Magnitude of rib fracture displacement predicts opioid requirements.

Introduction: It is unknown whether the magnitude of rib fracture (RF) displacement predicts pain medication requirements in blunt chest trauma patients.

Methods: Adult blunt RF patients undergoing computed tomography (CT) of the chest admitted to an urban Level 1 trauma center (2007-2012) were retrospectively reviewed. Pain management in those with displaced RF (DRF), nondisplaced RF (NDRF), or combined DRF and NDRF (CRF) was compared by univariate analysis.

Displacement Patterns of Blunt Rib Fractures and Their Relationship to Thoracic Coinjuries: Minimal Displacements Count.

Displacement patterns of rib fractures (RF) and their association with thoracic coinjuries and outcomes are unknown. This is a retrospective review of adult patients with blunt closed RF who underwent chest CT at a Level I trauma center (2007-2012). Displacement patterns of RF were compared among the three-dimensional planes using CT images.

Blood pressure regulation to prevent progression of blunt traumatic intracranial hemorrhage in stable patients.

Background: Target blood pressure (BP) in stable (non-hypotensive) patients with acute isolated blunt traumatic intracranial hemorrhage (TICH) is unknown. To address this issue, our study correlated BP with radiological volumetric progression (RP) and neurological deterioration (ND) in these patients.

Methods: A retrospective review of hemodynamically stable adults (n = 184) with isolated TICH not requiring emergent surgery consecutively admitted to a Level I trauma center.