Impact of Pelvic Fracture on Patients with Blunt Bowel Mesenteric Injury: Is Immediate Laparotomy Warranted?

The management of blunt abdominopelvic trauma with combined hemoperitoneum and pelvic fractures is challenging for trauma surgeons. Although angioembolization can achieve hemostasis in most visceral organ injuries and pelvic fractures after blunt abdominal trauma, it cannot effectively control hemorrhage in patients with blunt bowel mesenteric injury (BBMI). This study aimed to determine the risk factors associated with hemodynamically unstable patients with BBMI and to test the hypothesis that pelvic fracture is an independent risk factor for patients with unstable BBMI and concomitant pelvic fracture to guide the therapeutic sequence for difficult-to-manage patients.

Effect of acute alcohol consumption on blunt bowel mesenteric injury: a retrospective analysis.

Background: The effect of alcohol consumption on trauma remains controversial. The effects of alcohol on hemorrhage and peritonitis after blunt abdominal trauma have rarely been discussed. This study aimed to explore the effects of acute alcohol intoxication on the clinical characteristics, injury patterns, and outcomes in a surgical blunt bowel mesenteric injury (BBMI) cohort.

Analgesic Effect of Low-Level Laser Therapy before Heel Lance for Pain Management in Healthy Term Neonates: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Currently, the prevention, assessment, and management of procedural pain in neonates continues to challenge clinicians and researchers. Objective. To investigate the analgesic effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) during heel lance compared to breast milk (BM) feeding in healthy term neonates.

Laser Acupuncture Analgesia on Postpartum Low Back Pain: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Study.

Background: Unresolved postpartum LBP may affect women...

Protective Role of Obesity on Trauma Impact: A Retrospective Analysis of Patients with Surgical Blunt Bowel Mesenteric Injury Due to Road Traffic Accidents.

Background: The "cushion effect" theory proposes that increased body mass index (BMI) is associated with less severe abdomen injury following blunt abdomen trauma, while the "obesity paradox" describes the protective effect of obesity against mortality. However, most previous studies used the abdominal abbreviated injury scale as the outcomes seemed to be inadequate owing to the injuries to the abdominal organs, such as the spleen and liver, which may be attributable to the force that caused the chest trauma. This study aimed to use adult trauma patients with surgical blunt bowel mesenteric injuries (BBMIs) to investigate the influence of obesity on the clinical outcomes and overall morbidities.

A Retrospective Cohort Study on the Clinical Characteristics of Patients with Surgical Blunt Bowel and/or Mesenteric Injuries among Motorcyclists and Car Occupants.

(1) Background: Surgical blunt bowel and/or mesenteric injuries (BBMIs) are rare but challenging for trauma surgeons. Surgical BBMI is associated with specific injury mechanisms, such as direct compression by the handlebar in motorcycle accidents or rapid acceleration and deceleration of the impact forces associated with seatbelt injuries in motor vehicle collisions. However, the discussions on the implications of BBMI and the mechanisms of road traffic accidents remain scarce.

Acupuncture Analgesia in Patients With Traumatic Rib Fractures: A Randomized-Controlled Trial.

Unlabelled: Pain management for traumatic rib fracture is important to prevent complications and reduce associated comorbidities. This trial investigated the analgesic efficacy of acupuncture on traumatic rib fracture. Patients with traumatic rib fracture were randomly assigned to traditional acupuncture (TA), laser acupuncture (LA) or sham laser acupuncture (SLA) groups in a 1:1:1 ratio.

The effects of electroacupuncture and laser acupuncture therapy for patients with major trauma: A study protocol.

Background: Major trauma is the leading cause of death in the young population. The inflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses are associated with posttraumatic morbidity and mortality; however, it is not fully clear how to reestablish the homeostasis in patients with major trauma.

Methods: This study will be a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, partially double-blinded, three-armed trial.

Pain Experiences and Coping Strategies in Rural Older Adults With Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain in Mountainous Areas of Taiwan.

Background: Although rural communities are home to a higher proportion of older residents, they provide fewer healthcare services than do urban core communities. Chronic musculoskeletal (MSK) pain is often associated with reduced daily activity and quality of life in older adults, particularly those in rural areas.

