Associated Injuries Related to Patients With Facial Fractures

Purpose To find out the incidence, type, and severity of injuries in other parts of the body in patients diagnosed with facial fractures. The study also analyzed any correlation between these injuries and facial fractures. Material & Methods A retrospective study of 991 patients with facial fractures during the period of 2006-2016. Results 111 patients reported associated injuries (11.1%). The most common type of injury was limb injury (33.33%), followed by head injury (22.5%), clavicle fracture (14.7%), rib fracture (10.9%), cervical spine injury (5.4%), and other injuries constituted (13.2%). Multiple associated injuries were observed in 14% of patients. Conclusion The findings show that facial fracture management is a multidisciplinary approach. Prompt diagnosis and proper management are important to reduce the mortality rate and improve the prognosis of the patient.

Severe Thoracic Vertebral Spine Injury as a Complication of Component of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

Chest compression has been a component of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) since 1960. Performance of high-quality CPR is critical for survival; however, chest compressions are traumatic and may result in injuries such as rib and sternal fractures. Spinal fractures have rarely been reported. We present a case of a 69-year-old male who suffered a cardiac arrest at home. He underwent 16 minutes of CPR with manual chest compressions, and no electrical shock and medications with return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Computed tomography scan showed unstable fracture of T9-T10. The patient was transferred to our Level I trauma center for continued post-arrest management and neurosurgical evaluation. An MRI confirmed the unstable spinal fracture which would have required surgical stabilization. The patient remained comatose, thus he was transitioned to comfort measures and expired. Spinal injuries following CPR are rare but should be considered in the post-arrest management stage. Computed tomography scan is the ideal screening modality.

Intraoperative Positioning in Maxillofacial Trauma Patients With Cervical Spine Injury – Is It Safe? Radiological Simulation in a Healthy Volunteer

Introduction Cervical spine (C-spine) injury is present in up to 10% of patients with maxillofacial fractures. Uncertainty over the status of the C-spine and permitted head movements may delay maxillofacial surgical intervention, resulting in prolonged patient discomfort and return to oral nutrition, reducing quality of life. This study aimed to investigate the effects on the C-spine of positioning patients for maxillofacial procedures by simulating intraoperative positions for common maxillofacial procedures. Methods Magnetic resonance imaging was used to assess the effects of head position in common intraoperative configurations – neutral (anterior mandible position), extended (tracheostomy position) and laterally rotated (mandibular condyle position) on the C-spine of a healthy volunteer. Results In the tracheostomy position, maximal movement occurred in the sagittal plane between the cervico-occipital junction and C4–C5, as well as at the cervico-thoracic junction. Minimal movement occurred at C2 (on C3), C5 (on C6) and C6 (on C7). In the mandibular condyle position, C-spine movements occurred in both rotational and sagittal planes. Maximal movement occurred above the level of C4, concentrated at atlanto-occipital and atlanto-axial (C1–2) joints. Conclusion Neck extension is likely to be relatively safe in injuries that are stable in flexion and extension, such as odontoid peg fracture and fractures between C5 and C7. Head rotation is likely to be relatively safe in fractures below C4, as well as vertebral body fractures, and laminar fractures without disc disruption. Early dialogue with the neurosurgical team remains a central tenet of safe management of patients with combined maxillofacial and C-spine injuries.

The Outcome of Cervical Spine Injury Associated with Traumatic Brain Injuries: Tertiary Care Hospital Study

Objective: Outcome of cervical spine injury associated with traumatic brain injuries. Materials & Methods: This study is a cross-sectional descriptive study that was performed at the Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre, Karachi. 158 total patients were included in the study, this study by non-probability consecutive sampling. The diagnosis was based primarily on a CT scan brain plain and an x-ray of the cervical spine of all the patients who were admitted to the ward. Results: Among 158, the age distribution of the patient was observed as 43(27%)patients presented as less than 20 years, 32(20%) were between the age of 21-30 years range, 28(18%) patients were ranged between 31-40 years, 16(10%) patients aged in a range of 41-50 years while 39(25%) were above 50 years. Head injury severity was observed at 47% as mild head injury, 32% as moderate injury and 21% had a severe head injury while cervical injury in association with traumatic brain injury was found in 10% of patients. Conclusion: The prevalence of cervical traumatic injury associated with moderate to severe head injury remained similar in the world overall with minute differences in the percentages that we have noticed in our study. The severity of the head injury is directly proportional to cervical injury.

