Spine Injuries Are Common Among Asymptomatic Patients After Gunshot Wounds

BACKGROUND:Spine injuries after gunshot wounds are thought to be rare among asymptomatic patients. The occurrence of spine injuries among asymptomatic patients with gunshot wounds was studied to determine the necessity for mandatory spine immobilization and radiographic imaging. METHODS:In this retrospective cohort study, initial physical examination, radiographic findings, and final diagnosis and treatment were reviewed. Patients were included if they were admitted to the authors’ level 1 trauma center with gunshot wounds to the head, neck, or trunk during a 10-year period. Spine injuries were considered “significant” if the injury was associated with spinal cord injury or required spine-related surgical procedures or prolonged spine immobilization. Spine injuries were defined as “unsuspected” if there were no neurologic findings at admission. RESULTS:During the study period, 2,450 patients who survived more than 24 hours were admitted with gunshot wounds to the trunk, neck, or head. Of these patients, 244 (approximately 10%) had spine injuries, and 228 of them had complete records. Two thirds of the spine injuries were found to be significant, requiring surgery or prolonged immobilization, and 13% were unsuspected. CONCLUSIONS:Spine injuries without neurologic signs are not uncommon among patients with gunshot wounds. Complete radiographic spine imaging is therefore recommended to ensure that spine injuries are not missed in this population

The Effect of Acupuncture on Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Patients Treated in a Complementary Medicine Clinic

Background Hypertension is a major health problem with serious medical and financial consequences. Experimental studies in animals and clinical studies in humans have demonstrated that acupuncture can reduce blood pressure significantly in hypertensive patients. The objective was to assess the effect of acupuncture on blood pressure in hypertensive patients treated at a complementary medicine clinic. Methods Blood pressure values measured before and following acupuncture were recorded from the charts of hypertensive patients who came to the clinic for treatment of other problems. The therapy used was the Kiiko Matsumoto technique for blood pressure imbalance. Results Twenty-nine patients were studied (18 [62%] women). The mean age was 58.5 ± 16.3 years. Systolic blood pressure dropped significantly as a result of the treatment and there was a non-significant trend to reduced diastolic pressure. Weekly acupuncture therapy led to a continuous reduction in systolic blood pressure. Conclusions Acupuncture has a beneficial effect on hypertension, particularly on systolic pressure. Further studies with larger study groups for longer periods of time can confirm this observation and contribute to our understanding of combination therapy with acupuncture and conventional medications for hypertension

Incidence and crash mechanisms of aortic injury during the past decade

Aortic injuries were traditionally thought to be the result of severe frontal crashes. Newer data has suggested other crash types such as nearside crashes may also be important in aortic injury. We hypothesized the implementation of recent safety measures would decrease the incidence of aortic injury associated with fatal motor vehicle crashes. The autopsy reports of all traffic fatalities for motor vehicle occupants in a large urban county for the years 1993 to 2004 were examined. The demographics, impact types, safety measures used, and the presence of any aortic injury were recorded. Trends were evaluated for significance by weighted linear regression. The incidence of aortic injury associated with fatal motor vehicle crashes has remained unchanged during the past 12 years (r = 0.057, p = 0.45). There is a trend toward decreased aortic injuries associated with frontal crashes (r = 0.26, p = 0.089) but no change in aortic injuries associated with nearside or farside crashes (r = 0.053, p = 0.47), when the crash resulted in a fatality. This is despite an increase in seat belt use and increased presence of airbags during the same time period. Despite improved safety measures designed to minimize the occurrence of aortic injuries, the incidence of blunt aortic injury in fatal motor vehicle crashes has not decreased during the past decade. Although not statistically significant, there is a trend toward decreased frontal impacts in fatal motor vehicle crashes associated with aortic injuries. The nearside crash mechanism continues to play a prominent role, and efforts at improving vehicle safety should be focused on crash mechanisms as they relate to aortic injury

What does ultrasonography miss in blunt trauma patients with a low Glasgow Coma Score (GCS)?

The role of ultrasound (US) as a screening tool for the evaluation of blunt abdominal trauma is still controversial. Determining the types of missed injuries and the accuracy of US in patients with a low GCS will improve the evaluation of these blunt trauma patients. Prospectively collected data from the trauma registry of a Level I trauma center was reviewed. 7,952 patients were included in the study. US examination had an accuracy of 89%, sensitivity of 77%, specificity of 97%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 78%, and negative predictive value (NPV) of 98%. GCS correlated with ISS and base deficit levels. US examination had a significantly lower accuracy in patients with a low GCS and in women. The sensitivity and specificity of US examination is similar in those with normal and low GCS. Therefore ultrasonographic examination may be considered a good screening tool for the evaluation of patients with blunt abdominal trauma, but its accuracy is diminished in patients with a low GCS. Further imaging may be warranted in these patients

