Surgical fixation of traumatic sternal manubrium dislocation and right-sided rib fractures following a motorcycle accident.

This brief report discusses the diagnosis, management and surgical intervention of a man in his 30s presenting with a rare traumatic sternal manubrium dislocation following a motorcycle crash, accompanied by multiple concomitant rib fractures. The severity and complexity of the patient's injuries necessitated an operative approach for his sternomanubrial dislocation, emphasising the importance of multidisciplinary coordination, accurate diagnosis and prompt surgical intervention. The report provides valuable insights into the successful application of open reduction and internal fixation with plating in a real-world setting, which resulted in positive patient outcomes, despite the rarity and severity of this type of trauma. It further underscores the need for additional research to advance best practices for managing traumatic sternal manubrium dislocations in the context of high-impact injuries.

Factors Predictive of Mortality among Geriatric Patients Sustaining Low-Energy Blunt Trauma.

Background: In geriatric trauma patients, higher mortality rate is observed compared to younger patients. A significant portion of trauma sustained by this age group comes from low-energy mechanisms (fall from standing or sitting). We sought to investigate the outcome of these patients and identify factors associated with mortality. Methods: A retrospective review of 1285 geriatric trauma patients who came to our level 1 trauma center for trauma activation (hospital alert to mobilize surgical trauma service, emergency department trauma team, nursing, and ancillary staff for highest level of critical care) after sustaining low-energy blunt trauma over a 1-year period. IRB approval was obtained, data collected included demographics, vital signs, laboratory data, injuries sustained, length of stay and outcomes. Patients were divided into three age categories: 65−74, 75−84 and >85. Comorbidities collected included a history of chronic renal failure, COPD, Hypertension and Myocardial Infarction. Results: 1285 geriatric patients (age > 65 years) presented to our level 1 trauma center for trauma activation with a low-energy blunt trauma during the study period; 34.8% of the patients were men, 20.5% had at least one comorbidity, and 89.6% were white. Median LOS was 5 days; 37 (2.9%) patients died. Age of 85 and over (OR 3.44 with 95% CI 1.01−11.7 and 2.85 with 95% CI 1.0−6.76, when compared to 65−74 and 75−84, respectively), injury severity score (ISS) (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.15) and the presence of more than one comorbidity (OR 2.68, 95% CI 1.26 to 5.68) were independently predictive of death on multi-variable logistic regression analysis. Conclusion: Age more than 85 years, higher injury severity score and the presence of more than one comorbidity are independent predictors of mortality among geriatric patients presenting with low-energy blunt trauma.

Submucosal Lipoma Causing Small Bowel Intussusception.

Intussusception involves telescoping of one segment of the intestine into an adjacent segment. Although this diagnosis is common in the pediatric population, it is much less common in adults. One of the main reasons it may occur in adults is due to a mass. Intestinal masses can be malignant, such as gastrointestinal stromal tumors, lymphomas, or adenocarcinomas; or they can be benign. One benign lead point in intussusception is a lipoma. A lipoma usually presents on the trunk, neck, or forearm, but can rarely be seen in the gastrointestinal tract. When it presents in the intestine, it can be either asymptomatic or it can be symptomatic and causes abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and gastrointestinal bleeding. Furthermore, it may act as a lead point and causes intussusception. We present an adult patient with two rare findings: small bowel obstruction from intussusception caused by a benign intestinal lipoma as its lead point. The patient was promptly taken to the operating room, where the intussuscepted bowel was resected along with the lipoma, and the patient had an uncomplicated recovery. The pathology report confirmed the specimen to be a submucosal lipoma with mature adipose tissue without atypia. Although intussusception and intestinal lipomas are both rare in adults, it is important to be aware of them on the list of differential diagnoses in adult patients with abdominal pain. This is because it can cause a wide array of complications including, ischemia, bowel perforation, sepsis, shock, and peritonitis. The lead point in intussusception has the possibility of being malignant. Careful consideration of these diagnoses with prompt imaging and appropriate intraoperative management is vital for good patient outcomes.

Pulmonary embolism in burns, is there an evidence based prophylactic recommendation? Case report and review of literature.

Burn patients exhibit an acquired hypercoagulable state with increased risk of venous thromboembolism. Currently, no randomized control study assessing the efficacy of chemical venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis in burn patients has been performed. We present a case of a morbidly (body mass index>54kg/m(2)) obese patient with 18% total body surface area (TBSA) burn who developed a VTE and a non-fatal submassive pulmonary embolus (PE). We will be reviewing the current consensus of venous thrombosis prophylaxis in burn patients and briefly discuss the treatment of PE in this population.

Percutaneous pigtail catheter in the treatment of pneumothorax in major burns: the best alternative? Case report and review of literature.

Multiple factors place burn patients at a high risk of pneumothorax development. Currently, no specific recommendations for the management of pneumothorax in large total body surface area (TBSA) burn patients exist. We present a case of a major burn patient who developed pneumothorax after central line insertion. After the traditional large bore (24 Fr) chest tube failed to resolve the pneumothorax, the pneumothorax was ultimately managed by a percutaneous placed pigtail catheter thoracostomy placement and resulted in its complete resolution. We will review the current recommendations of pneumothorax treatment and will highlight on the use of pigtail catheters in pneumothorax management in burn patients.