scholarly journals 989 Sustained and Further Improvements in Management of Open Fractures at a UK Major Trauma Centre

2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_6) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Ramjeeawon ◽  
M Iqbal ◽  
E Abourisha ◽  
A Ahmad ◽  
Y Hasan ◽  
...  

Abstract Aim To re-audit pre-operative hospital management of open fractures following further interventions (junior doctor education and awareness, editing of trauma clerking form), after the initial audit and interventions led to improvements in all parameters. Method Pre-operative hospital management of open fractures was audited by reviewing patient notes using standards from the NICE (NG37) and BOAST/BAPRAS open fracture management guidelines. Patients included were treated by doctors with full exposure to the further interventions (due to junior doctor changeover the third cycle included fewer patients). Results All parameters remained improved in the third audit cycle compared to the first (before interventions were implemented). The following results compare the second (n = 30) and third audit (n = 14) cycles. Patients receiving correct antibiotics (96%vs100%) and in a timely manner (<2 hours) where not given pre-hospital (46%vs60%) improved. Initial neurovascular assessment (93%vs100%), specifying nerves assessed (60%vs71%), assessing all relevant arteries (60%vs71%) and nerves (63%vs71%) and using Medical Research Council (MRC) grading in nerve assessment (3%vs71%) improved, while specifying arteries assessed was similar (87%vs86%). Post-manipulation, neurovascular assessment (93%vs75%) and appropriate nerve examination (90%vs50%) deteriorated, however appropriate vascular assessment (60%vs75%) and use of MRC grading in nerve assessment (0%vs50%) improved. Documentation where neurovascular assessment was not possible, initially (50%vs93%) and post-manipulation (40%vs50%) improved. Photo availability deteriorated (70%vs64%). Tetanus cover (87%vs100%) and appropriate dressing use (47%vs71%) improved. Conclusions Most parameters showed sustained and further improvements. The haemodynamic stability variation of these patients may create difficulties in fully adhering to the management standard; in some cases, other acute concerns may take priority.

Author(s):  
Sush Ramakrishna Gowda

Introduction: Pelvic fractures from high-energy trauma require immediate stabilisation to avoid significant morbidity and mortality. When applied correctly over the level of the greater trochanters (GT) pelvic binders provide adequate stabilisation of unstable pelvic fractures. The aim of this study was to identify the accuracy of placement of pelvic binders in patients presenting to the local Major Trauma Centre (MTC). Methods: A retrospective study was carried out to assess the level of the pelvic binders in relation to the greater trochanters of the patient-classified as optimal or sub-optimal. Results: An initial review of the computed tomography (CT) trauma series in 28 consecutive patients with pelvic binders revealed that more than 50% of the pelvic binders were placed above the level of the GT, reducing the efficacy of the pelvic binders. A regional educational and training day was held with a focus on pelvic fracture management. Following this, a review was conducted on the placement of the pelvic binder in 100 consecutive patients. This confirmed a significant improvement in the position of the pelvic binder by over 70%. Conclusion: Inaccurately positioned pelvic binders provided suboptimal stabilisation of pelvic fractures. With education and awareness, there has been an improvement in the accuracy of pelvic binder placement in trauma patients. This study has highlighted the need for regular audit of current practice, in combination with regular education and training.


2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Ramjeeawon ◽  
M Iqbal ◽  
R Hawthorne ◽  
A Ahmad ◽  
Y Hasan ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction This audit was developed after noticing patients with open fractures had poor neurovascular assessment documentation (non-specific, none post-manipulation), and to check these patients received appropriate antibiotics. Review of open fracture management guidelines identified areas to be improved. Method Pre-operative hospital management of open fractures was audited using the NICE (NG37) and joint BOAST/BAPRAS guidelines on open fracture management. Interventions were awareness and education of junior doctors and editing the Trauma Clerking Form to prompt appropriate management and documentation, followed by re-audit. Results 30 patients were assessed pre- and post-intervention. Correct antibiotic administration rate (93%vs97%) and speed (50% <2 hours where not given pre-hospital - in both groups) were similar. The initial neurovascular assessment frequency was identical (93%), however documentation of assessment of specific arteries (86%vs30%) and nerves (60%vs23%) and assessing all appropriate arteries (60%vs13%) and nerves (60%vs20%) improved. There were increased frequencies of documenting manipulation in A&E (90%vs47%) and neurovascular assessment post-manipulation (90%vs16%). Tetanus cover (87%vs77%), photo availability (70%vs40%), and appropriate dressing use (47%vs27%) improved. Conclusions Antibiotic management was consistent and appropriate. There were improvements in frequency and quality of neurovascular assessment, tetanus cover, availability of photographs of injuries and appropriate dressings used. Overall, pre-operative hospital management of open fractures improved.


2019 ◽  
Vol 90 (3) ◽  
pp. e42.2-e42 ◽  
Author(s):  
L Harris ◽  
S Arif ◽  
Z Brady ◽  
M Elliot ◽  
CH Lee ◽  
...  

