Pediatric penetrating thoracic trauma: Examining the impact of trauma center designation and penetrating trauma volume on outcomes

Abstract

Introduction: We analyzed the impact of treating center designation and case volume of penetrating trauma on outcomes after pediatric penetrating thoracic injuries (PTI).

Methods: PTI patients <18 years were identified from the National Trauma Data Bank (2013-2016). Centers were categorized by type (Pediatric or Adult) and designation status (Level I, Level II, and other). Performance was calculated as the difference between observed and expected mortality and standardized using the total penetrating trauma volume per center. Expected mortality was calculated using the Trauma Mortality Prediction Model. Pearson correlation and linear mixed-effects models evaluated the association between variables and performance.

Results: We identified 4,134 PTI patients treated at 596 trauma centers: 879 (21%) at Adult Level I, 608 (15%) at Adult Level II, 531 (13%) at Pediatric Level I, 320 (8%) at Pediatric Level II, and 1,796 (43%) at other centers. Primary injury mechanisms were firearm-related (58%) and cut/piercing (42%). Overall mortality was 16% and median predicted mortality was 3.6% (IQR: 1.5% - 11.2%). Among patients with thoracic firearm-related injuries, centers with lower penetrating case volume and total trauma care demonstrated significantly worse outcomes. Multivariable analysis revealed Adult Level I centers had superior outcomes compared with all other non-Level I centers. There was no difference in mortality between Pediatric and Adult Level I centers.

Discussion: Adult Level I trauma center designation and annual case volume of penetrating thoracic trauma are associated with improved mortality after pediatric firearm-related thoracic injuries. Further study is needed to identify factors in higher volume centers that improve outcomes.

Level of evidence: Level III.

Keywords: Pediatric; Penetrating; Thoracic injury; Trauma.