Frequent Sural Nerve Injury with Posterior Approach for Ankle Fracture Fixation.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to report the incidence of iatrogenic sural nerve injury in a large, consecutive sample of surgically managed ankle fractures and to identify factors associated with sural nerve injury and subsequent recovery. We hypothesize that a direct posterior approach may be associated with higher risk of iatrogenic sural nerve injury.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study of 265 skeletally mature patients who sustained ankle fractures over a 2-year period was done.

Acetabular fractures in elderly patients are associated with high rates of complications during the initial admission.

Background: Acetabular fractures among the elderly are common. Identification of risk factors predisposing elderly patients to in-hospital complications is critical to mitigating morbidity and mortality.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed including 195 patients ≥60 years old who sustained acetabulum fractures treated at a single level 1 trauma center.

Trauma recidivism is reduced with engagement in psychosocial programming following orthopaedic trauma.

Introduction: Recidivism is common following injury. Interventions to enhance patient engagement may reduce trauma recidivism. Education, counseling, peer mentorship, and other resources are known as Trauma Recovery Services (TRS).

Psychiatric comorbidity in emergency general surgery patients: a prospective observational study.

Objectives: Annually, approximately 27 million individuals in the United States are admitted to hospitals for emergency general surgery (EGS). Approximately 50% develop postoperative complications and 22% require unplanned readmission within 90 days, highlighting a need to understand factors impacting well-being and recovery. Psychiatric comorbidity can impact medical treatment adherence, cost, and premature mortality risk.

Impact of novel psychosocial programming on readmission and recidivism rates among patients with violence-related trauma.

Introduction: The Victims of Crime Advocacy and Recovery Program (VOCARP) provides advocacy, mental health resources, and educational materials. This study will report complications, readmissions, and recidivism among crime victims, and who used or did not use victim services.

Materials And Methods: Patients engaged with programming from 3/1/17 until 12/31/18 were included.

The economic impact of gunshot wounds on an urban level 1 trauma center.

Introduction: Firearm-related injuries impact the healthcare system, taxpayers, and injured patients due to lost productivity and reduced quality of life. The goal was to quantify the economic costs related to hospitalization for gunshot wounds (GSWs) at a single urban level 1 trauma center.

Materials And Methods: 941 patients over 27 months were treated for GSW.

Surgical Versus Nonsurgical Management of Acetabular Fractures With Associated Patterns in Elderly Patients: Factors Affecting Outcomes.

Introduction: Among elderly patients, anterior column posterior hemitransverse (ACPHT) and associated both column (ABC) are common acetabular fracture patterns after low-energy mechanisms. Given the paucity of outcomes data in this cohort, the goal of this study was to determine the favorability of results with surgical versus nonsurgical management. Secondarily, factors linked with poor functional outcomes were assessed.

Factors Considered in Ranking Pediatric Orthopedic Fellowship Applicants: A Survey of Program Directors.

The field of orthopedic surgery continues to grow rapidly in popularity. Ninety percent of orthopedic residents pursue fellowship training after residency, representing the highest rate of subspecialty training among surgical specialties. The goal of this study was to determine the factors considered most important by pediatric orthopedic fellowship program directors (PDs) in evaluating applicants and determining a rank list.

Single dose IV Antibiotic for Low-Energy Extremity Gunshot Wounds: A Prospective Protocol.

Objective: To prospectively determine infection rate following low-energy extremity GSWs with a single dose IV antibiotic protocol.

Summary Background Data: Previous work suggests that a single IV antibiotic dose, without formal surgical debridement, mitigates infection risk.

Methods: Over 35 months 530 adults with low-energy GSWs to the extremities were included.

Implementation of programming for survivors of violence-related trauma at a level 1 trauma center.

Background: Prior investigation of violence intervention programs has been limited. This study will describe resources offered by Victims of Crime Advocacy and Recovery Program (VOCARP), their utilization, and effect on recidivism.

Methods: VOCARP was established in 2017 at our center, and all patients who engaged with programming (n=1019) were prospectively recorded.

"Did You Think You Would Die?": Fear of Death and Its Relationship to the Development of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder After Traumatic Injury.

Introduction: Patient-specific factors may influence posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) development and warrant further examination. This study investigates potential association between patient-reported fear of death at the time of injury and development of PTSD.

