Articles: trauma.
-
Ocular trauma is recognized as the leading cause of unilateral blindness. However, few studies to date have focused on the clinical features of hospital-based ocular emergencies. Effectiveness of trauma centers in treating ocular emergencies was compared with treatment in traditional community hospital emergency departments. Demographics, causes, and nature of ocular emergencies, as well as visual outcome in community hospitals emergency departments and trauma centers, were also examined. ⋯ The middle-aged, white men are more vulnerable to ocular injuries caused mainly by motor vehicle accidents. The ability of trauma centers to provide comparable increases in vision outcomes, despite treating more severe ocular emergencies, demonstrates the effectiveness of trauma centers. Patients diagnosed as having orbital contusions or who have fall injuries deserve careful evaluation because they are more likely to have more severe sight-threatening injuries.
-
Many congenital and acquired diseases, including trauma, may result in cervical spine instability. Given that airway management is closely related to the movement of the cervical spine, it is important that the anesthesiologist has detailed knowledge of the anatomy, the mechanisms of cervical spine instability, and of the effects that the different airway maneuvers have on the cervical spine. We first review the normal anatomy and biomechanics of the cervical spine in the context of airway management and the concept of cervical spine instability. In the second part, we review the protocols for the management of cervical spine instability in trauma victims and some of the airway management options for these patients.
-
Admission hypocoagulability has been associated with negative outcomes after trauma. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of hypercoagulability after trauma on the need for blood product transfusion and mortality. ⋯ Approximately a quarter of trauma patients presented in a hypercoagulable state. Hypercoagulable patients required less blood products, in particular plasma. They also had a lower 24-h and 7-day mortality and lower rates of bleeding-related deaths. Further evaluation of the mechanism responsible for the hypercoagulable state and its implications on outcome is warranted.
-
Critical care medicine · Mar 2014
Monitoring of Spinal Cord Perfusion Pressure in Acute Spinal Cord Injury: Initial Findings of the Injured Spinal Cord Pressure Evaluation Study.
To develop a technique for continuously monitoring intraspinal pressure at the injury site (intraspinal pressure) after traumatic spinal cord injury. ⋯ Our findings provide proof-of-principle that subdural intraspinal pressure at the injury site can be measured safely after traumatic spinal cord injury.