Volume 14 · Issue 03 · 2011

Abstract：Objective: The high burden of injuries in Iran necessitates the establishment of a comprehensive trauma care system. The purpose of this paper is to describe the current status of trauma system regarding the components and function. Methods: The current status of trauma system in all components of a trauma system was described through expert panels and semi-structured interviews with trauma specialists and policy makers.Results: Currently, various organizations are involved in prevention, management and rehabilitation of injuries,but an integrative system approach to trauma is rather deficient. There has been ongoing progress in areas of public education through media, traffic regulation reinforcement,hospital care and prehospital services. Meanwhile, there are gaps regarding financing, legislations and education of high risk groups. The issues on education and training standards of the front line medical team and continuing education and evaluation are yet to be addressed. Trauma registry has been piloted in some provinces, but as it needs the well-developed infrastructure (regarding staff, maintenance,financial resources), it is not yet established in our system of trauma care.Conclusions: It seems that one of the problems with trauma care in Iran is lack of coordination among trauma system organizations. Although the clinical management of trauma patients has improved in our country in the recent decade, decreasing the burden of injuries necessitates an organized approach to prevention and management of trauma in the context of a trauma system。

Abstract：Objectives: To explore the clinical features of traumatic atlantoaxial instability combined with subaxial cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI), and to analyze the feasibility, indication and therapeutic effects of anterior-posterior approach in such cases.Methods: From March 2004 to September 2009, 16cases with this trauma were admitted and surgically treated in our department. Before surgery, skull traction was performed. Posterior atlantoaxial pedicle screw internal fixation and bone graft fusion were conducted to manage traumatic atlantoaxial instability. As for subaxial CSCI, anterior cervical corpectomy or discectomy decompression, bone grafting and internal fixation with steel plates were applied.Results: All operations were successful. The average operation time was 3 hours and operative blood loss 400 ml. Satisfactory reduction of both the upper and lower cervical spine and complete decompression were achieved. All patients were followed up for 12 to 36 months. Their clinical symptoms were improved by various levels. The Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores ranged from 10to 16 one year postoperatively, 13.95±2.06 on average (improvement rate= 70.10% ). X-rays, spiral CT and MRI confirmed normal cervical alignments, complete decompression and fine implants' position. There was no breakage or loosening of screws, nor exodus of titanium mesh or implanted bone blocks. The grafted bone achieved fusion 3-6 months postoperatively and no atlantoaxial instability was observed.Conclusions: Traumatic atlantoaxial instability may combine with subaxial CSCI, misdiagnosis of which should be especially alerted and avoided. For severe cases, one stage anterior-posterior approach to decompress the upper and lower cervical spine, together with reposition, bone grafting and fusion, as well as internal fixation can immediately restore the normal alignments and stability of the cervical spine and effectively improve the spinal nervous function, thus being an ideal approach.

Abstract：Isolated coronal fractures of femoral condyle are rare in adults and nonunion of Hoffa fracture is reported only a few times in the literature. We analyzed six cases of nonunion of Hoffa fractures over a period of three years. Three patients were treated conservatively and three patients had fixation failures. Delay of presentation was 2 months to one year. Treatment protocol consisted of open reduction, excision of pseudoarthrosis, bone grafting and internal fixation along with knee arthrolysis. Union was achieved in all patients at mean 16 weeks. The treatment of nonunion of Hoffa fractures requires careful preoperative planning and meticulous surgical technique. The literature regarding the controversies in fracture management and surgical technique are reviewed。

Abstract：Objective: To study the anatomical and biomechanical features of the intcrosseous membrane (IOM)of the cadaveric forearm.Methods: Ten radius-IOM-ulna structures were harvested from fresh-frozen cadavers to measure the length,width and thickness of the tendinous portion of IOM. Then,the tendinous portion was isolated along with the ulnar and radial ends to which the tendon attached after measurement.The proximal portion of the radius and the distal portion of the ulna were embedded and fixed in the dental base acrylic resin powder. The embedded specimen was clamped and fixed by the MTS 858 test machine using a 10 000 N load cell for the entire tensile test. IOM was stretched at a speed of 50 mm/min until it was ruptured. The load-displacement curve was depicted with a computer and the maximum load and stiffness were recorded at the same time.Results: The IOM of the forearm was composed of three portions: central tendinous tissue, membranous tissue and dorsal affiliated oblique cord. IOM was stretched at a neutral position, and flexed at pronation and supination positions. The tendinous portion of IOM was lacerated in 6specimens when the point of the maximum load reached to 1021.50 N±250.13 N, the stiffness to 138.24 N/m±24.29 N/m,and the length of stretch to 9.77 mm±1.77 mm. Fracture occurred at the fixed end of the ulna before laceration of the tendinous portion in 4 specimens when the maximum load was 744.40 N±109.85 N, the stiffness was 151.17 N/m±30.68N/m, and the length of the stretch was 6.51 mm±0.51 mm.Conclusions: The IOM of the forearm is a structure having ligamentous characteristics between the radius and the ulna. It is very important for maintenance of the longitudinal stability of the forearm. The anatomical and biomechanical data can be used as an objective criterion for evaluating the reconstructive method of IOM of the forearm。

