J Trauma
-
Our objective was to observe the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) 121 gene transfer in promoting vascular reconstruction and bone repair in femur head necrosis of rabbits. ⋯ VEGF might promote bone formation and revascularization in the subchondral necrotic region of the femoral head, indirectly protecting the necrotic bone trabecula from absorption and avoiding a reduction in the mechanical function of the subchondral region.
-
Chest tube insertion is an important component of medical and surgical education. This article reports a cost-effective and easily reproducible method for hands-on education of tube thoracostomy placement. ⋯ We have developed a simple, inexpensive training device for insertion of chest tubes and tested it on 134 military personnel.
-
To evaluate functional, radiologic, and subjective outcome after volar locking plate osteosynthesis (VLPO) for unstable distal radius fractures (DRF). ⋯ VLPO for the treatment of unstable DRF is a reliable technique with excellent subjective, objective, and radiologic outcome.
-
Screening for mental illness in a trauma center: rooting out a risk factor for unintentional injury.
Injury prevention and screening efforts have long targeted risk factors for injury recurrence. In a retrospective study, our group found that mental illness is an independent risk factor for unintentional injury and reinjury. The purpose of this study was to administer a standard validated screening instrument and psychosocial needs assessment to admitted patients who suffer unintentional injury. We aimed to prospectively measure the prevalence of mental illness. We hypothesize that systematic screening for psychiatric disorders in trauma patients is feasible and identifies people with preexisting mental illness as a high-risk group for unintentional injury. ⋯ This inpatient pilot screening program prospectively identified preexisting mental illness as a risk factor for unintentional injury. Implementation of validated psychosocial and mental health screening instruments is feasible and efficient in the acute trauma setting. Administration of a validated mental health screening instrument can be achieved by training college-level research assistants. This system of screening can lead to identification and treatment of mental illness as a strategy for unintentional injury prevention.