Safety and efficacy of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 on cranial defect closure in the pediatric population.

BACKGROUND: Traditional reconstructive options for cranial defects include autogenous bone graft, bone substitutes, and synthetic materials. The established standard for repairing cranial defects is autogenous bone. However, young children do not have abundant donor sites for bone harvest, which leads to challenges in closing calvarial defects. Synthetic materials are not ideal alternatives because they require subsequent retrieval and are prone to infection. Their long-term effects on growth of the skull are also not well studied. Bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2), are shown to positively affect closure of cranial defects in animal models. We present a study comparing the efficacy and safety of closure of cranial defect with bone graft augmented with recombinant human BMP-2 (rhBMP-2) and compared with a series of patients treated with bone graft alone. METHODS: This study is a retrospective multicenter evaluation of 36 patients spanning 5 years. Twenty-one patients undergoing cranial defect closure augmented with rhBMP-2 were compared with 15 patients who underwent cranial defect closure using cranial bone shavings alone. We measured preoperative and postoperative defect size on volumetric computed tomographic scan reconstructions to compare defect sizes. RESULTS: The rhBMP-2 group had slightly increased proportional closure compared with the control group, 86% versus 76% (P < 0.018), respectively. Two patients in the rhBMP-2 group had postoperative fusion of a suture that was known to be patent at the time of cranial defect closure. No instances of brain edema, herniation, airway compromise, or other adverse effects directly attributable to rhBMP-2 were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Bone morphogenetic protein 2 may increase the amplitude and uptake of cranial bone grafts in cranial defect closure. This study shows that defect sizes of up to 16 cm can be reliably closed using this technique. Postoperative fusion of uninvolved sutures in 2 patients indicates that rhBMP-2 may have unreported adverse effects; consideration of this finding should be weighed against the benefit of improved closure of calvarial defects.

Hospital outcomes and disposition of trauma patients who are intubated because of combativeness.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine whether trauma patients who are intubated because of combativeness, and not because of medical necessity, have more complications resulting in longer lengths of stay. METHODS: Data were retrospectively collected from 2001 through 2004 on trauma patients who were intubated because of combative behavior before hospital admission (group 1, N = 34). Cases were matched 1:2 by age, sex, injury severity score (ISS), and injury to controls each who were not intubated (group 2, N = 68). Additionally, there were 187 patients identified who were intubated because of medical necessity before hospital admission; these represented unmatched intubated controls and were divided based on ISS <15 (group 3, N = 58) and ISS >15 (group 4, N = 129). RESULTS: There were no significant differences between groups 1, 2, and 3 with regard to age, sex, or ISS. There was no significant difference between the groups 1 and 2 in frequency of head injuries as demonstrated by positive computed tomography (50 vs. 37%, p = 0.28); however, there was a significant difference in frequency of neurologic deficit at discharge (33 vs. 6%, p = 0.006). There was a significant difference in the frequency of head injuries between groups 1 and 3 (50 vs. 22%, p = 0.006); however, there was no significant difference in neurologic deficit at discharge (33 vs. 22%, p = 0.24). There was a significant difference in hospital length of stay between groups 1 and 2 (7.4 +/- 5.9 vs. 4.3 +/- 4.5 days, p = 0.0009). The incidence of pneumonia was significantly greater in group 1 than in group 2 (29 vs. 0%, p < 0.0001). The amount of lorazepam in average mg per day was also significantly greater in group 1 versus group 2 (4.4 +/- 11.5 vs. 0.4 +/- 1.6, p < 0.0001). There was also a difference in the discharge status, with significantly fewer group 1 cases being discharged home compared with group 2 (56 vs. 91%, p < 0.0001). There was no significant difference between groups 1 and 3 with regard to length of stay, ventilator days, pneumonia, or discharge status. There was a significant difference between groups 1 and 3 in the amount of lorazepam per day (4.4 +/- 11.5 vs. 0.4 +/- 1.6, p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: The results from this study indicate that trauma patients who are intubated because of combativeness, and not because of medical necessity, have longer lengths of stay, increased incidence of pneumonia, and poorer discharge status when compared with matched controls. The outcomes of this group are similar to that of patients who are intubated because of medical necessity.

The relationship between psychiatric medication and course of hospital stay among intoxicated trauma patients.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to determine whether trauma patients requiring psychiatric medication who were admitted with positive alcohol or drug screen require more pain medications or sedation resulting in longer length of stay. METHODS: Data were retrospectively collected from 1997 through 2003 on patients with positive alcohol or drug screen who also received psychiatric medication during their hospital stay in a trauma center. Patients were matched by age, injury severity score, and injury to controls who had negative alcohol and toxicology screens and no psychiatric medication. An additional group consisted of positive alcohol or drug-screen trauma patients without psychiatric medication during hospitalization. Each group had 25 patients. RESULTS: No significant differences between the three groups regarding comorbidities or pain-medication doses given per day were found. The patients with positive alcohol and with psychiatric medication were more likely to have respiratory complications such as pneumonia or respiratory failure requiring ventilator support (36 versus 4%, P=0.005), to develop other infections (8 versus 0%), or other complications (26 versus 4%, P=0.0007) compared with the controls. A significant difference in hospital length of stay between the group with positive toxicity and psychiatric medication and that with negative toxicity and psychiatric medication (mean: 12.8 and 5.5 days, respectively; P=0.01) was found. CONCLUSION: Psychiatric medication and positive drug or alcohol screens are associated with longer length of stay and increased respiratory complications. Factors influencing these outcomes need more clarification and prospective studies.

Disorders of the female breast in the pediatric age group.

SUMMARY: Disorders of the female breast in the pediatric age group are a relatively common finding; however, there is limited information in the current literature. The plastic surgeon treating these patients is faced with a wide range of reconstructive problems. By understanding the various breast disorders, the plastic surgeon can better diagnose and treat this patient population appropriately.