J Trauma
-
The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate the utility of dynamic computed tomographic (CT) scanning as a diagnostic tool and adjunct to physical examination in the identification of surgically significant penetrating zone II neck injuries. ⋯ Dynamic CT scan contributes minimally to the sensitivity of physical examination in the diagnosis of surgically significant penetrating zone II neck injury. Diagnosis of esophageal injuries with dynamic CT scan appears no better than esophagography. CT scan has greater sensitivity than physical examination for the diagnosis of jugular venous injuries; however, the majority of these injuries do not require identification or surgical intervention.
-
A Level I trauma center must provide immediate availability general (trauma) surgical expertise. In the current practice few patients require a general surgical procedure. The expertise of subspecialists may also be required and frequently these patients will require subspecialty operative care. We hypothesized that trauma surgeons would receive less reimbursement than their subspecialty colleagues despite a greater commitment of time and effort in taking care of the multiply-injured patient. ⋯ The Level I trauma service is a conduit for patients coming into the hospital that provides a significant remuneration to the subspecialty services. Trauma surgeons are able to bill much less than many of their subspecialty colleagues despite expending significantly greater amounts of time and effort in the care of these patients. Strategies for improved reimbursement for trauma surgeons must be devised or trauma surgery will suffer the same fate as other areas of surgery, losing our brightest and best to more financially sound subspecialty services such as radiology and orthopedics.
-
Contrast-enhanced helical computed tomographic (CT) scan of blunt abdominal trauma is valuable for detecting contrast material extravasation (CME). The aims of this study were to determine its significance and investigate factors associated with the choice, time, and outcome of management. ⋯ Termination of observational therapy was appropriate for trauma patients who had CME and systolic blood pressure < 100 mm Hg. The coexistence of a flat inferior vena cava and CME was associated with early intervention treatment. Despite early intervention, the mortality rate was 18.8%. High ISS and multiple abdominal injuries were important factors, but the risk of dying from uncontained extraperitoneal CME was 82 times the risk of dying from intraperitoneal CME.
-
Interventional angiography has been used as a less invasive alternative to surgery to control hemorrhage resulting from trauma. This retrospective study analyzed the role of interventional radiology in patients requiring damage control laparotomy. ⋯ Angiography before damage control laparotomy may be indicated to control retroperitoneal pelvic hemorrhage in hemodynamically unstable patients who have insufficient intraperitoneal blood loss to account for their hemodynamic instability. Angiography after damage control laparotomy should be considered when a nonexpanding, inaccessible hematoma is found at operation in a patient with a coagulopathy.
-
Hemorrhage is a leading cause of death from trauma. An advanced hemostatic dressing could augment available hemostatic methods. We studied the effects of a new chitosan dressing on blood loss, survival, and fluid use after severe hepatic injury in swine. ⋯ A chitosan dressing reduced hemorrhage and improved survival after severe liver injury in swine. Further studies are warranted.