J Trauma
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Conventional C-spine imaging (3-view series) is still widely used in trauma patients, although the utilization of computed tomography (CT) scanning is increasing. The aim of this study was to analyze the value of conventional radiography and the frequency of subsequent CT scanning due to incompleteness of three-view series of the C-spine in adult blunt trauma patients. ⋯ In more than one third of the patients primarily assessed with three-view X-ray series of the C-spine, the results are incomplete or inevaluable necessitating CT scanning. Although the majority of the incomplete series remain unexplained, we advise CT scanning in patients having clavicular and rib fractures because this increases the likelihood of obtaining incomplete three-view series.
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The management strategies for reconstruction of soft-tissue defects of the lower leg and the foot remain disputed. To date, no comprehensive studies have been reported on the saphenous perforator flaps in reconstructive surgery in patients with posttraumatic osteomyelitis. ⋯ The saphenous perforator flap is a sturdy flap with low short-term failure rates, also in high-risk patients. The success rate compares well with results of free flap transfers in the management of posttraumatic osteomyelitis. The saphenous flap is a feasible option for posttraumatic reconstructions of osteomyelitis, especially in low-resource settings.
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The aim of this study is to report the development of cardiac failure after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) with recovery of heart and cerebral function. This is a case report of a 38-year-old woman who was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) at Policlinico di Modena, Italy. This woman developed a deep state of coma because of severe SAH. ⋯ This strategy did not provide any improvement, so we decided for levosimendan infusion to counteract myocardial stunning. The improvement in cardiac EF, LV wall motion, and filling pressure observed in our patient could be explained due to the antistunning triple-mechanism action of levosimendan. Data available on the levosimendan effectiveness in patients with SAH and its effect on intracranial pressure are still lacking, but we think that neurogenic cardiac failure can be treated at first with levosimendan.
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Comparative Study
Trauma surgery to acute care surgery: defining the paradigm shift.
Trauma surgery is gradually evolving into acute care surgery (ACS). We sought to better define this evolution by using work relative value units (wRVU) to characterize the current practices of trauma and ACS. ⋯ Trauma surgeons are distinctly different from their colleagues, with a greater emphasis on intensive care unit "cognitive" work. The number of procedures performed by trauma surgeons is comparable to other disciplines but with more "bedside" procedures. Trauma surgeons' high appendectomy wRVUs may be a reflection of the transition to an ACS model. The characterization of trauma surgery as nonoperative and intensive care unit-based is in part substantiated but there are indications of a paradigm shift toward more operative experience with transition to an ACS model.
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Comparative Study
Prothrombin complex concentrate versus recombinant factor VIIa for reversal of hemodilutional coagulopathy in a porcine trauma model.
Fluid resuscitation after traumatic injury may necessitate coagulation factor replacement to prevent bleeding complications of dilutional coagulopathy. Recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) is being widely investigated as a hemostatic agent in trauma. Multicomponent therapy with prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC) containing coagulation factors II, VII, IX, and X might offer potential advantages. ⋯ In a pilot study involving an in vivo large-animal model of spleen trauma, PCC accelerated hemostasis and augmented thrombin generation compared with rFVIIa. Further investigations are warranted on PCC as a hemostatic agent in trauma.