Comparison of the relative benefits of 2 versus 10 days of soft collar cervical immobilization after acute whiplash injury

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of 2-day and 10-day immobilization of the cervical spine on pain, range of motion (ROM), and disability of patients with Quebec Task Force (QTF) grade II whiplash injuries. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: University hospital emergency department. PARTICIPANTS: Seventy patients with acute QTF grade II whiplash injuries. INTERVENTIONS: At the intake examination within 24 hours after the whiplash trauma, the patients were randomized to 2 therapy groups (2-d or 10-d immobilization with a soft cervical collar). All patients received pain drugs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and after 7 days, all patients started a standardized physiotherapy program 2 to 3 times a week. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patients' pain and disability scores were assessed using visual analog scales and ROM was assessed using a goniometer. All parameters were measured within 24 hours after injury and after 2 and 6 months. RESULTS: After 2 months, the different periods of immobilization (2d or 10d) were associated with comparable improvements in pain symptoms (median, 4.60 vs 4.65), ROM (median, 100.0 degrees vs 117.5 degrees ), and disability score (median, 4.90 vs 5.15). No statistically significant differences could be identified between the 2 treatment groups. After 6 months, persistent pain was reported by 4 patients in each group (12.5%). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with QTF grade II whiplash injuries, there is no short- or long-term difference between 2-day and 10-day immobilization with a cervical collar in terms of pain, ROM, or disability.     

危重病患者心肌肌钙蛋白I测定的临床意义

目的 探讨危重病患者隐匿性心肌损伤的发生率以及心肌肌钙蛋白I(cTnI)在评价危重病患者预后中的作用。方法 通过检测159例危重病患者血清cTnI的水平,利用回顾性双盲的单中心研究方法,分析危重病(呼吸衰竭、脑血管意外、心力衰竭等)患者cTnI与心肌损伤、机械通气时间、ICU住院时间和死亡率的关系。结果 在159例危重病患者中有34例(21.4％)患者存在cTnI的升高,但34例患者中只有9例(26.5％)被诊断存在心肌梗死,有25例患者并未发现有明显的心肌损伤。cTnI升高患者的死亡率远远高于cTnI未升高的患者(41.2％vs 16.0％),机械通气的发生率(58.8％vs 23.2％)和持续时间(7.9 vs 3.1 d)也大大增加,ICU住院时间也明显延长(10.8 vs 4.3 d)。结论cTnI水平的升高表明危重病患者中并发心肌损伤和功能失调的发生率很高,特别是许多心电图正常的隐匿性心肌损伤。cTnI作为心肌损伤的特异性标志物,在评价危重病患者的预后中也发挥重要作用。特别cTnI水平升高患者的死亡率、心肌损伤、机械通气的发生率、ICU住院时间等方面都明显增加。     

Thoracic vertebrae fracture: Is it an indicator of abdominal injury?

PurposeTraumatic vertebral fracture accounts for 10–15% of trauma related admissions. While the correlation between lumbar vertebral fractures and abdominal injuries is well established, the relationship between thoracic vertebral fractures (TVF) and abdominal injuries is comparatively less well elucidated. Using a large national trauma database, we aimed to examine the incidence and severity of associated abdominal injuries in blunt trauma patients suffering from TVF.MethodsA retrospective cohort study using the Israeli National Trauma Registry was conducted. Patients with thoracic vertebrae spine fractures following blunt mechanisms of trauma between 1997 and 2018 were examined, comparing the incidence and severity of associated intraabdominal organs injuries with and without TVF. Demographics and outcomes between the two cohorts were compared.ResultsFrom 362,924 blunt trauma patients, 4967 (1.37%) had isolated TVF. Mean age was 49.8 years and 61.9% were males. The most common mechanism of injury was fall following by MVC. The patients with TVF had significantly higher rates of increased ISS score (ISS > 16, 28.45% vs. 10.42%, p < 0.001) and higher mortality rate (3.5% vs. 2%, p < 0.0001). Patients with TVF had 2–3 times more intraabdominal organ injuries (p < 0.001). The most commonly injured organ was spleen (3.28%); followed by liver (2.64%) and kidney (1.47%).An analysis of non-isolated thoracic spine fractures showed same distribution in age, ISS, mechanisms, patterns of intra-abdominal injury, mortality rate and laparotomy rate.ConclusionClinicians should have an elevated suspicion for intra-abdominal injuries when a thoracic spine fracture is identified, which may necessitate further evaluation.     

