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Background: Previous work established resuscitation parameters that minimize complications with early fracture management. This Early Appropriate Care (EAC) protocol was applied to patients with advanced age to determine if they require unique parameters to mitigate complications. Methods: Between October 2010 and March 2013, 376 consecutive skeletally mature patients with unstable fractures of the pelvis, acetabulum, thoracolumbar spine, and/or proximal or diaphyseal femur fractures were treated at a level I trauma center and were prospectively studied. Patients aged ≤30 years (n = 114), 30 to 60 years (n = 184), and ≥60 years (n = 37) with Injury Severity Scores (ISS) =16 and unstable fractures of the pelvis, acetabulum, spine, and/or diaphyseal femur were treated within 36 h, provided they showed evidence of adequate resuscitation. ISS, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification were determined. Lactate, pH, and base excess (BE) were measured at 8-h intervals. Complications included pneumonia, pulmonary embolism (PE), acute renal failure, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), multiple organ failure (MOF), deep vein thrombosis, infection, sepsis, and death. Results: Patients ≤30 years old (y/o) were more likely to sustain gunshot wounds (p = 0.039), while those ≥60 y/o were more likely to fall from a height (p = 0.002). Complications occurred at similar rates for patients ≤30 y/o, 30 to 60 y/o, and ≥60 y/o. There were no differences in lactate, pH, or BE at the time of surgery. For patients ≤30 y/o, there were increased overall complications if pH was <7.30 (p = 0.042) or BE <-6.0 (p = 0.049); patients ≥60 y/o demonstrated more sepsis if BE was <-6.0 (p = 0.046). Conclusions: EAC aims to definitively manage axial and femoral shaft fractures once patients have been adequately resuscitated to minimize complications. EAC is associated with comparable complication rates in young and elderly patients. Further study is warranted with a larger sample to further validate EAC in elderly patients. Level of evidence: level II prospective, comparative study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This CORR Insights™ is a commentary on the article "Locking Buttons Increase Fatigue Life of Locking Plates in a Segmental Bone Defect Model" by Tompkins et al. available at DOI 10.1007/s11999-012-2664-1 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this study is to determine research priorities for the management of major trauma, representing the shared priorities of patients, their families, carers and healthcare professionals., Design/setting: An international research priority-setting partnership., Participants: People who have experienced major trauma, their carers and relatives, and healthcare professionals involved in treating patients after major trauma. The scope included chest, abdominal and pelvic injuries as well as major bleeding, multiple injuries and those that threaten life or limb., Methods: A multiphase priority-setting exercise was conducted in partnership with the James Lind Alliance over 24 months (November 2021-October 2023). An international survey asked respondents to submit their research uncertainties which were then combined into several indicative questions. The existing evidence was searched to ensure that the questions had not already been sufficiently answered. A second international survey asked respondents to prioritise the research questions. A final shortlist of 19 questions was taken to a stakeholder workshop, where consensus was reached on the top 10 priorities., Results: A total of 1572 uncertainties, submitted by 417 respondents (including 132 patients and carers), were received during the initial survey. These were refined into 53 unique indicative questions, of which all 53 were judged to be true uncertainties after reviewing the existing evidence. 373 people (including 115 patients and carers) responded to the interim prioritisation survey and 19 questions were taken to a final consensus workshop between patients, carers and healthcare professionals. At the final workshop, a consensus was reached for the ranking of the top 10 questions., Conclusions: The top 10 research priorities for major trauma include patient-centred questions regarding pain relief and prehospital management, multidisciplinary working, novel technologies, rehabilitation and holistic support. These shared priorities will now be used to guide funders and teams wishing to research major trauma around the globe., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to evaluate surgeons' ability to perform or supervise a standard operation with agreed-upon radiologic parameters after being on call., Methods: We reviewed a consecutive series of patients with intertrochanteric hip fractures treated with a fixed angle device at 9 centers and compared corrected tip-apex distance and reduction quality for post-call surgeons versus those who were not. Subgroup analyses included surgeons who operated the night before versus not and attending-only versus resident involved cases. Secondary outcomes included union and perioperative complications., Results: One thousand seven hundred fourteen patients were of average age 77 years. Post-call surgeons treated 823 patients and control surgeons treated 891. Surgical corrected tip-apex distance did not differ between groups: on-call 18 mm versus control 18 mm (P = 0.59). The Garden indices were 160° on the AP and 179° on the lateral in both groups. In 66 cases performed by surgeons who operated the night before, the TAD was 17 mm. No difference was noted in corrected tip-apex distance with and without resident involvement (P = 0.101). No difference was observed in pooled fracture-related complications (P = 0.23)., Conclusion: Post-call surgeons demonstrated no difference in quality and no increase in complications when performing hip fracture repair the next day compared with surgeons who were not on call., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.)

