Eur J Trauma Emerg S
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Eur J Trauma Emerg S · Aug 2008
The use of Hypertonic Saline in the Treatment of Post-Traumatic Cerebral Edema: A Review.
Effective methods for treating cerebral edema have recently become a matter of both extensive research and significant debate within the neurosurgery and trauma surgery communities. The pathophysiologic progression and outcome of different forms of cerebral edema associated with traumatic brain injury have yet to be fully elucidated. There are heterogeneous factors influencing the onset and progress of post-traumatic cerebral edema, including the magnitude and type of head injury, age, co-morbid conditions of the patient, the critical window for therapeutic intervention and the presence of secondary insults including hypoxia, hypotension, hypo/hyperthermia, degree of raised intracranial pressure (ICP), and disruption of blood brain barrier (BBB) integrity. ⋯ More recently, fluid resuscitation strategies using hyperosmolar agents such as pentastarch and hypertonic saline (HS) have achieved some success. HS treatment is of particular interest due to its apparent advantageous action over other types of hyper-osmotic solutions in both clinical and laboratory studies. In this review, we provide a summary of recent literature concerning the pathogenesis and mechanisms involved in the various types of cerebral edema, and the possible mechanisms of action of HS for the treatment cerebral edema.
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Eur J Trauma Emerg S · Aug 2008
Midfacial Fractures: A Scoring Method and Validation on 117 Patients.
The midfacial region (MR) is located in the middle-third of the face, composed of several bones and surrounded by complex anatomical structures so that MR fractures (MRFs) often involve other parts of the face. A staging system for classifying MRFs is of paramount importance in order to exchange information among trauma centers. Le Fort described three lines of fractures but still there is no scoring method to stage MRFs. ⋯ In conclusion, the proposed classification is a simple and precise method of staging MRFs. It can summarize MRFs and be used in daily practice. It is our understanding, however, that a multi-centers study should be performed before the effectiveness of the proposed classification can be clearly stated.
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Eur J Trauma Emerg S · Aug 2008
Displaced Operable Radial Head Fractures : Functional Outcome Correlations.
Radial head fractures are common injuries occurring in conjunction with other injuries. We hypothesize that the associated injuries are under-diagnosed, under-treated and are under-estimated in terms of their relevance to the patients final functional outcome. We hypothesize a high correlation between the associated injuries and poor functional scores. ⋯ "Isolated radial head fractures" are rare. All displaced radial head fractures need thorough clinical and radiographic evaluation. The associated injuries are often unappreciated on initial diagnosis and are often under-treated. Associated injuries are strongly correlated with poor functional scores and therefore need to be addressed during surgery.
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Injuries to the pancreaticoduodenal complex present a significant challenge both in diagnosis and management. The retroperitoneal location of the pancreas means that it is not a common site of injury, but this also contributes to the difficulty in diagnosis, as the organ is concealed, and investigation often results in delay with its attendant increase in morbidity. ⋯ In many cases the surgical management is relatively simple, but occasionally complex and technical surgical solutions are necessary and the position of the pancreas makes its access and all procedures on it challenging. To compound this, pancreatic trauma is associated with a high incidence of injury to adjoining organs and major vascular structures, which adds to the high morbidity and mortality, and complications occur in 30-60% of patients [1, 2].
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Hepatic injuries are one of the most common abdominal injuries following either blunt or penetrating trauma. CT scanning has revolutionized the treatment algorithm for these patients. The majority of patients are successfully treated with nonoperative management, but surgeons should have a clear understanding of the indications for operative intervention. An array of techniques including operative, interventional, and endoscopic, are often required for management of advanced grade hepatic injuries.