Mangled extremity severity score in children.

Mitchell F Fagelman; Howard R Epps; Mercer Rang

PubMed · 11856926

Mangled extremity severity score in children.

Mitchell F Fagelman·Howard R Epps·Mercer Rang

Abstract

Treatment of the severely traumatized or mangled lower extremity poses significant challenges. The Mangled Extremity Severity Score (MESS) is a scale that uses objective criteria to assist with acute management decisions. Most research on the MESS has been in adults or combined series with few children. The study was performed to investigate the MESS in children exclusively. The MESS was applied retrospectively to 36 patients with grades IIIB and IIIC open lower extremity fractures collected from two level 1 pediatric trauma centers. Patients were divided into limb salvage and primary amputation groups based on the decision of the treating surgeon. In the salvage group there were 18 grade IIIB fractures and 10 grade IIIC fractures. The MESS prediction was accurate in 93% of the injured limbs. In the amputation group eight limbs met the inclusion criteria; the MESS agreed with the treating surgeon in 63% of cases. These findings suggest the MESS should be considered when managing a child with severe lower extremity trauma.

Explore related subjects

Amputation, Surgical Child Fractures, Bone Humans Leg Injuries Retrospective Studies Trauma Severity Indices Journal Article

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeX RIS

Mitchell F Fagelman, Howard R Epps, Mercer Rang. Mangled extremity severity score in children.. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11856926/

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related citations

PubMed2008

Osteosarcoma metastatic to the kidney and iatrogenic hemorrhage.

A 16-year old female presented painful masses in the lumbar region 5 years after the initial diagnosis of a localized osteosarcoma of the tibia. Abdominal X-ray revealed calcified masses. A bone scan confirmed an increased uptake in the renal areas. An ultrasound-guided fine needle biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of metastases. The procedure was complicated by subcapsular hemorrhage and gross hematuria. Renal metastases from osteosarcoma are usually asymptomatic and invisible on abdominal X-rays. The diagnosis is generally established by radionuclide bone scan or abdominal CT-scan. Our observation suggests that histological documentation of these unusual clinical presentations should be carefully weighed against the risk of the procedure.

Amputation, Surgical↗

PubMed2007

[Werner's syndrome].

HISTORY AND CLINICAL FINDINGS: A 49-year-old man of German parentage with Werner's syndrome (including insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes mellitus) was treated in our department for extensive ulcers on his lower legs. GENETICS: Genetic analysis detected a novel compound heterozygous defect (1396delA and 2334delAC) of the WRN gene. TREATMENT AND FURTHER COURSE: The ulcer clearly decreased in size on local and antibiotic treatment as well as autologous fibroplast transplantation. The most severely affected right small finger required amputation with exarticulation. The severe pain caused by the ulcer was successfully treated with temporary blockage of the stellate ganglion and permanent sympathetic blockage at the level of the 2nd thoracic and lumbar vertebrae. CONCLUSION: Werner's syndrome is a rare form of progeria with an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance mimicking the symptoms of accelerated aging. The reduced life expectancy is caused by the increased incidence and early onset of atherosclerosis and malignant tumors. The detection of underlying molecular mechanisms will have an important impact in the field of anti-aging research.

Amputation, Surgical↗

PubMed2007

Muscle adaptation patterns of children with a trans-tibial amputation during walking.

BACKGROUND: Many studies have shown that trans-tibial amputation involves modifications of resultant muscle patterns during gait. However, these experiments did not estimate the contribution of simultaneous agonist and antagonist muscle action (co-contraction) during gait tasks. Diminution of co-contraction could create joint instability and, thus, change joint integrity, which is particularly important in the etiology of degenerative diseases, such as osteoarthritis, present at the knees of amputated limbs, and particularly in non-amputated limbs. The purpose of this study was to determine if there is any difference in the production of co-contraction about the knee between able-bodied children and children with a trans-tibial amputation during gait. METHODS: Six children with a trans-tibial amputation vs. six able-bodied children paired for gender, age, weight and height participated in this study. Four one-way ANOVAs (P<0.05) were used to observe differences in resultant, agonist and antagonist moments, power, and co-contraction index during different phases of gait between able-bodied children limbs, the amputated and the non-amputated limbs of children with trans-tibial amputation. FINDINGS: Children with a trans-tibial amputation modified muscle patterns at their amputated limb and produced smaller co-contraction (P<0.05) during single limb support, for both the non-amputated and amputated limbs when compared to able-bodied children. INTERPRETATION: These results suggest that children with a trans-tibial amputation altered their muscle patterns to perform locomotion. These changes produced a diminution of co-contraction during single limb support for both the amputated and non-amputated limbs and, thus, could create joint instability.

Amputation, Surgical↗