Survey of American College of Surgeons Committee on trauma members on firearm injury: Consensus and opportunities.

Background: In the United States, there is a perceived divide regarding the benefits and risks of firearm ownership. The American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma Injury Prevention and Control Committee designed a survey to evaluate Committee on Trauma (COT) member attitudes about firearm ownership, freedom, responsibility, physician-patient freedom and policy, with the objective of using survey results to inform firearm injury prevention policy development.

Methods: A 32-question survey was sent to 254 current U.

Surgical stabilization of severe rib fractures decreases incidence of retained hemothorax and empyema.

Background: Retained hemothorax (RH) is relatively common after chest trauma and can lead to empyema. We hypothesized that patients who have surgical fixation of rib fractures (SSRF) have less RH and empyema than those who have medical management of rib fractures (MMRF).

Methods: Admitted rib fracture patients from January 2009 to June 2013 were identified.

In-hospital outcomes and costs of surgical stabilization versus nonoperative management of severe rib fractures.

Background: One factor that has precluded the wide adoption of surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF) is the perception that it is too expensive to surgically repair an injury that will eventually heal without intervention. The purpose of this study was to compare in-hospital outcomes, costs, and charges for SSRF patients with a series of propensity-matched, nonoperatively managed rib fracture (NON-OP) patients at a single Level 1 trauma center.

Methods: All patients admitted with rib fractures between January 2009 and June 2013 were identified.

Cleared for takeoff: The effects of hypobaric conditions on traumatic pneumothoraces.

Background: Current guidelines suggest that traumatic pneumothorax (tPTX) is a contraindication to commercial airline travel, and patients should wait at least 2 weeks after radiographic resolution of tPTX to fly. This recommendation is not based on prospective, physiologic study. We hypothesized that despite having a radiographic increase in pneumothorax size while at simulated altitude, patients with a recently treated tPTX would not exhibit any adverse physiologic changes and would not report any symptoms of cardiorespiratory compromise.

Rib plating of acute and sub-acute non-union rib fractures in an adult with cystic fibrosis: a case report.

Background: Rib fractures associated with osteoporosis have been reported to occur ten times more frequently in adults with cystic fibrosis. Fractures cause chest pain, and interfere with cough and sputum clearance leading to worsened lung function and acute exacerbations which are the two main contributors to early mortality in cystic fibrosis. Usual treatment involves analgesics and time for healing; however considerable pain and disability result due to constant re-injury from chronic repetitive cough.

Medial scapular winging associated with rib fractures and plating corrected with pectoralis major transfer.

Introduction: Rib plating is becoming increasingly common as a method for stabilizing a flail chest resulting from multiple rib fractures. Recent guidelines recommend surgical stabilization of a flail chest based on consistent evidence of its efficacy and lack of major safety concerns. But complications of this procedure can occur and are wide ranging.

Long-term patient outcomes after surgical stabilization of rib fractures.

Background: Rib fractures are common, and can be disabling. Recently, there has been increased interest in surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF). It is difficult to define long-term benefits of the procedure.

A role in trauma care for advanced practice clinicians.

Advanced practice clinicians (APCs) are increasingly being utilized to care for patients on trauma services, but the quality of care provided by these alternate delivery models has been questioned. We hypothesized that APCs could safely administer trauma care that had traditionally been provided by surgical residents. Outcomes from an APC trauma-care delivery model were compared with those reported in the National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB).