J Trauma
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During the 10-year period from 1975 to 1985 20 patients suffering from causalgia were treated. There were 15 men and five women. Ages ranged from 17 to 45 years (mean, 23). ⋯ The diagnosis of causalgia was based on the characteristic clinical picture and was confirmed by sympathetic blocks. All patients were treated by sympathectomy and all had complete dramatic relief in the immediate postoperative period. Followup ranged from 4 months to 10 years (mean, 5.3 yr).
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Historical Article
Firearms as a cause of death in the United States, 1920-1982.
We present the epidemiologic history of firearms in the United States. Firearms are among the nation's ten leading causes of death. Nearly one million firearm deaths occurred in the half-century 1933-1982. ⋯ An individual's risk of suffering a firearm death has generally risen with age. Increased firearm availability is associated with increased rates of firearm homicide and suicide. Strategies to prevent firearm deaths and injuries should be formulated in light of these findings, and heightened efforts to design, implement, and evaluate preventive measures are urgently needed.
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This study group comprises 73 patients who underwent emergency room resuscitative thoracotomy for cardiac arrest following penetrating chest and neck injuries. Overall, 12 patients (16.4%) were successfully resuscitated but only five (6.8%) left the hospital alive without neurologic defects. ⋯ Of 14 patients with cardiac arrest but with respiratory efforts and reactive pupils, three survived (21.4%). We suggest that patients with no vital signs on admission to the hospital should not be subjected to resuscitative thoracotomy.