Injury
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Multicenter Study
Propensity weighted analysis of chemical venous thromboembolism prophylaxis agents in isolated severe traumatic brain injury: An EAST sponsored multicenter study.
In patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), clinicians must balance preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE) with the risk of intracranial hemorrhagic expansion (ICHE). We hypothesized that low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) would not increase risk of ICHE or VTE as compared to unfractionated heparin (UH) in patients with severe TBI. ⋯ Level III, Therapeutic Care Management.
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Comparative Study
Comparison of biodegradable and metallic tension-band fixation for paediatric lateral condyle fracture of the elbow.
In our retrospective study we compared the outcomes of paediatric lateral condyle fractures of the elbow fixed by bioabsorbable pins and tension-band sutures or by metallic tension-band with K-wires. ⋯ We did not notice any difference between the complication rates of the two methods, so the real advantage of the absorbable implant technique is that no second intervention is necessary. The benefits of using biodegradable implants in various osteosynthesis techniques need further confirmation by randomised trials.
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Usually ipsilateral fractures of the femur and tibia are not compatible with good results and require surgery. The unsatisfactory results are more likely due to complex patterns of fractures, compromised soft tissue, associated ligament injuries, and concomitant vital organ injuries. There are many classifications to describe this type of fracture but none of them is a prognostic classification. The aim of this study is to validate our classification according to prognostic terms. ⋯ The floating knee is not only the bone lesion but is above all the lesion of the soft tissues and the extensor apparatus that allow the correct functionality of the knee. These lesions do not always have favorable outcome, with respect to the nonseverity of the lesion as in Fraser's classification. Furthermore, on average these patients are subjected to an average of 6 surgical interventions; in some cases we have assisted to 23 surgical procedures. This study proved that this new classification system is prognostic, reliable and reproducible.
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Comparative Study
Prevalence of atypical femoral fractures, a clinical update: A comparative retrospective study 7 years later.
Atypical femoral fractures (AFFs) are a rare type of subtrochanteric or diaphyseal fracture frequently associated with the use of bisphosphonates (BPs). They are a clinical entity often overlooked, for which a correct clinical-instrumental classification is essential for a successful treatment. Nowadays, there is no accurate data on their real incidence. The aim of this work is to evaluate the period prevalence of AFFs and their risk factors, and to compare actual results with a previous study conducted at the same Institution seven years previously. ⋯ The efficacy of BPs for the prevention of osteoporotic fractures is widely demonstrated. However, particularly prolonged use of these drugs may increase the risk of developing AFFs in some patients. The incidence of AFFs is higher than that reported in the literature, if evaluated only for the subtrochanteric and diaphyseal sites (essential diagnostic criterion in the definition of AFFs). In our study, the incidence of AFFs doubled after seven years. The present data also confirm the frequent association between the use of BPs and the onset of AFFs.
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Comparative Study
Dual mobility cup in hip fracture: Indications and clinical results compared with bipolar hip arthroplasty.
The choice between hemiarthroplasty (HA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA) for displaced femoral neck fractures remains debated. There is increasing use in dual mobility cup total hip arthroplasty (DMC-THA) to prevent dislocations in these high-risk patients. Aim of this study is to retrospectively analyze patients treated in a single Center for femoral neck fracture comparing HA and DMC-THA in terms of: functional outcome, rate of complications and mortality. ⋯ DMC-THA offer better functional results than HA in elderly patients with femur neck fractures. The mean surgical time was longer in DMC-THA but this did not influence blood loss, time of discharge or one-year mortality. In our series dislocation never occurred in both groups.