ObjectivesType 2 peg fractures are known to have low fusion rates but most are elderly with comorbidities and not fit for surgery. Increasingly, clinicians want to stop using hard collars due to its complications, but with little supporting evidence. We aim to provide data to add to this debate.DesignSingle centre cohort study.Subjects145 consecutive patients referred to a Major Trauma Centre as type 2 peg fracture.MethodsAll patients referred with a suspected peg fracture between March 2015 and December 2017 were included. All imaging were assessed and case notes reviewed for patient demographics, fracture management, complications and outcomes.Results102 cases were peg fractures (mean age=80 years). 92 (90.2%) were managed conservatively with a hard collar (mean of 87 days). 37% developed symptoms from the collar, namely pain, stiffness and non-tolerance. Bony union was achieved in only 39.1% of patients with increasing age being an independent risk factor (p<0.001). Of the 56 patients who did not have bony union, there were no reported symptoms and 90% were discharged without a collar. 2 patients were offered but declined fixation and neither reported any on-going symptoms.ConclusionsThis study adds to the body of evidence that fusion rates are low, and collar complications are not insignificant when type 2 peg fractures are treated in a hard collar. However, outcomes are good regardless of union, potentially rendering the collar unnecessary. We aim to conduct a randomised prospective study to further investigate.


Author(s):  
Rajan Choudhary ◽  
Madhumita Gupta ◽  
Shahidul Haq ◽  
Wareth Maamoun

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background: </strong>Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID 19) has created an immense strain on the NHS. During the height of the pandemic, trauma services were affected by redeployment, reduced theatre capacity and staff illness, and COVID BOAST guidelines were introduced.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods: </strong>This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the standards of management of open fractures of the lower limb at a Major Trauma Centre in the United Kingdom during the COVID-19 pandemic and compare the same with the pre-pandemic period. Patient demographics, mechanism of injury, timing and mechanism of initial debridement and definitive soft tissue and skeletal fixation were noted. Outcomes including duration of hospital stay, 30 day and 1 year mortality were also assessed.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results: </strong>There was an overall 21% reduction in admissions with open lower limb fractures during the pandemic period with a 48% reduction during the first lockdown. There was a significant reduction in time taken from Emergency Department presentation to first debridement as well as a notable increase in operating outside of regular theatre hours. There was little difference in operative technique used for skeletal or soft tissue management at initial and definitive surgery, though fewer cases were performed as a two stage procedure. There was no difference in amputation rate in the two years. Length of stay was reduced from 21 days to 17, and 30 day mortality remained the same.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Our study shows this Major Trauma Centre was able to provide a trauma service in accordance to the BOAST4 guidelines despite the increased pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic.</p>


2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_6) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Ward ◽  
R Ahmed ◽  
J Adedeji ◽  
J McGregor-Riley

Abstract Background Paralytic ileus is a temporary inhibition of gastrointestinal mobility in the absence of mechanical obstruction. Ileus has previously been observed in up to 40% of patients undergoing bowel surgery, leading to increased morbidity and length of stay. Pelvic and acetabular fractures are often caused by high energy trauma and are associated with a risk of visceral injury. This is the first study to report the incidence of and risk factors for ileus following admission with pelvic and/or acetabular fractures. Method All patients over the age of 16 presenting to a major trauma centre throughout 2019 were included. Data included patient demographics, injury pattern, fracture management and presence of ileus. Previous studies identified patients as having ileus if they failed to tolerate an oral diet and open their bowels for more than three days (GI-2). Analysis assessed risk factors for ileus as well as its effect on length of stay. Results An incidence of ileus of 40.35% was observed in the 57 included patients. Ileus was three times more common in patients with a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (p = 0.56) and 2.5 times more common in the presence of an open pelvic/acetabular fracture (p = 0.73). Length of stay was significantly longer in patients under 65 years identified as having ileus (p = 0.046). Gender, age, opiate use, fracture management and surgical approach were not identified as risk factors. Conclusions The authors have identified the essentiality of early risk factor identification and hope to encourage further research to create a prognostic tool.


2013 ◽  
Vol 95 (3) ◽  
pp. 184-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Stammers ◽  
D Williams ◽  
J Hunter ◽  
M Vesely ◽  
D Nielsen

Introduction The British Orthopaedic Association/British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons guidelines for the management of open tibial fractures recommend early senior combined orthopaedic and plastic surgical input with appropriate facilities to manage a high caseload. The aim of this study was to assess whether becoming a major trauma centre has affected the management of patients with open tibial fractures. Methods Data were obtained prospectively on consecutive open tibial fractures during two eight-month periods: before and after becoming a trauma centre. Results Overall, 29 open tibial fractures were admitted after designation as a major trauma centre compared with 15 previously. Of the 29 patients, 21 came directly or as transfers from another accident and emergency deparment (previously 8 of 15). The time to transfer patients admitted initially to local orthopaedic departments has fallen from 205.7 hours to 37.4 hours (p=0.084). Tertiary transferred patients had a longer hospital stay (16.3 vs 14.9 days) and had more operations (3.7 vs 2.6, p=0.08) than direct admissions. As a trauma centre, there were improvements in time to definitive skeletal stabilisation (4.7 vs 2.2 days, p=0.06), skin coverage (8.3 vs 3.7 days, p=0.06), average number of operations (4.2 vs 2.3, p=0.002) and average length of hospital admission (26.6 vs 15.3 days, p=0.05). Conclusions The volume and management of open tibial fractures, independent of fracture grade, has been directly affected by the introduction of a trauma centre enabling early combined senior orthopaedic and plastic surgical input. Our data strongly support the benefits of trauma centres and the continuing development of trauma networks in the management of open tibial fractures.