Purpose: A notable percentage of people that die by suicide have had a medical visit within a few months of their death. In a survey-based experiment, we evaluated: 1) whether there are any surgeon, setting, or patient factors associated with surgeon rating of mental health care opportunities, and 2) if there are any surgeon, setting, or patient factors associated with likelihood of mental health referrals., Methods: One hundred and twenty-four upper extremity surgeons of the Science of Variation Group viewed five scenarios of a person with one orthopedic condition. The following aspects of the scenarios were independently randomized: Social worker or psychologist available, office workload, socioeconomic status, gender, age, mental health factors, mental health clues, and diagnosis., Results: Accounting for potential confounders, surgeon likelihood of discussing mental health was associated with cancer, disadvantaged socioeconomic status, mental health factors other than being shy, prior suicide attempt, history of physical or emotional abuse, isolation, and when the office is not busy. Factors independently associated with higher likelihood of referring a patient for mental health care included cancer, disadvantaged socioeconomic status, mental health cues, mental health risk factors, and a social worker or psychologist available in the office., Conclusion: Using random elements in fictitious scenarios we documented that specialist surgeons are aware of and attuned to mental health care opportunities, are motivated to discuss notable cues, and will make mental health referrals, in part influenced by convenience., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors have no competing interests to declare that are relevant to the content of this article., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The purpose of this multicenter retrospective chart review was to describe demographics, fracture and wound characteristics, and treatments for foot and/or ankle fractures caused by gunshot wounds (GSWs) and identify factors that increase risk of infection in adults treated at 5 urban level 1 trauma centers in South and Midwest regions of the United States. A total of 244 patients sustained GSW-related fractures of the foot/ankle during 2007-2017, of whom 179 had ≥30 days of follow-up data after the initial injury. Most patients were male (95.1%; 232/244) with an average age of 31.2 years. On average, patients sustained 1.3 GSWs (range 1-5) to the foot/ankle. Most GSWs were categorized as low energy (85.1%; 171/201) and the majority (58.2%; 142/244) had retained bullet fragments. Antibiotics were administered at initial presentation to 78.7% (192/244) of patients and 41.8% (102/244) were managed operatively at the time of initial injury. Nerve injury, vascular injury, and infection were documented in, respectively, 8.6% (21/243), 6.6% (16/243), and 17.2% (42/244) of all cases. Multivariable analysis revealed that high-energy injuries and retained bullet fragments increased the risk of infection by 3-fold (odds ratio 3.09, 95% confidence interval 1.16-8.27, p = .025) and 3.5-fold (OR 3.48, 95% CI1.40-8.67; p = .008), respectively. Side of injury, primary injury region, and vascular injury were not significant predictors of infection risk. Further research should examine whether retained bullet fragments are directly associated with infection risk and support the development of guidelines regarding the management of patients with GSW-related fractures to the ankle/foot., (Copyright © 2022 the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify the patient, injury, and treatment factors associated with infection of bicondylar plateau fractures and to evaluate whether center variation exists., Design: Retrospective review., Setting: Eighteen academic trauma centers., Patients/participants: A total of 1,287 patients with 1,297 OTA type 41-C bicondylar tibia plateau fractures who underwent open reduction and internal fixation were included. Exclusion criteria were follow-up less than 120 days, insufficient documentation, and definitive treatment only with external fixation., Intervention: Open reduction and internal fixation., Main Outcome Measurements: Superficial and deep infection., Results: One hundred one patients (7.8%) developed an infection. In multivariate regression analysis, diabetes (DM) (OR [odds ratio] 3.24; P ≤ 0.001), alcohol abuse (EtOH) (OR 1.8; P = 0.040), dual plating (OR 1.8; P ≤ 0.001), and temporary external fixation (OR 2.07; P = 0.013) were associated with infection. In a risk-adjusted model, we found center variation in infection rates (P = 0.030)., Discussion: In a large series of patients undergoing open reduction and internal fixation of bicondylar plateau fractures, the infection rate was 7.8%. Infection was associated with DM, EtOH, combined dual plating, and temporary external fixation. Center expertise may also play a role because one center had a statistically lower rate and two trended toward higher rates after adjusting for confounders., Level of Evidence: Level IV-Therapeutic retrospective cohort study., (Copyright © 2022 by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.)

