American journal of surgery
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Given the scarce literature data on chronic post-traumatic pain, we aim to identify early predictors of long-term pain and pain medication use after major trauma. ⋯ One year after injury, approximately half of trauma patients report daily pain and one-fourth use daily pain medication. These outcomes are hard to predict.
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Attenuating post-injury neuroendocrine stress abrogates persistent injury-associated anemia. Our objective was to examine the mechanisms by which propranolol and clonidine modulate this process. We hypothesized that propranolol and clonidine would decrease bone marrow expression of high-mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) and increase expression of stem cell factor (SCF) and B-cell lymphoma-extra large (Bcl-xL). ⋯ Following severe trauma, propranolol and clonidine abrogate persistent injury-associated anemia by modulating bone marrow cytokines, favoring effective erythropoiesis.
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Hypocalcemia is one of the most common complications after total thyroidectomy. Recently, indocyanine green (ICG) angiography of the parathyroid glands (PGs) has been suggested as a reliable tool for predicting postoperative hypocalcemia. The aim of our study was to evaluate the performance of a simple quantitative score based on ICG angiography of the PGs (4-ICG score) for predicting postoperative hypocalcemia. ⋯ The 4-ICG score predicts postoperative hypocalcemia and correlates well with postoperative parathyroid function in patients undergoing total thyroidectomy for multinodular goiter.
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This study aimed to determine the incidence of intra-abdominal injuries in elderly patients after a ground-level fall. ⋯ Elderly patients who suffer a ground-level fall do not benefit from PAN-SCAN, even when presenting with rib, thoracolumbar, and/or pelvic fractures.
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Comparative Study
Analysis of operating room efficiency between a hospital-owned ambulatory surgical center and hospital outpatient department.
Ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) are frequently utilized; however some ambulatory procedures may be performed in hospital outpatient departments (HOPs). Our aim was to compare operating room efficiency between our ASC and HOP. ⋯ ASC outpatient procedures are more efficient than those performed at our HOP. A system evaluation of our HOP operating room efficiency is necessary.