European journal of trauma and emergency surgery : official publication of the European Trauma Society
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Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg · Oct 2021
ReviewBiomechanics and clinical outcome after posterior stabilization of mid-thoracic vertebral body fractures: a systematic literature review.
The aim of this review is to systematically screen the literature for clinical and biomechanical studies dealing with posterior stabilization of acute traumatic mid-thoracic vertebral fractures in patients with normal bone quality. ⋯ High quality studies are lacking. Long-segmental stabilization is indicated in unstable midthoracic fractures with concomitant sternal fractures. Generally, long-segmental constructs seem to be the safer treatment strategy considering the relative high penetration rate of pedicle screws in this region. Thereby, navigated insertion techniques and intraoperative 3D-imaging help to improve pedicle screw placement accuracy.
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Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg · Oct 2021
Impact on polytrauma patient prehospital care during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study.
The extraordinary situation caused by the onset of COVID-19 has meant that at prehospital level, the number of treatments, profile and time taken to respond for treating time-dependent pathologies has been greatly affected. However, it is not known whether the prehospital profile of polytrauma patients (PTP) has been affected. ⋯ During the first wave of the pandemic, the number of polytrauma patients decreased and there was a change in the profile of severity and type of accident.
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Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg · Oct 2021
Severe head injury in elderly: 6-year comparison of treatment and outcome between southern Finland and Navarra (Spain).
To compare the profile, treatment and outcome of elderly patients with severe traumatic brain injuries (TBI) between southern Finland and Navarra (Spain). ⋯ The better adjusted outcome of elderly patients with severe TBI in southern Finland in comparison to Navarra could be due to higher rate of pre-hospital intubation and/or higher rate of ICU admissions in southern Finland. Increasing number of elderly patients with severe TBI necessitate uniformly accepted protocols in pre- and in-hospital management.
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Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg · Oct 2021
Obesity associated with increased postoperative pulmonary complications and mortality after trauma laparotomy.
Patient-related risk factors for the development of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) include age ≥ 60-years, congestive heart failure, hypoalbuminemia and smoking. The effect of obesity is unclear and has not been shown to independently increase the likelihood of PPCs in trauma patients undergoing trauma laparotomy. We hypothesized the likelihood of mortality and PPCs would increase as body mass index (BMI) increases in trauma patients undergoing trauma laparotomy. ⋯ Obese trauma patients undergoing emergent trauma laparotomy have a high likelihood for both PPCs and mortality, with morbidly obese trauma patients having the highest likelihood for both. This suggests obesity should be accounted for in risk prediction models of trauma patients undergoing laparotomy.
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The mortality rate from road traffic accidents (RTAs) in Nigeria is almost double that of the USA. In Nigeria, the first emergency medical services (EMS) system was established in March 2001, The Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS). The objectives of this study are to (1) determine the burden of RTAs in Lagos, (2) assess RTA call outcomes, and (3) analyze LASAMBUS's response time and causes for delay. ⋯ LASAMBUS response rates are significantly lower than response rates in high-income countries such as the USA and lead to increased RTA mortality rates. Eliminating causes for delay will improve both LASAMBUS effectiveness and RTA victims' health outcomes. Changing the public perception of LASAMBUS and standardizing LASAMBUS' contact information will aid this as well.