Summary: Caring for patients' mental health and their physical health is critical during recovery after trauma. The Orthopaedic Trauma Association has created a patient mental health task force to address the mental health care aspect of our patients' care. This article summarizes the task forces goals and activities to date., Competing Interests: Dr. Ring receives funding from the NIH for testing a mental health intervention after musculoskeletal injury. The remaining authors report no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To report functional outcomes of unilateral sacral fractures treated both operatively and nonoperatively., Design: Prospective, multicenter, observational study., Setting: Sixteen Level 1 trauma centers., Patients/participants: Skeletally mature patients with unilateral zone 1 or 2 sacral fractures categorized as displaced nonoperative (DN), displaced operative (DO), nondisplaced nonoperative (NN), and nondisplaced operative (NO)., Main Outcome Measurements: Pelvic displacement was documented on injury plain radiographs. Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment (SMFA) scores were obtained at baseline and at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after injury. Displacement was defined as greater than 5 mm in any plane at the time of injury., Results: Two hundred eighty-six patients with unilateral sacral fractures were initially enrolled, with a mean age of 40 years and mean injury severity score of 16. One hundred twenty-three patients completed the 2-year follow-up as follows: 29 DN, 30 DO, 47 NN, and 17 NO with 56% loss to follow-up at 2 years. Highest dysfunction was seen at 3 months for all groups with mean SMFA dysfunction scores: 25 DN, 28 DO, 27 NN, and 31 NO. The mean SMFA scores at 2 years for all groups were 13 DN, 12 DO, 17 NN, and 17 NO., Conclusions: All groups (operative/nonoperative and displaced/nondisplaced) reported worst function 3 months after injury, and all but (DN) continued to recover for 2 years after injury, with peak recovery for DN seen at 1 year. No functional benefit was seen with operative intervention for either displaced or nondisplaced injuries at any time point., Level of Evidence: Prognostic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To identify the patient, injury, and treatment factors associated with an acute infection during the treatment of open ankle fractures in a large multicenter retrospective review. To evaluate the effect of infectious complications on the rates of nonunion, malunion, and loss of reduction., Design: Multicenter retrospective review., Setting: Sixteen trauma centers., Patients: One thousand and 3 consecutive skeletally mature patients (514 men and 489 women) with open ankle fractures., Main Outcome Measures: Fracture-related infection (FRI) in open ankle fractures., Results: The charts of 1003 consecutive patients were reviewed, and 712 patients (357 women and 355 men) had at least 12 weeks of clinical follow-up. Their average age was 50 years (range 16-96), and average BMI was 31; they sustained OTA/AO types 44A (12%), 44B (58%), and 44C (30%) open ankle fractures. The rate FRI rate was 15%. A multivariable regression analysis identified male sex, diabetes, smoking, immunosuppressant use, time to wound closure, and wound location as independent risk factors for infection. There were 77 cases of malunion, nonunion, loss of reduction, and/or implant failure; FRI was associated with higher rates of these complications (P = 0.01)., Conclusions: Several patient, injury, and surgical factors were associated with FRI in the treatment of open ankle fractures., Level of Evidence: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To evaluate a large series of open fractures of the forearm after gunshot wounds (GSWs) to determine complication rates and factors that may lead to infection, nonunion, or compartment syndrome., Design: Multicenter retrospective review., Setting: Nine Level 1 Trauma Centers., Patients/participants: One hundred sixty-eight patients had 198 radius and ulna fractures due to firearm injuries. All patients were adults, had a fracture due to a firearm injury, and at least 1-year clinical follow-up or follow-up until union. The average follow-up was 831 days., Intervention: Most patients (91%) received antibiotics. Formal irrigation and debridement in the operating room was performed in 75% of cases along with either internal fixation (75%), external fixation (6%), or I&D without fixation (19%)., Main Outcome Measures: Complications including neurovascular injuries, compartment syndrome, infection, and nonunion., Results: Twenty-one percent of patients had arterial injuries, and 40% had nerve injuries. Nine patients (5%) developed compartment syndrome. Seventeen patients (10%) developed infections, all in comminuted or segmental fractures. Antibiotics were not associated with a decreased risk of infection. Infections