American journal of surgery
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There is a need for reliable and valid objective methods of technical skills in surgery. Six-bench surgical top stations have been combined to assess basic surgical trainees (BSTs) objectively. The current study examines its reliability and validity across repeat sittings. ⋯ The assessment is reliable and valid across repeated sittings. Its use in assessment of basic technical skills needs to be encouraged.
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Venous thromboembolic (VTE) disease remains a significant cause of morbidity for trauma patients because many patients have injuries that may preclude effective VTE prevention and treatment. Retrievable vena cava filters may prove beneficial in this subset of trauma patients. ⋯ A retrievable vena cava filter appears safe and effective for the prevention of pulmonary embolism in the high-risk trauma patient who cannot receive anticoagulation.
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Multicenter Study
An Internet-based survey of factors influencing medical student selection of a general surgery career.
This study descriptively analyzes characteristics of general surgery residency and practice and their influence on student interest in surgical careers. ⋯ Medical students who choose surgical careers are not deterred by a negative perception of lifestyle and workload considerations. Mentoring and personality fit are central in medical student specialty selection.
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Comparative Study
Factors related to the failure of radiographic recognition of occult posttraumatic pneumothoraces.
Although posttraumatic pneumothoraces (PTXs) are common and potentially life threatening, the supine chest radiograph (CXR) is an insensitive test for their detection. Computed tomography (CT) often identifies occult pneumothoraces (OPTXs). Previous descriptions of OPTX topography have been poor. Our purpose was to define their distribution and aid in the targeting of thoracic ultrasound. ⋯ CXR missed over half of all PTXs. OPTXs had a greater anterior versus lateral (nearly 4-fold) and both basal and apical versus lateral (2-fold) distribution. OPTXs are often located at easily accessible sonographic windows.
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Forward Surgical Teams (FSTs) are 20-person units designed to perform front-line, life-saving combat surgery. This study compares the employment, injuries encountered, and workload of an airborne FST in two widely varying campaigns. ⋯ Although the number and types of combat casualties were similar between the campaigns, employment of the FST changed dramatically in OIF because of increased medical reconstruction missions.