American Association for the Surgery of Trauma pancreatic organ injury scale: 2024 Revision.

Abstract

Background: The American Association for the Surgery of Trauma Organ Injury Scale (OIS) Committee published the original pancreatic OIS in 1990 with the authors acknowledging at the time that the classification would need to undergo "continued refinement as clinical experience dictates." The current OIS overemphasizes injury location over ductal integrity; modifications are needed to improve concordance between OIS, therapy, and outcomes and promote accuracy in quality assessment and research.

Methods: A subcommittee of the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma and invited experts in radiology and interventional gastroenterology were chosen. Contemporary literature was reviewed, and a standardized iterative and collegial process was used to arrive at consensus.

Results: The pancreatic OIS is anatomically based on operative, radiographic, or pathologic findings. Major changes to the grading system include moving lacerations of the pancreatic head without ductal injury from Grade IV to Grade II. Injuries to the duct in the neck, body, or tail remain Grade III but are further subclassified to distinguish between deep parenchymal injuries without ductal interrogation, partial ductal injuries, and complete ductal transection. Grade IV injuries follow the same nomenclature but for injuries to the right of the portal vein or superior mesenteric vein. Grade V injuries are destructive injuries of the pancreatic head with nonviable parenchyma. These injuries are further subgraded based on ductal injuries.

Conclusion: The pancreatic OIS schema is revised based on contemporary experience informed by the current understanding of outcomes and treatment, including operative management and outcomes. Increasing grades now more closely reflect increasing severity.

Level of evidence: Expert Opinion; Level V.