J Trauma
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Comparative Study
Non-cavitary hemorrhage producing shock in trauma patients: incidence and severity.
Intraperitoneal and intrathoracic bleeding, cavitary hemorrhage (CH), are recognized as major causes of hypovolemic shock in trauma patients. Blood loss from fractures and lacerations, non-cavitary hemorrhage (NCH), is not considered a common cause of shock. ⋯ There was no significant difference in the resuscitative fluid requirements, morbidity, or mortality between patients presenting in hypovolemic shock due to CH and NCH. Blood loss from NCH must be recognized as a significant source of hypovolemic shock in trauma patients.
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Significant differences were identified between a group of elderly patients (65 years and older) and a nonelderly group both with blunt thoracic trauma. There was a lower incidence of elderly patients presenting in shock; however, cardiopulmonary arrest at arrival was more frequent in this group. ⋯ A high index of suspicion must be generated for an elderly patient who has sustained blunt chest trauma. An aggressive diagnostic and therapeutic approach may lead to a decrease in the high morbidity and mortality rates in the elderly.
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When operated carelessly, snowblowers can produce serious trauma to the hand. During a 3-year period, 13 cases were identified. The injuries occurred when the operators attempted to dislodge impacted snow from the snowblower chute. ⋯ Injuries were treated with debridement and primary repair. Operator carelessness is usually responsible for the injury. If the public is made aware of snowblower hazards at the time of heavy snowfall, injuries may be avoided.
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The blood supply to a Meckel's diverticulum exists either within the small bowel mesentery, or within a separate mesodiverticular band. The latter is associated with bowel obstruction. It is a rare source of hemorrhage. The case report describes hemoperitoneum resulting from blunt trauma-induced disruption of a mesodiverticular band.
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Although adequate volume resuscitation has decreased mortality from hemorrhagic shock, recovery in many patients is complicated by sepsis. To determine whether a subject debilitated by hemorrhagic shock would exhibit greater cardiocirculatory dysfunction when challenged with sepsis, ten dogs (Group I) were hemorrhaged to a mean arterial blood pressure of 30 mm Hg. After 2 hours of hypotension, shed blood and lactated Ringer's solution (50 ml/kg) were given, and the dogs were observed for 3 to 6 days. ⋯ Blood glucose and insulin levels were significantly elevated in the resuscitated shocked dogs, likely due to increased circulating catecholamine concentrations and enhanced glycogenolysis. Endotoxin shock caused significant hypotension, acidosis, and impaired regional perfusion in all dogs. In addition, cardiac output, stroke volume, dP/dT, and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure fell and hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia occurred in all dogs after endotoxin injection.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)