Soft-tissue injuries of the fingertip: methods of evaluation and treatment. An algorithmic approach

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: After studying this article, the participant should be able to: 1. Understand the anatomy of the fingertip. 2. Describe the methods of evaluating fingertip injuries. 3. Discuss reconstructive options for various tip injuries. SUMMARY: The fingertip is the most commonly injured part of the hand, and therefore fingertip injuries are among the most frequent injuries that plastic surgeons are asked to treat. Although microsurgical techniques have enabled replantation of even very distal tip amputations, it is relatively uncommon that a distal tip injury will be appropriate for replantation. In the event that replantation is not pursued, options for distal tip soft-tissue reconstruction must be considered. This review presents a straightforward method for evaluating fingertip injuries and provides an algorithm for fingertip reconstruction.     

Biomechanics of snowmobile spine injuries

A combined experimental and clinical study relative to the production of spinal injuries common to the winter sport of snowmobiling indicates that snowmobile spinal injuries are a repeatable phenomenon with seats of the current design. The number of injuries appears to be growing rapidly with the increased popularity of the sport. However, the redesign of snowmobile and snowmobile suspension systems should allow the elimination of these injuries for most practical conditions.     

Treatment of Infertile Patients with Adequate or Slightly Diminished Endogenous Estrogen with a Lack of LH Surge

Pressure gun injection injuries are becoming increasingly common. Their effect on the fingers and hands, especially when improperly managed, can be devastating. Therefore it is important to review features, clinical course, anatomic distribution and operative management of such injuries. If a useful hand and fingers are to be attained, rapid and thorough decompression and debridement of these injuries are essential.     

Review of 1,000 major facial fractures and associated injuries.

The records of 1,020 major facial fractures were reviewed, and it was found that the occurrence of life-threatening associated injuries was highly predictable on the basis of the pattern of facial fractures and the circumstances of the injury. Certain groups of patients have a high probability of associated serious injuries of the central nervous system, the trunk, or the extremities. Probably these patients should be primarily under the care of a surgeon who is capable of the diagnosis and emergency therapy of these associated injuries, as well as the facial injuries, so that appropriate priorities can be established and put in effect.     

The Management of Abdominal Injuries in the Presence of Head Injury

When head and blunt abdominal injuries are combined, the head injury is often afforded too much attention and the abdominal injury too little, especially when the patient is unconscious. If mismanaged, the abdominal injury is often the more serious threat to life. Except for extradural hemorrhage, neurosurgical intervention, when indicated, can be delayed until the patient has been thoroughly evaluated for the presence of extra cranial injuries with higher therapeutic priority.Abdominal examination of the unconscious or uncooperative patient is difficult. Tenderness as a sign of abdominal injury cannot be elicited. Abdominal rigidity (in the absence of rigid extremities), a silent abdomen, shock, and extreme restlessness may indicate intra-abdominal changes. Abdominal paracentesis is a valuable diagnostic aid, and the finding of blood, bile-stained fluid, intestinal contents or air is an indication for immediate laparotomy. Once all injuries are known, priorities for treatment can be assigned. Often head and abdominal injuries can be treated concomitantly.     

Epidemiology of training injuries in amateur taekwondo athletes: a retrospective cohort study

The objectives of this study were to estimate the incidence and describe the pattern and severity of training injuries in taekwondo, and to compare pattern and severity of training injuries with competition injuries. One hundred and fifty-two active Australian amateur taekwondo athletes, aged 12 years or over, completed an online survey comprising questions on training exposure and injury history over the preceding 12 months. The main outcome measures were: overall injury incidence rate per athlete-year; training injury incidence rate per athlete-year, per 1000 athlete-training-sessions, and per 1000 athlete-hours of training; injury severity; and injury proportions by anatomical region and by type of injury. Injury incidence rates were calculated with 95% confidence intervals using standard methods, while injury proportions were compared using Fisher''s exact test. The vast majority (81.5%) of taekwondo injuries in an average athlete-year occurred during training. The training injury incidence rate was estimated to be 1.6 (95% CI: 1.4, 1.9) per athlete-year, 11.8 (95% CI: 10.4, 13.4) per 1000 athlete-training-sessions, and 7.0 (95% CI: 6.1, 7.9) per 1000 athlete-hours of training. Among athletes with five or fewer injuries, the severity and injury pattern of training injuries were, by and large, the same as for competition injuries. Approximately sixty percent (60.3%) of training injuries required treatment by a health professional. Considering the burden of training injuries exceeds that of competition injuries, taekwondo governing bodies and stakeholders are encouraged to devote more efforts towards the identification of risk factors for, and prevention of, training injuries in the sport of taekwondo.     

