J Trauma
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Comparative Study
Analysis of quality of life in polytraumatized patients two years after discharge from an intensive care unit.
Analysis of quality of life of polytraumatized critical care patients. ⋯ Polytraumatized patients admitted into ICU showed a worsening of their quality of life 1 and 2 years after ICU discharge, with an improvement between 1 and 2 years. Quality of life after 2 years is influenced by age, severity of illness, and previous quality of life.
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Comparative Study
Hemodynamic, plasma volume, and prenodal skin lymph responses to varied resuscitation regimens.
The theoretical efficacy of hypertonic saline (HS) resuscitation for hemorrhagic shock purportedly stems from the osmolar extraction of intracellular fluid into the plasma. This hypothesis presumes a concomitant expansion of the interstitial fluid space. Colloid resuscitation, in theory, expands the plasma volume by extracting interstitial fluid. ⋯ Wet/dry skin ratios were greatest at 60 minutes in the LR group but similar at 120 minutes in all four groups. These data suggest that interstitial fluid space remains contracted during the first hour after HS, HSD, and Dex resuscitation compared with LR resuscitation, even though the restoration of plasma volume, MAP, and cardiac output is greatest with the Dex regimen. Further studies with total body water and intracellular water are needed in this model.
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Percutaneous tracheostomy has been advocated as a faster, safer, and less invasive method of placing tracheostomy tubes in ventilated patients. To compare outcome differences, as measured by complication rates, between percutaneous and open tracheostomy, a retrospective cohort study was performed. ⋯ The minor complication rates did not differ significantly between percutaneous and open tracheostomy (12/31 vs. 12/29, respectively; p > 0.05), nor did there appear to be a difference in rates of major complications between the two groups (7/31 vs. 5/29; p > 0.05). This study identified a trend towards an increased risk of delayed airway loss in the percutaneous tracheostomy group.
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To analyze the indications for and the success rate, complications, and neurologic outcomes of surgical cricothyroidotomy when performed in the field by ambulance paramedics. ⋯ Surgical cricothyroidotomy can be performed on the critically injured patient in the field by ambulance paramedics with a high success rate and a low complication rate. The use of surgical cricothyroidotomy should be included in airway protocols for well-trained, ambulance Advanced Life Support paramedics.
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The present trend towards conservative management of hemodynamically stable pediatric trauma patients may be increasing the risk of delay in the diagnosis of traumatic hollow viscus perforations (HVP). The purpose of this study is to determine whether there is a delay in the diagnosis of HVP because of expectant management. A survey of factors leading to diagnostic delay was also made and the value of current diagnostic tools were reevaluated. ⋯ There is an apparent delay in the diagnosis of traumatic HVP in this series. Signs of peritoneal irritation are the most consistent findings of HVP after blunt abdominal trauma in children. Persistence of abdominal signs indicates peritoneal lavage, which has a high diagnostic sensitivity for HVP compared to other diagnostic modalities.