Impact of flail chest injury on morbidity and outcome: ten years' experience at a tertiary care hospital in a developing country.

BACKGROUND: One of the worst types of severe chest injuries seen by clinicians is flail chest. This study aims to measure the overall mortality rate among flail chest patients and then to correlate mortality with several demographic, pathologic, and management factors. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective observational study tracked a total of 376 flail chest patients admitted to the emergency intensive care unit (EICU) and surgical intensive care unit (SICU) at Zagazig University over 120 months. The main outcome measurement was overall mortality. The secondary outcomes were the association of age and sex, concomitant head injury, lung and cardiac contusions, the onset of mechanical ventilation (MV) and chest tubes insertion, the length of mechanical ventilation and ICU stay in days, injury severity score (ISS), associated surgeries, pneumonia, sepsis, the implication of standard fluid therapy and steroid therapy, and the systemic and regional analgesia, with the overall mortality rates. RESULTS: The mortality rate was 19.9% overall. The shorter onset of MV and chest tube insertion, and the longer ICU, and hospital length of stay were noted in the mortality group compared with the survived group (P-value less than 0.05). Concomitant head injuries, associated surgeries, pneumonia, pneumothorax, sepsis, lung and myocardial contusion, standard fluid therapy, and steroid therapy were significantly correlated with mortality (P-value less than 0.05). MV had no statistically significant effect on mortality. Regional analgesia (58.8%) had a significantly higher survival rate than intravenous fentanyl infusion (41.2%). In multivariate analysis, sepsis, concomitant head injury, and high ISS were independent predictors for mortality [OR (95% CI) = 568.98 (19.49-16613.52), 6.86 (2.86-16.49), and 1.19 (1.09-1.30), respectively]. CONCLUSION: The current report recorded mortality of 19.9% between flail chest injury patients. Sepsis, concomitant head injury, and higher ISS are the independent risk factors for mortality when associated with flail chest injury. Considering restricted fluid management strategy and regional analgesia may help better outcome for flail chest injury patients.

Thoracic trauma promotes alpha-Synuclein oligomerization in murine Parkinson's disease.

BACKGROUND: Systemic and neuroinflammatory processes play key roles in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease (PD). Physical trauma which induces considerable systemic inflammatory responses, represents an evident environmental factor in aging. However, little is known about the impact of physical trauma, on the immuno-pathophysiology of PD. Especially blunt chest trauma which is associated with a high morbidity and mortality rate in the elderly population, can induce a strong pulmonary and systemic inflammatory reaction. Hence, we sought out to combine a well-established thoracic trauma mouse model with a well-established PD mouse model to characterize the influence of physical trauma to neurodegenerative processes in PD. METHODS: To study the influence of peripheral trauma in a PD mouse model we performed a highly standardized blunt thorax trauma in a well-established PD mouse model and determined the subsequent local and systemic response. RESULTS: We could show that blunt chest trauma leads to a systemic inflammatory response which is quantifiable with increased inflammatory markers in bronchoalveolar fluids (BALF) and plasma regardless of the presence of a PD phenotype. A difference of the local inflammatory response in the brain between the PD group and non-PD group could be detected, as well as an increase in the formation of oligomeric pathological alpha-Synuclein (asyn) suggesting an interplay between peripheral thoracic trauma and asyn pathology in PD. CONCLUSION: Taken together this study provides evidence that physical trauma is associated with increased asyn oligomerization in a PD mouse model underlining the relevance of PD pathogenesis under traumatic settings.

Clinical Features, Management, and Outcomes of Chest Trauma at a Tertiary-Care Centre in India: A Retrospective Observational Study.

