In-Hospital Mortality Following Open and Closed Long Bone Fracture: A Comparative Study.

BACKGROUND: Open fracture is a serious orthopaedic injury that can lead to significant patient morbidity and mortality. There is limited data on the mortality risk for open compared to closed long bone fracture. METHODS: The Nationwide Inpatient Sample was used to identify all patients who were admitted with a long bone fracture in the United States between 1998 and 2010. Cox proportional hazards regression modeling was used to calculate the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of mortality. RESULTS: After adjusting for age, gender, race, insurance, and comorbidities, the HR of mortality was 2.89 (95% CI, 2.56-3.28; p<0.001) for open compared to closed fracture. Stratified by anatomical site, the HR of mortality for open compared to fracture was 3.43 for femur (95% CI, 2.78-4.23; p<0.001), 2.81 for tibia or fibula (95% CI, 2.17-3.64; p<0.001), 2.54 for humerus (95% CI, 1.81-3.56; p<0.001), and 1.56 for radius or ulna (95% CI, 1.10-2.23; p=0.014). CONCLUSIONS: This data suggests that open fracture carries a worse prognosis compared to closed fracture at the same anatomical site.

Chest computed tomography imaging utility for radiographically occult rib fractures in elderly fall-injured patients.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies demonstrate an association between rib fractures and morbidity and mortality in trauma. This relationship in low-mechanism injuries, such as ground-level fall, is less clearly defined. Furthermore, computed tomography (CT) has increased sensitivity for rib fractures compared with chest x-ray (CXR); its utility in elderly fall patients is unknown. We sought to determine whether CT-diagnosed rib fractures in elderly fall patients with a normal CXR were associated with increased in-hospital resource utilization or mortality. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of emergency department patients presenting over a 3-year period. INCLUSION CRITERIA: age, 65 years or older; chief complaint, including mechanical fall; and both CXR and CT obtained. We quantified rib fractures on CXR and CT and reported operating characteristics for both. Outcomes of interest included hospital admission/length of stay (LOS), intensive care unit (ICU) admission/LOS, endotracheal intubation, tube thoracostomy, locoregional anesthesia, pneumonia, in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: We identified 330 patients, mean age was 84 years (±SD, 9.4 years); 269 (82%) of 330 were admitted. There were 96 (29%) patients with CT-diagnosed rib fracture, 56 (17%) by CT only. Compared with CT, CXR had a sensitivity of 40% (95% confidence interval, 30-50%) and specificity of 99% (95% confidence interval, 97-100%) for rib fracture. A median of two additional radiographically occult rib fractures were identified on CT. Despite an increased hospital admission rate (91% vs. 78%) p = 0.02, there was no difference between patients with and without radiographically occult (CT+ CXR-) rib fracture(s) for: median LOS (4; interquartile range (IQR) 2-7 vs 4, IQR 2-8); p = 0.92), ICU admission (28% vs. 27%) p = 0.62, median ICU LOS (2, IQR 1-8 vs 3, IQR 1-5) p = 0.54, or in-hospital mortality (10.3% vs. 7.3%) p = 0.45. CONCLUSION: Among elderly fall patients, CT-identified rib fractures were associated with increased hospital admissions. However, there was no difference in procedural interventions, ICU admission, hospital/ICU LOS or mortality for patients with and without radiographically occult fractures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic, level III.

Combat-related acetabular fractures: Outcomes of open versus closed injuries.

