World journal of surgery
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World journal of surgery · Jun 2009
Improved operating room teamwork via SAFETY prep: a rural community hospital's experience.
Effective teamwork contributes to patient safety in the operating room (OR). For the busy rural surgeon, enhancing OR teamwork can be difficult. This manuscript describes results from the initial implementation of a preoperative briefing protocol at a rural community hospital. ⋯ Implementation of a preoperative briefing protocol improved overall preoperative briefing and OR team interaction in the study setting. These findings are encouraging for enhancing teamwork and patient safety through implementation of a systematic protocol.
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World journal of surgery · Jun 2009
ReviewManagement of cystic echinococcosis complications and dissemination: where is the evidence?
This systematic review was designed to provide "evidence-based" answers to identify the best treatment for a complicated hydatid cyst of the liver and the appropriate management of disseminated cystic echinococcosis. An extensive electronic search of the relevant literature was performed using Medline and the Cochrane Library. This systematic review enabled us make to determine the best treatment options for the following conditions. ⋯ Multiple associated cystic echinococcosis locations: Complicated cysts should be treated with high priority. In case of several cysts in the liver, spleen, and peritoneum, removal of all cysts in the same intervention is indicated when there is no threat to the life of the patient. Otherwise, a planned reoperation should be considered.
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World journal of surgery · Jun 2009
ReviewPostinjury abdominal compartment syndrome: are we winning the battle?
Postinjury (primary) abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) was described more than 15 years ago as severe abdominal distension with high peak airway pressures, CO(2) retention, and oliguria, which led to unplanned re-exploration after damage-control laparotomy. Later, a more elusive type of ACS was recognized, which develops without abdominal injuries (secondary ACS). ⋯ Once viewed as a syndrome with almost uniform mortality, systematic preventative strategies and therapeutic efforts have reduced the prevalence, morbidity, and mortality of the syndrome. This review was designed to summarize the recent advances in the management of ACS, to classify the currently available evidence, and to identify future directions of research and clinical care.
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Surveillance for intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) and abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) should be implemented in every intensive care unit (ICU), because it has been demonstrated that surveillance is effective. Several criteria that have led to the conclusion that IAH/ACS monitoring is of value: First, IAH is a frequent problem in critically ill patients that directly affects function of all organ systems to some degree, and that is associated with considerable mortality. ⋯ Treatment for IAH/ACS should be selected on the basis of the severity of symptoms and the cause of IAH. IAP monitoring should also be incorporated in the daily ICU management of the patient.
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World journal of surgery · Jun 2009
Intra-abdominal pressure and abdominal compartment syndrome in acute general surgery.
Intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) is a harbinger of intra-abdominal mischief, and its measurement is cheap, simple to perform, and reproducible. Intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH), especially grades 3 and 4 (IAP > 18 mmHg), occurs in over a third of patients and is associated with an increase in intra-abdominal sepsis, bleeding, renal failure, and death. ⋯ All patients entering the intensive care unit (ICU) after emergency general surgery or massive fluid resuscitation should have an IAP measurement performed every 6 h. Each ICU should have guidelines relating to techniques of IAP measurement and an algorithm for management of IAH.