Injury
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Project Safe Neighborhoods: Dallas (PSND) is part of a national initiative that partners federal, state, and local stakeholders and law enforcement to reduce violent crime, especially firearm violence, in select communities. The authors' hospital is located centrally in PSND's target areas, and the trauma center's service area fully covers the target areas. This cohort study evaluated PSND's effectiveness by examining if PSND's April 2018 launch was associated with decreases in (1) violent crime or (2) the rate of patients presenting with firearm and assaultive injuries. ⋯ Results suggest PSND was ineffective. Criminal activity in the target area was not reduced relative to its pre-intervention levels or relative to the non-target areas. Offenders may have moved outside the target areas to evade increased scrutiny. Additionally, rates of firearm and assaultive injuries increased. As trusted third parties, trauma centers should consider evaluating local crime and injury prevention programs for effectiveness.
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Fibrinogen and platelet, as the two main components of hemostatic resuscitation, are frequently administered in traumatic massive hemorrhage patients. It is reasonable to infer that they may have an impact on post-traumatic sepsis as more and more recognition of their roles in inflammation and immunity. This study aims to determine the association between the fibrinogen/platelet transfusion ratio during the first 24 h after trauma and the risk of the post- traumatic sepsis. ⋯ Early and sufficient supplementation of fibrinogen was a convenient way contribute to reduce the risk of sepsis after trauma.
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The high rates of gun violence in the United States are a recognized public health concern with increased attention since the 1990's. The predominant studies used in gun violence research have been epidemiological approaches and quantitative analyses. This study, instead, examines lived experiences of gunshot wound survivors to better understand their situations. This study also compared the different census categories and their types of gunshot wound injuries. Ethnographic informed analyses may inform public health interventions to decrease firearm injuries. ⋯ Different injury patterns between census groups demonstrates that multiple public health approaches will be needed to decrease firearm violence. Ethnographically informed approaches, including the support of people with previous GSW injuries, may help craft those interventions to reduce injury. Matched peer support programs represent one potential intervention to decrease secondary injury and firearm violence.
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Sacral dysmorphism has been previously reported to occur in 30 % to 40 % of adult patients. It has been described by 6 widely accepted parameters on outlet x-ray views of the pelvis: steep alar slope, retained S1-S2 disk, presence of mamillary bodies, sacralized L5, tongue in groove SI joint, and non-round neural foramina. Studies have focused on the importance of identifying dysmorphism for safe treatment of fractures in pelvises with dysmorphic upper sacral segments. Less is known regarding whether dysmorphism may be protective against trauma. To our knowledge no studies have focused on how dysmorphic sacrums fracture compared to non-dysmorphic (ND) sacrums, and whether operative rates are different. ⋯ Our study suggests that sacral dysmorphism is not protective against operative fixation based on no difference in operative rates between groups. However, our data supports that pelvises with dysmorphic sacrums may fracture differently based on the difference observed regarding other pelvic ring injuries.
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Surgical reconstructions for adult brachial plexus injuries. Part II: Treatments for total arm type.
Brachial plexus injuries (BPI) contribute not only to physical dysfunction but also to socioeconomic aspects and psychological disability. Patients with total arm-type BPI will lose not only the shoulder and elbow function but also the hand function, making reconstruction particularly challenging. ⋯ Although it is difficult to achieve prehensile hand function, most of patients with total arm-type BPI can be treated with satisfied outcomes. In addition to surgical techniques, comprehensive rehabilitation is another important factor for successful outcomes, and efficient communication can help to boost patient morale and eliminate uncertainty.