不同吸痰深度对重型颅脑损伤机械通气患者颅内压力的影响

目的 研究不同吸痰深度对重型颅脑损伤机械通气患者颅内压(ICP)和呼吸机相关性肺炎(VAP)发生率的影响.方法 选取重症监护病房58例行机械通气及ICP监护的患者,分为3组,A组、B组、C组分别采取浅吸痰、改良深部吸痰、深部吸痰 3种吸痰方式,分析3组吸痰前后ICP数值变化、吸痰间隔时间和频率;分析机械通气7d内的VAP发生率.结果 A组对ICP影响最小,吸痰间隔最短,吸痰频率最高,VAP发生率60.0％.B组在吸痰瞬间ICP升高,但平均ICP高峰＜20mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133kPa),并在2min内回复基线水平,吸痰间隔较长,吸痰频率较低,VAP发生率为26.3％.C组在吸痰瞬间ICP最高,达(22.63±4.02) mmHg,需5min回复基线水平,吸痰间隔最长,吸痰频率最低,VAP发生率为21.1％.结论 针对重型颅脑损伤患者的气道管理,改良深部吸痰是一种比较安全有效的选择.     

143例ICU老年创伤患者的流行病学分析

目的探讨单中心老年创伤重症患者流行病学特点,为临床救治提供参考。 方法回顾性分析2017年1月至2018年6月陆军军医大学大坪医院重症医学科（ICU）收治的65岁以上老年创伤患者143例,分析患者性别、年龄、致伤机制、损伤严重程度评分（ISS）、并发症、住院时间等资料。采用Mann-Whitney检验比较ISS评分、急性生理与慢性健康评分（APACHE Ⅱ评分）、ICU时间、住院时间在不同受伤机制和不同年龄之间的差异,使用Pearson χ²检验比较年龄分层计数、基础疾病分类计数、好转出院例数在不同受伤机制和不同年龄之间的差异,应用Logistic回归分析法分析并发症发生的危险因素。 结果所有创伤患者中,男性患者71例（49.65%,71/143）,女性72例（50.34%,72/143）;年龄65~99岁,平均年龄（78±1）岁;多发伤43例（30.07%,43/143）,单部位伤100例（69.93%,100/143）。跌倒伤是首位致伤原因90例（62.94%,90/143）,其次为车祸伤40例（27.97%,40/143）。跌倒伤ISS［9（9,9）分vs 22（16,27）分,Z=7.574,P<0.001］、APACHE II评分［15（14,17）分vs 17（15,21）分,P=0.001］均较低,住ICU时间［2（1,3）d vs 8（1,16）d,Z=4.407,P<0.001］和住院时间［（16（12,22.25）d vs 30（19,49）d,Z=4.779,P<0.001）］较非跌倒伤更短,好转出院率比较差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。≥80岁患者与<80岁患者比较,APACHE Ⅱ评分明显升高［16（15,20）分vs 14（15,18）分,Z=2.093,P=0.036）］,住ICU的时间更长［3（1,10）d vs 1（1,7.5）d,Z=2.013,P=0.044］。APACHE Ⅱ评分是并发症发生的危险因素（OR=1.771,P=0.01）。 结论老年患者入住ICU的主要原因是跌倒伤,其次是车祸伤。除年龄外,APACHE Ⅱ评分高时,住ICU时间更长和并发症发生率更高。     

