Injury
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Computed tomography (CT) plays an integral role in the evaluation and management of trauma patients. As the number of referring hospital (RH)-based CT scanners increased, so has their utilization in trauma patients before transfer. We hypothesized that this has resulted in increased time at RH, image duplication, and radiation dose. ⋯ A significant increase in CT imaging at the RH prior to transfer to the TC was observed over the study periods. No associated increases in mean time at the RH, image duplication at TC, total estimated radiation dose per patient, and mortality rate were observed.
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Reports on genitourinary (GU) trauma during the Iraqi conflict have been limited to battlefield injuries. We sought to characterise the incidence, mechanism of injury, wounding pattern, and management of lower GU injuries sustained in civil violence during the Iraqi war. ⋯ Injuries to the anterior urethra and genitals were commonly caused by IEDs, while injuries to the posterior urethra and bladder were usually caused by individual firearms. Testis injury was almost always salvageable. Associated trauma to major blood vessels was the leading cause of death in these casualties.
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Although evidence for colonic anastomosis in the damage control abdomen continues to accumulate, anastomotic leak is common and associated with greater morbidity. The purposes of our study was to evaluate the effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) gel on the healing of colon anastomosis and anastomotic strength in the open abdomen. ⋯ PRP gel application prevented delayed anastomotic wound healing after open abdomen, which suggested that anastomotic sealing with PRP gel might improve outcome of colonic injuries in the setting of open abdomen.
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Total-body Computed Tomography (CT) scans are increasingly used in trauma care. Herewith the observation of incidental findings, trauma unrelated findings, is also increased. The aim of this study was to evaluate the number of incidental findings in adult trauma patients. ⋯ Total-body CT scanning as part of the evaluation of trauma patients leads to a substantial amount of incidental findings. Documentation of incidental findings and their clinical consequences was incomplete. Therefore, the findings of this study have prompted us to add an item to our electronic trauma room report that obliges residents to report whether or not incidental findings are found during trauma imaging.
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Numerous studies have described the effectiveness of laparoscopy for trauma patients. In gas-filling laparoscopic surgery, most of the disadvantages are related to a positive pressure pneumoperitoneum that compromises the cardiopulmonary function. The main advantage of gasless laparoscopic assisted surgery (GLA) is that it does not affect the haemodynamic status, which is particularly critical for trauma patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility and safety of GLA for abdominal trauma. ⋯ GLA offers both therapeutic and diagnostic advantages for patients with abdominal trauma. GLA shares the advantages of laparoscopy and prevents the cardiopulmonary function from being compromised due to pneumoperitoneum, which is especially critical for trauma patients.