J Trauma
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The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of trauma patients with an Injury Severity Score (ISS) > 12 who had the trauma team involved (TTA) in their resuscitative care to those that did not (TTNA). ⋯ In a Level I trauma center, the outcomes of trauma patients with an ISS > 12 are statistically significantly better if the trauma team is activated than if the patients are managed on an individual service-by-service basis.
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To review the results of surgical management of heterotopic ossification about the elbow in burned patients. ⋯ Surgery for both limited range of motion as well as ulnar nerve compression is effective in cases of heterotopic ossification about the elbows of burned patients. Early operative intervention is indicated in progressive disease, particularly ulnar nerve palsy, if soft-tissue quality is adequate. Complications with 25% of elbows suggest that use of olecranon osteotomy for joint access may warrant review.
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Assess the workload caused by elective routine removals of internal fracture fixation devices in a large university orthopedic and trauma unit when no premeditated departmental removal policy existed. ⋯ Without a strict departmental removal policy, a remarkable portion of the resources allocated for elective orthopedic operations was spent on routine hardware removal procedures. A more rational and selective attitude toward implant removals is desirable. Further research on the disadvantages of retained hardware and the complications of implant removals is required.
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
Comparison of volume control and pressure control ventilation: is flow waveform the difference?
To examine the hypothesis that a decelerating inspiratory flow waveform is responsible for improvements in gas exchange during pressure control ventilation for acute lung injury. ⋯ Both pressure control ventilation and volume control ventilation with a decelerating flow waveform provided better oxygenation at a lower peak inspiratory pressure and higher mean airway pressure compared to volume control ventilation with a square flow waveform. The results of our study suggest that the reported advantages of pressure control ventilation over volume control ventilation with a square flow waveform can be accomplished with volume control ventilation with a decelerating flow waveform.
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Comparative Study
Diaspirin cross-linked hemoglobin resuscitation improves cerebral perfusion after head injury and shock.
Shock associated with traumatic brain injury (TBI) doubles the mortality of TBI alone by inducing a secondary ischemic injury. Rapid correction of cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) is thought to be essential to improving outcome. Diaspirin cross-linked hemoglobin (DCLHb) has been shown to improve cerebral blood flow, increase mean arterial pressure (MAP), and reduce lesion size in models of occlusive cerebral ischemia but has not been evaluated in a model of TBI combined with hemorrhagic shock. ⋯ These data suggest that DCLHb is beneficial in the early resuscitation of head injury and shock and that further investigation is warranted. Key Words: Diaspirin cross-linked hemoglobin, Head injury, Shock, Cerebral perfusion pressure.