J Emerg Med
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The Spaso technique consists of forward flexion, external rotation, and gentle traction for the reduction of anterior shoulder dislocations with the patient in the supine position. The aim of this prospective study was to assess clinical efficacy of the Spaso technique and to evaluate its complications. We prospectively evaluated 52 shoulder dislocations using the Spaso technique. ⋯ There were no complications associated with using the Spaso technique in this series. Patients with concomitant greater tuberosity fractures and late presentation had a lower success rate, although this was not statistically significant. The Spaso method is effective in reducing anterior shoulder dislocations without anesthesia or assistance and may decrease reduction time and length of stay in the Emergency Department.
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Patients who dislocate their mandible often present to the Emergency Department for care. Dislocation can occur after a variety of activities that hyperextend the mandible or open the mouth widely, such as yawning, laughing, or taking a large bite. Anterior dislocation is the most common type, in which the condylar head of the mandible dislocates out of the glenoid fossa anterior to the articular eminence of the temporal bone. ⋯ The emergency physician can often reduce the anterior mandibular dislocation with or without procedural sedation or local anesthesia. A variety of methods are available for closed reduction, including the classic approach and various alternatives such as the recumbent, posterior, and ipsilateral approaches, as well as the wrist pivot method, alternative manual technique, and gag reflex induction. This article will review the pathophysiology and clinical presentation of acute mandibular dislocations, as well as discuss the various closed reduction methods available for the practitioner.
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Tubo-ovarian Abscess (TOA) is a complication of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) requiring admission, i.v. antibiotics and, possibly, aspiration or surgery. The purpose of this study was to describe the role of emergency department (ED) bedside transvaginal ultrasonography (US) in the diagnosis of TOA. This was a retrospective review of non-pregnant ED patients presenting with pelvic pain who were diagnosed with TOA using bedside transvaginal US. ⋯ The sonographic abnormalities included 14 (70%) with a complex adnexal mass, 5 (25%) with echogenic fluid in the cul-de-sac, and 3 (15%) patients with pyosalpinx. The discharge diagnosis was TOA by the admitting gynecology service for all patients. Our study illustrates the limitations of clinical criteria in diagnosing TOA and supports the use of bedside US when evaluating patients with pelvic pain and symptoms that do not meet classic Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for PID.
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The purpose of this article is to describe my exciting adventures in the development of the emergency medical systems in our country. After my training in plastic surgery at the University of Virginia, I accepted the position of Acting Director of the Emergency Room at the University of Virginia Health Science Center. Working with gifted physicians, basic scientists, nurses, and students, we coordinated the development of an emergency medical system that has been replicated throughout our country. Our system included the following: State legislation for the sexual assault victim, public access by the 9-1-1 telephone number, training of rescue squads, emergency radio communication system, trauma centers, poison control centers, emergency medical plan for the President of the United States, national telecommunications system for the deaf, and the first air medical transportation system in Virginia.