J Trauma
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Victims of violence are likely to become repeat victims of violence. Emergency department-based secondary prevention initiatives have been proposed to help break the cycle of violence for these youth. Trauma centers, by nature of their designation, are often charged with the responsibility of developing these prevention initiatives. We hypothesize that the majority of youth who are injured by violence are treated in nontrauma centers. Given the goal is to prevent recurrent injury, trauma center-based initiatives may be misdirected. ⋯ Given the vast majority of patients are not seen at trauma centers, any prevention initiatives located here will not achieve the goals of preventing recurrent injury on a population basis. Secondary prevention initiatives should be implemented and evaluated in nontrauma centers.
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Fractures of the talar neck are relatively uncommon. The reported rates of avascular necrosis in Hawkins type II fractures vary from 34% to 50%. Various strategies have been adapted to prevent the occurrence of avascular necrosis. ⋯ The use of a vascularized cuboid pedicle bone graft and combined internal and external fixation can effectively prevent avascular necrosis of the talus in preliminary study. Further randomized control research is necessary to clarify the effectiveness of this technique.
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To report our experience with the diagnosis and treatment of aortoiliac vascular injuries caused by misplaced orthopedic fixation screws. ⋯ Vascular injuries related to misplacement of fixation screws are relatively infrequent but potential life and limb-threatening complications that require early recognition with prompt repair of vascular lesions and screw reposition.
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Specific information about the supervision of young children with injuries related to falls is limited. In this study, we describe the supervision and physical environment of falls resulting in medical care in the emergency department. ⋯ Many children were supervised at the time of their fall. Most caretakers had visual contact, and up to a third were touching or within reach of the child. The strategies used in these apparently low-risk situations were insufficient to prevent the falls we report.
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Blunt thoracic trauma including behind armour blunt trauma or impact from a less lethal kinetic weapon (LLKW) projectile may cause injuries, including pulmonary contusions that can result in potentially lethal secondary complications. These lung injuries may be caused by intrathoracic pressure waves. The aim of this study was to observe dynamic changes in intrathoracic hydrostatic pressure during ballistic blunt thoracic trauma and to find correlations between these hydrostatic pressure parameters (especially the impulse parameter) and physical damages. ⋯ The PI(max) is a good predictor of pulmonary contusion volume after ballistic blunt thoracic trauma. It is a useful criterion when the kinetic energy record or thoracic wall displacement data are unavailable, and the recording and calculation of this physical value are quite simple on animals.