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Whether the depth and healing of scalds and contact burns are similar is controversial. Due to water's greater heat capacity, we hypothesized that when exposed to similar temperatures and durations of exposure, burns caused by hot water would be deeper than those caused by contact with hot metal. Forty standardized burns were created in two anesthetized female domestic pigs using a brass bar or circulating heated water. In one pig, the temperature was kept constant (95°C) while the duration of exposure varied (5, 10, 15 seconds) In the second pig, the exposure time was kept constant (10 seconds) while the temperature of exposure varied (70°C, 80°C, 98°C). Periodic punch biopsies were taken to determine burn depth immediately after injury, percentage burns reepithelialized within 21 days, and depth of scar at 28 days. The analysis was performed using analysis of variance. When the temperature was held constant, duration of exposure (5, 10, and 15 seconds) was associated with scar depth (2.1 vs 3.8 vs 5.0 mm, respectively, P = 0.001) but not with burn depth (2.0 vs 2.2 vs 2.3 mm, respectively, P = 0.10). When exposure duration was held constant, temperature (70°C, 80°C, 98°C) was associated with scar depth (0.6 vs 1.7 vs 3.6, P < 0.001) but not with burn depth (1.2 vs 1.5 vs 1.7 mm, respectively, P = 0.21). Burn depths were greater for scald than contact burns although not significantly greater. After controlling for temperature, the difference in scar depth between scalds and contact burns was statistically significant (marginal means 3.0 for contact burns, 4.3 for scalds, P = 0.008). We conclude that burns created in swine with circulating hot water result in deeper scars than those created by contact with a brass bar when controlling for temperature and duration of exposure.

Introducción: Los traumatismos son una de las diez principales causas de muerte a nivel mundial y la primera en personas jóvenes. El traumatismo torácico (TT) es la segunda causa de muerte luego del traumatismo encefalocraneano. Objetivos: Analizar las variables asociadas a mortalidad, las causas principales y la distribución temporal de la mortalidad en hospitalizados fallecidos con TT.Material y método: Estudio observacional de hospitalizados con TT, período enero-1981 a diciembre-2018. Revisión de protocolos prospectivos de TT y base de datos. Se consignaron las causas de muerte sindromaticas principales y se realizó una regresión logística para variables asociadas a mortalidad. Se utilizó SPSS25® con pruebas chi-cuadrado para comparar clasificación, tipo de TT y su distribución temporal, considerando significativo p

Background: Trauma has been a major cause of morbidity and mortality all across the globe. For the improvement of delivery of efficient care to these victims, various trauma severity indices have been devised which make it possible to plan emergency care and assess need for hospitalization and optimize hospital resources. This study was carried out to compare and evaluate Injury Severity Score (ISS) and New Injury Severity Score (NISS) as criteria for admission of trauma patients. Materials and Methods: It was a prospective observational study. The available data were analyzed to determine and compare ISS and NISS as the criteria for admission. The statistical software SPSS (version 20) was used for data analysis. Results: A total of 102 patients were studied at trauma center of our hospital. Out of the total patients, 59.8% of patients had their NISS scores greater than ISS, which showed that NISS is more sensitive and accurate than ISS. It was observed that NISS was not better in predicting hospital stay as compared to ISS. The relationship between NISS and number of hospitalization days was not statistically significant (P = 0.112) whereas ISS was a better predictor of hospital stay (P = 0.042). Conclusion: In this study, it was observed that majority of parameters have favored NISS whereas parameters like hospital stay have favored ISS. Hence, we concluded that NISS is a better score than ISS in many aspects and it can be preferred over ISS as one of the criteria for Hospital admission of trauma patients.

Patients with severe burn injuries pose significant challenges for the intensivist. Though average burn sizes have decreased over time, severe burn injuries involving greater than 20% of the total body surface area still occur. Verified burn centers are limited, making the management of severely burn injured patients at nonspecialized ICUs likely. Current practices in burn care have increased survivability even from massive burns. It is important for intensivists to be aware of the unique complications and therapeutic options in burn critical care management. This review critically discusses current practices and recently published data regarding the evaluation and management of severe burn injury.Burn patients have long, complex ICU stays with accompanying multiorgan dysfunction. Recent advances in burn intensive care have focused on acute respiratory distress syndrome from inhalation injury, acute kidney injury (AKI), and transfusion, resulting in new strategies for organ failure, including renal replacement therapy and extracorporeal life support.Initial evaluation and treatment of acute severe burn injury remains an ongoing area of study. This manuscript reviews current practices and considerations in the acute management of the severely burn injured patient.

