Background: Hemostasis during burn surgery is difficult to achieve, and high blood loss commonly occurs. Bleeding control measures are limited, and many patients require allogeneic blood transfusions. Cell salvage is a well-known method used to reduce transfusions. However, its evidence in burns is limited. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the feasibility of cell salvage during burn surgery. Study design and methods: A prospective, observational study was conducted with 16 patients (20 measurements) scheduled for major burn surgery. Blood was recovered by washing saturated gauze pads with heparinized saline, which was then processed using the Cell Saver. Erythrocyte concentrate quality was analyzed by measuring hemoglobin, hematocrit, potassium, and free hemoglobin concentration. Microbial contamination was assessed based on cultures at every step of the process. Differences in blood samples were tested using the Student's t-test. Results: The red blood cell mass recovered was 29 11% of the mass lost. Patients' preoperative hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were 10.5 1.8 g/dL and 0.33 +/- 0.05 L/L, respectively. The erythrocyte concentrate showed hemoglobin and hematocrit levels of 13.2 +/- 3.9 g/dL and 0.40 +/- 0.11 L/L thus showing a concentration effect. The potassium level was lower in the erythrocyte concentrate (2.5 +/- 1.5 vs. 4.1 +/- 0.4 mmol/L, p < 0.05). The free hemoglobin level was low (0.16 +/- 0.21 mmol/L). All cultures of the erythrocyte concentrate showed bacterial growth compared to 21% of wound cultures. Conclusion: Recovering erythrocytes during burn excisional surgery using cell salvage is possible. Despite strict sterile handling, erythrocyte concentrates of all patients showed bacterial contamination. The consequence of this contamination remains unclear and should be investigated in future studies. (c) 2020 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Background: Adequate pre-hospital trauma triage is crucial to enable optimal care in inclusive trauma systems. Transport of children in need of specialised trauma care to lower-level trauma centres is associated with adverse patient outcomes. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of
Background: Prehospital perimortem caesarean delivery (PCD) is a rarely performed procedure. In this study, we aimed to examine all PCDs performed by the four Helicopter Emergency Medical Services in the Netherlands; to describe the procedures, outcomes, complications, and compliance with the recommended guidelines; and to formulate recommendations. Methods: We performed a population-based retrospective cohort study of all consecutive maternal out-of-hospital cardiac arrests that underwent PCD in the prehospital setting between May 1995 and December 2019. Registered data included patient demographics, operator background, advanced life support interventions, and timelines. Resuscitation performance was evaluated according to the 2015 European Resuscitation Guidelines. Results: Seven patients underwent a prehospital PCD. Three mothers died on the scene, while four were transported to a hospital but died in the hospital. Seven neonates were born by PCD. One neonate died on the scene and six were transported to a hospital. Three neonates were eventually discharged from the hospital. Among the three surviving neonates, the periods from dispatch to start of PCD were 13, 14, and 21 min. Conclusions: There was a low incidence of maternal perimortem caesarean deliveries in The Netherlands. Only some neonates survived after PCD. It is recommended that PCD be performed as quickly as possible. Due to the delay, the mother has a far lower chance of survival than the neonate. In fatal cases, autopsy is strongly recommended.
Background Closed reduction and cast immobilization of displaced distal radius fractures carries the risk of secondary displacement, which could result in a symptomatic malunion. In patients with a symptomatic malunion, a corrective osteotomy can be performed to improve pain and functional impairment of the wrist joint. Objective The aim of this study was to assess the functional outcomes of children who underwent a corrective osteotomy due to a symptomatic malunion of the distal radius. Methods Between 2009 and 2016, all consecutive corrective osteotomies of the distal radius of patients younger than 18 years were reviewed. The primary outcome was functional outcome assessed with the ABILHAND-Kids score. Secondary outcomes were QuickDASH (Quick Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand) score, range of motion, complications, and radiological outcomes. Results A total of 13 patients with a median age of 13 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 12.5-16) were included. The median time to follow-up was 31 months (IQR: 26-51). The median ABILHAND-Kids score was 42 (range: 37-42), and the median QuickDASH was 0 (range: 0-39). Range of motion did not differ significantly between the injured and the uninjured sides for all parameters. One patient had a nonunion requiring additional operative treatment. The postoperative radiological parameters showed an improvement of radial inclination, radial height, ulnar variance, dorsal tilt, and dorsal tilt. Conclusion Corrective osteotomy for children is an effective method for treating symptomatic malunions of the distal radius.
