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Article of the Week

Multimodal Analgesia in Trauma Care: A Review

This review article examines modern multimodal analgesia strategies for treating trauma and surgical patients while reducing reliance on opioids. The authors detail various neuraxial and regional anesthesia techniques, such as epidurals and nerve blocks, that provide targeted relief and support faster recovery. They also evaluate a broad range of non-opioid pharmacological agents, including ketamine and NSAIDs, as well as emerging medications such as suzetrigine.

Importantly, the text highlights the value of non-pharmacological approaches, such as physical therapy and mindfulness, for holistic pain management. By integrating these methods into standardized treatment protocols, bedside providers can mitigate risks such as respiratory depression and dependency.

Click the link to view the article or watch a short AI-generated article summary (4 min 55 sec).
 

Hancin E, Patel PP, Egodage T. Regional, multimodal, and opioid-sparing strategies after trauma: a review. Trauma Surg Acute Care Open. 2026;11(Suppl 1):e002273.

Trauma Happenings

LFTs: Another Common Trauma Practice Bites the Dust?

Liver function tests (e.g., SGOT, SGPT, bilirubin) have long been part of the routine workup for patients with a known or suspected liver laceration. But do they add any value to our patient assessment?

Although enzyme levels may rise after liver trauma, they are not reliable enough to diagnose hepatic injury nor predict its grade. Bilirubin may also be elevated, but this finding is usually related to transfused or extravasated blood, sepsis, infection, shock, or other critical care issues rather than the liver laceration itself. 

So, how are these injuries best assessed? CT imaging remains the most effective tool for identifying and grading liver injury. For trauma nurses, the key to good patient care is to closely monitor those with hepatic injuries for hemodynamic instability and to avoid attributing abnormal liver labs to the injury alone.

For more on this topic, check out The Trauma Pro blog at the link below.
 

The Pediatric Trauma Society Conference, Nov 2-5

Come to beautiful Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in early November for the 12th Annual Pediatric Trauma Society Meeting at the Marriott Harbor Beach hotel. This event brings together pediatric trauma care providers from all disciplines and across the US and beyond. Meet with experts and peers and earn CE credit.

Don’t forget to stop by the TCAR Education Programs booth in the exhibit hall to say hello to the TCAR/PCAR team and pick up our famously fun badge ribbons. See you there!

Chin Up! You're Uniquely Human

Did you know that humans are the only species with a chin? And some people have two! Scientists still don’t fully understand why we're so unique.

To read more, check out this LiveScience article by clicking the link below.

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