European journal of trauma and emergency surgery : official publication of the European Trauma Society
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Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg · Dec 2022
The fragility and reverse fragility indices of proximal humerus fracture randomized controlled trials: a systematic review.
The quality of evidence of the orthopedic literature has been often called into question. The fragility index (FI) has emerged as a means to evaluate the robustness of a significant result. Similarly, reverse fragility index (RFI) can be used for nonsignificant results to evaluate whether one can confidently conclude that there is no difference between groups. The analysis of FI and RFI in proximal humerus fracture (PHF) management is of particular interest, given ongoing controversy regarding optimal management and patient selection. The aim of this study was to report the FI, RFI and quality of the evidence in the proximal humerus fracture literature. ⋯ The literature on PHF management is frequently fragile. Outcome measures are often fragile, particularly with regards to comparing complication rates and reoperation rates in treatment arms. Comparing to the studies in other subspecialties PHF RCTs are relatively more fragile and underpowered. Standardized reporting of FI, FQ and RFI can help the reader to reliably draw conclusions based on the fragility of outcome measures.
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Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg · Dec 2022
ReviewLeft subclavian artery coverage during endovascular repair of thoracic aorta injury in trauma and non-trauma patients.
In thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR), the left subclavian artery (LSA) is often occluded. Although most patients tolerate this, some develop ischemic symptoms to the brain or left upper extremity (LUE). A revascularization procedure may be associated with significant complications. The purpose of this review was to assess the incidence of LSA occlusion, resulting ischemic symptoms, and complications related to revascularization operations in trauma patients compared to non-trauma patients. ⋯ LSA coverage following TEVAR is common and associated with significant complications, often requiring operative management. The incidence of ischemic complications after occlusion of the LSA is significantly higher in the trauma population. Revascularization procedures to correct the occlusion have a high rate of complications.
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Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg · Dec 2022
ReviewInflammatory response to the ischaemia-reperfusion insult in the liver after major tissue trauma.
Polytrauma is often accompanied by ischaemia-reperfusion injury to tissues and organs, and the resulting series of immune inflammatory reactions are a major cause of death in patients. The liver is one of the largest organs in the body, a characteristic that makes it the most vulnerable organ after multiple injuries. In addition, the liver is an important digestive organ that secretes a variety of inflammatory mediators involved in local as well as systemic immune inflammatory responses. Therefore, this review considers the main features of post-traumatic liver injury, focusing on the immuno-pathophysiological changes, the interactions between liver organs, and the principles of treatment deduced. ⋯ Cross-reactivity between various organs and cascade amplification effects are among the main causes of systemic immune inflammatory responses after multiple injuries. For the time being, the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying this interaction remain unclear. Future work will continue to focus on identifying potential signalling pathways as well as target genes and intervening at the right time points to prevent more severe immune inflammatory responses and promote better and faster recovery of the patient.
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Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg · Dec 2022
Observational StudyPlasmatic coagulation profile after major traumatic injury: a prospective observational study.
Uncontrolled hemorrhage is still the major cause of preventable death after trauma and is aggravated by trauma-induced coagulopathy (TIC). The underlying pathophysiology of TIC is still elusive, but several key effectors such as the thrombin-generation capacity, the protein C (PC) pathway, and the fibrinolytic activity could be identified. The aim of this prospective observational study was to investigate plasma coagulation markers attributed to reflect the course of TIC and to identify the mechanisms being responsible for the coagulopathy after major trauma. ⋯ Increased levels of APC and thrombin markers in patients after major trauma were positively correlated with injury severity. APC showed an ISS- and injury-dependent kinetic and might serve as candidate biomarker to identify patients at risk for developing TIC.
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Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg · Dec 2022
Treatment of upper extremity nerve defects by direct suturing in high elbow or wrist flexion.
To evaluate functional outcomes after direct suturing of upper extremity nerve defects in high elbow or wrist flexion. ⋯ Temporary high joint flexion allows for direct coaptation of upper extremity nerve defects up to 4 cm located near the elbow or wrist. In this small and heterogenous cohort, functional outcomes seemed to be comparable to those obtained with short autografting.