The American surgeon
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Incisional hernias after abdominal operations are a significant cause of long-term morbidity and have been reported to occur in 3 to 20 per cent of laparotomy incisions. Traditional primary suture closure repair is plagued with up to a 50 per cent recurrence rate. With the introduction of prosthetic mesh repair recurrence decreased, but complications with mesh placement emerged ushering in the development of laparoscopic incisional herniorrhaphy. ⋯ Complications were seen in 12 per cent patients (six occurrences) and included two small bowel enterotomies, a symptomatic seroma requiring aspirate, a mesh reaction requiring a short course of intravenous antibiotics, and trocar site pain (two patients). There were no recurrences during a mean follow-up of 41 months (range 3-74 months). We conclude that laparoscopic incisional herniorrhaphy offers a safe and effective repair for large primary and recurrent ventral hernia with low morbidity.
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The American surgeon · Jun 2002
An analysis of Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma practice guidelines for cervical spine evaluation in a series of patients with multiple imaging techniques.
We conducted a retrospective review of 124 consecutive patients who received all of the following studies between October 1998 and December 1999: three-view plain films (3VPF), full CT survey (CTS), and MRI of the cervical spine. We compared the EAST guidelines for 1) patients with persistent neck pain, 2) those with neurologic deficits (NDs), and 3) those who were obtunded in our study group to determine whether EAST recommendations would risk a significant missed injury rate. The average age was 28 years (range 5 months-78 years). ⋯ Six per cent of these injuries were potentially unstable. Our data support EAST guidelines for patients with persistent neck pain and ND. The guidelines for obtunded patients appear safe in detecting bony injury but may not be sensitive enough for unstable ligamentous injury and significant disc herniations.
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The American surgeon · May 2002
Emergency room thoracotomy: updated guidelines for a level I trauma center.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether 1995 study conclusions influenced patient selection and subsequent survival and whether indications for emergency room thoracotomy (ERT) could be further limited on the basis of patient physiologic status. A retrospective review of patient demographics, physiologic status both at the scene and on arrival to the emergency room (ER), and survival was performed on those who underwent ERT from July 1995 to December 1999. ⋯ Although there was a significant decrease in patients of Class I at the scene (27% vs 8%) and in the ER (58.3% vs 35.4%) the overall survival rate remained the same (2.6%). ERT could be eliminated for patients of Class I or II at the scene and for those of Class I on arrival to the ER without negating survivors; survival would improve to 16.2 per cent.
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Our objective is to report on a case of nonsurgical pneumoperitoneum and review the mechanism/gynecologic causes of such. We present a case report and review of the literature based on a MEDLINE search using the keywords pneumoperitoneum and nonsurgical. Radiographic evidence of free intraperitoneal air suggests hollow viscus rupture and usually warrants urgent surgical management. ⋯ In the patient with free intraperitoneal air on plain X-ray one should be suspicious of less common nonsurgical etiologies. The majority of patients will require laparotomy. Thorough sexual and gynecologic/obstetrical history is a valuable adjunct in identifying the patient who does not.
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The American surgeon · May 2002
Comparative StudyDo facial fractures protect the brain or are they a marker for severe head injury?
Facial fractures (FF) have been suggested to protect the brain from severe injury. However, others have stated that facial fractures are a marker for increased risk of brain injury. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between facial fractures, brain injury, and functional outcome. ⋯ FF with TBI had a similar severity of head injury when compared with patients with head injury alone by demonstrating similar GCS, AIS of the head and neck, and early functional recovery. This analysis does not support the hypothesis that the face provides a protective effect for the brain and therefore leading to a more favorable short-term outcome. Thus patients with facial fractures should be treated with the same caution as patients with significant blunt head trauma.