Canadian journal of surgery. Journal canadien de chirurgie
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Comparative Study
Prospective evaluation of hand-held focused abdominal sonography for trauma (FAST) in blunt abdominal trauma.
Ultrasonography (US) has become indispensable in assessing the status of the injured patient. Although hand-held US equipment is now commercially available and may expand the availability and speed of US in assessing the trauma patient, it has not been subjected to controlled evaluation in early trauma care. ⋯ HHFAST performed by clinicians detects intraperitoneal fluid with a high degree of accuracy. All FAST examinations are valuable tests when positive. They will miss some injuries, but the majority of the injuries missed do not require therapy. HHFAST provides an early extension of the physical examination but should be complemented by the selective use of CT, rather than formal repeat US.
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Comparative Study
A mathematical model for fresh frozen plasma transfusion strategies during major trauma resuscitation with ongoing hemorrhage.
Randomized controlled trials of how best to administer fresh frozen plasma (FFP) in the presence of ongoing severe traumatic hemorrhage are difficult to execute and have not been published. Meanwhile, coagulopathy remains a common occurrence during major trauma resuscitation and hemorrhage remains a major cause of traumatic deaths, suggesting that current coagulation factor replacement practices may be inadequate. ⋯ During resuscitation of a patient who has undergone major trauma, the equivalent of whole-blood transfusion is required to correct or prevent dilutional coagulopathy.
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Comparative Study
Waiting times and patient perspectives for total hip and knee arthroplasty in rural and urban Ontario.
The demand for total hip and total knee arthroplasties is increasing as are the waiting times for these procedures. Because of the differences between rural and urban areas in terms of the provision of arthroplasty services and between the 2 patient groups, patient perspectives of waiting times may also be different. ⋯ Waiting times for hip or knee replacement surgery have increased to the point at which over 50% of surgical patients in 2000-2001 in RUR and URB orthopedic practices had waited longer than 9 months for surgery. In comparing these practices, there was a significantly longer wait in urban than rural practices for the initial consultation but no significant difference in waiting times for surgery.
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The efficacy of seat belts in reducing deaths from motor vehicle crashes is well documented. A unique association of injuries has emerged in adults and children with the use of seat belts. The "seat-belt syndrome" refers to the spectrum of injuries associated with lap-belt restraints, particularly flexion-distraction injuries to the spine (Chance fractures). ⋯ These incidents illustrate the need for acute awareness of the complete spectrum of intra-abdominal and spinal injuries in restrained pediatric passengers in motor vehicle crashes and for rear seat restraints that include shoulder belts with the ability to adjust them to fit smaller passengers, including older children.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical Trial
2004 MacLean-Mueller prize enteral or parenteral nutrition for severe pancreatitis: a randomized controlled trial and health technology assessment.
The optimal route of nutrition in severe pancreatitis is controversial. Parenteral nutrition (PN) is preferred, but enteral nutrition (EN) promises to attenuate inflammation and prevent sepsis. We hypothesized that EN was at least equivalent to PN in reducing inflammation, providing effective nutrition and being cost-effective. ⋯ EN or PN is safe and provides adequate nutrition in severe pancreatitis. EN shows a trend toward faster attenuation of inflammation, with fewer septic complications and is the dominant therapy in terms of cost-effectiveness. This study favours EN for nutritional support in severe pancreatitis.