J Trauma
-
The Injury Severity Score (ISS) accounts for only one injury in each body region. The New Injury Severity Score (NISS) considers all injuries in a body region. Despite a big difference between the two scores in patients with multiple injuries, the NISS does not offer significant improvement in mortality prediction. This paper hypothesizes that two injuries in different body regions are associated with higher mortality than two injuries in the same body region, independently of injury severity. ⋯ After accounting for differing injury severity, patients with their two worst injuries in different body regions have higher mortality than those with their two worst injuries in the same region. Results suggest that the observed effect is not due to a foible in the Abbreviated Injury Scale system but rather to physiologic, clinical, or organizational elements. The results of this study should be considered in the development of future injury severity instruments and may have implications for the care of patients with multiple injuries.
-
To assess the complications after plate fixation of phalangeal fractures, their correlation with the type of injury, and the outcome. ⋯ In spite of early mobilization, stiffness is the most frequent complication after open reduction and plate fixation of phalangeal fractures. The undue amount of scarring and adhesion may arise from the implant itself or the difficulty in finding the perfect mixture between the minimal surgical invasiveness and a sufficient restoration of skeletal stability. Otherwise, plate fixation of unstable and complex phalangeal fractures proved efficient and reliable, although not free of potential problems.
-
Locking plates are an alternative to conventional compression plate fixation for diaphyseal fractures. The objective of this study was to compare the stability of various plating with locked screw constructs to conventional nonlocked screws for fixation of a comminuted diaphyseal fracture model using a uniform, synthetic ulna. Locked screw construct variables were the use of unicortical or bicortical screws, and increasing bone to plate distance. ⋯ These results support the use of plating with bicortical locked screws as an alternative to conventional plating for comminuted diaphyseal fractures in osteoporotic bone. Bicortical locked screws with minimal displacement from the bone surface provide the most stable construct in the tested synthetic comminuted diaphyseal fracture model. The results of this study suggest use of plates with unicortical screws for the described fracture is not recommended.
-
The purpose of this study was to describe the functional status and quality of life (QOL) of patients at 12 months after injury. ⋯ Patients who survive injuries experience residual impairments in FC and QOL for as long as 1 year after injury. Changes to the long-term management of these patients should be considered.
-
Four recent reports of the retrieval of optional vena cava filters (VCF) in trauma patients had average implant durations of 10, 19, and 19 days (one not specified). Two patients in these studies had pulmonary emboli after VCF removal. No evidence-based guidelines exist on the appropriate time to remove optional VCF. The purpose of this study was to examine the timing of pulmonary emboli (PE) and determine the optimal time to remove optional VCFs. ⋯ Clinical criteria defining the time to remove optional VCFs without exposing patients to the risk of PE by removing a filter too soon should be determined.