Validating the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma Pancreas Injury Grade Using Trauma Quality Improvement...

The American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) Organ Injury Scale (OIS) for the pancreas was created in 1990. Our aim was to validate the ability of the AAST-OIS pancreas grade to predict adjuncts to operative management, including endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and percutaneous drain placement. We analyzed the Trauma Quality Improvement Program (TQIP) database from 2017 to 2019, including all patients with a pancreas injury. Outcomes included the rates of mortality, laparotomy, ERCP, and peri-pancreatic or hepatobiliary percutaneous drain placement. Outcomes were analyzed by AAST-OIS, and odds ratios (ORs) and 95 confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for each. 3571 patients were included in the analysis. The AAST grade was associated with increased rates of mortality and laparotomy at every level (P < .05). Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography rates increased from grade 2 to 3 (OR 4.685, 95% CI 3.254-6.745), were similar between grades 3 and 4 (P > .05), and decreased from grades 4 to 5 (OR .443, CI .250-.788). Likewise, rates of percutaneous drain placement increased from grade 2 to 3 (OR 1.999, CI 1.192-3.353), were similar between grades 3 and 4 (P > .05), and decreased from grades 4 to 5 (OR .266, .076-.934). Increasing pancreatic injury grade is associated with increased mortality and laparotomy rates at all levels. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and percutaneous drainage procedures are used most in mid-grade (3-4) pancreatic trauma. The decrease in nonsurgical procedures in grade 5 pancreatic trauma is likely secondary to increased rates of surgical management (resection and/or wide drainage). The AAST-OIS for pancreatic injury is associated with mortality and interventions.