Surgery
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General surgical chief residents in all approved training programs were surveyed to evaluate the influence of fellowships, specialization, and research. Respondents represented 76% of programs and 60% of residents. Most chief residents plan to take post-residency fellowships. ⋯ This survey suggests that general surgery is predominant among residents in independent training programs who then enter private practice. University programs produce subspecialists who are predominant among future academic surgeons. This trend has vital implications for the future of academic general surgery.
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Small-volume hypertonic resuscitation has been proposed as an effective means for restoration of cardiovascular function after hemorrhage at the scene of an accident. We evaluated the cardiovascular, metabolic, and neurohumoral response of resuscitation after hemorrhage using 200 ml of 2400 mosm sodium chloride, 6% dextran 70. Unanesthetized adult sheep were bled to maintain mean arterial pressure at 50 mm Hg for 3 hours, shed blood volume = 42 +/- 7 ml/kg. ⋯ After this 30-minute period, both groups were given lactated Ringer's solution as needed to return and maintain cardiac output at its baseline value. The volume of lactated Ringer's solution required to maintain cardiac output was less in the hypertonic group, 371 +/- 168 ml, only one sixth that of the control group, 2200 +/- 814 ml. In summary after 3 hours of hypovolemia, a small volume of hypertonic saline dextran, about 4 ml/kg, fully restored cardiovascular and metabolic function for at least 30 minutes and significantly lowered the total volume requirements of resuscitation.