scholarly journals Octogenarian Motor Vehicle Collisions: Injury Patterns Matter

2022 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 336-340
Author(s):  
Michael Lemon ◽  
Stephen Helmer ◽  
Kathryn Soba ◽  
Jeanette Ward ◽  
James M Haan

Introduction.  Motor vehicle collision (MVC) is the second most common mechanism of injury among octogenarians and is on the rise.  These “oldest old” trauma patients have much higher mortality rates than expected.  This study examined potential factors influencing this increased mortality including comorbidities, medications, injury patterns, and hospital interventions. Methods.  A 10-year retrospective review was conducted of patients aged 80 and over who were injured in a MVC.  Data collected included patient demographics, comorbidities, medication use prior to injury, collision details, injury severity and patterns, hospitalization details, outcomes, and discharge disposition. Results.  We identified 239 octogenarian patients involved in a MVC.  Overall mortality was 18.8%.  We recognized an increased mortality for specific injury patterns, patients injured in a rural setting, and those who were transfused, intubated, or admitted to the ICU.  We found no correlation between mortality and medications or comorbidities. Conclusions.  The high mortality rate for octogenarian patients involved in a MVC is related to injury severity, type of injury, and in-hospital complications, and not due to comorbidities and prior medications.

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-105
Author(s):  
Kelly Zachariasen ◽  
Bradley Dart ◽  
Elizabeth Ablah ◽  
Kelly Lightwine ◽  
James Haan

Introduction. The purpose of this study was to identify additional injuries commonly seen with proximal humerus fractures experienced by patients 65 years or older and to evaluate discrepancies in the management of these patients with regard to provider type. Methods. A retrospective review was conducted of all patients 65 years or older who sustained a proximal humerus fracture. Patient data collected included demographics, injury details, hospital course, and discharge destination. Results. Patients with a concomitant fracture (45.5%, n = 65) had a slightly higher Injury Severity Score (ISS; 8.3 ± 3.0 vs. 6.4 ± 3.0, p < 0.001) and experienced one additional death than those with an isolated fracture (54.5%, n = 78). Slightly more patients were managed by a trauma provider (51.7%, n = 74) than by a non-trauma provider (48.3%, n = 69). Those managed by a trauma provider sustained the most pelvic fractures (12.2% vs. 2.9%, p = 0.038), were more likely to be injured in a motor vehicle collision (8.1% vs. 0%, p = 0.005), had a higher ISS (8.0 ± 3.3 vs. 6.4 ± 2.8, p = 0.003), and had more imaging performed than those treated by a non-trauma provider. There was, however, no difference in operative rates, concomitant injuries, length of stay or discharge disposition regarding provider type.  Conclusions. It is important to recognize proximal humerus fractures as a sign of fragility and to optimize hospital management of these patients.


2019 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Brown ◽  
Hideo Tohira ◽  
Paul Bailey ◽  
Daniel Fatovich ◽  
Judith Finn

IntroductionMajor trauma patients are often perceived as being young males injured by high energy transfer mechanisms. The aim of this study was to describe the demographics of major trauma patients who were transported to hospital by ambulance.MethodsThis is a retrospective cohort study of adult major trauma (injury severity score >15) patients transported to hospital by St John Western Australia emergency ambulance in metropolitan Perth, between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2016. To describe the cohort, median and interquartile range (IQR) were used for continuous variables and counts and percentages for categorical variables. Differences between mechanism of injury groups were assessed using the Kruskal-Wallis test. Trauma deaths were defined as early (declared deceased within 24 hours) or late (declared deceased within 30 days). ResultsA total of 1625 patients were included. The median age was 51 years (IQR 30-75) and 1158 (71%) were male. Falls from standing were the most common mechanism of injury (n=460, 28%) followed by motor vehicle crashes (n=259, 16%). Falls from standing were responsible for the majority of early (n=45/175, 26%) and late deaths (n=69/158, 44%). A large number of early deaths also resulted from motorbike crashes (n=32/175, 18%) with a median age of 34 years (IQR 21-46, p<0.001). ConclusionMajor trauma is not only a disease of the young. More than half of the cohort was more than 51 years of age and the most common cause was a fall from standing. Pre-hospital care must evolve to address the needs of a changing trauma patient demographic.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. e000642
Author(s):  
Gina M Berg ◽  
Ransom J Wyse ◽  
Jennifer L Morse ◽  
John Chipko ◽  
Jeneva M Garland ◽  
...  