INTRODUCTION: Chest is one of the main sites of injuries in trauma being a part of the torso. Many important organs lie in rib cage. However, data on chest injuries are scarce. METHODS: A retrospective study was carried out for chest trauma patients including polytrauma (n = 184) from hospital records for five years (2016-2020). Various parameters including demographic profile, mode of injury, management, and outcomes were studied. RESULTS: Mean age of patients was 37 ± 16 years with a male to female ratio of 2.4 : 1. Road traffic injuries remained the most common cause of trauma followed by assaults. Most of the patients were managed conservatively (55.43%). Mortality was seen in only 1.63% patients. CONCLUSION: Young male patients are usually affected by trauma. Road traffic injuries are the commonest cause. However, most patients can be managed by conservative treatment and mortality is seen only in polytrauma patients in the present study.

Influence of obesity on remodeling of lung tissue and organization of extracellular matrix after blunt thorax trauma.

BACKGROUND: Previously, it has been shown that obesity is a risk factor for recovery, regeneration, and tissue repair after blunt trauma and can affect the rate of muscle recovery and collagen deposition after trauma. To date, lung tissue regeneration and extracellular matrix regulation in obese mice after injury has not been investigated in detail yet. METHODS: This study uses an established blunt thorax trauma model to analyze morphological changes and alterations on gene and protein level in lean or obese (diet-induced obesity for 16 ± 1 week) male C57BL/6 J mice at various time-points after trauma induction (1 h, 6 h, 24 h, 72 h and 192 h). RESULTS: Morphological analysis after injury showed lung parenchyma damage at early time-points in both lean and obese mice. At later time-points a better regenerative capacity of lean mice was observed, since obese animals still exhibited alveoli collapse, wall thickness as well as remaining filled alveoli structures. Although lean mice showed significantly increased collagen and fibronectin gene levels, analysis of collagen deposition showed no difference based on colorimetric quantification of collagen and visual assessment of Sirius red staining. When investigating the organization of the ECM on gene level, a decreased response of obese mice after trauma regarding extracellular matrix composition and organization was detectable. Differences in the lung tissue between the diets regarding early responding MMPs (MMP8/9) and late responding MMPs (MMP2) could be observed on gene and protein level. Obese mice show differences in regulation of extracellular matrix components compared to normal weight mice, which results in a decreased total MMP activity in obese animals during the whole regeneration phase. Starting at 6 h post traumatic injury, lean mice show a 50% increase in total MMP activity compared to control animals, while MMP activity in obese mice drops to 50%. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, abnormal regulation of the levels of extracellular matrix genes in the lung may contribute to an aberrant regeneration after trauma induction with a delay of repair and pathological changes of the lung tissue in obese mice.

Severe, transient pulmonary ventilation-perfusion mismatch in the lung after porcine high velocity projectile behind armor blunt trauma.

BACKGROUND: Behind armor blunt trauma (BABT) is a non-penetrating injury caused by the rapid deformation of body armor, by a projectile, which may in extreme circumstances cause death. Although there is not a high incidence of high energy BABT, the understanding of the mechanisms is still low, in relation to what is needed for safety threshold levels. BABT is also useful as a model for blunt thoracic trauma, with a compressive speed between traffic accidents and blast caused by explosives. High velocity projectile BABT causes severe hypoxia. The mechanisms are not fully known. We investigated the acute pulmonary consequences in the individual lungs, and the effects of alveolar recruitment. METHODS: 12 swine (mean weight 62.5 kg) were randomized to groups BABT by 7.62 × 51 mm NATO-type bullets (mean velocity 803 m/s) to a military grade ceramic plate armor (n = 7) or control (n = 5). Modified double lumen tracheal tubes provided respiratory dynamics in the lungs separately/intermittently for two hours, with alveolar recruitment after one hour. RESULTS: Venous admixture increased 5 min after BABT (p < .05) and correlated with increased cardiac output. Static compliance decreased 5 minutes after BABT (p < .05) and further by recruitment (p < .005). Physiological dead space decreased 5 minutes after BABT (p < .01) and further by recruitment (p < .01), while not in the contralateral lung. V'A/Q' decreased 5 minutes after BABT (p < .05), also shown in phase III volumetric capnography (p < .05). Most effects regressed after one hour. CONCLUSIONS: High velocity projectile BABT caused hypoxia by a severe and transient decrease in V'A/Q' to <1 and increased venous admixture in the exposed lung. Alveolar recruitment was hemodynamically and respiratory tolerable and increased V'A/Q'. Body armor development should aim at ameliorating severe pulmonary consequences from high projectile velocities which also needs to include further understanding of how primary and secondary effects are distributed between the lungs.

