BACKGROUND\nImmunosuppression is a consequence of allogeneic (homologous) blood transfusion (ABT) in humans and is associated with an increased risk in cancer recurrence rates after potentially curative surgery as well as an increase in the frequency of postoperative bacterial infections. Although a meta-analysis has been reported demonstrating the relationship between ABT and colon cancer recurrence, no meta-analysis has been reported demonstrating the relationship of ABT to postoperative bacterial infection.\n\n\nMETHODS\nTwenty peer-reviewed articles published from 1986 to 2000 were included in a meta-analysis. Criteria for inclusion included a clearly defined control group (nontransfused) compared with a treated (transfused) group and statistical analysis of accumulated data that included stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis. In addition, a subgroup of publications that included only the traumatically injured patient was included in a separate meta-analysis. A fixed effects analysis was conducted with odds ratios obtained by using the conditional maximum likelihood method and 95% confidence intervals on the obtained odds ratios were determined using the mid-p technique.\n\n\nRESULTS\nThe total number of subjects included in this meta-analysis was 13,152 (5,215 in the transfused group and 7,937 in the nontransfused group). The common odds ratio for all articles included in this meta-analysis evaluating the association of ABT to the incidence of postoperative bacterial infection was 3.45 (range, 1.43-15.15), with 17 of the 20 studies demonstrating a value of p < or = 0.05. These results provide overwhelming evidence that ABT is associated with a significantly increased risk of postoperative bacterial infection in the surgical patient. The common odds ratio of the subgroup of trauma patients was 5.263 (range, 5.03-5.43), with all studies showing a value of p < 0.05 (0.005-0.0001). These results demonstrate that ABT is associated with a greater risk of postoperative bacterial infection in the trauma patient when compared with those patients receiving ABT during or after elective surgery.\n\n\nCONCLUSION\nThese results demonstrate that ABT is an associated and apparently significant and frequently overlooked risk factor for the development of postoperative bacterial infection in the surgical patient. Allogeneic blood transfusion is a greater risk factor in the traumatically injured patient when compared with the elective surgical patient for the development of postoperative bacterial infection.

Allogeneic Blood Transfusion Increases the Risk of Postoperative Bacterial Infection: A Meta-Analysis: [2002][A-423]

BACKGROUND: The research literature was systematically reviewed and results were summarized from studies assessing bicycle helmet effectiveness to mitigate head, serious head, face, neck and fatal head injury in a crash or fall. METHODS: Four electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, COMPENDEX and SCOPUS) were searched for relevant, peer-reviewed articles in English. Included studies reported medically diagnosed head, face and neck injuries where helmet use was known. Non-approved helmets were excluded where possible. Summary odds ratios (OR) were obtained using multivariate meta-regression models stratified by injury type and severity. Time trends and publication bias were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 43 studies met inclusion criteria and 40 studies were included in the meta-analysis with data from over 64 000 injured cyclists. For cyclists involved in a crash or fall, helmet use was associated with odds reductions for head [OR = 0.49, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.42-0.57), serious head (OR = 0.31, 95% CI: 0.25-0.37), face (OR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.56-0.81) and fatal head injury (OR = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.14-0.88). No clear evidence of an association between helmet use and neck injury was found (OR = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.74-1.25). There was no evidence of time trends or publication bias. CONCLUSIONS: Bicycle helmet use was associated with reduced odds of head injury, serious head injury, facial injury and fatal head injury. The reduction was greater for serious or fatal head injury. Neck injury was rare and not associated with helmet use. These results support the use of strategies to increase the uptake of bicycle helmets as part of a comprehensive cycling safety plan.© The Author 2016; all rights reserved. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the International Epidemiological Association. Language: en

Bicycle injuries and helmet use: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION Assessment of operative risk in geriatric patients undergoing emergency general surgery (EGS) is challenging. Frailty is an established measure for risk assessment in surgical cases. The aim of our study was to validate a modified 15-variable EGS-specific frailty index (EGSFI). METHODS We prospectively collected geriatric (age older than 65 years) EGS patients for 2 years. Postoperative complications were collected. Frailty index was calculated for 200 patients based on their preadmission condition using 50-variable modified Rockwood frailty index. Emergency general surgery-specific frailty index was developed based on the regression model for complications and the most significant factors in the frailty index. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to determine cutoff for frail status. We validated our results using 60 patients for predicting complications. RESULTS A total of 260 patients (developing, 200; validation, 60) were enrolled in this study. Mean age was 71 ± 11 years, and 33% developed complications. Most common complications were pneumonia (12%), urinary tract infection (9%), and wound infection (7%). Univariate analysis identified 15 variables significantly associated with complications that were used to develop the EGSFI. A cutoff frailty score of 0.325 was identified using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis for frail status. Sixty patients (frail, 18; nonfrail, 42) were enrolled in the validation cohort. Frail patients were more likely to have postoperative complications (47% vs. 20%; p < 0.001) compared to nonfrail patients. Frail status based on EGSFI was a significant predictor of postoperative complications (odds ratio, 7.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.7-19.8; p = 0.006). Age was not associated with postoperative complications (odds ratio, 0.99; 95% confidence interval, 0.92-1.06; p = 0.86). CONCLUSION The 15-variable validated EGSFI is a simple and reliable bedside tool to determine the frailty status of patients undergoing EGS. Frail status as determined by the EGSFI is an independent predictor of postoperative complications and mortality in geriatric EGS patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Prognostic study, level II.