INTRODUCTION: Since the onset of the Global War on Terror close to 50,000 United States service members have been injured in combat, many of these injuries would have previously been fatal. Among these injuries, open acetabular fractures are at an increased number due to the high percentage of penetrating injuries such as high velocity gunshot wounds and blast injuries. These injuries lead to a greater degree of contamination, and more severe associated injuries. There is a significantly smaller proportion of the classic blunt trauma mechanism typically seen in civilian trauma. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of the Department of Defense Trauma Registry into which all US combat-injured patients are enrolled, as well as reviewed local patient medical records, and radiologic studies from March 2003 to April 2012. Eighty seven (87) acetabular fractures were identified with 32 classified as open fractures. Information regarding mechanism of injury, fracture pattern, transfusion requirements, Injury Severity Score (ISS), and presence of lower extremity amputations was analyzed. RESULTS: The mechanism of injury was an explosive device in 59% (n=19) of patients with an open acetabular fracture; the remaining 40% (n=13) were secondary to ballistic injury. In contrast, in the closed acetabular fracture cohort 38% (21/55) of fractures were due to explosive devices, and all remaining (n=34) were secondary to blunt trauma such as falls, motor vehicle collisions, or aircraft crashes. Patients with open acetabular fractures required a median of 17units of PRBC within the first 24h after injury. The mean ISS was 32 in the open group compared with 22 in the closed group (p=0.003). In the open fracture group nine patients (28%) sustained bilateral lower extremity amputations, and 10 patients (31%) ultimately underwent a hip disarticulation or hemi-pelvectomy as their final amputation level. DISCUSSION: Open acetabular fractures represent a significant challenge in the management of combat-related injuries. High ISS and massive transfusion requirements are common in these injuries. This is one of the largest series reported of open acetabular fractures. Open acetabular fractures require immediate damage control surgery and resuscitation as well as prolonged rehabilitation due to their severity. The dramatic number of open acetabular fractures (37%) in this review highlights the challenge in treatment of combat related acetabular fractures.

In-hospital mortality risk of intertrochanteric hip fractures: a comprehensive review of the US Medicare database from 2005 to 2010.

PURPOSE: Intertrochanteric hip fracture is a common injury in the Medicare population. Very little is known about the in-hospital mortality risk of intertrochanteric hip fractures and associated demographics for the US Medicare population. The purpose of this study is to determine the in-hospital mortality rate of closed intertrochanteric hip fractures and to evaluate demographic factors influencing an increased mortality risk. METHODS: The PearlDiver Medicare database from 2005 to 2010 was queried for closed intertrochanteric hip fractures. Stratified sampling was conducted by creating subset for individuals with a death discharge from inpatient facilities. Statistical analysis was performed where appropriate. RESULTS: Throughout 2005-2010 there were a total of 1,138,142 intertrochanteric hip fractures. There were 19,385 deaths during the initial hospital stay, yielding a mortality rate of 1.70%. There was a 1.83% mortality rate for patients 75 and older and patients over the age of 84 comprised the majority of deaths at 58%. The mortality rate was lower for females (1.39%) than for males (2.56%) (p < 0.0002). CONCLUSION: We found in the Medicare database that there is a relatively low rate of in-hospitality mortality associated with intertrochanteric hip fractures; this rate is lower than previously reported. We report a 1.70% in-hospital mortality using a complete Medicare dataset. Based on previous reporting for short term and one-year mortality risk, the present study suggests that mortality risk is greatest after patients have been released from the hospital. More attention should be paid to understanding and attenuating the mortality associated with intertrochanteric hip fractures after the acute hospital phase.

Epidemiology and outcome of complex pelvic injury.

Soft tissue injuries associated with pelvic fractures are often responsible for compromised haemodynamics. The objective of this study was to clarify what parameters determine patient outcome. In a cohort study, all patients with a pelvic fracture treated between 1991 and 2001 at a Level I trauma center were analysed for associated intrapelvic injuries, classification, severity of trauma, type of intervention and outcome. Of 552 patients with a pelvic fracture who entered the study, 15.5% presented with associated intrapelvic injuries secondary to the fracture (group I). A subgroup of patients with lacerations of branches of the iliac artery was identified as being at high risk for lethal outcome; they represented 4.3% of all patients with pelvic fracture (group II). The overall mortality reached 4.4%; it increased in group I to 15.5%, and in group II to 33.3%. In the subgroup with pelvic arterial haemorrhage (group II), the severity of injury, the proportion of multiple injured patients, the prevalence of unstable fractures and the incidence of sepsis were significantly increased. The only predictive factor for outcome was the amount of blood transfused, suggesting that fast elimination of the bleeding source decides about patient survival.