in the ulna were more common in fractures with retained bullet fragments and bone loss. Twenty patients (12%) developed a nonunion. Nonunions were associated with high velocity firearms and bone defect size., Conclusions: Open fractures of the forearm from GSWs are serious injuries that carry high rates of nonunion and infection. Fractures with significant bone defects are at an increased risk of nonunion and should be treated with stable fixation and proper soft-tissue handling. Ulna fractures are at a particularly high risk for deep infection and septic nonunion and should be treated aggressively. Forearm fractures from GSWs should be followed until union to identify long-term complications., Level of Evidence: Prognostic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To review a large, multicenter experience to identify the current salvage and amputation rates of these combined injuries and, where possible, the variables that predict amputation., Design: Retrospective., Setting: Nine trauma centers., Patients: This study involved 199 patients presenting to 9 trauma centers with orthopaedic and vascular injuries resulting in ischemic limbs for whom the orthopaedic service was involved with the decision for salvage versus amputation., Results: We reviewed 199 patients, 17-85 years of age. One hundred seventy-two of the injuries were open. Thirty-eight patients (19%) were treated with amputation upon admission as they were deemed to be unsalvageable. Of the remaining 161 patients who had attempted salvage, 36 (30%) required late amputation. Closed injuries were successfully salvaged in 25 of 27 cases (93%). The highest rate of amputation was in tibia fractures with a combined amputation rate of 62%. In those attempted to be salvaged, 21 of 48 (44%) required amputation. The ischemia time for successful salvage was significantly less, P = 0.03. One hundred twenty-four patients had their definitive vascular repair before the bony reconstruction. There were 15 vascular complications, of which 13 (86%) had the definitive vascular repair performed before the definitive osseous repair, although this was not statistically significant., Conclusions: In this series of combined orthopaedic and vascular injuries, we found a high rate of acute and late amputations. It is possible that other protocols, such as shunting and stabilizing the osseous injury, before vascular repair may benefit limb salvage, although this needs more study., Level of Evidence: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: We conducted a large, U.S wide, observational study of type III tibial fractures, with the hypothesis that delays between definitive fixation and flap coverage might be a substantial modifiable risk factor associated with nosocomial wound infection., Design: A retrospective analysis of a multicenter database of open tibial fractures requiring flap coverage., Setting: Fourteen level-1 trauma centers across the United States., Patients: Two hundred ninety-six (n = 296) consecutive patients with Gustilo III open tibial fractures requiring flap coverage at 14 trauma centers were retrospectively analyzed from a large orthopaedic trauma registry. We collected demographics and the details of surgical care. We investigated the patient, and treatment factors leading to infection, including the time from various points in care to the time of soft-tissue coverage., Intervention: Delay definitive fixation and flap coverage in tibial type III fractures., Main Outcome Measurements: (1) Results of multivariate regression with time from injury to coverage, debridement to coverage, and definitive fixation to coverage in the model, to determine which delay measurement was most associated with infection. (2) A second multivariate model, including other factors in addition to measures of flap delay, to provide the estimate between delay and infection after adjustment for confounding., Results: Of 296 adults (227 M: 69 F) with open Gustilo type III tibial fractures requiring flap coverage, 96 (32.4%) became infected. In the multivariate regression, the time from definitive fixation to flap coverage was most predictive of subsequent wound infection (odds ratio 1.04, 95% confidence interval 1.01 to 1.08, n = 260, P = 0.02) among the time measurements. Temporary internal fixation was not associated with an increased risk of infection in both univariate (P = 0.59) or multivariate analyses (P = 0.60). Flap failure was associated with the highest odds of infection (odds ratio 6.83, 95% confidence interval 3.26 to 14.27, P < 0.001)., Conclusion: Orthoplastic teams that are dedicated to severe musculoskeletal trauma, that facilitate coordination of definitive fixation and flap coverage, will reduce the infection rates in Gustilo type III tibial fractures., Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Ankle fractures are one of the most prevalent musculoskeletal injuries, with