American journal of surgery
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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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Comparative Study
Swallowing dysfunction after prolonged intubation: analysis of risk factors in trauma patients.
The clinical significance of post-extubation swallowing dysfunction (PSD) is profound, resulting in both increased morbidity and mortality. Specific risk factors have not been described in an injured patient cohort. The purpose of this pilot study was to elucidate independent factors that predict PSD in this population. ⋯ PSD is a common occurrence in trauma patients. Age older than 55 years and ventilator days are independent risk factors for PSD. Injury severity, altered GCS upon arrival, comorbidities, and nosocomial pneumonia were not independent risk factors for PSD in our cohort. These results suggest that older patients with extended intensive care unit stays and ventilator requirements may benefit from early swallowing evaluation.
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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.
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Comparative Study
Surgical intern survival skills curriculum as an intern: does it help?
The transition from medical student to surgical intern is fraught with anxiety. We implemented a surgical intern survival skills curriculum to alleviate this through a series of lectures and interactive sessions. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate its effectiveness. ⋯ The implementation of a surgical intern survival skills curriculum significantly improved the confidence levels of general surgery interns and seemed to ease the transition from medical student to surgical intern.
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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.