Surgical Management of Musculoskeletal Trauma

Fat embolism syndrome caused by fracture or liposuction: a retrospective case series of nine patients

BACKGROUND

Fat embolism syndrome (FES) is a rare and potentially fatal complication commonly observed after liposuction or fractures. Patients with FES often have an acute onset and a rapid course of disease. However, there is a paucity of research summarizing the clinical features of FES caused by simultaneous fracture or liposuction.

METHODS

A comprehensive analysis was conducted to enhance understanding of patients with FES associated with either fractures or liposuction procedures.

RESULTS

Nine patients who were diagnosed with FES were included in our study, of whom two were male. Six patients underwent liposuction, while three sustained multiple orthopaedic fractures. Postoperative liposuction complications occurred rapidly (average 1.8 h) after surgery, whereas patients with fractures experienced symptoms approximately 24 h after injury. All patients presented with respiratory insufficiency, six patients had cerebral involvement, and four patients had petechial haemorrhage. Laboratory tests revealed that six patients had leucocytosis, five patients had elevated neutrophil counts and eight patients had increased D-dimer concentrations. Seven patients exhibited decreased partial pressure of oxygen (7/9), six presented with decreased haemoglobin (6/9) and four had thrombocytopenia (4/9). Chest computed tomography (CT) revealed pneumonia with symmetrically diffuse ground glass opacities and patchy exudates in both lungs, which are the most common radiographic findings (8/9). Brain CT of five patients revealed multiple cerebral infarctions, and CT angiograms of the head and neck demonstrated corresponding vessel occlusions in one patient. All patients received supportive care, including six who received noninvasive ventilation and three who received mechanical ventilation. Additionally, seven patients were treated with corticosteroids. Eight patients survived, while one died of sustained cerebral embolism and ischaemia during treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

A patient's medical history is critical for the diagnosis of FES. Early diagnosis and timely treatment can reduce mortality, while supportive care is important, and corticosteroid therapy may be effective for early treatment.

Translating Biomarker Research into Clinical Practice in Orthopaedic Trauma: A Systematic Review

Background/Objectives: Orthopaedic trauma management in polytrauma patients presents challenges, particularly in selecting between damage control orthopaedics (DCO) and early appropriate care (EAC). This systematic review evaluates these approaches and explores the role of biomarkers in optimising surgical timing. The primary objective of this review was to evaluate the potential clinical utility of biomarkers in guiding surgical timing and predicting perioperative complications. The secondary objective was to compare the effectiveness of DCO and EAC approaches, focusing on their impact on patient outcomes when controlled for Injury Severity Scores (ISSs). Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar identified studies focusing on fracture management (DCO versus EAC), timing protocols, and biomarkers in polytrauma patients. Twenty-seven studies met inclusion criteria. Results: Among the 27 studies, 12 evaluated biomarkers and 15 compared DCO and EAC. Point-of-care (POC) biomarkers, including lactate (p < 0.001; OR 1.305), monocyte L-selectin (p = 0.001; OR 1.5), and neutrophil L-selectin (p = 0.005; OR 1.56), demonstrated predictive value for sepsis, infection, and morbidity. CD16bright/CD62Ldim neutrophils were significant predictors of infection (p = 0.002). Advanced biomarkers, such as IL-6, IL-10, RNA IL-7R, HMGB1, and leptin offered prognostic insights but required longer processing times. No clear superiority was identified between DCO and EAC, with comparable outcomes when injury severity scores (ISS) were controlled. Conclusions: This systematic review highlights the challenge of translating biomarker research into clinical practice, identifying several point-of-care and advanced laboratory biomarkers with significant potential to predict complications like sepsis, infection, and MODS. Future efforts should focus on refining biomarker thresholds, advancing point-of-care technologies, and validating their role in improving surgical timing and trauma care outcomes.

Treatment of complex limb fractures with 3D printing technology combined with personalized plates: a retrospective study of case series and literature review

BACKGROUND

In recent years, 3D printing technology has made significant strides in the medical field. With the advancement of orthopedics, there is an increasing pursuit of high surgical quality and optimal functional recovery. 3D printing enables the creation of precise physical models of fractures, and customized personalized steel plates can better realign and more comprehensively and securely fix fractures. These technologies improve preoperative diagnosis, simulation, and planning for complex limb fractures, providing patients with better treatment options.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Five typical cases were selected from a pool of numerous patients treated with 3D printing technology combined with personalized custom steel plates at our hospital. These cases were chosen to demonstrate the entire process of printing 3D models and customizing individualized steel plates, including details of the patients' surgeries and treatment procedures. Literature reviews were conducted, with a focus on highlighting the application of 3D printing technology combined with personalized custom steel plates in the treatment of complex limb fractures.

