Injury
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The precise role of thoracic CT in penetrating chest trauma remains to be defined. We hypothesized that thoracic CT effectively screens hemodynamically normal patients with penetrating thoracic trauma to surgery vs. expectant management (NOM). ⋯ Thoracic CT has a negative predictive value of 99% in triaging hemodynamically normal patients with penetrating chest trauma. Screening thoracic CT successfully excludes surgery in patients with non-significant radiologic findings.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Randomized, controlled trial of povidone-iodine to reduce simple traumatic wound infections in the emergency department.
Povidone Iodine (PVI) has been used to prevent wound infection for a long time, yet the merits and effectiveness of this agent in reducing the rates of infection in simple traumatic wounds have been debated. The aim of this study is determine the effect of PVI as skin disinfectant in preventing simple traumatic wound infection after repair in emergency departments. ⋯ Our study showed that using PVI in the management of traumatic wounds did not reduced rate of infections.
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Observational Study
Pressure ulcers, indentation marks and pain from cervical spine immobilization with extrication collars and headblocks: An observational study.
To describe the occurrence and severity of pressure ulcers, indentation marks and pain from the extrication collar combined with headblocks. Furthermore, the influence of time, injury severity and patient characteristics on the development of pressure ulcers, indentation marks and pain was explored. ⋯ The high incidence of category 1 pressure ulcers and severe indentation marks indicate an increased risk for pressure ulcer development and may well lead to more severe PU lesions. Pain due to the application of the extrication collar and headblocks may lead to undesirable movement (in order to relieve the pressure) or to bias clinical examination of the cervical spine. It is necessary to revise the current practice of cervical spine immobilization.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Allograft plus OP-1 enhances ossification in posterolateral lumbar fusion: A seven year follow-up.
To study the results of the combination of allograft plus BMP-7 in comparison with allograft alone in posterolateral lumbar arthrodesis. ⋯ Allograft on one side plus allograft with BMP-7 on the other achieved a fusion rate of 93 per cent. Allograft combined with BMP-7 was more effective than allograft alone.
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Motorcyclists represent an increasing proportion of road traffic casualties but, while factors associated with crashes are readily identifiable, little is known about the prevalence of those risk factors in the motorcycling population. ⋯ This study provides an account of the prevalence of key risk factors across age groups in a population of active motorcycle riders in NSW. Novice riders were represented in all age groups although most novices were under 40 years. These data can be used to guide the development of targeted countermeasures aimed at improving motorcycling safety for riders of different age groups.