Initial focused assessment with sonography in trauma versus initial CT for patients with haemodynamically stable torso trauma.

OBJECTIVE: Focused assessment with sonography in trauma (FAST) examination is a widely known initial evaluation for patients with trauma. However, it remains unclear whether FAST contributes to patient survival in patients with haemodynamically stable trauma. In this study, we compared in-hospital mortality and length of stay between patients undergoing initial FAST vs initial CT for haemodynamically stable torso trauma. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study using data from 264 major emergency hospitals in the Japan Trauma Data Bank between 2004 and 2016. Patients were included if they had torso trauma with a chest or abdomen abbreviated injury scale score of ≥3 and systolic blood pressure of ≥100 mm Hg at hospital arrival. Eligible patients were divided into those who underwent initial FAST and those who underwent initial CT. Multivariable logistic regression analysis for in-hospital mortality and multivariable linear regression for length of stay were performed to compare the initial FAST and initial CT groups with adjustment for patient backgrounds while also adjusting for within-hospital clustering using a generalised estimating equation. RESULTS: There were 9942 patients; 8558 underwent initial FAST and 1384 underwent initial CT. Multivariable logistic regression showed no significant difference in in-hospital mortality between the initial FAST and initial CT groups (OR 1.37, 95% CI 0.94 to 1.99, p=0.10). Multivariable linear regression revealed that the initial FAST group had a significantly longer length of stay than the initial CT group (difference: 3.5 days; 95% CI 1.0 to 5.9, p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In-hospital mortality was not significantly different between the initial FAST and initial CT groups for patients with haemodynamically stable torso trauma. Initial CT should be considered in patients with haemodynamically stable torso trauma.

Suicidal tandem bullets to the heart with subsequent embolization - a case report.

A tandem bullet phenomenon is a rare situation in which two bullets travel nose-to-base towards the target. In terminal ballistics, a classic feature of the tandem bullet phenomenon is the presence of a single entrance wound with two or more bullets inside the body. During the autopsy, the phenomenon may result in confusion, especially related to the dynamics of the shooting. The present study reports a case of suicide by tandem bullets to the heart with subsequent bullet embolization into the aorta. A 40-year-old Caucasian woman, with a previous history of suicide, shot herself in the chest with a 0.32 revolver. During the autopsy, a single entrance wound (one centimeter in diameter) was observed in the sternal region. The injury was a close-range shot. Internally, a single wound was detected in the right atrium of the heart. Two 0.32 S&WL lead bullets were found inside the descending abdominal aorta. The bullets fitted each other perfectly in a nose-to-base position. Both bullets were tracked back to a single firearm that belonged to the victim's father using forensic ballistics. The forensic report suggested a suicide. A multidisciplinary approach involving crime scene investigation, forensic pathology and forensic ballistics is necessary to investigate tandem bullet cases. Forensic experts must be aware of this phenomenon and, more importantly, they must be aware of its unusual manifestations, such as embolization, in order to come to optimal conclusions.

Death by Wheat-Loaded Cartridge: A Case Report.

The materials used to produce shotgun ammunition can have different properties depending on the purpose, and ammunition can be fabricated or loaded manually. In Turkey, wheat-loaded cartridges are manufactured for use as sound cartridges. This ammunition is understood by the public to be harmless. However, we present a case of a 13-year-old adolescent boy who was wounded from a contact shot to the chest. An entrance wound measuring 7 cm and 5 cm in diameter was seen on the skin. Wheat grains could not be detected in the internal organs and were only observed between the chest muscles around the entrance wound. A plastic wad was also found in this area. The cause of death was internal bleeding due to internal organ injury. Wheat-loaded cartridges are not visible on x-ray and are difficult to detect visually in the wound.