RESULTS

3D printing technology can produce accurate physical models of fractures, and personalized custom plates can achieve better fracture realignment and more comprehensive and robust fixation. These technologies provide patients with better treatment options.

CONCLUSION

The use of 3D printing models and personalized custom steel plates can improve preoperative diagnosis, simulation, and planning for complex limb fractures, realizing personalized medicine. This approach helps reduce surgical time, minimize trauma, enhance treatment outcomes, and improve patient functional recovery.

Real-time visualization of skeletal muscle necrosis in mice and swine through NIR-II/I fluorescence imaging

Avulsion often occurs in the limb due to heavy shearing forces which not only damage skeletal muscle but also main vessels, resulting in life-threatening muscle ischemia and necrosis. Defining muscle activity is vital for surgical repair. Currently, the color, capacity of blood, contractibility, and consistency (4C) are the primary principles for evaluating the activities of torn muscles. Based on clinical experiences, this standard turns out to be delayed diagnosis, which is not defined by specific parameters. Recently, near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence probes emitting within the second near-infrared window (NIR-II, 1000-1700 nm) have been widely used for non-invasive optical imaging because the tissue absorption and autofluorescence in the NIR-II region are negligible, thus allowing deeper penetration depths with micrometer-scale spatial resolution in vivo. As pathogenesis and development of muscle necrosis, necrosis-related protein may participate in this procedure. There is promising future for NIR-II to be used in evaluating muscle activity in avulsion. A new approach is developed based on experiments with mice and large animals (swine). Myoblasts were incubated with indocyanine green (ICG) to identify the necrosis muscles. The model of extremity damaged muscle was established for the real-time visualization and detection of developed necrosis muscle field under new equipment, both in balb/c mice (female) and long-haired swines. A visible NIR-II/I imaging system was first used in a large animal injured skeletal muscle-related model. Our NIR-II/I imaging system is suitable for evaluating the normal and injured skeletal muscle ICG cycle and pointing to the necrotic skeletal muscle tissue. NIR-II imaging is superior to NIR-I imaging in estimating skeletal muscle, best with 1100 nm filter. NIR-II fluorescence with 1100 nm filter is suitable for analyzing the progress of necrosis muscle tissue, leading to a new approach for intraoperative evaluation.

Early total care or damage control orthopaedics for major fractures ? Results of propensity score matching for early definitive versus early temporary fixation based on data from the trauma registry of the German Trauma Society (TraumaRegister DGU®)

PURPOSE

Damage control orthopaedics (DCO) und early total care (ETC) are well-established strategies for managing severely injured patients. There is no definitive evidence of the superiority of DCO over ETC in polytrauma patients. We conducted this study to assess the probability of a polytraumatised patient undergoing DCO. In addition, the effect of DCO on complications and mortality was investigated.

METHODS

We analysed data from 12,569 patients with severe trauma (Injury Severity Score ≥ 16) who were enrolled in the trauma registry of the German Trauma Society (TraumaRegister DGU®) from 2009 to 2016 and had undergone surgery for extremity or pelvic fractures. These patients were allocated to a DCO or an ETC group. We used the propensity score to identify factors supporting the use of DCO. For a comparison of mortality rates, the groups were stratified and matched on the propensity score.

RESULTS

We identified relevant differences between DCO and ETC. DCO was considerably more often associated with packed red blood cell (pRBC) transfusions (33.9% vs. 13.4%), catecholamine therapy (14.1% vs. 6.8%), lower extremity injuries (72.4% vs. 53.5%), unstable pelvic fractures (41.0% vs. 25.9%), penetrating injuries (2.8% vs. 1.5%), and shock (20.5% vs. 10.8%) and unconsciousness (23.7% vs. 16.3%) on admission. Based on the propensity score, patients with penetrating trauma, pRBC transfusions, unstable pelvic fractures, and lower extremity injuries were more likely to undergo DCO. A benefit of DCO such as reduced complications or reduced mortality was not detected.

