European journal of trauma and emergency surgery : official publication of the European Trauma Society
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Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg · Apr 2019
ReviewA systematic review of 3251 emergency department thoracotomies: is it time for a national database?
Emergency department thoracotomy (EDT) is a potentially life-saving procedure, performed on patients suffering traumatic cardiac arrest. Multiple indications have been reported, but overall survival remains unclear for each indication. The objective of this systematic review is to determine overall survival, survival stratified by indication, and survival stratified by geographical location for patients undergoing EDT across the world. ⋯ Penetrating injury remains a robust indication for EDT. Non-cardiothoracic cause of cardiac arrest should not preclude EDT. In the absence of on scene SOL, survival following EDT is extremely unlikely. Survival is significantly higher in the non-USA publications; reasons for this are highly complex. A UK multicentre prospective study which collects standardised data on all EDTs could provide robust evidence for better patient stratification.
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The number of geriatric patients is increasing. These patients exhibit specific characteristics, which influence the type of fracture care. Many patients have comorbidities, which make them more vulnerable to surgical procedures. ⋯ The implants, which are used, are inserted through small incisions, placed deep under the skin and use long anatomic or osseous corridors. Intramedullary devices have important advantages. This paradigm shift takes the special challenges and requirements of geriatric patients into account.
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Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg · Apr 2019
Multicenter StudyA seven-center examination of the relationship between monthly volume and mortality in trauma: a hypothesis-generating study.
The relationship between trauma volumes and patient outcomes continues to be controversial, with limited data available regarding the effect of month-to-month trauma volume variability on clinical results. This study examines the relationship between monthly trauma volume variations and patient mortality at seven Level I Trauma Centers located in the Eastern United States. We hypothesized that higher monthly trauma volumes may be associated with lower corresponding mortality. ⋯ This hypothesis-generating study suggests that greater monthly trauma volumes appear to be associated with lower mortality. In addition, our data also suggest that across all participating centers mortality may be a function of relative month-to-month volume variation. When normalized to institution-specific, annually-adjusted "median" monthly trauma contacts, we show that months with patient volumes ≤ 33% median may be associated with subtly but not negligibly (1.4-2.3%) higher mortality than months with patient volumes ≥ 134% median.
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Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg · Apr 2019
ReviewDecision-making for complex scapula and ipsilateral clavicle fractures: a review.
Complex scapula with ipsilateral clavicle fracures remains a challange and treatment recommendations are still missing. This review provides an overview of the evolution of the definition, classification and treatment strategies for complex scapula and ipsilateral clavicle fractures. As with other rare conditions, consensus has not been reached on the most suitable management strategies to treat these patients. The aim of this review is twofold: to compile and summarize the currently available literature on this topic, and to recommend treatment approaches. ⋯ The role of instability in complex scapula with ipsilateral clavicle fractures remains unclear. The question of stability is preoperatively less relevant than the question of whether the dislocated fragments lead to compromised shoulder function.