Eur J Trauma Emerg S
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Eur J Trauma Emerg S · Jun 2013
Severe trauma of the chest wall: surgical rib stabilisation versus non-operative treatment.
Serial rib fractures and flail chest injury can be treated by positive-pressure ventilation. Operative techniques reduce intensive care unit (ICU) stay, overall costs, mortality and morbidity, as well as pain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the benefit of surgical rib stabilisation in comparison to non-operative treatment in patients with severe trauma of the chest wall. ⋯ Operative rib stabilisation with plates is a safe therapy option for severe trauma of the chest wall. Provided that the duration of preoperative mechanical ventilation and time spent in the ICU is minimised due to early operation, our data suggest that the stabilisation of serial rib fractures and flail chest may lead to a reduced time of mechanical ventilation, time in the ICU and mortality.
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Eur J Trauma Emerg S · Jun 2013
Contralateral extraaxial hematomas after urgent neurosurgery of a mass lesion in patients with traumatic brain injury.
The development of a contralateral extraaxial hematoma has repeatedly been described in small series and descriptive studies. However, the evidence available to date is limited. ⋯ Contralateral extraaxial hematoma is a rare entity, although it has a high mortality rate. Therefore, it requires a high index of suspicion, especially in patients with severe TBI, with minimal contralateral injury and mainly with contralateral skull fracture on the initial CT scan.