CONCLUSION

We could identify some parameters of polytrauma patients used in the trauma registry (Traumaregister DGU®), which led more likely to a DCO therapy. The propensity score did not demonstrate the superiority of DCO over ETC in terms of outcome or complications. It did not appear to adequately adjust for the variables used here. Definitive evidence for or against the use of DCO remains unavailable.

New insights in lower limb reconstruction strategies

High Energy Musculoskeletal Traumas (HEMTs) represent a relevant problem for healthcare systems, considering the high social costs, and both the high morbidity and mortality. The poor outcomes associated with HEMT are related to the high incidence of complications, including bone infection, fracture malunion and non-union. The treatment of each of these complications could be extremely difficult. Limb reconstruction often needs multiple procedures, rising some questions on the opportunity in perseverate to try to save the affected limb. In fact, theoretically, amputation may guarantee better function and lower complications. However, amputation is not free of complication, and a high long-term social cost has been reported. A comprehensive literature review was performed to suggest possible ways to optimize the limb preservation surgeries of HEMT's complications in order to ameliorate their management.

Application of artificial intelligence in trauma orthopedics: Limitation and prospects

The varieties and capabilities of artificial intelligence and machine learning in orthopedic surgery are extensively expanding. One promising method is neural networks, emphasizing big data and computer-based learning systems to develop a statistical fracture-detecting model. It derives patterns and rules from outstanding amounts of data to analyze the probabilities of different outcomes using new sets of similar data. The sensitivity and specificity of machine learning in detecting fractures vary from previous studies. AI may be most promising in the diagnosis of less-obvious fractures that are more commonly missed. Future studies are necessary to develop more accurate and effective detection models that can be used clinically.

Impact of a Femoral Fracture on Outcome after Traumatic Brain Injury-A Matched-Pair Analysis of the TraumaRegister DGU®

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the leading cause of death and disability in polytrauma and is often accompanied by concomitant injuries. We conducted a retrospective matched-pair analysis of data from a 10-year period from the multicenter database TraumaRegister DGU^® to analyze the impact of a concomitant femoral fracture on the outcome of TBI patients. A total of 4508 patients with moderate to critical TBI were included and matched by severity of TBI, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) risk classification, initial Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), age, and sex. Patients who suffered combined TBI and femoral fracture showed increased mortality and worse outcome at the time of discharge, a higher chance of multi-organ failure, and a rate of neurosurgical intervention. Especially those with moderate TBI showed enhanced in-hospital mortality when presenting with a concomitant femoral fracture (p = 0.037). The choice of fracture treatment (damage control orthopedics vs. early total care) did not impact mortality. In summary, patients with combined TBI and femoral fracture have higher mortality, more in-hospital complications, an increased need for neurosurgical intervention, and inferior outcome compared to patients with TBI solely. More investigations are needed to decipher the pathophysiological consequences of a long-bone fracture on the outcome after TBI.

Artificial Intelligence in Emergency Radiology: Where Are We Going?

Emergency Radiology is a unique branch of imaging, as rapidity in the diagnosis and management of different pathologies is essential to saving patients' lives. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has many potential applications in emergency radiology: firstly, image acquisition can be facilitated by reducing acquisition times through automatic positioning and minimizing artifacts with AI-based reconstruction systems to optimize image quality, even in critical patients; secondly, it enables an efficient workflow (AI algorithms integrated with RIS-PACS workflow), by analyzing the characteristics and images of patients, detecting high-priority examinations and patients with emergent critical findings. Different machine and deep learning algorithms have been trained for the automated detection of different types of emergency disorders (e.g., intracranial hemorrhage, bone fractures, pneumonia), to help radiologists to detect relevant findings. AI-based smart reporting, summarizing patients' clinical data, and analyzing the grading of the imaging abnormalities, can provide an objective indicator of the disease's severity, resulting in quick and optimized treatment planning. In this review, we provide an overview of the different AI tools available in emergency radiology, to keep radiologists up to date on the current technological evolution in this field.

