Canadian journal of surgery. Journal canadien de chirurgie
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Meta-analyses may be prone to generating misleading results because of a paucity of experimental studies (especially in surgery); publication bias; and heterogeneity in study design, intervention and the patient population of included studies. When investigating a specific clinical or scientific question on which several relevant meta-analyses may have been published, value judgments must be applied to determine which analysis represents the most robust evidence. These value judgments should be specifically acknowledged. We designed the Veritas plot to explicitly explore important elements of quality and to facilitate decision-making by highlighting specific areas in which meta-analyses are found to be deficient. Furthermore, as a graphic tool, it may be more intuitive than when similar data are presented in a tabular or text format. ⋯ We have presented a practical graphic application for scientists and clinicians to identify and interpret variability in meta-analyses. Although further validation of the Veritas plot is required, it may have the potential to contribute to the implementation of evidence-based practice.
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Tracheostomy is a common surgical procedure, and is increasingly performed in the intensive care unit (ICU) as opposed to the operating room. Procedural knowledge is essential and is therefore outlined in this review. We also review several high-quality studies comparing percutaneous dilational tracheostomy and open surgical tracheostomy. ⋯ Studies comparing early versus late tracheostomy suggest morbidity benefits that include less nosocomial pneumonia, shorter mechanical ventilation and shorter stay in the ICU. However, we discuss the questions that remain regarding the optimal timing of tracheostomy. We outline the potential acute and chronic complications of tracheostomy and their management, and we review the different tracheostomy tubes, their indications and when to remove them.
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Supine anteroposterior chest radiography is an insensitive test for posttraumatic pneumothoraces. Computed tomography often detects pneumothoraces that were not diagnosed on chest radiography (occult pneumothoraces). Whereas the incidence of occult pneumothoraces approximates 5% of all trauma registry patients, this value approaches 15% among injured patients undergoing computed tomography. ⋯ Thoracic ultrasonography, as part of a bedside extended focused assessment with sonography for trauma examination, detects 92%-100% of all pneumothoraces and represents a simple extension of the clinician's physical examination. The final remaining question is whether clinicians can safely omit tube thoracostomy in some patients with occult pneumothoraces concurrent to positive pressure ventilation. This omission would avoid subjecting patients to the 22% risk of major chest tube-related insertional, positional and infective complications.
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Comparative Study
Efficacy of different fixation devices in maintaining an initial reduction for surgically managed distal radius fractures.
Fracture of the distal radius is a common injury. Many treatment options exist for the surgical management of extra-articular and intra-articular distal radius fractures. The best method of treatment for these fractures remains controversial. We sought to examine radiographic outcomes of patients treated with non-spanning external fixator (NSEF), open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with locking plates and screws or closed reduction and percutaneous pinning (CRPP) and compare their ability to maintain radiographic parameters over the initial 6-week postoperative period. ⋯ Treatment with ORIF for comminuted, intra-articular distal radius fractures produces good radiographic results with maintenance of surgical radiographic parameters, whereas NSEFand CRPP of less complex fractures also provide good results. This suggests that fracture-specific fixation with CRPP or NSEF are sufficient for certain distal radius fractures.
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Trauma remains a tremendous cause of morbidity and mortality in most countries. The objective of our study was to describe injury from trauma at the major referral hospital in Uganda over a 1-year period. ⋯ Road traffic collisions are the greatest cause of morbidity and mortality from injury in Kampala, Uganda. When comparing data from 1998 and 2005, the spectrum of injury remained similar, but mortality decreased from 7.2% to 2.7%.