a significant number requiring surgical treatment. Postoperative complications requiring additional interventions frequently occur during the early postoperative period. We hypothesize that there is a limited need for routine clinical and radiographic follow-up once the fracture is deemed healed., Methods: IRB approval was obtained at four academic trauma centers. A retrospective chart review was done to identify adults with healed unimalleolar and bimalleolar ankle fractures treated surgically with at least 12 months of follow-up. Based on postoperative radiographs, changes in fracture alignment and implant position from radiographic union to final follow-up were documented. The average reimbursement for a final follow-up clinic visit and a set of ankle radiographs were estimated., Results: A total of 140 patients met inclusion criteria. The mean age at injury was 49.5 years, and 67.9% of patients were female. The mean time to healing was 82.2 days (±33.5 days). After radiographic healing, one patient had radiographic changes but was asymptomatic and full weight bearing at their final follow-up. On average, our institution was reimbursed $46 to $49 for a follow-up clinic visit and $364 to $497 for a set of ankle radiographs., Conclusion: Given the average time to healing, there is limited utility in routine radiographic and clinical follow-up beyond 16 weeks in asymptomatic patients. In our series, this would result in a savings of $950 to $1,200 per patient. However, after ankle fractures were deemed healed, 0.7% patients had radiographic evidence of a change in implant position. Documenting this change did not modify the immediate course of fracture treatment. Surgeons will need to balance the need for routine follow-up with the potential economic benefits in reducing costs to the healthcare system., (Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.)

The management of multiply injured or severely injured patients is a complex and dynamic process. Timely and safe fracture fixation is a critical component of the multidisciplinary care that these patients require. Effective management of these patients, and their orthopaedic injuries, requires a strong understanding of the pathophysiology of the response to trauma and indicators of patient status, as well as an appreciation for the dynamic nature of these parameters. Substantial progress in both clinical and basic science research in this area has advanced our understanding of these concepts and our approach to management of the polytraumatized patient. This article summarizes a symposium on this topic that was presented by an international panel of experts at the 2020 Virtual Annual Meeting of the Orthopaedic Trauma Association., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of the Orthopaedic Trauma Association.)

Background: Trauma patients are often noted to have poor compliance but high recidivism and readmission rates. Participation in a trauma recovery services (TRS) program, which provides peer support and other psychosocial resources, may impact the trajectory of patient recovery by decreasing barriers to follow-up. We hypothesized that TRS participants would have greater downstream nonemergent use of our hospital system over the year following trauma, manifested by more positive encounters, fewer negative encounters, and lower emergency department (ED) charges., Methods: We studied trauma survivors (March 2017 to March 2018) offered TRS. Hospital encounters and charges 1 year from index admission were compared between patients who accepted and declined TRS. Positive encounters were defined as outpatient visits and planned admissions; negative encounters were defined as no shows, ED visits, and unplanned admissions. Charges were grouped as cumulative ED and non-ED charges (including outpatient and subsequent admission charges). Adjusted logistic and linear regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with positive/negative encounters and ED charges., Results: Of 511 identified patients (68% male; injury severity score, 14 [9-19]), 362 (71%) accepted TRS. Trauma recovery services patients were older, had higher injury severity, and longer index admission length of stay (all p < 0.05). After adjusting for confounders, TRS patients were more likely to have at least one positive encounter and were similarly likely to have negative encounters as patients who declined services. Total aggregate charges for this group was US $74 million, of which US $30 million occurred downstream of the index admission. Accepting TRS was associated with lower ED charges., Conclusion: A comprehensive TRS program including education, peer mentors, and a support network may provide value to the patient and the health care system by reducing subsequent care provided by the ED in the year after a trauma without affecting nonemergent care., Level of Evidence: Therapeutic/care management, level IV.

