Study on cumulative effects of biological craniocerebral trauma under repeated blast

Repeated blast impacts on personnel in explosive environments can exacerbate craniocerebral trauma.Most existing studies focus on the injury effects of a single blast,lacking in-depth analysis on the injury effects and cumulative effects of repeated blasts.Therefore,rats were used as the experimental samples to suffer from explosion blasts with different peak air overpressures(167 kPa~482 kPa)and varying number of repeated blasts.The cumulative effect of craniocerebral trauma was most pronounced for moderate repeated blast,showing approximately 95%increase of trauma severity with penta blast,and an approximately 85%increase of trauma severity with penta minor blast.The cumulative effect of craniocerebral trauma from severe,repeated blast has a smaller rate of change compared to the other two conditions.The severity of trauma from penta blast increased by approximately 69%compared to a single blast.Comprehensive physiological,pathological and biochemical analysis show that the degree of neurological trauma caused by repeated blasts is higher than that of single blasts,and the pathological trauma to brain tissue is more extensive and severe.The trauma degree remains unchanged after double blast,increases by one grade after triple or quadruple blast,and increases by two grades after penta blast.

Comprehensive Level One Trauma Center Could Lower In-hospital Mortality of Severe Trauma in China

Trauma is a major health and social problem in the US and China, It constitutes the main cause of death in people aged 45 or under in both countries112]. There is clear evidence from clinical studies that a large percentage of these deaths are needless and preventable if better treatment and prevention programs are available12-3].

Factors related to early and rapid assessment of in-hospital mortality among older adult trauma patients in an earthquake

BACKGROUND:There is limited evidence for emergency physicians and emergency trauma surgeons regarding the determinants of early and rapid assessment of older adult in-hospital mortality due to earthquakes.This study explored factors related to the early and rapid assessment of the mortality among older adult earthquake trauma patients(OAETPs)and created a screening model.METHODS:Data on 7,308 OAETPs from the West China Earthquake Patients Database were analyzed retrospectively.The 35 variables that can be obtained rapidly on arrival at the hospital were collected.Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO)regression analysis was performed.Then,the nomogram for assessing the mortality of OAETPs was constructed.RESULTS:We identified 10 independent mortality-related factors that contributed to the in-hospital mortality of OAETPs.The 10 factors included age(odds ratio[OR]=1.061,95%confidence interval[CI]:1.031-1.090),dementia(OR=5.146,95%CI:1.169-17.856),coronary heart disease(CHD;OR=23.441,95%CI:4.799-83.927),malignant tumor(OR=8.497,95%CI:3.583-17.967),deep vein thrombosis(DVT;OR=7.110,95%CI:1.369-27.168),chronic kidney disease(CKD;OR=11.783,95%CI:5.419-24.407),pulse rate(PR;OR=1.036,95%CI:1.022-1.048),mean artery pressure(MAP;OR=0.960,95%CI:0.945-0.975),Glasgow Coma Scale(GCS;OR=0.864,95%CI:0.760-0.972),and Triage Revised Trauma Score(T-RTS,OR=0.485,95%CI:0.351-0.696).CONCLUSION:The 10 mortality-related factors could be quickly obtained on hospital arrival and should be the focal point of future earthquake response strategies regarding hospitalized older adults with trauma.A nomogram was constructed based on the factors for screening OAETPs with a higher risk of in-hospital mortality.

International normalized ratio as a predictor of mortality in trauma patients in India

BACKGROUND:Hemorrhage is the second leading cause of death in trauma patients preceded only by traumatic brain injury. But hemorrhagic shock is the most common cause of preventable death within 6 hours of admission. Traumatic coagulopathy is a hypocoagulable state that occurs in the most severely injured. International normalized ratio(INR) and its relationship with trauma mortality have not been studied specifi cally. This study aimed to establish a predictive value of INR for trauma-related mortality.METHODS:A total of 99 trauma patients aged 18–70 years were included in the study. Their INR was determined and patient progression was followed up till death/discharge. According to previous retrospective studies,the cutoff value for INR in our study was kept at 1.5.RESULTS:The total mortality rate of the patients was 16.16%(16/99). The mean INR was 1.45 with a SD of 1.35. INR was deranged in a total of 14 patients(14.14%). Of these patients,11 died(78.57%) and 3 survived. INR was deranged in 11(68.75%) of the 16 patients who died,but 5 deaths(31.25%) had normal INR values. The sensitivity of INR was 69%(95%CI 41%–88%) and the specificity 96%(95%CI 90%–99%). The diagnostic accuracy of INR was 92%(95%CI 85%–96%). Positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 79%(95%CI 49%–95%) and 94%(95%CI 87%–98%),respectively.CONCLUSION:Our results showed that INR is a good predictor of mortality in trauma patients.