Male gender is associated with increased risk for postinjury pneumonia

Nosocomial pneumonia in trauma patients is a significant source of resource utilization and mortality. We have previously described increased rates of pneumonia in male trauma patients in a single institution study. In that study, female trauma patients had a lower incidence of postinjury pneumonia but a higher relative risk for mortality when they did develop pneumonia. We sought to investigate the hypothesis that male trauma patients have an increased incidence of postinjury pneumonia in a separate population-based dataset. Prospective data were collected on 30,288 trauma patients (26,231 blunt injuries, 4057 penetrating injuries) admitted to all trauma centers (n = 26) in Pennsylvania over 24 months (January 1996 to December 1997). Gender differences in pneumonia were determined for the entire dataset. A second analysis examined all blunt injury patients and excluded all patients with a hospital length of stay less than 24 h, eliminating patients who expired early after admission. In trauma patients with minor injury (ISS < 15), there was no significant difference between male and female patients in the rate of postinjury pneumonia (male 1.37%, female 1.11%). In the moderate-injury group (ISS > 15), male trauma patients had a significantly increased incidence of postinjury pneumonia (ISS 15-30, male 8.85%, female 6.45%; ISS > 30, male 24.35%, female 17.30%). Logistic regression analysis of blunt trauma patients revealed that gender, ISS, injury type, admission Revised Trauma Score (RTS), admission respiratory rate, history of cardiac disease, and history of cancer were all independent predictors of pneumonia. Trauma patients with nosocomial pneumonia had a significantly higher mortality rate (P < 0.001) than patients without pneumonia. There was no gender-specific difference in mortality among pneumonia patients. Male gender is significantly associated with an increased incidence of postinjury pneumonia. In contrast to our initial study, there was no gender difference in postinjury pneumonia mortality rates identified in this population-based study.     

Implementation of a dual cervical spine and blunt cerebrovascular injury assessment pathway for pediatric trauma patients

Background:Pediatric cervical spine (CSI) and blunt cerebrovascular injuries (BCVI) are challenging to evaluate as they are rare but carry high morbidity and mortality. CT scans are the traditional imaging modality to evaluate for CSI/BCVI, but involve radiation exposure and potential future increased risk of malignancy. Therefore, we present results from the implementation of a combined CSI/BCVI pediatric trauma clinical pathway to aid clinicians in their decision-making.Methods:We conducted a 2-year retrospective cohort study analyzing data pre and post implementation of the combined CSI/BCVI pathway. Data was obtained from a level 1 pediatric trauma center and included blunt trauma patients under the age of 14. We evaluated the use of cervical spine computed tomography (CT), CT angiography, and plain radiographs, as well as missed injuries and provider pathway adherence.Results:We included 358 patients: 209 pre-pathway and 149 post-pathway implementation. Patient mean age was 8.9 years and 61% were male (61% males). There were no significant differences in GCS, AIS, and ISS between pre and post pathway groups. Post pathway implementation saw reduced use of cervical spine CT, although this was not clinically significant (33% vs 31%, p = 0.74). However, cervical spine radiography use increased (9% vs 16%, p = 0.03), and there was also an increase in screening for BCVI injuries with higher use of CTA (5% vs 7%, p = 0.52). A total of 12 CSI and 3 BCVI were identified with no missed injuries. Provider adherence to the pathway was modest (54%).ConclusionImplementation of a combined CSI/BCVI clinical pathway for pediatric trauma patients increased screening radiography and did not miss any injuries. However, CT use did not significantly decrease and provider adherence was modest, supporting the need for further implementation analysis and larger studies to validate the pathway's sensitivity and specificity for CSI/BCVI.     

