Scand J Surg
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study
The Accuracy of the Computed Tomography Diagnosis of Acute Appendicitis: Does the Experience of the Radiologist Matter?
To assess the accuracy of computed tomography in diagnosing acute appendicitis with a special reference to radiologist experience. ⋯ The accuracy of computed tomography in diagnosing acute appendicitis was high. The experience of the radiologist did not improve the diagnostic accuracy. The results emphasize the role of computed tomography as an accurate modality in daily routine diagnostics for acute appendicitis in all clinical emergency settings.
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Observational Study
Introduction of the Abbreviated Westmead Post-Traumatic Amnesia Scale and Impact on Length of Stay.
Mild traumatic brain injury is a common presentation to Emergency Departments. Early identification of patients with cognitive deficits and provision of discharge advice are important. The Abbreviated Westmead Post-traumatic Amnesia Scale provides an early and efficient assessment of post-traumatic amnesia for patients with mild traumatic brain injuries, compared with the previously used assessment, the Modified Oxford Post-traumatic Scale. ⋯ The Abbreviated Westmead Post-traumatic Amnesia Scale provides an effective and timely assessment of post-traumatic amnesia for patients presenting to the Emergency Department with mild traumatic brain injury compared with the previously used assessment tool. It helps identify patients with cognitive impairment and the need for admission and further investigation, resulting in appropriate access to care. It also results in a decreased length of stay and decreased hospital admissions, with subsequent cost savings to the hospital.
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This study used data from a prospectively maintained trauma database to assess the level of systolic blood pressure at which mortality rates for trauma begin to increase and to compare systolic blood pressure with base deficit as a predictor of outcome. ⋯ The data suggest that traumatic shock starts to become manifest at a systolic blood pressure of 110 mmHg and that a systolic blood pressure reading of 90 mmHg represents an advanced state of shock. Systolic blood pressure by itself is a poor predictor of mortality and outcome. Base deficit appears to be a far better predictor of mortality than systolic blood pressure. Future models to categorize shock will have to combine vital signs with biochemical markers of hypoperfusion.
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The Finnish Hospital Discharge Register data are frequently used for research purposes. The Finnish Hospital Discharge Register has shown excellent validity in single injuries or disease groups, but no studies have assessed patients with multiple trauma diagnoses. We aimed to evaluate the accuracy and coverage of the Finnish Hospital Discharge Register but at the same time validate the data of the trauma registry of the Helsinki University Hospital's Trauma Unit. ⋯ The validity of the Finnish Hospital Discharge Register data is unsatisfactory in terms of the accuracy and coverage of diagnoses in patients with multiple trauma diagnoses. Procedural codes provide greater accuracy. We found the coverage and accuracy of the trauma registry of the Helsinki University Hospital's Trauma Unit to be excellent. Therefore, a special trauma registry, such as the trauma registry of the Helsinki University Hospital's Trauma Unit, provides much more accurate data and should be the preferred registry when extracting data for research or for administrative use, such as resource prioritizing.
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Severe Postoperative Complications may be Related to Mesenteric Traction Syndrome during Open Esophagectomy.
During abdominal surgery, traction of the mesenterium provokes mesenteric traction syndrome, including hypotension, tachycardia, and flushing, along with an increase in plasma prostacyclin (PGI2). We evaluated whether postoperative complications are related to mesenteric traction syndrome during esophagectomy. ⋯ Mesenteric traction syndrome manifests more frequently during open than robotically assisted esophagectomy, and postoperative complications appear to be associated with severe mesenteric traction syndrome.