Cervical fracture complicating ankylosing spondylitis: a report of eight cases and review of the literature.

Fracture of the cervical spine is a serious and often fatal complication of ankylosing spondylitis. An evaluation of eight patients and a review of 75 additional cases from the literature are presented. Although this complication is relatively uncommon, it is clear that people with advanced disease and complete ankylosis of the cervical spine are at increased risk of sustaining cervical fracture. When fracture occurs it usually stems from minor trauma resulting most commonly in disruption of the lower cervical segments (fifth through the seventh cervical vertebrae). Fracture is most likely the result of a hyperextension type injury, occurs through what was formerly an intervertebral space, and is unstable. Severe neurologic sequelae occur in 57 percent of the cases and the mortality rate (35 percent) is twice that observed with similar fracture involving normal spines. The majority of patients are best treated with closed reduction with halo traction together with body cast or jacket. Laminectomy is rarely indicted except in the event of an advancing neurologic deficit. With appropriate understanding and execution of management principles, the outcome in these patients can be favorable. Unfortunately, recognition of cervical fracture in patients with ankylosing spondylitis is often needlessly delayed. Distortion of normal anatomy in spondylitics, predominant fracture location in lower cervical spine segments and lack of obvious displacement make identification difficult. Thus, management is often inappropriate resulting in excessive neurologic injury and mortality.

Laparotomy for pelvic fracture.

To establish criteria for laparotomy, the records of 224 patients admitted with an acute pelvic fracture were reviewed. Forty-four patients underwent laparotomy; 2 had no intraabdominal injury. The mechanisms of injury was blunt trauma in 31 patients and gunshot wound in 13. All four patients who died had blunt trauma. Major or minor pelvic fracture classification did not predict intraabdominal visceral injury, except for bilateral pubic rami fractures, which were commonly associated with bladder rupture. The accuracy of the indications for laparotomy was calcualted and criteria were established. Signs of an acute abdominal disorder, the presence of a penetrating wound, abnormal findings on pyleography or cystography, persistent shock, evisceration, and diminished distal pulses, singly or in combination, had a 90 percent accuracy in indicating correctable traabdominal injury. Peritoneal lavage was less reliable, with a 57 percent accuracy. Additional criteria to be considered are enlarging palpable abdominal hematoma, fracture or dislocation with bony fragments protruding into the pelvis, signs of persistent bleeding, and rectal injury or a large perineal wound.

Acute fractures and dislocations of the cervical spine. An analysis of three hundred hospitalized patients and review of the literature.

Of 300 patients who were hospitalized for acute cervical injuries, 216 lived, fifty-one died within four months of injury, and thirty-three were lost to follow-up. The important findings in a retrospective review were that laminectomy resulted in a high mortality rate and loss of motor function and that steroids did not improve neural recovery in quadriplegics and their use was associated with gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Closed or open reduction followed by posterior fusion for subluxations or dislocations, and anterior decompression and fusion for vertebral compression fractures, offered the best chance for recovery of neural function and restoration of stability. Massive epidural hemorrhage was found only in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

Death from pelvic fracture: children are different.

This study compares outcome from pelvic fractures in children with that of adults. Data for 23,700 children registered in the National Pediatric Trauma Registry (NPTR) were compared with those of 10,720 adults recorded over 5 years in the registry of our level I trauma center. Patients were categorized by open versus closed fracture and by fracture type as defined by a modification of the Key and Conwell system. Outcome was evaluated by mortality rate and incidence of fracture-induced fatal exsanguination. The 722 pelvic fractures recorded in the NPTR represent 3% of the population and is half the frequency represented by the 532 adults evaluated (P < .001). The overall mortality rate was 5% for children and 17% for adults. Two children died of fracture-related exsanguination; there were 18 such deaths among the adults. Pelvic ring disruption was encountered more commonly among adults, and was associated with a significantly higher mortality rate. Patients with initial hemodynamic instability were more likely to die, although children less so than adults. The authors conclude that children do not die of pelvic fracture-associated hemorrhage as often as adults. Massive blood loss in the child occurs most commonly from solid visceral injury rather than from pelvic vascular disruption.

