J Trauma
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Case Reports
Mitral and tricuspid valve rupture from blunt trauma sustained during a motor vehicle collision.
The incidence of mitral valve injury resulting from blunt trauma is low. This report presents the case of a 36-year-old male who survived the rupture of both his mitral and tricuspid valves after striking the steering wheel during a motor vehicle accident. Echocardiograms were used to make the diagnosis.
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Allograft skin lyophilised in 98% glycerol is an effective overlay for widely expanded autografts. The technique was evaluated clinically on a total of 58 sandwich grafting procedures in a group of 39 patients with extensive third-degree burns. Forty-five grafting operations performed within 10 days postburn all resulted in an epithelialisation rate of at least 75% within 5 weeks. ⋯ The absence of allograft viability did not impair its function as an autograft overlay. The apparent attenuation of allograft antigenicity conferred by the action of 98% glycerol may have contributed to the results achieved. The process of cadaver skin preservation in 98% glycerol is simple and inexpensive.
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Twenty-five patients with aseptic nonunion of the humeral shaft, treated by a combined therapeutic procedure, are reported. The initial treatment of these 21 closed and four open fractures had been nonoperative in 21 patients and surgical in four. Seven further open procedures had been performed in four of these patients, also undergoing failure. ⋯ A uniform therapeutic protocol, consisting of decortication, internal fixation with a broad, straight DCP ASIF plate and autologous cancellous bone grafting, was performed in all cases, supplemented with the use of surgical cement in one. Radiologic healing was achieved primarily in 24 patients in periods averaging 6 months and after renewal of the protocol in one patient. Followup averaged 35 months (range, 8-69 months): results were good in 21 patients.
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This study was performed in order to test the hypothesis that abdominal computed tomography (CT) can assist in the decision to perform laparotomy in children following blunt trauma to the abdomen. Three hundred forty children with blunt abdominal trauma underwent evaluation with CT. Abdominal injuries were detected in 84 children (25%). ⋯ Of 46 moderate to severe anatomic injuries of the liver, spleen or kidney, only five (9%) required surgical intervention because of persistent bleeding or infection. Although laparotomy occurred more frequently in the presence of a large hemoperitoneum, only 6/24 (25%) with moderate to large hemoperitoneum required surgical exploration. This analysis confirms the usefulness of CT for detection of location and extent of injury in pediatric blunt abdominal trauma.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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Age-related limitations of physiologic reserve in burned children make adequacy of intravenous fluid resuscitation critical. To quantify fluid requirements, the medical records of all children admitted to the Army Institute of Surgical Research from 1980 to 1986 whose weight was 25 kilograms or less and burn size was 25% or greater were reviewed to quantify fluid requirements. Forty-three children ranging in age from 1.5-108 months (means 26 +/- 22 m), with 25-89% total body surface burned (TBSB) (means 41.7% +/- 14.6%), met inclusion criteria. ⋯ The net volume of resuscitation fluid, total volume less the calculated maintenance fluid requirements, was 3.91 +/- 2.2 cc/kg/% TBSB. Univariate analysis and linear regression of independent variables including age, weight, per cent full thickness, and inhalation injury revealed each had no significant influence on the volume of resuscitation. We recommend supplying maintenance volume and initiating burn resuscitation at 3 cc/kg/% TBSB.