Injury
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Hip fractures in nonagenarians represent a special group because of their advanced age and co-morbidities. Surgery is advocated for their younger counterparts but may not appear desirable in nonagenarians. Eighty-four patients were studied over a 2-year period. ⋯ The overall mortality in both operative and non-operative groups is 49%. Surgery significantly increases the ability for independent ambulation (P < 0.01). Therefore the outcome of non-operative and non-operative treatment in nonagenarians with hip fractures is poor due to the high rates of mortality and morbidity.
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Review
Arterial injury associated with acute compartment syndrome of the thigh following blunt trauma.
Acute compartment syndrome of the thigh is a rare condition, and the basic causes of high pressure within a muscle compartment have been considered to be intramuscular haematoma and soft-tissue oedema. However, the importance of arterial injury has not been well recognized. ⋯ Acute compartment syndrome of the thigh in blunt trauma patients may be the result of associated arterial injuries. It is suggested that patients with local trauma to the proximal lower limb who exhibit an acute compartment syndrome together with haemodynamic instability should undergo arteriography soon after fasciotomy.
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Open pelvic fractures constitute one of the most devastating injuries in musculo-skeletal trauma and must be treated aggressively, incorporating a multidisciplinary approach. Early treatment, focusing on prevention of haemorrhage and sepsis, is essential. The management of associated soft tissue injuries must also be aggressive, including early administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics and repeated, meticulous wound debridement and irrigation. Selective faecal diversion, based on wound location, is compulsory and safe, minimising the risk of sepsis and reducing mortality rates.
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This is a descriptive analysis, performed on victims of Iran's December 26, 2003 Bam earthquake that were referred to tertiary referral trauma management centre in Tehran. Two hundred and ten patients were included in this study. Associated musculoskeletal injuries and renal function of the patients were recorded. ⋯ Axial skeleton fractures, amongst them the lateral compression type pelvic fractures, were particularly common. Fracture associated neural injuries were also common. Institution of renal protective protocols from the very first hours after injury more conservative approaches to treatment of fractures in these crush trauma patients are strongly recommended.
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Review Case Reports
Sudden death from contusion of the right atrium after blunt chest trauma: case report and review of the literature.
Occult cardiac injury following blunt trauma is more common than generally suspected. Myocardial lesions range from myocardial contusion to cardiac rupture. Myocardial contusion is not uncommon, it is usually a benign disorder which often remains undiagnosed. ⋯ The diagnosis was made at autopsy. The present case is of special interest because of the unusual eliciting event and the rarity of the contusion site (right atrium). It is reported in order to raise the index of suspicion in physicians treating patients involved in a fight and aid in prompt diagnosis of myocardial contusion.