Several studies have reported that patients presenting during the evening or weekend have poorer quality healthcare. Our objective was to examine how timely surgery for patients with severe open tibial fracture varies by day and time of presentation and by type of hospital. This cohort study included patients with severe open tibial fractures from the Trauma Audit and Research Network (TARN). Provision of prompt surgery (debridement within 12 hours and soft-tissue coverage in 72 hours) was examined, using multivariate logistic regression to derive adjusted risk ratios (RRs). Time was categorized into three eight-hour intervals for each day of the week. The models were adjusted for treatment in a major trauma centre (MTC), sex, age, year of presentation, injury severity score, injury mechanism, and number of operations each patient received.Aims
Methods
This study estimated trends in incidence of open fractures and the adherence to clinical standards for open fracture care in England. Longitudinal data collected by the Trauma Audit and Research Network were used to identify 38,347 patients with open fractures, and a subgroup of 12,170 with severe open fractures of the tibia, between 2008 and 2019 in England. Incidence rates per 100,000 person-years and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Clinical care was compared with the British Orthopaedic Association Standards for Trauma and National Major Trauma Centre audit standards.Aims
Methods
The last decade has seen a marked increase in surgical rib fracture fixation (SRF). The evidence to support this comes largely from retrospective cohorts, and adjusting for the effect of other injuries sustained at the same time is challenging. This study aims to assess the impact of SRF after blunt chest trauma using national prospective registry data, while controlling for other comorbidities and injuries. A ten-year extract from the Trauma Audit and Research Network formed the study sample. Patients who underwent SRF were compared with those who received supportive care alone. The analysis was performed first for the entire eligible cohort, and then for patients with a serious (thoracic Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) ≥ 3) or minor (thoracic AIS < 3) chest injury without significant polytrauma. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify predictors of mortality. Kaplan-Meier estimators and multivariable Cox regression were performed to adjust for the effects of concomitant injuries and other comorbidities. Outcomes assessed were 30-day mortality, length of stay (LoS), and need for tracheostomy.Aims
Methods
The aim of this study was to explore the patients’ experience
of recovery from open fracture of the lower limb in acute care. A purposeful sample of 20 participants with a mean age of 40
years (20 to 82) (16 males, four females) were interviewed a mean
of 12 days (five to 35) after their first surgical intervention took
place between July 2012 and July 2013 in two National Health Service
(NHS) trusts in England, United Kingdom. The qualitative interviews
drew on phenomenology and analysis identified codes, which were
drawn together into categories and themes.Aims
Patients and Methods
Aims. To compare the early management and mortality of older patients
sustaining major orthopaedic trauma with that of a younger population
with similar injuries. Patients and Methods. The Trauma Audit Research Network database was reviewed to identify
eligible patients admitted between April 2012 and June 2015. Distribution
and severity of injury, interventions, comorbidity, critical care
episodes and mortality were recorded. The population was divided
into young (64 years or younger) and older (65 years and older) patients. Results. Of 142 765 adults sustaining major trauma, 72 942 (51.09 %) had
long bone or pelvic fractures and 45.81% of these were >
65 years
old. Road traffic collision was the most common mechanism in the
young (40.4%) and, in older people, fall from standing height (80.4%)
predominated. The 30 day mortality in older patients with fractures
is greater (6.8% versus 2.5%), although critical
care episodes are more common in the young (18.2% versus 9.7%).
Older people are less likely to be admitted to
The best time for definitive orthopaedic care is often unclear
in patients with multiple injuries. The objective of this study
was make a prospective assessment of the safety of our early appropriate
care (EAC) strategy and to evaluate the potential benefit of additional
laboratory data to determine readiness for surgery. A cohort of 335 patients with fractures of the pelvis, acetabulum,
femur, or spine were included. Patients underwent definitive fixation
within 36 hours if one of the following three parameters were met:
lactate <
4.0 mmol/L; pH ≥ 7.25; or base excess (BE) ≥ -5.5 mmol/L.
If all three parameters were met, resuscitation was designated full
protocol resuscitation (FPR). If less than all three parameters
were met, it was designated an incomplete protocol resuscitation
(IPR). Complications were assessed by an independent adjudication
committee and included infection; sepsis; PE/DVT; organ failure;
pneumonia, and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Aims
Patients and Methods
A fracture of the hip is the most common serious orthopaedic
injury, and surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most significant
complications, resulting in increased mortality, prolonged hospital
stay and often the need for further surgery. Our aim was to determine
whether high dose dual antibiotic impregnated bone cement decreases the
rate of infection. A quasi-randomised study of 848 patients with an intracapsular
fracture of the hip was conducted in one large teaching hospital
on two sites. All were treated with a hemiarthroplasty. A total
of 448 patients received low dose single-antibiotic impregnated
cement (control group) and 400 patients received high dose dual-antibiotic impregnated
cement (intervention group). The primary outcome measure was deep
SSI at one year after surgery.Aims
Patients and Methods
We aimed to determine whether there is evidence of improved patient
outcomes in Major Trauma Centres following the regionalisation of
trauma care in England. An observational study was undertaken using the Trauma Audit
and Research Network (TARN), Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) and
national death registrations. The outcome measures were indicators
of the quality of trauma care, such as treatment by a senior doctor
and clinical outcomes, such as mortality in hospital.Aims
Patients and Methods
Exsanguination is the second most common cause
of death in patients who suffer severe trauma. The management of
haemodynamically unstable high-energy pelvic injuries remains controversial,
as there are no universally accepted guidelines to direct surgeons
on the ideal use of pelvic packing or early angio-embolisation.
