American journal of surgery
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Mopeds have less stringent licensing laws than automobiles. Moped operators in motorized vehicle collisions (MVCs) exhibit significantly higher rates of driving while intoxicated (DWI) and higher blood alcohol levels than automobile or motorcycle operators. This study evaluates the public safety issue of DWI recidivism among moped operators. ⋯ Moped operators are often intoxicated at the time of injury and represent a public safety hazard. The majority are recidivists with multiple alcohol-related traffic charges. Current laws allow repeat offenders the sustained opportunity to operate motorized vehicles. Re-evaluation of current moped laws is needed to keep habitual offenders off the road.
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Comparative Study
Autotransfusion of hemothorax blood in trauma patients: is it the same as fresh whole blood?
Autotransfusable shed blood has been poorly characterized in trauma and may have similarities to whole blood with additional benefits. ⋯ Hemothorax blood contains significantly decreased coagulation factors and has lower hemoglobin when compared with venous blood.
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Comparative Study
Gender influences outcomes in trauma patients with elevated systolic blood pressure.
This analysis explored the association between gender and systolic blood pressure (SBP) in trauma patients and then established how gender influenced outcomes in those with elevated SBP. ⋯ In this retrospective review of trauma registry data, men presented with higher SBP. In patients with TBI, regardless of gender, increased SBP was associated with increased pneumonia, and in men with TBI increased SBP was associated with increased mortality. The cause and relevance of these epidemiological findings require further investigation.
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Multicenter Study
Nonsurgical management of blunt splenic injury: is it cost effective?
This study analyzed outcomes and cost of splenic embolization compared with surgery for the management of blunt splenic injury. ⋯ Nonsurgical treatment of blunt splenic injury is safe and cost effective. Angioembolization was statistically similar to surgical therapy regarding cost.
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The gap between demand of transplantable organs and their supply continues to widen. Trauma patients constitute a significant proportion of organ donors. The incidence of organ donation after traumatic cardiopulmonary arrest (TCPA), however, is not clear. The goals of this study were to determine the success rate of organ donation in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) after trauma and to determine if there are variables that may predict successful organ donation. ⋯ Survival rate after TCPA is low but organ donation is an important secondary outcome. Patients with predominant head injuries, without thoracic and minimal extremity injuries, should be identified as having a higher chance of going on to organ donation. The greatest barrier to organ donation in TCPA patients is cardiac arrest before donor network arrival.