Purpose: The outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has been associated with reports of increased anxiety, depression and fear among the general population. People with underlying psychiatric disorders are more susceptible to stress than the general population. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of concomitant psychiatric conditions in the orthopaedic trauma population during the COVID-19 pandemic., Methods: This retrospective cohort study evaluated orthopaedic trauma patients who received care at our institution between February through April of 2019 and February through April of 2020. Patient sex, age, mechanism of injury, associated injuries, fracture location, tobacco use, employment status, mental health diagnosis and presence of interpersonal violence were documented. Mental health diagnoses were defined based on International Classification of Diseases-10 classification., Results: The study included 553 orthopaedic patients evaluated at our institution during the defined time period. Patients in the 2020 cohort had a higher prevalence of mental health diagnoses (26% vs. 43%, p < 0.0001) compared with the 2019 group. The odds ratio for mental health disorder in the 2020 patients was 2.21 (95% CI 1.54, 3.18) compared with the 2019 cohort. The 2020 cohort had a higher percentage of patients who reported interpersonal violence (20% vs. 11%, p = 0.005)., Conclusion: Our study showed a higher prevalence of psychiatric disease among orthopaedic trauma patients during the COVID-19 pandemic when compared with those seen during the same time of the year in 2019. Stress induced by the coronavirus pandemic can place patients with mental illness at a higher risk for perilous behaviours and subsequent fractures.

Objectives: To evaluate the accuracy with which the Majeed Pelvic Score has been reported in the English literature., Data Sources: Databases used to search for literature were PubMed, Embase, and Ovid, restricted to English language from inception to October 2, 2018., Study Selection: Search words used were: Majeed, pelvis, and outcome., Data Extraction: Articles were assessed for descriptions of scoring and proper reporting of Majeed Pelvic Outcome Score., Data Synthesis: Descriptive statistics were used to report the outcome of our findings., Conclusions: Ninty-two English articles were identified. Twenty-four (26%) articles were identified as including methodology related to the use and scoring of the Majeed Pelvic score. The remaining 68 presented mean Majeed scores with no methodological information. None (0/92) discussed how the range of possible scores for the most severe function was applied. Six (7%) reported adjusted scores for patients not working. Three (3%) included a discussion of the scores as adjusted for patients working before injury compared with those not working. Ten (11%) addressed the categorization of scores by excellent to poor describing what raw scores defined those categories. We observed poor accuracy and notable inconsistency in the use and reporting of the Majeed Pelvic Outcome Score in the literature. These data demonstrate that interpretation and comparison of research reporting this score should be done cautiously. Future studies should include specific information as to how the Majeed instrument calculated to allow for verification of the presented scores and subsequent conclusions.

OBJECTIVE Few studies have investigated the advantages of early spinal stabilization in the patient with polytrauma in terms of reduction of morbidity and mortality. Previous analyses have shown that early stabilization may reduce ICU stay, with no effect on complication rates. METHODS The authors prospectively observed 340 polytrauma patients with an Injury Severity Score (ISS) of greater than 16 at a single Level 1 trauma center who were treated in accordance with a protocol termed "early appropriate care," which emphasizes operative treatment of various fractures within 36 hours of injury. Of these patients, 46 had upper thoracic and/or cervical spine injuries. The authors retrospectively compared patients treated according to protocol versus those who were not. Continuous variables were compared using independent t-tests and categorical variables using Fisher's exact test. Logistic regression analysis was performed to account for baseline confounding factors. RESULTS Fourteen of 46 patients (30%) did not undergo surgery within 36 hours. These patients were significantly more likely to be older than those in the protocol group (53 vs 38 years, p = 0.008) and have greater body mass index (BMI; 33 vs 27, p = 0.02), and they were less likely to have a spinal cord injury (SCI) (82% did not have an SCI vs 44% in the protocol group, p = 0.04). In terms of outcomes, patients in the protocol-breach group had significantly more total ventilator days (13 vs 6 days, p = 0.02) and total ICU days (16 vs 9 days, p = 0.03). Infection rates were 14% in the protocol-breach group and 3% in the protocol group (p = 0.2) Total complications trended toward being statistically significantly more common in the protocol-breach group (57% vs 31%). After controlling for potential confounding variables by logistic regression (including age, sex, BMI, race, and SCI), total complications were significantly (p < 0.05) greater in the protocol-breach group (OR 29, 95% CI 1.9-1828). This indicates that the odds of developing "any complication" were 29 times greater if treatment was delayed more than 36 hours. CONCLUSIONS Early surgical stabilization in the polytrauma patient with a cervical or upper thoracic spine injury is associated with fewer complications and improved outcomes. Hospitals may consider the benefit of protocols that promote early stabilization in this patient population.

