Audio interviews addressing upcoming research and its application to the injured, critically ill or emergency general surgery patient, education efforts related to the clinical practice of acute care surgery, novel methods in the management of these patients and topics affecting providers and clinical care within the field.
Dr. Bruce Crookes and Dr. Ronald Sing join moderator Dr. Dave Morris in discussing a new device that was developed for “bridging prophylaxis” against pulmonary embolus. “Bridging prophylaxis” doesn’t sound familiar? Listen to this episode to learn more. This podcast was made possible by a generous grant from Bio2 Medical® .
Crossover episode! Just like the time the Fonz was on Mork and Mindy, this episode brings the moderators of EAST's Traumacast, Dr. Dave Morris and Careercasts, Dr. Brad Dennis (we'll let you decide who is Mork and who is the Fonz) together. The topic is the training programs available for Adavanced Practitioners: the types of programs available, how the terms "residency" and "fellowship" are used, and what to look for in a reputable program. Guests Jon Messing and Aaron Pugh both run successful ...
Is TEG better than 1:1? Do field tourniquets save lives? Does targeted temperature management in TBI improve outcomes? Just a few highlights from this year’s Point Counterpoint Conference in Baltimore, MD, hosted by Dr. Scalea. The EAST Traumacast was there to cover it all. Join us for exciting interviews with Drs. Scalea, Brenner, Davis, Britt, Stein, Haut, Jacobs, Pollak, Hunt, Efron, Henry, Sarani, Murthi and Pigneri. Will their points change your practice?Supplemental Material:"TEG Cards" - ...
Ever find yourself in the middle of night wondering “What am I going to do with this hernia disaster??” Join us as we pick the brains of two experts in the field, Drs. Mike Sarr and Shirin Towfigh, as they explore the bailout options and operative considerations. A bit of thought now may save the night later! Moderators: Drs. Carrie Valdez and Dave Morris
Join us for an in depth discussion of NSTI with Dr. Eileen Bulger, MD, Professor of Surgery at the University of Washington and Chief of Trauma Surgery for Harborview Medical Center and Dr. Rondi Gelbard, MD, upcoming NSTI PMG Team Leader and Assistant Professor of Surgery at Emory University. We discuss the timing of debridement, antibiotic management, role for transfer, HBO and so much more! Moderated by Drs. Carrie Valdez and Dave Morris
At the 2017 annual meeting of the Western Trauma Association, the US military Joint Trauma System (JTS) held the third session of a new educational program called "Case Records of the Joint Trauma System". This is a planned series of presentations where an expert panel is presented with interesting and challenging battlefield trauma cases drawn from the Department of Defense Trauma Registry. This registry has captured data on all wounded patients treated at forward military medical treatment fac...
Global surgery is gaining traction and trauma is a leading cause of mortality in Uganda. Dr. Kevin Pei had the privilege of teaching an operative trauma and resuscitation course at Makerere University and Mulago Hospital in Kampala Uganda. In this traumacast, Dr. Pei discusses the role of global health surgery with Dr. Jackie, a senior trauma surgeon at the Mulago Hospital. Dr. Jackie discusses challenges and triumphs and how we can facilitate bilateral clinical exchange.
Unfortunately, delivering bad news comes with our job as surgeons, particularly acute care surgeons. Clearly, our ability to effectively communicate with patients and their loved ones is of paramount importance, but are we all well equipped to handle the task? In this episode, Drs. Nicole Stassen and Charity Evans share their experience and expertise on delivering bad news and end of life discussions. Drs. Matthew Martin, David Morris, and Kevin Pei serve as moderators.Other referencesCommunicat...
Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) is an advanced modality for rescue of patients with hypoxic respiratory failure with or without associated cardiac failure, and failure to respond to conventional therapy and ventilator management. Previously, ECMO was limited to a few select centers and had scant supporting literature in adult patients for most indications. Over the past 5 years there has been an explosion in interest in ECMO and a proliferation of ECMO programs in the U.S., likely as ...
In this episode of EAST Traumacast, we discuss the paper "Cadaveric comparison of the optimal site for needle decompression of tension pneumothorax by prehospital care providers" with author Dr. Dan Grabo and EAST reviewer Dr. Travis Polk. The discussion highlights the changing dogma about needle decompression location -- you just might be convinced to change the way you use this technique!