[Blast injuries part 2 : Principles of medical treatment]

Explosions can cause severe injuries, which affect multiple organ systems and leave extensive soft tissue defects. In unstable patients, damage control surgery initially focuses exclusively on controlling bleeding and contamination with the aim of preserving life and limbs. The excision of all necrotic tissue, extensive wound irrigation with antiseptic solutions and a calculated antibiotic prophylaxis, which is subsequently adapted to the microbiological findings, are the basis for sufficient infection control. As the tissue damage caused by the pressure surge can regenerate over time as well as become secondarily necrotic (developing wounds), several revision operations are often necessary to assess the viability of tissue in the sense of serial debridement. In the case of extensive soft tissue injuries temporary vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) techniques can bridge the time to the earliest possible definitive plastic surgical wound closure; however, this must not delay the closure of the defect.

Musculoskeletal trauma and artificial intelligence: current trends and projections

Musculoskeletal trauma accounts for a significant fraction of emergency department visits and patients seeking urgent care, with a high financial cost to society. Diagnostic imaging is indispensable in the workup and management of trauma patients. However, diagnostic imaging represents a complex multifaceted system, with many aspects of its workflow prone to inefficiencies or human error. Recent technological innovations in artificial intelligence and machine learning have shown promise to revolutionize our systems for providing medical care to patients. This review will provide a general overview of the current state of artificial intelligence and machine learning applications in different aspects of trauma imaging and provide a vision for how such applications could be leveraged to enhance our diagnostic imaging systems and optimize patient outcomes.

[Damage control strategy in surgical treatment of patients with severe gastroduodenal bleeding]

OBJECTIVE/

To objectify patient condition and improve treatment outcomes in patients with benign severe gastroduodenal bleeding.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We analyzed the immediate results of staged surgical treatment of patients with benign severe gastroduodenal bleeding according to the accepted concept of «Damage Control Surgery». The Rockall risk scoring system and the Glasgow-Blatchford score (GBS) were used. We preferred two-stage intervention in patients with Rockall score ≥5 and Glasgow-Blatchford score ≥11.

RESULTS

Staged approach according to the concept of «Damage Control Surgery» in patients with benign severe gastroduodenal bleeding ensures positive results by minimizing surgical trauma and perioperative bleeding, early stabilization of hemostasis and subsequent successful restoration of digestive function.

CONCLUSION

The concept of «Damage Control Surgery» in patients with benign severe gastroduodenal bleeding can reduce mortality and incidence of postoperative complications.

Computed tomography angiography is associated with low added utility for detecting clinically relevant vascular injuries among patients with extremity trauma

Background

Extremity CT angiography (CTA) is frequently used to assess for vascular injury among patients with extremity trauma. The injured extremity index (IEI), defined as the ratio of systolic occlusion pressure between injured and uninjured extremities, has been implemented to screen patients being considered for CTA. Physical examination together with IEI is extremely sensitive for significant extremity vascular injury. Unfortunately, IEI cannot always be calculated. This study aimed to determine whether patients with normal pulse examinations and no hard signs of vascular injury benefitted from further imaging with CTA. We hypothesized that CTA has become overused among patients with extremity trauma, as determined by the outcome of vascular abnormalities that underwent vascular intervention but were missed by physical examination.

Methods

The charts of traumatically injured patients who underwent extremity CTA were retrospectively reviewed. This study was performed at a level 1 trauma center for patients who presented as trauma activations from September 1, 2019 to September 1, 2020.

Results

One hundred and thirty-six patients with 167 injured limbs were included. Eight limbs (4.8%) underwent an open vascular operation, whereas five limbs (3.0%) underwent an endovascular procedure. One of the 167 limbs (0.6%) had a vascular injury seen on CTA and underwent intervention that was not associated with a pulse abnormality or hard signs of vascular injury. This patient presented in a delayed fashion after an initially normal IEI and examination. Proximity injuries and fractures alone were not highly associated with vascular injuries.

Discussion

Many patients with normal pulse examination and no hard signs of vascular injury underwent CTA; the vast majority of these patients did not then have a vascular intervention. Given the consequences of missed vascular injuries, further work is required to prospectively assess the utility of CTA among patients with extremity trauma.

Level of evidence

III.

