J Trauma
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Rapid trauma evaluation and intervention without time delay are considered integral to time-efficient management of trauma patients, particularly for those with hemodynamic instability. This study examined the impact of immediate availability of mobile angiography with digital subtraction angiography technology in the emergency department (ED) for hemodynamically unstable multiple trauma patients with pelvic injury. ⋯ Immediate availability of mobile angiography in the ED seems safe and effective for hemodynamically unstable trauma patients with pelvic injury and results in a rapid improvement in resuscitation intervals without leaving the ED. An adequately randomized controlled trial of mobile angiography in this subset of patients, who would seem to derive the most benefit from mobile angiography, would be ideal.
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We retrospectively analyzed 112 intertrochanteric femur fracture patients and 136 femoral neck fracture patients to determine mortality rates and factors affecting mortality. Internal fixation is the standard treatment method for intertrochanteric femur fracture patients in our institute, and arthroplasty, as a treatment choice, shows an increase in mortality rates. We wanted to convey if there was any decrease in mortality rate of intertrochanteric femur fracture patients when compared with femoral neck fracture patients who were almost always treated with arthroplasty. ⋯ We think that, in addition to the shorter delay in surgery, internal fixation choice led to decrease the mortality rate of intertrochanteric femur fracture patients. In conclusion, to decrease the mortality rate after hip fracture, since age and sex cannot be changed, needless delays in surgery should be avoided. Also, we recommend internal fixation and regional anesthesia to decrease the mortality rate.
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The "July Phenomenon" refers to the propensity for increased errors to occur with new housestaff, as they assume new responsibilities at the beginning of the academic year. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of the new residents presenting in July at a high volume Level I Academic Trauma Center. ⋯ At an academic Level I trauma center, admission at the beginning of the academic year was associated with an increased risk of errors resulting in preventable and potentially preventable complications; however, these errors did not impact mortality. Specific errors associated with this increased rate of preventable complications warrant further investigation.
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Decreased red blood cell (RBC) deformability and activation of neutrophils (polymorphonuclear leukocytes [PMN]) after trauma-hemorrhagic shock (T/HS) have been implicated in the development of multiple organ dysfunction. Experimentally, female animals seemed to be protected from the effects of T/HS, at least in part, because of elevated estrogen levels. Thus, we examined the relative role of estrogen receptor (ER)-alpha and -beta in this protective response. ⋯ The protective effects of estrogen on T/HS-induced RBC deformability are mediated, at least in part, via activation of both ER-alpha and -beta, whereas ER-beta activation is involved in limiting T/HS-induced neutrophil activation.
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It has previously been demonstrated that a lack of insurance impedes access to health care services and may affect outcome after acute medical events. Very little data exists on the impact of insurance status on outcomes after traumatic injury. The purpose of this study was to determine whether insurance status has an impact on the outcomes of trauma patients admitted to a publicly funded county level I trauma center. ⋯ Despite being younger and less severely injured, uninsured trauma patients had a significantly higher mortality rate. The etiology of this discrepancy is unclear and warrants further investigation.