BACKGROUND Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) is an emerging option for hemorrhage control, but its use is limited in scenarios such as penetrating chest trauma. The aim of this study was to describe the use of REBOA as a resuscitative adjunct in these cases with major hemorrhage and to propose a new clinical management algorithm. METHODS This was a prospective, observational study conducted at a single Level I trauma center in Colombia. We included all patients older than 14 years with severe trauma who underwent REBOA from January 2015 to December 2019. Patients received REBOA if they were in hemorrhagic shock and were unresponsive to resuscitation. RESULTS A total of 56 patients underwent REBOA placement of which 37 had penetrating trauma and 23 had chest trauma. All patients were hemodynamically unstable upon arrival to the emergency department, with a median systolic blood pressure of 69 mm Hg (interquartile range [IQR], 57–90 mm Hg) and median Injury Severity Score was 25 (IQR, 25–41). All REBOAs were deployed and inflated in zone 1, median inflation time was 40 minutes (IQR, 26–55 minutes), and no adverse neurologic outcomes were observed. Fifteen patients had REBOA and a median sternotomy. Eleven patients had concomitant abdominal wounds. Overall mortality was 28.6%, and there was no significant difference between penetrating versus blunt trauma patients (21.6% vs. 42.1%, p = 0.11). The survival rate of thoracic injured patients was similar to the predicted survival (65.2% vs. 63.3%). CONCLUSION Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta can be used safely in penetrating chest trauma, and the implementation of a REBOA management algorithm is feasible with a well-trained multidisciplinary team. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic, level V.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to evaluate the implementation of a new Single-Pass WBCT Protocol in the management of patients with severe trauma. Methods: This was an observational, prospective study of polytrauma patients who underwent WBCT. Patients were divided into three groups: 1. Blunt trauma hemodynamically stable 2. Blunt trauma hemodynamically unstable and 3. Penetrating trauma. Demographics, WBCT parameters and outcome variables were evaluated. Results: 263 patients were included. Median Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 22 (IQR: 16-22). Time between arrival to the ED and completing the WBCT was under 30 minutes in most patients [Group 1: 28 minutes (IQR: 14-55), Group 2: 29 minutes (IQR: 16-57), and Group 3: 31 minutes (IQR: 13-50); p=0.96]. 172 patients (65.4%) underwent non-operative management. The calculated and the real survival rates did not vary among the groups either [Group 1: TRISS 86.4% vs. RSR 85% (p=0.69); Group 2: TRISS 69% vs. RSR 74% (p=0.25); Group 3: TRISS 93% vs. RSR 87% (p=0.07)]. Conclusion: This new Single-Pass WBCT Protocol was safe, effective and efficient to decide whether the patient with severe trauma requires a surgical intervention independently of the mechanism of injury or the hemodynamic stability of the patient. Its use could also potentially reduce the rate of unnecessary surgical interventions of patients with severe trauma including those with penetrating trauma.

Trauma is a complex pathology that requires an experienced multidisciplinary team with an inherent quick decision-making capacity, given that a few minutes could represent a matter of life or death. These management decisions not only need to be quick but also accurate to be able to prioritize and to efficiently control the injuries that may be causing impending hemodynamic collapse. In essence, this is the cornerstone of the concept of Damage Control Trauma Care. With current technological advances, physicians have at their disposition multiple diagnostic imaging tools that can aid in this prompt decision-making algorithm. This manuscript aims to perform a literature review on this subject and to share the experience on the use of Whole Body Computed Tomography as a potentially safe, effective, and efficient diagnostic tool in cases of severely injured trauma patients regardless of their hemodynamic status. Our general recommendation is that, when feasible, perform a Whole-Body Computed Tomography without interrupting ongoing hemostatic resuscitation in cases of severely injured trauma patients with or without signs of hemodynamic instability. The use of this technology will aid in the decision-making of the best surgical approach for these patients without incurring any delay in definitive management and/or increasing significantly their radiation exposure.

Damage control resuscitation should be initiated as soon as possible after a traumatic event to avoid metabolic decompensation and high mortality rates. This article aims to assess the position of the Trauma and Emergency Surgery Group (CTE) from Cali, Colombia regarding prehospital care, and to present our experience in the implementation of the “Stop the Bleed” initiative within Latin America. Prehospital care is phase 0 of damage control resuscitation. Prehospital damage control must follow the guidelines proposed by the “Stop the Bleed” initiative. We identified that prehospital personnel has a better perception of hemostatic techniques such as tourniquet use than hospital providers. The use of tourniquets is recommended as a measure to control bleeding. Fluid management should be initiated using low volume crystalloids, ideally, 250cc boluses, maintaining the principle of permissive hypotension with a systolic blood pressure range between 80- and 90-mm Hg. Hypothermia must be managed using warmed blankets or the administration of intravenous fluids warmed before infusion. However, these prehospital measures should not delay the transfer time of a patient from the scene to the hospital. To conclude, prehospital damage control measures are the first steps in the control of bleeding and the initiation of hemostatic resuscitation in the traumatically injured patient. Early interventions without increasing the transfer time to a hospital are the keys to increase the survival rate of severe trauma patients.

The liver is the most commonly affected solid organ in cases of abdominal trauma. Management of penetrating liver trauma is a challenge for surgeons but with the introduction of the concept of damage control surgery accompanied by significant technological advancements in radiologic imaging and endovascular techniques, the focus on treatment has changed significantly. The use of immediately accessible computed tomography as an integral tool for trauma evaluations for the precise staging of liver trauma has significantly increased the incidence of conservative non-operative management in hemodynamically stable trauma victims with liver injuries. However, complex liver injuries accompanied by hemodynamic instability are still associated with high mortality rates due to ongoing hemorrhage. The aim of this article is to perform an extensive review of the literature and to propose a management algorithm for hemodynamically unstable patients with penetrating liver injury, via an expert consensus. It is important to establish a multidisciplinary approach towards the management of patients with penetrating liver trauma and hemodynamic instability. The appropriate triage of these patients, the early activation of an institutional massive transfusion protocol, and the early control of hemorrhage are essential landmarks in lowering the overall mortality of these severely injured patients. To fear is to fear the unknown, and with the management algorithm proposed in this manuscript, we aim to shed light on the unknown regarding the management of the patient with a severely injured liver.