Author(s):  
Patrick O'Hagan ◽  
Isabella Drummond ◽  
David Lin ◽  
Keng Suan Khor ◽  
Alexandros Vris ◽  
...  

2015 ◽  
Vol 97 (4) ◽  
pp. 287-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
AM Ali ◽  
JM McMaster ◽  
D Noyes ◽  
AJ Brent ◽  
LK Cogswell

Introduction In April 2012 the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford became a major trauma centre (MTC). The British Orthopaedic Association and British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons joint standards for the management of open fractures of the lower limb (BOAST 4) require system-wide changes in referral practice that may be facilitated by the MTC and its associated major trauma network. Methods From 2008 to 2013 a multistep audit of compliance with BOAST 4 was conducted to assess referral patterns, timing of surgery and outcomes (surgical site infection rates), to determine changes following local intervention and the establishment of the MTC. Results Over the study period, 50 patients had soft tissue cover for an open lower limb fracture and there was a significant increase in the proportion of patients receiving definitive fixation in our centre (p=0.036). The median time from injury to soft tissue cover fell from 6.0 days to 3.5 days (p=0.051) and the median time from definitive fixation to soft tissue cover fell from 5.0 days to 2.0 days (p=0.003). The deep infection rate fell from 27% to 8% (p=0.247). However, in 2013 many patients still experienced a delay of >72 hours between injury and soft tissue cover, primarily owing to a lack of capacity for providing soft tissue cover. Conclusions Our experience may be relevant to other MTCs seeking to identify barriers to optimising the management of patients with these injuries.


2018 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 215145931878223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Davies ◽  
Thomas Tilston ◽  
Katherine Walsh ◽  
Michael Kelly

Background: Patients with a neck of femur fracture have a high mortality rate. National outcomes have improved significantly as the management of this patient group is prioritized. In 2016, however, 4398 (6.7%) patients died within 30 days of admission. Objective: To investigate whether palliative care could be integrated early in the care plan for high-risk patients. Methods: All cases of inpatient mortality following neck of femur fracture at North Bristol Major Trauma Centre over a 24-month period were reviewed. A comprehensive assessment of care was performed from the emergency department until death. All investigations, interventions, and management decisions were recorded. A consensus decision regarding expected mortality was made for each case at a multidisciplinary meeting which included surgical, orthogeriatric, nursing, and anesthetic team input. Results: A total of 1033 patients were admitted following a neck of femur fracture. There were 74 inpatient deaths, and 82% were considered predictable at our multidisciplinary meeting. The mean length of stay was 18 days (range: 0-85, median 14). In 42% of cases, mortality was considered predictable on admission, and 40% were considered predictable following acute deterioration. These patients received on average 28 blood tests (range: 4-114) and 6.8 X-rays and computed tomographies (range: 2-20). Of this, 66% received end-of-life care; mean duration 2.3 days (range: 0-17). Conclusions: Mortality rates remain high in a subset of patients. This study demonstrates that intensive investigation and medical management frequently continues until death, including in patients with predictably poor outcomes. Early palliative care input has been integrated successfully into patient management in other specialties. We demonstrate that it is feasible to identify patients with hip fracture who may benefit from this expertise.


2021 ◽  
pp. 000313482110318
Author(s):  
Victor Kong ◽  
Cynthia Cheung ◽  
Nigel Rajaretnam ◽  
Rohit Sarvepalli ◽  
William Xu ◽  
...  

Introduction Combined omental and organ evisceration following anterior abdominal stab wound (SW) is uncommon and there is a paucity of literature describing the management and spectrum of injuries encountered at laparotomy. Methods A retrospective study was undertaken on all patients who presented with anterior abdominal SW involving combined omental and organ evisceration who underwent laparotomy over a 10-year period from January 2008 to January 2018 at a major trauma centre in South Africa. Results A total of 61 patients were eligible for inclusion and all underwent laparotomy: 87% male, mean age: 29 years. Ninety-two percent (56/61) had a positive laparotomy whilst 8% (5/61) underwent a negative procedure. Of the 56 positive laparotomies, 91% (51/56) were considered therapeutic and 9% (5/56) were non-therapeutic. In addition to omental evisceration, 59% (36/61) had eviscerated small bowel, 28% (17/61) had eviscerated colon and 13% (8/61) had eviscerated stomach. A total of 92 organ injuries were identified. The most commonly injured organs were small bowel, large bowel and stomach. The overall complication rate was 11%. Twelve percent (7/61) required intensive care unit admission. The mean length of hospital stay was 9 days. The overall mortality rate for all 61 patients was 2%. Conclusions The presence of combined omental and organ evisceration following abdominal SW mandates laparotomy. The small bowel, large bowel and stomach were the most commonly injured organs in this setting.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document