Systemic recovery and therapeutic effects of transplanted allogenic and xenogenic mesenchymal stromal cells in a rat blunt chest trauma model.

BACKGROUND: Effective therapy of Acute Lung Injury (ALI) is still a major scientific and clinical problem. To define novel therapeutic strategies for sequelae of blunt chest trauma (TxT) like ALI/Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, we have investigated the immunomodulatory and regenerative effects of a single dose of ex vivo expanded human or rat mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSCs/rMSCs) with or without priming, immediately after the induction of TxT in Wistar rats. METHODS: We analyzed the histological score of lung injury, the cell count of the broncho alveolar lavage fluid (BAL), the change in local and systemic cytokine level and the recovery of the administered cells 24 h and 5 days post trauma. RESULTS: The treatment with hMSCs reduced the injury score 24 h after trauma by at least 50% compared with TxT rats without MSCs. In general, TxT rats treated with hMSCs exhibited a lower level of pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]-1B, IL-6) and chemokines (C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 1 [CXCL1], C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 [CCL2]), but a higher tumor necrosis factor alpha induced protein 6 (TNFAIP6) level in the BAL compared with TxT rats after 24 h. Five days after trauma, cytokine levels and the distribution of inflammatory cells were similar to sham rats. In contrast, the treatment with rMSCs did not reveal such therapeutic effects on the injury score and cytokine levels, except for TNFAIP6 level. CONCLUSION: TxT represents a suitable model to study effects of MSCs as an acute treatment strategy after trauma. However, the source of MSCs has to be carefully considered in the design of future studies.

Horticultural Homicide: Stab Wound to the Chest Masquerading as Impalement by Rose Bush.

Instruments that create stab wounds are required to possess tips of sufficient strength and rigidity to breach the integrity of the skin. Knives, the most common weapons used to create stab wounds, have cutting edges that cleave the skin, leaving unabraded margins. On rare occasions, blunt objects are driven with sufficient force to pierce the skin and become impaled within the body. The morphologic differences between the cutaneous injuries and wound tracks of stab wounds from sharp objects and impalement with blunt ones provide clear delineation of the two. However, elements from the scene and obscuring hemorrhage can make initial differentiation difficult. The authors report the death of a 59-year-old woman found near the entryway steps of her home with a stab wound to her chest. Law enforcement did not discover any weapons. Investigation focused on blood around and on a broken rose bush planted near the steps with the belief that the decedent had fallen upon the vegetation. When presented with information that conflicts with autopsy findings, careful consideration of proposed weapons and thorough examination of the wound are required to discount confounding material.

Level-Specific Differences in Systemic Expression of Pro- and Anti-Inflammatory Cytokines and Chemokines after Spinal Cord Injury.

While over half of all spinal cord injuries (SCIs) occur in the cervical region, the majority of preclinical studies have focused on models of thoracic injury. However, these two levels are anatomically distinct-with the cervical region possessing a greater vascular supply, grey-white matter ratio and sympathetic outflow relative to the thoracic region. As such, there exists a significant knowledge gap in the secondary pathology at these levels following SCI. In this study, we characterized the systemic plasma markers of inflammation over time (1, 3, 7, 14, 56 days post-SCI) after moderate-severe, clip-compression cervical and thoracic SCI in a rat model. Using high-throughput ELISA panels, we observed a clear level-specific difference in plasma levels of VEGF, leptin, IP10, IL18, GCSF, and fractalkine. Overall, cervical SCI had reduced expression of both pro- and anti-inflammatory proteins relative to thoracic SCI, likely due to sympathetic dysregulation associated with higher level SCIs. However, contrary to the literature, we did not observe level-dependent splenic atrophy with our incomplete SCI model. This is the first study to compare the systemic plasma-level changes following cervical and thoracic SCI using level-matched and time-matched controls. The results of this study provide the first evidence in support of level-targeted intervention and also challenge the phenomenon of high SCI-induced splenic atrophy in incomplete SCI models.

[Lesions of the anterior chest wall-significance of additional fractures of the spine]. / Verletzungen der anterioren Brustwand ­ Bedeutung zusätzlicher Frakturen der Wirbelsäule.

BACKGROUND: Fractures of the anterior chest wall are rare among the total number of fractures. They include sternal fractures (SF) and the adjacent cartilaginous structures of the ribs. The accident mechanism can allow conclusions to be drawn about which further accompanying injuries may be present, e.g. rib and spinal fractures. OBJECTIVE: The present work is intended to give an overview of injuries of the anterior chest wall. It includes clinical aspects as well as imaging and popular literature. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Included are injury constellations of the anterolateral chest wall, in particular of the sternum in combination with injuries of the spinal column in the sense of a sternovertebral injury (SVI). Possible treatment strategies were reviewed and the corresponding advantages and disadvantages are presented. RESULTS: In symptomatic fractures of the anterior chest wall, their operative stabilization should be considered in order to restore the stability of the trunk. In addition, rib fractures in direct trauma and spinal injuries in indirect trauma are often included in the treatment. CONCLUSION: In the case of injuries of the thoracic trunk, this must always be regarded as a unit and must therefore be clarified in the context of the clinical examination and diagnostic apparatus. The possible accident mechanism can allow conclusions to be drawn about possible injury patterns, e.g. in the sense of SVIs.

[Epidemiology, injury entities and treatment practice for chest wall injuries : Current scientific knowledge and treatment recommendations]. / Epidemiologie, Verletzungsentitäten und Behandlungspraxis der Thoraxwandverletzungen : Aktuelle wissenschaftliche Erkenntnisse und Therapieempfehlungen.

BACKGROUND: Fractures of the bony chest wall are common injuries. They affect almost every second severely injured person and are gaining more and more importance even after low-energy accidents, especially among older people. Complications mainly occur due to respiratory insufficiency, secondary pulmonary complications and remaining deformities with a functional disorder of the chest wall. In addition to the important conservative therapeutic measures, such as a differentiated pain therapy and pneumonia prophylaxis, operative stabilization of fractures can be an option; however, this is still controversially discussed. OBJECTIVE: A thematically structured overview provides basic knowledge on rib and sternal fractures as well as the treatment options. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Epidemiological facts are presented based on the relevant literature and clinical experience. Anatomical principles are intended to improve understanding of the various entities of rib and sternal fractures. For this purpose, the new AO­/OTA classification system is presented and finally therapeutic options including different osteosynthesis procedures are presented and their importance discussed. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Multimodal therapy concepts and closely controlled follow-up examinations of fractures avoid complications or can detect them early. Bony chest wall injuries should still be evaluated for complications and typical fracture patterns identified and classified. Modern osteosynthesis procedures with high patient safety and soft tissue-preserving tissue preparation for the surgical access route to the ribs and sternum provide an excellent opportunity for successful restoration of the anatomical and physiological integrity of the bony thorax.

Single stab injuries.

Determining the manner of death in cases involving multiple stab injuries from a knife is generally straightforward. The medico-legal investigation of a stabbing death caused by a single stab injury from a knife comprises a smaller but potentially more problematic subset of forensic cases. We reviewed our institute's experience with single stab injuries and endeavored to identify features identified at the post-mortem examination which may aid in the differentiation between cases of homicide, suicide and accidental death. The single stab injury was to the left chest in the majority of deaths from homicide and from suicide. Clothing was nearly always involved in cases of homicide, but was also seen in cases of suicide. The knife was found in situ in 9 of the 11 cases of suicide involving a chest injury, but was not seen in any of the cases of homicide. There were no cases of an accidental single stab death from a knife in our records. Clinical data on accidental stab injuries was sought via a search of the medical records of a major tertiary referral hospital. A single non-fatal case of an accidental single stab injury from a knife was identified after the conclusion of our study period. Accidental stab injuries from a knife causing injury or death are rare.