BackgroundReports indicate social distancing guidelines and other effects of the COVID-19 pandemic impacted trauma patient volumes and injury patterns. This report is the first analysis of a large trauma network describing the extent of these impacts. The objective of this study was to describe the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on patient volumes, demographics, injury characteristics, and outcomes.MethodsFor this descriptive, multicenter study from a large, multistate hospital network, data were collected from the system-wide centralized trauma registry and retrospectively reviewed to retrieve patient information including volume, demographics, and outcomes. For comparison, patient data from January through May of 2020 and January through May of 2019 were extracted.ResultsA total of 12 395 trauma patients (56% men, 79% white, mean age 59 years) from 85 trauma centers were included. The first 5 months of 2020 revealed a substantial decrease in volume, which began in February and continued into June. Further analysis revealed an absolute decrease of 32.5% in patient volume in April 2020 compared with April 2019 (4997 from 7398; p<0.0001). Motor vehicle collisions decreased 49.7% (628 from 1249). There was a statistically significant increase in injury severity score (9.0 vs. 8.3; p<0.001). As a proportion of the total trauma population, blunt injuries decreased 3.1% (87.3 from 90.5) and penetrating injuries increased 2.7% (10.0 from 7.3; p<0.001). A significant increase was found in the proportion of patients who did not survive to discharge (3.6% vs. 2.8%; p=0.010; absolute decrease: 181 from 207).DiscussionEarly phases of the COVID-19 pandemic were associated with a 32.5% decrease in trauma patient volumes and altered injury patterns at 85 trauma centers in a multistate system. This preliminary observational study describes the initial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and warrants further investigation.Level of evidenceLevel II (therapeutic/care management).


2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 385-390
Author(s):  
Marissa Di Napoli ◽  
William B. DeVoe ◽  
Stuart Leon ◽  
Bruce Crookes ◽  
Alicia Privette ◽  
...  

Background Rib fractures are common after motor vehicle collisions. The hormonal changes associated with pregnancy decrease the stiffness and increase the laxity of cartilage and tendons. The effect of these changes on injury mechanics is not completely understood. Objectives To compare the incidences of chest wall injury following blunt thoracic trauma between pregnant and nonpregnant women. Methods The authors conducted a retrospective review of female patients seen at a level I trauma center from 2009 to 2017 after a motor vehicle collision. Patient characteristics were compared to determine if pregnancy affected the incidence of chest wall injury. Statistics were calculated with SPSS version 24 and are presented as mean (SD) or median (interquartile range). Results In total, 1618 patients were identified. The incidence of rib/sternal fracture was significantly lower in pregnant patients (7.9% vs 15.2%, P = .047), but the incidence of intrathoracic injury was similar between the groups. Pregnant and nonpregnant patients with rib/sternal fractures had similar Injury Severity Score results (21 [13-27] vs 17 [11-22], P = .36), but pregnant patients without fractures had significantly lower scores (1 [0-5] vs 4 [1-9], P &lt; .001). Conclusions Pregnant patients have a lower rate of rib fracture after a motor vehicle collision than nonpregnant patients. The difference in injury mechanics may be due to hormonal changes that increase elasticity and resistance to bony injury of the ribs. In pregnant trauma patients, intrathoracic injury without rib fracture should raise concerns about injury severity. A multicenter evaluation of these findings is needed.


