Annals of emergency medicine
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Review Meta Analysis
Systemic Antibiotics for the Treatment of Skin and Soft Tissue Abscesses: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
The addition of antibiotics to standard incision and drainage is controversial, with earlier studies demonstrating no significant benefit. However, 2 large, multicenter trials have recently been published that have challenged the previous literature. The goal of this review was to determine whether systemic antibiotics for abscesses after incision and drainage improve cure rates. ⋯ The use of systemic antibiotics for skin and soft tissue abscesses after incision and drainage resulted in an increased rate of clinical cure. Providers should consider the use of antibiotics while balancing the risk of adverse events.
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Patients receiving direct oral anticoagulant medications commonly undergo computed tomography head scanning after mild traumatic brain injury, regardless of symptoms or signs. International guidelines have noted a lack of evidence to support management decisions for such patients. This systematic review aims to identify, appraise, and synthesize the current evidence for the risk of adverse outcome in patients receiving direct oral anticoagulants after mild head injury. ⋯ There are limited data available to characterize the risk of adverse outcome in patients receiving direct oral anticoagulants after mild traumatic brain injury. A sufficiently powered prospective cohort study is required to validly define this risk, identify clinical features predictive of adverse outcome, and inform future head injury guidelines.
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Editorial Meta Analysis Comparative Study
Is Loop Drainage Technique More Effective for Treatment of Soft Tissue Abscess Compared With Conventional Incision and Drainage?
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Meta Analysis
Ultrasonography for the Confirmation of Endotracheal Tube Intubation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Intubation is routinely performed in the emergency department, and rapid, accurate confirmation is essential to avoid potentially serious adverse outcomes. The number of studies assessing ultrasonography for the verification of endotracheal tube placement has expanded rapidly in recent years. We performed this systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the sensitivity and specificity of transtracheal ultrasonography for the verification of endotracheal tube location. ⋯ Transtracheal sonography is rapid to perform, with an acceptable degree of sensitivity and specificity for the confirmation of endotracheal intubation. Ultrasonography is a valuable adjunct and should be considered when quantitative capnography is unavailable or unreliable.
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Review Meta Analysis
A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Management and Outcomes of Isolated Skull Fractures in Children.
Most studies of children with isolated skull fractures have been relatively small, and rare adverse outcomes may have been missed. Our aim is to quantify the frequency of short-term adverse outcomes of children with isolated skull fractures. ⋯ Children with isolated skull fractures were at extremely low risk for emergency neurosurgery or death, but were frequently hospitalized. Clinically stable children with an isolated skull fracture may be considered for outpatient management in the absence of other clinical concerns.