Cranial ultrasound in perioperative period of acute severe traumatic brain injury

Objective To observe the value of cranial ultrasound for perioperative patients with acute severe traumatic brain injury(sTBI).Methods Data of 55 sTBI patients who underwent craniotomy were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were divided into observation group(n=15)and control group(n=40)according to received perioperative cranial ultrasound or not.The general data and surgical data were compared between groups,and ultrasonic data of observation group were analyzed.Results The proportions of good prognosis 1 and 6 months after operation in observation group were both higher than those in control group,while the incidence of cerebral infarction in observation group was lower than that in control group(all P<0.05).No significant difference of general data nor other surgical data was found between groups(all P>0.05).Acute encephalocele occurred in 1 case in observation group during operation,and cranial ultrasound accurately showed the contralateral secondary epidural hematoma.Increased intracranial pressure in different degrees were found in all 15 cases(15/15,100%)in observation group after operation with transcranial color coded Doppler(TCCD)or transcranial Doppler(TCD),while cerebral vascular spasm was observed in 5 cases(5/15,33.33%),among them 4 cases(4/5,80.00%)were diagnosed cerebral infarction based on CT examination.Conclusion Cranial ultrasound could be used to evaluate changes of sTBI in perioperative period and guide adjusting treatment strategy in time,being valuable for reducing risk of postoperative cerebral infarction and improving prognosis.

Changes in platelet parameters and secondary brain injury in acute craniocerebral trauma

Changes in platelet parameters are important in secondary brain injury in acute craniocerebral trauma We selected 163 patients with craniocerebral trauma who were admitted within 24 hours with nonoperative therapy. Platelet parameters of 40 healthy subjects served as controls. Platelet number was decreased, while mean platelet volume and platelet distribution width values were increased, at 1 and 3 days after injury. Platelet number was lower and mean platelet volume and platelet distribution width were larger in patients with traumatic cerebral infarction and those in Glasgow Coma Scale score 〈 8 group. Platelet number was negatively correlated to volume of cerebral edema, but positively correlated to Glasgow Outcome Scale score. These data indicate that changes in platelet parameters may be utilized to indicate the state of central nervous system injury and patient prognosis .

Effects of Continuous Nursing Intervention on Postoperative Rehabilitation of Patients with Craniocerebral Trauma

Objective:To study and analyze the clinical effect of continuous nursing in the process of postoperative rehabilitation for patients with craniocerebral trauma.Methods:From August 2018 to July 2021,40 patients who came to our hospital for craniocerebral trauma treatment were randomly selected as clinical experimental research objects,and they were divided into continuous nursing group and routine nursing group.The rehabilitation of patients in the two groups before and after postoperative nursing was observed and counted.Results:Before nursing intervention,there was no significant difference in MMSE score and Fugl-Meyer score between the two groups,p>0.05.After nursing,the scores were scored again at 3 and 6 months after nursing.It was found that the two groups were improved,but the improvement range in the continuous nursing group was significantly higher than that in the routine nursing group,the difference was statistically significant(p<0.05).From the score of quality of life,the scores of physical pain,psychological function,mental health and social function in the continuous nursing group were better than those in the routine nursing group,the difference was statistically significant(p<0.05).Conclusion:Using continuous nursing measures for rehabilitation nursing of patients with craniocerebral trauma after discharge can significantly improve the quality of life of patients,restore the mental state and limb function of patients,and has significant clinical effect.

