Injury
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Current U.S./Canadian guidelines recommend hip fracture surgery within 48 h of injury to decrease morbidity/mortality. Multiple studies have identified medical optimization as the key component of time to surgery, but have inherent bias as patients with multiple co-morbidities often take longer to optimize. This study aimed to evaluate time from medical optimization to surgery (TMOS) to determine if "real surgical delay" is associated with: 1) mortality and 2) complications for geriatric hip fracture patients. ⋯ "Real surgical delay", or TMOS is not associated with increased complications or with inpatient mortality for geriatric hip fracture patients. With few exceptions, our institution adhered to the 48-hour time window from injury to hip surgery. We maintain the belief timely surgery following optimization plays a crucial role in the geriatric hip fracture patient outcomes.
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Power tools are essential for productivity but carry significant injury risks. Addressing power tool injuries across diverse age groups is vital, as existing research predominantly focuses on specific occupational or non-occupational groups, leaving a gap in understanding various age cohorts within the diverse American population. This study aims to comprehend power tool injury epidemiology, raising awareness about the importance of targeted safety measures for enhancing public health. ⋯ The higher incidence among middle-aged individuals in domestic settings, coupled with evolving gender dynamics, underscores the need for targeted safety measures. Our findings contribute crucial novel insights, emphasizing tailored preventive strategies to enhance safety outcomes in the multifaceted landscape of power tool use.
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To examine the effects of RBF (Retained Bullet Fragment) removal at the time of long bone fixation on FRI (fracture related infection) rates in low energy GSI (Gunshot Injury) related fractures. ⋯ In our study population, we found a statistically significantly increased incidence of deep and early FRI-LGI when RBFs are not removed at the time of extra-articular long bone internal fixation. The presence of retained bullet fragments following internal fixation may pose a risk factor for future development of deep FRI-LGI. We believe a surgeon should use their best judgment as to whether a RBF can safely be removed at the time of long bone fixation. Based on our findings, if safely permitted, RBF removal should be considered at the time of GSI long bone fixation resulting from low energy hand gun injuries.
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Traumatic heterotopic ossification (tHO) refers to the development of extra-skeletal bone in muscle and soft tissues following tissue insult secondary to surgery or trauma. This presents a persistent clinical concern associated with significant patient morbidity and expense to diagnose and treat. Traumatic HO is a substantial barrier to rehabilitation for trauma-injured patients. As such, the development of tHO after burn and other trauma is hypothesised to prolong inpatient length of stay (LOS) and thus increase health care costs. ⋯ Traumatic heterotopic ossification is an independent explanatory factor for increased hospital LOS in patients following burns, spinal cord, and traumatic brain injury. Early diagnosis may assist in reducing the impact of tHO on acute hospital stay after trauma.
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Staphylococcus aureus fracture-related infections (FRIs) are associated with significant morbidity in part because conventional antibiotic therapies have limited ability to eradicate S. aureus in sessile states. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the feasibility of using Staphylococcal bacteriophages for FRI by testing the activity of a library of Staphylococcal bacteriophage therapeutics against historically preserved S. aureus FRI clinical isolates. ⋯ Our findings show that Staphylococcal bacteriophage therapeutics are readily available for S. aureus FRI clinical isolates. However, when correlated with the current barriers to using bacteriophages to treat FRI, designated Staphylococcal bacteriophage cocktails with broad spectrum activity should be created.