OBJECTIVE:Hip fractures in frail elderly patients are associated with significant mortality and morbidity. Surgery remains the predominant treatment of choice, despite the poor prognosis. Limited research has been done with regards to nonoperative management of frail elderly patients with a hip fracture and therefore the natural course is relatively unknown. This systematic review aimed to provide an overview of the prognosis of nonoperative management in frail elderly patients with a hip fracture in terms of mortality, complications, mobility, and quality of life (QoL).DESIGN:A systematic review of the literature was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central. In addition, a meta-analysis was performed. The primary outcome measurement was 30-days mortality.RESULTS:A total of 4,318 studies were screened. In total eighteen studies matched the eligibility criteria; with low to moderate quality. Approximately two-thirds of the patients were managed nonoperatively due to medical reasons and one-third due to non-medical reasons. Pooled mortality rates after 30 days, six months and one year were 36%, 46%, and 60%, respectively. 33% of the patients developed in-hospital complications. At six months post trauma, 9.6% of the patients were able to mobilize. Data on quality of life (QoL), functional outcome, pain, comfort during nursing care, and costs were not reported.CONCLUSION:Nonoperative management of frail elderly patients with a hip fracture is associated with a poor prognosis. Heterogenous study cohorts and limited outcomes were reported. Current literature shows a lack of evidence of the true prognosis of nonoperative management of frail elderly patient with a hip fracture and a limited life expectancy. Results of this review can be used to aid decision making and improve expectation management.
Aims Osseointegrated prosthetic limbs allow better mobility than socket-mounted prosthetics for lower limb amputees. Fractures, however, can occur in the residual limb, but they have rarely been reported. Approximately 2% to 3% of amputees with socket-mounted prostheses may fracture within five years. This is the first study which directly addresses the risks and management of periprosthetic osseointegration fractures in amputees. Methods A retrospective review identified 518 osseointegration procedures which were undertaken in 458 patients between 2010 and 2018 for whom complete medical records were available. Potential risk factors including time since amputation, age at osseointegration, bone density, weight, uni/bilateral implantation and sex were evaluated with multiple logistic regression. The mechanism of injury, technique and implant that was used for fixation of the fracture, pre-osseointegration and post fracture mobility (assessed using the K-level) and the time that the prosthesis was worn for in hours/day were also assessed. Results There were 22 periprosthetic fractures; they occurred exclusively in the femur: two in the femoral neck, 14 intertrochanteric and six subtrochanteric, representing 4.2% of 518 osseointegration operations and 6.3% of 347 femoral implants. The vast majority (19/22, 86.4%) occurred within 2 cm of the proximal tip of the implant and after a fall. No fractures occurred spontaneously. Fixation most commonly involved dynamic hip screws (10) and reconstruction plates (9). No osseointegration implants required removal, the K-level was not reduced after fixation of the fracture in any patient, and all retained a K-level of >= 2. All fractures united, 21 out of 22 patients (95.5%) wear their osseointegration-mounted prosthetic limb longer daily than when using a socket, with 18 out of 22 (81.8%) reporting using it for >= 16 hours daily. Regression analysis identified a 3.89-fold increased risk of fracture for females (p = 0.007) and a 1.02-fold increased risk of fracture per kg above a mean of 80.4 kg (p = 0.046). No increased risk was identified for bilateral implants (p = 0.083), time from amputation to osseointegration (p = 0.974), age at osseointegration (p = 0.331), or bone density (g/cm2, p = 0.560; T-score, p = 0.247; Z-score, p = 0.312). Conclusion The risks and sequelae of periprosthetic fracture after press-fit osseointegration for amputation should not deter patients or clinicians from considering this procedure. Females and heavier patients are likely to have an increased risk of fracture. Age, years since amputation, and bone density do not appear influential.
