European journal of trauma and emergency surgery : official publication of the European Trauma Society
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Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg · Apr 2024
No trauma-related diagnosis in emergency trauma room whole-body computer tomography of patients with inconspicuous primary survey.
Whole-body computer tomographic examinations (WBCT) are essential in diagnosing the severely injured. The structured clinical evaluation in the emergency trauma room, according to ATLS® and guidelines, helps to indicate the correct radiological imaging to avoid overtriage and undertriage. This retrospective, single-center study aimed to evaluate the value of WBCT in patients with an inconspicuous primary survey and whether there is any evidence for this investigation in this group of patients. ⋯ Not one of the clinically asymptomatic patients had an imageable injury after WBCT diagnostics in this study. WBCT should only be performed in severely injured patients after clinical assessment regardless of "trauma mechanism." According to guidelines and ATLS®, the clinical examination seems to be a safe and reliable method for reasonable and responsible decision-making regarding the realization of WBCT with all well-known risk factors.
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Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg · Apr 2024
Epidemiology and risk factors for fat embolism in isolated lower extremity long bone fractures.
Fat embolism syndrome (FES) is a serious complication after orthopedic trauma. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for FES in isolated lower extremity long bone fractures. ⋯ Prognostic study.
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Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg · Apr 2024
Comparison of the zonal distribution of calcium salt density and fat marrow in bone-healthy and osteoporotic sacra: an image data analysis using quantitative computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.
Pathogenesis of sacral fragility fractures is not fully understood. This study investigates zonal distribution of calcium salt and fat marrow in intact bone-healthy and osteoporotic pelvis. In addition, in unilateral sacral fractures, the fracture side was compared with the intact side. ⋯ The results suggest that in PEO sacral alae experience disproportionate skeletal rarefaction. This concerns the sacral ala at the S1 level (- 25 ± 55), whereby the calcium salt content is so low that it corresponds to the S3 level of healthy bone (- 20 ± 21 HU). This explains the occurrence of transalar fractures in the load-transmitting zone S1. In PEOFx, the calcium salt density was higher and the fat content was lower on the fractured side than on the intact side, indicating bony compacting due to lateral compression and fat displacement due to hematoma in the accident mechanism. This study makes an important contribution to the understanding of the development of sacral fragility fractures. Furthermore, impaction of the cancellous bone within the fracture can be demonstrated.
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Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg · Apr 2024
Should the level of the posterior instrumentation combined with the intermediate screw be a short segment or a long segment in thoracolumbar fractures with fusion to the fractured segment?
It was aimed to compare the results of long segment posterior instrumentation with intermediate pedicular screw + fusion at the level of the fractured segment including one vertebra above and one below the fractured vertebra (LSPI) and short segment posterior instrumentation with intermediate pedicular screw + fusion at the level of the fractured segment including one vertebra above and one below the fractured vertebra (SSPI) in the surgical treatment of thoracolumbar vertebral fractures. ⋯ LSPI provides better postoperative kyphosis correction of the fractured vertebra than SSPI. Regarding the segment level of posterior instrumentation, there was no difference between the two groups in terms of the loss of achieved correction of VCA, ABH, and PBH at 1-year follow-up. Operating a thoracolumbar fracture with LSPI will lengthen the operation and increase the number of intraoperative fluoroscopies compared to SSPI.
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Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg · Apr 2024
Elbow coverage by the descending superficial radial artery flap: a clinical series and literature review.
Soft tissue coverage of the posterior aspect of the elbow requires thin and flexible flaps to adapt to movements without constraining them. The authors report a clinical series of reconstruction by the descending superficial radial artery (DSRA) flap, a proximal forearm perforator flap which use is rarely reported in the literature. ⋯ The DSRA flap with an adipofascial pedicle is a simple, reliable, and reproducible method for reconstruction of small to moderate-sized defect on the posterior aspect of the elbow. Its use is easier for defects on the posterolateral side, but it can reach the medial olecranon.