Developments in the understanding of staging a "major fracture" in polytrauma: results from an initiative by the polytrauma section of ESTES.2022 · PURPOSE: Although the term "major fracture" is commonly used in the management of trauma patients, it is defined insufficiently to date. The polytrauma section of ESTES is trying to develop a more standardized use and a definition of the term. In this process, a standardized literature search was undertaken. We test the hypothesis that the understanding of "major fractures" has changed and is modified by a better understanding of patient physiology. METHODS: A systematic literature search of the Medline and EMBASE databases was conducted in March 2022. Original studies that investigated surgical treatment strategies in polytraumatized patients with fractures were included: This included timing, sequence and type of operative treatment. A qualitative synthesis regarding the prevalence of anatomic regions of interest and core factors determining decision-making was performed. Data were stratified by decades. RESULTS: 4278 articles were identified. Of these, 74 were included for qualitative evaluation: 50 articles focused on one anatomic region, 24 investigated the relevance of multiple anatomic regions. Femur fractures were investigated most frequently (62) followed by pelvic (22), spinal (15) and tibial (15) fractures. Only femur (40), pelvic (5) and spinal (5) fractures were investigated in articles with one anatomic region of interest. Before 2010, most articles focused on long bone injuries. After 2010, fractures of pelvis and spine were cited more frequently. Additional determining factors for decision-making were covered in 67 studies. These included chest injuries (42), TBI (26), hemorrhagic shock (25) and other injury-specific factors (23). Articles before 2000 almost exclusively focused on chest injury and TBI, while shock and injury-specific factors (e.g., soft tissues, spinal cord injury, and abdominal trauma) became more relevant after 2000. CONCLUSION: Over time, the way "major fractures" influenced surgical treatment strategies has changed notably. While femur fractures have long been the only focus, fixation of pelvic and spinal fractures have become more important over the last decade. In addition to the fracture location, associated conditions and injuries (chest trauma and head injuries) influence surgical decision-making as well. Hemodynamic stability and injury-specific factors (soft tissue injuries) have increased in importance over time.
Surgical load in major fractures - results of a survey on the optimal quantification and timing of surgery in polytraumatized patients.2022 · PURPOSE: It is known that the magnitude of surgery and timing of surgical procedures represents a crucial step of care in polytraumatized patients. In contrast, it is not clear which specific factors are most critical when evaluating the surgical load (physiologic burden to the patient incurred by surgical procedures). Additionally, there is a dearth of evidence for which body region and surgical procedures are associated with high surgical burden. The aim of this study was to identify key factors and quantify the surgical load for different types of fracture fixation in multiple anatomic regions. METHODS: A standardized questionnaire was developed by experts from Société Internationale de Chirurgie Orthopédique et de Traumatologie (SICOT)-Trauma committee. Questions included relevance and composition of the surgical load, operational staging criteria, and stratification of operation procedures in different anatomic regions. Quantitative values according to a five-point Likert scale were chosen by the correspondents to determine the surgical load value based on their expertise. The surgical load for different surgical procedures in different body regions could be chosen in a range between "1," defined as the surgical load equivalent to external (monolateral) fixator application, and "5," defined as the maximal surgical load possible in that specific anatomic region. RESULTS: This questionnaire was completed online by 196 trauma surgeons from 61 countries in between Jun 26, 2022, and July 16, 2022 that are members of SICOT. The surgical load (SL) overall was considered very important by 77.0% of correspondents and important by 20.9% correspondents. Intraoperative blood loss (43.2%) and soft tissue damage (29.6%) were chosen as the most significant factors by participating surgeons. The decision for staged procedures was dictated by involved body region (56.1%), followed by bleeding risk (18.9%) and fracture complexity (9.2%). Percutaneous or intramedullary procedures as well as fractures in distal anatomic regions, such as hands, ankles, and feet, were consistently ranked lower in their surgical load. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates a consensus in the trauma community about the crucial relevance of the surgical load in polytrauma care. The surgical load is ranked higher with increased intraoperative bleeding and greater soft tissue damage/extent of surgical approach and depends relevantly on the anatomic region and kind of operative procedure. The experts especially consider anatomic regions and the risk of intraoperative bleeding as well as fracture complexity to guide staging protocols. Specialized guidance and teaching is required to assess both the patient's physiological status and the estimated surgical load reliably in the preoperative decision-making and operative staging.
Fat embolism syndrome in patients with bilateral femur fractures: a systematic review and case comparison.2021 · OBJECTIVES: Fat embolism and fat embolism syndrome (FES) remain common complications following long bone fractures. Incidence is highest after bilateral femur fractures. We performed a systematic review of FES after bilateral femur fractures and present two cases. DATA SOURCES: Systematic literature search of the Cochrane, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Scopus, and, Web of Science Library databases was performed in August 2021. Terms used including plural and alternate spellings: "fat embolism,""fat embolism syndrome,""fat embolus," and "bilateral femur fracture." Articles in German and English were considered. No time frame was applied. STUDY SELECTION: Original studies, case series and case reports on fat embolism after bilateral femur fracture were included. Insufficient documentation or patients with relevant previous heath conditions were excluded. DATA EXTRACTION: Abstracts were organized using EndNote X9 by Carivate. Three authors independently screened the abstracts; cross check of the extracted data was performed by the senior author. DATA SYNTHESIS: Scarcity of articles only allowed for a qualitative synthesis. Data was compared with our cases and situated within the scientific background. RESULTS: Ten articles were included for qualitative synthesis (n = 144 patients). The symptoms were inhomogeneous with neurological deficits being most prominent. Degree of displacement was high, when reported. Although the modes and timing of surgery varied, this appeared unrelated with outcome. CONCLUSIONS: FES remains a relevant complication after bilateral femur fractures, despite damage control strategies and improved reaming techniques. Fracture displacement and reduction maneuvers might play a more substantial role in the formation than previously accredited. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.