J Trauma
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Control of hyperglycemia has been shown to decrease mortality in critically ill adults, but the benefits of strict glucose control have not been established in children. Since January 2002, our pediatric burn center has adopted a policy of 'intensive' insulin therapy to achieve blood glucose levels 90 to 120 mg/dL. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of this practice on patient outcomes. ⋯ Intensive insulin therapy to maintain normoglycemia in severely burned children can be safely and effectively implemented in the burn unit. This therapy seems to lower infection rates and improve survival. Intensive insulin therapy should be considered for children with severe burn injuries.
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Charge capture plays an important role in every surgical practice. We have developed and merged a custom mobile database (DB) system with our trauma registry (TRACS), to better understand our billing methods, revenue generators, and areas for improved revenue capture. ⋯ Total charges more than doubled using a mobile database to bill at the point of care. A subsequent comparison of TRACS data with billing information revealed a large amount of uncaptured patient revenue. Greater familiarity and broader use of mobile database technology holds the potential for even greater revenue capture.
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Computed tomographic (CT) scanning is increasingly used in patients with abdominal gunshot wounds (AGSWs) selected for nonoperative management (NOM). Triple-contrast CT scanning (i.e., intravenous, oral, and rectal) has produced encouraging initial results. The exact role and usefulness of CT scanning with intravenous contrast only is unknown. ⋯ Abdominal CT scanning is a safe and useful method of selecting AGSW patients for NOM. Further exploration is needed to define the precise benefits of routine CT scanning over clinical examination with selective CT scanning.
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Case Reports
Should blunt arterial trauma to the extremities be treated with endovascular techniques?
Endovascular techniques are making progress in most aspects of vascular disease. Penetrating or blunt trauma to large arteries can in many cases be managed elegantly with endovascular techniques. However when it comes to arterial trauma of the extremities things are more complicated. ⋯ The "glueing" was effective in giving a long lasting patency. We anticipate that there may be a role, though limited, for using PTA as a means of "glueing" the intima. More advanced techniques such as insertion of stents or stent-grafts in traumatized extremity arteries would rarely be indicated.