Risk Factors for Cervical Spine Injury in an Obtunded Blunt Trauma Patient

Background: In Thailand, many hospitals cannot send every obtunded blunt trauma patient for cervical spine CT scan because of the socioeconomic status. Knowing about the risk factors for cervical spine injury in an obtunded blunt trauma patient would help the clinician monitor for cervical spine injury. Objective: To identify the risk factors of cervical spine injury in an obtunded blunt trauma patient. Materials and Methods: The present study evaluated 400 obtunded blunt trauma patients with a GCS of less than 15, in the trauma center of Srinagarind Hospital between January 2015 and December 2019. The patients were chosen from the patient’s registry for the present retrospective cross-sectional study. A univariate analysis was fulfilled with potential risk factors such as age, gender, mechanism of injury, GCS, associated injury, and intracranial lesion. Then, multivariate analysis was used to identify the risk factors of cervical spine injury in obtunded blunt trauma patients. Results: Four hundred patients were included in the present study. Eighty-eight (22%, 95% CI 18.04 to 26.38) had a cervical spine injury. The mean age was 40.04 years, 73% were males with a male to female ratio of 2.7 to 1. For the mechanisms of injury, 66% of injuries resulted from motorcycle accidents, 15% from car accidents, and 14% from falls. From univariate analysis, age older than 60 years had significant higher odds of cervical spine injury than age younger than 60 years (OR 1.93, 95% CI 1.05 to 3.54). Thoracic spine fracture had significant higher odds of cervical spine injury than other associate injuries (OR 6.2, 95% CI 1.45 to 26.5). From multivariate analysis, age older than 60 years had significant higher odds of cervical spine injury than age younger than 60 years (aOR 1.99, 95% CI 1.07 to 3.68). Thoracic spine fracture had a significantly higher odds of cervical spine injury than the other associated injuries (aOR 6.4, 95% CI 1.48 to 27.63). In patients age older than 60 years, 42% of cervical spine injuries occurred from fall. Conclusion: From the present study, age older than 60 years and thoracic spine fracture are the significant risk factors of cervical spine injury in obtunded blunt trauma patients. Keywords: Cervical spine injury; Risk factors; Obtunded blunt trauma patient

Removal of the Cervical Spine Collar from Alpine Extrication and Evacuation Skiing Rescue Spinal Motion Restriction Protocols: A Biomechanical Controlled Study in Real-Life Mountain Conditions with a High-Fidelity Mannequin

Background: Alpine skiing rescues are unique because of the mountainous environment and risks of cervical spine motion (CSM) induced during victims’ extrication (EX) and downhill evacuation (DE). Current pre-hospital guidelines recommend the application of full spinal immobilization using various orthotic devices such as cervical collars (CC) when mobilizing and transfer+ring a victim with a suspected spine injury. The biomechanical benefits of applying CC in terms of spinal motion restriction during simulated alpine rescue are undocumented. Methods: Observational design of CSM measurement on a high-fidelity simulation mannequin with a motion sensors-instrumented cervical spine during simulated alpine skiing EX and DE. A total of 32 EXs and 4 DEs on different slope conditions were performed by six experienced active ski patrollers at a Canadian ski resort. The primary outcome was the 3D excursion vector (PeakΔθ) of the mannequin’s head. The secondary objectives were the time to extrication completion (tEX) depending on CC use and to identify which EX event is more likely to induce CSM. Results: PeakΔθ recorded during flat terrain EX using CC was 11.71° +/- 3.61° compared to 16.00° +/- 7.93° using MILS, and 18.29° +/- 9.78° for CC versus 17.90° +/- 4.16° using MILS on a steep slope. PeakΔθ with CC or using MILS during EXs were equivalent according to a 10 degrees non-inferiority hypothesis testing. Time to extrication completion (tEX) was significantly higher using CC as opposed to MILS for both flat and steep terrain conditions (100.6s vs. 219.2s and 106.2s vs. 268.8s longer respectively, 95% confidence interval). During DEs, CSM with and without CC across all terrain conditions were negligible (<5°). Task analysis during EX showed that when CC is used, its installation induces the highest CSM. When EXs are done using MILS without CC, the logroll initiation is the manipulation inducing the highest risk of CSM. Conclusion: For experienced ski patrollers, the biomechanical benefits of motion restriction provided by CC over MILS during alpine skiing rescues were found to be at best marginal and CC use negatively affected rescue time. Systematic use of CC during alpine rescue should be reconsidered.

Detection and Analysis of Perfusion Pressure through Measuring Oxygen Saturation and Requirement of Dural Incision Decompression after Laminectomy

Background. Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) can continue and transform long after the time of initial injury. Preventing secondary injury after SCI is one of the most significant challenges, and early intervention to return the blood flow at the injury site can minimize the likelihood of secondary injury. Objective. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether laminectomy can achieve the spinal cord blood flow by measuring the spinal blood oxygen saturation intraoperatively without the presence of light. Methods. Between June and August 2021, eight patients were admitted after traumatic spinal cord injury for surgical treatment. We explored the effectiveness of laminectomy and whether the patients required further procedures or not. We used a brain oxygen saturation monitor at the spine injury site under dark conditions. Results. Eight cervical trauma patients, six males and two females, underwent laminectomy decompression. Three patients’ ASIA grade improved by one level, and one patient showed slight motor-sensory improvement. Oxygen saturation was in the normal range. Conclusion. Performing bony decompression can show good results. Therefore, finding an examination method to confirm the improvement of blood perfusion by measuring oxygen saturation at the injury site after laminectomy is essential to avoid other complications.