Additionally, the optimal resuscitation strategy, which prevents
or halts the progression of the trauma-induced coagulopathy, remains
unknown. Although early and aggressive use of blood products in
these patients appears to improve survival, over-enthusiastic resuscitative
measures may not be the safest strategy. This paper provides an overview of the classification of pelvic
injuries and the current evidence on best-practice management of
high-energy pelvic fractures, including resuscitation, transfusion
of blood components, monitoring of coagulopathy, and procedural
interventions including pre-peritoneal pelvic packing, external
fixation and angiographic embolisation. Cite this article:
We describe the impact of a targeted performance
improvement programme and the associated performance improvement
interventions, on mortality rates, error rates and process of care
for haemodynamically unstable patients with pelvic fractures. Clinical
care and performance improvement data for 185 adult patients with exsanguinating
pelvic trauma presenting to a United Kingdom Major Trauma Centre
between January 2007 and January 2011 were analysed with univariate
and multivariate regression and compared with National data. In
total 62 patients (34%) died from their injuries and opportunities
for improved care were identified in one third of deaths. Three major interventions were introduced during the study period
in response to the findings. These were a massive haemorrhage protocol,
a decision-making algorithm and employment of specialist pelvic
orthopaedic surgeons. Interventions which improved performance were
associated with an annual reduction in mortality (odds ratio 0.64
(95% confidence interval (CI) 0.44 to 0.93), p = 0.02), a reduction
in error rates (p = 0.024) and significant improvements in the targeted
processes of care. Exsanguinating patients with pelvic trauma are
complex to manage and are associated with high mortality rates;
implementation of a targeted performance improvement programme achieved
sustained improvements in mortality, error rates and trauma care
in this group of severely injured patients. Cite this article:
This is a case series of prospectively gathered
data characterising the injuries, surgical treatment and outcomes
of consecutive British service personnel who underwent a unilateral
lower limb amputation following combat injury. Patients with primary,
unilateral loss of the lower limb sustained between March 2004 and
March 2010 were identified from the United Kingdom Military Trauma
Registry. Patients were asked to complete a Short-Form (SF)-36 questionnaire.
A total of 48 patients were identified: 21 had a trans-tibial amputation,
nine had a knee disarticulation and 18 had an amputation at the
trans-femoral level. The median New Injury Severity Score was 24 (mean
27.4 (9 to 75)) and the median number of procedures per residual
limb was 4 (mean 5 (2 to 11)). Minimum two-year SF-36 scores were
completed by 39 patients (81%) at a mean follow-up of 40 months
(25 to 75). The physical component of the SF-36 varied significantly
between different levels of amputation (p = 0.01). Mental component
scores did not vary between amputation levels (p = 0.114). Pain
(p = 0.332), use of prosthesis (p = 0.503), rate of re-admission
(p = 0.228) and mobility (p = 0.087) did not vary between amputation
levels. These findings illustrate the significant impact of these injuries
and the considerable surgical burden associated with their treatment.
Quality of life is improved with a longer residual limb, and these
results support surgical attempts to maximise residual limb length. Cite this article:
There have been many advances in the resuscitation
and early management of patients with severe injuries during the
last decade. These have come about as a result of the reorganisation
of civilian trauma services in countries such as Germany, Australia
and the United States, where the development of trauma systems has
allowed a concentration of expertise and research. The continuing
conflicts in the Middle East have also generated a significant increase
in expertise in the management of severe injuries, and soldiers
now survive injuries that would have been fatal in previous wars.
This military experience is being translated into civilian practice. The aim of this paper is to give orthopaedic surgeons a practical,
evidence-based guide to the current management of patients with
severe, multiple injuries. It must be emphasised that this depends
upon the expertise, experience and facilities available within the
local health-care system, and that the proposed guidelines will
inevitably have to be adapted to suit the local resources.
The types of explosive devices used in warfare
and the pattern of war wounds have changed in recent years. There has,
for instance, been a considerable increase in high amputation of
the lower limb and unsalvageable leg injuries combined with pelvic
trauma. The conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan prompted the Department
of Military Surgery and Trauma in the United Kingdom to establish
working groups to promote the development of best practice and act
as a focus for research. In this review, we present lessons learnt in the initial care
of military personnel sustaining major orthopaedic trauma in the
Middle East.
Prospective data on hip fracture from 3686 patients at a United Kingdom teaching hospital were analysed to investigate the risk factors, financial costs and outcomes associated with deep or superficial wound infections after hip fracture surgery. In 1.2% (41) of patients a deep wound infection developed, and 1.1% (39) had a superficial wound infection. A total of 57 of 80 infections (71.3%) were due to No statistically significant pre-operative risk factors were detected. Length of stay, cost of treatment and pre-discharge mortality all significantly increased with deep wound infection. The one-year mortality was 30%, and this increased to 50% in those who developed an infection (p <
0.001). A deep infection resulted in doubled operative costs, tripled investigation costs and quadrupled ward costs. MRSA infection increased costs, length of stay, and pre-discharge mortality compared with non-MRSA infection.
