Although the field of geriatric trauma is - ironically - young, care for the elderly trauma patient is increasingly recognised as an important challenge, considering the worldwide trend towards increasing longevity.Increasing age is associated with physiological changes and resulting comorbidities that present multiple challenges to the treating physician.Even though polytrauma is less likely w...

Severe tissue trauma-induced systemic inflammation is often accompanied by evident or occult blood-organ barrier dysfunctions, frequently leading to multiple organ dysfunction. However, it is unknown whether specific barrier molecules are shed into the circulation early after trauma as potential indicators of an initial barrier dysfunction. The release of the barrier molecule junctional adhesio...

INTRODUCTION The aim of this study was to determine if any patterns of infection or bacterial resistance existed in critically ill polytrauma patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) at the CM Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH). METHODS This was a prospective, single-center study of patient laboratory records of 73 critically injured polytrauma patients admitted to an ICU. The d...

Authors inform about the group of 8 patients with abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) occurred as a complication in large blunt injury of abdominal cavity. To the ACS diagnose, the measurement of intracystic pressure is used routinely, whose values correlate fully with values of intraabdominal pressure (IAP). In case of increasing values of IAP over 25 mm Hg with positive clinical signs of ACS...

BACKGROUND First rib fractures are considered indicators of increased morbidity and mortality in major trauma. However, this has not been definitively proven. With an increased use of CT and the potential increase in detection of first rib fractures, re-evaluation of these injuries as a marker for life-threatening injuries is warranted. METHODS Patients sustaining rib fractures between Januar...

Fractures of the humeral shaft are common, account for approximately 3% of all orthopaedic injuries, and result in a significant burden to society from lost productivity and wages. Treatment modalities have greatly evolved since their first description in ancient Egypt (circa 1600 BC); however, fundamental management principles have remained consistent throughout time. Nonoperative management c...

Although research shows that caring for a family member with chronic disease or disability can cause significant distress for caregivers, it also shows that families that function well and adequately support patients can improve the quality of life and health outcomes for their ill or disabled family member. Currently, little knowledge exists about how families function and cope after a loved o...

The purpose of this study was to determine whether trauma-induced coagulopathy is due to changes in 1) thrombin activity, 2) plasmin activity, and/or 3) factors that stimulate or inhibit thrombin or plasmin. Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized with 1-2% isoflurane/100% oxygen, and their left femoral artery and vein were cannulated. Polytrauma included right femur fracture, and damage to the s...

INTRODUCTION Fracture management in polytrauma patients has favoured early definitive fracture fixation with some authors advocating a staged management approach in these potentially unstable patients. We aimed to investigate the timing of surgical fracture stabilisation in polytrauma patients with significant orthopaedic injuries in a Level 1 trauma unit in South Africa (RSA) and to compare it...

We report a polytrauma case requiring simultaneous neurosurgery and laparotomy. Upon abdominal closure, raised intracranial pressure occurred. This illustrates the important physiological interplay between body compartments in critical care patients.