Injuries,Death, and Disability Associated with 11 Years of Conflict in Baghdad,Iraq: A Randomized Household Cluster Survey

Background

The objective of this study was to characterize injuries, deaths, and disabilities arising during 11 years of conflict in Baghdad.

Methods

Using satellite imagery and administrative population estimated size for Baghdad, 30 clusters were selected, proportionate to population size estimates. Interviews were conducted during April and May 2014 in 900 households containing 5148 persons. Details about injuries and disabilities occurring from 2003 through May 2014 and resultant disabilities were recorded.

Findings

There were 553 injuries reported by Baghdad residents, 225 of which were intentional, and 328 unintentional. For intentional injuries, the fatality rate was 39.1% and the disability rate 56.0%. Gunshots where the major cause of injury through 2006 when blasts/explosions became the most common cause and remained so through 2014. Among unintentional injuries, the fatality rate was 7.3% and the disability rate 77.1%. The major cause of unintentional injuries was falls (131) which have increased dramatically since 2008, followed by traffic related injuries (81), which have steadily increased. The proportion of injuries ending in disabilities remained fairly constant through the survey period.

Interpretation

Intentional injuries added substantially to the burden of unintentional injuries for the population. For Baghdad, the phases of the Iraqi conflict are reflected in the patterns of injuries and consequent deaths reported. The scale of injuries during conflict is most certainly under-reported. Difficulties recalling injuries in a survey covering 11 years is a limitation, but it is likely that minor injuries were under-reported more than severe injuries. The in- and out-migration of Baghdad populations likely had effects on the events reported which we could not measure or estimate. Damage to the health infrastructure and the flight of health workers may have contributed to mortality and morbidity. Civilian injuries as well as mortality should be measured during conflicts, though not currently done.     

8. Blessures au hockey majeur: 3 ans d'étude

In a major junior hockey team there were 238 injuries in 257 games during the three seasons of 1973-76 (mean number of injuries per game, 0.926). Incapacity from these injuries resulted in a loss of 345 practices and 299 games (mean number per injury, 1.45 and 1.26, respectively). The site of the game, whether at home or out of town, and the period in which the injury occurred did not seem to be important. Risk of injury seemed to be greatest in the defensive zone. Forwards were the most often injured, their injuries accounting for 45.8% of the total; defensive players were next most often hurt (31.9%). The age of the injured players ranged from 16 to 19 years, those 19 years old predominating (42.0%).There were 91 injuries of the lower limb (38.2% of the total), the knee being the site most frequently injured (31 injuries; 34.1% of the 91), and 74 injuries of the upper limb, the shoulder being the site most frequently injured (25 injuries; 33.8% of the 74). The main causes of injury were a blow by the puck (frequency, 21.0%), a check (18.5%), a blow by a stick (14.7%) and a fight (13.4%).     

Care of the degloved penis and scrotum: a 25-year experience

Injuries to the penis and scrotum are both physically and mentally traumatic. If poorly managed in the acute setting, these injuries may become long-term problems or permanent disabilities. The purpose of this study was to review our approach to degloving injuries of the penis and scrotum and to present our experience. Over the past 25 years, we have cared for eight patients with complete degloving injuries of the genitalia. Farm equipment accidents were responsible for the majority of injuries. We attempted to close all wounds of the denuded penis and near-total avulsed scrotum at the initial operative intervention using the method of repair described. Postoperatively, all patients had an acceptable appearance and normal mictural and erectile function. We conclude that degloving injuries of the penis and scrotum can be best treated with this approach definitively in the acute setting with successful functional and aesthetic results.     

