Analysis of the Effect and Prognostic Factors Associated with Postural and Instrumental Reduction in Thoracolumbar Burst Fractures.

BACKGROUND: Axial load on thoracolumbar junction, both mechanical and anatomical transitional zone, causes the compression and flexion of the spine, and consequently thoracolumbar burst fractures. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effect and prognostic factors associated with the postural and instrumented reduction on the restoration of vertebral height and kyphosis angle in thoracolumbar burst fractures. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was conducted on 41 patients with A3, A4, and B type thoracolumbar burst fractures, subjected to postural and instrumented reduction for the restoration of vertebral height and kyphosis angle. The magnitude and correction of kyphotic deformity and percentage of vertebral body collapse were measured before and after postural reduction, and after instrumental insertion to find if they were affected by fracture type and level, time-to-surgery, and use of pedicular screws at the fractured level. RESULTS: Postural and instrumental reduction significantly improved both the kyphosis angle and the percentage of vertebral body height, regardless of AO types (p.value <0.001 and p.value <0.001, respectively). AO type A3, and A4 comparing to type B, has better restoration of kyphosis angle by postural (p-value=0.013, p-value=0.007, respectively) and instrumental reduction. (p-value=0.006, p-value=0.014, respectively). Evaluation of time to surgery showed that performing operation during the first four days would result in better correction of kyphosis angle (p-value 0.015). CONCLUSION: AO type A3, and A4, time to surgery before 4 days, and fracture level at L2 were favorable prognostic factors to better restoration of kyphosis angle using both postural and instrumented reduction.

Experience with Traumatic Brain Injury: Is Early Tracheostomy Associated with Better Prognosis?

OBJECTIVE: In this study we compared the effects of early tracheostomy (ET) versus late tracheostomy on traumatic brain injury (TBI)-related outcomes and prognosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data on 152 TBI patients with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of ≤8, admitted to Rajaee Hospital between March 1, 2014 and August 23, 2015, were collected. Rajaee Hospital is the main referral trauma center in southern Iran and is affiliated with Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. Patients who had tracheostomy before or at the sixth day of their admission were considered as ET, and those who had tracheostomy after the sixth day of admission were considered as late tracheostomy. RESULTS: Patients with ET had a significantly lower hospital stay (46.4 vs. 38.6 days; P = 0.048) and intensive care unit stay (34.9 vs. 26.7 days; P = 0.003). Mortality rates were not significantly different between the 2 groups (P > 0.99). Although not statistically significant, favorable outcomes (Glasgow Outcome Scale >4) were higher and ventilator-associated pneumonia rates were lower among the ET group (P = 0.346 and P = 492, respectively). Multivariate analysis showed that ET significantly improves 6-month prognosis (Glasgow Outcome Scale >4) (odds ratio = 2.535; 95% confidence interval: 1.030-6.237). Higher age was inversely associated with favorable prognosis (odds ratio = -0.958; confidence interval: 0.936-0.981). Glasgow Coma Scale and Rotterdam score did not show any effect on 6-month prognosis. CONCLUSION: Despite previous concern regarding increased mortality rates among patients who undergo ET, performing a tracheostomy for patients with severe TBI <6 days after their hospital admission, in addition to decreasing hospital and intensive care unit stays, will improve patient prognosis.

Hospital mortality associated with stroke in southern iran.

BACKGROUND: Unlike the western hemisphere, information about stroke epidemiology in southern Iran is scarce. The aim of this study was to determine the main epidemiological characteristics of patients with stroke and its mortality rate in southern Iran. METHODS: A retrospective, single-center, hospital-based longitudinal study was performed at Nemazee Hospital in Shiraz, Southern Iran. Patients with a diagnosis of hemorrhagic and ischemic strokes were identified based on the International Classification of Diseases, 9th and 10th editions, for the period between 2001 and 2010. Demographics including age, sex, area of residence, socioeconomic status, length of hospital stay, and discharge destinations were analyzed in association with mortality. RESULTS: 16351 patients with a mean age of 63.4 years (95% CI: 63.1, 63.6) were included in this analysis. Men were slightly predominant (53.6% vs. 46.4%). Forty-seven percent of the total sample was older than 65,17% were younger than 45, and 2.6% were children younger than 18. The mean hospital stay was 6.3 days (95% CI: 6.2, 6.4). Among all types of strokes, the overall hospital mortality was 20.5%. Multiple logistic regression revealed significantly higher in-hospital mortality in women and children (P<0.001) but not in patients with low socioeconomic status or from rural areas. During the study period, the mortality proportions increased from 17.8% to 22.2%. CONCLUSION: In comparison to western countries, a larger proportion of our patients were young adults and the mortality rate was higher.