European journal of trauma and emergency surgery : official publication of the European Trauma Society
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Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg · Aug 2016
ReviewThe role of biofilm on orthopaedic implants: the "Holy Grail" of post-traumatic infection management?
The development of post-traumatic infection is potentially a limb threatening condition. The orthopaedic trauma literature lags behind the research performed by our arthroplasty colleagues on the topic of implant-related infections. Surgical site infections in the setting of a recent ORIF are notoriously hard to eradicate due to biofilm formation around the implant. ⋯ The challenges are twofold: establishing an accurate diagnosis with speciation/sensitivity and eradicating the infection. Multiple strategies have been researched to improve diagnostic accuracy, to prevent biofilm formation on orthopaedic implants, to mobilize/detach or weaken the biofilm or to target specifically bacteria embedded in the biofilm. The purpose of our paper is to review the patho-physiology of this mysterious pluri-cellular structure and to summarize some of the most pertinent research performed to improve diagnostic and treatment strategies in biofilm-related infections.
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Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg · Aug 2016
Comparative StudyUnconscious trauma patients: outcome differences between southern Finland and Germany-lesson learned from trauma-registry comparisons.
International trauma registry comparisons are scarce and lack standardised methodology. Recently, we performed a 6-year comparison between southern Finland and Germany. Because an outcome difference emerged in the subgroup of unconscious trauma patients, we aimed to identify factors associated with such difference and to further explore the role of trauma registries for evaluating trauma-care quality. ⋯ Trauma registry comparison has several pitfalls needing acknowledgement: the explanation for outcome differences between trauma systems can be a coincidence, a weakness in the scoring system, true variation in the standard of care, or hospitals' reluctance to include patients with hopeless prognosis in registry. We believe, however, that such comparisons are a feasible method for quality control.
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Our aim was to establish the role of hyperbilirubinemia as a predictive parameter for the prediction of either acute, or gangrenous/perforated appendicitis as well as to compare other parameters in a similar role. ⋯ Hyperbilirubinemia, especially with elevated direct bilirubin levels, may be considered as an important marker for the prediction of appendiceal gangrene/perforation.
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Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg · Aug 2016
Observational StudyThe impact of increased plasma ratios in massively transfused trauma patients: a prospective analysis.
Transfusion ratios approaching 1:1 FFP:PRBC for trauma resuscitation have become the de facto standard of care. The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the effect of increasing ratios of FFP:PRBC transfusion on survival for massively transfused civilian trauma patients as well as determine if time to reach the target ratio had any effect on outcomes. ⋯ Achieving a ratio of FFP:PRBC ≥ 1:1.5 after the initial 24 h of resuscitation significantly improves survival in massively transfused trauma patients compared to patients that achieved a ratio <1:1.5.