The American surgeon
-
The American surgeon · Nov 2000
Multicenter StudyUtilization of FAST (Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma) in 1999: results of a survey of North American trauma centers.
Although much has been written about FAST (Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma) in the last decade little is known about its present clinical utilization. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and characterize the contemporary utilization of FAST at trauma centers in the United States and Canada. In 1999 trauma directors or their delegates at Level I regional trauma centers in the United States and Canada were surveyed either by fax or phone regarding the present utilization and the future of FAST at their center. ⋯ FAST is performed by clinicians at 65 per cent of the trauma centers surveyed. The utilization of CT and diagnostic peritoneal lavage has changed. Many centers have broadened the scope of FAST to include the assessment of organ, pediatric, and penetrating injury.
-
The American surgeon · Nov 2000
Traumatic carotid artery dissection: a significant incidental finding.
Blunt traumatic carotid artery dissection remains controversial in terms of diagnostic screening, reported incidence, and management. Treatment options include observation, anticoagulation and endovascular stenting, and aggressive surgical repair of the carotid artery injury. Blunt traumatic carotid artery dissections were reviewed through a retrospective study of trauma registry records. ⋯ All six patients showed neurological improvement without deterioration clinically or radiographically. In conclusion we propose early aggressive screening through MRI/MRA of severely injured patients to detect occult carotid artery dissections. Conservative medical treatment for this occult injury has been effective in this series of patients.