The journal of trauma and acute care surgery
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J Trauma Acute Care Surg · Jun 2012
Comparative StudyAccounting for differences in transfusion volume: Are all massive transfusions created equal?
Among patients subjected to massive transfusion (MT), some will require considerably more blood than others, depending on the rate and quantity of hemorrhage. In analyses concerning plasma to red blood cell (RBC) ratios and platelet to RBC ratios, this has yet to be examined. We sought to evaluate the effect of the number of RBC units transfused on both plasma:RBC and platelet:RBC and their association with mortality in MT patients. ⋯ Prognostic study, level III.
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J Trauma Acute Care Surg · Jun 2012
Comparative StudyMedical evacuation management and clinical characteristics of 3,255 inpatients after the 2010 Yushu earthquake in China.
A catastrophic earthquake struck the Yushu prefecture of China's Qinghai province on April 14, 2010. Supported by the China National Ministry of Health, this study performed a detailed medical analysis of injuries and diseases, based on comprehensive medical data of hospitalized patients to share the experiences and lessons learned from emergency medical aid operations in high-altitude regions. ⋯ Epidemiological study, level III.
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J Trauma Acute Care Surg · Jun 2012
Comparative StudyThe association between positive screen for future persistent posttraumatic stress symptoms and injury incident variables in the pediatric trauma care setting.
Posttraumatic stress (PTS) disorder after injury is a significant yet underaddressed issue in the trauma care setting. Parental anxiety may impact a child's risk of future, persistent PTS symptoms after injury. This study aimed to: (1) identify injury incident and demographic variables related to a positive screen for future, persistent PTS symptoms in children; and (2) examine the relationship between parental anxiety and a positive screen for future, persistent PTS symptoms in children. ⋯ Epidemiological study, level II.
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J Trauma Acute Care Surg · Jun 2012
Comparative StudyMotion generated in the unstable cervical spine during the application and removal of cervical immobilization collars.
Many studies have compared the restriction of motion that immobilization collars provide to the injured victim. No previous investigation has assessed the amount of motion that is generated during the fitting and removal process. The purpose of this study was to compare the three-dimensional motion generated when one-piece and two-piece cervical collars are applied and removed from cadavers intact and with unstable cervical spine injuries. ⋯ There were statistically significant differences in motion between the one-piece and two-piece collars during the application process, but it was only 1.2 degrees in flexion/extension and 0.2 mm in anterior/posterior translation. Overall, the greatest amount of angulation and displacement observed during collar application was 3.4 degrees and 4.4 mm. Although the exact amount of motion that could be deleterious to a cervical spine-injured patient is unknown, collars can be placed and removed with manual in-line stabilization without large displacements. Only trained practitioners should do so and with great care given that some motion in all planes does occur during the process.