Rib fractures are a common reason for hospital admission and are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This article discusses the management of simple rib fractures and provides practical guidance for junior doctors involved in the care of these patients. Careful assessment to identify patients at high risk of complications is essential and calculation of a rib fracture score can aid management decisions. Pain from rib fractures can be severe and requires multimodal analgesia started promptly and proactively on hospital admission. This may include the use of regional anaesthetic techniques such as thoracic epidurals and erector spinae blocks for patients with significant chest trauma or those at high risk of pulmonary complications.

Purpose of review Hyperventilation is commonly used in neurological patients to decrease elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) or relax a tense brain. However, the potentially deleterious effects of hyperventilation may limit its clinical application. The aim of this review is to summarize the physiological and outcome evidence related to hyperventilation in neurological patients. Recent findings Physiologically, hyperventilation may adversely decrease cerebral blood flow (CBF) and the match between the cerebral metabolic rate and CBF. In patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), prolonged prophylactic hyperventilation with arterial carbon dioxide tension (PaCO2) less than 25 mmHg or during the first 24 h after injury is not recommended. Most patients (>90%) with an aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage undergo hyperventilation (PaCO2

This article gives a practical guide to the management of supracondylar fractures of the humerus in paediatric patients, from initial presentation to definitive treatment. It reviews the optimal management of this common and serious injury based on current evidence including the British Orthopaedic Association Standards for Trauma (BOAST) 11 standard.

We aimed to describe elderly engagement in recreational activities, their injury patterns, preinjury risks and outcomes.A 16-year retrospective trauma registry review. All trauma patients ≥65 years admitted after injury sustained during sport were evaluated, and compared to a non-sport cohort of elderly trauma patients.During the study period, 9697 admissions age ≥65 were identified. 526 (5%) were sport-related. Compared to the non-sport group, the sport cohort was younger, had fewer medical comorbidities, and was more severely injured. The common sport mechanisms were skiing, offroad vehicle use and bicycling, and common sport injuries involved lower extremity, chest, and head. Sport patients were more often discharged home than non-sport patients (73% vs 36%, p 0.001). There was no difference in ICU or hospital LOS between groups. The hospital mortality rate was 3% in sport and 5% in non-sport patients (p = 0.06).Over time, the number of elderly sport-related trauma patients increased. Our data suggest that being active may improve outcomes after trauma in older adults.

OBJECTIVES: Each year, pedestrian injuries constitute over 40% of all road casualty deaths and up to 60% of all urban road casualty deaths in Ghana. This is as a result of the overwhelming dependence on walking as a mode of transport in an environment where there is high vehicular speeds, and inadequate pedestrian facilities. The objectives of this research were to establish (1) the impact of traffic calming measures on vehicle speeds and (2) the association between traffic calming measures and pedestrians’ injury severity in built-up areas in Ghana. METHOD: Vehicle speeds were unobtrusively measured in 38 selected settlements comprising 19 “with” and 19 “without” traffic calming schemes. The study design used in this research was a matched case-control. A regression analysis compared case and control casualties using a conditional logistic regression. RESULTS: Generally, the mean vehicle speeds and the proportion of vehicles exceeding the 50 km/hour speed limit were significantly lower in settlements which have traffic calming measures compared with towns without any traffic calming measures. Additionally, the proportion of motorists who exceeded the speed limit was 30% or less in settlements which have traffic calming devices whilst the proportion who exceeded the speed limit was 60% or more in towns without any traffic calming measures. The odds of pedestrian fatality was significantly higher in settlements which have no traffic calming devices compared to those which have, OR=1.98; (95% CI=1.09 to 4.43). The protective effects of a traffic calming scheme which has a speed table was notably higher than where there were no speed tables. CONCLUSION: It was clearly evident that traffic calming devices reduce vehicular speeds and for that matter, the incidence and severity of pedestrian injuries in built-up areas in Ghana. However, the fact that they are deployed on arterial roads is increasingly becoming a road safety concern. Given the emerging safety challenges associated with speed calming measures, we recommend their use to be restricted to residential streets but not on arterial roads. Long term solutions for improving pedestrian safety proposed herein include by-passing settlements along the highways to reduce pedestrians’ exposure to traffic collisions, adopting a modern way of enforcement such as evidence-based laser monitoring in conjunction with a punishment regime which utilizes the demerit points system.