Methods: Over 35 months, 250 patients were screened for PTSD at their first posthospitalization clinic visit and were asked "Did you think you were going to die from this injury?" (yes or no).

Virtual visits among gynecologic oncology patients during the COVID-19 pandemic are accessible across the social vulnerability spectrum.

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic has quickly transformed healthcare systems with expansion of telemedicine. The past year has highlighted risks to immunosuppressed cancer patients and shown the need for health equity among vulnerable groups. In this study, we describe the utilization of virtual visits by patients with gynecologic malignancies and assess their social vulnerability.

Factors Considered in Ranking Orthopaedic Trauma Fellowship Applicants: A Survey of Program Directors.

Introduction: More than 90% of orthopaedic surgery graduates pursue fellowship training after residency. Previous investigations have examined factors considered important by orthopaedic sports medicine and hand surgery fellowship program directors (PDs). This study sought to identify which factors orthopaedic trauma fellowship PDs deem most important when evaluating applicants.

Impact of Psychosocial and Economic Factors on Functional Outcomes After Operative Calcaneus Fractures.

Objectives: To report functional outcome scores after operative intraarticular calcaneus fracture and to determine risk factors associated with worse outcomes.

Design: Retrospective study.

Setting: Urban Level 1 trauma center.

Clinical and radiographic outcomes following retrograde SIGN fin nailing for femoral shaft fractures.

Purpose: The Surgical Implant Generation Network (SIGN) intramedullary nail was designed for use in resource limited settings which often lack fluoroscopy, specialized fracture tables, and power reaming. A newer design iteration, the SIGN Fin nail, was developed to further simplify retrograde femoral nailing by making proximal interlocking screw placement unnecessary. Instead, the leading end of the Fin nail achieves stability through an interference fit within the proximal femoral canal.

Fracture treatment in the setting of cutaneous aspergillosis: a case report.

The authors present the case of a patient who developed an () superficial cutaneous infection which was identified at the time of cast removal, 2 weeks after immobilization of a closed distal third humerus fracture. Clinical and microbiological findings, as well as the treatment of this patient, are reported. An otherwise healthy 27-year-old male presented to the orthopaedic surgery clinic 2 weeks after a closed distal humerus fracture, which was initially immobilized with a functional removable brace.

Ankle fractures in patients over age 55 years: Predictors of functional outcome.

Objectives: To identify predictors of functional outcomes following treatment of ankle fracture in patients 55 years or older.

Setting: Level 1 Trauma Center.

Patients/participants: Four hundred twenty-nine patients with torsional ankle fractures (44A-C): 233 patients (54%) were ages 55 to 64, 25% were between the ages 65 and 74; 21% were 75 years or older.

Are we missing the mark? Relationships of psychosocial issues to outcomes after injury: A review of OTA annual meeting presentations.

Objectives: To observe the availability of information about social, emotional, and psychological factors in abstracts presented at the Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA) annual meeting.

Data Source: OTA website (https://ota.org/education/meetings-and-courses/meeting-archive/).

Diagnosing Fractures of the Distal Tibial Articular Surface in Tibia Shaft Fractures: Is Computed Tomography Always Necessary?

Objectives: To identify the incidence of distal articular fractures in a series of distal third tibia shaft fractures and to report the utility of both computed tomography (CT) scans and Radiographic Investigation of the Distal Extension of Fractures into the Articular Surface of the Tibia (RIDEFAST) ratios for identification of articular involvement.

Design: Retrospective cohort.

Setting: Level 1 trauma center.

Factors influencing management of bilateral femur fractures: A multicenter retrospective cohort of early versus delayed definitive Fixation.

Introduction: The purpose of our study was to evaluate the factors that influence the timing of definitive fixation in the management of bilateral femoral shaft fractures and the outcomes for patients with these injuries.

Methods: Patients with bilateral femur fractures treated between 1998 to 2019 at ten level-1 trauma centers were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were grouped into early or delayed fixation, which was defined as definitive fixation of both femurs within or greater than 24 hours from injury, respectively.

Predicting Length of Stay and Readmissions After an Ankle Fracture Using a Risk Stratification Tool (STTGMA).

Objectives: To determine the usefulness of a validated trauma triage score to stratify short-term outcomes including hospital length of stay (LOS), in-hospital complications, discharge location, and rate of readmission after an ankle fracture.

Design: Retrospective cohort.

Setting: Level 1 trauma center.