Artificial intelligence in musculoskeletal conditions

Artificial intelligence (AI) is an iterative process by which information is captured, transformed into knowledge and processed to produce adaptive changes in the environment. AI is a broad concept, involving virtual (computing) and physical (robotics) elements. In this narrative literature review, we focus on the aspects of AI that present major opportunities for developing health care. Within a few years, AI will be part of our daily clinical practice. Although significant advances are being made, the application of AI in musculoskeletal medicine is still in its early stages compared with its implementation in other areas of medicine. AI is increasingly being employed in fields such as musculoskeletal radiology, skeletal trauma, orthopedic surgery, physical and rehabilitation medicine and sports medicine, as well as for "big data" and AI in gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy related injuries. Among the limitations of IA are that it analyzes information based on the data it is supplied, which must therefore be well-labeled and that some algorithms such as DL uses more time, data, and computational power than other techniques. Moreover, AI currently does not solve the problem of causality that exists in medicine with observational data; information that physicians interpret within a broad clinical context. AI should therefore be integrated in a prudent and reasonable manner into the workflows of health professionals.

The epidemiology of spinal fractures in a level 2 trauma center in Kuwait

Objectives:

Spinal fractures are a public health issue with high morbidity and mortality, and significant social and economic impact. The burden of disease can be minimized through effective management and preventive strategies based on basic epidemiological figures. Therefore, this study aimed to establish the epidemiological figures for traumatic injuries of the spine, including prevalence and associated risk factors in Kuwait, one of the high-income countries in the Middle East region.

Methods:

Using a retrospective design, the Orthopedic Admission Database of level II trauma center was reviewed from January 2018 to February 2020 for traumatic spinal fractures.

Results:

The study included 564 patients with 788 fractures, and from this sample, 162 patients sustained vertebral fractures at 181 different vertebral anatomical areas, resulting in 28.72% prevalence rate for spinal fractures; the mean age was 37.10 (SD = 18.25) years old; 79.2% were men, and 57.8% were Kuwaitis. The most prevalent mechanism of injury was road traffic accidents at 54.5%, and the lumbar spine was the most prevalent fracture site, followed by the thoracic spine at 47.5% and 31.5%, respectively. The mortality rate associated with spinal fractures is 42.10% from trauma cases admitted to the intensive care unit. Patients’ sex, nationality, fracture anatomical site, and the mechanism of injury were identified as risk factors (p < 0.05).

Conclusion:

The established epidemiological figures for spinal fractures can be used to direct management and preventive strategies and assist health care planning and delivery.

Level of Evidence:

III

Incidence of Fat Embolism Syndrome in Femur Fractures and Its Associated Risk Factors over Time-A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Fat embolism (FE) continues to be mentioned as a substantial complication following acute femur fractures. The aim of this systematic review was to test the hypotheses that the incidence of fat embolism syndrome (FES) has decreased since its description and that specific injury patterns predispose to its development.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data Sources: MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases were searched for articles from 1 January 1960 to 31 December 2019.

STUDY SELECTION

Original articles that provide information on the rate of FES, associated femoral injury patterns, and therapeutic and diagnostic recommendations were included.

DATA EXTRACTION

Two authors independently extracted data using a predesigned form.

STATISTICS

Three different periods were separated based on the diagnostic and treatment changes: Group 1: 1 January 1960-12 December 1979, Group 2: 1 January 1980-1 December 1999, and Group 3: 1 January 2000-31 December 2019, chi-square test, χ² test for group comparisons of categorical variables, p-value < 0.05.

RESULTS

Fifteen articles were included (n = 3095 patients). The incidence of FES decreased over time (Group 1: 7.9%, Group 2: 4.8%, and Group 3: 1.7% (p < 0.001)). FES rate according to injury pattern: unilateral high-energy fractures (2.9%) had a significantly lower FES rate than pathological fractures (3.3%) and bilateral high-energy fractures (4.6%) (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

There has been a significant decrease in the incidence of FES over time. The injury pattern impacts the frequency of FES. The diagnostic and therapeutic approach to FES remains highly heterogenic to this day.

The Burden of High-Energy Musculoskeletal Trauma in High-Income Countries

INTRODUCTION TO THE PROBLEM

Though declining in the recent decades, high-energy musculoskeletal trauma remains a major contributor to the burden of disease in high-income countries (HICs). However, due to limitations in the available body of the literature, evaluation of this burden is challenging. The purpose of this review is to assess: (1) the current epidemiologic data on the surgical burden of high-energy musculoskeletal trauma in HICs; (2) the current data on the economic impact of high-energy musculoskeletal trauma; and (3) potential strategies for addressing gaps in musculoskeletal trauma care for the future.

