J Trauma
-
Discharge against medical advice (DAMA) have consistently been reported as causing adverse outcomes for both patients and service providers. However, little is known about the DAMA of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). The objectives of this study were to develop a risk profile of DAMA patients in the TBI population, to examine factors associated with DAMA occurrence, and to examine specifically whether injury intention (unintentional vs. intentional) is a significant predictor of DAMA. ⋯ TBI patients who leave hospital against medical advice are a high-risk population. Early identification of these patients could allow implementation of better prevention and management strategies, thus improving health outcomes and enhancing healthcare delivery.
-
Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is an important parameter after medical treatments. Knowledge of (predictors of) diminished quality of life can help improve medical outcome. The aim of this study was to quantify health loss in patients with burns and to assess the contribution of injury extent, age, gender, and psychologic factors to HRQOL and speed of recovery. A multicenter prospective cohort design was used to address these aims. ⋯ Both injury severity and psychologic problems play a pivotal role in reduced HRQOL and the speed of recovery. The number of surgeries seems to give a practically useful indication of the expected recovery speed that could aid in decision making and provides adequate information for patients in the aftermath of their initial surgical treatment. Screening for traumatic stress is recommended.
-
The current available literature related to scaphoid fracture epidemiology is inconsistent. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiology of true scaphoid fractures in a defined adult population. ⋯ We have reported the epidemiology of true scaphoid fractures, with young males at risk of sustaining a fracture. Knowledge of the true incidence of scaphoid fractures and an understanding of the demographic risk factors are essential when assessing the suspected scaphoid fracture, particularly when considering further imaging modalities.
-
Meta Analysis
Nonoperative management of adult blunt splenic injury with and without splenic artery embolotherapy: a meta-analysis.
Observation and splenic artery embolotherapy (SAE) are nonoperative management (NOM) modalities for adult blunt splenic injury; however, they are quite different, inconsistently applied, and controversial. This meta-analysis compares the known outcomes data for observational management versus SAE by splenic injury grade cohort. ⋯ This meta-analysis synthesizes NOM outcomes data by modality and splenic injury grade. The failure rate of observational management increases with splenic injury grade, whereas the failure rate of SAE does not change significantly. SAE is associated with significantly higher splenic salvage rates in splenic injury grade 4 and 5 injuries.