Injury
-
The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiological results of adult forearm fractures treated with interlocking intramedullary nailing. ⋯ Intramedullary interlocking nailing with a compression screw is an alternative method of fixation for treating adult forearm fractures and provides good clinical outcomes with reliable union rates.
-
Current guidelines continue to lead to under- and over-triage of injured patients in the pre-hospital setting. End-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) has been correlated with mortality and hemorrhagic shock in trauma patients. This study examines the correlation between ETCO2 and in-hospital outcomes among non-intubated patients in the pre-hospital setting. ⋯ Low initial pre-hospital ETCO2 associates with poor clinical outcomes despite similar ISS and mechanisms of injury. ETCO2 is a potentially useful pre-hospital point-of-care tool to aid triage of trauma patients as it may identify hemorrhaging patients and predict mortality.
-
Large animal-related injuries (LARI) are relatively uncommon, but, nevertheless, a public hazard. The objective of this study was to better understand LARI injury patterns and outcomes. ⋯ Patients involved in a LARI are moderately injured with more complex injuries occurring in the chest, head, and lower extremities. Fall from horse was the most common LARI mechanism. Overall mortality was low. Compared to non-riders, riders were more likely to sustain severe injuries to the chest and spine. Severe injury patterns were similar when comparing riders to MVC and, given that most LARI are riding injuries, we recommend trauma teams approach LARI as they would an MVC.
-
The aim of this study was to describe a surgical technique and report on patient-based functional outcomes and complications following open reduction and internal fixation in patients with scapular fractures. ⋯ Open reduction and internal fixation of displaced scapular fractures is a safe and effective treatment option that results in a reliable union rate and good-to-excellent functional outcome.
-
Operative stabilization of flail chest has been shown to have several benefits over nonoperative management. Often, flail chest injuries will involve the anterior ribs and their associated costal cartilage. In certain cases, operative fixation with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of anterior rib fractures involving the costal cartilage may be warranted. Currently, there is scant literature regarding the surgical approach and clinical outcomes of ORIF involving the costal cartilage. The purpose of this study is to describe the surgical approach and first reported clinical series for patients undergoing anterior rib ORIF involving the costal cartilage. ⋯ Open reduction and internal fixation of anterior rib fractures involving the costal cartilage is a safe procedure with low complication rates and favorable postoperative outcomes including hospital length of stay, intensive care unit length of stay, postoperative pneumonia, need for tracheostomy, and mechanical ventilation time.