The American journal of emergency medicine
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Ultrasound-assisted paracentesis performed by emergency physicians vs the traditional technique: a prospective, randomized study.
To determine if emergency center ultrasound (ECUS) can be of value to emergency physicians in the evaluation of possible ascites and accompanying decisions to perform emergent paracentesis. ⋯ Ninety-five percent (P=.0003) of the patients who were randomized in the ECUS group and in whom a needle paracentesis was performed had ascitic fluid successfully obtained, as compared with the traditional method group.
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The transthecal digital block is a simple, safe, and effective anesthesia technique that can be used in many digital injuries. It is contraindicated only in cases of infection. The purposes of this article are to (1) discuss the indications for the transthecal digital block, (2) describe the technique, and (3) review the literature. ⋯ It also has virtually no risk of direct mechanical trauma to the neurovascular bundles. This technique has been shown to be exceptionally effective. We encourage emergency physicians to use the transthecal technique when indicated.
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Review Case Reports
Complications of gastric banding presenting to the ED.
Although laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding has become a widely used surgical modality for the treatment of morbid obesity, the technique and its complications remain fairly unknown to the medical community in general. Late complications occur in 10% to 20% of patients and usually manifest as upper gastrointestinal symptoms such as total food intolerance. ⋯ A rare but important complication to recognize and treat is gastric necrosis due to herniation of the stomach through the band. From the lessons learned with 2 patients and review of the literature, the diagnostic pitfalls and means for achieving a prompt diagnosis are discussed and a management protocol intended for emergency department staff is provided.
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Multicenter Study
The use of abdominal computed tomography in older ED patients with acute abdominal pain.
The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of use of abdominal computed tomography (CT) in older ED patients with acute nontraumatic abdominal pain, describe the most common diagnostic CT findings, and determine the proportion of diagnostic CT results. This was a prospective, observational, multicenter study of 337 patients 60 years or older. History was obtained prospectively; charts were reviewed for radiographic findings, dispositions, diagnoses, and clinical course, and patients were followed up at 2 weeks for additional information. ⋯ Overall, 57% of CT results were diagnostic (95% confidence interval [CI], 49%-66%), 75% (95% CI, 63%-84%) for patients requiring acute medical or surgical intervention, and 85% (95% CI, 62%-97%) for patients requiring acute surgical intervention. CT use is highly prevalent in older ED patients with acute abdominal pain. CT results are often diagnostic, especially for patients with emergent conditions.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Nursing use between 2 methods of procedural sedation: midazolam versus propofol.
We compared propofol (P) and midazolam (M) use in sedation using nurses' (RN's) monitoring times, costs, and visual analog scale (VAS) satisfaction scores. We randomized 40 patients to either P or M groups. The P group received 0.5 mg/kg IV followed by titration to a Ramsay Sedation Scale of 3 or 4. ⋯ VAS score differences were significant only in the physician group. We concluded that compared with midazolam, propofol required less RN monitoring and had lower costs. Physician satisfaction was higher with propofol sedation than with midazolam and required less time.