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 30day 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. (C) 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Introduction: While trauma surgeons continue to manage complex hepatobiliary (HPB) injuries, HPB surgeons are increasingly consulted for recommendations regarding diagnosis and treatment. This is the first known study that describes the role of the HPB surgeon as a member of a multidisciplinary trauma team. Methods: The University of New Mexico Hospital Trauma Database was queried for patients sustaining HPB trauma from January 2008 to May 2015. A retrospective chart review was performed to determine patient demographics, injury grade, clinical presentation, and surgical management. Results: A total of 675 patients sustained HPB trauma at our institution between 2008 and 2015; 301 of whom underwent exploratory laparotomy. This operative cohort had a total of 340 HPB injuries, including liver (76.5%), pancreas (12.9%), duodenum (8.5%) and gallbladder (2.1%) injuries. An HPB surgeon was consulted in 13 cases (4.3%); 11 were grade 4 or 5 liver injuries and 2 were pancreatic head injuries with concern for major duct disruption. The HPB surgeon completed 4 diagnostic interventions including intraoperative cholangiogram, intraoperative ultrasound, and assessment of organ viability. Nine therapeutic interventions were performed by the HPB surgeon which included primary repair of the portal vein, repair versus ligation of the hepatic artery or perihepatic inferior vena cava, segmentectomy, or nonanatomic hepatic resection. Conclusion: Abdominal trauma resulting in HPB injuries is a highly morbid event. While trauma surgeons manage the majority of complex liver, duodenal and distal pancreatic trauma, HPB surgeons offer specialized diagnostic and therapeutic assistance in cases of high grade liver and pancreatic head trauma.

Background: Pelvic ring disruptions in blunt trauma are rarely an isolated finding. Many individuals needing operative pelvic fixation also require laparotomy for other injuries. Pelvic fixation can be performed by open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) or external fixation (Ex-fix). Often when a laparotomy incision is present, ORIF is performed by extending this incision. We hypothesized ORIF performed by extending the laparotomy incision would result in higher rates of ventral hernia and wound complications versus Ex-fix.Methods: All patients admitted from 2004-June 2014 who underwent laparotomy and pelvic fixation either by ORIF through extension of a laparotomy incision (ORIF group) or definitive Ex-fix group were identified. Injury severity score, demographics, associated injuries, and complications were collected.Results: A total of 35 patients were identified who underwent laparotomy and pelvic fixation, 21 underwent Ex-fix, whereas 14 underwent ORIF through an extended laparotomy incision. There were no differences in injury severity score, demographics, associated injuries, or rate of ventral hernia. The ORIF group had more laparotomy incision infections (50.0% versus 4.8%, P < 0.01) and pelvic abscesses (42.9% versus 9.5%, P < 0.05). They required more procedures to address their complications (13 versus 5, P < 0.05).Conclusions: Individuals who have undergone laparotomy and pelvic fixation are a complex group of patients with multiple injuries. These data suggest that when surgical repair of a pelvic ring disruption is indicated and the patient has undergone laparotomy, careful consideration to the method of fixation should be given. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

BACKGROUND:There is debate in the trauma literature regarding the effect of prolonged prehospital transport on morbidity and mortality. This study analyzes the management of hepatic trauma patients requiring surgery and compares the outcomes of the group that was transferred to the University of New Mexico Hospital (UNMH) from outside institutions, to the directly admitted group. MATERIALS AND METHODS:The UNMH Trauma Database was queried from 2005-2012. Of 674 patients who sustained liver injuries, 163 required surgery: 46 patients (28.2%) underwent interhospital transfer, and 117 (71.8%) were directly admitted. Variables examined included transfer status, trauma mechanism, transport type, injury severity score (ISS), liver injury grade, and associated injuries. Outcome variables included length of stay (LOS) and 30-day mortality. Outcomes of the transfer group (TG) and direct admit group (DAG) were compared. RESULTS:Both TG and DAG had the same median age (31 y, P = 0.33). The blunt-to-penetrating ratio was the same for each group (48% blunt: 52% penetrating, P = 1.0). Median ISS was 25 for the TG and 26 for the DAG. Grade III or higher injury occurred in 29 (63%) of the TG and in 68 (58%) of the DAG (P = 0.56). Median hospital LOS was 14 d for TG and 9 d for DAG (P = 0.15). Median intensive care unit LOS was 4 d for both groups (P = 0.71). Thirty-day mortality was 20% in each group (P = 0.27). Using a multiple logistic regression model for the outcome of mortality, only age, ISS, and liver injury grade, not transfer status or transport type, had a significant effect on mortality. CONCLUSIONS:There was no significant difference in liver injury grade, ISS, LOS, and mortality between TG and DAG. In the patient population of our study, transfer status did not affect outcome.

