Injury
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The evolution of contemporary intramedullary reaming systems has recently generated the Reamer Irrigator Aspirator system (RIA-Synthes®), which has progressively gained in popularity as well as in indications. The preliminary results of its use over the initial period of 18 months ata single tertiary referral centre were prospectively collected and are presented. ⋯ Overall its use was proven safe and efficient, achieving aggressive medullary canal debridement, collection of adequate samples for further analysis in the infected and oncology cases, as well as impressive volumes of the osteoinductive and osteogenic reaming debris for grafting purposes. No pulmonary complications or evidence of the second hit sequelae were recorded in the polytrauma patient subgroup despite the presence of a high ISS Further controlled clinical studies should follow focused in all different applications of this reliable, user-friendly and impressively versatile system, to validate these preliminary results.
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The Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score is used in the initial evaluation of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI); however, the determination of an accurate score is not possible in all clinical situations. Our aim is to determine if the individual components of the GCS score, or combinations of them, are useful in predicting mortality in patients with TBI. ⋯ The results of this study indicate that the 3 fundamental elements comprising the Glasgow coma scale, E, M, and V individually, and in certain combinations are predictive of the survival of TBI patients. This observation is clinically useful when evaluating TBI patients in whom a complete GCS score cannot be obtained.
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Injuries are a significant public health problem and among the leading causes of death worldwide. In Finland, nearly 1.2 million accidents or assaults lead to physical injury annually. This study examined the nationwide trends in unintentional injury deaths of adults in Finland. ⋯ The rate of fall-induced deaths in Finnish men was rather stable during the study period while in women it clearly declined. In contrast, increase in poisoning deaths due to alcohol and other substances was alarming. Vigorous preventive actions should be initiated to control this development.
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The aim of this study was to investigate the outcome of 352 (71 males) patients with trochanteric fractures that were treated with the TARGON® PF nail. The mean age was 83 years. According to the Jensen classification, there were 35 cases in type 1,94 cases in type 2,75 in type 3,63 in type 4 and 85 in type 5. ⋯ Postoperative complications developed in 6 cases (1.7%), including wound infection in two cases, and secondary fracture at the subtrochanteric region, nonunion, back-out of the guiding sleeve and medial perforation of the lag screw, each in one case. The presented case series indicates that the TARGON® PF system is an effective and safe internal fixation device for trochanteric proximal femoral fractures. Further, prospective comparative evidence regarding the use of this system is needed to analyse and validate the presented clinical impression of our centre.
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Accumulating evidence implicates cerebral fat embolism (CFE) as a causative agent in post-operative confusion (POC). CFE occurs following orthopaedic procedures including, intra-medullary (IM) nailing and total joint arthroplasty (TJA). The incidence of CFE is high (59-100% TJA) and the resulting POC is associated with higher overall complication rates. ⋯ LME are propelled to the brain where they cause disruption via ischemia or by alterations in the blood-brain-barrier - causing cerebral oedema. Prevention of CFE follows established practices for preventing FES and consideration of additional techniques to remove resident fat and reduce IM pressures. When CFE occurs supportive treatment should be established.