Injury
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The Combined Joined Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve is the military intervention of Iraq and Coalition Forces in the battle against Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). Al Assad Airbase (AAAB) is one of the key airbases. It contains a Role 2 Medical Treatment Facility, primarily to perform Damage Control Surgery in Coalition Forces, Iraqi National Security Forces and Local Nationals. We present a six month medical exposure in order to provide insight into the treatment of casualties and to optimize medical planning of combat operations and (pre-/post-) deployment training. ⋯ The deployed surgical teams were scarcely exposed to casualties at AAAB, Iraq. These low workload deployments could cause a decline in surgical skills. Military medical planning should be tailormade and should include adjusting length of stay, (pre-/post-)deployment refresher training and early consultation of military medical specialists. Future research should focus on optimizing this process by investigating fellowships in combat matching trauma centers, regional and international collaboration and refresher training possibilities to maintain the expertise of the acute military care provider.
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Rib fractures are a cause of significant morbidity and mortality in trauma patients. It is well documented that optimizing pain control, mobilization, and respiratory care decreases complications. However, the impact of these interventions on hospital costs and length of stay is not well defined. We hypothesized patients with multiple rib fractures can be discharged within three hospital days resulting in decreased hospital costs. ⋯ The majority of patients admitted to the hospital with multiple rib fractures can be discharged within three days. This expedited discharge results in significant cost savings to the hospital. Early identification of patients who cannot meet the goal of expedited discharge can facilitate improvement in management strategies.
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Multicenter Study
Comparison of two simple models for prediction of short term mortality in patients after severe traumatic brain injury.
The subscale motor score of Glasgow Coma Scale (msGCS) and the Abbreviated Injury Score of head region (HAIS) are validated prognostic factors in traumatic brain injury (TBI). The aim was to compare the prognostic performance of a HAIS-based prediction model including HAIS, pupil reactivity and age, and the reference prediction model including msGCS in emergency department (ED), pupil reactivity and age. ⋯ Performance of prediction for short-term mortality after severe TBI with HAIS-based prediction model was non-inferior to reference prediction model using msGCS as predictor.
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The mesentery may be injured in trauma and few grading systems describe mesenteric injury severity. We aimed to develop and validate an intra-operative mesenteric injury grading system. ⋯ We developed an intra-operative mesenteric injury grading system (MIS) and provided an initial retrospective validation using a series of patients with blunt abdominal trauma. The proposed MIS corresponded with both the AIS and the BIPS. Future study comparing cross sectional imaging and operative findings based on MIS criteria is needed.
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Observational Study
Validation of a monitoring matrix for patients with brain injuries.
Brain injury is a leading cause of death and disabilities worldwide. The severity of brain damage is of course related to the primary injury. Secondary brain insults are the most powerful determinants of outcome from severe head injury. To improve the outcome, it needs to be well detected to be controlled. The detection of these factors can be difficult among numerous data. The objective of this work was to validate a monitoring matrix to help this screening. We hypothesise that a monitoring matrix will improve the detection rate of factors linked to secondary brain injury (SBI). ⋯ The use of this monitoring matrix is simple and inexpensive. The monitoring matrix improves significantly the detection rate of factors linked to secondary brain injury. It also provides homogenization of the detection rate among the physicians and nurses regardless of their experience. Nurses becoming as qualified as physicians, allows earlier detection and therefore a faster treatment.