Eur J Trauma Emerg S
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Eur J Trauma Emerg S · Apr 2008
The Prognostic Significance of Pulmonary Contusions on Initial Chest Radiographs in Blunt Trauma Patients.
The importance of immediate versus delayed pulmonary contusions among severely injured blunt trauma patients is unknown. We hypothesized that patients with pulmonary contusions apparent on initial chest radiographs have higher rates of mortality and acute respiratory distress syndrome than patients who have delayed radiographic changes of pulmonary contusions. ⋯ Amongst intubated blunt trauma patients with confirmed pulmonary contusions diagnosis, an initial chest radiograph that reveals immediate pulmonary contusion is associated with higher mortality and ARDS compared with the absence of such findings. This suggests that the initial chest radiographs have prognostic significance in relation to pulmonary contusions due to blunt trauma.
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Eur J Trauma Emerg S · Apr 2008
Effective Hemostasis in Severe Mesenteric Vein Laceration with Tachosil(®), using a Low- or Non-thrombogenic Patch to Prevent Tachosil(®)-induced Thrombosis.
Fibrinogen- and thrombin-coated collagen fleece (FTCC) facilitates surgical hemostasis, and is of particular value during resection of parenchymatous organs. Since thrombosis may ensue if the preparation is unintentionally applied intravascularly, it has not been recommended for treating lacerations of large veins, and no previous reports describe its use in vein repair. Our observations in two patients suggest, however, that FTCC might be indicated for hemostasis in vein injury where vascular suture is difficult or not possible, provided a low- or non-thrombogenic patch is interposed to prevent FTCC-induced vein thrombosis. ⋯ In our second patient we therefore put a small patch of parietal peritoneum on the section of the Tachosil(®) targeted to cover the vein tear to avoid direct contact between Tachosil(®) and the vein lumen. Ultrasound examination 3 days postoperatively, and autopsy 11.5 months later showed that the vein was widely patent with no stenosis or thrombus. Our observations in these two patients were that an FTCC-omentum pack alone secured rapid hemostasis in severe SMV laceration, and when a peritoneal patch was interposed between FTCC and a lacerated SMV, FTCC-induced vein thrombosis did not occur.
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Eur J Trauma Emerg S · Apr 2008
Intracranially Retained Sewing Needle in a Child: Does the Rust on the Needle Have any Implication?
A penetrating injury with a sewing needle is a rare phenomenon. The pathophysiological mechanism of late epilepsy after penetrating injuries is not clear. A 10-year-old female child had a seizure. ⋯ A right posterior frontal median craniotomy was performed in order not to retract the left hemisphere within the interhemispheric fissure and the sewing needle was removed successfully. The sewing needle was rusted. The reason for the patient's seizure, 10 years after the injury, may be the corrosion of the sewing needle and rust formation in this case.
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Eur J Trauma Emerg S · Apr 2008
Bilateral Sacroiliac Joint Dislocation in an Adolescent after a Skiing Accident.
A bilateral sacroiliac joint (SI joint) dislocation is a rare injury pattern, in contrast to bilateral fracture dislocations of the SI joint. The incidence of pelvic dislocation of the SI joint without significant bone structural damage would most likely be observed in young children or adolescents after receiving a blunt, high energy impact. These young patients often suffer life threatening injuries to the intestines, neural or vascular systems or severe injury of the urinary tract. ⋯ This rare injury is a consequence of a pure vertical shear impact. This case report describes a technical pitfall of the iliolumbar transfixation and a solution to the problem. A dorso-ventro-dorsal approach, which utilizes both iliolumbar transfixation and ventral bilateral double plating osteosynthesis will be presented.
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Clench fist or fight bite injuries are associated with some of the worst types of infective complications but their mechanism is often poorly understood. In a retrospective case series, 34 patients seen between 1998 and 2004 presented to a local hand surgery unit with confirmed human bite hand injuries. Seventy-six percent presented with infective complications with a mean delay in presentation of 4 days. ⋯ High rates of non-compliance and incomplete follow-up was noted. Major long-term complications including limited range of movement and osteomyelitis was low and suggests the policy of prompt and comprehensive surgical and medical intervention is the optimal treatment option. A brief but in-depth discussion of the specific anatomical pitfalls is included.