Canadian journal of surgery. Journal canadien de chirurgie
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To review the reported efficacy of various imaging techniques in assessing stability of the neck in blunt trauma patients, and to present the protocol and preliminary results of a modified traction test protocol. ⋯ Cervical stability can be reliably confirmed with this test without any requirement for advanced imaging technology.
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To review morbidity and mortality of patients undergoing elective, open repair of infra-renal abdominal aortic aneurysms and were admitted postoperatively to a surgical stepdown unit rather than routinely to the intensive care unit (ICU), we carried out a retrospective review. ⋯ Our experience demonstrates that proper preoperative assessment and selection allows the majority of elective infra-renal aneurysm repairs to be safely cared for postoperatively in a stepdown unit, and that subsequent ICU admissions are rare.