Injury
-
Fractures of the pubic rami are associated with prolonged pain, bed rest and increased morbidity and mortality. Often no further diagnostic work-up is undertaken and the pubic rami fractures are classified as stable injuries. However, fractured pubic rami seem to be only part of the picture and are often associated with posterior pelvic ring injury. This retrospective study was designed to evaluate the posterior ring for undetected injury in patients diagnosed with pubic rami fractures. ⋯ Nearly all cases with fractures of the pubic rami do have a lesion elsewhere within the pelvic ring. In patients with prolonged pain and immobility following 'pubic rami fractures' one should be aware that they probably represent an undiagnosed pelvic ring injury and further diagnostic work-up - sometimes even surgery - is warranted.
-
To evaluate the activity of visceral surgeons assigned to the Medical Treatment Facility (MTF) (role 3) in Kabul International Airport (KAIA) and identify the skills and qualifications required by these specialists. ⋯ A visceral surgeon in a role 3 MTF should master a wide range of skills and expertise to be able to deal with many complex situations, in particular life-threatening situations such as thoracic and vascular wounds. A comprehensive surgical training programme for surgeons in abroad deployment (Advance Course for Deployment Surgery - CACHIRMEX) has been designed and settled up in 2007 to provide these necessary skills. The feedback obtained from each previous deployment demonstrates that the advanced course for deployment surgery provides visceral surgeons the necessary skills required to deliver surgical healthcare in a role 3 MTF. However, a regular assessment of this programme is mandatory to ensure that this training stays appropriate and contributes to better outcomes and a decreased mortality rate.
-
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of death and disability in both children and the elderly. Mortality from TBI is said account for 1-2% of all deaths. One-third to one-half of all traumatic deaths is due to head injury. Of those who survive, the majority is left with significant disabilities, including 3% who remain in a vegetative state and only approximately 30% who make a good recovery. Microarray studies and other genomic techniques facilitate the discovery of new targets for the treatment of diseases, which aids in drug development, immunotherapeutics and gene therapy. Gene expression profiling or microarray analysis enables the measurement of thousands of genes in a single RNA sample. ⋯ In this study, we will review the current understanding of the genetic susceptibility of TBI with microarrays. Our results highlight the importance of genes that control the response of the brain to injury as well as the suitability of microarrays for identifying specific targets for further study.
-
To compare lung and liver injury and laboratory results in haemorrhagic shock and sepsis models treated with combinations of lactated Ringer's solution (LR), 7.5% hypertonic saline (HTS), hydroxyethyl starch (HES), and pentoxifylline (PTX). ⋯ HTS-PTX was superior to HES, LR-PTX, and LR for treating shock and sepsis, and LR-PTX and HES gave better results than LR therapy alone.