Objective: To characterize the timing, indications, and "success rates of secondary interventions, dynamization and exchange nailing, in a large series of tibial nonunions" (dynamization and exchange nailing are types of secondary interventions)., Setting: Retrospective multicenter analysis from level 1 trauma hospitals., Patients: A total of 194 tibia fractures that underwent dynamization or exchange nailing for delayed/nonunion., Intervention: Records and radiographs to characterize demographic data, fracture type, and cortical contact after tibial nailing were gathered. The radiographic union score for tibias (RUST) and the timing of intervention and time to union were calculated., Main Outcome Measures: The primary outcome was success of either intervention, defined as achieving union, with the need for further intervention defining failure. Other outcomes included RUST scores at intervention and union, and timing to intervention and union for both techniques. Two-tailed t tests and Fisher exact with P set at <0.05 for significance were used as indicated., Results: A total of 194 tibia fractures underwent dynamization (97) or exchange nailing (97). No statistical differences were found between groups with demographic characteristics. The presence of a fracture gap (P = 0.01) and comminuted fractures (P = 0.002) was more common in the exchange group. The success rates of the interventions and RUST scores were not different when performed before versus after 6 months; therefore, data were pooled. The RUST scores at the time of intervention were not different for successful or failed dynamizations (7.13 vs. 7.07, P = 0.83) or exchanges (6.8 vs. 7.3, P = 0.37). Likewise, the time to successful versus failed dynamization (165 vs. 158 days, P = 0.91) or exchange nailing (224 vs. 201 days, P = 0.48) was not different. No cortical contact or a gap was a statistically negative factor for both exchange nails (P = 0.09) and dynamizations (P = 0.06). When combined, the success in the face of a gap was 78% versus 92% when no gap was present (P = 0.02)., Conclusions: Previous literature has few reports of the success rates of secondary interventions for tibial nonunions. The indications for dynamization and exchange were similar. Comminuted fractures, and fractures with no cortical contact or "gap" present after intramedullary nailing, favored having an exchange nail performed over dynamization. Fracture gap was also found to be a negative prognostic factor for both procedures. Overall, this study demonstrates high rates of union for both interventions, making them both viable options., Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to characterize the presentation, size, treatment, and complications of pulmonary embolism (PE) in a large series of orthopaedic trauma patients who developed PE after injury., Methods: We reviewed the records of orthopaedic trauma patients who developed a PE within 6 months of injury at 9 trauma centers and 2 tertiary care facilities., Results: There were 312 patients, 186 men and 126 women, average age 58 years. Average body mass index was 29.6, and average Injury Severity Score was 18. Seventeen percent received anticoagulation before injury, and 5% had a history of PE. After injury, 87% were placed on prophylactic anticoagulation and 68% with low-molecular weight heparin. Fifty-three percent of patients exhibited shortness of breath or chest pain. Average heart rate and O2 saturation before PE diagnosis were 110 and 94%, respectively. Thirty-nine percent had abnormal arterial blood gas, and 30% had abnormal electrocardiogram findings. Eighty-nine percent had computed tomography pulmonary angiography for diagnosis. Most clots were segmental (63%), followed by subsegmental (21%), lobar (9%), and central (7%). The most common treatment was unfractionated heparin and Coumadin (25%). Complications of anticoagulation were common: 10% had bleeding at the surgical site. Other complications of anticoagulation included gastrointestinal bleed, anemia, wound complications, death, and compartment syndrome. PE recurred in 1% of patients. Four percent died of PE within 6 months., Conclusions: This is the first large data set to evaluate the course of PE in an orthopaedic trauma population. The complications of anticoagulation are significant and were as common in patients with lower risk clots as those with higher risk clots.

Measurements were taken and statistically analyzed from the initial radiographs, the 1-year follow-up radiographs, and the most recent radiographs of 81 patients (103 hips) to determine which measurements could predict the success of treatment. The average follow-up was 49 months (range, 12-139 months), and the average age of the patients at the last follow-up was 65 months (range, 15-190 months). Analysis of the data showed that the measurement with statistically significant predictive value was the Tonnis grade of dislocation determined from the initial radiograph. A single unit increase in the Tonnis grade was associated with a doubling of the odds of failure in patients treated with a Pavlik harness (P < 0.04, odds ratio = 2.2) or a closed reduction (odds ratio = 2.0).

