Severe Fireworks-Related Injuries: Demographic Characteristics, Injury Patterns, and Firework Types in 294 Consecutive Patients.

OBJECTIVES: The relationship between fireworks and patient characteristics is not known. Our objective was to examine how severe fireworks-related injuries in children and teens compare to adults. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective case series (2005-2015) study of patients who sustained consumer fireworks-related injuries requiring hospital admission and/or operation at a single level 1 trauma/burn center. The distribution of race, use behavior, injury type, body region injured, and firework type was examined by age groups, 1 to 10 years, 11 to 17 years, and 18 years or older. RESULTS: Data from 294 patients 1 to 61 years of age (mean, 24 years) were examined. The majority (91%) were male. The proportion of injuries from different firework types varied by age, with rockets causing the highest proportion in children aged 1 to 10 years, homemade fireworks in those aged 11 to 17 years, and shells/mortars in adults 18 years or older. Compared with adults, children aged 1 to 10 years were more frequently American Indian/Alaska Native, Hispanic, or Asian than White. Compared with adults, children aged 1 to 10 years and 11 to 17 years were more frequently bystanders than active users. Compared with adults, children aged 1 to 10 years and 11 to 17 years had a greater proportion of burn and face injuries. Children aged 1 to 10 years had a decreased proportion of hand injuries. Three patients, 2 adults and 1 child aged 11 to 17 years, died. CONCLUSIONS: Children, teens, and adults experience severe fireworks-related injuries differently, by demographic characteristics, injury patterns, and firework types. Tailored public health interventions could target safety messaging and injury prevention outreach efforts to reduce firework injuries among children and adolescents.

Fireworks type, injury pattern, and permanent impairment following severe fireworks-related injuries.

BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of clinical data on severe fireworks-related injuries, and the relationship between firework types, injury patterns, and magnitude of impairment is not well understood. Our objective was to describe the relationship between fireworks type, injury patterns, and impairment. METHODS: Retrospective case series (2005-2015) of patients who sustained consumer fireworks-related injuries requiring hospital admission and/or an operation at a Level 1 Trauma/Burn Center. Fireworks types, injury patterns (body region, injury type), operation, and permanent impairment were examined. RESULTS: Data from 294 patients 1 to 61years of age (mean 24years) were examined. The majority (90%) were male. 119 (40%) patients were admitted who did not undergo surgery, 163 (55%) patients required both admission and surgery, and 12 (5%) patients underwent outpatient surgery. The greatest proportion of injuries was related to shells/mortars (39%). There were proportionally more rocket injuries in children (44%), more homemade firework injuries in teens (34%), and more shell/mortar injuries in adults (86%). Brain, face, and hand injuries were disproportionately represented in the shells/mortars group. Seventy percent of globe-injured patients experienced partial or complete permanent vision loss. Thirty-seven percent of hand-injured patients required at least one partial or whole finger/hand amputation. The greatest proportion of eye and hand injuries resulting in permanent impairment was in the shells/mortars group, followed by homemade fireworks. Two patients died. CONCLUSIONS: Severe fireworks-related injuries from homemade fireworks and shells/mortars have specific injury patterns. Shells/mortars disproportionately cause permanent impairment from eye and hand injury.

Severe Hand Injuries From Fireworks: Injury Patterns, Outcomes, and Fireworks Types.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to characterize injury patterns and outcomes of fireworks-related hand injuries and determine if there was an association with certain fireworks types. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on patients treated at a trauma center between 2005 and 2015. A total of 105 patients sustaining operative hand injuries due to fireworks were identified. Medical records were reviewed to identify injury patterns, treatment outcomes, and fireworks types. RESULTS: Eighty-eight patients (84%) sustained 92 thumb and/or first web space injuries. There were 12 thumb soft tissue-only injuries (13%) and 80 thumb fractures/dislocations (87%). Of these, there were 52 thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) joint dislocations (57%) and 36 thumb fractures outside the thumb CMC joint (39%). Fifteen hands (16%) sustained both thumb CMC joint dislocations and additional thumb fractures. Twenty-three hands (25%) required thumb revision amputation. The number of surgeries for acute reconstruction ranged from 1 to 7, with 17 patients (19%) requiring 3 or more. Sixty-three hands had deep first web space injuries, and 11 (17%) required flaps acutely for first web space reconstruction. Six hands required secondary reconstruction of a first web space contracture. An external fixator was applied to 6 hands to maintain the first web space; none of these required secondary web reconstruction. Excluding isolated pin removals and dressing changes under anesthesia, 19 patients (22%) required later-stage surgeries. Shells/mortars (59%) were the most common fireworks type causing injury. CONCLUSIONS: Among operative hand injuries, fireworks most commonly fracture the thumb, destabilize the thumb CMC joint, and deeply damage the first web space. The first web space requires particular consideration because deep injury may result in adduction contracture and require secondary reconstruction if not prevented. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.

Comparison of Synthetic and Biologic Mesh in Ventral Hernia Repair Using Components Separation Technique.

