Annals of surgery
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Mortality at the Adult Burn Center of the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) has declined from 24% in 1974 to an average of 7% for 1979-1984. From 1974 to 1976, prompt eschar excision and immediate wound closure therapy was initiated and standardized. After 1976, this therapy was the standard treatment. ⋯ Comparison of survival rates shows improved survival during standardized excisional treatment when compared to the treatment development phase. The most extensive increases in survival during 1974-1984 were seen in the treatment of elderly patients and patients with massive burn injuries. Survival for the period 1974-1984 was markedly improved as compared to the 1939-1970 published experiences.
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Of 193 patients with penetrating wounds of the neck, 76 had only surgical exploration; 57 had only nonsurgical exploration including one or more of the following: arteriography, bronchoscopy, laryngoscopy, esophagoscopy, and contrast-swallow esophagogram; and 60 had both surgical and nonsurgical exploration. Eighty-six patients were wounded by gunshot, 108 by stabbing. Presenting signs and symptoms were an unreliable method of predicting presence or absence of injury. ⋯ Financial cost of a negative surgical exploration was $3185, while for four-vessel cerebral arteriography with panendoscopy it was $3492. More studies need to be done, particularly concerning venography and esophagoscopy. However, considering the fact that surgical exploration should by no means be considered 100% accurate, the data in this study support the fact that arteriography with panendoscopy represents an equally safe and acceptable method of exploration of penetrating wounds of the neck for stable patients without specific signs and symptoms of injury and can be expected to result in a reduced number of negative surgical explorations and their associated morbidity as well as a reduced length of hospital stay, although at a slightly higher financial cost when compared to mandatory surgical exploration.
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial
What causes center effects in kidney transplantation.
Results in 195 renal transplants were compared for two distinct patient populations, those from the out-of-town surrounding rural region and those from the local large metropolitan center. The 1-year cadaver kidney survival was strikingly higher in the group from out-of-town (62% vs. 43%, p less than 0.001). This was partially due to better patient survival in the out-of-town patients. ⋯ Other relevant factors were not different between the two groups. This strong dialysis center effect, which exerts a major influence on the subsequent likelihood of success, derives from some factor related to the derivation of the recipient. In addition to its possible implications for patient care, further study of this phenomenon would also be useful with regard to recent interest on the part of government and other third-party payment groups in transplant center results.