Journal of the American College of Surgeons
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Prospective randomized controlled trial of operative rib fixation in traumatic flail chest.
Traumatic flail chest injury is a potentially life threatening condition traditionally treated with invasive mechanical ventilation to splint the chest wall. Longer-term sequelae of pain, deformity, and physical restriction are well described. This study investigated the impact of operative fixation in these patients. ⋯ Operative fixation of fractured ribs reduces ventilation requirement and intensive care stay in a cohort of multitrauma patients with severe flail chest injury.
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Comparative Study
Examining reoperation and readmission after hepatic surgery.
Although the perioperative mortality from hepatic resection has improved considerably, this procedure is still associated with substantial morbidity and resource use. The goal of this investigation was to characterize the incidence, patterns, and risk factors for early reoperation and readmission after hepatectomy. ⋯ In the current era of hepatic surgery, early reoperation and readmission remain relatively frequent. As we care for patients who are increasingly receiving regionalized care far from home, we must be mindful of patients at increased risk for readmission. The development of strategies to minimize the complications that necessitate reoperation and readmission is critical to improving patient care.