A prospective evaluation of ultrasonography for the diagnosis of penetrating torso injury

Ultrasound (US) is commonly used for the diagnosis of hemoperitoneum after blunt abdominal trauma, but the value of US as an aid for identification of operative lesions after penetrating trauma is not well documented. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the accuracy of US for the evaluation of penetrating torso trauma and to assess the impact of this information on patient management. We conducted a prospective cohort observational study of consecutive penetrating torso patients at a Level I trauma center. During the 6-month trial period, 177 victims of penetrating torso trauma were assessed by our trauma teams. Ninety-two patients had stab wounds, 84 patients had gunshot wounds, and 1 patient had a puncture wound. All 28 patients with positive US examination had an exploratory laparotomy or thoracotomy (one patient had more than one procedure), resulting in 26 therapeutic operations. There were 149 negative US examinations, but in this group, 36 patients underwent laparotomy or thoracotomy, and 28 had therapeutic operations. The overall accuracy of the US examination was therefore 85%, the sensitivity was 48%, and the specificity was 98%. There were only three patients who had their initial management altered by a positive US examination. The US examination lacks sensitivity to be used alone in determining operative intervention after gunshot or stab wounds. Rarely does US information contribute to the management of patients with penetrating abdominal injuries

ALCOHOL USE AMONG TRAUMA VICTIMS ADMITTED TO A LEVEL I TRAUMA CENTER IN ISRAEL.

מטרה: לקבוע את שיעור מקרי הטראומה שנגרמו כתוצאה משימוש באלכוהול ולבחון את מאפייניהם. שיטה: ניתוח נתונים על 854 מטופלים מתוך 5,529 מטופלים שהופיעו ברישום הטראומה הישראלי בשנים 2001-.2003 מן הממצאים: אצל 170 מהפונים נמצאה רמה גבוהה של אלכוהול בדם. בקרב אלה היה שיעור תאונות הדרכים גבוה מזה שבקרב הנפגעים ללא האלכוהול (35% לעומת 24%) וכך גם לגבי דקירות (29% לעומת 7%). חומרת הפגיעות בקרב קבוצת ה"אלכוהול" הייתה רבה יותר ושיעורי הלא-יהודים, הצעירים, והגברים בקבוצה זו היו גבוהים מהשיעורים אצל שאר הנבדקים. רוב הפגיעות המיוחסות לאלכוהול התרחשו בסופי שבוע ובשעות הערב-לילה

Non-hip fracture-associated trauma in the elderly population

BACKGROUNDThe rate of trauma in the elderly is growing.OBJECTIVESTo evaluate the characteristics of non-hip fracture-associated trauma in elderly patients at a level I trauma center.METHODSThe study database of this retrospective cohort study was the trauma registry of a level I trauma center. Trauma patients admitted from January 2001 to December 2003 were stratified into different age groups. Patients with the diagnosis of hip fracture were excluded.RESULTSThe study group comprised 7629 patients. The non-hip fracture elderly group consisted of 1067 patients, 63.3% women and 36.7% men. The predominant mechanism of injury was falls (70.5%) and most of the injuries were blunt (94.1%). Injury Severity Score was found to increase significantly with age. The average mortality rate among the elderly was 6.1%. Age, ISS, Glasgow Coma Score on admission, and systolic blood pressure on admission were found to be independent predictors of mortality.CONCLUSIONSFalls remain the predominant cause of injury in the elderly. Since risk factors for mortality can be identified, an effective community prevention program can help combat the future expected increase in morbidity and mortality associated with trauma in the elderly

How can trauma surgeons maintain their operative skills?

The operative experience of the dedicated trauma surgeon is declining. Much attention has focused on the operative workload of trauma surgeons as it is critical in both maintaining operative skills and promoting the interest of surgical residents in trauma careers. We examined the operative experience of our surgical service which includes trauma, emergency general surgery, and elective general surgery to analyze changes occurring over the past decade. A retrospective study was performed by extracting data from the operative database at our Level I trauma center from January 1995 to December 2005. The cases were classified as trauma, emergency general surgery, or elective general surgery. Data were analyzed using weighted linear regression to analyze statistical significance. Although the total number of cases performed by the trauma service remained constant, the proportion of initial operative trauma cases (<24 hours from arrival to operation) decreased from 14% to 8% (r2 = 0.91, p < 0.001) over the study period. In contrast, emergency general surgery cases increased over this time period (r2 = 0.57, p < 0.01). Elective case volume was unchanged. The majority of the waning of trauma cases was due to decreased surgery on the liver and spleen and fewer neck explorations. Trauma operative experience decreased but emergency general surgery increased over a decade at our trauma center. It appears possible to maintain a busy operative trauma service by the inclusion of emergency general surgery consultations