. Rondi Gelbard, MD, upcoming NSTI PMG Team Leader and Assistant Professor of Surgery at Emory University.   We discuss the timing of debridement, antibiotic management, role for transfer, HBO and so much more!  Moderated by Drs. Carrie Valdez and Dave Morris

At the 2017 annual meeting of the Western Trauma Association, the US military Joint Trauma System (JTS) held the third session of a new educational program called "Case Records of the Joint Trauma System". This is a planned series of presentations where an expert panel is presented with interesting and challenging battlefield trauma cases drawn from the Department of Defense Trauma Registry. This registry has captured data on all wounded patients treated at forward military medical treatment facilities during combat and post-combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. This program has been spearheaded by Lieutenant Colonel Jennifer Gurney, an Army trauma surgeon and the current Chief of Trauma Systems Development with the JTS. This challenging and entertaining session featured an expert panel representing both civilian and military trauma surgeons, and was co-moderated by Dr. Gurney and Dr. Matt Martin.Panelists: Carlos Brown, MDMitch Cohen, MDJim Davis, MDMatt Eckert, MDJoe Galante, MDOscar Guillamondegui, MDStephanie Savage, MDDeb Stein, MDSupplemental Materials:Joint Trauma System WebsiteFor any questions about this program, suggestions for future venues or cases, and to submit any cases or case material, please email Dr. Jen Gurney.

Global surgery is gaining traction and trauma is a leading cause of mortality in Uganda.  Dr. Kevin Pei had the privilege of teaching an operative trauma and resuscitation course at Makerere University and Mulago Hospital in Kampala Uganda. In this traumacast, Dr. Pei discusses the role of global health surgery with Dr. Jackie, a senior trauma surgeon at the Mulago Hospital. Dr. Jackie discusses challenges and triumphs and how we can facilitate bilateral clinical exchange.

Unfortunately, delivering bad news comes with our job as surgeons, particularly acute care surgeons. Clearly, our ability to effectively communicate with patients and their loved ones is of paramount importance, but are we all well equipped to handle the task?  In this episode, Drs. Nicole Stassen and Charity Evans share their experience and expertise on delivering bad news and end of life discussions.  Drs. Matthew Martin, David Morris, and Kevin Pei serve as moderators.Other referencesCommunicating Evidence for Participatory Decision Making - JAMA, May 19, 2004—Vol 291, No. 19Disclosing Harmful Medical Errors to Patients - n engl j med 356;26 www.nejm.org june 28, 2007

Dr. Jay Menaker, the Medical Director of the Lung Rescue Unit, discusses the evolution of ECMO in acute care surgery. He highlights its role in rescuing patients with severe respiratory failure and the impact of the H1N1 epidemic on its development. The conversation covers the importance of patient selection using the Murray score, the protocols for trauma patients, and potential complications like bleeding. Menaker also emphasizes the necessity of hands-on experience and ongoing education for healthcare professionals to master ECMO techniques.

In this episode of EAST Traumacast, we discuss the paper "Cadaveric comparison of the optimal site for needle decompression of tension pneumothorax by prehospital care providers" with author Dr. Dan Grabo and EAST reviewer Dr. Travis Polk.  The discussion highlights the changing dogma about needle decompression location -- you just might be convinced to change the way you use this technique!

This is the second episode in the series of “Case Records of the Joint Trauma System (JTS). Modern battlefield trauma care is characterized by highly complex and multi-system injury patterns, severe injuries, and care delivered in an austere and resource-constrained environment. This results in fertile ground for challenging management decisions, adverse events, suboptimal outcomes, and even preventable deaths. This episode was recorded during a session at the 2017 EAST Annual Scientific Assembly that consisted of a moderated discussion of 3 cases from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan that resulted in a potentially preventable death, or major adverse outcome. The cases were presented in a standard M&M conference format, with open audience discussion throughout regarding key management decisions and options, and suggestions for preventing or minimizing the adverse events. There were 4 cases presented, emphasizing every phase of battlefield care, from pre-hospital thru to medical evacuation back to the United States.Supplemental Materials:Link to full video of the session on the EAST YouTube Channel.

The mass shooting of schoolchildren and educators at Sandy Hook Elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut shook the nation and forever altered the lives of a tight-knit community. A documentary film that focuses on the aftermath of this event is now being released, and we had the great fortune to hold a screening of this film and a post-screening discussion and Q/A session with the Director, Kim Snyder, and Dr. William Begg, who was the ER physician on duty the day of this tragic event. This special event was arranged through the efforts of Dr. Joe Sakran and immediate EAST Past President Dr. Nicole Stassen. This Traumacast episode is a recording of the post event discussion and question/answer session that was held on January 10, 2017 in conjunction with the 30th EAST Annual Scientific Assembly. Supplemental Materials:From the film’s website www.newtownfilm.com: “Filmed over the course of nearly three years, the filmmakers use unique access and never before heard testimonies to tell a story of the aftermath of the deadliest mass shooting of schoolchildren in American history on December 14, 2012. Newtown documents a traumatized community fractured by grief and driven toward a sense of purpose. Joining the ranks of a growing club to which no one wants to belong, a cast of characters interconnect to weave an intimate story of community resilience.”