Pediatric surgery international
-
Pediatr. Surg. Int. · Mar 2013
Comparative StudyImpact of trauma system development on pediatric injury care.
Trauma systems improve survival by directing severely injured patients to trauma centers. This study analyzes the impact of trauma systems on pediatric triage and injury mortality rates. ⋯ Trauma systems decreased childhood injury hospitalization rates and increased the percentage of severely injured children and brain-injured children admitted to trauma centers. Mortality and overall triage rates were unaffected.
-
Handlebar injuries in children may lead to severe organ lesions despite minimal initial signs and without visible skin bruise. We present our experiences applying a diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm for blunt abdominal trauma, and present the history of two selected cases. ⋯ Handlebar injuries in children resulted in serious trunk lesions in half of the present patient series. The spectrum of injuries in handlebar accidents varies widely, especially injuries to the abdomen can unmask often only in the course. We advocate close observation of patients with thoracic and abdominal handlebar injuries which may be regarded as blunt stab wounds. An institutional algorithm for blunt abdominal trauma management is supportive for emergency care in patients with handlebar injuries.