Surgery
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Results of a prospective, randomized, controlled study of the use of carboxymethylcellulose sodium hyaluronate adhesion barrier in trauma open abdomens.
The open abdominal (OA) approach is a management strategy used in the most severely injured trauma patients. In addition to the morbidity and mortality, a major challenge is the gradual development of dense adhesions that make reoperations progressively more difficult. This randomized, prospective, proof-of-concept study was conducted to determine the effect of carboxymethylcellulose sodium hyaluronate adhesion barrier (CMHAB; Seprafilm, Genzyme Biosurgery, Bridgewater, NJ) on abdominal adhesions and wound characteristics in trauma open abdomens. ⋯ Although CMHAB did not eliminate adhesions in this proof-of-concept study, it limited their severity, particularly in abdomens left open >9 days or requiring ≥5 operations. There was no difference in wound sizes, overall or abdominal complications, or mortality between the groups. Further research is warranted to better delineate potential benefits of CMHAB, especially in the setting of reoperations in post-OA patients.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Impact of a randomized clinical trial on children with perforated appendicitis.
We previously conducted a randomized, clinical trial comparing early appendectomy with interval appendectomy for perforated appendicitis. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect this clinical trial had on subsequent practice patterns and outcomes for patients with perforated appendicitis at the free-standing children's hospital conducting the trial. ⋯ A clinical trial conducted at our institution to evaluate currently available treatment options for perforated appendicitis did change practice patterns at our hospital. After the trial, there was an increase in the use of early appendectomy, a decrease in the number of computed tomography scans performed per patient, and a reduction in the overall adverse event rate.