The Journal of surgical research
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Meta Analysis
The effect of early goal-directed therapy on mortality in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock: a meta-analysis.
The Surviving Sepsis Campaign has recommended early goal-directed therapy (EGDT) as an essential strategy to decrease mortality among patients with severe sepsis and septic shock. However, three latest multicenter trials failed to show its benefit in the patients with severe sepsis and septic shock. This article was to evaluate the effect of EGDT on the mortality of patients with severe sepsis and septic shock. ⋯ This meta-analysis suggests that EGDT can significantly reduce the mortality among patients with severe sepsis and septic shock.
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Observational Study
Thoracic irrigation prevents retained hemothorax: a pilot study.
Upward of 20% of patients undergoing thoracostomy tube (TT) placement develop retained hemothorax (HTx) requiring secondary intervention. The aim of this study was to define the rate of secondary intervention in patients undergoing prophylactic thoracic irrigation. ⋯ Thoracic irrigation at the time of TT placement for traumatic HTx may decrease the rate of retained HTx.
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Venous outflow problems are the most common reasons for perioperative flap complications. The benefit of a second venous anastomosis, however, remains unclear in lower extremity trauma free flap reconstruction and warrants further investigation. ⋯ Dual-vein outflow demonstrated 73% reduction in overall complications and 69% reduction in flap failure rate compared to single-vein flaps. These results suggest a protective effect of a dual-vein outflow system, and when considered together with our findings of unchanged operative time, provide evidence for preferential use of two venous anastomoses when possible for free flap reconstruction of lower extremity trauma.
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Observational Study
Trajectory subtypes after injury and patient-centered outcomes.
The recent focus on patient-centered outcomes highlights the need to better describe recovery trajectories after injury. The purpose of this study was to characterize recovery trajectory subtypes that exist after non-neurologic injury. ⋯ Recovery after injury is complex and results in multiple recovery trajectories. This has implications for patient-centered clinical trial design and in development of patient-specific interventions to improve outcomes.
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Comparative Study
The elderly patient with spinal injury: treat or transfer?
The purpose of this investigation was to delineate whether elderly patients with spinal injuries benefit from transfers to higher level trauma centers. ⋯ Transfer of elderly patients with spinal injuries to higher level trauma centers is not associated with improved survival. Future studies should explore the justifications used for these transfers and focus on other outcome measures such as functional status to determine the potential benefit from such practices.