Ventral hernia repair (VHR) for large abdominal wall defects is challenging. Prior research established that the use of mesh is superior to suture closure alone and that component separation is an effective technique to combat loss of abdominal domain. Studies comparing component separation technique (CST) outcomes utilizing synthetic versus biologic mesh are limited. A retrospective review was conducted of 72 consecutive patients who underwent VHR with CST between 2006 and 2010 at our institution. Surgeon preference and the presence of contamination guided whether synthetic mesh (27 patients) or biologic mesh (45 patients) was used. Mean follow-up interval for all comers was 13.9 months and similar in both groups (P > 0.05). Degree of contamination and severity of premorbid medical conditions were significantly higher in the biologic mesh group, as reflected in the higher Ventral Hernia Working Group (VHWG) score (2.04 versus 2.86). Clinical outcomes, as measured by both minor and major complication rates and recurrence rates, were not significantly different. Minor complication rates were 26% in the synthetic group and 37% in the biologic group and major complication rates 15% in the synthetic group and 22% in the biologic group. There was 1 recurrence (4%) in the synthetic mesh group versus 5 (11%) in the biologic mesh group. Multivariable analysis for major complications revealed no significant difference for either synthetic or biologic mesh while controlling for other variables. Subset analysis of uncontaminated cases revealed recurrence rates of 4% in the synthetic mesh group and 6% in the biologic mesh group. VHR using CST and either synthetic mesh or biologic mesh resulted in low recurrence rates with similar overall complication profiles, despite the higher average VHWG grading score in the biologic mesh group. Our results support the VHWG recommendation for biologic mesh utilization in higher VHWG grade patients. In VHWG grade 2 patients, our clinical outcomes were similar, supporting the use of either type of mesh.

Driving with upper extremity immobilization: a comprehensive review.

Driving with upper extremity immobilization can be potentially dangerous. The aim of this article is to review current medical literature, state laws, and guidelines on driving with upper extremity immobilization and appraise the available evidence. A literature search was conducted to identify citations related to driving with upper extremity immobilization and included a law literature search. Each state's Department of Motor Vehicle handbook was reviewed. Fourteen studies were reviewed and 5 provided subjective and/or objective assessments of upper limb immobilization. Of 2 studies that evaluated only below-elbow immobilization, 1 found driving in a wrist splint had no perceptible effect on driving ability, and the other supported safe driving under normal conditions. The studies that evaluated both below- and above-elbow immobilization recommended against driving with left arm above-elbow immobilization. Two of them found a trend toward worse driving performance in both below- and above-elbow splints. The following organizations' policies on driving are (1) The American Medical Association and National Highway Traffic Association have a joint recommendation for older drivers recommending referral to a rehabilitation specialist, (2) the U.S. Public Health Service recommends normal motor function and adequate mobility of both upper extremities and a performance examination when impaired, and (3) the U.S. Department of Transportation recommends a performance evaluation to determine fitness of commercial motor vehicle drivers. There are no state statutes or multijurisdictional surveys on the topic. This review finds that driving is hindered in some splints, there are substantial variations in physician practice patterns, there are no formal guidelines for physicians and patients to consider, and there is a paucity of published literature on this topic in the United States. Both physicians and patients would benefit from evidence-based recommendations or practice guidelines.

Functional outcomes of children with index pollicizations for thumb deficiency.

PURPOSE: To gain a comprehensive perspective on outcomes by performing an array of tests on patients who had undergone index pollicization for isolated thumb aplasia or severe hypoplasia in the absence of clinical radial dysplasia; this led us to create a graphical snapshot for future comparison. Another purpose was to compare the function of the contralateral hand and to compare parent and patient perspectives. METHODS: We evaluated 22 hands (18 patients) by grip as well as lateral and tripod pinch strength tests; the pegboard Functional Dexterity Test (FDT); the Jebsen Hand Function Test (JHFT); and a parent/patient questionnaire. We compared operated hands with both contralateral nonoperated hands and nondominant hands in published normal data. We also compared contralateral nonoperated hands with dominant hands in published normal data, and FDT results and JHFT outcomes in children greater than 6 years old with published normal data. We evaluated questionnaire results. RESULTS: Mean grip as well as lateral and tripod pinch strength in operated hands were 3.4, 1.2, and 1.2 kg, and in normal nondominant hands were 11.7, 4.4, and 3.9 kg, respectively. Patients' contralateral nonoperated hands were weaker than normal dominant hands. Mean timed FDT results in operated hands was 127 seconds, compared with 44 seconds in published normal data. In 2 of 5 JHFT subtests administered, no difference existed between operated hands and published normal data. A graphical snapshot took various outcome measures into consideration and showed a global assessment. Mean parent and patient questionnaire scores were 10 and 22, respectively (best = 12; worst = 60). CONCLUSIONS: Comprehensive subjective and objective outcome testing suggested that an optimistic view of function after index pollicization is warranted. A graphical snapshot followed function over time. The contralateral hand fared worse than published normal data. Parent and patient perspectives were favorable. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic III.