Initial Care of the Severely Injured Patient Trauma care has improved owing to interventions first used on the battlefield. Recent advances include the use of tourniquets, permissive hypotension, t...

RESUMO Objetivo: Identificar a capacidade preditiva de mortalidade dos índices Revised Trauma Score, Rapid Emergency Medicine Score, modified Rapid Emergency Medicine Score e Simplified Acute Physiology Score III em vítimas de trauma contuso internadas em unidade de terapia intensiva e comparar seu desempenho. Método: Coorte retrospectiva de pacientes com trauma contuso de uma unidade de terapia intensiva a partir do registro em prontuários. Receiver Operating Characteristic e intervalo de confiança de 95% da área sob a curva foram analisados para comparar os resultados. Resultados: Dos 165 pacientes analisados, 66,7% tiveram tratamento cirúrgico. A mortalidade na unidade de terapia intensiva e no hospital foi de 17,6% e 20,6%, respectivamente. Para mortalidade na terapia intensiva, houve variação das áreas sob a curva entre 0,672 e 0,738; porém, melhores resultados foram observados em pacientes cirúrgicos (0,747 a 0,811). Resultados similares foram observados para mortalidade hospitalar. Em todas as análises, as áreas sob a curva dos índices não diferiram significativamente. Conclusão: Houve acurácia moderada dos índices de gravidade, com melhora na performance quando aplicados em pacientes cirúrgicos. Os quatro índices apresentaram predição similar para os desfechos analisados.

Identificar a influencia da gravidade do trauma e do atendimento intra-hospitalar no obito, em vitimas de acidentes motociclisticos. Estudo transversal, quantitativo com 31 vitimas encaminhadas para o Hospital no norte do Parana, entre dezembro de 2016 e marco de 2017. 80,6% das vitimas eram homens, 48,4% das ocorrencias aconteceram durante o dia. As escalas de trauma, Injury Severity Score (TRISS), Revised Trauma Score (RTS) e Injury Severity Score (ISS) evidenciaram escores leves com baixo risco de morte. Houve associacao entre gravidade do trauma e obito, chegaram ao hospital com imobilizacoes corporais 61,3%; o protocolo de atendimento ao trauma foi utilizado em 45,2% dos casos; a cirurgia ortopedica compreendeu 43,4%; houve associacao das cirurgias com o desfecho obito; 90,3% das vitimas nao tiveram infeccao. A gravidade do trauma e cirurgias tiveram associacao com o desfecho obito, todas as vitimas de trauma devem ser atendidas conforme protocolo. Descritores: Servico Hospitalar de Admissao de Paciente, Acidentes de Trânsito, Indices de Gravidade do Trauma, Motocicletas. Influence of accidents and in-hospital procedures on death Abstract : Identification of the influence of trauma severity and the in-hospital care at death, in victims of motorcycle accidents. Cross-sectional, quantitative study, considering 31 victims referred to the Hospital in northern Parana, between December 2016 and March 2017. 80.6% of the victims were men and 48.4% of the occurrences took place during the daytime. The trauma scales, Injury Severity Score (TRISS), Revised Trauma Score (RTS) and Injury Severity Score (ISS) presented soft scores of low risks of death. There was evidence of association between trauma severity and death, 61.3% of the patients arrived at the hospital with bodily immobilizations; the trauma care protocol was used in 45.2% of cases; surgery comprised 43.4% of cases; there was an association of surgeries with the outcome of death and 90.3% of the victims had no infection. The severity of trauma and surgeries were associated with the outcome of death; all trauma victims should be treated according to the protocol. Descriptors: Hospital Service for patient Admission, Traffic-Accidents, Trauma Severity Indices, Motorcycles. Influencia de los accidentes y procedimientos intrahospitales en la muerte Resumen : Identificar la influencia de la gravedad del trauma y del atendimiento intrahospitalario en la muerte, en victimas de accidentes motociclisticos. Estudio transversal, cuantitativo con 31 victimas encaminadas para el Hospital en el Norte del Parana, entre diciembre de 2016 y marzo de 2017. El 80.6% de las victimas eran hombres, un 48.4% de los casos ocurrieron durante el dia. La puntuacion de los traumas, Injury Severity Score (TRISS), RevisedTrauma Score (RTS) y Injury Severity Score (ISS) evidenciaron scores leves con bajo riesgo de muerte. Hubo asociacion entre la gravedad del trauma y la muerte, llegaron al hospital con inmovilizaciones corporales el 61.3%; el protocolo de atendimiento al trauma fue utilizado el 45.2% de los casos; la cirugia ortopedica comprendio 43.4%; hubo asociacion de las cirugias con la muerte; el 90.3% de las victimas no tuvieron infeccion. La gravedad del trauma y cirugias tuvieron asociacion con la muerte, todas las victimas de trauma deben ser atendidas segun el protocolo. Descriptores: Servicio Hospitalar de Admision de Paciente, Accidentes de Transito, Indices de Gravedad del Trauma, Motocicletas.

