The journal of trauma and acute care surgery
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J Trauma Acute Care Surg · Sep 2012
Comparative StudyThe mortality risk from motor vehicle injuries in California has increased during the last decade.
Organized trauma systems and trauma centers are thought to improve trauma outcomes. It is clear that injured patients who receive care in trauma centers have survival advantages. However, large regions of California still do not have access to trauma centers. Many injured patients in California continue to receive their care in nontrauma center hospitals. The purpose of this study was to compare outcomes in California counties with and without trauma centers. In addition, we wished to query the efficacy of the current statewide trauma system by asking whether mortality after motor vehicle trauma in California has improved during the last decade. ⋯ Epidemiologic study, level III.
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J Trauma Acute Care Surg · Sep 2012
Review Comparative StudyNegative-pressure wound therapy for critically ill adults with open abdominal wounds: a systematic review.
Open abdominal management with negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is increasingly used for critically ill trauma and surgery patients. We sought to determine the comparative efficacy and safety of NPWT versus alternate temporary abdominal closure (TAC) techniques in critically ill adults with open abdominal wounds. ⋯ Systematic review, level III.
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J Trauma Acute Care Surg · Sep 2012
Multicenter Study Comparative StudyIs low-molecular-weight heparin safe for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in patients with traumatic brain injury? A Western Trauma Association multicenter study.
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a significant risk in trauma patients. Although low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH) is effective in VTE prophylaxis, its use for patients with traumatic intracranial hemorrhage remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety of LMWH for VTE prophylaxis in blunt intracranial injury. ⋯ Therapeutic study, level IV.
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J Trauma Acute Care Surg · Sep 2012
Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical TrialDevelopment of posttraumatic empyema in patients with retained hemothorax: results of a prospective, observational AAST study.
The natural history of retained hemothorax (RH), in particular factors contributing to the subsequent development of empyema, is not well known. The intent of our study was to establish the modern incidence of empyema among patients with trauma and RH and identify the independent predictors for development of this complication. ⋯ Prognostic study, level III.
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J Trauma Acute Care Surg · Sep 2012
Multicenter Study Comparative StudyAngioembolization for pelvic hemorrhage control: results from the German pelvic injury register.
Hemorrhage from pelvic vessels is a potentially lethal complication of pelvic fractures. There is ongoing controversy on the ideal treatment strategy for patients with pelvic hemorrhage. The aim of the study was to analyze the role of angiography and subsequent embolization in patients with pelvic fractures and computed tomography scan-proven vascular injuries. ⋯ Therapeutic study, level IV.