BACKGROUND:Health-related quality of life (HRQL) is a key outcome in the evaluation of burn treatment. Health-related quality of life instruments with robust measurement properties are required to provide high-quality evidence to improve patient care. The aim of this review was to critically appraise the measurement properties of HRQL instruments used in burns.METHODS:A systematic search was conducted in Embase, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Cochrane, Web of Science, and Google scholar to reveal articles on the development and/or validation of HRQL instruments in burns. Measurement properties were assessed using the Consensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement Instruments methodology. A modified Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation analysis was used to assess risk of bias (prospero ID, CRD42016048065).RESULTS:Forty-three articles covering 15 HRQL instruments (12 disease-specific and 3 generic instruments) were included. Methodological quality and evidence on measurement properties varied widely. None of the instruments provided enough evidence on their measurement properties to be highly recommended for routine use; however, two instruments had somewhat more favorable measurement properties. The Burn-Specific Health Scale-Brief (BSHS-B) is easy to use, widely accessible, and demonstrated sufficient evidence for most measurement properties. The Brisbane Burn Scar Impact Profiles were the only instruments with high-quality evidence for content validity.CONCLUSION:The Burn Specific Health Scale-Brief (burn-specific HRQL) and the Brisbane Burn Scar Impact Profile (burn scar HRQL) instruments have the best measurement properties. There is only weak evidence on the measurement properties of generic HRQL instruments in burn patients. Results of this study form important input to reach consensus on a universally used instrument to assess HRQL in burn patients.LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:Systematic review, level III.
In Chapter 2, the study protocol is described of the BRAIN-PROTECT study, the first Dutch prospective observational study on prehospital epidemiology and treatment of patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). The main objective of this research project was to identify prehospital factors, in particular treatment strategies, associated with beneficial or detrimental outcomes in patients with suspected severe TBI. The BRAIN-PROTECT study inclusion started in 2012 and prehospital inclusion continued until December 2017 (Follow-up until December 2018). In total, 2,589 patients were included (Chapter 3The incidence rate of suspected severe TBI was 3.2 (per 100,000 inhabitants per year) and 2.7 for confirmed TBI. Age ranged between 1 and 97 years and 70.8% were male. The overall 30-day mortality was 39.0% for the overall population of severe TBI and for confirmed TBI 42.4%. In Chapter 5, the results of a retrospective study on neurological deterioration are presented. 13% of 808 patients with initial mild TBI showed a discrepancy between the initial assessment of TBI severity based on the GCS, and the actual TBI severity as determined post hoc. In Chapter 6 face-to-face and telephonic examination of the GOS-E - an extended score on neurological functioning after neurotrauma - were compared. These showed a kappa value of 0.79, which is commonly considered good or substantial agreement, and implies that telephonic assessment is a valid alternative. Most of the prehospital treatments for severe TBI lack a thorough base of evidence. Prehospital airway management is regularly performed, but it’s benefit is not yet fully established. In Chapter 7, a systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to address effects of Prehospital Intubation (PHI) on mortality in patients with severe TBI. Six studies met the inclusion criteria for the meta-analysis. The main finding is that effects of PHI depend on the level of experience of the Emergency Medical Service (EMS)-providers who perform the intervention, and that PHI by EMS-personnel with limited experience in performing PHI is associated with increased mortality. In Chapter 9, the results are described of an inquiry and analysis of the national trauma data registry of the Netherlands. Between 2015 and the end of 2019, almost 9000 patients with severe TBI were studied. In an unadjusted comparison between the groups, mortality was significantly higher when patients were intubated (prehospital) as compared to non-intubated patients. After adjusting for potential confounders, PHI was still significantly associated with an almost 2-fold increase in the odds of mortality in the complete case analysis. Furthermore, the analyses revealed that the relationship of PHI and mortality may depend on whether P-HEMS is involved in the treatment or not. In Chapter 10, analyses were performed on the BRAIN-PROTECT dataset in order to assess the most optimum end-tidal CO2 values regarding mortality. Analyses of the (unadjusted) effects of end-tidal CO2 levels on predicted mortality revealed a statistically significant “L-shaped” association. These