J Trauma
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Wide variances exist in reports of survival rates after penetrating cardiac injuries because most are hospital-based reports and thus are affected by the local trauma system. The objective of this study was to report population-based, as well as hospital-based, survival rates after penetrating cardiac injury. ⋯ Review of population-based studies indicates that there has been only a minor improvement in the survival rates for the treatment of penetrating cardiac injuries.
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Comparative Study
Cardiopulmonary function after pulmonary contusion and partial liquid ventilation.
To compare the effects of mechanical ventilation with either positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) or partial liquid ventilation (PLV) on cardiopulmonary function after severe pulmonary contusion. ⋯ Both PEEP and PLV improved pulmonary function after severe unilateral pulmonary contusion, but negative hemodynamic and histologic changes were associated with PEEP and not with PLV. These data suggest that PLV is a promising novel ventilatory strategy for unilateral pulmonary contusion that might ameliorate secondary injury in the contralateral uninjured lung.
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The failure of therapies aimed at modulating systemic inflammatory response syndrome and decreasing multiple organ failure (MOF) has been attributed in part to the inability to identify early the population at risk. Our objective, therefore, was to develop predictive models for MOF at admission and at 12, 24 and 48 hours after injury. ⋯ Postinjury MOF can be predicted as early as 12 hours after injury. The APS-APACHE III added little to the predictive power of tissue injury, shock and host factors.
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Wound management in open pelvic fractures has used fecal diversion, debridement, and closure by secondary intention to prevent pelvic sepsis. Colostomy care and takedown adds to the morbidity and resource utilization of this approach. We reviewed our experience to determine if a selective approach to fecal diversion based on wound location was possible. ⋯ No patients with anterior wounds and an intact fecal stream developed pelvic sepsis. Colostomy may not be necessary in all patients with open pelvic fracture. Protocols using fecal diversion based on wound location appear to be safe and may decrease resource utilization and subsequent morbidity related to colostomy closure.