Injury
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Posterior internal fixation for unstable pelvic ring fractures is often associated with complications, including pelvic hemorrhage and gluteal necrosis. Pelvic ring fixation using the S2 alar iliac screw (SAIS) without fixation of the lumbosacral vertebrae may have potential as a novel, minimally invasive technique for treating unstable pelvic ring fractures. The present study compared clinical outcomes in patients who underwent SAIS fixation within the pelvic ring with a historical control group of patients who underwent conventional trans-iliac plate fixation for the treatment of unstable pelvic ring fractures. ⋯ SAIS fixation reduces intraoperative blood loss and ensures bone healing without major complications, including dislocation of the fracture site. SAIS fixation may therefore be an alternative, minimally invasive method of treating unstable pelvic fractures.
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Injuries are a significant cause of mortality and morbidity, particular in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). While there is a focus on increasing injury care capacity, less attention is given to assessing, improving, and understanding the quality of care provided, especially from a patient perspective. This study therefore aims to understand what patients from a Zambian orthopaedic ward believe good quality care to be, to identify its key components, and contribute to better understanding what patients believe local healthcare priorities could be. ⋯ The hierarchy of core categories could help to identify areas to improve care quality in this setting. Not only has this study helped to determine local priorities for achieving high-quality care but can encourage others to test injured patient perceptions of care quality in comparable settings.
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Air pollutants have an impact on the occurrence of spine fractures, hip fractures, proximal humerus fractures and forearm fractures. This study aimed at evaluating the short-term impact of particulate matter with aerodynamic diameters of less than 2.5 µm (PM2.5) on the occurrence of those fractures in Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China. ⋯ Year by year, fractures in Shijiazhuang City exhibited an increasing trend. PM2.5 can affect the occurrence of those fractures. The impact on women, adolescents and people of working age is even greater. The supervision of PM2.5 should be strengthened while large-scale emissions should be limited.