Optimal Timing of Cholecystectomy for Acute Cholecystitis: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background Laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed less than 72 hours from hospital admission for acute cholecystitis has shown to decrease hospital cost without an increase in length of stay (LOS). Very few studies have examined clinical and cost outcomes of performing cholecystectomy less than 24 hours from hospital admission. The aim of this study was to examine the cost and LOS of laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed on an early (less than 24 hours from admission) and late (more than 24 hours from hospital admission) basis.

American Helicopter Emergency Medical Service Pilots Report to Work Despite High Rates of Sleepiness.

Objective: Previous studies on helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) pilots found a positive correlation among fatigue, nodding off in flight, and accidents. We sought to quantify the amount of sleepiness in HEMS pilots using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS).

Methods: An anonymous survey was sent via the National EMS Pilots Association emergency medical services listserv including demographics, the ESS, and subjective effects of fatigue on flying.

Evaluation and management of mild traumatic brain injury: an Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma practice management guideline.

Background: An estimated 1.1 million people sustain a mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) annually in the United States. The natural history of MTBI remains poorly characterized, and its optimal clinical management is unclear.

Abdominal anaphylaxis presenting as trauma: a recipe for delayed diagnosis.

Background: Successful shock management requires prompt identification, classification, and treatment; however, the triage of patients with non-hemorrhagic shock to the trauma room can lead to delayed diagnosis with increased morbidity and mortality.

Objective: Our goal is to emphasize the importance of shock identification and classification to facilitate the delivery of the appropriate and timely therapy, no matter how the patient is triaged.

Case Report: We describe a patient triaged as a trauma patient with suspected hemorrhagic shock yet who was found to have anaphylaxis as the etiology of his condition.

The management of the open abdomen in trauma and emergency general surgery: part 1-damage control.

Background: The open abdomen technique, after both military and civilian trauma, emergency general or vascular surgery, has been used in some form for the past 30 years. There have been several hundred citations on the indications and the management of the open abdomen. Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma practice management committee convened a study group to organize the world's literature for the management of the open abdomen.

Factors associated with survival following blunt chest trauma in older patients: results from a large regional trauma cooperative.

Hypothesis: We hypothesized that patient factors, injury patterns, and therapeutic interventions influence outcomes among older patients incurring traumatic chest injuries.

Design: Patients older than 50 years with at least 1 rib fracture (RF) were retrospectively studied, including institutional data, patient data, clinical interventions, and complications. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed.

Practice management guidelines for identification of cervical spine injuries following trauma: update from the eastern association for the surgery of trauma practice management guidelines committee.

Background: Injury to the cervical spine (CS) is common after major trauma. The Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma first published its Practice Management Guidelines for the evaluation of CS injury in 1998. A subsequent revision was published in 2000.