Diagnosis and management of injuries from dangerous marine life

Injuries from marine life encompass a wide spectrum, from mild stings to severe bites. Fortunately most of the injuries are mild, although some may be significant, resulting in death. Most of these injuries can be treated by family physicians with a knowledge of the cause of the pathology. Over the years, there have been many treatment options. Some have actually caused an increase in severity. An important rule in treating these injuries is to inactivate the venom, treat the local reaction or injury, and treat the systemic sequelae. Jellyfish stings are the most common type of marine injury. The tentacles possess nematocysts, which are stinging units that are inactivated by the application of vinegar. Sea urchin and stingray injuries require the removal of the imbedded spines after the wound is soaked in hot water. Coral, sea bathers eruption, and swimmer's itch require thorough scrubbing and irrigation. Sea snakes, cone shells, and venomous fish possess a neurotoxin that requires close monitoring in the event of cardiopulmonary collapse. All of these injuries require tetanus status monitoring and consideration of coverage for infectious sequelae.     

The effect of photobiomodulation therapy in common maxillofacial injuries: Current status

The use of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) may be used for treating trauma to the maxillofacial region. The effects of PBMT on maxillofacial injuries were discussed in this review article. The electronic databases Pubmed, Scopus, and Web of Science were thoroughly searched. This review included in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies describing how PBMT can be used in maxillofacial tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Some studies suggest that PBMT may offer a promising therapy for traumatic maxillofacial injuries because it can stimulate the differentiation and proliferation of various cells, including dental pulp cells and mesenchymal stem cells, enhancing bone regeneration and osseointegration. PBMT reduces pain and swelling after oral surgery and tooth extraction in human and animal models of maxillofacial injuries. Patients with temporomandibular disorders also benefit from PBMT in terms of reduced inflammation and symptoms. PBMT still has some limitations, such as the need for standardizing parameters. PBMT must also be evaluated further in randomized controlled trials in various maxillofacial injuries. As a result, PBMT offers a safe and noninvasive treatment option for patients suffering from traumatic maxillofacial injuries. PBMT still requires further research to establish its efficacy in clinical practice and determine the optimal parameters.     

Injuries in Runners; A Systematic Review on Risk Factors and Sex Differences

BackgroundThe popularity of running continues to increase, which means that the incidence of running-related injuries will probably also continue to increase. Little is known about risk factors for running injuries and whether they are sex-specific.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to review information about risk factors and sex-specific differences for running-induced injuries in adults.ConclusionsPrevious injury and use of orthotic/inserts are risk factors for running injuries. There appeared to be differences in the risk profile of men and women, but as few studies presented results for men and women separately, the results should be interpreted with caution. Further research should attempt to minimize methodological bias by paying attention to recall bias for running injuries, follow-up time, and the participation rate of the identified target group.     

Heat injury prevention--a military perspective

Heat-related injuries, and specifically exertional heat stroke, are a significant occupational risk in the armed forces, especially for those soldiers who are rapidly deployed from a temperate climate region to hot climate regions. Traditionally, adaptation to heat was considered as a matter of physiological adaptation. It is clear today that these injuries are mostly avoidable when applying proper education and behavioral adaptations. Education on behavioral adaptation for the prevention of heat injuries should be targeted at the individual and the organization level. This article summarizes the issue of proper preventive measures that should be taken to avoid, or at least minimize, the risk of exertional heat related injuries during military operations and training.     

The Impact of Motor Axon Misdirection and Attrition on Behavioral Deficit Following Experimental Nerve Injuries

Peripheral nerve transection and neuroma-in-continuity injuries are associated with permanent functional deficits, often despite successful end-organ reinnervation. Axonal misdirection with non-specific reinnervation, frustrated regeneration and axonal attrition are believed to be among the anatomical substrates that underlie the poor functional recovery associated with these devastating injuries. Yet, functional deficits associated with axonal misdirection in experimental neuroma-in-continuity injuries have not yet been studied. We hypothesized that experimental neuroma-in-continuity injuries would result in motor axon misdirection and attrition with proportional persistent functional deficits. The femoral nerve misdirection model was exploited to assess major motor pathway misdirection and axonal attrition over a spectrum of experimental nerve injuries, with neuroma-in-continuity injuries simulated by the combination of compression and traction forces in 42 male rats. Sciatic nerve injuries were employed in an additional 42 rats, to evaluate the contribution of axonal misdirection to locomotor deficits by a ladder rung task up to 12 weeks. Retrograde motor neuron labeling techniques were utilized to determine the degree of axonal misdirection and attrition. Characteristic histological neuroma-in-continuity features were demonstrated in the neuroma-in-continuity groups and poor functional recovery was seen despite successful nerve regeneration and muscle reinnervation. Good positive and negative correlations were observed respectively between axonal misdirection (p<.0001, r²=.67), motor neuron counts (attrition) (p<.0001, r²=.69) and final functional deficits. We demonstrate prominent motor axon misdirection and attrition in neuroma-in-continuity and transection injuries of mixed motor nerves that contribute to the long-term functional deficits. Although widely accepted in theory, to our knowledge, this is the first experimental evidence to convincingly demonstrate these correlations with data inclusive of the neuroma-in-continuity spectrum. This work emphasizes the need to focus on strategies that promote both robust and accurate nerve regeneration to optimize functional recovery. It also demonstrates that clinically relevant neuroma-in-continuity injuries can now also be subjected to experimental investigation.     

