1.Does Combined Anterior-Posterior Approach Improve Outcomes Compared with Posterioronly Approach in Traumatic Thoracolumbar Burst Fractures?: A Systematic Review
Terence TAN ; Tom J. DONOHOE ; Milly Shu-Jing HUANG ; Joost RUTGES ; Travis MARION ; Joseph MATHEW ; Mark FITZGERALD ; Jin TEE
Asian Spine Journal 2020;14(3):388-398
The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the surgical, radiological, and functional outcomes of posterior-only versus combined anterior-posterior approaches in patients with traumatic thoracolumbar burst fractures. The ideal approach (anterior-only, posterior-only, or combined anterior-posterior) for the surgical management of thoracolumbar burst fracture remains controversial, with each approach having its advantages and disadvantages. A systematic review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines was performed (registration no., CRD42018115120). The authors reviewed comparative studies evaluating posterior-only approach compared with combined anterior-posterior approaches with respect to clinical, surgical, radiographic, and functional outcome measures. Five retrospective cohort studies were included. Postoperative neurological deterioration was not reported in either group. Operative time, estimated blood loss, and postoperative length of stay were increased among patients in the combined anterior-posterior group in one study and equivalent between groups in another study. No significant difference was observed between the two approaches with regards to long-term postoperative Cobb angle (mean difference, −0.2; 95% confidence interval, −5.2 to 4.8; p =0.936). Moreover, no significant difference in functional patient outcomes was observed in the 36item Short-Form Health Survey, Visual Analog Scale, and return-to-work rates between the two groups. The available evidence does not indicate improved clinical, radiologic (including kyphotic deformity), and functional outcomes in the combined anterior-posterior and posterior-only approaches in the management of traumatic thoracolumbar burst fractures. Further studies are required to ascertain if a subset of patients will benefit from a combined anterior-posterior approach.
2.Administration of tranexamic acid for victims of severe trauma within pre-hospital care ambulance services (PHCAS) in Malaysia
Shah Jahan Mohd Yussof ; Shamila Mohamad Ali ; Nurul Azlean Norzan ; Mohd Amin Mohidin ; Anandakumar Krishnan ; Ahmad Ibrahim Kamal Batcha ; Ahmad Tajuddin Mohamad Nor ; Aik Howe Teo ; Mohamed Saed Mian ; Fatahul Laham Mohamed ; Ridzuan Mohd Isa ; Mohd Idzwan Zakaria ; Mohd Khairizam Mohd Yusoff ; Joseph Mathew ; Mark Fitzgerald ; Sabariah Faizah Jamaluddin ; Kiat Kee Gan
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2019;74(4):300-306
Introduction: Trauma is a Global threat and the 5th highest
cause of all-cause mortality in Malaysia caused
predominantly due to road traffic accidents. Majority of
trauma victims are young adults aged between 21-40 years
old. In Malaysia, 24 out of 100,000 population die annually
due to trauma, rating us amongst the highest in South East
Asia. These alarming figures justify aggressive preventive
and mitigation strategies. The aim of this paper is to
promote the implementation of evidence-based
interventions that will reduce the rate of preventable death
because of trauma. Tranexamic acid is one of the few
interventions in the early management of severe trauma with
level-one evidence. Tranexamic acid has been proven to
reduce all causes of mortality and mortality due to bleeding.
Evidence proves that it is most effective when administered
early, particularly within the 1st hour of trauma. This
proposed guideline is formulated based upon quality
evidence from multicentre studies, clinical practices in other
countries and consideration of the local demographic
factors with the intent of enabling an easy and simple
pathway to administer tranexamic acid early in the care of
the severely injured.
Conclusion: The guideline highlights select pre-hospital
criteria’s and the methods for drug administration. The
authors recognise that some variants may be present
amongst certain institutions necessitating minor
adaptations, nevertheless the core principles of advocating
tranexamic acid early in the course of pre-hospital trauma
should be adhered to.