Eur J Trauma Emerg S
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A compartment syndrome is an increased tissue pressure within a closed osteofascial compartment. This compromises blood flow to the muscles and nerves within that compartment, which -if not treated adequately in an early stage-results in permanent tissue and nerve damage. It most frequently occurs in the lower leg, but can also occur elsewhere when muscles are enclosed in tight fascial compartments, such as the forearm and hand. ⋯ Possibly a wet-suit or dry-suit offers some protection. However, the duration of strangulation determines much of the damage. Although diagnosis of a compartment syndrome can be difficult, a high index of suspicion combined with fast and adequate treatment with a fasciotomy improve outcome and prognosis.
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Eur J Trauma Emerg S · Feb 2009
Evaluation of Quality of Trauma Care in a Local Hospital Using a Customization of ASCOT.
Evaluating processes of care and outcomes of injured patients are important if improvements in the quality of care delivered to injured patients are to be accomplished. We applied a customized ASCOT model developed from our database as a tool to criticize the quality of care in a local hospital. ⋯ We believe that a customization of ASCOT model when used for evaluation of quality of care in a local hospital can be useful for detection of defects and improvement of the process of care delivered to the patients.
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Eur J Trauma Emerg S · Feb 2009
How to Cover Soft-Tissue Defects After Injuries to the Leg in Precarious Conditions.
In precarious conditions, bone exposure on the leg is synonymous with amputation. The authors describe their experiences with such injuries in 15 patients. ⋯ The pedicled flap is an essential technique for fighting against infection, especially in cases where only poor technical and medicinal resources are available. This simple and reliable technique allows most tissue defects on the leg to be covered.
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Eur J Trauma Emerg S · Feb 2009
Is Routine Spiral CT-Chest Justified in Evaluation of the Major Blunt Trauma Patients?
New generation spiral CT scanners permit multiple consecutive CT examinations on the same trauma patient in a short period of time. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic role and therapeutic impact of routine spiral CT chest in multiply injured patients or patients with a suspicious mechanism of injury. ⋯ Although the incidence of significant injuries identified by the chest CT scan was low, it did prompt immediate intervention in a significant number of patients; some of them had potentially life-threatening injuries. Routine use of CT scanning is warranted in early evaluation of polytrauma patients or patients with severe blunt chest trauma.
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We present a case of pulled elbow in an adolescent patient that required open reduction.