American journal of surgery
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Guidelines are in place directing the clearance of the cervical spine in patients who are awake, alert, and oriented, but a gold standard has not been recognized for patients who are obtunded. Our study is designed to determine if magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) detects clinically significant injuries not seen on computed tomographic (CT) scans. ⋯ The findings suggest that the routine use of MRI in clearing the cervical spine in the obtunded blunt trauma patient.
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Comparative Study
Alternative dosing of prophylactic enoxaparin in the trauma patient: is more the answer?
Inadequate anti-factor Xa levels and increased venous thromboembolic events occur in trauma patients receiving standard prophylactic enoxaparin dosing. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that higher dosing (40 mg twice daily) would improve peak anti-Xa levels and decrease venous thromboembolism. ⋯ Although higher dosing of enoxaparin led to improved anti-Xa levels, this did not equate to a statistical decrease in venous thromboembolism.
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Comparative Study
Post-extubation dysphagia in trauma patients: it's hard to swallow.
There is a significant incidence of unrecognized postextubation dysphagia in trauma patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence, ascertain the risk factors, and identify patients with postextubation dysphagia who will require clinical swallow evaluation. ⋯ Trauma patients requiring mechanical ventilation for ≥2 days are at increased risk for dysphagia and should undergo routine swallow evaluations after extubation.
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Comparative Study
Determination of independent predictive factors for anastomotic leak: analysis of 682 intestinal anastomoses.
The objective of this study was to identify risk factors associated with intestinal anastomotic leakage in order to practically assist in surgical decision making. ⋯ The recognition of factors associated with anastomotic leakage after intestinal operations can assist surgeons in mitigating these risks in the perioperative period and guide intraoperative decisions.
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Comparative Study
Pneumomediastinum: etiology and a guide to diagnosis and treatment.
Pneumomediastinum may be associated with mediastinal organ injury. The aim of this study was to identify predictive factors of mediastinal organ injury in patients with pneumomediastinum to guide diagnosis and treatment. ⋯ Mediastinal organ injury in patients with pneumomediastinum is uncommon. Patients presenting with pneumomediastinum without a history of instrumentation, pleural effusion, or vomiting most commonly do not have mediastinal organ injuries.