Guidelines for the acute care of severe limb trauma patients (original) (raw)

An evidence-based approach to lower extremity acute trauma

Plastic and reconstructive surgery, 2011

The Maintenance of Certification module series is designed to help the clinician structure his or her study in specific areas appropriate to his or her clinical practice. This article is prepared to accompany practice-based assessment of preoperative assessment, anesthesia, surgical treatment plan, perioperative management, and outcomes. In this format, the clinician is invited to compare his or her methods of patient assessment and treatment, outcomes, and complications, with authoritative, information-based references. This information base is then used for self-assessment and benchmarking in parts II and IV of the Maintenance of Certification process of the American Board of Plastic Surgery. This article is not intended to be an exhaustive treatise on the subject. Rather, it is designed to serve as a reference point for further in-depth study by review of the reference articles presented.

Clinical practice guidelines for the management of acute limb compartment syndrome following trauma

ANZ Journal of Surgery, 2010

Background: Acute compartment syndrome is a serious and not uncommon complication of limb trauma. The condition is a surgical emergency, and is associated with significant morbidity if not managed appropriately. There is variation in management of acute limb compartment syndrome in Australia. Methods: Clinical practice guidelines for the management of acute limb compartment syndrome following trauma were developed in accordance with Australian National Health and Medical Research Council recommendations. The guidelines were based on critically appraised literature evidence and the consensus opinion of a multidisciplinary team involved in trauma management who met in a nominal panel process. Results: Recommendations were developed for key decision nodes in the patient care pathway, including methods of diagnosis in alert and unconscious patients, appropriate assessment of compartment pressure, timing and technique of fasciotomy, fasciotomy wound management, and prevention of compartment syndrome in patients with limb injuries. The recommendations were largely consensus based in the absence of welldesigned clinical trial evidence. Conclusions: Clinical practice guidelines for the management of acute limb compartment syndrome following trauma have been developed that will support consistency in management and optimize patient health outcomes. Methods Staff from the Liverpool (Sydney) and Royal Melbourne Hospitals in Australia undertook a collaborative project to develop CPG for the

Preliminary Results of a Prospective Study on Severe Lower Limb Trauma: Analysis of Laboratory Tests as Predictors of Amputation

Panamerican Journal of Trauma, Critical Care & Emergency Surgery, 2013

The decision of either preserving a member or primary amputation (PA) in severe extremity trauma, especially in the presence of fractures, vascular injuries or serious injuries of soft tissues has always been a challenge for the trauma surgeon. The initial assessment with objective criteria like indexes, such as the Mangled Extremity Severity Score (MESS) or the PSI, can aid in the differentiation of members that can be saved or should be amputated primarily. We report on the design and preliminary results of our ongoing prospective study analyzing laboratory test as predictors of amputation in severe lower limb trauma. Materials and methods: All patients treated in our emergency department with severe lower limb trauma and open fractures (classified as Gustilo III) were included in this study. We collected blood for laboratory test of all patients at admission. All injured limb were photographed for posterior analysis and MESS classification. Results: From March 15, 2012, to June 10, 2012, n = 20 patients were included in our study. PA was performed in eight (40%) and preserving procedures (PP) in 12 (60%). Mean age was 30 in PP group and 40.5 in PA. Mean systolic pressure at the emergency room was 130 mm Hg in PP and 107 mm Hg in PA. MESS index was calculated for all patients and the means were 5 for the PP group and 8 for the PA group. Laboratory test of the two groups were compared and statistically analyzed. Acidosis, arterial lactate levels and hemoglobin levels at admission had a statistical difference between the two groups: pH = 7.36 PP vs 7.18 PA (p = 0.001); lactate: PP = 25 vs PA = 63 (p < 0.001); hemoglobin: PP = 13.6 vs PA = 7.85 (p = 0.03). Conclusion: Laboratory results of tests collected during initial assessment of patients with severe lower limb trauma are different between those submitted to PA or a PP.

Management of major limb injuries

TheScientificWorldJournal, 2014

Management of major limb injuries is a daunting challenge, especially as many of these patients have severe associated injuries. In trying to save life, often the limb is sacrificed. The existing guidelines on managing such trauma are often confusing. There is scope to lay down such protocols along with the need for urgent transfer of such patients to a multispecialty center equipped to salvage life and limb for maximizing outcome. This review article comprehensively deals with the issue of managing such major injuries.

Orthopaedic traumatology: fundamental principles and current controversies for the acute care surgeon

Trauma surgery & acute care open, 2018

Multiply injured patients with fractures are co-managed by acute care surgeons and orthopaedic surgeons. In most centers, orthopaedic surgeons definitively manage fractures, but preliminary management, including washouts, splinting, reductions, and external fixations, may be performed by selected acute care surgeons. The acute care surgeon should have a working knowledge of orthopaedic terminology to communicate with colleagues effectively. They should have an understanding of the composition of bone, periosteum, and cartilage, and their reaction when there is an injury. Fractures are usually fixed urgently, but some multiply injured patients are better served with a damage control strategy. Extremity compartment syndrome should be suspected in all critically injured patients with or without fractures and a low threshold for compartment pressure measurements or empiric fasciotomy maintained. Acute care surgeons performing rib fracture fixation and other chest wall injury reconstruct...

