Injury
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Selected patients in traumatic cardiac arrest may benefit from pre-hospital thoracotomy. Pre-hospital care physicians rarely have surgical training and the procedure is rarely performed in most European systems. Limited data exists to inform teaching and training for this procedure. We set out to run a pilot study to determine the time required to perform a thoracotomy and the a priori defined complication rate. ⋯ Clamshell thoracotomy can be taught using cadaver models. In this simulated environment, the procedure may be performed rapidly with minimum equipment.
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Inferior vena cava injuries are highly lethal. We experienced a case of retrohepatic inferior vena cava injury as a result of blunt trauma in a three-year-old female. Because the site of bleeding of the IVC was identified, we repaired it with running sutures. ⋯ Since it was also found that the haemodynamics was unstable, the child underwent another intervention before the stenosis of the IVC was fixed. To the best of our knowledge, there have been no previous reports of therapeutic radiological intervention for stenosis that developed after treatment of a traumatic IVC injury. The IVC in the present case recovered enough patency so that the collateral venous flow could be decreased after balloon dilatation angioplasty.
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Morbidity and mortality from intentional and unintentional injury accounts for a high burden of disease in low- and middle-income countries. In addition to prevention measures, interventions that increase healthcare capacity to manage injuries may be an effective way to decrease morbidity and mortality. A trauma curriculum tailored to low-resource settings was implemented in Managua, Nicaragua utilising traditional didactic methods and novel low-cost simulation methods. Knowledge gain in attending and senior residents was subsequently assessed by using pre- and post-written tests, and by scoring pre- and post-simulation scenarios. ⋯ A considerable improvement in participants' knowledge of trauma concepts was demonstrated by statistically significant differences in both pre- and post-course written assessments and simulation exercises. The participants showed greatest improvement in trauma simulation scenarios, in which they learned, and subsequently demonstrated, a standardised approach to assessing and managing trauma patients. Low-cost simulation can be a valuable and effective education tool in low- and middle-income countries.
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Orthopaedic trauma is an increasingly common problem in geriatric patients. As demands of daily life and recreational activities are increasing in these patients, surgeons need to be able to manage geriatric fractures to achieve good functional results. Reduced bone quality in the elderly presents a considerable challenge and may preclude the use of established surgical stabilisation techniques that are performed in younger trauma patients. ⋯ In this respect, application of external fixators represents a validated, minimally-invasive treatment opportunity. This review article summarises the use of external fixation in geriatric trauma patients for wrist fractures, proximal femoral fractures, pelvic fractures, and ankle fractures. Modern modifications, like pin coating with hydroxyapatite, and aspects of pin care will be discussed.
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White-eyed blowout fracture was first termed by Jordan et al. in individuals sustaining a blow to the periocular area and presenting with ocular symptoms, although with minimal soft tissue signs of trauma. It is often found in pure orbital floor blowout fractures among paediatric patients, and it could manifest as a linear or hinge-like trapdoor deformity. Unlike the more common open orbital blowout fractures with distinct diagnostic clinical signs, white-eyed blowout fractures are rarer and their diagnoses can be easily missed, subsequently costing an optimal time window for surgical intervention. ⋯ The current literature review discusses the types of fracture pattern, signs and symptoms, mechanism of action, as well as timing of surgery. In view of the common complication of persistent diplopia, clinical pitfalls in achieving this diagnosis are emphasized to prevent any delay of treatment. Current literature evidences are weighted towards urgent surgical intervention, as positive outcomes are found to correlate with earlier release of entrapments.