Emergency general surgery specific frailty index: A validation study.

Experiments on the Transfusion of Blood by the Syringe

Background Frailty syndrome (FS) is a well-established predictor of outcomes in geriatric patients. The aim of this study was to quantify the prevalence of FS in geriatric trauma patients and to determine its association with trauma readmissions, repeat falls, and mortality at 6 months. Methods we performed a 2-year (2012-2013) prospective cohort analysis of all consecutive geriatric (age, ≥ 65 years) trauma patients. FS was assessed using a Trauma-Specific Frailty Index (TSFI). Patients were stratified into: nonfrail, TSFI ≤ 0.12; prefrail, TSFI = 0.1 to 0.27; and frail, TSFI > 0.27. Patient follow-up occurred at 6 months to assess outcomes. Regression analysis was performed to assess independent associations between TSFI and outcomes. Results Three hundred fifty patients were enrolled. Frail patients were more likely to develop in-hospital complications (nonfrail, 12%; prefrail, 17.4%; and frail, 33.4%; p = 0.02) and an adverse discharge disposition compared with nonfrail and prefrail (nonfrail, 8%; prefrail,18%; and frail, 47%; p = 0.001). Six-month follow-up was recorded in 80% of the patients. Compared with nonfrail patients, frail patients were more likely to have had a trauma-related readmission (odds ratio [OR], 1.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2-3.6) and/or repeated falls (OR, 1.6; 95%CI, 1.1-2.5) over the 6-month period. Overall 6-month mortality was 2.8% (n = 10), and frail elderly patients were more likely to have died (OR, 1.1; 95% CI, 1.04-4.7) compared with nonfrail patients. Conclusion Over a third of geriatric trauma patients had FS. TSFI provides a practical and accurate assessment tool for identifying elderly trauma patients who are at increased risk of both short-term and long-term outcomes. Early focused intervention in frail geriatric patients is warranted to improve long-term outcomes. Level of evidence Prognostic study, level II.

Redefining the association between old age and poor outcomes after trauma: The impact of frailty syndrome

BACKGROUNDThe practice of transfusing ones’ own shed whole blood has obvious benefits such as reducing the need for allogeneic transfusions and decreasing the need for other fluids that are typically used for resuscitation in trauma. It is not widely adopted in the trauma setting because of the conc

Early autologous fresh whole blood transfusion leads to less allogeneic transfusions and is safe.

Introduction
Traumatic brain injury is a leading cause of disability in bicycle riders. Preventive measures including bicycle helmet laws have been highlighted; however, its protective role has always been debated. The aim of this study was to determine the utility of bicycle helmets in prevention of intra-cranial hemorrhage. We hypothesized that bicycle helmets are protective and prevent the development of intra-cranial hemorrhage.

Rethinking bicycle helmets as a preventive tool: a 4-year review of bicycle injuries

BACKGROUND: Alcohol is known to be protective in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI); however, its impact on the long-term cognitive function is unknown We hypothesize that intoxication at the time of injury is associated with adverse long-term cognitive function in patients sustaining TBI METHODS: We performed a 2-year retrospective study of all trauma patients with isolated TBI presenting to our Level I trauma center and discharged to a single rehabilitation facility Patients with moderate-to-severe TBI (head Abbreviated Injury Scale [AIS] score ≥ 3), measured admission blood alcohol concentration, and measured cognitive function on hospital discharge and rehabilitation center discharge were included Cognitive function was assessed using Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores Delta cognitive FIM was defined as the difference between rehabilitation center discharge and hospital discharge cognitive FIM scores Multivariate linear regression was performed RESULTS: A total of 64 patients were included Mean (SD) age was 518 (23) years, median head AIS score was 3 (IQR, 3-5), and median Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score was 11 (IQR, 3-15) Mean (SD) cognitive FIM score on hospital discharge was 17 (6), and mean (SD) cognitive improvement was 86 (47) Sixty percent (n = 39) were under the influence of alcohol on admission, and the mean (SD) admission blood alcohol concentration was 132 (102)On multivariate linear regression analysis, admission blood alcohol concentration (β = -04; 95% confidence interval, -67 to -08; p = 001) and age (β = -013; 95% confidence interval, -02 to -004; p = 004) were negatively associated with improvement in long-term cognitive function CONCLUSION: Alcohol intoxication at the time of injury is associated with lower improvement in long-term cognitive function Older intoxicated patients are likely to have a lower cognitive improvement LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic and epidemiologic study, level III Language: en

Anum Asif

Papers

Early autologous fresh whole blood transfusion leads to less allogeneic transfusions and is safe.

Rethinking bicycle helmets as a preventive tool: a 4-year review of bicycle injuries

Adverse effects of admission blood alcohol on long-term cognitive function in patients with traumatic brain injury.