Implementation of a Modified Pain, Inspiration, Cough Protocol in Patients With Traumatic Rib Fractures.

Introduction: Patients with blunt chest wall injuries and rib fractures are known to have high rates of atelectasis, pneumonia, pulmonary contusion, and can develop acute respiratory distress syndrome. This can lead to ventilator requirement and dependence, deconditioning secondary to uncontrolled pain, and increased hospital length of stay (LOS). Many studies in the literature have developed triage algorithms in patients with rib fractures to guide disposition and management, and several institutions have gone on to describe their institution-specific management protocols to decrease complications related to traumatic rib fractures.

A Comparison of Scoring Systems to Identify Patients at Increased Risk From Traumatic Rib Fractures.

Introduction: Patients with rib fractures from traumatic injuries may suffer increased morbidity, an increased hospital stay, an increased length of time in the intensive care unit (ICU), pulmonary complications resulting in the need for mechanical ventilation, and increased mortality. Some studies have focused on developing specific scoring systems to triage and to help identify patients most at risk for the most severe complications. One such protocol is the RibScore.

Recurrence of Primary and Secondary Keloids in a Select African American and Afro-Caribbean Population.

Background: Keloid formation occurs with increased incidence in African Americans and Afro-Caribbeans when compared with other ethnic populations. Although surgical management and nonsurgical management of keloids are mainstays of treatment, there are significant variations within studies comparing the efficacy of intraoperative steroid injection, postoperative radiotherapy, or a combination of both modalities. The purpose of our study is to evaluate the efficacy of different treatment modalities used for treatment of keloids and to determine their recurrence in a select Afro-Caribbean population.