Specialist neurocritical care and outcome from head injury

OBJECTIVES: To document the effect of neurocritical care, delivered by specialist staff and based on protocol-driven therapy aimed at intracranial pressure (ICP) and cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) targets, on outcome in acute head injury. DESIGN: Retrospective record review to compare presentation, therapy and outcome in patients with head injury referred to a regional neurosurgical centre, before and after establishment of protocol-driven therapy. SETTING: Neurosciences Critical Care Unit (NCCU). PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred and eighty-five patients aged 18-65 years with at least one reactive pupil, referred with a diagnosis of head injury, requiring tracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation. INTERVENTIONS: Measurement of Glasgow Outcome Scale 6 months after injury. RESULTS: Patients from the two epochs were well matched for admission Glasgow Coma Scale and extracranial injuries. When all referred patients were considered, institution of protocol-driven therapy was not associated with a statistically significant increase in favourable outcomes (56.0% vs. 66.4%). However, we observed a significant increase in favourable outcomes in the severely head injured patients studied (40.4% vs. 59.6%). The proportion of favourable outcomes was also high (66.6%) in those presenting with evidence of raised ICP in the absence of a mass lesion and (60.0%) in those that required complex interventions to optimise ICP/CPP. CONCLUSIONS: Specialist neurocritical care with protocol-driven therapy is associated with a significant improvement in outcome for all patients with severe head injury. Such management may also benefit patients requiring no surgical therapy, some of whom may need complex therapeutic interventions. We found it impossible to predict need for such interventions from clinical features at presentation. These data suggest that specialist critical care with ICP/CPP guided therapy may benefit patients with severe head injury.     

A retrospective review of the relationship between facial fractures, head injuries, and cervical spine injuries

Facial fractures are common in the multiply-traumatized patient, and the results of previous studies that have examined the relationship between facial fractures, cervical spine injuries, and head injuries have produced conflicting results. A retrospective review of 1,050 blunt-trauma patients during a 40-month period at a regional trauma unit revealed 168 patients with facial fractures. The average injury severity score (ISS) of these patients with facial fractures was 31 compared with an average ISS of 25.6 for the entire group. There were 266 facial fractures in these 168 patients: mandible (n = 72), maxilla (n = 74), zygoma (n = 52), orbital (n = 46), nasoethmoidal (n = 20), and frontal (n = 2). There were seven (4%) cervical spine injuries, three of which were atlanto-occipital subluxations in patients who ultimately died. Of the four surviving patients, one had a cord injury. In contrast, 145 (85%) showed evidence of head injuries; 64 (38%) of these head injuries were serious and 17 of these patients required craniotomy. The relationship of facial fractures and cervical spine injuries may be over emphasized; head injuries, although frequently minor, are much more commonly associated with facial fractures.     

Indications of Philadelphia collar in the treatment of upper cervical injuries.

The principles of the management of upper cervical injuries remain controversial. The specific anatomical conditions render upper cervical injuries more problematic than lower cervical injuries. Here we present and discuss our experiences with upper cervical injury, comparing them with other treatment modalities. The 24 patients admitted to our department with upper cervical injury were treated surgically or conservatively according to their neurological and radiological status. Five patients were treated surgically due to neurological abnormality associated with compression to neural structures observed in computerized tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (CT/MRI). Patients with no neural compression were managed conservatively, with the Philadelphia collar. All patients showed stable fracture healing and experienced no additional clinical disability on follow-up after a minimum of 3 months, except one who died due to cardiac and respiratory failure. Regardless of the type of injury, indication for surgery in many cases of upper cervical injury is neurological abnormality associated with radiologically observed neural compression. It is our belief that, in the absence of both neurological abnormality and compression to neural structures observed in CT/MRI, treatment with the Philadelphia collar alone is safe, cost-effective and easily applicable for many cases of upper cervical injury.     

