Improving mortality in trauma laparotomy through the evolution of damage control resuscitation: Analysis of 1,030 consecutive trauma laparotomies.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the related change in outcomes (mortality, complications) in patients undergoing trauma laparotomy (TL) with the implementation of damage control resuscitation (DCR). We hypothesized that the implementation of DCR in patients undergoing TL is associated with better outcomes.



We analyzed 1,030 consecutive patients with TL. Patients were stratified into three phases: pre-DCR (2006-2007), transient (2008-2009), and post-DCR (2010-2013). Resuscitation fluids (crystalloids and blood products), injury severity score (ISS), vital signs, and laboratory (hemoglobin, international normalized ratio, lactate) parameters were recorded. Regression analysis was performed after adjusting for age, ISS, laboratory and vital parameters, comorbidities, and resuscitation fluids to identify independent predictors for outcomes in each phase.



Patient demographics and ISS remained the same throughout the three phases. There was a significant reduction in the volume of crystalloid (p = 0.001) and a concomitant increase in the blood product resuscitation (p = 0.04) in the post-DCR phase compared to the pre-DCR and transient DCR phases. Volume of crystalloid resuscitation was an independent predictor of mortality in the pre-DCR (OR [95% CI]: 1.071 [1.03-1.1], p = 0.01) and transient (OR [95% CI]: 1.05 [1.01-1.14], p = 0.01) phases; however, it was not associated with mortality in the post-DCR phase (OR [95% CI]:1.01 [0.96-1.09], p = 0.1). Coagulopathy (p = 0.01) and acidosis (p = 0.02) were independently associated with mortality in all three phases.



The implementation of DCR was associated with improved outcome in patients undergoing TL. There was a decrease in the use of damage control laparotomy, with a decrease in the use of crystalloid and an increase in the use of blood products.



Prognostic study, level III.
From the Division of Trauma, Critical Care, Emergency Surgery, and Burns, Department of Surgery (B. J., A. A., B. Z., Z. M. B., T. O., K. I., N. K., A. T., R. L., P. R.), University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona.
Bellal
B
Joseph
Asad
A
Azim
Bardiya
B
Zangbar
Zachary
Z
Bauman
Terence
T
OʼKeeffe
Kareem
K
Ibraheem
Narong
N
Kulvatunyou
Andrew
A
Tang
Riaft
R
Latifi
Peter
P
Rhee
D000328:Adult; D001130:Arizona; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D000077324:Crystalloid Solutions; D005260:Female; D005440:Fluid Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D007552:Isotonic Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007813:Laparotomy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D012151:Resuscitation / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014193:Trauma Centers; D055986:Vital Signs; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000401:mortality* / Q000601:surgery*
D000077324:Crystalloid Solutions; D007552:Isotonic Solutions