Injury
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To identify the value of the evoked potential as an adjuvant predictive tool in pelvic ring and acetabulum fractures focusing on the neurological deficit. ⋯ Evoked potential tests can quickly and accurately detect imminent neurological impairment during surgery of acetabular and pelvic ring injuries. This results in significantly better surgical outcomes, although in some cases the irreversible nature of the injury cannot be prevented.
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In patients with open tibial fractures, bone and wound infections are associated with an increased hospital length of stay and higher costs. The infection risk increases with the use of implants. Innovations to reduce this risk include antibiotic-coated implants. This study models whether the use of a gentamicin-coated intramedullary tibial nail is cost-effective for trauma centers managing patients with a high risk of infection. ⋯ Analyses demonstrated that infection rates and total costs for in-hospital treatment could be potentially reduced by 75% and up to 15% respectively, by using a gentamicin-coated nail in patients at high risk of infection. Fewer infections, reduced inpatient days and re-operations may be potentially associated with use of antibiotic-coated implants. Results are sensitive to the underlying infection risk, with greatest efficacy and cost-savings when the coated implant is used in high risk patients.
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To provide a direct comparison between two important aspects related to talar neck fractures management - surgical approaches and fixation strategies. ⋯ I (systematic review and meta-analysis).