Blunt injuries of the cervical trachea: review of 51 patients

The low incidence of blunt trauma to the cervical portion of the trachea limits management experience in most centers. Hence, we combined our patients with those in published reports containing essential information on injury, treatment, and results. Among 51 patients (93% male), ages ranged from 3 to 65 years. There were 32 complete transections, 15 partial transections, and four tears. There were associated injuries of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (49%), esophagus (21%), larynx (14%), and cervical spine (9%). Presenting signs and symptoms included subcutaneous emphysema in 84%, respiratory distress in 76%, hoarseness/dysphonia in 46%, and hemoptysis in 21%. Tracheostomy was the best means of airway control; 13 of 17 (76%) attempted oral/nasotracheal intubations failed, necessitating emergency tracheostomy. Five patients with no respiratory distress and minimal tissue injury were successfully managed without tracheal repair. Ten patients had tracheal repair without tracheostomy. The only poor result occurred in a patient with a treatment delay of several days. Tracheal repair with tracheostomy was used in 27 patients, with good results in 19. Two patients died of other injuries, and six patients (four with delayed repair) required subsequent tracheal reconstruction. Repair over a stent was used in seven patients, four of whom had satisfactory results. From this review we conclude that (1) the diagnosis of blunt trauma to the cervical trachea requires a high index of suspicion, since this injury can easily be overlooked; (2) tracheostomy (vs intubation or cricothyroidotomy) is the preferred means of airway control; (3) preoperative laryngoscopy/bronchoscopy should be done to assess vocal cord function, possible laryngeal damage, and level of tracheal injury; (4) good long-term results, measured by voice and airway quality, are best obtained by immediate repair of significant injuries.     

术后围领佩戴时间对颈椎轴性症状的影响

目的：评估颈椎单开门椎板成形术后不同的围领佩戴时间对颈椎轴性症状的影响。方法：28例行颈椎单开门椎板成形术后佩戴围领4周的颈椎病患者作为试验组（A组）．另30例术后佩戴围领12周的颈椎病患者作为对照组（B组）。对患者术前、术后的神经功能恢复情况、轴性症状、颈椎曲度指数、颈后肌群横截面积加以比较评估。结果：两组患者术后神经功能恢复情况并无显著差别．A组患者颈后肌群萎缩率显著小于术后佩戴围领12周的患者（P〈0，01）．颈椎曲度得到有效维持．同时术后发生AS患者的比例显著小于B组患者（P〈0．05）。结论：颈椎板成形术后早期去围领进行功能训练可以有效防止颈后肌群萎缩．减少轴性症状的发生。     

SOFTLY: Comparison of outcomes of rigid versus soft collar during emergency department investigation for potential cervical spine injury in low-risk blunt trauma patients – A pilot study

Objective

Blunt trauma patients with potential cervical spine injury are traditionally immobilised in rigid collars. Recently, this has been challenged. The present study's objective was comparison of the rate of patient-oriented adverse events in stable, alert, low-risk patients with potential cervical spine injuries immobilised in rigid versus soft collars.

Methods

Unblinded, prospective quasi-randomised clinical trial of neurologically intact, adult, blunt trauma patients assessed as having potential cervical spine injury. Patients were randomised to collar type. All other aspects of care were unchanged. Primary outcome was patient-reported discomfort related to neck immobilisation by collar type. Secondary outcomes included adverse neurological events, agitation and clinically important cervical spine injuries (clinical trial registration number: ACTRN12621000286842).

Results

A total of 137 patients were enrolled: 59 patients allocated to a rigid collar and 78 to a soft collar. Most injuries were from a fall <1 m (54%) or a motor vehicle crash (21.9%). Median neck pain score of collar immobilisation was lower in the soft collar group (3.0 [interquartile range 0–6.1] vs 6.0 [interquartile range 3–8.8], P < 0.001). The proportion of patients with clinician-identified agitation was lower in the soft collar group (5% vs 17%, P = 0.04). There were four clinically important cervical spine injuries (two in each group). All were treated conservatively. There were no adverse neurological events.

Conclusions

Use of soft rather than rigid collar immobilisation for low-risk blunt trauma patients with potential cervical spine injury is significantly less painful for patients and results in less agitation. A larger study is needed to determine the safety of this approach or whether collars are required at all.     

Methamphetamine-related burns in the cornbelt.