Aims: This study investigated the pain experiences and coping strategies in rural older adults with MSK pain in Taiwan.

Effect of laser acupuncture on adhesive small bowel obstruction: A prospective double-blind randomized controlled trial.

Background: Adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO) is one of the most common complications and is a major cause of re-admission after intra-abdominal surgery. The initial management of patients with ASBO is nonoperative treatment such as nil per os and decompression using a nasogastric tube. However, the ideal management of ASBO remains controversial.

Effect of acupressure on postpartum low back pain, salivary cortisol, physical limitations, and depression: a randomized controlled pilot study.

Objective: To investigate the effect of acupressure on postpartum low back pain (LBP), salivary cortisol, physical limitations, and postpartum depression.

Methods: Participants were 70 postpartum women who were randomly assigned to either an intervention (n = 35) or a control (n = 35) group. The intervention group received 10 acupressure sessions (1 session per day, 5 d per week).

Is strict adherence to the nonoperative management protocol associated with better outcome in patients with blunt splenic injuries?: A retrospective comparative cross-sectional study.

Background: The nonoperative management (NOM) protocol with angioembolization (AE) presents a trend in dealing with trauma patients with blunt splenic injury (BSI). This study was designed to explore the adverse events and associated risk factors before and after protocol-based NOM of BSI over a 12-year period.

Methods: A retrospective study was performed on adult trauma patients with BSI who were admitted from 2005 to 2016.

A review of complementary therapies with medicinal plants for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.

Introduction: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a progressive, prolonged, and often irreversible side effect of many chemotherapeutic agents. The development of neuropathic pain is still poorly managed by clinically available drugs at present.

Methods: In this mini-review, we summarized the current knowledge of pathobiology for CIPN, and selected evidence on the application of complementary therapies in experimental studies.

Decreased risk of dementia in migraine patients with traditional Chinese medicine use: a population-based cohort study.

Patients with migraine are reportedly at increased risk of developing dementia. We aimed to investigate the association between traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) use and dementia risk in migraine patients. This longitudinal cohort study used the Taiwanese National Health Insurance Research Database to identify 32,386 diagnosed migraine patients aged 20 years and above who received treatment from 1997 to 2010.

Gender-based differences in mortality and complementary therapies for patients with stroke in Taiwan.

Background: Stroke is a leading cause of death worldwide. In this retrospective study, we investigated the different effects of gender on medical behavior, medical service, medical cost, and death from stroke in Taiwan.

Methods: We collected data on the stroke-associated mortality rate according to gender and age group for the period between 2009 and 2013 from the official registry of Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taiwan.

Reduction in postpartum weight with laser acupuncture: A randomized control trial.

Background: Gestational weight gain and weight retention at 1 year after delivery are associated with long-term obesity. We aimed to investigate the effect of laser acupuncture therapy on postpartum weight control.

Methods: We randomly assigned 66 subjects with postpartum weight retention to a laser acupuncture group and control group.

Chinese Herbal Products for Female Infertility in Taiwan: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

Female infertility and low birth rate are significant public health issues with profound social, psychological, and economic consequences. Some infertile women resort to conventional, complementary, or alternative therapies to conceive. The aim of this study was to identify the Chinese herbal products (CHPs) most commonly used for female infertility in Taiwan.

A case of chemotherapy-induced congestive heart failure successfully treated with Chinese herbal medicine.

Objective: A case is presented to illustrate a potential effect of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) formulas in treating chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity.

Clinical Presentation: An 18-year-old adolescent male with refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) had experienced anthracycline-induced congestive heart failure (CHF) for 3 weeks. Under intensive care with conventional therapy, the patient still had exercise intolerance and depended on supplemental oxygen all day.

Integrated traditional Chinese medicine for childhood asthma in Taiwan: a Nationwide cohort study.

Background: Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is the most commonly used alternative therapy in children with asthma, especially in the Chinese community. This study aimed to investigate the effects of the government-sponsored Outpatient's Healthcare Quality Improvement (OHQI) project with integrated TCM treatment on childhood asthma.

Methods: This study used the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2000, which is a part of the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD).