Trauma recidivism is pervasive and is associated with mental and social health opportunities.

INTRODUCTION: Recidivism after orthopedic trauma results in greater morbidity and costs. Prior studies explored the effects of social and medical factors affecting the frequency of return to the hospital with new, unrelated injury. Identification of mental, social and other risk factors for trauma recidivism may provide opportunities for mitigation. The purposes of this study are to determine the rates of subsequent, unrelated injury noted among orthopedic trauma patients at a large urban trauma center and to evaluate what patient and injury features are associated with greater rates of trauma recidivism. We hypothesize higher rates of new injuries will be related to ballistic trauma and other forms of assault, alcohol and recreational drug use, unemployment, and unmarried status among our trauma patients. METHODS: A series of 954 skeletally mature patients at a level 1 trauma center over a 5 year period were included in the study. All were treated operatively for thoracolumbar, pelvic ring, acetabulum, and/or proximal or shaft femoral fractures from a high energy mechanism. Retrospective review of demographic, injury, medical, and social factors, and subsequent care was performed. Trauma recidivism was defined as returning to the emergency department for treatment of any new injury. A backward stepwise logistic regression statistical analysis was used to identify independent predictors of recidivism. RESULTS: Mean age of all patients was 41.2 years, and 73.2% were male. 136 patients (14.3%) returned with a new injury within a mean of 21 months. These trauma recidivists were more likely to sustain a GSW (22.1% vs 11.4%, p = 0.001). They had higher rates of substance use, including tobacco (57.4% vs 41.8%, p = 0.001) and recreational drugs (50.7% vs 34.4%, p = 0.001), and were less likely to be married (10% vs 25.9%, p<0.001). Mental illness was pervasive, noted in 56.6% of patients with new injury (vs 32.8%, p<0.001). Medicaid insurance was most common in the trauma recidivist population (58.1% vs 35.0%, p = 0.001), and 12.5% were uninsured. Completing high school or more education was protective (93% non-recidivist (vs 79%, p = 0.001). Sixty-nine patients (50.7%) were repeat trauma recidivists within the study period. Independent predictors of new injury included recreational drug use (OR 1.64, p = 0.05) and history of assault due to GSW or other means (OR 1.67, p = 0.05). History of pre-existing mental illness represented the greatest risk factor for trauma recidivism (OR 2.55, p<0.001). DISCUSSION: New injuries resulting in emergency department presentation after prior orthopedic trauma occurred in 14.3% and were associated with history of assault, lower education, Medicaid insurance, tobacco smoking and recreational drug use. Mental illness was the greatest risk factor. Over half of patients with these additional injuries were repeat trauma recidivists, returning for another new injury within less than 2 years. Awareness of risk factors may promote focused education and other interventions to mitigate this burden. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3 retrospective, prognostic.

Trauma recidivism is reduced with engagement in psychosocial programming following orthopaedic trauma.

INTRODUCTION: Recidivism is common following injury. Interventions to enhance patient engagement may reduce trauma recidivism. Education, counseling, peer mentorship, and other resources are known as Trauma Recovery Services (TRS). The authors hypothesized that TRS use would reduce trauma recidivism. METHODS: Over five years at a level 1 trauma center, 954 adults treated operatively for pelvic, spine, and femoral fractures were reviewed. Recidivism was defined as return to trauma center for new injury within 30-months. All patients were offered TRS. Multivariate logistic regression statistical analysis was used to identify predictors of recidivism. RESULTS: Three hundred and ninety-seven of all patients (42 %) utilized TRS, including educational materials (n = 293), peer visits (n = 360), coaching (n = 284), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) screening (n = 74), and other services. Within the entire sample, 136 patients (14 %) returned to the emergency department for an unrelated trauma event after mean 21 months. 13 % of TRS users became recidivists. Overall, 49 % of recidivists had history of pre-existing mental illness. High rates of TRS engagement between recidivists and non-recidivists were seen (75 %); however, non-recidivists were more likely to use multiple types of recovery services (49 % vs 34 %, p = 0.002), and were more likely to engage with trauma peer mentors (former trauma survivors) more than once (91 % vs 81 %, p = 0.03). After multivariable analysis, patients using multiple different recovery services had a lower risk of recidivism (p = 0.04, OR 0.42, 95 % CI [0.19-0.96]). CONCLUSIONS: Multifaceted engagement with recovery programming is associated with less recidivism following trauma. Future study of resultant reductions in healthcare costs are warranted. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II; Prognostic.

Recidivism after orthopaedic trauma has diminished over time.

PURPOSE: The purpose was to analyze our trauma population during two periods to assess for predictors of recidivism. METHODS: Prior (2007-2011, n = 879) and recent (2014-2019, n = 954) orthopaedic trauma patients were reviewed. Recidivists were those returning with an unrelated injury. Recidivism rates were compared, and factors associated with recidivism were identified. RESULTS: Recidivism decreased: 18.7% to 14.3% (p = 0.01). Mean age and sex of the two cohorts were not different. Recent recidivists were more likely to sustain gunshot wound (GSW) injuries (22.1% vs 18.9%, p = 0.09), and mental illness was more common (56.6% vs 28.1%, p < 0.0001). The recent recidivist population was less often married (12.9% vs 23.8%, p = 0.03), and both recidivist groups were often underinsured (Medicaid or uninsured: (60.6% vs 67.0%)). CONCLUSION: Recidivism diminished, although more GSW and mental illness were seen. Recidivists are likely to be underinsured. The changing profile of recidivists may be attributed to socioeconomic trends and new programs to improve outcomes after trauma.

C1-C2 Arthrodesis With C1 Lateral Mass and C2 Parsicle Screws Combined With Interlaminar Arthrodesis and Wiring.

C1-C2 arthrodesis is a common procedure performed for the correction of atlantoaxial instability due to a host of pathologies, including degenerative, neoplastic, congenital, and trauma. While there is clinical equipoise, C1-C2 fusion is associated with a lower morbidity than occipital-cervical fusion. However, due to the unique morphometric characteristics of the C1 lateral mass, and the challenges that its fixation presents, some surgeons may elect to extend the construct to the occiput rather than attempt a C1-C2 fusion. Here, we describe our freehand technique of safely and expeditiously performing a C1-C2 fusion with C1 lateral mass and C2 "parsicle" screws. In patients with high preprocedural probability to develop pseudarthrosis, we combine our instrumented fusion with interlaminar bone graft wiring, as similarly described by Gallie. We believe the C2 "parsicle" screw avoids the technical challenges of placing a traditional C2 pedicle screw and accommodates a much larger screw length than those placed in the C2 pars. Practical surgical tips, pearls, and potential complications are discussed in detail.

Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion With "Kissing" Allograft Interbodies.

BACKGROUND: There is recent evidence to suggest that the use of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) interbodies are inherently associated with a higher rate of pseudarthrosis, in particular, at the C5-6 and C6-7 levels. Herein, we describe our technique utilizing two parallel structural allografts or "kissing" allografts, designed to mitigate the risk of pseudarthrosis and subsidence at these levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) procedures with "kissing" for degenerative spine pathology at a single institution between 2018 and 2019 for the C5-6 and C6-7 levels. One-year postoperative flexion/extension cervical X-rays were evaluated for evidence of radiographic pseudarthrosis and subsidence. RESULTS: A total of 28 patients met the study criteria. Solid fusion was achieved in 93%. There were no infections or wound complications. One patient developed postoperative dysphagia that resolved at 3-months post-op. Two patients were found to have clinically asymptomatic radiographic pseudarthrosis that did not warrant intervention. One patient developed a postoperative hematoma that required surgical evacuation. CONCLUSIONS: "Kissing" allograft ACDF is a safe and effective method designed to address the intrinsically higher risk of pseudarthrosis at the C5-6 and C6-7 levels. Further prospective studies are warranted to comparatively evaluate this technique against single allograft and PEEK interbodies.

Fracture fixation in the polytrauma patient: Markers that matter.

Timing and type of fracture fixation in the multiply-injured trauma patient have been important and controversial topics. Ideal care for these patients come from providers who communicate well with one another in a team fashion and view the whole person, rather than focusing on injury to individual systems. This group encompasses a wide range of musculoskeletal and other injuries, further complicated by the broad spectrum of patients, with variability in age, medical and social comorbidities, all of which may have profound impact upon outcomes. The concept of Early Total Care arose from the realization that early definitive fixation of femur fractures provided pulmonary and systemic benefits to most patients. However, insufficient assessment and understanding of the physiological status of polytraumatized patients at the time of major orthopaedic procedures, potentially with inclusion of multiple other procedures in the same setting resulted in more morbidity, swinging the pendulum of care toward initial Damage Control Orthopaedics to minimize surgical insult. More recently, iterative assessment of response to resuscitation using Early Appropriate Care guidelines, suggests definitive fixation of most axial and femoral injuries within 36 h after injury appears safe in resuscitated patients, as measured by improvement of acidosis.

Prevertebral Soft-Tissue Swelling at C7 Is Highly Sensitive for Cervical Spine Ligamentous Injury Study Type: Retrospective Cohort Study.

To determine the diagnostic potential of prevertebral soft-tissue (PVST) swelling in cervical spine ligamentous injury (LI). Background: PVST swelling in the cervical spine is a historical indicator of cervical spine injury; however, at present, there are no limited objective criteria to use PVST swelling to guide clinical decision-making regarding cervical spine LI. This study investigates PVST thickness as a screening measure for cervical spine LI with a potential to identify indications for advanced imaging. Methods: The registry at an urban level 1 trauma center was queried for cervical spine injuries between 2010 and 2016. Twenty-nine patients with LIs who had both CT and MRI available were included. Fifty-nine patients with bony injury (BI) were also included, and 99 patients undergoing CT of the cervical spine after blunt trauma without evidence of cervical spine injury were included as control patients. Results: PVST swelling >11.5 mm at C7 was 89.7% sensitive (72.7% to 97.8%) and 51.5% specific (41.3% to 61.7%) for LI. In men, a PVST thickness of 11.5 mm at C7 was 96% sensitive (79.7% to 99.9%) and 46.2% specific (32.2% to 60.5%) for LI. Patients with LI were more likely to be men (86.2% versus 52.5% control, P < 0.01). 86.2% of patients with LI (25 of 29) had associated BI. Patients who had LI and no associated BI (n = 4) were all men, and all had PVST thickness >11.5 mm at C7 (avg. PVST 17.7 mm ± 2.5). Conclusion: C7 PVST thickness >11.5 mm was highly sensitive but poorly specific for cervical spine LI. This threshold may represent an appropriate PVST thickness to rule out LI because patients with PVST ≤11.5 mm are unlikely to have cervical spine LI and may not benefit from MRI.

Does prehospital spinal immobilization influence in hospital decision to obtain imaging after trauma?

IMPORTANCE: This study highlights the unnecessarily high suspicion for cervical spine injury among study providers and shows that cervical CT scans were more likely in patients who arrived to the emergency department wearing a cervical collar, even when clinically cleared for suspicion of cervical spine injury by the emergency department provider. OBJECTIVE: To determine if patients with a cervical collar were more likely to undergo cervical spine imaging than those who arrived to the emergency department without a collar. DESIGN: Adult trauma patients at a level 1 trauma center over 4 months (n = 1,438) were stratified by acuity (1,2, or 3), mechanism, and known injury cephalad to clavicles, defined as pain, wounds, or hematomas. Cervical spine imaging findings were recorded. RESULTS: 975 patients (67.8%) had cervical CT scans. Twenty-six (1.81%) sustained a fracture or ligamentous injury, all with known injury cephalad to clavicles. 161 (11.2%) patients without injury cephalad to clavicles all had a negative cervical CT. Category 1 patients with gunshot wounds with injury cephalad to clavicles were more likely to have CT if they arrived with a collar versus without (66.7% vs 14.3%, p = 0.027). Category 2 and 3 patients with injury cephalad to clavicles after motor vehicle collision (MVC) (88.2% vs 69.6%, p = 0.011), low energy falls (88.3% vs 59.4%, p < 0.0001), and assault (86.0% vs 37.1%, p < 0.0001) underwent cervical CT more frequently if they arrived wearing a collar. Category 2 and 3 trauma patients without injury cephalad to clavicles were also more likely to undergo CT when wearing a collar after MVC (66.3% vs 21.4%, p = 0.001), low energy fall (81.8% vs 35.3%, p = 0.016), and pedestrian vs MVC (55.6% vs 12.5%, p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Certain trauma patients were more likely to undergo cervical CT if they arrived wearing a cervical collar. No conscious patients without complaints proximal to the clavicles had cervical injury.

Smoking Is Associated With Longer Intensive Care Unit Stays in Spine Trauma Patients.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of smoking on intensive care unit (ICU) outcomes in patients who underwent operative fixation for spine trauma. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Single academic level I trauma center. PATIENTS: One hundred eighty-one consecutive surgical spine trauma patients from January 2010 to December 2014 requiring ICU stay. INTERVENTION: Patients with smoking history compared to patients with no previous smoking history. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: ICU length of stay, postoperative complications. RESULTS: There were 297 spine trauma patients identified, of which 181 had an ICU stay (61%). There were 96 patients in the smoker cohort (53%) and 85 in the nonsmoker cohort (47%). On univariate analysis, the smoking cohort had a significantly longer ICU length of stay (11.0 ± 12.0 days vs. 8.01 ± 7.98 days, P = 0.046). Adjusting for confounders, smoking (beta: 3.99, P = 0.023), age ≥65 years (beta: 7.61, P = 0.001), body mass index ≥30 (beta: 4.47, P = 0.010), and American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (beta: -1.39, P = 0.013) were independently associated with increased ICU length of stay. Smoking was not significantly associated with pneumonia (P = 0.238) or adult respiratory distress syndrome (P = 0.387) on multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: A history of smoking, older age, obesity, and increasing American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale was independently associated with increased ICU length of stay in patients with surgical spine trauma. This study highlights the health care burden of smoking in the trauma population and may help physicians triage scarce ICU resources. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Enhancing Trauma Patient Experience Through Education and Engagement: Development of a Mobile Application.

The purpose was to determine the utility of an open access mobile device application (App: http://bit.ly/traumaapp) to improve patient education and engagement. Methods: A patient education app was developed with information regarding injury, treatment, and recovery for orthopaedic and other injuries. Data regarding usage, satisfaction, and desired improvements were gathered. Results: The app was downloaded 725 times, and the pages in the app were viewed 9,043 times in 34 months. User sessions >2 minutes accounted for 34%. Participation was less in those older than 55 years (12% versus 68% P < 0.001). Sixteen percent of patients did not have a device to use the app. Most (55%) rated it as helpful or extremely helpful; 78% of users were likely to recommend it. Patients most frequently suggested more information on other injuries and simpler language. Discussion: There was strong interest in this simple, free patient education app. Despite an urban, trauma population, five of six patients had access to a device that could load the app. Nearly half of the patients downloaded an orthopaedic patient education app when offered. Those who did not use the app were more likely to be older than 55 years. This represents an innovative opportunity for education and engagement of our patients and their families.

Use of patella allograft for anterior cervical diskectomy and fusion.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to determine the fusion rates of a consecutive series of anterior cervical decompressions and fusions with allograft patella using both static and dynamic plates. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Anterior cervical diskectomy and fusion (ACDF) has been shown to improve symptoms of radiculopathy and myelopathy. The gold standard for obtaining fusion is using autogenous iliac crest bone graft (ICBG). The complication rate of using ICBG can be as high as 20%. To minimize this morbidity, various forms of allograft are presently used. We have used patellar allograft that we hypothesize exhibits a good combination of strength and sufficient porosity to facilitate fusion. METHODS: A consecutive series of 179 levels in 136 patients who underwent single and multilevel ACDF with allograft patella were retrospectively investigated. Final follow-up lateral cervical spine radiographs were evaluated for evidence of bony fusion. Fusions were graded independently by 2 of the investigators according to an interbody fusion classification proposed by Bridwell and colleagues, Spine, 1995. Fusion rates were compared with historical controls for single-level ACDF with autogenous ICBG and plating. Multivariate analysis was used to evaluate plate type, smoking, revision rate, and Odom's criteria compared with fusion. RESULTS: Ninety-one consecutive single and 81 multilevel anterior cervical decompression and fusions with allograft patella were reviewed. Demographics were similar (average age 47.75 y). Average follow-up was 19.3 months. Fusion rates were 86% (159/179). Our revision rate was 8%. Eighty-one percent (85/98) union rate was noted in the single-level group, and 85% (69/81 levels) or 74% (28/38 patients) in the multilevel group. CONCLUSIONS: Fusion rates were 86%. Plate design (static vs. dynamic) did not seem to affect fusion rates or clinical outcomes. There was a higher nonunion rate at the most inferior level of the multilevel fusions. Nonunions in the dynamic group were more commonly revised and had more kyphosis at final follow-up.

A Rare Case of Cervical Charcot After Spinal Cord Injury: A Case Report.

CASE: We present a rare case of cervical Charcot disease that was diagnosed in a paraplegic patient by loss of function caudal to the original level of spinal cord injury. Clinical imaging, diagnosis, differentials, and operative management are discussed. CONCLUSIONS: Charcot disease of the cervical spine is rare and very difficult to diagnose in the paraplegic patient population. High clinical suspicion should be maintained in these patients who demonstrate any form of neurologic deterioration, mechanical instability, or change in spinal alignment. It is often necessary to rule out infection. Spinal decompression and surgical stabilization is the treatment of choice.

Regionalization of Spine Trauma Care in an Urban Trauma System in the United States: Decreased Time to Surgery and Hospital Length of Stay.

BACKGROUND: The effect of regionalized trauma care (RT) on hospital-based outcomes for traumatic spine injury (TSI) in the United States is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that RT would be associated with earlier time to surgery and decreased length of stay (LOS). METHODS: TSI patients >14 yr were identified using International Classification of Diseases Ninth Revision Clinical Modification diagnostic codes. Data from 2008 through 2012 were analyzed before and after RT in 2010. RESULTS: A total of 4072 patients were identified; 1904 (47%) pre-RT and 2168 (53%) post-RT. Injury severity scores, Spine Abbreviated Injury Scale scores, and the percentage of TSIs with spinal cord injury (tSCI) were similar between time periods. Post-RT TSIs demonstrated a lower median intensive care unit (ICU) LOS (0 vs 1 d; P < 0.0001), underwent spine surgery more frequently (13% vs 11%; P = 0.01), and had a higher rate of spine surgery performed within 24 h of admission (65% vs 55%; P = 0.02). In patients with tSCI post-RT, ICU LOS was decreased (1 vs 2 d; P < 0.0001) and ventilator days were reduced (average days: 2 vs 3; P = 0.006). The post-RT time period was an independent predictor for spine surgery performed in less than 24 h for all TSIs (odds ratio [OR] 1.52, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04-2.22, C-stat = 0.65). Multivariate linear regression analysis demonstrated an independent effect on reduced ICU LOS post-RT for TSIs (OR -1.68; 95% CI: -2.98 to 0.39; R2 = 0.74) and tSCIs (OR -2.42, 95% CI: -3.99-0.85; R2 = 0.72). CONCLUSION: RT is associated with increased surgical rates, earlier time to surgery, and decreased ICU LOS for patients with TSI.

The accuracy of aneroid sphygmomanometers in the ambulatory setting.

The mercury sphygmomanometer is the undisputed gold standard for the indirect measurement of blood pressure. Some public health advocates have recently expressed concern about the use of mercury in medical practice.(2) This concern has prompted many medical facilities to replace mercury manometers with aneroid devices. The present report examined the performance of 282 aneroid sphygmomanometers in outpatient medical practices. Results were examined for predetermined end points within +/-3 mm Hg from the reference values and to indicate zero at no pressure. Ninety-three devices (33%) failed to perform at > or = 1 pressure levels. Most (76%) of the failures were due to low readings. Only 7 of the 93 failing units did not rest at zero, making this an unreliable indicator of accuracy. Inaccurate readings of aneroid sphygmomanometers may result in a failure to diagnose and treat hypertension, thereby placing hypertensive patients at risk for end-organ damage and cardiovascular events.

Early Tracheostomy in Patients With Traumatic Cervical Spinal Cord Injury Appears Safe and May Improve Outcomes.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series. OBJECTIVE: To characterize outcomes associated with tracheostomy timing following traumatic cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The morbidity associated with cervical spine trauma is substantially increased in the setting of concomitant CSCI. Despite recent evidence, it remains uncertain if early tracheostomy following traumatic CSCI can improve outcomes. METHODS: From January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2015, retrospective chart review identified 70 patients who presented to a single Level 1 trauma center with traumatic CSCI and received tracheostomy for management of respiratory compromise. Patients were subdivided into two groups based on time from initial intubation to tracheostomy procedure: early (tracheostomy ≤7 d from initial intubation) and late (>7 d from initial intubation). RESULTS: This series included 75.7% males and 24.3% females with mean age 50.5 years. A chest injury was present in 31.4% of patients. AIS A was the most common AIS score (41.4%), and 70.1% of patients had an injury level at C4 or above. Early tracheostomy was performed in 52.4% of patients. Factors most predictive of early tracheostomy were more severe AIS score (odds ratio [OR] = 1.72) and higher neurological level of injury (OR = 1.91) (P < 0.001, pseudo-R = 0.241). Controlling for AIS and neurological level of injury, early tracheostomy was associated with fewer ventilator days (23.9 vs. 36.9, P = 0.0268), fewer days to decannulation (53.0 vs. 74.3, P = 0.0075), and shorter intensive care unit (ICU) stays (20.7 vs. 26.0, P = 0.0217). Rates of pneumonia, surgical site infection, in-hospital mortality, 90-day mortality, and 90-day readmission rates were not different between groups. CONCLUSION: Tracheostomy within 7 days of intubation may improve respiratory outcomes in patients with traumatic CSCI, regardless of level or severity of injury, without increasing complication rates. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