The longitudinal changes in elbow and wrist motion for 48 patients with hemophilia were reviewed to determine the effect of recurrent hemarthroses. The average age of the patients at the time of followup was 23 years 9 months. The average duration of followup was 10.8 years. The patients were divided into 3 age groups: younger than age 15 years (14 patients), age 15 to 25 years (11 patients), and older than age 25 years (23 patients). For patients older than age 25 years, pronation, supination, elbow flexion and extension, wrist flexion and extension, and ulnar deviation were significantly decreased relative to patients younger than age 15 years. Pronation was the first motion to show a significant change, decreasing by 19% in patients age 15 to 25 years and by 31% in patients older than age 25 years. Loss of elbow extension showed the greatest change. In cases of severe hemophilic arthropathy of the elbow, synovectomy and radial head excision decreased elbow pain and bleeding episodes and improved supination and pronation.

The effects of chromium porphyrins on suckling rat heme oxygenase activity were compared following oral vs intraperitoneal dosing. Chromium protoporphyrin (CrPP), chromium mesoporphyrin (CrMP), or chromium deuteroporphyrin 2,4 bis glycol (CrBG) were administered at 40 mumol/kg to 2-week old suckling rats either orally or intraperitoneally. Six hours after intraperitoneal dosing, CrPP and CrMP had significantly reduced hepatic and splenic heme oxygenase activity by more than 55%. CrBG effectively reduced hepatic heme oxygenase activity by 42%. More importantly, only CrMP was an effective inhibitor of hepatic heme oxygenase activity 6 hr after oral administration. In the first reported comparison of chromium porphyrin efficacy in vivo, our data suggest that chromium porphyrins, and particularly CrMP, may be effective in chemopreventive strategies for the treatment of neonatal jaundice.

Zinc deuteroporphyrin IX 2,4-bis-glycol (ZnBG) is a potent inhibitor of heme oxygenase and may be useful in the prevention of neonatal jaundice. Enteral administration could be advantageous clinically, but it has been only minimally effective with other metalloporphyrins in rats and humans. Thus, the absorption of ZnBG by the small intestine in vivo was examined. ZnBG was administered enterally at 40 mumol/kg to 2-week-old suckling rats via in situ catheterization of the small intestine. Within 15 min ZnBG was absorbed by the small intestine, as it was measured in portal and systemic venous plasma, intestine, kidney, liver, and spleen. Concentrations exceeding 5.0 microM were found in plasma within 30 min, and 9.4 microM was found in the liver after 30 min. A total of 4.6% of the administered ZnBG dose was measured in plasma and tissues.

Zinc deuteroporphyrin IX 2,4 bis glycol (ZnBG) has been shown to be a potent inhibitor of heme oxygenase (HO) in vitro. Oral administration, which has been minimally effective with other metalloporphyrins, could be clinically advantageous for prevention of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Therefore, we examined the effect of oral administration of ZnBG on tissue HO activity and tissue ZnBG concentrations. Suckling rats at 2 weeks of age received ZnBG at 40 mumol/kg BW via gastric gavage. Rats were killed with anesthetic over-dose after 60 min. ZnBG was detected in the portal and systemic circulation (n = 12), and the liver, kidney, spleen, and intestine (n = 8). ZnBG concentrations of 7.9 nmol/g liver and 1.7 nmol/g spleen corresponded to 67 and 72% inhibition of control HO activity (n = 9; p less than 0.0005) respectively.

A circular genetic map of Bacillus stearothermophilus NUB36 was constructed by transduction with bacteriophage TP-42C and protoplast fusion. Sixty-four genes were tentatively assigned a cognate Bacillus subtilis gene based on growth response to intermediates or end products of metabolism, cross-feeding, accumulation of intermediates, or their relative order in a linkage group. Although the relative position of many genes on the Bacillus stearothermophilus and Bacillus subtilis genetic map appears to be similar, some differences were detected. The tentative order of the genes in the Bacillus stearothermophilus aro region is aspB-aroBAFEC-tyrA-hisH-(trp), whereas it is aspB-aroE-tyrA-hisH-(trp)-aroHBF in Bacillus subtilis. The aroA, aroC, and aroG genes in Bacillus subtilis are located in another region. The tentative order of genes in the trp operon of Bacillus stearothermophilus is trpFCDABE, whereas it is trpABFCDE in Bacillus subtilis.