Traumacast

A brief discussion of political and financial issues faced when The Trauma Center at Penn opened in 1988. Many of the same issues are still faced by trauma directors in new trauma centers. 

A discussion of damage control resuscitation - what it is and how to implement it and why. An interview with Michael Rotondo,  MD.

A discussion regarding the management of blunt splenic injury with reference to the EAST Practice Management Guideline on this topic.

Emergency Preservation and Resuscitation Trial evaluating deep hypothermia for cardiac arrest following penetrating trauma. Discussion with Dr Sam Tisherman, the PI for the study. 

A discussion with Dr. Eileen Bulger regarding her two trials evaluating the role of hypertonic saline in the pre-hospital setting.

A discussion regarding causes of coagulopathy in trauma and the use of TEG in its diagnosis and management.

A discussion regarding Dr. Haider's study which showed the transportation by helicopter following trauma improves survival.

A discussion with Dr. Robert Barraco regarding the diagnosis and treatment of concussion in adults. This podcast is eligible for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit TM self-assessment credits toward Part 2 of the ABS MOC Program. Visit the EAST Education Center for details.

A discussion with Dr. Michael Nance on diagnosis and treatment of concussion in children, including a proposal for determining when kids can return to contact sports. This Traumacast is eligible for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit TM self-assessment credits toward Part 2 of the ABS MOC Program. Visit the EAST Education Center for details.

A discussion with Dr. Elliott Haut regarding the pros and cons of screening for DVT in asymptomatic patients following trauma.

A discussion with Dr. Martin Schreiber on the various types of topical hemostatic agents that can be used either pre- or intra-operatively - their mechanisms of action, uses, and limitations. This Traumacast is eligible for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit TM self-assessment credits toward Part 2 of the ABS MOC Program. Visit the EAST Education Center for details.

A discussion comparing the ATLS, ASSET, and ATOM courses and the future role of simulation in trauma surgery training

A discussion with Dr. Adil Haider regarding reasons for increased mortality noted in hospitals that treat mostly minority patients following injury.

Discussion with Dr. Joe Sakran on getting into a trauma fellowship and securing a job

A discussion of the role of beta-blocker therapy following TBI. We discuss Dr. Cotton and others' studies suggesting a mortality benefit, possible mechanisms underlying this finding, and how/when to go about instituting beta-blockade in this population. 

Dr. Champion helped establish EAST and describe the ISS/AIS and TRISS scoring systems. We discussion of various commonly used trauma scoring systems and their shortcomings. We also discuss how to go about assessing and creating a scoring system.

A discussion with Dr. Fred Luchette regarding factors associated with mortality following rib fractures. We discuss who requires evaluation at a trauma center, how requires ICU admission, pain control, and the role of rib plate fixation and tracheostomy in these patients. 

A discussion with Dr. Martin Croce regarding the use of CTA versus angiography to screen for blunt cerebrovascular injury.

A discussion of techniques to minimize secondary brain injury, including measurement of cerebral pressures and oxygen tension and interventions such as the role of steroids, transfusion, hypothermia for brain injury. 

A discussion of measuring and comparing outcomes between trauma centers. Discussion involves use of this information by trauma directors and verifying bodies. 

A discussion with Dr. Bill Schwab regarding the evolution of damage control surgery in trauma care

The current role of hypothermia in trauma care and future directions for use of this modality in the care of the injured patient

A discussion of the current status of the acute care surgery training program, why it is needed, and how to attract future surgeons to this field. Dr. Britt also discusses some the skill sets that the ACS surgeon will need/have, board certification for this field, and integration of this new subspecialty into the surgical community. 

An in-depth discussion regarding use of TEG to diagnose both hypo- and hyper-coagulable states following injury

A discussion regarding the evidentiary basis for trauma exsanguination protocols in trauma systems and how to go about writing and implementing them