European journal of trauma and emergency surgery : official publication of the European Trauma Society
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Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg · Apr 2016
ReviewOpen reduction and internal fixation versus percutaneous transverse Kirschner wire fixation for single, closed second to fifth metacarpal shaft fractures: a systematic review.
Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of single, closed metacarpal shaft fractures is increasingly preferred over closed reduction and percutaneous fixation (K-wire). The aim of this systematic review is to determine whether the preference for ORIF can be substantiated based on the available literature regarding the functional outcome and complications after surgery. ⋯ Although for both techniques good functional outcomes were reported, the significance of the functional impairment after ORIF requiring reoperation suggests ORIF to be a less favorable technique for single, closed metacarpal shaft fractures.
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Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg · Apr 2016
ReviewFrom FAST to E-FAST: an overview of the evolution of ultrasound-based traumatic injury assessment.
Ultrasound is a ubiquitous and versatile diagnostic tool. In the setting of acute injury, ultrasound enhances the basic trauma evaluation, influences bedside decision-making, and helps determine whether or not an unstable patient requires emergent procedural intervention. ⋯ This article provides a synopsis of focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST) and the extended FAST (E-FAST) that incorporates basic thoracic injury assessment. The authors also review key pitfalls, limitations, controversies, and advances related to FAST, E-FAST, and ultrasound education.
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Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg · Apr 2016
ReviewBedside ultrasound procedures: musculoskeletal and non-musculoskeletal.
The widespread availability of ultrasound (US) technology has increased its use for point of care applications in many health care settings. Focused (point of care) US is defined as the act of bringing US evaluation to the bedside for real-time performance. ⋯ The real-time bedside diagnostic ability of US becomes a key tool for the management of patients. The purpose of this review is to (1) provide a general description of the use of focused US for bedside procedures; (2) specify the indications and common techniques used in bedside US procedures; and (3) describe the techniques used for each bedside intervention.
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Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg · Apr 2016
Multicenter Study Observational StudyA multicentre cross-sectional study to examine physicians' ability to rule out a distal radius fracture based on clinical findings.
To study current use of radiography in patients with wrist trauma and examine physicians' ability to rule out a distal radius fracture based on their physical findings. ⋯ Although physicians in the ED are able to accurately discriminate between patients with and without a distal radius fracture based on their physical findings, they were only completely certain of their diagnosis in 19 % of the patients. A validated clinical decision rule could reinforce physician's clinical judgment and support them in their decision not to routinely request radiography.
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Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg · Apr 2016
ReviewOut of hospital point of care ultrasound: current use models and future directions.
Ultrasound has evolved from a modality that was once exclusively reserved to certain specialities of its current state, in which its portability and durability lend to its broadly increasing applications. ⋯ Prehospital ultrasound has the ability to increase diagnostic ability and allow for therapeutic intervention in the field. In austere environments, ultrasound may be the only available imaging modality and thus can guide diagnosis, therapeutics and determine which patients may need emergent transfer to a healthcare facility. The most cutting edge applications of portable ultrasound employ telemedicine to obtain and transmit ultrasound images. This technology and ability to transmit images via satellite and cellular transmission can allow for even novice users to obtain interpretable images in austere environments. Portable ultrasound uses have steadily grown and will continue to do so with the introduction of more portable and durable technologies. As applications continue to grow, certain technologic considerations and future directions are explored.