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

In 2016, mortality from road traffic injuries (RTIs) between the ages of 15-49 was reported to be 9.5% (9.0-9.9) in high-income countries, accounting for approximately 255 million DALYs. While RTIs do not fully capture the extent of high-energy musculoskeletal trauma, as the most common mechanism, they serve as a useful indicator of the impact on the surgical and economic burden. In 2009, the global losses related to RTIs were estimated to be 518 billion USD, costing governments between 1 and 3% of their gross domestic product (GDP). In the last decade, both the total direct per-person healthcare cost and the incremental direct per-person costs for those with a musculoskeletal injury in the USA rose 75 and 58%, respectively.

FUTURE DIRECTIONS

ADDRESSING THE GAPS: While its impact is large, research on musculoskeletal conditions, including high-energy trauma, is underfunded compared to other fields of medicine. An increased awareness among policy makers and healthcare professionals of the importance of care for the high-energy musculoskeletal trauma patient is critical. Full implementation of trauma systems is imperative, and metrics such as the ICD-DALY have the potential to allow for real-time evaluation of prevention and treatment programs aimed to reduce injury-related morbidity and mortality. The dearth in knowledge in optimal and cost-effective post-acute care for high-energy musculoskeletal trauma is a reason for concern, especially since almost half of the costs are attributed to this phase of care. Multidisciplinary rehabilitation teams as part of a musculoskeletal trauma system may be of interest to decrease further the long-term negative effects and the economic burden of high-energy musculoskeletal trauma.

The Effect of Illegal Drug Screening Results and Chronic Drug Use on Perioperative Complications in Trauma

Context:

Illegal drug use and need for surgery are common in trauma. This allows examination of the effects of perioperative drug use.

Aim:

The aim was to study the effects of illegal drug use on perioperative complications in trauma.

Setting and Design:

Propensity-matched analysis of perioperative complications between drug screen-positive (DSP) and drug screen-negative (DSN) patients from the National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB).

Methods:

The NTDB reports drug screening as a composite. We compared complications for DSP, DSN, and specific chronic drug disorders. Time to first procedure was analyzed to determine whether delay to surgery was associated with reduced complications.

Statistics:

Logistic regression with 11 predictor variables was used to calculate propensity scores. Categorical and continuous variables were compared using Chi-square and Student’s t-test, respectively.

Results:

752,343 patients (21.9%) were tested for illegal drugs. DSP was protective for mortality-relative risk (RR) 0.84 (P < 0.001) and arrhythmia RR 0.87 (P = 0.02). All complications (AC) were higher for DSP with a RR of 1.08 (P < 0.001). Cocaine, cannabis, and opioids were associated with reduced mortality. Cocaine was associated with increased myocardial infarction (MI). All four chronic drug disorders were associated with markedly higher arrhythmia. All except cannabis were associated with higher AC. Mortality was significantly lower for DSP for every time interval until first procedure. Continuous-time until procedure was associated with increased MI and arrhythmia.

Conclusions:

DSP was protective of mortality and cardiac complications. Drug disorders were protective for mortality but increased arrhythmia and AC. Delay until the surgery does not diminish cardiac or overall risk.

Clinical validation of nursing diagnosis "00085 Impaired Physical Mobility" in multiple traumas victims

OBJECTIVE

to clinically validate the nursing diagnosis "Impaired Physical Mobility", identifying its prevalence, defining characteristics, related factors, and associated conditions with the calculation of accuracy measures and generation of Decision Trees, as well as clinically and etiologically characterize the multiple traumas victims.

METHOD

methodological, cross-sectional study of clinical validation type, using diagnostic accuracy measures and generating decision tree.

RESULTS

the sample consisted of 126 patients, 73% male, with a mean age of 38.29 years. The frequency of the nursing diagnosis studied was 88.10%; the defining characteristic with the highest prevalence was "Difficulty turning" (58.73%), with a predictive power of 98.6%; the associated condition "Alteration in bone structure integrity" stood out with 72.22%. The accuracy measures also indicated their predictive power.

CONCLUSION

the components aforementioned were considered predictors of this diagnosis. This study contributed to improve the identification of clinical indicators associated with advanced methods of diagnostic validation, directing care and reducing the variability present in clinical situations.

