Eur J Trauma Emerg S
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Eur J Trauma Emerg S · Feb 2012
Multiple blunt trauma after suicidal attempt: an analysis of 4,754 multiple severely injured patients.
The suicidal attempt is a significant cause for multiple severe injuries in Germany. The aim of the present study was to obtain information regarding injury patterns, clinical treatment, and outcome. ⋯ Falls from a height are a common cause of injury among severely injured patients. The resulting trauma composes a particular form of blunt trauma with severe and multiple injuries, which depends on the fact of whether the free fall from a height was caused by an accident or as a result of a suicidal attempt. Taking the injury severity into consideration, there is no difference in the prognosis of the patients.
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Eur J Trauma Emerg S · Feb 2012
Gastrointestinal tract perforation following blunt abdominal trauma: an institution's experience.
Traumatic perforation of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) poses numerous challenges for surgeons worldwide. We aimed to review our institution's experience and highlight the pertinent issues in managing this problem. ⋯ Prompt and early surgery for traumatic gastrointestinal perforation is advised. Any abnormal CT scans warrants either surgery or close monitoring. Direct repair of the perforation is preferred, if possible.
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About half of all trauma-related deaths occur after hospital admission. The present study tries to characterize trauma deaths according to the time of death, and, thereby, contributes to the discussion about factors considered as the cause of death. ⋯ The time to death after severe trauma does not follow a trimodal distribution but shows a constantly decreasing incidence.
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Eur J Trauma Emerg S · Feb 2012
Ultrasonographic evaluation of costal cartilage fractures unnoticed by the conventional radiographic study and multidetector computed tomography.
Rib fractures are the most common injuries resulting from blunt chest trauma. However, costal cartilage fractures are almost invisible on chest X-rays unless they involve calcified cartilage. The sensitivity of conventional radiography and computed tomography for detecting rib fractures is limited, especially in cases where rib cartilage is involved. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the sensitivities of chest wall ultrasonography, clinical findings, and radiography in the detection of costal cartilage fractures. ⋯ The results of this study suggest that ultrasonography may be a useful imaging method for detecting costal cartilage fractures overlooked on conventional radiographs and computed tomography in patients with minor blunt chest trauma. Early ultrasonographic evaluation can give more accurate information than clinical and radiologic evaluation in detecting costal cartilage fractures and sternal fractures that are overlooked on conventional radiography and computed tomography after minor blunt chest trauma.
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Eur J Trauma Emerg S · Feb 2012
Hip fracture surgery and performance indicators: an analysis of 941 patients operated in a large teaching hospital.
In the Netherlands, two performance indicators for the treatment of hip fracture patients have been recently implemented. Both indicators state that surgery within 24 h after admission improves the outcome with regard to 1-year mortality and the amount of re-operations within 1 year. To determine the value of these performance indicators, we conducted a retrospective analysis of 941 hip fracture patients. ⋯ We conclude that hip fracture surgery within 24 h does not provide significantly better results in terms of 1-year mortality and the amount of re-operations within 1 year.