Purpose: to analyze the relation between Trauma Quality Indicators (QI) and death, as well as clinical adverse events in severe trauma patients. Methods: analysis of data collected in the Trauma Register between 2014-2015, including patients with Injury Severity Score (ISS) > 16, reviewing the QI: (F1) Acute subdural hematoma drainage > 4 hours with Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) 6 hours; (F10) Surgery > 24 hours. T the chi-squared and Fisher tests were used to calculate statistical relevance, considering p

RESUMO: Objetivo: Estudar fatores associados à perda de produtividade em pessoas envolvidas em acidentes de trânsito (AT). Métodos: Realizou-se uma coorte prospectiva de base comunitária no município de Jequié, Bahia, Brasil, entre 2013 e 2015. Foi aplicado instrumento de coleta em forma de formulário em participantes que se envolviam em AT, seguido de entrevistas a cada quatro meses. Investigou-se, por meio da análise bivariada e multivariável, a associação entre perda de produtividade e variáveis sociodemográficas e ocupacionais, condições de saúde e gravidade das lesões. Resultados: Observaram-se incidência cumulativa de perda de produtividade de 61,1% e densidade de incidência geral de 7,45 casos/100 pessoas/mês. A análise multivariável demonstrou associação com perda de produtividade para quem utilizava o veículo como instrumento de trabalho (razão de densidade de incidência - RDI = 4,23; intervalo de confiança de 95% (IC95%) = 2,90 - 6,17) e aqueles que apresentaram lesão corporal (RDI = 2,80; IC95% = 1,62 - 4,85). Conclusão: São necessárias políticas públicas que assegurem a segurança no trânsito a fim de minimizar os efeitos dos AT sobre a produtividade, além da realização de novos estudos na área para ampliar o conhecimento sobre o tema. ABSTRACT: Objective: To study associated factors with loss productivity in people involved road traffic accidents (RTA). Methods: The population based cohort study was conducted in Jequié, Brazil between 2013 to 2015. The instrument for interview was used in people involved in RTA and interview in four months. Individuals, occupational, health conditions, injury and support variables were used for bivariate and multivariate analysis. Results: The cumulative incidence was loss productivity was 61.1% and density incidence of 7.45 cases/100 person-month. Multivariate analysis showed association for injury (IDR = 4.23; 95%CI = 2.90 - 6.17) and vehicle used with work instrument (IDR = 2.80; 95%CI = 1.62 - 4.85). Conclusion: Public policies are needed to ensure traffic safety in order to minimize the effects of RTA about productivity and to carry news studies to expand knowledge about loss productivity.

In 1989, Moore et al. on behalf of the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) published the Organ Injury Scale (OIS) for spleen, liver, and kidney.1 This was then updated for spleen and liver in 1994.2 These initial classification schemes were based on an anatomic description of the i

To describe the current state of the art regarding management of the critically ill trauma patient with an emphasis on initial management in the ICU.A PubMed literature review was performed for relevant articles in English related to the management of adult humans with severe trauma. Specific topics included airway management, hemorrhagic shock, resuscitation, and specific injuries to the chest, abdomen, brain, and spinal cord.The basic principles of initial management of the critically ill trauma patients include rapid identification and management of life-threatening injuries with the goal of restoring tissue oxygenation and controlling hemorrhage as rapidly as possible. The initial assessment of the patient is often truncated for procedures to manage life-threatening injuries. Major, open surgical procedures have often been replaced by nonoperative or less-invasive approaches, even for critically ill patients. Consequently, much of the early management has been shifted to the ICU, where the goal is to continue resuscitation to restore homeostasis while completing the initial assessment of the patient and watching closely for failure of nonoperative management, complications of procedures, and missed injuries.The initial management of critically ill trauma patients is complex. Multiple, sometimes competing, priorities need to be considered. Close collaboration between the intensivist and the surgical teams is critical for optimizing patient outcomes.