Pre-existing cirrhosis is associated with increased mortality of traumatic patients: Analysis of cases from a trauma center in East China

AIM:To determine the impact of cirrhosis on trauma patients and define the factors predicting death.METHODS:The data on patients admitted to the trauma center from January 2000-2005 were studied retrospectively.The clinical variables were recorded and compared to identify the factors differentiating cirrhotic trauma survivors from non survivors.Child's classification criteria were derived from the reviewed charts of cirrhotic trauma patients to evaluate their predictive value in cirrhotic trauma.Trauma registry was also used to generate a trauma control group by matching for age,sex,abbreviated injury score(AIS)over the same period of time.The outcome variables compared were mortality rate,time of ICU and hospital stay.Results were expressed as mean ± SD.These data were analyzed by SPSS.11.0 statistical software.Univariate analysis was performed to identify significant medical factors for survivor and non survivors subjected to chi-square test.Fisher's exact test and Student's t test were performed to determine the statistical difference between cirrhotic and control groups.P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.RESULTS:Poor prognosis of traum patients was associated with one or more of the following findings:ascitcs,hyperbilirubinemia(more than 2 mg/dL),hypoalbuminemia(less than 3.5 mg/dL),and prolonged prothrombin time(more than 12.5 seconds).Although Child's classification was used to predict the outcome in cirrhotic patients undergoing portacaval shunt procedures,no significant difference was found in mortality rate as a function of Child's classification.CONCLUSION:Cirrhosis is associated with a highermortality,a longer time of ICU and hospital stay of trauma patients.It seems that treatment of trauma patients with pre-existing severe liver disease is a challenge to surgeons.

Correlation of serum CNP and IGF-Ⅱ contents with brain injury and inflammatory response in patients with craniocerebral trauma

Objective:To study the correlation of serum C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) and insulin-like growth factor-Ⅱ (IGF-Ⅱ) contents with brain injury and inflammatory response in patients with craniocerebral trauma.Methods: Patients with craniocerebral trauma who were treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University between March 2015 and July 2017 were included in the case group of the study, and the healthy volunteers who received physical examination during the same period were included in the control group. The contents of CNP, IGF-Ⅱ, nerve markers and pro-inflammatory cytokines in serum as well as the expression of inflammatory signaling molecules in peripheral blood were measured.Results: CNP and IGF-Ⅱ contents in serum of case group were significantly lower than those of control group whereas UCH-L1, GFAP, S100B, Tau, MIP-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α contents in serum as well as JAK2, STAT3, MEK and ERK1/2 mRNA expression in peripheral blood were significantly higher than those of control group;CNP and IGF-Ⅱ contents in serum of case group were negatively correlated with UCH-L1, GFAP, S100B, Tau, MIP-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α contents in serum as well as JAK2, STAT3, MEK and ERK1/2 mRNA expression in peripheral blood.Conclusion: The decrease of serum CNP and IGF-Ⅱ in patients with craniocerebral trauma is closely related to the aggravation of brain injury and the over-activation of inflammatory response.

Effects of propofol anesthesia on oxidative stress, neurological function and inflammatory cytokines in patients with craniocerebral trauma

Objective: To investigate the effect of propofol anesthesia on oxidative stress, neurological function and inflammatory cytokines in patients with craniocerebral trauma. Methods: A total of 102 patients with craniocerebral trauma who underwent surgery in our hospital from December 2014 to January 2017 were randomly divided into control group and observation group, each contained 51 cases. The control group was given 1%-2% of sevoflurane and 0.1-0.2 μg/kg/min of remifentanil and 20-30 μg/kg/h of vecuronium for anesthesia maintenance. The observation group was given propofol 4-6 mg/kg/h, remifentanil 0.1-0.2 μg/kg/min and vecuronium 20-30 μg/kg/h for anesthesia maintenance. The levels of oxidative stress, neurological function, and inflammatory factors were assessed in both groups. Results:Compared with before treatment, the levels of SOD and HO-1 in the two groups were significantly increased and the levels of MDA were significantly decreased, the difference was significant, and the levels of SOD and HO-1 in the observation group were significantly higher than control group, the level of MDA was significantly lower than that of the control group, the difference was significant. Compared with before treatment, the levels of NSE, GFAP and Tau level were significantly decreased in the two groups after treatment, and level in observation group was lower than control group, the difference was statistically significant. Compared with before treatment, the levels of IL-6, TNF-α and CRP in the two groups after treatment were significantly lower than those in the control group, the difference was statistically significant. Conclusion: Propofol anesthesia can significantly reduce the oxidative stress injury, inhibit the inflammatory reaction and protect the neurological function of patients. The effect is better than isoflurane anesthesia, and it is worthy of clinical application.

Relationship of Nogo-A gene expression in serum and cerebrospinal fluid with nerve injury and inflammatory factor levels in patients with craniocerebral trauma

Objective:To study the relationship of Nogo-A gene expression in serum and cerebrospinal fluid with nerve injury and inflammatory factor levels in patients with craniocerebral trauma. Methods:82 patients with craniocerebral trauma who were treated in our hospital between January 2015 and February 2017 were collected as observation group, and 58 normal subjects who received internal hemorrhoids surgery under lumbar anesthesia in our hospital during the same period were collected as control group. Fluorescence quantitative PCR method was used to detect Nogo-A gene expression in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of both groups, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine serum levels of nerve injury indexes and inflammatory factors in two groups. Pearson test was used to assess the relationship of Nogo-A gene expression in serum and cerebrospinal fluid with disease severity in patients with craniocerebral trauma.Results: Nogo-A mRNA expression in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid of observation group were higher than those of the control group;serum IGF-Ⅱ level was lower than that of control group while NSE, MBP and S100B levels were higher than those of control group;serum HSP-70, PCT, IL-1β, IL-6 and CRP levels were higher than those of control group. Pearson test showed that Nogo-A gene expression in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with craniocerebral trauma were directly correlated with the nerve injury degree and inflammatory factor levels.Conclusions: Nogo-A gene is highly expressed in patients with craniocerebral trauma, and its expression is directly correlated with the nerve injury and systemic inflammatory response.

Effect of propofol and isoflurane general anesthesia on nerve injury in patients with craniocerebral trauma after emergency surgery

Objective: To study the effect of propofol and isoflurane general anesthesia on nerve injury in patients with craniocerebral trauma after emergency surgery. Methods: Patients with craniocerebral trauma who accepted emergency surgery in Dangyang People's Hospital between May 2015 and February 2017 were selected and randomly divided into propofol group and isoflurane group who received propofol + fentanyl + vecuronium bromide as well as isoflurane + fentanyl + vecuronium bromide anesthesia respectively. Serum levels of nerve injury markers, excitatory amino acids, inhibitory amino acids and oxidative stress indicators were detected before operation, immediately after operation and 12 h after operation. Results:Immediately after operation and 12 h after operation, serum NSE, GFAP, NGB, Tau, GLU, ASP, 8-iso-PGF2 and MDA levels of both groups of patients were significantly lower than those before operation while GABA, ALA, HO-1, NQO-1 and SOD levels were significantly higher than those before operation, and serum NSE, GFAP, NGB, Tau, GLU, ASP, 8-iso-PGF2 and MDA levels of propofol group immediately after operation and 12 h after operation were significantly lower than those of isoflurane group while GABA, ALA, HO-1, NQO-1 and SOD levels were significantly higher than those of isoflurane group. Conclusion: Propofol for emergency surgery of patients with craniocerebral trauma is more effective than isoflurane in alleviating nerve injury degree, correcting the excitatory and inhibitory amino acid disorder, and inhibiting oxidative stress reaction.

Craniocerebral trauma

210234 Regulating effects of the ERK1/2 signaling pathway on neurons apoptosis after diffuse brain injury in rats/Zhao Yaning(赵雅宁,Basic Med Dept,North Chin Coal Med Col,Tangshan 063000)…Chin J Neurosurg.-2010,26(1).

Craniocerebral trauma

209379 Calpain expression changes in response to hypothermia after traumatic brain injury/Wan Jieqing(万杰清,Dept Neurosurg,Renji Hosp,School Med,Shanghai Jiaotong Univ,Shanghai 200127)…∥Chin J Traum.-2009,25(6).-507～509Objective To determaine the effect of hypothermia on gene transcription and protein expression of calpain after traumatic brain injury(TBI).Methods Twenty-seven rats were randomly divided into three groups,ie,normal control group,normothermia TBI group and hypothermia TBI group.All rats with TBI suffered from a lateral fluid percussion injury(FPI)at the right parietal lobe.Hypothermia intervention[rectal temperature for(32±0.5)℃]was performed for four hours immediately after TBI in hypothermia TBI group.Fluorescence PCR and Western blot were utilized to semi-quantify gene transcription and protein expression of calpain and immunofluorescence used to observe protein distribution of Calpain.Results Compared with normothermia TBI group and normal control group,hypothermia TBI group showed increased calpain gene transcription at 12 and 24 hours respectively after FPI (P【0.05).However,the increase of calpain protein expression in hypothermia TBI group was inhibited more significantly by hypothermia at 6,12,24 and 72 hours after TBI,compared with normothermia TBI group(P【0.05).Conclusion Neuroprotection of hypothermia after TBI may somewhat be related to the decrease of calpain protein expression after its gene transcription.10 refs,1 fig,2 tabs.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE COURSE OF THE DISEASE AND P_300 OF PATIENTS WITH CLOSED CRANIOCEREBRAL TRAUMA

目的:研究闭合性颅脑外伤患者病程与P300之间的关系,并探讨作P300测定的最佳时间。方法:应用Medicid-03E脑诱发电位仪测定518例闭合性颅脑外伤患者的视觉刺激诱发的P300波之潜伏期和波幅。结果:病人组P300波潜伏期较正常对照组明显延长,波幅也明显降低。结论:P300波的变化可作为判断闭合性颅脑外伤患者脑认知功能变化的一项客观指标。

Changes of plasma C-reactive protein in patients with craniocerebral injury before and after hyperbaric oxygenation: A randomly controlled study

Changes of plasma C-reactive protein in patients with craniocerebral injury before and after hyperbaric oxygenation： A randomly controlled study BACKGROUND： Plasma inflammatory factor, such as C-reactive protein, whose content is regarded as a sensitively pathological marked protein and quantitative indexes of central nervous system injury, has been paid more and more attention in clinic. OBJECTIVE： To observe the effects and clinical significance of C-reactive protein in patients with craniocerebral injury after hyperbaric oxygenation. DESIGN： Randomized controlled study. SETTING： Departments of Neurosurgery, Laboratory and Hyperbaric Oxygen, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Medical College of Shantou University. PARTICIPANTS： A total of 60 patients with craniocerebral injury were selected from Department of Neurosurgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Medical College of Shantou University from October 2006 to April 2007. There were 37 males and 23 females and the mean age was 26 years. All subjects were certainly diagnosed as history of craniocerebral injury. Patients hospitalized at 24 hours after injury, Glasgow Coma Score ranged from 3 to 12 points, and all patients were certainly diagnosed with CT or MR scanning. Patients and their relatives provided confirmed consent. All the subjects were randomly divided into hyperbaric oxygenation group and control group with 30 in each group. METHODS： Patients in the control group were treated with routinely neurosurgical therapy after hospitalization; however, based the same basic treatment in the control group, patients in the hyperbaric oxygenation group received hyperbaric oxygenation by using iced-wheel four-door 2-cabin air-compression chamber （made in Yantai） from 24 hours to 10 days after operation or injury. After entering the cabin, patients who had a clear consciousness breathed the oxygen by using face mask; contrarily, patients directly breathed the oxygen. Therapeutic project： Expression was increased for about 15–20 minutes, maintained for about 70–80 minutes, and decreased for 20 minutes. Otherwise, pressure was maintained from 0.2 to 0.25 MPa. Hyperbaric oxygenation took an hour for once a day and 10 times were regarded as a course. Venous blood was collected before treatment and on the next day of the first course end. Content of C-reactive protein in plasma was measured with immune turbidimetry in hyperbaric oxygenation group; in addition, content of C-reactive protein in plasma was directly measured with the same method at the corresponding time in the control group. If the content was less or equal to 8 mg/L, it was regarded as normal value. Effects of the two groups were evaluated based on Glasgow Coma Score before and after treatment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Content of plasma C-reactive protein and Glasgow Coma Score in the two groups before and after treatment. RESULTS： All 60 patients were involved in the final analysis. ① Content of plasma C-reactive protein： The two contents were obviously higher than normal value after craniocerebral injury. There was no significant difference in the two groups before treatment （P 〉 0.05）, but both contents were decreased after treatment, and there was significant difference between HBOT group and control group after treatment （t =4.756, P 〈 0.01）. In addition, there was significant difference in hyperbaric oxygen therapy group before and after treatment （t =5.236, P 〈 0.01）. ② Glasgow Coma Score： There was no significant difference in the two groups before treatment （P 〉 0.05）, but scores were increased in both groups after treatment （t =9.92, 2.51, P 〈 0.01, 0.05）; on the other hand, therefore, there was significant difference between the two groupsafter treatment （t =9.21, P 〈 0.01）. CONCLUSION： Hyperbaric oxygenation can remarkably decrease content of plasma C-reactive protein in patients with craniocerebral injury at the phase of stress.

Effect of sedative agent selection on morbidity, mortality and length of stay in patients with increase in intracranial pressure

BACKGROUND: To identify the effects of sedative agent selection on morbidity, mortality, and length of stay in patients with suspected increase in intracranial pressure. Recent trends and developments have resulted in changes to medications that were previously utilized as pharmacological adjuncts in the sedation and intubation of patients with suspected increases in intracranial pressure. Medications that were previously considered contraindicated are now being used with increasing regularity without demonstrated safety and effectiveness. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate and compare the use of Ketamine as an induction agent for patients with increased intracranial pressure. The secondary objective was to evaluate and compare the use of Etomidate, Midazolam, and Ketamine in patients with increased intracranial pressure. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients transported to our facility with evidence of intracranial hypertension that were intubated before trauma center arrival. Patients were identifi ed during a 22-month period from January 2014 to October 2015. Goals were to evaluate the impact of sedative agent selection on morbidity, mortality, and length of stay.RESULTS: During the review 148 patients were identifi ed as meeting inclusion criteria, 52 were excluded due to incomplete data. Of those the patients primarily received; Etomidate, Ketamine, and Midazolam. Patients in the Ketamine group were found to have a lower mortality rate after injury stratifi cation. CONCLUSION: Patients with intracranial hypertension should not be excluded from receiving Ketamine during intubation out of concern for worsening outcomes.

Does a fall from a standing height warrant computed tomography in an elderly patient with polytrauma?

The importance of performing an early primary survey in‘silver trauma’patients in the detection of injuries has been well documented in reducing the associated morbidity and mortality.[1]In the past,when whole body computed tomography(WBCT)was not commonly available,following initial examination patients would undergo chest radiograph and pelvic X-ray and then proceed to selective computed tomography(CT).With the relatively widespread availability of CT,the use of these X-rays has diminished.The reliance on clinical examination alone for the detection of underlying injuries is another matter of debate.

Clinical Observation of Hemodynamic and Cerebral Protective Effects of Different Doses of Dexmedetomidine in Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury

Background: Patients with craniocerebral trauma may suffer ischemic brain injury and neurological dysfunction due to immune inflammation and neuroendocrine reactions. Dexmedetomidine (Dex) is one of the commonly used anesthetic drugs in clinic. Studies have shown Dex has the function of protecting brain nerves and inhibiting inflammation. However, there are few studies on the effects of different doses of dexmedetomidine on patients undergoing surgery. The purpose of this study is to observe the effects of different doses of Dex on hemodynamics and brain protection in patients undergoing brain trauma surgery. Materials and Methods: Eighty patients with craniocerebral trauma surgery were randomly divided into study group (group A, n = 40) and control group (group B, n = 40) by random number table method. Dex pump volume was 0.5 μg/kg/h in group A and 1.0 μg/kg/h in group B. Heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were recorded before anesthesia induction (T0), immediately after endotracheal intubation (T1) and at the end of operation (T2). The serum levels of central nervous system specific protein (S-100β) and neuron specific enolase (NSE) were measured and compared between the two groups at T0 and T2. Results: HR and MAP in group A were significantly higher than those in group B at T2, and the difference was statistically significant (P P β and NSE in both groups at T2 were lower than those at T0, and the concentrations of S-100β and NSE in group A were significantly lower than those in group B at T2 (P Conclusions: 0.5 μg/kg dose of Dex is stable in hemodynamics and has a better protective effect on brain function in patients with traumatic brain injury.

Pattern of Mortalities among Orthopaedic and Trauma Admissions in Irrua

Background: There are many reports from different parts of the world addressing different aspects of surgical mortality. However, none has been done in this centre as it relates to orthopaedics and trauma admissions. Such data are invaluable to health planning and epidemiological monitoring. Objective: To retrospectively review all mortalities arising from orthopaedics and trauma admission as they present to Irrua specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH) Irrua from Jan 2005-Dec 2014. Method: Medical records of case mortalities among orthopaedic and trauma admissions over ten years (Jan 2005-Dec 2014) were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Over this period, 2129 admissions and 45 deaths were recorded, with an overall crude mortality rate of 2.11%. No death was recorded among the paediatric age group. Thirty-four patients (75.56%) died from trauma (fracture) related diagnosis, majority of which were from head injury followed by infection 5 (11.11%), tumours 4, (8.89%) and disc herniation 2 (4.44%). Males were more affected 77.78% and median age at death was 44 years. Medical co-morbidities were found in 37.77% of the deceased patients. Conclusion: Patients with trauma related cases particularly head injuries, topped the list of mortalities. Young and middle aged adult males were most affected. Need for manpower development, investment in diagnostic and therapeutic facilities and preventive measures is emphasised.