2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (03) ◽  
pp. 174-181
Author(s):  
Benjamim Vale ◽  
Juçara Castro ◽  
Marx Araújo ◽  
Herb Morais ◽  
Lívio Macêdo

Objectives To determine the relationship between alcohol consumption and the incidence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) with diffuse axonal injury (DAI), determining these indices, checking acquired comorbidities and characterizing the patients by gender, age and race/color, as well as describing the characteristics of the motor vehicle collision (vehicle, period of the day, day of the week and site) in people admitted to an emergency hospital in the city of Teresina, in the state of Piauí, Brazil. Methods We have analyzed the data contained in the medical records of patients admitted with a history of motor vehicle collision and severe TBI in intensive care units, based on the forms provided by the Mobile Emergency Care Service (SAMU, in the Portuguese acronym) in the period between February 28 and November 28, 2013. Results In the period covered by the present study, 200 individuals were analyzed, and 54 (27%) had consumed alcohol; of these 11 had DAI. Of the total sample, 17% (34) presented DAI, however, with unknown data regarding the consumption of alcoholic beverages. Conclusion Considering the data, we observed that the profile of the head trauma patients are brown men, mostly (53.5%) aged between 15 and 30 years. The collisions occurred mostly on weekends and at night (55%), and 89.5% of the crashes involved motorcycles.


2021 ◽  
pp. 000313482110505
Author(s):  
Larissa Whitney ◽  
Kelly Bonneville ◽  
Madison Morgan ◽  
Lindsey L. Perea

Background Individuals presenting with traumatic injury in rural populations have significantly different injury patterns than those in urban environments. With an increasing Amish population, totaling over 33 000 in our catchment area, their unique way of life poses additional factors for injury. This study aims to evaluate differences in mechanism of injury, location of injury, and demographic patterns within the Amish population. We hypothesize that there will be an increased incidence of agriculture-related mechanisms of injury. Methods All Amish trauma patients presenting to our level I trauma center over 20 years (1/2000-4/2020) were retrospectively analyzed. Mechanism and geographic location of injury were collected. Demographic and clinical variables were compared between the age groups. Results There were 1740 patients included in the study with 36.4% (n = 634) ≤ 14 years. Only 10% (n = 174) were ≥ 65 years. The most common mechanism across all ages was falls. However, when separating out the pediatric population ( ≤ 14 years), 27.8% (n = 60) fell from a height on average > 8-10 feet. The most common geographic location of injury was at home in all age groups, except for the 15-24 year group, which was roadways. Discussion The Amish population poses a unique set of mechanisms of injury and thus injury patterns to rural trauma centers. We have found the most common injuries to be falls, buggy accidents, animal-related injuries, and farming accidents across all age groups. Future research and collaboration with other rural trauma centers treating large Amish populations would be beneficial to maximize injury prevention in this population. Level of Evidence Level 3a, epidemiological.


2008 ◽  
Vol 74 (4) ◽  
pp. 310-314 ◽  
Author(s):  
Om P. Sharma ◽  
Michael F. Oswanski ◽  
Shashank Jolly ◽  
Sherry K. Lauer ◽  
Rhonda Dressel ◽  
...  

Rib fractures (RF) are noted in 4 to 12 per cent of trauma admissions. To define RF risks at a Level 1 trauma center, investigators conducted a 10-year (1995–2004) retrospective analysis of all trauma patients. Blunt chest trauma was seen in 13 per cent (1,475/11,533) of patients and RF in 808 patients (55% blunt chest trauma, 7% blunt trauma). RF were observed in 26 per cent of children (<18 years), 56 per cent of adults (18–64 years), and 65 per cent of elderly patients (≥65 years). RF were caused by motorcycle crashes (16%, 57/347), motor vehicle crashes (12%, 411/3493), pedestrian-auto collisions (8%, 31/404), and falls (5%, 227/5018). Mortality was 12 per cent (97/808; children 17%, 8/46; adults 9%, 46/522; elderly 18%, 43/240) and was linearly associated with a higher number of RF (5% 1–2 RF, 15% 3–5 RF, 34% ≥6 RF). Elderly patients had the highest mortality in each RF category. Patients with an injury severity score ≥15 had 20 per cent mortality versus 2.7 per cent with ISS <15 ( P < 0.0001). Increasing age and number of RF were inversely related to the percentage of patients discharged home. ISS, age, number of RF, and injury mechanism determine patients’ course and outcome. Patients with associated injuries, extremes of age, and ≥3 RF should be admitted for close observation.


2013 ◽  
Vol 79 (12) ◽  
pp. 1289-1294 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chi-Hsun Hsieh ◽  
Li-Ting Su ◽  
Yu-Chun Wang ◽  
Chih-Yuan Fu ◽  
Hung-Chieh Lo ◽  
...  