Methamphetamine (MA) is a highly addictive drug that is easily manufactured from everyday household products and chemicals found at local farm stores. The proliferation of small MA labs has led to a dramatic increase in patients sustaining thermal injury while making and/or using MA. We hypothesized that these patients have larger injuries with longer hospital stays, and larger, nonreimbursed hospital bills compared with burn patients not manufacturing or using MA. In a retrospective case-control study, all burn patients >or=16 years of age admitted to our burn center from January 2002 to December 2005 were stratified into two groups based on urine MA status. Of the 660 burn patients >or=16 years of age admitted during this 4 year period, urine drug screens were obtained at admission on 410 patients (62%); 10% of urine drug screens were MA (+). MA (+) patients have larger burns compared with MA (-) patients (9.3 vs 8.6% body surface area burns), have higher rates of inhalation injuries (20.4 vs 9.3%, P = .015), and more nonthermal trauma (13.0 vs 3.1%, P = .001). When compared with MA (-) patients, MA (+) patients require longer hospital stays (median 9.5 vs 7.0 days, P = .036), accrue greater hospital bills per day (dollars 4292 vs dollars 2797, P = .01), and lack medical insurance (66.7 vs 17.7%, P < .0001). The epidemic of MA use and its manufacture mandates that burn centers monitor patients for MA use and develop and institute protocols to ensure proper care of this increasingly costly population.     

Intensive care management of head-injured patients in Europe: a survey from the European Brain Injury Consortium

OBJECTIVES: (a) to describe current practice in the monitoring and treatment of moderate and severe head injuries in Europe; (b) to report on intracranial pressure and cerebral perfusion pressure monitoring, occurrence of measured and reported intracranial hypertension, and complications related to this monitoring; (c) to investigate the relationship between the severity of injury, the frequency of monitoring and management, and outcome. METHODS: A three-page questionnaire comprising 60 items of information has been compiled by 67 centres in 12 European countries. Information was collected prospectively regarding all severe and moderate head injuries in adults (> 16 years) admitted to neurosurgery within 24 h of injury. A total of 1005 adult head injury cases were enrolled in the study from 1 February 1995 to 30 April 1995. The Glasgow Outcome Scale was administered at 6 months. RESULTS: Early surgery was performed in 346 cases (35%); arterial pressure was monitored invasively in 631 (68%), ICP in 346 (37%), and jugular bulb saturation in 173 (18%). Artificial ventilation was provided to 736 patients (78%). Intracranial hypertension was noted in 55% of patients in whom ICP was recorded, while it was suspected in only 12% of cases without ICP measurement. There were great differences in the use of ventilation and CPP monitoring among the centres. Mortality at 6 months was 31%. There was an association between an increased frequency of monitoring and intervention and an increased severity of injury; correspondingly, patients who more frequently underwent monitoring and ventilation had a less favourable outcome. CONCLUSIONS: In Europe there are great differences between centres in the frequency of CPP monitoring and ventilatory support applied to head-injured patients. ICP measurement disclosed a high rate of intracranial hypertension, which was not suspected in patients evaluated on a clinical basis alone. ICP monitoring was associated with a low rate of complications. Cases with severe neurological impairment, and with the worse outcome, were treated and monitored more intensively.     

肺表面活性物质预防早产儿呼吸窘迫综合征的疗效评价

目的评价肺表面活性物质（pulmonary surfactant,PS）预防早产儿呼吸窘迫综合征（neonatal respiratory distress syndrome,NRDS）的疗效。方法95例胎龄为28～34周早产儿,均给予保暖、通畅呼吸道、吸氧、呼吸机辅助呼吸、控制感染、防治出血等常规治疗的基础上,按照家长对PS的使用意见分为两组。观察治疗组45例,出现典型临床表现确诊为NRDS后使用PS,若未出现典型临床表现,则不使用PS;预防使用组50例,全部在出生后30分钟内,无论有无NRDS的临床表现均使用PS。比较两组患儿NRDS发生率、胸部X射线、辅助呼吸时间、并发症率和病死率。结果预防使用组的NRDS发生率（38．00％）明显低于观察治疗组（75．56％）,确诊病例较观察治疗组的胸片分级低,辅助呼吸时间短,差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。两组并发症发生率及病死率差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论与观察确诊后才使用PS相比,早期预防使用PS能够减少NRDS的发生率,降低胸片分级,缩短辅助呼吸时间。     