results were robust as they were repeated in a multi variable model. This model revealed reasonable end-tidal CO2 values between 35-45mmHg. In Chapter 11, the results of a systematic review and meta-analysis are presented on fluid administration to patients with severe TBI. The meta-analysis on the effects of Hypertonic Saline with Dextran (HSD) versus normal saline on survival did not show any effect. This was the same for the effect of hypertonic saline versus crystalloid fluids. Finally, the role of Tranexamic Acid (TXA) as an anti-fibrinolytic agent was investigated. In the BRAIn-PROTECT study, an increased mortality was observed among patients with isolated severe TBI who had received TXA, whereas no evidence for a relationship between TXA and mortality was observed in the other cohorts after controlling for potential confounders
OBJECTIVES:This study compares outcomes for patients with displaced femoral neck fractures undergoing hemiarthroplasty (HA) or total hip arthroplasty (THA) by surgeons of different fellowship training.DESIGN:Retrospective review of HEALTH trial data.SETTING:Eighty clinical sites across 10 countries.PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS:One thousand four hundred forty-one patients ≥50 years with low-energy hip fractures requiring surgical intervention.INTERVENTION:Patients were randomized to either HA or THA groups in the initial data set. Surgeons' fellowship training was ascertained retrospectively, and outcomes were compared.MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS:The main outcome was an unplanned secondary procedure at 24 months. Secondary outcomes included death, serious adverse events, prosthetic joint infection (PJI), dislocation, discharge disposition, and use of ambulatory devices postoperatively.RESULTS:There was a significantly higher risk of PJI in patients treated by surgeons without fellowship training in arthroplasty (P = 0.01), surgeons with unknown fellowship training (P = 0.03), and surgeons with no fellowship training (P = 0.02) than those treated by an arthroplasty-trained surgeon. There were significantly higher odds of being discharged to a facility rather than home in patients who underwent surgery by a surgeon with no fellowship training compared with arthroplasty-fellowship-trained surgeons (P = 0.03).CONCLUSIONS:Arthroplasty for hip fracture can be performed by all orthopaedic surgeons with equivalent reoperation rates. Infection prevention strategies and use of "care pathways" by arthroplasty-fellowship-trained surgeons may account for the lower risk of PJI and higher rate of discharge to home. The authors advocate for the use of evidence-based infection prevention initiatives and standardized care pathways in this patient population.LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:Prognostic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Background: The primary objective of this study was to determine the incidence of symptomatic venous thromboembolism (VTE), including pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT), in the hip fracture population. Secondary objectives included determining timing of VTE diagnosis, VTE thromboprophylaxis given, and identifying any factors associated with VTE. Methods: Using data from the FAITH and HEALTH trials, the incidence of VTE, including DVT and PE, and the timing of VTE were determined. A multivariable Cox regression analysis was used to determine which factors were associated with increased risk of VTE, including age, treatment for comorbidity, thromboprophylaxis, time to surgery, and method of fracture management. Results: 2520 hip fracture patients were included in the analysis. Sixty-four patients (2.5%) had a VTE [DVT: 36 (1.4%), PE: 28 (1.1%)]. Thirty-five (54.7%) were diagnosed less than 6 weeks postfracture and 29 (45.3%) more than 6 weeks postfracture. One thousand nine hundred ninety-three (79%) patients received thromboprophylaxis preoperatively and 2502 (99%) received thromboprophylaxis postoperatively. The most common method of preoperative (46%) and postoperative (73%) thromboprophylaxis was low molecular weight heparin. Treatment with arthroplasty compared to internal fixation was the only variable associated with increased risk of VTE (hazard ratio 2.67, P = 0.02). Conclusions: The incidence of symptomatic VTE in hip fracture patients recruited to the 2 trials was 2.5%. Although over half of the cases were diagnosed within 6 weeks of fracture, VTE is still prevalent after this period. The majority of patients received thromboprophylaxis. Treatment with arthroplasty rather than fixation was associated with increased incidence of VTE. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
•The pathophysiology of traumatic hemorrhage requires specific hemostatic management.•Adherence to treatment protocols in the emergency department is challenging.•Hemostatic resuscitation reduces plasma transfusion and increases use of platelets and fibrinogen.•The effect of hemostatic resuscitation on clinical outcome in trauma patients is not clarified.•Resuscitation strategies in traumatic hemorrhage need further substantiation.