This is the second episode in the series of “Case Records of the Joint Trauma System (JTS). Modern battlefield trauma care is characterized by highly complex and multi-system injury patterns, severe injuries, and care delivered in an austere and resource-constrained environment. This results in fertile ground for challenging management decisions, adverse events, suboptimal outcomes, and even preventable deaths. This episode was recorded during a session at the 2017 EAST Annual Scientific Assembl...
The mass shooting of schoolchildren and educators at Sandy Hook Elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut shook the nation and forever altered the lives of a tight-knit community. A documentary film that focuses on the aftermath of this event is now being released, and we had the great fortune to hold a screening of this film and a post-screening discussion and Q/A session with the Director, Kim Snyder, and Dr. William Begg, who was the ER physician on duty the day of this tragic event. This spe...
Listen to the audio from our latest live EAST Town Hall Debate on a current “hot topic” in emergency general surgery, the use of laparoscopic lavage as a minimally invasive and non-resectional intervention for patients who require emergency surgery for perforated diverticulitis. Listen to our experts, Christian Jones and Tejal Brahmbhatt on the “Pro” side and Kevin Schuster and Andrew Bernard on the “Con” side, discuss a recently published meta-analysis and then all of the clinical and technique...
Drs. Marie Crandall and Christian Jones join moderators Dave Morris and Matt Martin to discuss what may become a landmark paper in emergency general surgery. Imagine if general surgery diseases could be graded by severity like traumatic injuries are with AIS/ISS. Dr. Crandall and her co-authors have published just such a severity scoring system, which holds the promise of standardizing our nomenclature across the ACS community. Listen as Drs. Crandall and Jones discuss the utility of this system...
Drs. James Byrne and Amy Makley join moderator Dr. Dave Morris to discuss a very compelling recent paper that looked at the safety of early DVT chemoprophylaxis (within 72 hours of injury) to late (> 72 hrs after injury). Dr.s Byrne and Makley also discuss the protocols they use in their institutions for this difficult clinical problem and the relative lack of guidelines available to help guide trauma clinicians. Article AbstractEAST PMG: Evaluation and Management of Mild Traumatic Brain Inju...
In this episode, Drs. Carlos Brown and Lewis Kaplan discuss modern management of ARDS and hypoxic respiratory failure. Both experts share practical and useful insight and raise important questions and controversies. You won’t be disappointed! Drs. Kevin Pei, Matt Martin, and Dave Morris served as moderators. Supplemental MaterialsNEJM Article on Proning
In this episode of Traumacast, we interviewed Dr. Jason Smith and Dr. Ben Zarzaur about an exciting new EAST program called: Investigator Support Team Core, or INVEST-C. This program aims to leverage the considerable amount of research resources of the EAST membership in order to provide research mentorship, research design assistance, multicenter collaborations, statistical support, and editorial services for young investigators with promising research ideas and projects. The program will forma...
In this episode of Traumacast, we hosted an EAST roundtable discussion on firearms policy and firearm-related injury prevention. The discussion centered around the recently released EAST literature review and Practice Management Guideline on the efficacy of restrictive licensing and concealed carry laws for preventing firearm-related injuries, as well as the recent efforts of the Committee on Trauma to promote open discussion and consensus buidling to tackle this challenging problem. The panelis...
In this episode we discuss two issues highlighted in the August 2016 EAST Literature review concerning Pediatric Trauma: the meaning and definition of pediatric traumatic coagulopathy and what to do with an injured child with a tender c-spine and negative imaging. Drs. Barbara Gaines, David Mooney, and John Petty joing moderators Dave Morris and Matt Martin for a thought-provoking discussion that will be interesting to anyone who cares for injured children -- even providers who don't normally tr...
Election season is upon us…Drs. Schuster and Stassen (EAST president) face off with Drs. Patel and Skinner! The experts debate the merits of cervical spine collar clearance based on CT alone in the obtunded patient. This debate is based on the EAST 2015 PMG (link below). Audience members called in and pressed our experts for answers to difficult questions. Who won the debate…click “PLAY” and find out. Stay tuned for the next Traumacast!Drs. Kevin Pei and Matthew Martin served as moderators for t...
