Injury
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Assuta Ashdod Hospital is a regional trauma center. The hospital received casualties on the first day of the civilian massacre of October 7th and thereafter. The Assuta Ashdod Hospital was designated as an emergency landing site only for unstable or deteriorating patients who would not survive longer flights to a central trauma center. The aim of this study is to share our experience and challenges as a new regional trauma center in a war zone. ⋯ The outcomes of patients admitted to the Assuta Ashdod Hospital were good in treating major trauma patients in a mass casualty event, reaffirming its capabilities as an excellent regional trauma center. Therefore, we suggest that the guidelines for evacuation of battle or major casualty events victims only to central trauma centers unless patients are unstable should be reconsidered, and regional trauma centers could effectively share the burden of the treatment of those patients.
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Occupational injuries impose a substantial global burden, affecting millions of workers annually, which demands urgent attention to enhance workplace safety and health standards. We aimed to outline the frequency, patterns of injury, and clinical characteristics of patients injured by high-rotation cutting tools (grinders) and to pinpoint the neurovascular (nerves and blood vessels) injuries. ⋯ Individuals affected by power-tool accidents were predominantly young males, mainly general laborers, with a significant proportion being expatriates. The trend of grinder-related injuries increases over time, with portable grinders being a primary source of injuries due to direct contact with the blade. The anatomical injuries mainly include fractures of the upper and lower extremities. Further studies are warranted to understand the cultural aspects and training requirements of workers handling power tools, aiming to achieve sustainable injury prevention effectively.
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Vascular injuries are associated with high morbidity and mortality. The management is exceedingly demanding and requires involvement of senior clinician. There are known complications associated with vascular injury ranging from limb loss, stroke, and death. There are limited studies examining other injuries that are associated with vascular trauma. This study aimed to review the pattern, management and outcomes of the other injuries associated with vascular injuries. ⋯ Out of 2805 patients that were admitted in trauma ICU from 2013 to 2022, 153 (5 %) patients had vascular injuries. There were 154 documented vascular injuries and 212 associated injuries. This study found that fractures are the most common injuries to be associated with vascular injury CONCLUSION: The nature of vascular injury and delay to intervention determines outcome of patients, however associated injuries also play an important role in affecting outcomes. The presence of associated injury encourages the multi-disciplinary approach to optimise outcomes.
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Recurrent pneumothorax (rPTX) is a common complication following thoracostomy tube (TT) removal in chest trauma patients. While chest X-ray (CXR) is most commonly used to detect a rPTX, bedside ultraportable ultrasound (UPUS) is a feasible, low cost, and radiation free alternative. No consensus exists with regards to the optimal timing of diagnostic imaging to assess for rPTX post-TT removal. Accordingly, we sought to identify an ideal UPUS timing to detect a rPTX METHODS: We conducted a single center prospective study of adult (≥18years) patients admitted with a chest trauma. UPUS examinations were performed using the Butterfly iQ+™ ultrasound. Three intercostal spaces (ICS) were evaluated (2nd through 4th). Post-TT UPUS examinations were performed at different timepoints following tube removal (1-6 h). A rPTX on UPUS was defined as the absence of lung-sliding in one or more intercostal spaces, and was considered a clinically concerning rPTX if lung-sliding was absent in ≥2 ICS. UPUS findings were compared to CXR. ⋯ Level II, Diagnostic Tests or Criteria.
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Older patients are expected to comprise 40 % of trauma admissions in the next 30 years. The use of whole blood (WB) has shown promise in improving mortality while lowering the utilization of blood products. However, the use of WB in older trauma patients has not been examined. The objective of our study is to determine the safety and efficacy of a WB first transfusion strategy in injured older patients. ⋯ The use of WB in the older trauma patient appears safe, with mortality and complication rates comparable to component therapy. Blood product utilization is significantly less in those that are resuscitated with WB first.