The Journal of surgical research
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Efficacy of extracorporeal shockwave therapy for knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial.
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) has been widely used for pain relief and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders. We aimed to assess ESWT for knee osteoarthritis (OA) over 12 wk by comparison with placebo treatment. ⋯ ESWT is effective in reducing pain and improving knee function, with better results than placebo during the 12-wk treatment. However, further pilot studies are needed to determine whether ESWT should be recommended at an early or later stage of OA or combined with conventional therapies.
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Compartment syndrome of the thigh is a surgical emergency rarely reported in the literature. The most common etiologies include blunt trauma, vascular injuries from penetrating trauma, and hematoma formation. Thigh compartment syndrome (TCS) is important as it is often associated with concomitant severe injury with mortality rates as high as 47%. This study aims to identify mechanisms of injury, clinical presentation, and outcomes associated with TCS in the urban trauma patient population. ⋯ Among urban trauma patients, penetrating injuries of the thigh and adjacent vascular structures and the need for decompressive fasciotomy of the lower leg are the major risk factors for TCS. Clinical diagnosis and early intervention with fasciotomy remain the mainstay of treatment.
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Chylothorax is a pathologic condition defined by an accumulation of lymphatic fluid, the chyle, in the thorax. Postoperative chylothorax is a potentially lethal complication, with a reported mortality rate of 15.4%-25%. ⋯ The 2-wk regimen reduced the requirement for TDL and the overall morbidity and mortality rates compared with the 48-h regimen. Importantly, this regimen does not increase the risk of chylothorax recurrence.
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The aim of the present study is to investigate whether local brain cooling at the craniectomy site causes attenuation of traumatic brain injury (TBI) induced by fluid percussion injury (FPI). ⋯ Our results suggest that local cooling with 5°C-6°C cold water therapy may ameliorate TBI in rats by reducing infarction volume, neuronal cell loss, and apoptosis, resulting in improved functional outcome. We propose that the use of local cooling at the craniectomy site after FPI might have clinical benefits in the future.