American journal of surgery
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Comparative Study
Continuous intra-abdominal pressure measurement technique.
Abdominal compartment syndrome can develop within 12 hours of intensive care unit (ICU) admission in high-risk (shock/trauma, burn, pancreatitis, postabdominal aortic surgery) patients. The current standard of intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) measurement via the urinary catheter is labor intensive, and its intermittent nature could prevent timely recognition of significant changes in IAP. We propose that continuous IAP (CIAP) can be accurately measured via the irrigation port of a three-way catheter and has good agreement with the standard intermittent IAP (IIAP). ⋯ CIAP measurement with a three-way urinary catheter is a simple and accurate method for monitoring IAP. It has an excellent agreement with the IIAP over wide pressure ranges and should replace the current labor-intensive intermittent technique.
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Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) reduces the risk of stroke in patients with high-grade carotid artery stenosis. This study evaluates the clinical outcome of CEA performed under local anesthesia (LA) versus general anesthesia (GA). ⋯ This study demonstrates that increased age is associated with increased morbidity in CEA under GA, while hyperlipidemia is associated with increased morbidity in CEA regardless of the anesthetic choice.
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Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is known to cause acquired immune deficiency syndrome, which has been associated with a wide array of cardiovascular pathologies. This report examined the clinical outcome of patients infected with HIV who underwent abdominal aortic reconstruction for aneurysm or occlusive disease. ⋯ Perioperative morbidity and mortality rates are high in HIV patients undergoing an abdominal aortic operation. Low CD4 lymphocyte counts and hypoalbuminemia are associated with poor clinical outcomes in HIV patients undergoing abdominal aortic reconstruction.
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Because of the difficulties in evaluating injured children, screening blood tests are recommended. ⋯ Routine laboratory panels are little value in the management of injured children.
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Although a number of trials have analyzed the outcomes of laparoscopic versus open appendectomy, the clinical advantages, and cost-effectiveness of laparoscopic appendectomy in the management of acute and perforated appendicitis are still not clearly defined. The aim of this study was to examine utilization and outcomes of laparoscopic versus open appendectomy using a national administrative database of academic medical centers and teaching hospitals. ⋯ Utilization of laparoscopic appendectomy at academic centers has increased more than two-fold between 1999 and 2003. Patients selected for laparoscopic appendectomy have less advanced appendicitis and have a shorter length of stay and fewer complications without increasing the inpatient care cost.