The effect of body mass index on posttraumatic transfusion after pelvic trauma.

The impact of body mass index (BMI) on posttraumatic blood transfusion after pelvic trauma is not well known. We conducted a retrospective review of trauma registry data over a 5-year period. Patients were stratified by BMI as normal: less than 25 kg/m(2), overweight: 25 to 29.

External fixation versus ORIF for distal intra-articular tibia fractures.

Tibia plafond fractures have historically demonstrated high complication rates. The purpose of this study was to assess the outcomes of tibia plafond fractures following treatment with definitive external fixation vs delayed open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). Sixty patients were enrolled in a prospective cohort trial at 1 Level I trauma center.

Preoperative skeletal versus cutaneous traction for femoral shaft fractures treated within 24 hours.

Objectives: To compare the advantages and disadvantages of preoperative cutaneous traction versus skeletal traction in adults with diaphyseal femur fractures amenable to fixation within 24 hours.

Design: Randomized prospective trial.

Setting: Level I trauma center in a major metropolitan area.

Bone morphogenetic protein-2 compared to autologous iliac crest bone graft in the treatment of long bone nonunion.

This retrospective study investigated the effect of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) mixed with cancellous allograft on fracture healing compared to iliac crest autograft in the treatment of long bone nonunion. Eighty-nine patients with 93 established long bone nonunions treated between January 2002 and June 2004 at a single academic Level I trauma center were evaluated. Patients with clinical and radiographic evidence of failed fracture union underwent nonunion debridement, revision of fixation, and implantation at the nonunion site of either rhBMP-2 or the standard treatment autologous iliac crest bone graft.

Delayed presentation of metastatic melanoma of the cervical spine.

A 54-year-old woman presented with neck pain and bilateral shoulder pain. The pain was of varying intensity and was present with activity as well as at night and at rest. She had weakness of her triceps and finger intrinsic muscles.

Predicting blood loss in isolated pelvic and acetabular high-energy trauma.

Objective: To quantify transfusion requirements in patients with isolated acetabular or pelvic fractures and correlate these requirements with fracture classification.

Design: Retrospective review of 382 patients with isolated pelvic and/or acetabular fractures.

Setting: Academic Level I Trauma Center.