Fractures at the thoracolumbar region are commonly followed after major traumatic injuries, and up to 20% of these fractures are known to be burst fractures. Making surgical decisions for these patients are of great interest however there is no golden standard so far. Since the introduction of Thoracolumbar Injury Classification and Severity (TLICS) score in 2007, it has been widely used as a referential guideline for making surgical decisions in thoracolumbar fractures. However, there is still limitations in this system. In this clinical case report, we introduce a L1 burst fracture after motor vehicle injury, who was successfully treated conservatively even while she was graded as a TLICS 5 injury. A case report is presented as well as discussion on the limitations of this grading system.

Background Traumatic Brain Injury is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the pediatric population affecting millions of people yearly. It is important that practitioners have the knowledge and skills to care for these complicated patients, as the initial care can significantly affect the course of the injury. We discuss the initial management of traumatic brain injury based on mild, moderate and severe presentations. Result and conclusion Management strategies to address Intracranial Pressure and Cerebral perfusion pressure, the use of oxygenation and ventilation strategies, temperature, correction of metabolic abnormalities and seizure care are discussed.

Ocular near point of convergence (NPC) has been shown to be sensitive to the effects of concussion and subconcussive impacts. To determine if NPC is also sensitive to a previous history of concussion, male contact-sport athletes either with (n=26) or without (n=16) a history of at least one previous concussion had their NPC assessed. The results showed that participants with a history of concussion displayed NPC values (9.4±1.6 cm) indistinguishable from those with no history of concussion (8.4±2.1 cm, t-test, p=0.09). This was the case regardless of whether 1, 2, or 3 or more concussions had occurred and despite the fact participants with concussion (mean time since last concussion: 1136 days) suffered from an increased number and severity of symptoms as assessed with the SCAT 3 (3.6±2.2 vs. 2.13±1.89 symptoms, 6.1±4.1 vs. 3.19±2.99 severity, t-test, p

This study evaluated the safety impacts of pedestrian countdown signals (PCSs) with and without pushbuttons based on pedestrian crashes and pedestrian injuries in Michigan.This study used 10 years of intersection data-5 years before PCSs were installed and 5 years after they were installed-along with a comparison group, to evaluate the crash impacts of PCSs; at 107 intersections the PCS had a pushbutton and at 96 it did not. At these intersections, and at their comparison sites (where no PCS was installed), crash data (from 2004 to 2016) were examined, along with traffic and geometric characteristics, population, education, and poverty level data.Intersections where PCSs with pushbuttons have been installed showed a 29% reduction in total pedestrian crashes and a 30% reduction in fatal/injury pedestrian crashes. Further, when considering only pedestrians age 65 and below, these respective reductions are 33 and 35%. Intersections with PCSs but without pushbuttons did not show any significant change in any type of pedestrian crash.Although the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (Federal Highway Administration [FHWA] 2009 ) requires the use of PCSs at new traffic signal installations, this study suggests a safety benefit of installing PCSs with pushbutton at signals where a PCS without a pushbutton is present.

Purpose: We examined radiographic predictors of intervention for blunt renal trauma independent of AAST-OIS (American Association for the Surgery of Trauma-Organ Injury Scale).Materials and Methods...

Angioembolization (AE) is widely used for hemorrhagic control in patients with pelvic fracture. The latest version of the Resources for Optimal Care of the Injured Patient issued by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma requires interventional radiologists to be available within 30 minutes to perform an emergency AE. However, the impact of time-to-AE on patient outcomes remains unknown. We hypothesized that a longer time-to-AE would be significantly associated with increased mortality in patients with pelvic fracture.This is a 2-year retrospective cohort study using the American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Improvement Program database from January 2013 to December 2014. We included adult patients (age ≥ 18 years) with blunt pelvic fracture who underwent pelvic AE within 4 hours of hospital admission. Patients who required any hemorrhage control surgery for associated injuries within 4 hours were excluded. Hierarchical logistic regression was performed to evaluate the impact of time-to-AE on in-hospital and 24-hour mortality.A total of 181 patients were included for analysis. The median age was 54 years (interquartile range, 38-68) and 69.6% were male. The median injury severity score was 34 (interquartile range, 27-43). Overall in-hospital mortality rate was 21.0%. The median packed red blood cell transfusions within 4 and 24 hours after admission were 4 and 6 units, respectively. After adjusting for other covariates in a hierarchical logistic regression model, a longer time-to-pelvic AE was significantly associated with increased in-hospital mortality (odds ratio, 1.79 for each hour; 95% confidence interval, 1.11-2.91; p = 0.018).The current study showed an increased risk of in-hospital mortality related to a prolonged time-to-AE for hemorrhagic control following pelvic fractures. Our results suggest that all trauma centers should allocate resources to minimize delays in performing pelvic AE.Therapeutic/care management, level IV.