Abstract：Objective: Massive hemorrhage is lifethreatening during armed conflicts. Tourniquets are important medical devices used to reduce severe bleeding in trauma. The aim of this study was to empirically evaluate the current tourniquets used in China and provide information to emergency nurses in selecting the appropriate tourniquet.Methods: Five tourniquets were self-applied by 20healthy participants. The blood flow distal to the tourniquet site was assessed using vascular Doppler ultrasound.Application time, pain, numbness, and other parameters were evaluated.Results: The bladder tourniquet and windlass tourniquet effectively occluded arterial blood flow with success rates higher than 75% in both the upper and lower extremities. The Cargo-strap was the fastest to apply, taking (7.22±2.30) s for the upper extremity and (6.48±2.40) s for the lower extremity. The rubber tube was the most painful, and the improvised tourniquet was the least efficient. The success rates were higher in the lower extremity than in the upper extremity (P＜0.05, X2=5.714).Conclusions: The bladder tourniquet and the windlass tourniquet are efficient tourniquets, although the windlass is superior with respect to portability and pain. The Cargo-strap and rubber tourniquets have several disadvantages that reduce their suitability for field use. The improvised tourniquet is not recommended because of low efficiency and severe pain during implementation.

Abstract：Objectives: Trauma is among the leading causes of death. Medical management of blunt abdominal trauma (BAT) relies on judging patients for whom laparotomy is mandatory. This study aimed to determine BAT patients' signs, as well as paraclinical data, and to clarify the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of clinical abdominal scoring system (CASS), a new scoring system based on clinical signs, in predicting whether a BAT patient needs laparotomy or not.Methods: Totally 400 patients suspected of BAT that arrived at the emergency department of two university hospitals in Tehran from March 20, 2007 to March 19, 2009 were included in this study. They were evaluated for age, sex,type of trauma, systolic blood pressure, Glasgow coma scale (GCS), pulse rate, time of presentation after trauma, abdominal clinical findings, respiratory rate, temperature, hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, focused abdominal sonography in trauma (FAST) and CASS.Results: Our measurements showed that CASS had an accuracy of 94%, sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 88%,positive predictive value of 90% and negative predictive value of 100% in determining the necessity of laparotomy in BAT patients. Moreover, in our analysis, systolic blood pressure, GCS, pulse rate, Hb concentration, time of presentation after trauma, abdominal clinical findings and FAST were also shown to be helpful in confirming the need for laparotomy (P＜0.05).Conclusion: CASS is a promising scoring system in rapid detection of the need for laparotomy as well as in minimizing auxiliary expense for further evaluation in BAT patients, thus to promote the cost-benefit ratio and accuracy of diagnosis。

Abstract：Objective: Tracheobronchial injuries are defined as injuries involving the trachea and/or bronchi from the level of the cricoid cartilage extending up to the division of the bronchi. We present a case series with most of the tracheobronchial injuries found to be sustained after penetrating trauma.Methods: A retrospective review was performed at the Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan. From January 2004to December 2009, 168 patients with thoracic trauma were treated, of whom 15 were recognized to have major tracheobronchial and pulmonary injuries.Results: The average age was 31 years with most of the patients being male (14:1). Among them,11 patients had penetrating trauma as the main cause of injury, 3 patients had blunt trauma from road traffic accidents, only 1 patient had combined trauma (blunt and penetrating trauma). Eight patients were diagnosed based on radiological findings. All the patients were treated surgically. Lobectomy was the most common intervention performed in 7 patients. The mortality rate was 7% (1 patient). Most patients survived with no sequelae (10 patients) while 5 survived with disability. We found that penetrating trauma was the leading cause of injury in our series. The severity of injury depends upon the weapon causing the trauma. Patients in our series had multiple injuries and required surgical management.Conclusions: Tracheobronchial injuries are rare but potentially life threatening. They require quick diagnosis and management. Diagnosis tends to be difficult since there are no specialised diagnostic modalities available at present。

Abstract：Objective: To investigate the prevalence of mobile phone and seat belt use in driving in college students aged 18-24 years.Methods: The study consisted of two phases. In the first phase, a questionnaire was given to 265 college students. The sample contained 188 males and 77 females.In the second phase, the data pertaining to road accident injuries from March 20, 2007 to March 20, 2008 were collected from Bahonar Central Hospital in Kerman, Iran, and analyzed.Results: There were 14.0% of male and 19.0% of female participants traveled belted while driving on urban roads. It indicated that the participants unbelted or using mobile phone were more involved in accidents in last three years. This study also revealed that 19.0% of male and 4.2%of female drivers considered using mobile phone in driving not hazardous. The highest injury and property damage crash rates were 87 and 137 per 100 000 inhabitants, which occured in male group aged 18-24 years. And 30% of all fatalities were 19-24 years old.Conclusions: More than 50% of college students traveled unbelted. The females were less involved in road accident injuries. The college students aged 18-24 years had the highest percentages of trauma and head injury。