Objective: To define how ethnicity affects donation rates in New Mexico when compared with the United States. We hypothesized that deceased donation rates in New Mexico would reflect the ethnic rates of the population.Design: We performed a retrospective review of the Organ Procurement Database for New Mexico from 2009 to June 2012.Methods: Rates for donors and transplant candidates were calculated relative to 2010 census population estimates by ethnicity for non-Hispanic Whites, Hispanics, and American Indians. Poisson regression analyses were used to test whether United States and New Mexico rates differed. Rates were scaled to 100,000 patient-years for reporting.Setting: State of New Mexico population compared to United States population.Subjects: Reported deaths to New Mexico Donor Services and United Network for Organ Sharing from 2009 to 2012.Interventions: None.Measurements and Main Results: Non-Hispanic White age-adjusted donor rates per 100,000 patient-years were 2.58 in New Mexico versus 2.60 in the United States, Hispanic donor rates were 1.98 in New Mexico versus 2.03 nationwide, and American Indian donor rates in New Mexico were 0.26 versus 1.23 nationwide (rate ratio = 0.21; 95% CI, 0.05-0.86). American Indians have significantly lower donor rates in New Mexico compared to non-Hispanic Whites (rate ratio = 0.11) and Hispanics (rate ratio = 0.13) and nationally (non-Hispanic Whites: rate ratio = 0.32 and Hispanics: rate ratio = 0.43). Hispanics and non-Hispanic Whites had similar donor rates regardless of geographic strata (Hispanics vs non-Hispanic Whites, New Mexico: 0.83; United States: 0.75). In New Mexico, Hispanic patients were 1.43 times more likely to be listed as transplant candidates than non-Hispanic Whites and American Indians were 3.32 times more likely to be listed than non-Hispanic Whites. In the United States, Hispanic patients were 1.90 times more likely to be listed as transplant candidates than non-Hispanic Whites and American Indians were 1.55 times more likely to be listed than non-Hispanic Whites.Conclusions: Donor and transplant candidate rates did not show strong differences by geographic strata. These findings suggest that further work is needed to elucidate the causes for ethnic differences in rates of consent and donation, particularly in the American Indian population.

Mutational inactivation of the tumor suppressor tuberous sclerosis complex 2 (TSC2) constitutively activates mTORC1, increases cell proliferation, and induces the pathological manifestations observed in tuberous sclerosis (TS) and in pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM). While the role of mTORC1 in TSC2-dependent growth has been extensively characterized, little is known about the role of mTORC2. Our data demonstrate that mTORC2 modulates TSC2-null cell proliferation and survival through RhoA GTPase and Bcl2 proteins. TSC2-null cell proliferation was inhibited not only by reexpression of TSC2 or small interfering RNA (siRNA)-induced downregulation of Rheb, mTOR, or raptor, but also by siRNA for rictor. Increased RhoA GTPase activity and P-Ser473 Akt were inhibited by siRNA for rictor. Importantly, constitutively active V14RhoA reversed growth inhibition induced by siRNA for rictor, siRNA TSC1, reexpression of TSC2, or simvastatin. While siRNA for RhoA had a modest effect on growth inhibition, downregulation of RhoA markedly increased TSC2-null cell apoptosis. Inhibition of RhoA activity downregulated antiapoptotic Bcl2 and upregulated proapoptotic Bim, Bok, and Puma. In vitro and in vivo, simvastatin alone or in combination with rapamycin inhibited cell growth and induced TSC2-null cell apoptosis, abrogated TSC2-null tumor growth, improved animal survival, and prevented tumor recurrence by inhibiting cell growth and promoting apoptosis. Our data demonstrate that mTORC2-dependent activation of RhoA is required for TSC2-null cell growth and survival and suggest that targeting both mTORC2 and mTORC1 by a combination of proapoptotic simvastatin and cytostatic rapamycin shows promise for combinational therapeutic intervention in diseases with TSC2 dysfunction.