Chest compression-associated injuries in cardiac arrest patients treated with manual chest compressions versus automated chest compression devices (LUCAS II) - a forensic autopsy-based comparison.

The aim of this autopsy study was to investigate chest-compression associated injuries to the trunk in out-of-hospital and in-hospital non-traumatic cardiac arrest patients treated with automated external chest compression devices (ACCD; all with LUCAS II devices) versus exclusive manual chest compressions (mCC). In this retrospective single-center study, all forensic autopsies between 2011 and 2017 were included. Injuries following cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in patients treated with mCC or ACCD were investigated and statistically compared using a bivariate logistic regression. In the seven-year period with 4433 autopsies, 614 were analyzed following CPR (mCC vs. ACCD: n = 501 vs. n = 113). The presence of any type of trunk injury was correlated with longer resuscitation intervals (30 ± 15 vs. 44 ± 25 min, p < 0.05). In comparison with mCC, treatment with ACCD led to more frequent skin emphysema (5 vs 0%, p = 0.012), pneumothorax (6 vs. 1%, p = 0.008), lung lesions (19 vs. 4%, p = 0.008), hemopericardium (3 vs 1%, p = 0.025) and liver lesions (10 vs. 1%, p = 0.001), all irrespective of confounding aspects. Higher age and longer CPR durations statistically influenced frequency of sternal and rib fractures (p < 0.001). The mean number of fractured ribs did not vary significantly between the groups (6 ± 3 vs. 7 ± 2, p = 0.09). In this cohort with unsuccessful CPR, chest compression-related injuries were more frequent following ACCD application than in the mCC group, but with only minutely increased odds ratios. The severity of injuries did not differ between the groups, and no iatrogenic injury was declared by the forensic pathologist as being fatal. In the clinical routine after successful return of spontaneous circulation a computed tomography scan for CPR-associated injuries is recommended as soon as possible.

Influence of rib impact on thoracic gunshot trauma.

INTRODUCTION: The influence of rib impact on thoracic gunshot trauma remains unclear, despite its high occurrence. This study therefore investigates the effect of rib impact on a bullet's terminal properties and injury severity. METHODS: Two bullets were used: 5.56×45 mm (full charge and reduced charge) and 7.62×51 mm (full charge). For each bullet, three impact groups were tested: (1) plain 10% ballistic gelatin (control) conditioned at 4°C, (2) intercostal impact, and (3) rib impact, the latter two tested with samples of porcine thoracic walls embedded in gelatin. Analysis included penetration depth, trajectory change, yaw, fragmentation, velocity reduction, energy deposition and temporary and permanent cavity characteristics. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed for most variables. Differences were found between rib (and intercostal) impact and the control groups, suggesting that the inclusion of thoracic walls produces an effect more significant than the anatomical impact site. Effects were ammunition specific. For the 7.62×51 mm round, rib impact caused an earlier onset of yaw and more superficial permanent gelatin damage compared with plain gelatin. This round also formed a larger temporary cavity on rib impact than intercostal impact. Rib (and intercostal impact) created a smaller temporary cavity than the control for the 5.56×45 mm round. For the reduced-charge 5.56×45 mm round, rib and intercostal impact produced greater velocity reduction compared with plain gelatin. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides new insights into the role of rib impact in thoracic gunshot injuries, and indicates that the effects are ammunition dependent. Unlike the 5.56×45 mm rounds, rib impact with the 7.62×51 mm rounds increases the risk of severe wounding.

Penetrating chest trauma caused by a blank cartridge actuated rubber ball projectile: case presentation and ballistic investigation of an uncommon weapon type.