Complex Surgical Management of Radiation-Associated Left Retroperitoneal Sarcoma.

Radiation-associated sarcomas (RASs) are rare entities that tend to have an aggressive course and poor prognosis. Criteria for diagnosis of radiation-associated sarcoma include therapeutic radiation preceding the development of sarcoma, sarcoma arising within or near the irradiated field, and tumor histology that is distinct from the primary tumor necessitating radiation. Despite their relatively uncommon occurrence, RASs are a well-established complication of radiation therapy. We present the complex, multidisciplinary surgical management of a patient with multi-compartmental radiation-associated sarcoma of the left retroperitoneum occurring nearly 25 years after undergoing whole trunk radiation for Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Surgical technique: posterior deltoid-to-triceps transfer in tetraplegic patients.

Several surgical techniques exist for restoring triceps function in tetraplegic patients. The goal is to establish a more synchronized, better controlled arm that allows increased self-sufficiency and further reconstructive surgery on the hand. To obtain the most secure fixation, adjust the tension, and allow early mobilization, the technique we prefer uses the central tendon of the triceps muscle and bony block fixation reinforced by the palmaris longus.

Basal joint osteoarthritis of the thumb: ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition versus hematoma distraction arthroplasty.

PURPOSE: Thumb basilar osteoarthritis is common. Several surgical options exist. Studies have evaluated outcomes in separate cohorts but have not compared methods. Our study compared the functional outcome of ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition (LRTI) suspension arthroplasty and hematoma distraction arthroplasty (HDA) by patient questionnaires, clinical measurements, and radiographic measurements to see whether there is validity in exclusively using either LRTI or HDA. METHODS: In this retrospective study, patients received LRTI (12 thumbs in 11 patients) or HDA (9 thumbs in 9 patients) according to the attending surgeon's preference, one exclusively performing LRTI and the other HDA. Patient perception was evaluated with a QuickDASH questionnaire and 10-point pain visual analog scale (VAS). Potential QuickDASH scores range from 0 to 100, with lower scores indicating better function. Clinical evaluation examined grip strength, tip pinch, and lateral pinch in kilograms-force, and range of motion. Measurements were compared with those from the contralateral hand and published normal values. Stressed and unstressed radiographs assessed metacarpal proximal and lateral migration and first web space. Chart review documented surgical times. RESULTS: The LRTI and HDA scored similarly on QuickDASH. Most reported excellent pain relief. Average grip, tip pinch, and lateral pinch were also similar in both groups. None achieved significance. Comparisons with contralateral hand and published normal results showed that LRTI and HDA were comparable. All except 2 could oppose to little finger base. With stress, additional proximal migration was similar. Web space was preserved with both procedures. LRTI took 54 minutes longer. CONCLUSIONS: The LRTI and HDA were comparable on all levels of objective and subjective measurements. Both groups satisfied the principal goals to provide a stable, mobile, pain-free thumb. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic III.

Laboratory evaluation for pediatric patients with suspected necrotizing soft tissue infections: A case-control study.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Optimal outcomes for necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTI) depend on rapid diagnosis and management. The Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotizing Fasciitis (LRINEC) score is a validated diagnostic tool for adult NSTI, but its value for children remains unknown. We hypothesized that modification of the LRINEC score may increase its diagnostic accuracy for pediatric NSTI. METHODS: We performed a case-control study of pediatric patients (age <18) with NSTI (cases) and patients with severe soft tissue infections prompting surgical consultation (controls). The LRINEC score was calculated for cases and controls and compared to a modified, pediatric LRINEC (P-LRINEC) score. Diagnostic accuracy was analyzed through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. RESULTS: From 2010 to 2014, 20 cases and 20 controls were identified at two children's hospitals. Median LRINEC score was 3.5 (1-8) for cases and 2 (1-7) for controls (p=0.03). The P-LRINEC was comprised of serum CRP >20 (sensitivity=95% (95%CI 79-100%)) and serum sodium <135 (specificity=95% (95%CI 82-100%)). Area under ROC curves was 0.70 (95%CI 0.54-0.87) for the LRINEC score and 0.84 (95%CI 0.72-0.96) for the P-LRINEC score (p=0.06). CONCLUSION: The P-LRINEC is a simplified version of the LRINEC score utilizing only CRP and sodium and may provide superior accuracy in predicting pediatric NSTI.

Flexor tendon repair, rehabilitation, and reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Flexor tendon injury is a common problem that plastic surgeons are called on to treat. Despite their common nature, they present a challenge, not necessarily in the surgical treatment per se but in the ability to achieve a "normal" finger as the end result. Because of the difficulty in attaining good outcomes, much continues to be studied and written about flexor tendon injury. METHODS: The current literature on flexor tendon repair, rehabilitation, and reconstruction is reviewed. RESULTS: Aspects reviewed include type of anesthesia, suture material and configuration, repairs in the different flexor tendon zones, types of tendon rehabilitation, complications of flexor tendon surgery, and flexor tendon reconstruction. CONCLUSION: This review provides an update on the current standards in the treatment of flexor tendon injury.