Prehospital Traction Splint Use in Midthigh Trauma Patients.

Context: Traction splint (TS) use during emergency medical system transport has been theorized to relieve pain, limit continued injury from loose bone fragments, and decrease potential bleeding space in the injured thigh.

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the benefit of prehospital TS (PTS) application, using data from the trauma registry at a large Level 1 trauma center.

Methods: A retrospective review of patients from the NTRACS and Trauma One registry at an American College of Surgeons-verified Level 1 trauma center was conducted.

Criteria for excision of suspected fibroadenomas of the breast.

Background: Fibroadenomas are benign breast tumors; however, more aggressive lesions may mimic or arise within fibroadenomas. We sought to define criteria identifying patients who should undergo surgical excision.

Methods: Patients with a preoperative diagnosis of fibroadenoma, who underwent surgical excision between 2002 and 2011, were retrospectively reviewed.

Myths and Misinformation About Gunshot Wounds may Adversely Affect Proper Treatment.

Background: Poorly designed experiments and popular media have led to multiple myths about wound ballistics. Some of these myths have been incorporated into the trauma literature as fact and are included in Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS). We hypothesized that these erroneous beliefs would be prevalent, even among those providing care for patients with gunshot wounds (GSWs), but could be addressed through education.

Isolated free fluid on abdominal computed tomography in blunt trauma: watch and wait or operate?

Background: Isolated free fluid (FF) on abdominal CT in stable blunt trauma patients can indicate the presence of hollow viscus injury. No criteria exist to differentiate treatment by operative exploration vs observation. The goals of this study were to determine the incidence of isolated FF and to identify factors that discriminate between patients who should undergo operative exploration vs observation.

An acute care surgery fellowship benefits a general surgical residency.

Background: There has been a trend toward subspecialization among general surgery graduates, and many subspecialists are reticent to participate in trauma care. This has resulted in a gap in the provision of emergency surgical care. The Acute Care Surgery (ACS) fellowship, incorporating trauma, critical care, and emergency general surgery, was developed to address this need.

Post-extubation dysphagia in trauma patients: it's hard to swallow.

Background: There is a significant incidence of unrecognized postextubation dysphagia in trauma patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence, ascertain the risk factors, and identify patients with postextubation dysphagia who will require clinical swallow evaluation.

Methods: A prospective observational study was performed on 270 trauma patients.

Predicting extubation failure in blunt trauma patients with pulmonary contusion.

Background: The need for reintubation after weaning from mechanical ventilation (extubation failure) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. In blunt trauma patients with pulmonary contusion, factors predicting successful weaning have not been reliably defined. The purpose of this study was to identify criteria predicting successful extubation in these patients.

Results of a focused scald-prevention program.

Scalds are a leading cause of burn injury for young children. A focused prevention program was developed in the zip code accounting for the majority of scald burns. This study investigated the effect of the program.

Developing a focused scald-prevention program.

Scalds account for a high percentage of burn injuries in young children. The purpose of this project was to use a formative evaluation process to design a pilot scald-prevention program for a high-risk population. The burn registry and U.