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
Management of mass casualties due to COVID-19: handling the dead.
A high number of fatalities can occur during major disasters or during events like the COVID-19 pandemic. In a natural disaster, the dead must be removed from disaster sites while rescue work is in progress; otherwise, the health and safety of the community are threatened. The COVID-19 pandemic is analogous to a natural disaster with mass casualties where the disaster sites are hospitals with morgues that are overwhelmed. ⋯ BCP is defined as a temporary refrigeration unit used to store decedents until transport is arranged. Decedents should always be handled in a manner denoting respect, and provisions and management of resources should be properly mobilized to ensure this. Contingency plans must be created to prepare for worsening of the disaster that further overwhelms the capacity of the health care systems.
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Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg · Oct 2021
Observational StudyReappraising the need for a control CT in mild head injury patients on anticoagulation.
Head injury is a frequent reason for admission to the emergency department. In parallel, there is a growing use of anticoagulants in an increasingly aging population, which renders this particular group of trauma patients more frequent. In several countries, including Portugal, a 24-h surveillance period followed by repetition of head computed tomography (CT) is the standard procedure for these patients. However, these recommendations have not been based on studies of prevalence of intracranial hemorrhages in control head CTs, namely in this group of anticoagulated patients. This study intends to evaluate the prevalence of de novo intracranial hemorrhages in control head CTs in anticoagulated patients. ⋯ In conclusion, de novo intracranial hemorrhage in control head CT of anticoagulated patients is rare. We propose that these patients may be discharged if the admission CT does not reveal intracranial hemorrhage, providing that they are accompanied by a caregiver and informed about red flags.
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Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg · Oct 2021
Outcome of conservative treatment for triangular fibrocartilage complex lesions with stable distal radioulnar joint.
Triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) lesions have high clinical relevance. Although multiple studies have been done in the past, there is a lack of data after conservative treatment and controversy remains regarding management. The purpose of this study was to compare the outcome of symptomatic TFCC lesions after conservative treatment and arthroscopic debridement. ⋯ Our study demonstrated similar results of conservative compared to arthroscopic treatment. Because conservative treatment was a sufficient and reliable option, we propose it as first-line treatment for TFCC lesions with stable distal radioulnar joint.
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Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg · Oct 2021
Review Meta AnalysisMeta-analysis on surgical management of colonic injuries in trauma: to divert or to anastomose?
Primary repair or resection with anastomosis (PR/A) has been gaining increasing recognition for traumatic colonic injuries, with the need for faecal diversion (FD) especially those of penetrating etiology being questioned. However, the role of PR/A in critically ill patients is still controversial with concerns pertaining to safety and anastomotic leak. ⋯ This meta-analysis supports PR/A in stable patients with traumatic colonic injuries. FD should be considered in critically ill patients who require DC surgery as leak rates are significantly higher.
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Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg · Oct 2021
ReviewInduced membrane technique: a critical literature analysis and proposal for a failure classification scheme.
The reconstruction of long-bone segmental defects remains challenging, with the three common methods of treatment being bone transport, vascularized bone transfer, and the induced membrane technique (IMT). Because of its simplicity, replicability, and reliability, usage of IMT has spread all over the world in the last decade, with more than 300 papers published in the PubMed literature database on this subject so far. ⋯ This literature review aims to provide an overview of IMT clinical results in terms of bone union and complications and to compare them with those of other reconstructive procedures. In light of our findings, we then propose an original classification scheme of IMT failures distinguishing between preventable and nonpreventable failures.