European journal of trauma and emergency surgery : official publication of the European Trauma Society
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Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg · Aug 2021
Healthcare utilization and related cost of midshaft clavicle fracture treatment in Belgium.
The debate regarding the economic impact and cost effectiveness of surgical midshaft clavicle fracture treatment is ongoing. Variations exist between healthcare systems in terms of financing, provider payment mechanism and the role of the government in all of this. Therefore, the primary aim of our study was to describe the in-hospital-related healthcare costs associated with midshaft clavicle fracture treatment in Belgium. The secondary aim was to define those clinical variables that drive the costs related to surgically treated clavicle fractures and define strategies that could reduce these costs. ⋯ III.
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Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg · Aug 2021
Influence of a temporary stabilization device on respiratory status in patients with severe trauma with a femoral shaft fracture treated by damage control strategy.
There are few studies on the safety and respiratory consequences of the use of a skeletal traction (ST) device in the management of femoral shaft fractures with damage control orthopaedics (DCO) strategy, particularly in cases of prolonged use. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of ST compared with an external fixator (EF) on respiratory complications and mechanical ventilation requirements in patients with severe trauma with a femoral shaft fracture managed by DCO strategy. ⋯ The prolonged use of an ST device in the present cohort was associated with a higher incidence of impaired respiratory function. Therefore, our findings suggest that EF is preferable to ST in the DCO setting for femoral shaft fracture, especially in trauma patients at high risk of developing delayed respiratory failure.
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Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg · Aug 2021
Correlation of procalcitonin to positive blood culture results in a sample of South African trauma ICU patients between 2016 and 2017.
This study sought to investigate the screening accuracy of procalcitonin (PCT) for bacteremia, as defined by a positive blood culture, in a South African trauma ICU. ⋯ Increased PCT levels were associated with bacteremia in this study. PCT > 31.0 ng/mL may be used to rule in suspected bacteremia in this trauma ICU setting.
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Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg · Aug 2021
Distribution of radiation exposure in patients with partially stable and unstable pelvic ring fractures: first-time use of highly accurate assessment by Monte Carlo calculations.
Radiological examinations including X-ray and CT play a critical role in the assessment and treatment of trauma patients. The ionizing radiation used is known to be carcinogenic. However, little is known about the total radiation exposure in trauma patients. The objective of this study was to accurately estimate radiation exposure of patients with severe pelvic ring fractures. ⋯ This study showed that a substantial number of patients with partially stable and unstable pelvic ring fractures have an increased cancer risk due to trauma-related medical imaging. Physicians should be aware of the amount of radiation their patients are exposed to, and minimize imaging related increase of cancer risks during initial assessment, treatment and follow-up.
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Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg · Aug 2021
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is associated with 30-day mortality in hip fracture patients.
The aim of this study is to assess the possible association between thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and mortality in hip fracture patients. ⋯ The study demonstrates increased 30-day mortality in surgically treated hip fracture patients with plasma TSH levels above the median (1.41 mIU/L) at admission, even after adjusting for age, sex and CCI.