The American surgeon
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The American surgeon · Jan 1993
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialInjury severity dictates individualized antibiotic therapy in penetrating abdominal trauma.
Antibiotics play a crucial role in reducing the risk of postoperative infection in patients suffering penetrating abdominal trauma. The infection rate for patients with these injuries ranges from 7% to 16%. Single agents with broad-spectrum activity have proven efficacy, but dosage and duration are still controversial. ⋯ There was a significant increase in infection rate for all antibiotics except ceftizoxime in Group B compared with group A. The penetrating abdominal trauma index was significantly higher in all patients who developed infection for all antibiotics. In addition, if the surgical wound was closed primarily, patients with colon injuries developed wound infections 71% of the time, and those with small-bowel injuries did so 30% of the time.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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The American surgeon · Jan 1993
Comparative StudyDecreased red blood cell deformability and impaired oxygen utilization during human sepsis.
Sepsis is characterized by decreased microcirculatory flow and increased peripheral shunting. Previous studies have shown red blood cell deformability (RCD) is decreased during sepsis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of changes in RCD on hemodynamics and oxygen utilization during sepsis. ⋯ No significant correlation existed between RCD and cardiac index or systemic vascular resistance. Patients with low RCD demonstrated impaired oxygen utilization; changes in RCD correlated closely with changes in DA-VO2 and MVO2. These data suggest that decreased RCD may have an etiologic role in the impaired oxygen utilization that occurs during sepsis.