[Effectiveness comparison of open reduction and internal fixation for open and closed ankle Logsplitter fractures]

Objective

To investigate the effectiveness of open reduction and internal fixation on high-energy ankle Logsplitter injuries (a kind of transsyndesmotic ankle fracture dislocation), and compare the prognosis between open and closed Logsplitter fracture.

Methods

The clinical data of 36 Logsplitter fractures treated with open reduction and internal fixation between April 2011 and May 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 15 cases were open fracture and dislocation (open group) and 21 cases were closed fracture and dislocation (closed group). There was no significant difference between the two groups in gender, age, combined injury, injury to hospital admission time, and other general data ( P>0.05), with comparability. The wound healing, ankle mobility recovery, complications, and fracture healing were observed after operation. The ankle function was evaluated by the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score.

Results

Both groups were followed up 12-29 months (mean, 19 months). There was no significant difference in the follow-up time between the open group and the closed group ( t=1.169, P=0.251). In the open group, there were 3 cases of postoperative infection, 3 cases of nonunion, and 5 cases of post-traumatic osteoarthritis; the above complications occurred in 1 case in the closed group; there was no significant difference in complications between the two groups ( P=0.41) except post-traumatic osteoarthritis ( P=0.02). At last follow-up, there was no significant difference in AOFAS score between the two groups ( t=1.981, P=0.056). According to AOFAS score criterion, the results were good in 10 cases and general in 5 cases in the open group, and good in 13 cases and general in 8 cases in the closed group, showing no significant difference ( P=0.45). There was no significant difference in the fracture healing time and ankle flexion, dorsal extension, varus, and valgus motion between the two groups ( P>0.05).

Conclusion

Open reduction and internal fixation for open or closed Logsplitter fractures can achieve satisfactory results, improve fracture healing rate, effectively reduce the incidence of complications, and improve ankle function.

Current Status of Musculoskeletal Trauma Care Systems Worldwide

BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE

Although general trauma care systems and their effects on mortality reduction have been studied, little is known of the current state of musculoskeletal trauma delivery globally, particularly in low-income (LI) and low middle-income (LMI) countries. The goal of this study is to assess and describe the development and availability of musculoskeletal trauma care delivery worldwide.

MATERIALS & METHODS

A questionnaire was developed to evaluate different characteristics of general and musculoskeletal trauma care systems, including general aspects of systems, education, access to care and pre- and posthospital care. Surgical leaders involved with musculoskeletal trauma care were contacted to participate in the survey.

RESULTS

Of the 170 surveys sent, 95 were returned for use for the study. Nearly 30 percent of surgeons reported a formalized and coordinated trauma system in their countries. Estimates for the number of surgeons providing musculoskeletal trauma per one million inhabitants varied from 2.6 in LI countries to 58.8 in high-income countries. Worldwide, 15% of those caring for musculoskeletal trauma are fellowship trained. The survey results indicate a lack of implemented musculoskeletal trauma care guidelines across countries, with even high-income countries reporting less than 50% availability in most categories. Seventy-nine percent of the populations from LI countries were estimated to have no form of health care insurance. Formalized emergency medical services were reportedly available in only 33% and 50% of LI and LMI countries, respectively. Surgeons from LI and LMI countries responded that improvements in the availability of equipment (100%), number and locations of trauma-designated hospitals (90%), and physician training programs (88%) were necessary in their countries. The survey also revealed a general lack of resources for postoperative and rehabilitation care, irrespective of the country's income level.

CONCLUSION

This study addresses the current state of musculoskeletal trauma care delivery worldwide. These results indicate a greater need for trauma system development and support, from prehospital through posthospital care. Optimization of these systems can lead to better outcomes for patients after trauma. This study represents a critical first step toward better understanding the state of musculoskeletal trauma care in countries with different levels of resources, developing strategies to address deficiencies, and forming regional and international collaborations to develop musculoskeletal trauma care guidelines.

The ABC and pain in trauma

Musculoskeletal trauma in the emergency setting is a challenge for orthopaedic surgeons. Life- and limb-threatening injuries of the extremities should be treated as soon as possible, since major musculoskeletal trauma can be the cause of significant bleeding. However, musculoskeletal trauma is often related to thoracic trauma. Management of the former should be performed only after patient's airway is maintained and breathing is secured with appropriate pain monitoring and management by expert anesthesiologists. This article discusses the association of musculoskeletal with thoracic trauma care and emphasizes on pain as a vital sign in trauma.