Injury
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The aim of this study was to report the epidemiological characteristics and the experience of 5 departments of trauma, in France, in the management of fractures of the proximal ulna. 163 patients with fractures of the proximal ulna with a mean age of 49.9 years (range 16-97) were managed. The most common mode of injury was a motor vehicle collision (48%). 18% sustained associated injuries to the ipsilateral limb. Open fractures were present in 42 patients (25%). ⋯ The radiocapitellar joint has to be restored appropriately, preserving the radial head when possible and replacing it with a prosthesis otherwise. The lateral collateral ligament complex is commonly disrupted and usually can be reattached to its origin from the lateral epicondyle. In addition, a brief period of hinged external fixation should be considered.
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Approximately one in three older adults fall each year, resulting in a significant proportion of geriatric traumatic injuries. In a hospital with a focus on geriatric fall prevention, we sought to characterize this population to develop targeted interventions. As mild hyponatremia, defined as a serum sodium <135meq/L, has been reported to be associated with falls, unsteadiness and attention deficits, we hypothesized that hyponatremia is associated with falls in our geriatric trauma population. ⋯ Hyponatremic patients are significantly more likely to be admitted for a fall than non-hyponatremic patients, when adjusting for age, neurological disorder, and hematologic disorder. Consequently, hyponatremia identification and management should be an integral part of any geriatric trauma fall prevention programme. Additionally, if hyponatremia is found during a geriatric fall workup, it should be corrected prior to discharge and closely monitored by a primary care physician to prevent recurrent episodes of falls.
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Observational Study
Prevalence of severe hypokalaemia in patients with traumatic brain injury.
Patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) are more vulnerable to develop hypokalaemia, we sought to investigate the prevalence, and the relationship between severe hypokalaemia and the mortality of traumatic brain injury patients. ⋯ The peak incidence of severe hypokalaemia occurred in the first 24-96h. TBI patients with severe hypokalaemia are more vulnerable to develop hypophosphataemia and hypernatraemia than patients with mild and moderate hypokalaemia. Severe hypokalaemia are the independent risk factors for mortality in TBI patients.
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Comparative Study
Inter and intra-observer agreement evaluation of the AO and the Tronzo classification systems of fractures of the trochanteric area.
We performed an agreement study of the AO and the Tronzo classifications of fractures of the trochanteric area to determine if they allow communication among practitioners with different levels of expertise. ⋯ The AO classification allows an adequate communication when considering the main fracture types; the agreement within sub-types is not satisfactory. The Tronzo classification does not allow reliable communication between medical professionals.
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Observational Study
Admission blood glucose predicted haemorrhagic shock in multiple trauma patients.
Admission blood glucose is known to be a predictor for outcome in several disease patterns, especially in critically ill trauma patients. The underlying mechanisms for the association of hyperglycaemia and poor outcome are still not proven. It was hypothesised that hyperglycaemia upon hospital admission is associated with haemorrhagic shock and in-hospital mortality. ⋯ In multiple trauma, non-diabetic patients, admission blood glucose predicted the incidence of haemorrhagic shock. Admission blood glucose is an inexpensive, rapidly and easily available laboratory value that might help to identify patients at risk for haemorrhagic shock during initial evaluation upon hospital admission.