Blunt diaphragmatic rupture--a rare but challenging entity in thoracoabdominal trauma

Purpose

Delayed diagnosis of blunt traumatic diaphragmatic rupture (BDR) is not uncommon in the emergency department (ED) despite improvement in investigative techniques. We reviewed a large case series of patients diagnosed with blunt traumatic diaphragmatic rupture in order to report demographics, clinical features, and mechanisms of injury of this important but challenging entity.

Methods

From January 2001 through December 2009, 43 patients were diagnosed with BDR at Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. Demographic data, including sex, age, initial hemodynamic parameters, laboratory data, diagnostic imaging, trauma mechanism, injury location, associated injuries, injury severity score (ISS), time to diagnosis, intensive care unit length of stay (ICU LOS), hospital length of stay (hospital LOS), and mortality, were extracted from hospital records.

Results

A total of 43 patients (34 men; 9 women) with BDR were analyzed. Their median age was 37 years (15-82 yrs). Most of these injuries were related to traffic collision (76.8%). The anatomic location of injury to the diaphragm consisted of 24 left-sided (55.8%), 14 right-sided (32.6%),and 5 bilateral diaphragmatic injuries. (11.6%) Hemopneumothorax was the most common associated injury (37.2%). The median diagnostic time was 8 hours (range 2 to 366 hrs). The median ISS score was 18 (range 9 to 41). The median ICU LOS was 4 days (range 0 to 99 ds) and the median HLOS was 19 days (range 1 to 106ds). The total mortality rate was 9.3%. Initial high ISS, initial shock and bilateral diaphragmatic injury significantly increased mortality.

Conclusion

BDR constitutes a rare entity in thoracoabdominal trauma and most of these injuries were related to traffic collision. High index of suspicion was still the main factor to early diagnosis of this case. The mortality was related to initial shock , bilateral BDR and high ISS. Proper initial resuscitation and correction of other serious injuries may be more life-saving in patients with BDR.     

肾损伤程度等因素对肾损伤治疗方式选择及预后的影响

目的了解肾损伤程度 (Sargent分类法)、开放或闭合性`损伤、全身损伤严重程度评分(injury severity score,ISS)、休克等相关因素对手术率及死亡的影响.方法采用设计好的调查表,收集我院1998年至2002年间221例外伤性肾损伤的住院病历资料,应用logistic回归分析肾损伤治疗方式选择和预后的影响因素.结果本组平均年龄31.6岁,男191例 (86.4 %),女30例 (13.5 %).其中闭合性损伤175例 (79.2 %),开放性损伤46例 (20.8 %),合并伤101例(45.7%),死亡6例(2.7 %).多因素logistic回归分析的结果显示:是否手术主要与肾损伤程度、损伤原因和休克有关 [OR=5.965, 95%CI (2.767,12.859); OR=4.667, 95%CI (1.725,12.628)和OR=2.547, 95%CI (1.684,3.936)].肾切除与否主要与肾损伤程度有关[OR=11.550, 95%CI (4.253,31.366)].死亡与全身损伤严重程度的ISS评分有关 [OR=1.236, 95%CI (1.082,1.411)].结论肾损伤的手术率与肾损伤程度、损伤原因和休克有关,肾损伤程度决定是否术中切肾,死亡则主要与合并伤导致的ISS评分的增高有关.     