Immediate spica casting for pelvic fractures.

Records of 52 polytraumatized patients with closed pelvic fractures were reviewed retrospectively to determine if spica cast application decreased mortality due to exsanguination. Twelve patients had supplemental stabilization with external fixators or internal fixation of the pelvis. Their results indicated that the spica cast is effective in decreasing or controlling bleeding since no patient died of exsanguination. Several patients did die, however, but the cause of death in these patients was usually adult respiratory distress syndrome with or without other sepsis. Injury severity score, age, hypotension, and platelet count were found to be prognostic indicators for both transfusion requirements and mortality. A spica cast may be a useful adjunctive method for decreasing blood loss in the immediate postinjury period, but prolonged or improper use may lead to additional complications and death.

Causes of mortality in patients with pelvic fractures.

During 6 years we treated nearly 500 patients with pelvic fractures. Three hundred forty-eight were admitted directly to our hospital following blunt injuries; these patients formed the basis of this review. There were 220 men and 128 women with an average age of 31 years, a mean Injury Severity Score of 21.8, and an average hospital stay of 16.5 days. Almost two thirds of patients were injured in motor vehicle accidents, and about one eighth were pedestrians struck by a vehicle. Smaller numbers were injured in crushing accidents, motorcycle accidents, falls, and miscellaneous injuries. Only 32 patients (9%) had an isolated pelvic fracture. Associated injuries to the head, chest, abdomen, and upper and lower extremities were frequent, and these injuries often had a greater impact on outcome than the pelvic fracture. Twenty-eight patients died, an overall mortality rate of 8%. Only four deaths (14.3%) were a direct result of the pelvic fracture, and bleeding from a transected femoral artery contributed to one of these deaths. Most deaths were caused by severe head injury, nonpelvic hemorrhage, and multiple organ failure. Although the pelvic fracture may result in prolonged hospitalization, and can be a cause of extended disability, it is an infrequent cause of mortality.

[Diffuse axonal damages to the brain (the clinical picture, diagnosis and outcome)]. / Diffuznye aksonal'nye povrezhdeniia golovnogo mozga (klinika, diagnostika i iskhody).

On the basis of complex clinical, computed tomographic, catamnestic, and pathomorphological examination of 336 patients with severe cerebrocranial injury the authors substantiate the need to distinguish, along with localized contusions and intracranial hematomas, diffuse axonal injuries of the brain whose biomechanics and pathogenesis are linked with trauma of angular or rotational acceleration-deceleration. The clinical manifestations and the course of diffuse axonal injuries are characterized by protracted coma occurring immediately after the injury with marked disorders of stem functions, postural motor reactions, slow recovery from coma, with the formation of a stable or transitory vegetative state, the development of syndromes of disconnection of the cerebral hemispheres and the brain stem, and severe invalidization of the patients due to mental and neurological deficits.

The outcome of tibial diaphyseal fractures in the elderly.

We describe the outcome of tibial diaphyseal fractures in the elderly (≥ 65 years of age). We prospectively followed 233 fractures in 225 elderly patients over a minimum ten-year period. Demographic and descriptive data were acquired from a prospective trauma database. Mortality status was obtained from the General Register Office database for Scotland. Diaphyseal fractures of the tibia in the elderly occurred predominantly in women (73%) and after a fall (61%). During the study period the incidence of these fractures decreased, nearly halving in number. The 120-day and one-year unadjusted mortality rates were 17% and 27%, respectively, and were significantly greater in patients with an open fracture (p < 0.001). The overall standardised mortality ratio (SMR) was significantly increased (SMR 4.4, p < 0.001) relative to the population at risk, and was greatest for elderly women (SMR 8.1, p < 0.001). These frailer patients had more severe injuries, with an increased rate of open fractures (30%), and suffered a greater rate of nonunion (10%). Tibial diaphyseal fractures in the elderly are most common in women after a fall, are more likely to be open than in the rest of the population, and are associated with a high incidence of nonunion and mortality.

Does morbid obesity negatively affect the hospital course of patients undergoing treatment of closed, lower-extremity diaphyseal long-bone fractures?

