J Trauma
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Basic science research suggests that sex hormones affect survival after traumatic shock. This study sought to determine the independent effect of gender on mortality among trauma patients in different hormone-related age groups. ⋯ Females aged between 13 and 64 years exhibit significantly lower mortality than males after trauma-associated shock. This outcome difference is lost at the extremes of age (preadolescent children and individuals aged ≥ 65 years) where the effects of sex hormones are absent or diminished. These findings suggest that hormonal differences play a role in the gender-based outcome disparities after traumatic shock.
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Although the benefits of acute stabilization of long bone fractures are recognized, the role of early fixation of unstable pelvis and acetabular fractures is not well-defined. The purpose of this study was to review complications and hospital course of patients treated surgically for pelvis and acetabulum fractures. We hypothesized that early definitive fixation would reduce morbidity and decrease length of stay. ⋯ Early fixation of unstable pelvis and acetabular fractures in multiply injured patients reduces morbidity and length of intensive care unit stay, which may decrease treatment costs. Further study to ascertain the effects of associated systemic injuries and the utility of physiologic and laboratory parameters during resuscitation may delineate recommendations for optimal surgical timing in specific patient groups.
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This study was performed to determine the effects of orthopedic trauma on pregnancy outcomes in pregnant trauma patients. ⋯ Our findings indicate that traumatized pregnant women with orthopedic injuries are high-risk obstetrical patients and may benefit from referral to a medical center capable of handling both the primary injury and the potential preterm birth associated with the injury.
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The purpose of this article was to compare clinical and functional outcomes of surgically treated trimalleolar fractures with bimalleolar and unimalleolar ankle fractures. ⋯ Most patients after unstable ankle fractures treated surgically do well; however, some patients continue to have some pain and dysfunction at 1 year. There was a significant difference in outcomes comparing patients with unstable ankle fractures associated with and without posterior malleolus fractures. The presence of a posterior malleolus fracture may indicate higher energy of injury, and it does seem to result in worse outcomes at 1 year, but this seems to even out over time as was seen at 2-year follow-up in a smaller group of patients.
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Cardiac injury is one of the most lethal injuries. The objective of this study was to determine the real amount of risk factors for penetrating cardiac injuries. ⋯ Our data have shown the real amount of risk variables for mortality in penetrating cardiac injuries by using binary logistic model.