Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA
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Emerg Med Australas · Jun 2010
Manipulation of nasal fractures with local anaesthetic: a 'how to do it' with online video tutorial.
Nasal fractures are the most common facial fractures and displaced fractures may cause considerable cosmetic concern. Traditionally, displaced nasal fractures have been manipulated under general anaesthesia (GA) performed within 2 weeks of the injury. Despite evidence for the benefit of local anaesthesia (LA), nasal fractures are still most commonly reduced under GA. ⋯ A recent comprehensive systematic review of all the available evidence did not show any significant difference (in terms of cosmesis, pain or nasal obstruction) between using LA and GA methods and highlighted the evidence base to support LA. We describe our method of assessment and treatment of displaced nasal fractures and provide an online tutorial (http://sciencestage.com/v/22194/local-anaesthetic-nasal-fracture-reduction.html). It is important to keep in mind that any concerns should be referred to an otolaryngology specialist for further management and that practitioners attempting this technique should first receive training from an otolaryngologist.
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Emerg Med Australas · Jun 2010
Use of sterile saline as a conduction agent for ultrasound visualization of central venous structures.
To determine whether sterile saline as a conduction agent provides adequate visualization of anatomic structures to attempt ultrasound-guided vascular access. ⋯ The use of sterile saline as a conduction agent allows adequate visualization of anatomic structures to attempt ultrasound-guided vascular access.
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Emerg Med Australas · Jun 2010
Review article: Emergency department assessment and management of stab wounds to the neck.
A stab wound to neck is an infrequent but highly important presentation to the ED in Australasia. Injuries to the two large neurovascular bundles that are vital to life might occur with associated injuries to midline aerodigestive structures. A literature review was undertaken to discuss the assessment and management of this injury in the emergency medicine setting.
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Emerg Med Australas · Jun 2010
Risk factors and associations for the diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections in Aboriginal women presenting to the Alice Springs Hospital emergency department.
To identify risk factors and associations for sexually transmitted infections (STI) in young Aboriginal women presenting to an ED for non-genitourinary reasons, in order to better target opportunistic screening in this group. To determine the prevalence of chlamydia and gonorrhoea in women presenting to the Alice Springs Hospital ED. ⋯ The prevalence of STI is high in young Aboriginal women presenting to Alice Springs Hospital ED. Screening is acceptable to these patients using low vaginal swabs, and may be targeted at those women with the identified associations. The results of the present study may have relevance to other hospital ED in areas with a high prevalence of STI. A prospective study is needed to confirm these findings.