Volume 12 · Issue 05 · 2009

Abstract：Objective: Today, trauma is a major public health problem in some countries. Abdominal trauma is the source of significant mortality and morbidity with both blunt and penetrating injuries. We performed an epidemiological study of abdominal trauma (AT) in Tehran, Iran. We used all our sources to describe the epidemiology and outcome of patients with AT.Methods: This study was done in Tehran. The study population included trauma patients admitted to the emergency department of six general hospitals in Tehran during one year. The data were collected through a questionnaire that was completed by a trained physician at the trauma center. The statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS software (version 11.5 for Windows). The statistical analysis was conducted using the chi-square and P＜0.05 was accepted as being statistically significant.Results: Two hundred and twenty-eight (2.8%) out of 8 000 patients were referred to the above mentioned centers with abdominal trauma. One hundred and twenty-five (54.9%)of the patients were in their 2nd and 3rd decades of life and 189 (83%) of our patients were male. Road traffic accidents (RTA) were the leading cause of AT with 119 (52.2%) patients. Spleen was the commonly injured organ with 51 cases. Following the analysis of injury severity, 159 (69.7%) patients had mild injuries (ISS＜16) and 69 (30.3%) patients had severe injuries (ISS= 16). The overall mortality rate was 46 (20.2%).Conclusions: Blunt abdominal trauma is more common than penetrating abdominal trauma. Road traffic accidents and stab wound are the most common causes of blunt and penetrating trauma, respectively. Spleen is the most commonly injured organ in these patients. The mortality rate is higher in blunt trauma than penetrating one。

Orbitocranial penetrating injuries are uncommon and usually life threatening, which constitute about 0.4% of all head injuries, 24% of penetrating head trauma in adults, and 45% in children.1,2,3They may occur accidentally or due to an assault and may have serious consequences and can be potentially fatal.4,5 Immediate plastic and reconstructive surgery, ophthalmology and radiology consultations are essential for the proper diagnosis and treatment. We reported an adult patient with a transorbital cerebral injury by an unusual material---grinding wheel. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of transorbital penetrating injury by a grinding wheel in the literature。

Abstract：Despite a large number of rear-end collisions on the road and a high frequency of whiplash injuries reported, the mechanism of whiplash injuries is not completely understood. One of the reasons is that the injury is not necessarily accompanied by obvious tissue damage detectable by X-ray or MRI. An extensive series of biomechanics studies, including injury epidemiology, neck kinematics,facet capsule ligament mechanics, injury mechanisms and injury criteria, were undertaken to help elucidate these whiplash injury mechanisms and gain a better understanding of cervical facet pain. These studies provide the following evidences to help explain the mechanisms of the whiplash injury: (1) Whiplash injuries are generally considered to be a soft tissue injury of the neck with symptoms such as neck pain and stiffness, shoulder weakness, dizziness, headache and memory loss, etc. (2) Based on kinematical studies on the cadaver and volunteers, there are three distinct periods that have the potential to cause injury to the neck. In the first stage, flexural deformation of the neck is observed along with a loss of cervical lordosis; in the second stage, the cervical spine assumes an S-shaped curve as the lower vertebrae begin to extend and gradually cause the upper vertebrae to extend; during the final stage, the entire neck is extended due to the extension moments at both ends. (3)The in vivo environment afforded by rodent models of injury offers particular utility for linking mechanics, nociception and behavioral outcomes. Experimental findings have examined strains across the facet joint as a mechanism of whiplash injury, and suggested a capsular strain threshold or a vertebral distraction threshold for whiplash-related injury,potentially producing neck pain. (4) Injuries to the facet capsule region of the neck are a major source of post-crash pain. There are several hypotheses on how whiplash-associated injury may occur and three of these injuries are related to strains within the facet capsule connected with events early in the impact. (5) There are several possible injury criteria to correlate with the duration of symptoms during reconstructions of actual crashes. These results form the biomechanical basis for a hypothesis that the facet joint capsule is a source of neck pain and that the pain may arise from large strains in the joint capsule that will cause pain receptors to fire。

Abstract：Objective: To explore the role and function of stromal cell-derived factor- 1 (SDF- 1) in stem cells migrating into injured brain area.Methods: Rat-derived nerve stem cells (NSCs) were isolated and cultured routinely. Transwell system was used to observe the migration ability of NSCs into injured nerve cells. Immunocytochemistry was used to explore the expression of chemotactic factor receptor-4 (CXCR-4) in NSCs. In vivo, we applied immunofluorescence technique to observe the migration of NSCs into injured brain area. Immunofluorescence technique and Western blotting were used to test expression level of SDF- 1. After AMD3100 (a special chemical blocker) blocking CXCR-4, the migration ability of NSCs was tested in vivo and in vitro, respectively.Results: NSCs displayed specific tropism for injured nerve cells or traumatic brain area in vivo and in vitro. The expression level of SDF-1 in traumatic brain area increased remarkably and the expression level of CXCR-4 in the NSCs increased simultaneously. After AMD3100 blocking the expression of CXCR-4, the migration ability of NSCs decreased significantly both in vivo and in vitro.Conclusions: SDF-1 may play a key role in stem cells migrating into injured brain area through specially combining with CXCR-4。