Background: Blunt pharyngoesophageal injuries pose a management challenge to the trauma surgeon. The purpose of this study was to explore whether these injuries can be managed expectantly without neck exploration. Methods: The National Trauma Databank datasets 2007–2011 were reviewed for blunt trauma patients who sustained a pharyngeal injury, including an injury to the cervical esophagus. Patients who survived over 24 h and were not transferred from other institutions were divided into two groups based on whether a neck exploration was performed. Outcomes included mortality and hospital stay. Results: A total of 545 (0.02%) patients were identified. The median age was 18 years and 69% were male. Facial fractures were found in 16%, while 13% had an associated traumatic brain injury. Of the 284 patients who survived over 24 h and were not transferred from another institution, 65 (23%) underwent a neck exploration. The injury burden was significantly higher in this group as indicated by the higher median Injury Severity Score (17 vs 10, p Conclusion: Pharyngoesophageal injuries are rare following blunt trauma. Only a quarter require a neck exploration and this decision appears to be dictated by the injury burden. Selective non-operative management based on clinical status seems to be feasible and is not associated with increased mortality.

The objective of this study was to investigate the injury incidence and patterns in elite youth football at a category 1 Premier League Academy before and after the introduction of a new development strategy, the Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP). A prospective study was performed over six consecutive seasons encompassing three years before and after the introduction of the EPPP. The findings revealed a most likely moderate increase in total exposure per player per season when the post-EPPP football exposure (640.86 ± 83.25 hours per player per year) was compared with the pre-EPPP football exposure (539.08 ± 71.59). The total injury incidence pre-EPPP was 3.0/1000 hours compared to 2.1/1000 hours post-EPPP (rate ratio 1.43). 6% of all injuries were re-injuries (20.24 ± 33.43 days) but did not result in a substantially longer absence (16.56 ± 15.77 days). The injury burden decreased for the U12-U15 from pre- to post-EPPP, whereas the injury burden increased for the U16-U18 (respectively 125 and 47% higher). These findings suggest that following the introduction of the EPPP there has been a reduction in injuries in the younger age groups U12-U15 but in the older age groups U16-U18 there has been an increase in the severity of the injuries sustained at this club.

Purpose Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) have become a cornerstone for the evaluation of the effectiveness of treatment. The Achilles tendon Total Rupture Score (ATRS) is a PROM for outcome and assessment of an Achilles tendon rupture. The aim of this study was to translate the ATRS to Dutch and evaluate its reliability and validity in the Dutch population. Methods A forward–backward translation procedure was performed according to the guidelines of cross-cultural adaptation process. The Dutch ATRS was evaluated for reliability and validity in patients treated for a total Achilles tendon rupture from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2014 in one teaching hospital and one academic hospital. Reliability was assessed by the intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), Cronbach’s alpha and minimal detectable change (MDC). We assessed construct validity by calculation of Spearman’s rho correlation coefficient with domains of the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS), Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment-Achilles questionnaire (VISA-A) and Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) for pain in rest and during running. Results The Dutch ATRS had a good test–retest reliability (ICC = 0.852) and a high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.96). MDC was 30.2 at individual level and 3.5 at group level. Construct validity was supported by 75 % of the hypothesized correlations. The Dutch ATRS had a strong correlation with NRS for pain during running (r = −0.746) and all the five subscales of the Dutch FAOS (r = 0.724–0.867). There was a moderate correlation with the VISA-A-NL (r = 0.691) and NRS for pain in rest (r = −0.580). Conclusion The Dutch ATRS shows an adequate reliability and validity and can be used in the Dutch population for measuring the outcome of treatment of a total Achilles tendon rupture and for research purposes. Level of evidence Diagnostic study, Level I. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00167-016-4242-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