Laryngeal Trauma

Laryngeal trauma may be obscured by associated injuries of the face and chest. An early assessment of these injuries should be made. Many cases may require observation only. In patients with severe laryngeal fractures, preservation of the airway and control of hemorrhage must first be assured. Following this, splinting by external or internal means should be carried out. Three severe laryngeal injuries were splinted with open and closed plastic moulds, with satisfactory results. It is proposed that early recognition and proper management of severe cases of this nature would shorten the treatment and achieve the best results.     

Prevention and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries during military operations and training

Injuries are a major impacting factor for a military organization. Injuries may be the result of direct combat, or noncombat, and may be incurred during deployment, other military operations and training. The impact of injuries is the loss of manpower (e.g., lost duty days), medical costs for treatment, and the influence that an injury may have on an individual's quality of life. To address this issue, it is essential to understand the types of injuries that are occurring, and the mechanisms responsible for those injuries, to develop strategies to reduce injury incidence and to allocate the resources required for rehabilitation to return the individual to duty. This article will review the most common medical injury being incurred by our present warfighter; namely, musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs). The number, types, and causal mechanisms of MSIs will be reviewed. Risk factors for MSIs will be identified and the various interventions being used to prevent or mitigate the severity of MSIs will be discussed. Lastly, the programs that have been developed within the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Army for the assessment, care, and rehabilitation of the most severe MSIs incurred while deployed will be described.     

尿道损伤的诊断治疗现状

尿道损伤一直是个棘手的泌尿外科常见疾病。逆行尿道造影是评价尿道损伤的金标准。尿道损伤的治疗方法的选择在泌尿系创伤中是争议最多的。目前没有一种方法是最简单有效的处理方法。组织工程技术的诞生和发展,给尿道损伤的处理带来了新的希望,有望为尿道损伤的修复提供新的材料。本文仅就尿道损伤疾病的基本概况及国内外在诊断和治疗方面的的研究现状作简要综述。     

尿道损伤的诊断治疗现状

尿道损伤一直是个棘手的泌尿外科常见疾病.逆行尿道造影是评价尿道损伤的金标准.尿道损伤的治疗方法的选择在泌尿系创伤中是争议最多的.目前没有一种方法是最简单有效的处理方法.组织工程技术的诞生和发展,给尿道损伤的处理带来了新的希望,有望为尿道损伤的修复提供新的材料.本文仅就尿道损伤疾病的基本概况及国内外在诊断和治疗方面的的研究现状作简要综述.     

Wrist surgery: management of chronic scapholunate and lunotriquetral ligament injuries

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: After reading this article, the participant should be able to: 1. Recognize the clinical features of chronic scapholunate and lunotriquetral ligament injuries and their long-term sequelae. 2. Describe the current management and latest techniques for treating chronic scapholunate and lunotriquetral ligament injuries and their long-term sequelae, such as wrist arthritis. SUMMARY: This article provides an update on the diagnosis, current management, and latest techniques for the treatment of chronic scapholunate and lunotriquetral ligament injuries and their long-term sequelae, such as wrist arthritis.     

Prospective study of school injuries: incidence,types, related factors and initial management.

The rates of school injuries were examined by means of a prospective study of 212 schools during the 1981-82 school year. The results showed an annual incidence rate of 5.4 injury events/100 children, which appears to be an underestimate of the actual rate. Of all the injury events 28.7% resulted in serious injuries. Injuries were significantly more frequent in the elementary as opposed to the secondary schools, and the boys were injured significantly more often than the girls. Most of the injuries occurred during athletic activities. Most of the children with either serious or minor injuries were sent to the school office or returned to the classroom, which indicates that the present level of first-aid training among school personnel is inadequate.