Injury
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Internal fixation versus hemiarthroplasty versus total hip arthroplasty for displaced subcapital fractures of femur--13 year results of a prospective randomised study.
In this prospective randomised trial we compare the mortality, morbidity and functional results of patients following each of the three principal methods of treatment for displaced subcapital fractures of the femur. Two hundred and ninety patients over the age of 65 years were included and randomly allocated to undergo closed reduction and internal fixation with a sliding compression screw plate or uncemented Austin Moore hemiarthroplasty or cemented Howse II total hip arthroplasty (THA). Nineteen patients were subsequently excluded. ⋯ In the long term, both internal fixation and hemiarthroplasty resulted in a poor outcome with respect to pain and mobility. Despite high early complications, THA resulted in least pain and most mobility both in the short and long-term and was encouraging with a revision rate of only 6.25%. THA should be seriously considered in physiologically active patients with a displaced subcapital fracture of the femur.
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Tracheostomy is a common surgical procedure performed in long-term ventilated patients in intensive care. Since the role of percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) on Intensive Care Unit (ICU) has become steadily more important in the last few years, a prospective study was started to evaluate the economic efficiency and to show the minimization of the complication rate of this procedure. In 72 patients we performed PDT as a bedside procedure. ⋯ In addition, cost analysis demonstrated that there was a significant economical advantage of PDT in comparison with open standard tracheostomy. Standardized ultrasonographically and bronchoscopically controlled PDT turns out to be a safe, simple and cost effective bedside procedure on ICU. Because of ultrasound examination performed before the procedure, and bronchoscopic surveillance during the procedure, safety of this procedure can be enhanced, thus minimizing the rate of complications.
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In order to identify the prognostic factors and to evaluate the impact of associated injuries in the outcome of patients with pelvic fractures, a retrospective review of the medical records of patients admitted with a pelvic fracture during a 42-month period was carried out. Demographic data, the mechanism of injury, the physiologic status on admission, associated injuries, pelvic fracture classification, complications and mortality were analysed. One hundred and three patients were included in the study. ⋯ Age greater than 40 years (p=0.02), "shock" upon admission (p=0.002), a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)<9, Head AIS>2 (p<0. 001), Chest AIS>2 (p=0.007), and abdominal AIS>2 (p=0.03) all correlated with increased mortality. No correlation between pelvic fracture classification or fracture stability with mortality was observed. The outcome of patients with pelvic fractures due to blunt trauma correlates with the severity of associated injuries and physiological derangement on admission rather than with characteristics of or the type of fracture.
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We report an unusual case of open posterolateral dislocation of the ankle without fracture following a motor vehicle accident. Most of previously reported cases are posteromedial dislocation. ⋯ The mechanism of this injury appears to be forced eversion of the foot when it is maximally plantar flexed and axially loaded. Our case was treated by manual reduction and percutaneous fixation and anatomical repair of the disrupted deltoid ligament at the time of initial débridement, also achieved good long-term functional and radiographic results.
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The treatment of isolated ulnar fractures remains controversial, with different authors recommending both surgical and non-surgical management. We undertook a systematic review of the current literature in order to assess whether any conclusions can be drawn. A total of 33 series involving 1876 patients were identified as suitable for analysis. ⋯ However, these have not been verified in clinical studies. Compression plate fixation gave reliable results in these cases. Other methods lacked sufficient published data to be recommended.