IMPORTANT NOTE: This podcast is a lead-in to an EAST Master Class online webinar on REBOA that will be held on October 6, 2016 at 5pm (Eastern Standard Time). See the link below to register. After that date, the webinar will be available on the EAST website to viewIn this episode of Traumacast, we interview Dr. Laura Moore and Dr. Elizabeth Benjamin on one of the current “hot topics” in trauma care and resuscitation, resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA). These techni...
At the 2016 annual meeting of the Military Health System Research Symposium, the US military Joint Trauma System (JTS) held the inaugural session of a new educational program called "Case Records of the Joint Trauma System". This is the first in a planned series of presentations where an expert panel is presented with interesting and challenging battlefield trauma cases drawn from the Department of Defense Trauma Registry. This registry has captured data on all wounded patients treated at forwar...
Dr. Gene Moore discusses his groundbreaking randomized trial, highlighting how Thromboelastography (TEG) guided transfusions significantly reduced mortality compared to conventional coagulation tests in bleeding trauma patients. The conversation explores TEG's historical context, why its adoption was delayed, and its advantages in providing quicker, more comprehensive assessments for goal-directed hemostasis. Dr. Moore also delves into the complex role of platelet timing, the controversial use of TXA, and the promising future of automated, portable TEG devices for broader clinical application.
Drs. Matthew Carrick and Kenneth Mattox delve into their randomized prospective clinical trial on intraoperative hypotensive resuscitation, highlighting its historical context, complex design, and the challenges of conducting such research with exception from informed consent. They explore the study's results, which, despite early termination and lack of statistical significance, have clinically influenced trauma practice. The discussion extends to challenging traditional "sacred cows" in resuscitation, including fluid management in the ICU, the use of REBOA, and potential applications in TBI patients, urging future research to continue pushing the boundaries of clinical science.
Drs. Philip Spinella and Alan Murdock discuss the resurgence of whole blood transfusion for hemorrhage resuscitation. They highlight its benefits over component therapy, including logistical simplicity, reduced anticoagulant exposure, and superior platelet function with cold storage. The conversation also addresses regulatory challenges with AABB, current military and civilian implementation, and future advancements like pathogen reduction technology, emphasizing its critical role in trauma care and mass casualty preparedness.
This episode features Dr. Howard Champion, an EAST founding member and simulation expert, who shares his vision for surgical training. He addresses critical experiential gaps in current education, emphasizes the shift from procedure volume to objective competency, and discusses how advanced simulation technologies, including AI and VR, can revolutionize learning. Champion also delves into the cost-effectiveness of simulation and its role in improving patient outcomes, while acknowledging implementation pitfalls and offering career advice in this evolving field.
The 29th EAST Annual Scientific Assembly took place January 12-16, 2016 in San Antonio, Texas. The meeting once again had record attendance, and boasted a wide array of educational, scientific, career development, and social programs. And of course - dodgeball! The EAST Traumacast was there to cover it all and bring you highlights, interviews, and summaries from this great meeting. This traumacast starts out with an interview with the 29th EAST President, Dr. Stan Kurek, then covers the highligh...
One of the most well known and attended trauma conferences in the world is the Trauma, Critical Care, and Acute Care Surgery Conference, held annually in Las Vegas. Also known as the “Mattox Meeting”, this conference attracts a large and diverse group of attendees with an interest in trauma and emergency surgical care. For the 49th annual meeting we joined forces with the “Behind the Knife” podcast team to cover the conference and bring you interviews and discussions with the incredible group of...
In this EAST Traumacast, the state of Early Goal Directed Therapy is discussed with two dynamic speakers, Dr. Donald Yealy who is the lead author on the PROCESS trial , and Dr. Ruby Skinner who is a busy SICU director. This and two other studies prompted changes in the Surviving Sepsis Campaign Guidelines. Drs. Yealy and Skinner give insight into how early goal directed therapy has changed since the original studies and how the changes have impacted their patient care. The discussion is moderate...
Social media plays an increasingly important role in all aspects of personal and professional life, and can have profound impacts both positive and negative. Having a solid basic understanding of the mechanics and “rules of the game” is critical to successfully adopting and using social media. EAST as an organization has embraced social media, and for the 2016 Annual Scientific Assembly made a concerted effort to increase the social media presence of the meeting on Twitter. We were able to sit d...
