J Trauma
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Comparative Study
A prospective study of 91 patients undergoing both computed tomography and peritoneal lavage following blunt abdominal trauma.
Recent reports comparing computed tomography of the abdomen (CTA) and diagnostic peritoneal lavage (DPL) following trauma have been contradictory. A 10-month prospective study was conducted at our trauma center comparing both methods. Criteria for entry into the study included suspected blunt abdominal trauma without indication for immediate laparotomy, with either equivocal abdominal examination, diminished sensorium, or neurologic deficit. ⋯ The results of CTA and DPL were compared to the findings at laparotomy or the clinical course of those not explored. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for initial CTA were 60%, 100%, and 91%; for review CTA 85%, 100%, and 97%; for DPL 90%, 100%, and 98%. We conclude that: even with experienced examiners, CTA offers no diagnostic advantage over DPL in blunt trauma; because of relative costs, we do not recommend the routine application of CTA; CTA is a reliable alternative when circumstances prevent the performance of DPL.
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Twenty-one children admitted between December 1981 and May 1985, with greater than 80% total body surface area burn (TBSAB), underwent total excision and grafting of all of their wounds within 72 hours of injury. Twelve survivors (with an average TBSAB of 89%, 82% third degree) were studied in detail describing the length of hospital stay (77 +/- 10 days), number of operative procedures (7.8 +/- 0.8), total blood loss (12 +/- 2 blood volumes), the number of patients who experienced septic episodes (three), the number of patients who required amputation (four), range of motion, degree of scarring, ability to perform daily activities, and psychological adjustment. ⋯ One third of the children had excessive fear, regression, and neurotic and somatic complaints, but all of them showed remarkable energy in adapting to their disabilities. We conclude that the final outcome, for these patients, can only be assessed as they achieve late adolescence and young adulthood.
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Serum creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB) screening followed by two-dimensional echocardiography (2-DE) was used for the assessment of possible cardiac injury in victims of blunt trauma with acute thoracic or rapid deceleration injury. Of 291 victims evaluated acutely, 58 (20%) had a CK-MB fraction evident within 24 hours after injury. ⋯ Distinction between concussion and contusion has enabled development of a rational acute management protocol. A total of 70 patients with documented blunt cardiac injury (58 evaluated acutely, nine dead on arrival or died in the emergency room, and three delayed presentations) seen at this institution over 4 years are reported, illustrating the full spectrum of blunt cardiac injury.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
The effects of inflation of antishock trousers on hemodynamics in normovolemic subjects.
Antishock trousers may maintain mean arterial pressure in trauma patients by increasing central blood volume and cardiac output. Hemodynamics, end-diastolic volume, stroke volume, cardiac output, and blood pressure were recorded in eight supine, healthy men in antishock trousers using two-dimensional echocardiography. Two inflation protocols were used. ⋯ The study shows that the antishock trousers alter several hemodynamic parameters. With lower inflation pressures, antishock trousers cause an increase in arterial pressure by increasing peripheral resistance. At higher inflation pressures, the antishock trousers increase cardiac output and as the cardiovascular system adjusts, maintain the pressure by increasing peripheral resistance.
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A 5-year experience with 12 sternal fractures treated at the Los Angeles County Harbor/UCLA Medical Center is presented. Our data indicate that sternal fractures with roentgenographic mediastinal widening commonly have associated aortic injuries. There is an almost uniform depression of right ventricular or anterior left ventricular function associated with sternal fractures and these cardiac sequelae are documentable by first-pass biventricular radionuclide angiography including left ventricular segmental wall motion analysis. ⋯ In contrast, the incidence of displaced or unstable fractures is very low. Only one patient in this series had a depressed manubriosternal fracture, and no injury necessitated surgical stabilization. The outcome of isolated sternal fractures is benign, and they should be viewed as harbingers of the discovery of other injuries.