Indications for CT-Angiography of the Vertebral Arteries After Trauma.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this project is to identify factors that predict vertebral artery injury (VAI) in an effort to assess risks and benefits of computed tomography angiography (CT-A) of the neck in the trauma setting. We seek to develop guidelines for practitioners to stratify patients at medium/high risk of VAI from those who are at low risk. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: VAI and blunt carotid injury (BCI) together comprise blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI). More is known about risk factors for BCI than for VAI, but the neurovascular complications associated with VAI are similarly disastrous. With increasing frequency, trauma providers are using CT-A to screen for BCVI; this test carries risks that include radiation exposure and nephrotoxicity, in addition to higher cost of treatment and longer hospital stay. METHODS: Trauma patients seen over 4 months at an urban, level 1 trauma were analyzed. BCVI screening was conducted in 144/1854 (7.77%) patients. Presence of VAI and several clinical characteristics were recorded. Univariate analysis and binomial logistic regression analysis were conducted at a 95% significance level. RESULTS: VAI was diagnosed in 0.49% of the study population. Univariate analysis determined six factors associated with positive VAI screening. Regression analysis showed four factors that independently predicted VAI: female sex, decreased Glasgow Coma Scale, cervical spine (c-spine) fracture, and concurrent BCI. A positive c-spine physical examination trended toward predicting VAI without achieving significance. CONCLUSION: Several independent predictors of VAI were identified. This study highlights the importance of identifying patients at a higher risk for VAI and indicating CT-A of the neck versus those who are at low risk and can be evaluated without undergoing advanced imaging, as CT-A appears unnecessary for most trauma patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

Cervical spine injury severity score. Assessment of reliability.

BACKGROUND: Systems for classifying cervical spine injury most commonly use mechanistic or morphologic terms and do not quantify the degree of stability. Along with neurologic function, stability is a major determinant of treatment and prognosis. The goal of our study was to investigate the reliability of a method of quantifying the stability of subaxial (C3-C7) cervical spine injuries. METHODS: A quantitative system was developed in which an analog score of 0 to 5 points is assigned, on the basis of fracture displacement and severity of ligamentous injury, to each of four spinal columns (anterior, posterior, right pillar, and left pillar). The total possible score thus ranges from 0 to 20 points. Fifteen examiners assigned scores after reviewing the plain radiographs and computed tomography images of thirty-four consecutive patients with cervical spine injuries. The scores were then evaluated for interobserver and intraobserver reliability with use of intraclass correlation coefficients. RESULTS: The mean intraobserver and interobserver intraclass correlation coefficients for the fifteen reviewers were 0.977 and 0.883, respectively. Association between the scores and clinical data was also excellent, as all patients who had a score of > or =7 points had surgery. Similarly, eleven of the fourteen patients with a score of > or =7 points had a neurologic deficit compared with only three of the twenty with a score of <7 points. CONCLUSIONS: The Cervical Spine Injury Severity Score had excellent intraobserver and interobserver reliability. We believe that quantifying stability on the basis of fracture morphology will allow surgeons to better characterize these injuries and ultimately lead to the development of treatment algorithms that can be tested in clinical trials.