To characterize admission patterns, critical care resource utilization, and outcomes in moderate pediatric traumatic brain injury.Retrospective cohort study.National Trauma Data Bank.Children under 18 years old with a diagnosis of moderate traumatic brain injury (admission Glasgow Coma Scale score of 9-13) in the National Trauma Data Bank between 2007 and 2014.We examined clinical characteristics, critical care resource utilization, and discharge outcomes. Poor outcomes were defined as discharge to hospice, skilled nursing facility, long-term acute care, or death. We examined 20,010 patient records. Patients were 9 years old (interquartile range, 2-15 yr), male (64%) with isolated traumatic brain injury (81%), Glasgow Coma Scale score of 12, head Abbreviated Injury Scale score of 3, and Injury Severity Score of 10. Majority (34%) were admitted to nontrauma hospitals. Critical care utilization was 58.7% including 11.5% mechanical ventilation and 3.2% intracranial pressure monitoring. Compared to patients with Glasgow Coma Scale score of 13, admission Glasgow Coma Scale score of 9 was associated with greater critical care resource utilization, such as ICU admission (72% vs 50%), intracranial pressure monitoring (7% vs 1.8%), mechanical ventilation (21% vs 6%), and intracranial surgery (10% vs 5%). Most patients (70%) were discharged to home, but up to one third had poor outcomes. Older age group had a higher risk of poor outcomes (10-14 yr; adjusted relative risk, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.13-1.54; 15-17 yr; adjusted relative risk, 2.39; 95% CI, 2.12-2.70). Poor outcomes occurred with lower Glasgow Coma Scale (Glasgow Coma Scale score of 9 vs Glasgow Coma Scale score of 13: adjusted relative risk, 2.89; 95% CI, 2.47-3.38), higher Injury Severity Score (Injury Severity Score of ≥ 16 vs Injury Severity Score of9: adjusted relative risk, 8.10; 95% CI 6.27-10.45), and polytrauma (adjusted relative risk, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.22-1.61).Critical care resources are used in more than half of all moderate pediatric traumatic brain injury, and many receive care at nontrauma hospitals. Up to one third of moderate pediatric traumatic brain injury have poor outcomes, risk factors for which include age greater than 10 years, lower admission Glasgow Coma Scale, higher Injury Severity Score, and polytrauma. There is urgent need to optimize triage, care, and outcomes in this vulnerable population.

Compression of the spinal cord can result from trauma, cancer, epidural abscess, or epidural hematoma and can have a variety of clinical manifestations based on the anatomical level and completeness of the compression. Treatment approaches are outlined.

Aim of the study: In Poland, approximately several hundred of individuals die due to falls from a height annually; in some cases, it is difficult to determine explicitly whether the fall was caused by an accident or suicidal attempt. The aim of the study was to verify the usefulness of the 14-point Berghaus scale for differentiation of fatal falls from a height resulting from accidents or suicides. Material and methods: The study material included the results of post-mortem examinations of 41 fatalities of falls from a height performed in the Department of Forensic Medicine in Lublin, which were confronted with the data from the records of prosecutor's proceedings. Conclusions: The analysis of materials confirmed high usefulness of the Berghaus score criteria to conclude whether the fall was accidental or resulted from suicide.bCel pracy/b: Rocznie w Polsce kilkaset osób ginie w wyniku upadków z wysokości i niekiedy trudno jest jednoznacznie rozstrzygnąć, czy w danym przypadku doszło do upadku na skutek nieszczęśliwego zdarzenia czy też targnięcia się na własne życie. Celem pracy była weryfikacja przydatności 14-punktowej skali Berghausa do różnicowania śmiertelnych upadków z wysokości będących następstwem zamachu samobójczego lub nieszczęśliwego wypadku.bMateriał i metody:/bMateriał do badań stanowiły wyniki przeprowadzonych w lubelskim Zakładzie Medycyny Sądowej, poszerzonych badań pośmiertnych 41 ofiar upadku z wysokości, które skonfrontowano z informacjami zawartymi w aktach prowadzonych postępowań prokuratorskich.bWnioski:/bNa podstawie przeprowadzonych analiz potwierdzono, że na podstawie kryteriów skali Berghausa można z dużym prawdopodobieństwem wnioskować, czy do upadku doszło w wyniku nieszczęśliwego zdarzenia czy też targnięcia się na własne życie.

Background The Mangled Extremity Severity Score is a decision-making tool for limb amputation after trauma. The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire was developed to quantify posttraumatic functional deficits of the upper extremity. This study aims to determine the correlation between these two assessments. Methods In this study, a retrospective review of all patients with upper extremity injuries who had been treated with vascular reconstruction at two centres between 2005 and 2014 was performed. The respective Mangled Extremity Severity Score was calculated for each participant. Patients were recalled for follow-up examination and assessment of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Score. Results In this study, 14 patients met the inclusion criteria. The mean total Mangled Extremity Severity Score was 5.9 and the mean total Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Score was 30 points. There was no statistically significant correlation between these assessments (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient: 0.49, p=0.075). Conclusion The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Score did not correlate significantly with the Mangled Extremity Severity Score.

