Injury
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Kocher's painless reduction of anterior dislocation of the shoulder: a prospective randomised trial.
Forty-five patients with an anterior dislocation of the shoulder were randomised into one of two treatment groups and manipulation performed using Kocher's original method (without traction). A successful reduction was achieved in 80.9% of patients administered Entonox only and in 100% of patients sedated intravenously. No statistical significance was found in the pain scores between the two groups. The study shows that Kocher's original method is a reliable technique for reducing anterior dislocation of the shoulder and a successful outcome can be expected using nitrous oxide only, obviating the need for intravenous sedation and analgesia in the majority of patients.
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In a consecutive series of 274 patients with isolated femoral shaft fractures 11 patients (4%) developed fat embolism syndrome. There were no cases of fat embolism syndrome in patients over the age of 35 years. ⋯ This left 109 patients who had nailing performed more than 10 h after injury of whom eleven (10%) developed fat embolism syndrome (p < 0.027). Patients under the age of 35 years with isolated femoral fractures should have nailing performed as early as possible after injury to minimize fat embolism syndrome.
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Comparative Study
Improvement in the therapy of multiply injured patients by introduction of clinical management guidelines.
A trauma algorithm representing the guidelines for the management of emergency treatment of severe blunt trauma was implemented at our institution in 1994. By comparison of two prospectively recorded cohorts of multiply injured patients, the clinical efficacy of these guidelines was analysed. The algorithm cohort comprised 74 patients over the period January 1994 to June 1996, and the Control cohort 126 patients over the period April 1988 to December 1993. ⋯ All cohort subgroups were comparable with respect to ISS values, age, initial loss of consciousness (GCS) and shock rate. In all subgroups of the algorithm cohort mortality rates were reduced: group I: 0 versus 20 per cent (p < 0.05); group II: 8 versus 24 per cent (p < 0.05); group III: 40 versus 71 per cent. Improvements in both therapeutic process and outcome were observed after implementation of the trauma algorithm.