J Trauma
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Case Reports
Dum-dums, hollow-points, and devastators: techniques designed to increase wounding potential of bullets.
When considering the kinetic energy formula (KE = 1/2 MV2) to estimate wounding potential of bullets, bullet velocity has assumed the premier role as the determinant of wounding capability. Particular characteristics of the bullet such as mass have assumed positions of secondary importance or have been largely ignored. ⋯ Dum-dum bullets, hollow-points, shot shells, and explosive bullets have been designed so as to cause delivery of greater kinetic energy to the victim. Surgeons managing gunshot wounds must be familiar with these types of bullets in order to properly care for the victims and to ensure their own safety during the process.
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The size and depth of burn and patient age are useful early prognostic indicators in burned patients, but have limited value in predicting which patients in a given cohort are likely to die. The objective of this study was to identify additional variables in the first 10 days of burn injury which could better predict patient outcome. Variables consisting of demographic information, routine laboratory data, and clinical observations on 89 burned patients (63 survivors and 26 nonsurvivors) were analyzed. ⋯ The regression analyses revealed that, as previously demonstrated, patient age and burn size were significant predictors of mortality on admission and throughout the first 10 days postburn. In addition, absolute monocyte count (AMC), absolute lymphocyte count (ALC), maximum daily temperature (Tmax), and BUN were also significant predictors (p less than 0.05). These data indicate that logistic regression models can identify simple prognostic variables in burned patients which may improve clinicians' ability to identify high-risk patients early in the course of their burn injuries.
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Case Reports
Bullet embolus to the right hepatic vein after a gunshot wound to the heart and its percutaneous retrieval.
Bullet emboli are rare and their management when in the venous circulation is controversial. A 26-year-old female with a gunshot wound to the heart, followed by embolization of the bullet to the right hepatic vein, had successful percutaneous retrieval of the bullet via a catheter inserted through the right femoral vein.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Ketoconazole prevents acute respiratory failure in critically ill surgical patients.
Effective prophylaxis against acute respiratory failure (ARDS) has not been established. This study investigated whether or not ketoconazole could prevent ARDS in critically ill surgical patients. Seventy-one Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) patients without liver dysfunction received either ketoconazole (n = 35), 200 mg daily via the gastrointestinal tract, or placebo (n = 36), for 21 days or until discharge from the SICU, in a prospective, randomized, double-blind study. ⋯ The incidence of ARDS was decreased among ketoconazole patients compared to placebo (6% vs. 31%; p less than 0.01), as was median SICU stay (7.0 days vs. 15.5 days; p less than 0.05), and median SICU cost (+5,600. vs. +12,400.; p less than 0.05). Mortality is increased with ARDS after trauma and surgery. We conclude that ketoconazole prevents ARDS, shortens SICU stay, and lowers hospital costs.
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This study was designed to assess the accuracy of the urine dipstick and its ability to predict injury to the urinary tract when compared to routine urinalysis: 1,485 patients had dipstick and microscopic urinalysis performed as part of their evaluation for blunt and penetrating trauma. Dipstick analysis was recorded as either positive or negative. Microhematuria was defined as greater than 0-1 RBC/HPF on microscopic analysis. ⋯ There were no cases of a missed injury in the group of 100 false negatives. Cost savings by conversion to the use of dipsticks would have saved our institution about $63,000 per year. It is concluded that the urinary dipstick is a safe, accurate, and reliable screening test for the presence or absence of hematuria in patients sustaining either blunt or penetrating abdominal trauma.