Acute Care/Trauma Surgeon＇s role in obstetrical/ gynecologic emergencies (The OBCAT Alert)

BACKGROUND:Overwhelming hemorrhage or other intra-abdominal complications may be associated with obstetrical or gynecologic(OB/GYN) procedures and may require the surgical training of an Acute Care/Trauma Surgeon.The OB Critical Assessment Team(OBCAT Alert) was developed at our institution to facilitate a multidisciplinary response to complex OB/GYN cases.We sought to review and characterize the Acute Care/Trauma Surgeon's role in these cases.METHODS:We conducted a retrospective review of all emergency consults during an OB/GYN case at our institution from 2008 to 2015.An OBCAT is a hospital based alert system designed to immediately notify OB/GYN,anesthesiology,Acute Care/Trauma,the intensive care unit(ICU),and the blood bank of a potential emergency during an OB/GYN case.RESULTS:There were 7±3 OBCAT alerts/year.Seventeen patients required Acute Care/Trauma surgery intervention for hemorrhage.Thirteen patients required damage control packing during their hospitalization.Blood loss averaged 6.8±5.5 L and patients received a total of 21±14units during deliveries with hemorrhage.There were 17 other surgical interventions not related to hemorrhage;seven of these cases were related to adhesions or intestinal injury.Seven additional cases required evaluation post routine OB/GYN procedure;the most common reason was for severe wound complications.There were three deaths during this study period.CONCLUSION:Emergency OB/GYN cases are associated with high morbidity and may require damage control or other surgical techniques in cases of overwhelming hemorrhage.Acute Care/Trauma Surgeons have a key role in the treatment of these complex cases.