J Trauma
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Major pelvic trauma results in high mortality. No standard technique to control pelvic hemorrhage has been identified. ⋯ Application of a clinical algorithm focusing on basic radiologic diagnostics, external fixation, and early angiographic embolization was effective and safe to rapidly control hemorrhage in hemodynamically instable trauma patients with pelvic fractures.
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Marginal posterior wall fractures are often fixed by lag screws, which may be technically difficult and risks articular penetration. Spring plates are used to avoid articular penetration. Both lag screws and spring plates are usually buttressed by reconstruction plates. ⋯ The marginal fracture is fixed using monocortical locking head screws. This technique has been performed on three patients; none had secondary displacement or nonunion. Fixing marginal posterior acetabular wall fractures using locking reconstruction plates and monocortical screws saves additional lag screws or spring plates without risking articular penetration.
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Injury Severity Score (ISS) is commonly used in prediction models and risk adjustment for mortality. However, few studies have assessed the relationship of ISS to outcomes such as resource use. To test the utility of ISS for investigation of the quality of trauma care, we evaluated the impact of ISS on resource utilization and mortality. ⋯ Specific ISS and injured organs may be used to estimate resource use or mortality for monitoring quality of trauma care. To integrate a more efficient system of trauma care, variations in resource input among hospitals should be investigated.
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Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) is a common procedure in critically ill patients, but the correct timing is still controversial. This study was designed to establish whether an early timing in video-guided Ciaglia Blue Rhino PDT affects the duration of mechanical ventilation (MV) and the length of stay (LOS) in intensive care unit (ICU). Secondary clinical outcomes were the overall hospitalization duration and the mortality rate. ⋯ Video-guided Ciaglia Blue Rhino PDT is safe and easy to perform in ICU. No difference in overall hospital LOS, incidence of pneumonia, and mortality rate between the ET and LT groups was found. However, in both traumatized and nontraumatized patients, shortened duration of ICU LOS and MV in the ET group (
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Recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) has been associated with decreased blood transfusion requirements in trauma patients. Clinical use has recently been extended to the treatment of coagulopathic patients with traumatic brain injury, and results have been encouraging. However, the cost and possible thromboembolic complications of rFVIIa have been considered barriers to its widespread use. We hypothesize that rFVIIa would provide an effective and cost efficient means of correcting coagulopathy in patients with traumatic brain injury undergoing emergent craniotomy. ⋯ rFVIIa provides a cost-efficient option to effectively correct coagulopathy in patients with traumatic brain injury undergoing emergent craniotomy. In addition, the use of rFVIIa is associated with decreased transfusion of PRBC and plasma and decreased transfusion-related hospital costs in this population.