Abstract：Objective: To explore a new method for early avascular necrosis of femoral head (AVNFH) therapy.Methods: Sixty-nine AVNFH New Zealand adult rabbits were randomly divided into three groups with equal number. In Group A, deproteinized bone (DPB) that absorbed with recombinant plasmid pcDNA3.1-hVEGF165 was implanted into the drilled tunnel of necrotic femoral head. In Group B, only DPB was implanted. In Group C, only tunnel was drilled without DPB or plasmid implanted. Femoral head specimens were obtained at postoperative 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 weeks. The expression of VEGF165 and collagen I was detected by immunohistochemistry. Bone formation was detected generally by X-ray. Angiogenesis and the repair of the femoral head were observed histologically.Results: The expression of VEGF 165 could be detected 2 weeks after implantation in Group A, but it was not observed in other groups. The result of collagen I expression had a significantly difference 2, 4 and 8 weeks after operation in Group A from those in other groups (P＜0.01).X-ray results indicated that there was more bone formation in Group A than in other groups. The regenerated capillary vessels staining result of necrotic femoral head in Group A was significantly different from those in other groups at postoperative 2 and 4 weeks (P＜0.01).Conclusions: Transfection ofhVEGF165 gene enhances local angiogenesis and DPB-VEGF compound improves the repair of necrotic femoral head. Deproteinized bone grafting with VEGF gene transfer provides a potential method for the treatment of osteonecrosis。

Abstract：Objective: To investigate the clinical effect of the nervus cutaneus femoris posterior pedicle flap on repairing large soft tissue defects at the heel or inferior segment of the shank.Methods: Totally 14 cases were followed up for 8-22 months (mean 15.5 months) to observe the clinical effects of nervus cutaneus femoris posterior pedicle flap on repairing large soft tissue defects of the heel or inferior segment of the shank. Among them, there were 3 patients afflicted with infection and cutaneous defects in the middle and inferior segment of the shank after internal fixation of open fracture, 4 patients with soft tissue defects of the ankle and uncovered tendo calcaneus, and 7 patients with soft tissue defects of the heel and exposed calcaneus.Results: The flaps survived well in 13 cases and partial necrosis occurred in 1 case that was thereafter cured with changing dressing. Various extents of pain and stiffness of the knee joints were present in all cases and disappeared through 1-8 weeks' (mean 3.2 weeks) functional exercises. The last follow-up showed that all the flaps kept good texture and satisfactory appearance.Conclusions: The nervus cutaneus femoris posterior pedicle flap, having the advantages of simple surgical procedures, anastomosing the nerves and restoring the sensation of recipient site, can be used for recovering large soft tissue defects of the shank and ankle。

Abstract：Objective: Injuries are common and important problem in Tehran, capital of Iran. Although therapeutic centers are not essentially established following the constructional principles of developed countries, the present opportunities and equipments have to be used properly. We should recognize and reduce the deficits based on the global standards.This study deliberates the trauma resources and capacities in university hospitals of Tehran based on Arizona trauma center standards, which are suitable for the assessment of trauma centers.Methods: Forty-one university hospitals in Tehran were evaluated for their conformity with "Arizona trauma center standards" in 2008. A structured interview was arranged with the "Educational Supervisor" of all hospitals regarding their institutional organization, departments, clini-cal capabilities, clinical qualifications, facilities and resources, rehabilitation services, performance improvement, continuing education, prevention, research and additional requirements for pediatric trauma patients. Relative frequencies and percentages were calculated and Student's t test was used to compare the mean values.Results: Forty-one hospitals had the average of 77.7 (50.7%) standards from 153 Arizona trauma center standards and these standards were present in 97.5 out of 153 (63.7%) in 17 general hospitals. Based on the subgroups of the standards, 64.8% items of hospital resources and capabilities were considered as a subgroup with the maximum criteria, and 17.7% items of research section as another subgroup with the minimum standards.Conclusions: On the basis of our findings, no hospital meet all the Arizona trauma center standards completely. The hospitals as trauma centers at different levels must be promoted to manage trauma patients desirably。

