J Trauma
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Comparative Study
Impact of closure at the first take back: complication burden and potential overutilization of damage control laparotomy.
Damage control laparotomy (DCL) is a lifesaving technique initially employed to minimize the lethal triad of coagulopathy, hypothermia, and acidosis. Recently, it has been recognized that DCL itself carries significant morbidity and may be overutilized. The purpose of this study was to determine (1) whether early fascial closure is associated with a reduction in postoperative complications and (2) whether patients at our institution met traditional DCL indications (acidosis, hypothermia, and coagulopathy). ⋯ Early fascial closure is an independent predictor of reduced complications in DCL patients. One in five patients closed at initial take back did not meet any of the traditional indications for DCL upon initial ICU admission. This may represent an overutilization of this valuable technique, exposing patients to increased complications. Further efforts should be directed at achieving both early facial closure as well as redefining the appropriate indications for DCL.
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Comparative Study
Blunt pulmonary contusion: admission computed tomography scan predicts mechanical ventilation.
Blunt pulmonary contusion (BPC) evolves over 12 to 24 hours, and the initial plain radiographs fail to reliably identify patients at risk of clinical deterioration. Admission computed tomography (CT) may offer accurate characterization of BPC and early prediction of the need for mechanical ventilation (MV). ⋯ A simple score derived by the initial chest CT, in combination with GCS and the number of fractured ribs, can predict the need for MV early. In the presence of these predictors, patients should be admitted to a high level of monitoring.
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Comparative Study
The association between anemia and the mortality of severe traumatic brain injury in emergency department.
Anemia is a common medical problem for critically ill patients. Blood transfusion to augment oxygen delivery for these patients has been a traditional therapy. However, few studies have identified the impact of anemia on individuals suffering from severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Hence, this study aims to evaluate the effects of initial anemia on patients with severe TBI admitted to the Emergency Unit. ⋯ This study shows that initial anemia is not a mortality risk factor for patients with isolated severe blunt TBI.
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Comparative Study
Facial nerve decompression surgery in patients with temporal bone trauma: analysis of 66 cases.
In the treatment of facial nerve paralysis after temporal bone trauma, it is important to appropriately determine whether nerve decompression surgery is indicated. The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy of facial nerve decompression surgery according to fracture location and the ideal time for surgery after trauma by analyzing the therapeutic outcome of traumatic facial nerve paralysis. ⋯ The results of this study demonstrated that the ideal time for decompression surgery for facial nerve paralysis after temporal bone fracture was the first 2 weeks after trauma in patients with severe, immediate-onset paralysis. Our study also showed that surgery should be performed within 2 months at the latest. These findings provide useful information for patients and help to determine the priority of treatment when concomitant disease exists.
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An earthquake occurred in Haiti on January 12, 2010. The center of earthquake and the most extensive damage occurred near the capital Port-au-Prince. There were an estimated 230,000 deaths with more than 250,000 others injured. The Israeli Defense Forces Field Hospital (IDF hospital) is a military unit composed of army-recruited (volunteer) medical personnel that was sent to Haiti to serve as a stand-alone center for early response until larger medical missions could become functional and take on the task of more sophisticated and long-lasting medical support. This study describes the use of external fixator frames for orthopedic damage control whereby bone stabilization in conjunction with soft tissue care serves as a stopgap until more comprehensive therapy is forthcoming. ⋯ We describe "orthopedic damage control" using external fixator frames for bone stabilization and soft tissue care as a viable approach in the context of a mass casualty scenario. Technical aspects are described in detail in addition to the advantages and limitations of this approach, which could serve as guidelines for future military and civilian scenarios where large-scale orthopedic damage control would be practiced.