Obesity is prevalent in the developed world and is associated with significant costs to the health care system. The effect of morbid obesity in patients operatively treated for long-bone fractures of the lower extremity is largely unknown. The National Trauma Data Bank was accessed to determine if morbidly obese patients (body mass index >40) with lower extremity fractures have longer length of hospital stay, higher cost, greater rehabilitation admission rates, and more complications than nonobese patients. We identified patients with operatively treated diaphyseal femur (6920) and tibia (5190) fractures. Polytrauma patients and patients younger than 16 years were excluded. Morbidly obese patients were identified by ICD-9 and database comorbidity designation (femur, 131 morbidly obese; tibia, 75 morbidly obese). Patients meeting these criteria who were not morbidly obese were used as controls. Sensitivity analyses were performed to analyze patients with isolated trauma to the tibia or femur. Morbidly obese patients were more likely to be admitted to a subacute facility. Length of stay trended higher in morbidly obese patients. There was no significant relationship between obesity and inpatient mortality or inpatient complications. These trends held true when considering patients with multiple injuries and patients who had isolated long-bone injuries. Our study showed that morbidly obese patients may have greater rehabilitation needs following long-bone fractures in the lower extremity. Our study showed no difference in mortality or complications, although further studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Clinical characteristics and long-term mortality of occult hip fracture elderly patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Occult hip fractures (OHF) occur in a minute population of patients. Diagnosis is made via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or alternatively via bone scan. Very little is known about the clinical characteristics of OHF patients. Our aim was to characterize the clinical and long-term survival of OHF in elderly patients and to determine if a certain subgroup of patients would benefit from an MRI investigation following normal or equivocal radiography. METHODS: Twenty-nine OHF patients diagnosed by a bone scan during 1995-2004 were compared with a control group of 94 randomly chosen hip fractured patients diagnosed by plain radiography in the same hospital and during the same period. RESULTS: Mean age, women/men ratio, place of residence, comorbidities, cognitive and functional status were similar in the OHF and control group. Twenty-two (75.9%) and 4 (13.8%) patients in the OHF group had had subcapital and intertrochanteric fractures respectively, vs. 41 (43.6%) and 47 (50%) in the control group (p=0.003). Diagnosis delay in the OHF group was 16.8+/-26.5 days vs. 2.5+/-2.9 days (p<0.001) in the control group. There were fewer operations and complications in the OHF group compared to the control group (p<0.001 and p=0.017, respectively). During a 13-year follow-up, no differences in survival were found between the two groups nor any differences between those operated on and those who were not. CONCLUSIONS: OHF patients have no distinctive clinical characteristics or long-term survival. The delay in diagnosing OHF is too much long and is probably related to the high prevalence of conservative treatment. MRI investigation is recommended whenever OHF are suspected and surgical treatment is considered, in order to improve diagnosis and treatment.

The 2004 Marshall Urist award: delays until surgery after hip fracture increases mortality.

The objective of this study was to analyze whether a delay in time from admission until surgical treatment increased the mortality rate for patients with a closed hip fracture. We used the day of the week of admission as an instrumental variable to pseudorandomize patients. We analyzed 18,209 Medicare recipients who were 65 years of age or older and had surgical treatment for a closed hip fracture. Patients for whom the delay between admission and surgery was 2 days or more had a 17% higher chance of dying by Day 30. Using instrumental variables analysis, we found a similar 15% increased risk of mortality in patients with delays until surgery of 2 or more days. Based on these results, we found that a delay of 2 or more days significantly increased the mortality rate. This suggests that delay to surgery independently affects mortality, therefore additional study on the effect of smaller delays on outcome is needed.

Open pelvic fracture: a lethal injury.

