American journal of surgery
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Laparoscopic improves perioperative outcomes of antireflux surgery at US academic centers.
Open and laparoscopic antireflux surgeries are standard for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The in-hospital outcomes of laparoscopic and open antireflux procedures were analyzed and compared at US academic medical centers. ⋯ In the context of US academic centers, approximately three quarters of antireflux procedures are being performed using the laparoscopic approach. These data suggest that laparoscopy has improved in-hospital outcomes when compared with open surgery and is preferred for the surgical treatment of GERD.
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Comparative Study
Best poster award: accuracy of surgery residents' interpretation of computed tomography scans in trauma.
We evaluated the accuracy of surgery residents in interpreting computed axial tomography (CT) scans of trauma patients as compared with attending radiologists. ⋯ Surgical residents accurately identify acute injuries on the CT scans of trauma victims.
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Clinicians often are challenged with safely predicting the optimal time of extubation for ventilated patients. Commonly used weaning parameters have poor positive predictive value for successful extubation. ⋯ TMEP is a simple and reliable method of predicting successful extubation.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Noninvasive Doppler ultrasonography for assessing cardiac function: can it replace the Swan-Ganz catheter?
Cardiac function, including cardiac index (CI), traditionally has been measured by a pulmonary artery catheter (PAC). A noninvasive alternative for measuring cardiac function would offer obvious advantages. ⋯ Doppler UTS correlates well with PAC measurements of CI. This noninvasive modality is an accurate and safe alternative to PAC.
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Comparative Study
Is there a role for aggressive use of fresh frozen plasma in massive transfusion of civilian trauma patients?
Damage control resuscitation (DCR) with early plasma in combat casualties requiring massive transfusion (MT) decreases early deaths from bleeding. ⋯ Civilians who arrived in traumatic shock, required a MT, and died early had worsening coagulopathy, which was not treated. DCR with FFP may have a role in civilian trauma.