Pelvic trauma : WSES classification and guidelines

Complex pelvic injuries are among the most dangerous and deadly trauma related lesions. Different classification systems exist, some are based on the mechanism of injury, some on anatomic patterns and some are focusing on the resulting instability requiring operative fixation. The optimal treatment strategy, however, should keep into consideration the hemodynamic status, the anatomic impairment of pelvic ring function and the associated injuries. The management of pelvic trauma patients aims definitively to restore the homeostasis and the normal physiopathology associated to the mechanical stability of the pelvic ring. Thus the management of pelvic trauma must be multidisciplinary and should be ultimately based on the physiology of the patient and the anatomy of the injury. This paper presents the World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES) classification of pelvic trauma and the management Guidelines.Peer reviewe

Physiological assessment of the polytrauma patient: initial and secondary surgeries

The timing of fracture fixation in polytrauma patients has been debated for a long time. The decision between DCO (damage control orthopaedics) and ETC (early total care) is a difficult dilemma. Overzealous ETC in haemodynamically compromised patients with significant chest and head injuries can be detrimental. It has been shown, however, that early fracture fixation has a trend towards better outcome in patients with less severe injuries. Delaying all orthopaedic surgery in critically injured patients can be a safe alternative, but has several disadvantages like longer ICU stay and septic complications. The literature shows equivocal evidence for both settings. This article will summarize the historical background and controversies regarding patient assessment and decision making during the treatment of polytrauma patients. It will also give guidance for choosing DCO versus ETC in the clinical setting

Changes in hip fracture incidence, mortality and length of stay over the last decade in an Australian major trauma centre

PurposeThe aim of this study was to describe the population-based longitudinal trends in incidence, 30-day mortality and length of stay of hip fracture patients in a tertiary referral trauma centre in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, and identify the factors associated with increased 30-day mortality.MethodsA retrospective database and chart review was conducted to patients aged ≥65 years with a diagnosis of femoral neck or pertrochanteric fracture admitted to the John Hunter Hospital between 01 January 2002 and 30 December 2011. The main outcome measure was 30-day mortality; secondary outcome was acute length of stay.ResultsThere were 4,269 eligible patients (427±20 per year) with hip fractures over the 10-year study period. The absolute incidence increased slightly (p=0.1) but the age-adjusted rate decreased (p≤0.0001). The average age (83.5±7.1 years) and percentage of females (73.7%) did not change. Length of stay increased by a factor of 2.5% per year (pConclusionsDespite the relative ageing of our population, a decrease in the age-standardised rate of fractured hip in elderly patients has seen the number of admissions remain unchanged in our institution from 2002 to 2011. There was a decrease in 30-day mortality, while length of stay increased.Nicole Williams, Ben M. Hardy, Seth Tarrant, Natalie Enninghorst, John Attia, Christopher Oldmeadow, Zsolt J. Balog