European journal of trauma and emergency surgery : official publication of the European Trauma Society
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Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg · Dec 2020
Review Meta AnalysisA meta-analysis on anticoagulation after vascular trauma.
There is much debate regarding the use of anticoagulation following vascular trauma. The aim of this meta-analysis was to compare the outcome of trauma following administration of anticoagulation medication. ⋯ There was a statistically significant correlation between the use of anticoagulation and vascular trauma outcome. A major limitation with many of the studies includes a lack of prospective analysis and therefore we recommend prospective studies to properly elucidate prognostic outcomes following use of these anticoagulants. Further studies need to be conducted to assess the effects of timing of anticoagulant delivery, dosages and severity of traumatic injury. Thus, this would prove to be very useful in the formation of guidelines.
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Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg · Dec 2020
Improved pre-hospital care efficiency due to the implementation of pre-hospital trauma life support (PHTLS®) algorithms.
Pre-hospital trauma life support (PHTLS®) includes a standardized algorithm for pre-hospital care. Implementation of PHTLS® led to improved outcome in less developed medical trauma systems. We aimed to determine the impact of PHTLS® on quality of pre-hospital care in a European metropolitan area. We hypothesized that the introduction of PHTLS® was associated with improved efficiency of pre-hospital care for severely injured patients and less emergency physician deployment. ⋯ This is the first study to show that the implementation of PHTLS® algorithms in a European metropolitan area is associated with improved efficiency of pre-hospital care for the severely injured. We therefore recommend considering the introduction of PHTLS® in metropolitan areas in the first world.
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Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg · Dec 2020
Outcome after surgical treatment of complex elbow fractures: a single-center follow-up study.
Elbow injuries present particular challenges for the treating surgeons. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the postoperative outcome after surgical treatment of complex elbow fractures. ⋯ The surgical treatment of complex elbow fractures was associated with good to excellent clinical results. However, distal intra-articular humerus fractures presented the most prominent loss of elbow motion in the follow-up examination.
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Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg · Dec 2020
Do elderly trauma patients receive the required treatment? Epidemiology and outcome of geriatric trauma patients treated at different levels of trauma care.
In an ageing society, geriatric trauma displays an increasing challenge in trauma care. Due to comorbidities and reduced physiologic reserves, these patients might benefit from an immediate specialised care. The current study aims to clarify the prevalence and outcome of geriatric trauma depending on the level of the primary trauma centre. ⋯ Patients above the age of 65 years represent a second group with high risk for traumatic injuries besides younger adults. Despite low-energy trauma mechanisms, these patients are prone to suffer from severe injuries, which require specialised care. Current admission practice appears adequate, as pre-clinical available symptoms did not correlate with injuries that demanded an early inter-hospital transfer. Specialised geriatric triage scores might further improve admission practice.