Alcohol-related motor vehicle collisions are a major cause of mortality in trauma patients. This prospective observational study investigated the influence of antecedent alcohol use on outcomes in trauma patients who survived to reach the hospital. From 2005 to 2011, all patients who were older than 18 years and were admitted as a result of motor vehicle crashes were included. Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was routinely measured for each patient on admission. Patients were divided into four groups based on their BAC level, which included nondrinking, BAC less than 100, BAC 100 to 200, and BAC 200 mg/dL or greater. Patient demographics, physical status and injury severity on admission, length of hospital stay, and outcome were compared between the groups. Odds ratios of having a severe injury, prolonged hospital stay, and mortality were estimated. Patients with a positive BAC had an increased risk of sustaining craniofacial and thoracoabdominal injuries. Odds ratios of having severe injuries (Injury Severity Score [ISS] 16 or greater) and a prolonged hospital stay were also increased. However, for those patients whose ISS was 16 or greater and who also had a brain injury, risk of fatality was significantly reduced if they were intoxicated (BAC 200 mg/dL or greater) before injury. Alcohol consumption does not protect patients from sustaining severe injuries nor does it shorten the length of hospital stay. However, there were potential survival benefits related to alcohol consumption for patients with brain injuries but not for those without brain injuries. Additional research is required to investigate the mechanism of this association further.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Doaa Hussin Salam ◽  
Mohannad Al-Tarakji ◽  
Abubaker Ibrahim Alaieb ◽  
Rajvir Singh ◽  
Ayman El-Menyar ◽  
...  

Abstract The prevalence of transmesocolic hernias, a subtype of internal hernias (IHs), is generally low. Its clinical consequences, including strangulation, ischemia and even death, however, necessitate awareness. IHs are classified as congenital or acquired as resulting from surgery, trauma or intraperitoneal inflammation. This is a case of a 37-year-old male victim of a motor vehicle collision 1 month prior to the index admission. The trauma-related injuries were managed conservatively and then discharged home. The patient was re-admitted with a 2-day history of epigastric pain, vomiting and abdominal distension. A diagnosis of small bowel obstruction due to a transmesocolic hernia was made on CT and emergency laparotomy performed. The post-operative course was unremarkable. It is vital to consider transmesocolic hernias in trauma patients presenting with a picture of bowel obstruction even in the absence of prior surgery.


CJEM ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (S1) ◽  
pp. S125-S125 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Wood ◽  
A. Ackery ◽  
S. Rizoli ◽  
B. Nascimento ◽  
M. Sholzberg ◽  
...  

Introduction: The anticoagulated trauma patient is a particularly vulnerable population. Our current practice is guided by experience with patients taking vitamin K dependent antagonists (VKA, like warfarin). It is currently unknown how the increasing use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) will change our trauma population. We collected data about this new subset of patients to compare their clinical characteristics to patients on pre-injury VKA therapy. Methods: Retrospective review of anticoagulated trauma patients presenting to Toronto’s two adult trauma centres, Saint Michael’s Hospital and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, from June 2014-June 2015 was undertaken. Patients were recruited through the institutions’ trauma registries and were eligible if they suffered a traumatic injury and taking an oral anticoagulant pre-injury. Clinical and demographic data were extracted by a trained reviewer and analysed with descriptive statistics. Results: Our study recruited 85 patients, 33% were taking DOACs and 67% VKAs. Trauma patients on DOACs & VKAs respectively had similar baseline characteristics such as age (75.9 vs 77.4), initial injury severity score (ISS (16.9 vs 20.6)) and concomitant antiplatelet use (7.1% vs 5.4%). Both groups’ most common mechanism for injury was falls and the most common indication for anticoagulation was atrial fibrillation. Patients on DOACs tended to have lower average INR (1.25 vs 2.3) and serum creatinine (94.9 vs 127.4). Conclusion: Patients on DOACs pre-injury now account for a significant proportion of orally anticoagulated trauma patients. Patients on DOACs tended to have less derangement of basic hematological parameters complicating diagnosis and management of coagulopathy.


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