Abstract：Objective: To introduce a new method using calcium phosphate cement/Danshen drug delivery system for treating ischemic necrosis of the femoral head and evaluate its curative effect.Methods: From May 2000 to June 2005, 48 adult patients (54 hips) with ischemic necrosis of the femoral head at Stages Ⅰ,Ⅱ and Ⅲ of antigen reactive cell opsonization (ARCO) were treated with implantation of calcium phosphate cement/Danshen drug delivery system in the involved femoral head. The operation consisted of removal of the necrotic bone under weight-loading cartilage and the implantation of phosphate cement/Danshen drug delivery system, and all manipulations were made percutaneously through a bone tunnel in the trochanter. The functions of the hip joint were evaluated and X-ray films were taken preoperatively and postoperatively.Results: Postoperative follow-up was 45.5 months on average, ranging from 27 to 78 months. According to the evaluation criterion of "Dandong 1995" for therapeutic effect of adult ischemic necrosis of the femoral head, the therapeutic effects were excellent in 33 hips, good in 17, fair in 3 and poor in 1, with the excellent and good rate of 92.6 %.Conclusions: This method is relatively simple with little invasion. It not only improves the microcirculation of the femoral head by local application of traditional Chinese medicine, but also provides mechanic buttress in the weightloading area to prevent collapse during repairing, which is beneficial to repair and reconstruction of femoral head. It may be a choice of minimal invasion surgery for ischemic necrosis of the femoral head at Stages Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ of ARCO。

Abstract：Objective: To study the effect of activated microglia grafting on rats' hind limb motor function recovery after spinal cord injury.Methods: Microglia were separated from primary culture and subcultured for 3 generations. Lipopolysaccharide was added to the culture medium with the terminal concentrition of 10 μl/L for microglia activation 3 days before transplantation. Totally 80 adult Wistar rats were divided into transplantation group and control group, with 40 rats in each group. Spinal cord injury model of rats was set by hitting onto the spinal cord using a modified Allen impactor. With a 5 μl micro-syringe, the activated microglia suspension was injected into the injured area 7 days after the first operation. Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan (BBB) scoring for hind limb motor function was taken on the 1st, 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th day after microglia transplantation, and 8 rats were sacrificed at each time point mentioned above, respectively. Frozen sections of the spinal cord were made for haematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Naoumenko-Feigin stainings. SPSS 11.0 software was used for statistical analysis.Results: BBB scores for hind limb motor function on the 14th, 21 st, and 28th day were significantly higher compared with the control group. Most liquefaction necrosis areas disappeared and only a few multicystic cavities surrounded by aggregated microglia remained in the transplantation group. Naoumenko-Feigin staining for microglia showed that the transplantation group had significantly more positive cells (P＜0.05).Conclusions: Grafting of activated microglia into the injured spinal cord can significantly promote the hind limb motor function recovery in rats with spinal cord injury and reduce the size of liquefaction necrosis area. The extent of lower limb motor function improvement has a positive correlation with the number of aggregated microglia。

Abstract：Objective: To study the influence of operative timing on the prognosis of patients with acute subdural hematoma (ASDH) in order to provide theoretical basis for clinical treatment.Methods: The clinical data of 202 patients with ASDH undergoing operations were collected, and the mortalities and functional survival rates were analyzed 2, 4, 6, and 8 hours after injury.Results: No significant difference was found in mortalities and functional survival rates at different operative timings. However, there was a clear trend that the shorter the operative timing was, the lower the mortality and the higher functional survival rate were. In addition, the mean time from injury to operation of non-survivors was significantly longer than that of survivors.Conclusions: Operative timing has potential influences on the prognosis of patients with ASDH. Surgical evacuation of ASDH should be performed as soon as possible once the operation indication emerges。

Abstract：Objective: To observe the early clinical outcomes of the internal fixation with distal radius volar locking compression plate (LCP) in treatment of distal clavicle fracture.Methods: Six patients with unilateral distal clavicle fractures, identified as type Ⅱ according to Neer classification system, including 4 males and 2 females, were treated with open reduction and internal fixation using a distal radius volar LCP. Bone union was evaluated by routine X-ray radiography, and shoulder joint function were assessed by Constant score system.Results: All fractures achieved bone union at 6 to 8 weeks postoperatively, and Constant scores ranged from 95 to 100 at the postoperative 10 to 12 weeks.Conclusion: Fixation of distal clavicle fracture with distal radius volar LCP demonstrates excellent effects of bone union with rarely early complications, thus providing a new technique to treat distal clavicle fracture。

Abstract：Objective: To explore the effective methods for evaluating the consciousness and speech status of patients with special types of cerebral injuries.Methods: Atotal of 96 patients with injury in the language center and in coma were treated with operative and correlated conventional therapies. Then their recovery status of consciousness and speech was observed.Results: All the patients were recovered to consciousness. Sixty-nine patients with aphasia were cured completely, but 7 patients were complicated with incomplete ataxic aphasia, 15 with incomplete sensory aphasia,and 5 with incomplete mixed aphasia.Conclusions: For the patients with injury in the language center, evaluation of the conscious state with GCS scoring system has certain limitations and conscious behaviours are advantageous evidences to evaluate the consciousness recovery of the patients. The patients with conscious disturbance and injury in the language center should be considered to have aphasia。

Dislocation of the first metatarsophalangeal(MTP) joint is uncommon.1-5 Jahss1has classified these dislocations based on the dislocation of hallux with or without disruption of the sesamoid mass. In this study, we described a case of type Ⅰ complex dislocation of the MTP joint. It was irre-ducible by closed manipulation and required open re-duction achieved through a dorsal approach。