Injury
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Trans-gastrointestinal tract GSW's to the spine are devastating injuries with significant potential for infectious complications. We sought to address antimicrobial management of these injuries. ⋯ Despite the potential for significant deep infections of the spine, standard antimicrobial prophylaxis is sufficient for the initial management of these patients.
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CT scanogram for limb length discrepancy in comminuted femoral shaft fractures following IM nailing.
Leg length discrepancy (LLD) following intramedullary nailing of femoral fractures is not uncommon. We designed a prospective study to evaluate the efficacy of routine postoperative computed tomography (CT) scanograms for evaluation of limb length discrepancy in patients with comminuted Winquist III or IV femoral shaft fractures treated with intramedullary nailing. ⋯ A postoperative scanogram in patients with comminuted femoral shaft fractures treated with intramedullary nailing is useful to evaluate LLD and allows for early intervention. The ideal length where correction is necessary remains unclear.
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Fragility fractures are a major health care problem worldwide. Due to the ageing population an increase of distal femoral fractures is to be expected. We studied the long-term functional outcome and their influencing factors in geriatric patients with LISS-plated distal femoral fractures. ⋯ This study documents the poor functional long-term outcome of geriatric patients with distal femoral fractures. In comparison to other fragility fracture patients it seems that this population is at higher risk to die in-hospital during their perioperative course. Medical complications have to be avoided as they were found to be associated with worse functional outcome and higher mortality rates. An osteoporosis therapy may be associated with reduced mortality rates also in these patients.
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Locking compression plates are used in various configurations with lack of detailed information on consequent bone healing. ⋯ All five configurations resulted in undisturbed bone healing and are considered safe for clinical application.
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Prognosis of whiplash injury has been found to be related to a number of sociodemographic, treatment and clinical factors. In the current study, we attempt to identify several novel prognostic factors for delayed recovery in whiplash-associated disorders (WADs), using a validated and reliable measure of recovery. ⋯ Recovery in whiplash-associated disorder appears to be multifactorial with both medical and non-injury related factors influencing outcome. Further characterisation of these factors may prove invaluable in guiding future clinical treatment and referral practices.