[Importance of Skull X-ray in Head Trauma]. / Význam rtg lebky pri poraneních hlavy.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY The aim of our study is to show the pitfalls of performing skull X-rays in patients with head injuries and the lack of accuracy of this examination nowadays, and to clarify the current trend in the MTBI investigation algorithm. MATERIAL AND METHODS A retrospective study of 3,950 patients treated for acute head injury at the Department of Trauma Surgery (University Hospital Brno) in the period from 2015 to 2016. Inclusion criteria were the following: mild brain injury (GCS = 15), primary skull X-ray design in head injury diagnosis. Patients with a positive skull X-ray finding underwent a head CT evaluation up to 24-hours from the injury except for the patients with an isolated nose bone fracture. A CT head scan was also performed in patients indicated by the neurologist at the initial examination based on the anamnestic data and an objective finding. RESULTS Inclusion criteria were met by 1,938 patients. In 1806 (93.2%) cases the X-ray was negative, in 132 (6.8%) patients the X-ray was positive, of which in 62% of patients a nasal fracture was detected. A skull fracture reported in 16 cases. Once the CT scan of the head was obtained, all of these cases were classified as false negative. After the CT scan of the head, intracranial bleeding was observed in 12 patients, in 4 cases accompanied by fractures of the skull, not visible on the X-ray images. After the statistical evaluation, the sensitivity and specificity of the X-ray examination compared to the CT scan of the head was determined to be 0.00 and 0.94, respectively. DISCUSSION The aim of MTBI diagnostics is primarily to detect serious intracranial lesions requiring neurosurgical intervention. A simple X-ray of the skull shows fractures only and does not allow to visualize both the brain and any traces of bleeding that would show an intracranial injury. Hofman, in his meta-analysis, points out that a simple X-ray image of the skull has only very little noticeable value when diagnosing MTBI. The prevalence of intracerebral hematoma (ICH) over MTBI is 0.083. The sensitivity of a radiographic finding of skull fracture in the diagnosis of ICH based on the CT verification is only 0.38 with a specificity of 0.95, which is consistent with our study where the sensitivity of the radiographic finding was 0.00 with a specificity of 0.94 relative to CT. Thus, the question is not whether to perform an X-ray of the skull in mild head injuries, but rather when to indicate a CT scan of the brain, when to admit the patient to the hospital for observation, and for how long or when the patient can be safely discharged into home care. The purpose of MTBI diagnostics, however, should not be a rashly decision to perform a brain CT scan, but to put into practice the CT indication criteria in MTBI applying and respecting the validated guidelines known worldwide. CONCLUSIONS Our study, in which no X-ray examination revealed possible intracranial bleeding, clearly shows that nowadays the plain radiograph of the skull does not bring any benefit in the diagnosis of minor traumatic brain injury. Key words:skull X-ray, CT of the head, head injury, minor traumatic brain injury.

[Effect of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy on Infectious Complications in Grade III Open Fractures]. / Primární aplikace podtlakové terapie u otevrených zlomenin III. stupne a její vliv na vznik infekcních komplikací.

UNLABELLED: PURPOSE OF THE STUDY Grade III open fractures are associated with infectious complications in 25-66% of injuries. Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) applied to an injured soft tissue coverage provides an impermeable barrier between the injured structures and the external environment, in addition to early secretion draining and a positive effect on the site of application. All this also prevents secondary bacterial contamination. The objective of the study was to compare the results of treatment methods in view of infectious complications in patients with soft tissue injury in grade-III open fractures managed either by NPWT and primary closure or by covering with combined dressing fabric (COM) in combination with continual wound lavage. MATERIAL AND METHODS This retrospective study comprised 77 patients with 80 grade III open fractures treated in the years 2008-2012; of these, 39 patients with 41 fractures met the inclusion criteria and were finally evaluated. The patients were divided into two groups. The control group included 19 patients with 20 fractures treated by the standard surgical procedure using stabilisation with an external fixator or intramedullary nail, thorough soft tissue debridement, continual wound lavage and suture of skin lesions or using a primary coverage of the defect with COM. The trial group consisted of 20 patients with 21 fractures treated according to the same principle, but NPWT was applied to injured soft tissue coverage first and skin suture or any other type of skin defect coverage was carried out when the healing process was good and bacteriological findings were negative. The results of both methods were evaluated based on the following criteria: development of superficial or deep infection in the wound, interval to negative bacteriological findings and osteomyelitis rate. The results were analysed by Fisher's exact test and the Man Whitney U test. RESULTS Infectious complications were recorded in a total of 15 (37%) fractures: 11 (55%) in the control group and four (19.1%) in the trial group (p = 0.025). Recurrent infection was observed in five control group fractures (25%) and in none of the trial group fractures (p = 0.021). Osteomyelitis was found only in two control group fractures. The average interval before negative bacteriological results were obtained was 22 days in the control group and 12 days in the trial group (p = 0.001). DISCUSSION The NPWT use as a temporary coverage of soft tissue defects in open fractures results in a significant reduction of infectious complications, as shown by many relevant studies including this study. In comparison with Gopal's "fix and flap" concept, the NPWT in our patient group had slightly higher incidence of infectious complications (15.4% versus 19.1%). However, these results can be achieved only if a specialist in reconstructive surgery and appropriate technical facilities are readily available. If this is not possible, then the NPWT, in comparison with conventional methods, provides the best possible way of temporary protection for an injured soft tissue coverage. CONCLUSIONS Application of NPWT within the primary treatment of injured soft tissue coverage in grade III open fractures results in a statistically significant reduction of bacterial contamination at the site of injury, as well as a reduction of the subsequent incidence of infectious complications. Primary application of NPWT also significantly reduced the risk of recurrent infection. KEY WORDS: open fracture, negative pressure wound therapy, continual wound lavage, infection.