OBJECTIVES:To identify factors associated with the development of prolonged pain after hip fracture surgery.DESIGN:Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial.SETTING:Eighty hospitals in 10 countries.PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS:One thousand four hundred forty-one hip fracture patients in the HEALTH trial.INTERVENTIONS:Total hip arthroplasty or hemiarthroplasty.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Moderate-to-severe pain (at least 2 activities on the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis questionnaire pain subscale with scores ≥2) at 12 and 24 months after hip arthroplasty.RESULTS:Of 840 and 726 patients with complete baseline data and outcomes at 1-year and 2-year follow-up, 96 (11.4%) and 80 (11.0%) reported moderate-to-severe pain, respectively. An increased risk of pain at both 1 and 2 years after surgery was associated with reporting moderate-to-severe hip pain before fracture [absolute risk increase (ARI) 15.3%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 6.44%-24.35%; ARI 12.5%, 95% CI 2.85%-22.12%, respectively] and prefracture opioid use (ARI 15.6%, 95% CI 5.41%-25.89%; ARI 21.1%; 95% CI 8.23%-34.02%, respectively). Female sex was associated with an increased risk of persistent pain at 1 year (ARI 6.2%, 95% CI 3.53%-8.84%). A greater risk of persistent pain at 2 years was associated with younger age (≤79-year-old; ARI 6.3%; 95% CI 2.67%-9.91%) and higher prefacture functional status (ARI 10.7%; 95% CI 3.80%-17.64%).CONCLUSIONS:Among hip fracture patients undergoing arthroplasty, approximately one in 10 will experience moderate-to-severe pain up to 2 years after surgery. Younger age, female sex, higher functioning prefracture, living with hip pain prefracture, and use of prescription opioids were predictive of persistent pain.LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:Prognostic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Aim: Patients with hip fractures are often frail with multiple comorbidities and at risk of medical serious adverse events (SAEs). We investigated the HEALTH trial patient population to ascertain predictors of SAEs. Methods: We performed a multivariable Cox regression analysis. Occurrence of SAEs was included as the dependent variable with 31 potential prognostic factors being included as independent variables. Results: One thousand four hundred forty-one patients were included in this analysis. Three hundred seventy (25.6%) patients suffered from an SAE. The most common events were cardiac (38.4%, n = 105), respiratory (20.8%, n = 77), and neurological (14.1%, n = 77). The majority of SAEs (50.8%, n = 188) occurred in the first 90 days after hip fracture with 35.4% occurring in the first 30 days (n = 131). Body mass index (BMI) between 18.5 and 24.9 compared with BMI between 25 and 29.9 [hazard ratio (HR) 1.32, P = 0.03] and receiving a total hip arthroplasty compared with a bipolar hemiarthroplasty (HR 1.36, P = 0.03) were associated with a higher risk of a medical SAE within 24 months of femoral neck fracture. Age ( P = 0.09), use of femoral cement ( P = 0.59), and use of canal pressurization ( P = 0.37) were not associated with a medical SAE. Conclusion: Total hip arthroplasty is associated with more SAEs in the immediate postoperative period, and care should be taken in selecting patients for this treatment compared with a hemiarthroplasty. A higher BMI may be protective in hip fracture patients while age alone does not predict SAEs and neither does the use of femoral cement and/or pressurization. Level of Evidence: Prognostic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Introduction: Evaluation of immediate total-body CT (iTBCT) scouts during primary trauma care could be clinically relevant for early detection and treatment of specific major injuries. The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic usefulness of TBCT scouts in detecting life-threatening chest and pelvic injuries. Methods: All patients who underwent an iTBCT during their primary trauma assessment in one trauma center between April 2011 and November 2014 were retrospectively included. Two experienced trauma surgeons and two emergency radiologists evaluated iTBCT scouts with structured questionnaires. Inter-observer agreement and diagnostic properties were calculated for endotracheal tube position and identification of pneumo- and/or hemothorax and pelvic fractures. Diagnostic properties of iTBCT scouts for indication for chest tube placement and pelvic binder application were calculated in comparison to decision based on iTBCT. Results: In total 220 patients with a median age of 37 years (IQR 26–59) were selected with a median Injury Severity Score of 18 (IQR 9–27). There was moderate to substantial inter-observer agreement and low false positive rates for pneumo- and/or hemothorax and for severe pelvic fractures by iTBCT scouts. For 19.8%–22.5% of the endotracheal intubated patients trauma surgeons stated that repositioning of the tube was indicated. Positive predictive value and sensitivity were respectively 100% (95%CI 52%–100%) and 50% (95%CI 22%–78%) for decisions on chest tube placement by trauma surgeon 1 and 67% (95%CI 13%–98%) and 22% (95%CI 4%–60%) for decisions by trauma surgeon 2. Only in one of 14 patients the pelvic binder was applied after iTBCT acquisition. Conclusions: iTBCT scouts can be useful for early detection of pneumo- and/or hemothorax and severe pelvic fractures. Decision for chest tube placement based on iTBCT scouts alone is not recommended.