Outcome following prolonged intensive care unit stay in multiple trauma patients

OBJECTIVE: To describe the hospital course and outcomes of trauma patients requiring ICU stays greater than 30 days and the charges they incur. DESIGN: A retrospective case series analysis of data collected from patient charts and trauma registry. SETTING: A Level I regional trauma center that is part of a statewide trauma system. PATIENTS: Over a 3-yr period, 87 patients (3% of all trauma ICU admissions) had prolonged stays (greater than 30 days) in the ICU; they constitute the study group. Blunt trauma was responsible for 90% of injuries, and the mean Injury Severity Score was 34 +/- 16 SD. RESULTS: Mechanical ventilation was required for 78.5% of the time spent in the ICU. The mean time spent on mechanical ventilators was 47 +/- 23 days; in the ICU, 60 +/- 27 days; and in the hospital, 72 +/- 29 days. Infectious complications occurred in 90% and organ dysfunction was seen in 76% of patients. The overall mortality rate was 17.2% (31% for patients greater than 65 yr). Patients less than 40 yr had lower mortality rates despite a significantly higher Injury Severity Score and lower Glasgow Coma Scale score compared with those greater than 65 yr. More patients greater than 65 yr were discharged to chronic care facilities than those younger (23% vs. 5%). The number of patients followed at 3 and 12 months after discharge was 74% and 54%, respectively, with only two deaths. The mean hospital and professional charges to the patients were $101,000 +/- 61,000 and $35,000 +/- 13,000, respectively. CONCLUSION: Length of ICU stay was most closely associated with the need for mechanical ventilation. The presence of premorbid illness, age greater than 65 yr, and organ dysfunction was associated with increased mortality. Although trauma patients requiring prolonged ICU stays utilize many resources, the ultimate outcome may be fairly good.     

Evaluation of the acute cervical spine: a management algorithm. (Department of Surgery, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY) J Trauma 2000;49:450–456.

A retrospective review was initiated of all trauma patients evaluated in a Level I trauma center the year before and after implementation of a new cervical spine protocol to determine the incidence of missed cervical injuries. An additional 6 months were reviewed to detect any missed injuries late in the study period. During the 2‐year study period, 4,460 patients presented to the emergency room with some form of cervical spine precautions. Blunt trauma comprised 90% of the study population. According to the protocol, approximately 45% required further cervical radiographs after presentation. In the preprotocol year, 77 of 2,217 (3.4%) patients were diagnosed with cervical spine injuries, 16 of 77 (21%) with multiple level injuries, and 25 of 77 (32%) with neurologic compromise. Three of 2,217 patient had missed cervical spine injuries on their initial evaluations. In the postprotocol year, 84 of 2,243 (3.4%) patients had cervical injuries, 25 of 84 (30%) with multiple levels of injuries and 28 of 84 (28%) with neurologic compromise. No patient evaluated during the protocol year was missed. All statistics between the two groups were not significant. Conclude the current protocol by risk stratifying patients on presentation is effective in assessing patients for cervical spine injuries. Comment by Gabor B. Racz, M.D. This is a retrospective review from a Level I trauma center a year before and after implantation of a cervical spine injury protocol. The comparison of outcomes before and after the protocol was rather similar in that the diagnosis of cervical spine injury in 77 of 2,217 patients, or 3.4% and 84 of 2,243 had cervical injuries again 3.4%. Prior to the initiation of the protocol, the first year had three cervical spine injuries missed, which were diagnosed later secondary to continued neck pain on reevaluation. There were no missed cases after the protocol. The evaluation and examination go hand in hand. More emphasis is placed on the clinical exam and plain multiple view x‐ray films and adherence to limiting the rigid collar to 6 h switching over to soft collar and developing more of a confidence in the clinical exam rather than to concentrate on the more expensive and time consuming radiological diagnostic procedures. The cervical algorithm does work and it is impressive that there were no missed injuries. It is recommended that physicians working in a Level I trauma center should go and review the algorithm in detail. The recommended practice is to rely on plain films first if there is persistent pain flexion and extension films and involvement of appropriate consultants in these patients who must be assumed to have cervical spine injury.