Journal of the Chinese Medical Association : JCMA
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The impact of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak in 2003 on the emergency department (ED) medical needs of adult patients has not been elucidated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the demographic and clinical characteristics of ED adult patients before, during and after the SARS epidemic in a SARS-dedicated hospital. ⋯ The SARS outbreak did not eliminate the need of critically ill patients for advanced medical support. However, besides an overall decrease in patient numbers, the SARS epidemic markedly altered demographic information, clinical characteristics, and the use of medical services by adult patients in the ED of a SARS-dedicated hospital.
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Handlebar hernia is a rare, traumatic, abdominal wall hernia caused by high-velocity direct trauma. It involves disruption of the abdominal wall muscles, with bowel loop herniated through the defect in the abdominal wall, and may have major or even lethal complications. ⋯ Computed tomography demonstrated subcutaneous intestinal loops protruding through the rent. Primary repair was performed, and his postoperative course was uneventful.