Incidence and type of complications following traumatic extremity amputations: preliminary report from a teaching hospital

Amputation is one of the oldest surgical procedure and a good amputation results in optimal functional outcome by providing healthy residual limb. Advances in prosthetics has enabled amputee with diverse options and better functionality. There is also decrease in the overall burden of amputation as a result of better treatment of causative disorders and proper limb salvage techniques. Complications, however, pose challenges in regain of necessary functions and include an array of disorders related to the procedure, technique and other factors. An understanding of common and practical complications is helpful in their anticipation and relevant prohibitive measures. Apart from it, a comprehensive study that highlights pattern of amputations and related complications provides database for preventive and management strategy. A total of 69 cases of extremity amputations were included within a defined period of Jan 2011 to June 2016. Relevant demographic data were noted along with other details amputation and complications. An attempt is also made for co-morbidities associated in cases with complications. Males (88.40%) and lower extremity (66.66%) were involved more commonly than females and upper extremity. Below knee was commonest (50.72%) lower and below elbow along with digital amputations were commonest (15.94% each) upper extremity amputations. The significant complication that required increased hospital stay or additional procedures were noted in 34 (49.27%) cases. Delayed wound healing, wound dehiscence, painful neuroma, stiffness, exposed bone and phantom pain were some of major complication noted in the study. A brief notes on patient characteristics has been attributed to the nature of trauma, co-morbidities and substance abuse among the complicated cases. The early recognition of complication and prompt management goes a long way in abetment of agony and discomfort of patient affecting overall outcome.

Western Trauma Association critical decisions in trauma: screening for and treatment of blunt cerebrovascular injuries

The Journal of trauma, 2009

The American College of Surgeons designates this journal-based CME activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Crediti. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. Of the AMA PRA Category 1 Crediti listed above, a maximum of 1 credit meets the requirements for self-assessment. Credits can only be claimed online Objectives After reading the featured articles published in the Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, participants should be able to demonstrate increased understanding of the material specific to the article. Objectives for each article are featured at the beginning of each article and online. Test questions are at the end of the article, with a critique and specific location in the article referencing the question topic. Claiming Credit To claim credit, please visit the AAST website at http://www.aast.org/ and click on the Be-Learning/MOC[ tab. You must read the article, successfully complete the post-test and evaluation. Your CME certificate will be available immediately upon receiving a passing score of 75% or higher on the post-test. Post-tests receiving a score of below 75% will require a retake of the test to receive credit. System Requirements The system requirements are as follows: Adobe\ Reader 7.0 or above installed; Internet Explorer\ 7 and above; Firefox\ 3.0 and above, Chrome\ 8.0 and above, or Safarii 4.0 and above. Questions If you have any questions, please contact AAST at 800-789-4006. Paper test and evaluations will not be accepted. Disclosure Information In accordance with the ACCME Accreditation Criteria, the American College of Surgeons, as the accredited provider of this journal activity, must ensure that anyone in a position to control the content of J Trauma Acute Care Surg articles selected for CME credit has disclosed all relevant financial relationships with any commercial interest. Disclosure forms are completed by the editorial staff, associate editors, reviewers, and all authors. The ACCME defines a 'commercial interest' as Bany entity producing, marketing, reselling , or distributing health care goods or services consumed by, or used on, patients.[ BRelevant[ financial relationships are those (in any amount) that may create a conflict of interest and occur within the 12 months preceding and during the time that the individual is engaged in writing the article. All reported conflicts are thoroughly managed in order to ensure any potential bias within the content is eliminated. However, if you perceive a bias within the article, please report the circumstances on the evaluation form. Please note we have advised the authors that it is their responsibility to disclose within the article if they are describing the use of a device, product, or drug that is not FDA approved or the off-label use of an approved device, product, or drug or unapproved usage.

Therapeutic principles in upper limb trauma

Romanian Medical Journal, 2021

Upper limb trauma cases vary from simple to high energy impactful injuries, with different etiologies; situations which frequently require unique, demanding and challenging endeavors in order to obtain the most favorable outcome. Experience, good decision-making and knowledge of functional goals are mandatory in order to elaborate a therapeutic plan and execute it accordingly. Although cases differ in nature and prognosis, respecting a set of therapeutic principles whilst dealing with either simple or complex cases, will enhance patient outcome and give the surgeon the confidence to tackle any kind of upper limb trauma. After clearing out vital threat, the emergency surgery represents the first threshold in achieving and restoring normal function and biomechanics, mostly in young and labor active patients, with the mindset to salvage as much tissue as possible, with a thorough debridement and step-by-step approach to different types of tissues. Secondary surgery and reconstructive s...

Thromboembolic complications secondary to limb trauma in orthopedic surgery department of Sylvanus Olympio university hospital

National Journal of Clinical Orthopaedics, 2020

Introduction: Thromboembolic complications arise when the Virchow triad is brought together. In trauma, trauma, bed rest and even treatment promote these complications. The aim: To determine the epidemiological aspects of these complications in trauma patients of the limbs in order to improve prevention and management. Material and method: It was a prospective study from January 1 to December 31, 2018 on the trauma of members admitted to the orthopedic trauma service and who presented a thromboembolic complication. The parameters studied were age, sex, weight, nature of the limb lesion, site of the lesion, type of thromboembolic complications, time to onset of the complication. Results: Twelve (12) patients including 8 men and 4 women presented thromboembolic complications after their trauma. The average age of the patients was 35.4 years. Complications were observed after surgery in 5 cases and after orthopedic treatment in 3 cases. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) was found in 9 cases and pulmonary embolism in 3 cases. The limb trauma consisted of a fracture in 10 patients and a dislocation of the knee in 2 cases. Complications mainly occurred on pelvic fracture with 4 cases. The delay of onset of these complications was the first 4 post-traumatic days in most of the patients.