J Trauma
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Comparative Study
Long-term evaluation of a trauma center-based juvenile driving intervention program.
Motor vehicle-related trauma remains the leading cause of adolescent injury and death in the United States. We previously reported results from the Drive Alive (DA) program-a comprehensive juvenile prevention program that highlights risky driving behavior and consequences-and demonstrated a reduction in recidivism 6 months after its completion. We further evaluated the results of the original and subsequent participants on a long-term basis. ⋯ Consistent with our prior results, this interactive intervention for juvenile driving offenders resulted in a statistically significant reduction in driving-related offenses for the 6-month periods after its completion. This effect is lost in the long term. The role of booster interventions at 6 months and beyond, as adjuncts to initial interventional prevention initiatives, needs to be explored to aid sustained positive effects in this population of drivers.
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Comparative Study
Early VATS for blunt chest trauma: a management technique underutilized by acute care surgeons.
Retained hemothorax and/or empyema is a commonly recognized complication of penetrating chest injuries that may be treated by early video-assisted thoracoscopy (VATS). However, the use of VATS in blunt chest trauma is less well defined. Our acute care surgeon (ACS) group aggressively treats complications of penetrating chest trauma with VATS, and our results suggested that the early use of VATS by ACS should be expanded. ⋯ Early VATS can decrease hospital LOS and thoracotomy rate in patient suffering blunt thoracic injuries. ACS can perform this procedure safely and effectively.
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Comparative Study
Minor trauma is an unrecognized contributor to poor fetal outcomes: a population-based study of 78,552 pregnancies.
Fetal outcomes after minor injury (MI) to pregnant women are difficult to study because these patients are discharged after emergency room evaluation and not entered in trauma registries. The purpose of this study was to determine the association of both minor and severe injury on fetal demise and prematurity/low birth weight (LBW) in a large population-based study using robust state databases. ⋯ As expected, fetal mortality and morbidity increased after severe injury. Surprisingly, MI was associated with fetal demise, premature delivery, and LBW. Pregnant women who sustain MI should be told that they are at increased risk for an adverse outcome.
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Comparative Study
Age: is it all in the head? Factors influencing mortality in elderly patients with head injuries.
Elderly patients, an increasing segment of the population, who sustain traumatic brain injury (TBI) are known to have worse outcomes, including higher mortality. This objective of this study was to examine the Crash Injury Research Engineering Network and to determine at what age motor vehicle crash fatalities from head injuries increased. ⋯ There was a higher mortality secondary to head injuries in those older than 60 years involved in motor vehicle crashes. Improved safety measures in vehicle design may decrease the number of head injuries seen in the older population.
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The objective of this study was to describe the severity of oral/facial problems occurring in Navy and Marine Corps personnel deployed to Iraq. ⋯ Although the majority of military personnel with oral/facial problems experience mild to moderate pain or loss of dental function, approximately 20% are of sufficient severity to cause the warfighter to experience a limitation of their operational capability.