J Trauma
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Virtual reality pain control during burn wound debridement of combat-related burn injuries using robot-like arm mounted VR goggles.
This is the first controlled study to explore whether adjunctive immersive virtual reality (VR) can reduce excessive pain of soldiers with combat-related burn injuries during wound debridement. ⋯ These preliminary results provide the first evidence from a controlled study that adjunctive immersive VR reduced pain of patients with combat-related burn injuries during severe burn wound debridement. Pain reduction during VR was greatest in patients with the highest pain during no VR. These patients were the first to use a unique custom robot-like arm mounted VR goggle system.
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Comparative Study
Telemedicine to a moving ambulance improves outcome after trauma in simulated patients.
Rural trauma victims often require prolonged transport by s with limited scopes of practice. We evaluated the impact of telemedicine (TM) to a moving ambulance on outcomes in simulated trauma patients. ⋯ TM to a moving ambulance improved the care of simulated trauma patients. Furthermore, procedurally naïve EMTs were able to perform needle thoracostomy and pericardiocentesis with TM guidance.
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Comparative Study
Early appropriate care: definitive stabilization of femoral fractures within 24 hours of injury is safe in most patients with multiple injuries.
Type and timing of treatment of femur fractures is controversial. Although reported as safe and effective in many reports, others have suggested that early definitive stabilization may cause complications, particularly in patients with chest and head injuries. Damage control orthopedics was proposed as an alternative in unstable patients. This study examines the effects of timing of fixation and investigates risk factors for complications. ⋯ Early definitive stabilization is associated with acceptably low rates of complications and is safe in most patients with multiple injuries, including some with severe abdominal, chest, or head injuries with attention to resuscitation before surgery. More complications and longer hospital stay were noted with delayed fixation after adjusting for age and ISS. Chest injury was associated with pulmonary complications; however, the presence of severe abdominal injury was the greatest risk factor for complications. Expediting access to definitive care may reduce complications and expenses.
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Comparative Study
Long-term outcome in patients with mild traumatic brain injury: a prospective observational study.
Mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) is common; up to 37% of adult men have a history of MTBI. Complaints after MTBI are persistent headaches, memory impairment, depressive mood disorders, and disability. The reported short- and long-term outcomes of patients with MTBI have been inconsistent. We have now investigated long-term clinical and neurocognitive outcomes in patients with MTBI (at admission, and after 1 and 10 years). ⋯ BeSc deteriorates over time; our data suggest a decline in general health and QoL in a substantial proportion of patients (37.2%) 10 years after MTBI. Patients without ICI appear to have a better long-term outcome with regard to subjective complaints and QoL.
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Comparative Study
Liver dysfunction by model for end-stage liver disease score improves mortality prediction in injured patients with cirrhosis.
Cirrhosis is associated with poor outcomes in the trauma setting. We aimed to evaluate the utility of Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) in assessing additional mortality risk in trauma patients with cirrhosis. ⋯ In trauma patients with cirrhosis, a score that evaluates the degree of liver dysfunction enhances the ability of ISS alone to predict mortality. The MELD score is more readily available than the CTP score for the prediction of mortality in trauma patients.