Presentation Coagulopathy and Persistent Acidosis Predict Complications in Orthopaedic Trauma Patients.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the ability of measures of coagulopathy and acidosis to predict complications. We hypothesize that increased coagulopathy and acidosis over the first 60 hours of hospitalization will result in increased rates of infection and mortality. DESIGN: Prospective, observational. SETTING: Level 1 trauma center. PATIENTS: Three hundred seventy-six skeletally mature patients with an Injury Severity Score greater than 16, who were surgically treated for high-energy fractures of the femur, pelvic ring, acetabulum, and/or spine. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Data included measures of acidosis, pH, lactate, and base excess, and measures of coagulopathy, Prothrombin (PT), Partial Throunboplastin Time (PTT), International Normalized Ratio (INR), and platelets. Complications including pneumonia, deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, infection, organ failure, acute renal failure, sepsis, and death were documented. RESULTS: Acidosis was common on presentation (88.8%) and decreased over 48 hours (50.4%). Incidence of coagulopathy increased over 48 hours (16.3%-34.3%). Coagulopathy on presentation was associated with complications (54.0% vs. 27.7%) including pneumonia, acute renal failure, multiple organ failure, infection, sepsis, and death. Acidosis was associated with complications if it persisted later in the hospital course. CONCLUSION: Coagulopathy on presentation is a stronger predictor of complications, sepsis, and death than acidosis. During the first 48 hours, unresolved acidosis increased the risk of complications and sepsis. Complications were most related to higher Injury Severity Score. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level I. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Risk factors for pulmonary complication following fixation of spine fractures.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Previous studies have suggested pulmonary complications are common among patients undergoing fixation for traumatic spine fractures. This leads to prolonged hospital stay, worse functional outcomes, and increased economic burden. However, only limited prognostic information exists regarding which patients are at greatest risk for pulmonary complications. PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify factors predictive of perioperative pulmonary complications in patients undergoing fixation of spine fractures. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: A retrospective review in a level 1 trauma center was carried out. PATIENT SAMPLE: The patient sample comprised 302 patients with spinal fractures who underwent operative fixation. OUTCOME MEASURES: The outcome measures were postoperative pulmonary complications (physiological and functional measures). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Demographic and injury features were recorded, including age, gender, body mass index (BMI), American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification, mechanism of injury, injury characteristics, and neurologic status. Treatment details, including surgery length, timing, and approach were reviewed. Postoperative pulmonary complications were recorded after a minimum of 6 months' follow-up. RESULTS: Forty-seven pulmonary complications occurred in 42 patients (14%), including pneumonia (35), adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (10), and pulmonary embolism (2). Logistic regression found spinal cord injury (SCI) to be most predictive of pulmonary complications (odds ratio [OR]=4.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.9-10.1), followed by severe chest injury (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.1-6.9), male gender (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.1-6.8), and ASA classification (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.4-4.0). Pulmonary complications were associated with significantly longer hospital stays (23.9 vs. 7.7 days, p<.01), stays in the intensive care unit (ICU) (19.9 vs. 3.4 days, p<.01), and increased ventilator times (13.8 days vs. 1.9 days, p<.01). CONCLUSIONS: Several factors predicted development of pulmonary complications after operative spinal fracture, including SCI, severe chest injury, male gender, and higher ASA classification. Practitioners should be especially vigilant for of postoperative complications and associated injuries following upper-thoracic spine fractures. Future study must focus on appropriate interventions necessary for reducing complications in these high-risk patients.

Operative Versus Nonoperative Management of Civilian Gunshot Wounds to the Spinal Cord: Novel Use of the Functional Independence Measure for Validated Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Surgery for patients with gunshot wound spinal cord injury (GSCI) remains controversial. Few recent studies provide standardized follow-up and detailed functional outcomes. To our knowledge, the research we present in this study is unique in that we are the first to incorporate Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores as an outcomes measure for neurologic recovery in patients with GSCI. METHODS: Patients with GSCI were divided into surgical and nonsurgical groups. Neurologic function was measured according to the American Spinal Injury Association impairment scale and defined as either complete or incomplete injury. Outcomes were then analyzed separately for complete and incomplete GSCI groups during hospitalization and rehabilitation. RESULTS: Baseline admissions characteristics were similar between surgical and nonsurgical groups except for a greater median injury severity score in the nonsurgical group (34 vs. 27; P = 0.02). For complete GSCI, total length of stay (LOS) was significantly longer in the surgical group (52 vs. 42 days; P = 0.04), and no difference was observed in overall FIM scores (58 vs. 54; P = 0.7). For incomplete GSCI, rehabilitation LOS was longer (35 vs. 21; P = 0.02) and a trend towards longer total LOS was observed in the surgical group (40 vs. 32; P = 0.07). No difference was observed in overall FIM scores (61 vs. 62; P = 0.9). CONCLUSIONS: Surgery for patients with GSCI is associated with increased LOS and is not associated with improved FIM scores for patients with either complete or incomplete spinal cord injuries.