Recently, an increasing number of an uncommon weapon type based on a caliber 6-mm Flobert blank cartridge actuated revolver which discharges 10-mm-diameter rubber ball projectiles has been confiscated by police authorities following criminal offenses. A recent trauma case presenting with a penetrating chest injury occasioned an investigation into the basic ballistic parameters of this type of weapon. Kinetic energy E of the test projectiles was calculated between 5.8 and 12.5 J. Energy density ED of the test projectiles was close to or higher than the threshold energy density of human skin. It can be concluded that penetrating skin injuries due to free-flying rubber ball projectiles discharged at close range cannot be ruled out. However, in case of a contact shot, the main injury potential of this weapon type must be attributed to the high energy density of the muzzle gas jet which may, similar to well-known gas or alarm weapons, cause life-threatening or even lethal injuries.

A new multiple trauma model of the mouse.

BACKGROUND: Blunt trauma is the most frequent mechanism of injury in multiple trauma, commonly resulting from road traffic collisions or falls. Two of the most frequent injuries in patients with multiple trauma are chest trauma and extremity fracture. Several trauma mouse models combine chest trauma and head injury, but no trauma mouse model to date includes the combination of long bone fractures and chest trauma. Outcome is essentially determined by the combination of these injuries. In this study, we attempted to establish a reproducible novel multiple trauma model in mice that combines blunt trauma, major injuries and simple practicability. METHODS: Ninety-six male C57BL/6 N mice (n = 8/group) were subjected to trauma for isolated femur fracture and a combination of femur fracture and chest injury. Serum samples of mice were obtained by heart puncture at defined time points of 0 h (hour), 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 3 d (days), and 7 d. RESULTS: A tendency toward reduced weight and temperature was observed at 24 h after chest trauma and femur fracture. Blood analyses revealed a decrease in hemoglobin during the first 24 h after trauma. Some animals were killed by heart puncture immediately after chest contusion; these animals showed the most severe lung contusion and hemorrhage. The extent of structural lung injury varied in different mice but was evident in all animals. Representative H&E-stained (Haematoxylin and Eosin-stained) paraffin lung sections of mice with multiple trauma revealed hemorrhage and an inflammatory immune response. Plasma samples of mice with chest trauma and femur fracture showed an up-regulation of IL-1ß (Interleukin-1ß), IL-6, IL-10, IL-12p70 and TNF-α (Tumor necrosis factor- α) compared with the control group. Mice with femur fracture and chest trauma showed a significant up-regulation of IL-6 compared to group with isolated femur fracture. CONCLUSIONS: The multiple trauma mouse model comprising chest trauma and femur fracture enables many analogies to clinical cases of multiple trauma in humans and demonstrates associated characteristic clinical and pathophysiological changes. This model is easy to perform, is economical and can be used for further research examining specific immunological questions.

Traumatic aortic injury: does the anatomy of the aortic arch influence aortic trauma severity?

PURPOSE: Traumatic aortic injury (TAI) is a rare but life-threatening type of injury. We investigate whether the anatomy of the aortic arch influences the severity of aortic injury. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of twenty-two cases treated with TEVAR for TAI in our department from 2009 to 2014. Aortic injury was assessed in accordance with the recommendations of the Society of Vascular Surgery. We measured the aortic arch angle and the aortic arch index, based on the initial angio-CT scan, in each of the analyzed cases. RESULTS: The mean aortic arch index and mean aortic arch angle were 6.8 cm and 58.3°, respectively, in the type I injury group; 4.4 cm and 45.9° in the type III group; 3.3 cm and 37° in the type IV group. There were substantial differences in both the aortic arch index and the aortic arch angle of the type III and IV groups. A multivariate analysis confirmed that the aortic arch angle was significantly associated with the occurrence of type III damage (OR 1.5; 95% CI 1.03-2.2). CONCLUSIONS: The severity of TAI is influenced by the sharpness of the aortic arch. There is an inverse relationship between the severity of aortic injury and the aortic arch index.