Twenty-two of 604 patients (4%) with pelvic fracture (PF) had open fractures. Eight per cent of all pedestrian and motorcycle accidents resulted in open PF, compared to 0.8% of all vehicular accidents. With one exception, all patients sustained multiple injuries. The mortality rate for an open PF was 50%, in marked contrast to 10.5% for a closed PF. Of more importance, the pelvic fracture was the primary cause of death in 73% of those dying with an open PF and in 30% of those dying with a closed PF. The higher mortality is due to an increased risk of infection and to massive hemorrhage because of a high risk of concomitant major vessel injury, as well as increased diffuse retroperitoneal hemorrhage, in these open fractures. Therapy directed to restoring blood volume, identifying and repairing major vessel injury, and attempting to decrease the diffuse retroperitoneal hemorrhage is essential. If drainage is necessary, it should be accomplished with a closed system. Immediate colostomy and use of antibiotics should decrease the infectious complications.

Closed pelvic fractures: characteristics and outcomes in older patients admitted to medical and geriatric wards.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the characteristics and outcomes of older patients with pelvic fracture admitted to medical and geriatric wards. METHODS: All patients admitted to medical and geriatric wards with a pelvic fracture over a four year period were identified using the hospital clinical coding database. Data were collected from casenotes, hospital and Family Health Services Authority databases. Where available, pelvic radiographs were graded according to the Singh index. RESULTS: The casenotes of 148 patients (126 women) were studied; 83% (n=123) of patients suffered a pelvic fracture in low energy trauma. Mean (SD) length of hospital stay was 21.3 (17.6) days. Single breaks of the pubic rami accounted for 47.2% (n=68) of all fractures. Inpatient mortality was 7.6% and at one year was 27%. There was a marked adverse effect on the mobility of survivors with all patients using at least a walking stick at discharge and 51.1% (n=70) needing assistance for mobility. Although 70.9% (n=83) of patients admitted from home (or warden aided accommodation) were able to return there, 84.3% (n=70) of them required extra community support. Rates of institutionalisation rose from 20.9% (n=31) at admission to 35.8% (49/137) of survivors at discharge. Altogether 93% (n=107) of 115 patients, in whom adequate quality pelvic radiographs were available, were assigned a Singh index grade of 4 or less indicating the presence of osteoporosis. CONCLUSIONS: Pelvic fractures are often the result of low energy trauma. They are associated with appreciable inpatient and considerable one year mortality. They also have marked negative effects on mobility in the short term. They result in increased levels of dependency in terms of higher levels of community support and rates of institutionalisation. On the evidence of Singh index grading, pelvic fractures are associated with low bone density.

Pelvic fractures: an analysis of factors affecting prehospital triage and patient outcome.

Using an established prehospital regional triage protocol, 175 patients sustaining fractures of the pelvis were managed in a level one trauma center during a 38-month interval. The majority of injuries (51.7%) were caused by motor vehicle accidents and involved an average trauma score (TS) of 13 and an average injury severity score (ISS) of 24. The overall mortality was 16%; 43.5% had open fractures, 13.2% had closed fractures, and 30.6% had been in pedestrian accidents. Significant risk factors for mortality were age, blood pressure on admission, associated injuries, and the presence of an open pelvic fracture. It appears that TS alone is not reliable in prehospital triage of patients with pelvic fractures. Age and mechanism of injury may better identify the patient at risk for morbidity and mortality.

Internal fixation of ankle fractures in the very elderly.

The management of ankle fracture in the elderly remains controversial. A review of the early results of open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) in 74 patients over the age of 70 years (average 76 years) was undertaken to identify the early complications, length of stay, return to pre-injury mobility and residential status. This revealed 1% deep infection, 9% delayed wound healing, 5% malunion, and 3% mortality. In 12% of patients, soft bone and comminution precluded fixation of one malleolus. The average length of stay for patients who walked with Zimmer frame (116+/-65 days) before injury was significantly longer than those who walked independently or with sticks (19+/-15 days; P<0.01). The inability of the patients to weight-bear early led to lengthy hospital stays and difficult socio-economic problems. However, the majority (85%) of patients regained their pre-injury mobility and residential status. We conclude that ORIF of ankle fractures in the elderly carries a significant risk of wound edge necrosis with delayed wound healing but the incidence of deep infection is relatively low. Poor bone quality presents technical difficulties but the majority of patients can expect good outcome.