Abstract：Objective: The surgical management of chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is still a controversial issue, and a standard therapy has not been established because of the unclear pathogenic mechanisms in CSDH.The intention of this paper is to find a simple and efficient surgical procedure for CSDH.Methods: A retrospective study of 448 patients with CSDH by surgical treatment during 2005 to 2009 was conducted in order to compare the efficiency between two different primary surgical methods, i.e. twist-drill drainage without irrigation in Group A (n=178) and one burr-hole with irrigation in Group B (n=270). The results were statistically analyzed.Results: The reoperation rates in Group A and Group B were 7.9% and 11.9% respectively. The good outcome rate was 88.8% and 75.5%, the complication was 7.9% and 20.7% in Group A and Group B, respectively.Conclusions: The burr-hole drainage with irrigation of the hematoma cavity is not beneficial to the outcome and prognosis. Irrigation is not important in the surgical treatment for CSDH. Thus in initial treatment, twist-drill drainage without irrigation of the hematoma cavity is recommended because it is relatively safe, time-saving and cost-effective。

Abstract：The association of chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) and arachnoid cyst (AC) is uncommon.We reported 2 juvenile athletes with CSDH associated with AC which occurred in their daily sports activities and reviewed the literature. Both of them were treated surgically, with satisfactory outcome. AC is a common predisposing factor in young patients with CSDH. The complication of intracranial bleeding is an indication for surgical management. Though there are still controversies in the treatment of asymptomatic AC, it is the consensus that the patients with AC should avoid violent sports so as to reduce the incidence of intracranial hemorrhage resulted from head injuries。

Abstract：Radiographic changes consisting of alterations in mineral content, osteopaenia or destructive neuropathy that occur following successful finger replantation have already been described. We report our experience about four fingers in three individuals in whom bone changes developed in the first three months postoperatively with complete "restitution ad integrum".Three patients, 21-49 years old (average 36 years) sustained a clean-cut amputation of four fingers. The first patient had an amputation at the base of the middle phalanx of the index finger and the second patient at the base of the proximal phalanx of the ring finger. The third had an amputation at the base of the first metacarpal bone and the proximal phalanx of the small finger in a five finger amputation. In the first case, two dorsal veins and two palmar digital arteries and nerves were repaired. In the second case, one palmar artery and one dorsal vein were reanastomosed. In the third case at the thumb, two dorsal veins and two palmar digital arteries and nerves were reconstructed. At the small finger, one dorsal vein, one palmar digital artery and two digital nerves were reconstructed. Bone fixation was achieved with two and three K-wires or tension-band wiring. Replantation was successful in all cases. Three weeks after replantation, the X-rays showed rapid development of osteopaenia in the juxtaartieular region and metaphyses of the bone. These changes were followed by subperiosteal,intracortical and endosteal bone resorption. No further surgical procedures or splintage were needed and hand therapy was not discontinued. At 10-13 weeks (average 12 weeks)postoperatively, the X-rays showed a complete recovery with new periosteal bone formation.We suggest that the radiographic changes after finger replantation are transient, first evident subperiosteally and progressing centrally. They may reflect small-vessel compromise and microinfarction and transient hyperemia secondary to neurovascular damage or to sympathetic progressive recovery。

Abstract：This paper discussed the injury mechanism and management of a patient who had concomitant ipsilateral hip and knee dislocations and contralateral open leg fracture.A 32-year-old man presented with ipsilateral fracturedislocations of the left hip (Pipkin's type Ⅳ) and knee (Moore Ⅱ)joints and contralateral open fracture of the leg bones after a car accident. After emergency resuscitative measures, the hip joint was reduced and Pipkin's fracture was fixed using Ganz approach with lag screws; knee joint was reduced closely and tibial plateau fracture was stabilized with lateral buttress plate and a transarticular spanning fixator. The open fracture on the other leg was debrided and fixed with an external fixator. There was no instability in both joints after fixation when he was examined under anesthesia. The fractures united after 3 months and the patient had no residual instability of hip and knee. There was no clinical or radiological evidence of osteonecrosis in the hip joint after 6 months. At one-year follow-up, he had satisfactory functional outcome with almost normal range of motion at both joints.Ipsilateral hip and knee dislocations are rare injuries and more caution is needed for early diagnosis. A timely appropriate intervention can provide good functional outcome to the patient in this situation。

Abstract：Breakage of locking bolts is an important cause of interlocking nail failure in femoral fractures. It usually occurs in the form of single breakage in one of the distal bolts of the nail or nail breakage around the distal locking hole. Here we report an unusual case of intramedullary femoral nail failure with segmental breakage of both the distal locking bolts. Such a scenario usually complicates further management. We successfully managed this case with exchange nailing without bone grafting. Here we briefly reviewed the literature regarding such an unusual presentation and discussed in detail the possible etiology of such a presentation and the management options when facing such a complex situation。