The American surgeon
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The American surgeon · Sep 1990
Case ReportsSurvival after blunt traumatic rupture of the left ventricle.
There have been 11 reported survivors from blunt-trauma-induced right ventricular rupture and only three from left ventricular rupture. We report the fourth case of a survivor of blunt left ventricular rupture. This patient presented with hypotension from both hemorrhage into the left chest and pericardial tamponade. The tamponade was relieved via an emergent left thoracotomy, the bleeding from the rent in the left ventricle was easily controlled, and repair was straightforward.
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Surgeons have long recognized that a proportion of hospitalized trauma patients present with a history of a previous admission for trauma, termed by the authors as "trauma recidivism." The incidence of trauma recidivism was addressed by a review of 150 consecutive admissions to a level I Trauma Center. This study identifies this subset of trauma patients, establishes their magnitude, and analyzes mechanisms of injury and hospital courses. The implications for those who care for trauma patients is discussed.
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Of 110 patients with penetrating injuries of the neck, 58 were selectively observed and 52 underwent prompt surgical exploration according to defined criteria. In the group initially selected for observation, none required subsequent surgical intervention, and there was no mortality. Among those patients operated upon primarily, the negative exploration rate was 17 percent, and two patients died, both as a result of their injuries (mortality rate, 4%). We conclude that selective management of patients with penetrating neck injuries, when guided by repeated and careful examinations, is appropriate, does not increase the risk to patients, and avoids unnecessary surgical procedures.