OBJECTIVE:To compare the 24-month risk of mortality between arthroplasty and internal fixation for undisplaced femoral neck fractures (FNFs).DESIGN:Retrospective cohort study.SETTING:Secondary data analysis of 2 multinational randomized controlled trials.PARTICIPANTS:Patients aged 50 years or older with a FNF.INTERVENTION:Arthroplasty (n = 1441), including total hip arthroplasty and hemiarthroplasty, performed for a displaced FNF versus internal fixation (n = 734), including sliding hip screw or multiple cancellous screws, performed for an undisplaced FNF.MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENT:The primary outcome was mortality within 24 months of injury. Secondary outcomes included reoperation and health-related quality of life.RESULTS:The 24-month mortality rate was 15.0% (n = 327). Arthroplasty was associated with a significant reduction in the odds of mortality [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 0.56, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.44-0.72, P < 0.01] compared with treatment with internal fixation. 11.4% (n = 248) of the study patients required reoperation within 24 months of injury. The odds of reoperation were 59% lower with arthroplasty treatment than with internal fixation (aOR: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.32-0.55, P < 0.01). The 24-month SF-12 physical component scores were 2.7 points higher in arthroplasty patients compared with internal fixation patients (95% CI: 1.6-3.8, P < 0.01).CONCLUSIONS:Our findings suggest arthroplasty for a FNF may reduce the risk of mortality and reoperation compared with internal fixation of undisplaced fractures. This finding is counter to many current surgical practices but consistent with a mounting body of evidence. Before widespread adoption of arthroplasty for undisplaced fractures, these results should be confirmed in a definitive comparative trial.LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
BACKGROUND:In 2040 the estimated number of people with a hip fracture in the Netherlands will be about 24,000. The medical care for this group of patients is complicated and challenging. Multidisciplinary approaches aim to improve clinical outcome. Quality indicators that gain insight in the treatment and outcome of hip fracture patients may help to optimize and monitor the standard of medical care. The Dutch Hip Fracture Audit (DHFA) is a new multidisciplinary quality indicator that is implemented in the Dutch hospitals in 2017.AIM:The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the implementation of the DHFA on 30-day mortality, length of hospital stay and time until surgery in elderly with a hip fracture in the Netherlands.METHODS:A multicenter retrospective comparative cohort study was conducted and data were extracted from the Dutch Nationwide Trauma Registration (LTR). Included were patients aged 60 years and older with a hip fracture (femoral neck and trochanteric) and admitted in one of the ten participating hospitals registered in 2015 and 2017. Data from 2015, before implementation of DHFA, were compared with data from 2017, when the DHFA was implemented. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality; secondary outcomes were length of hospital stay and time until surgery. Multivariable regression models were used to compare outcomes between groups.RESULTS:3808 patients were included, 1839 in the 2015 cohort and 1969 in the 2017 cohort. 29% was male; mean age 82 years. The multilevel analysis showed a positive non-significant difference between groups on the primary outcome30-day mortality (OR adjusted 1.23, 95%CI 0.93 - 1.63). The secondary outcomes length of hospital stay (adjusted effect estimates -0.002, 95%CI -0.03 - 0.03) and time until surgery (adjusted effect estimates 0.292, 95%CI -2.68 - 3.26) showed no differences between groups.CONCLUSIONS:Implementation of the DHFA quality indicator does have a positive non-significant trend on 30-day mortality, but showed no impact on length of hospital stay and time until surgery. More research on relevant quality indicators seems therefore mandatory.
