J Trauma
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To determine whether physical examination alone or in combination with biochemical markers can accurately diagnose hypoperfusion. ⋯ Combining physical examination with serum bicarbonate and arterial lactate identifies patients with hypoperfusion as defined by low Svo2 and cardiac index. Hypoperfusion may occur despite supranormal cardiac indices. Patients with cool extremities and elevated lactate levels may benefit from a pulmonary artery catheter to guide but not initiate therapy.
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Despite the lack of evidence, traditional trauma teaching has suggested that low rib fractures increase the risk of abdominal solid organ injury (ASOI). This study was designed to assess if in fact this is true, and to try and define other factors that increased the risk of ASOI in rib fracture patients. ⋯ In hospitalized trauma patients, low rib fractures, right-sided rib fractures, female gender, young age, and an elevated ISS increased the probability of liver injury; and low rib fractures, left-sided only rib fractures, young age, and an elevated ISS increased the probability of splenic injury. Associated pelvic fractures and long bone fractures did not increase the likelihood of ASOI in this cohort.
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The purpose of this study was to determine the safety of early weight-bearing after statically locked reamed nailing of comminuted fractures of the femoral diaphysis, and to assess the rate of implant failure and fracture healing. ⋯ This study showed that early weight-bearing after reamed static interlocking nailing of Winquist type II, III, and IV femoral fractures is a safe and effective method, and the risk of implant failure does not preclude the procedure.
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Critically ill surgical patients are often difficult to assess for complications because of their altered sensorium, multiple monitoring devices, and immobility. Surgeon-performed ultrasound may enhance the physical examination of these patients and provide for an early detection of select complications. We hypothesized that a focused thoracic ultrasound examination could reliably detect a pleural effusion and the results could be used in the decision matrix for patient care. ⋯ A focused thoracic ultrasound examination reliably detects pleural effusions in critically ill patients, and the results can be used successfully in the decision matrix for patient care.