RESUMO: Objetivo: Analisar o efeito do uso de capacete na gravidade de lesões em condutores e passageiros de motocicletas envolvidos em acidentes de trânsito. Métodos: Estudo de corte seccional sobre vítimas de acidentes de transporte terrestre envolvendo motociclistas, atendidos nos serviços de urgência e emergência e participantes do Inquérito de Vigilância de Violências e Acidentes (Viva Inquérito) 2017. Resultados: Verificou-se predomínio de indivíduos na faixa de 18 a 29 anos (46,6%), negros (75,2%) e com ensino médio (50,6%). Em 14,1% dos acidentes houve relato de uso de álcool. O uso do capacete reduziu em 76% a ocorrência de trauma cranioencefálico e em 28% a ocorrência de encaminhamento para outro hospital, internação ou óbito. Conclusão: Motociclistas jovens, negros, de baixa escolaridade e do sexo masculino apresentaram-se mais vulneráveis aos acidentes. O uso do capacete mostrou-se protetor para lesões graves. ABSTRACT: Objective: To analyze the effect of helmet use on injury severity among motorcyclists and passengers involved in traffic accidents. Methods: Cross-sectional study of traffic accidents involving motorcyclists attended at the emergency healthcare units participating in the Violence and Accidents Survey Conducted in Sentinel Emergency Departments (Viva Survey) 2017. Results: There was a predominance of individuals aged 18 to 29 years old (46.6%), black (75.2%), with high school education (50.6%). Alcohol use was observed in 14.1% of cases. Helmet use was associated with a 76% reduction in the occurrence of head trauma and a 28% reduction in the referral, hospitalization or death. Conclusion: Young, male, black individuals and those with low education were the most frequent victims of accidents. Helmet use was protective for severe injuries.

There are many clinical decision rules for adults with minor head injury, but it is unclear how they compare in terms of diagnostic accuracy. This study aimed to systematically identify clinical decision rules for adults with minor head injury and compare the estimated diagnostic accuracies for any intracranial injury and injury requiring neurosurgical intervention.Several electronic bibliographic databases covering biomedical, scientific, and gray literature were searched from inception to March 2010. At least two independent reviewers determined the eligibility of cohort studies that described a clinical decision rule to identify adults with minor head injury (Glasgow Coma Scale score, 13-15) at risk of intracranial injury or injury requiring neurosurgical intervention.Twenty-two relevant studies were identified. Differences existed in patient selection, outcome definition, and reference standards used. Nine rules stratified patients into high- and moderate-risk categories (to identify neurosurgical or nonsurgical intracranial lesions). The Canadian Computed Tomography Head Rule (CCHR) high-risk criteria have sensitivity of 99% to 100% with specificity of 48% to 77% for injury requiring neurosurgical intervention. Other rules such as New Orleans criteria, National Emergency X-Radiography Utilization Study II, Neurotraumatology Committee of the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies, Scandinavian, and Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network produce similar sensitivities for injury requiring neurosurgical intervention but with lower and more variable specificity values.The most widely researched decision rule is the CCHR, which has consistently shown high sensitivity for identifying injury requiring neurosurgical intervention with an acceptable specificity to allow considered use of cranial computed tomography. No other decision rule has been as widely validated or demonstrated as acceptable results, but its exclusion criteria make it difficult to apply universally.

Orbital compartment syndrome is a rare presentation of orbital trauma and is an ophthalmic emergency. Delay in clinical diagnosis and subsequent surgical intervention will lead to loss of vision in nick of time. We presented a case series of orbital compartment syndrome secondary to trauma who presented to the emergency department of Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital during the devastating earthquake in April 2015. Clinical diagnosis of orbital compartment syndrome was made in the bedside and all the patients underwent emergency lateral canthotomy and inferior cantholysis. This case series was aimed to describe clinical features and management of orbital compartment syndrome.

This report discusses the potential ocular injuries associated with an air-powered salt gun, a new product that may appeal to children. The authors hope to inform both providers and patients of the potential risks and treatment considerations if an injury of this type is sustained. [ J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus . 2019;56:e65–e67.]