Osteoinduction of umbilical cord and palate periosteum-derived mesenchymal stem cells on poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid nanomicrofibers.

The need for tissue-engineered bone to treat complex craniofacial bone defects secondary to congenital anomalies, trauma, and cancer extirpation is sizeable. Traditional strategies for treatment have focused on autologous bone in younger patients and bone substitutes in older patients. However, the capacity for merging new technologies, including the creation of nanofiber and microfiber scaffolds with advances in natal sources of stem cells, is crucial to improving our treatment options.

To everything there is a season: impact of seasonal change on admissions, acuity of injury, length of stay, throughput, and charges at an accredited, regional burn center.

Purpose: Although previous studies have investigated the impact of weather and temporal factors on incidence of trauma admissions, there is a paucity of data describing the effect of seasonal change on burn injury. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of the changing seasons on admissions to and resource utilization at an accredited burn center, with the goal of optimizing patient throughput and matching supply with demand.

Methods: We performed a retrospective review of all burn admissions to an accredited, regional burn center, from Summer 2009 through Spring 2010.

The impact of an independent transfer center on the evaluation and transport of patients with burn and maxillofacial injuries to definitive care at a level 1 trauma center.

Objective: To assess the impact of an independent call center on facilitation of burn and maxillofacial trauma patient transfer to a level 1 trauma center.

Methods: All patients admitted to our level 1 trauma center for definitive management of either burn or maxillofacial injuries from September 1, 2004 to September 1, 2008, 2 years before and after transfer service initiation on September 1, 2006, were identified using the North Carolina Trauma Registry. Cohort demographics, referral patterns, transfer times/distances, and clinical outcomes were assessed.

Changing characteristics of facial fractures treated at a regional, level 1 trauma center, from 2005 to 2010: an assessment of patient demographics, referral patterns, etiology of injury, anatomic location, and clinical outcomes.

Introduction: Despite improvements in automotive safety, motor vehicle collision (MVC)-related facial fractures remain common and represent preventable injuries. This study examines the changing characteristics of facial fractures treated at a regional, level I trauma center, from 2005 to 2010.

Methods: We identified all patients with facial fractures admitted to our hospital, from 2005 to 2010, by querying the North Carolina Trauma Registry, using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes.