The Journal of craniofacial surgery
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Clinical outcome of perioperative airway and ventilatory management in children undergoing craniofacial surgery.
Data on the management of perioperative airway and ventilatory support in children undergoing craniofacial surgery are limited. The purpose of this study was to review the authors' experience with airway management and ventilatory support during the perioperative period in children undergoing craniofacial surgery. Ninety-five consecutive children underwent 99 craniofacial procedures from July 1, 1999, through June 30, 2002. ⋯ No episodes of cardiorespiratory arrest or death occurred in any of the patients. This study demonstrates that when performing complex craniofacial procedures in children, a thorough evaluation of the airway before surgery and continuous communication between specialists during the perioperative period is imperative for a successful outcome. Furthermore, most pediatric patients who require mechanical ventilation during the postoperative period do so for a short period of time following surgery.
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Comparative Study
Cost-effective management of isolated facial fractures.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the subset of costs incurred for surgical treatment of isolated midface and mandible fractures of patients admitted directly from the emergency department compared with those admitted as outpatients after evaluation and discharge from the emergency department. After institutional review board approval, the records of patients admitted to Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center were studied retrospectively for patients who underwent surgical repair of an isolated facial fracture between July 1, 1999 and June 30, 2000. Patients were placed into one of two groups: admission from the emergency department versus admission as an out-patient. ⋯ Patients admitted directly from the emergency department had a mean hospital charge of 3,556.66 dollars higher (P< or = 0.001) and stayed 2 days longer in the hospital as compared with the outpatient group. No differences were noted in complications between the study groups. The results of this study reveal a significant decrease in cost for patients with isolated facial fractures admitted as outpatients on scheduling surgery as compared with immediate admission from the emergency department.