Background Recent terrorist attacks and mass shooting incidents in major European and North American cities have shown the unexpected influx of large volumes of patients with complex multi-system injuries. The rise of subspecialisation and the low violence-related penetrating injuries among European cities, show the reality that most surgical programs are unable to provide sufficient exposure to penetrating and blast injuries. The aim of this study is to describe and create a collaborative program between a major South African trauma service and a NATO country military medical service, with synergistic effect on both partners. This program includes comprehensive cross-disciplinary training & teaching, and scientific research. Methods This is a retrospective descriptive study. The Pietermaritzburg hospital and Netherlands military trauma register databases were used for analysing patient data: Pietermaritzburg between September 2015 and August 2016, Iraq between May and July 2018 and Afghanistan from 2006 to 2010. Interviews were held to analyse the mutual benefits of the program. Results From the Pietermaritzburg study, mutual benefits focus on social responsibility, exchange of knowledge and experience and further mutual exploration. The comparison showed the numbers of surgical procedures over a one-month period performed in Iraq 12.7, in Afghanistan 68.8 and in Pietermaritzburg 152. Conclusion This study has shown a significant volume of penetrating trauma in South Africa, that can provide substantial exposure over a relatively short period. This help to prepare civilian and military surgeons and deployable military medical personnel for casualties with blast – and/or penetrating injuries. The aforementioned findings and the willingness to shape the mutual benefits, create a platform for trauma electives, research, education and training.
The Dutch military uses frozen blood products for the treatment of bleeding trauma patients during military deployments. With −80 °C frozen blood products it is possible to follow operational demand while reducing the number of resupply transports and loss of products due to expiration. In this paper lessons learned are described on efficient blood management with −80 °C deep-frozen erythrocytes (DEC).
Background: Hip fracture trials often suffer substantial loss to follow-up due to difficulties locating and communicating with participants or when participants, or their family members, withdraw their consent. We aimed to determine which factors were associated with being unable to contact FAITH and HEALTH participants for their 24-month follow-up and to also determine which factors were associated with their withdrawal of consent. Methods: We conducted 2 multivariable logistic regression analyses to determine which factors were predictive of being unable to contact participants at 24 months postfracture and withdrawal of consent within 24 months of their fracture. Results were reported as odds ratios, 95% confidence intervals, and associated P -values. All tests were 2-tailed with alpha = 0.05. Results: We were unable to contact 123 of 2520 participants (4.9%) for their 24-month follow-up visits and 124 (4.9%) withdrew their consent from the trial. Being non-White ( P = 0.003), enrolled from a non-European hospital ( P < 0.001), and treated with arthroplasty ( P < 0.001) were associated with an increased odds of not completing the 24-month follow-up visit. Being enrolled from a hospital in the United States ( P = 0.02), from a hospital in Oceania, India, or South Africa ( P < 0.001) as compared to a European hospital, and treated with arthroplasty ( P < 0.001) were associated with an increased odds of consent withdrawal. Discussion: Certain factors may be predictive of loss to follow-up in hip fracture trials. We suggest that the identification of such factors may be used to inform and improve retention strategies in future orthopaedic hip fracture trials. Level of Evidence: Prognostic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
