Publications by authors named "L Velcu"

A 67-year-old female presented to the emergency department after falling on her chest. On initial presentation, her chest wall was tender to palpation with mild overlying ecchymosis. Initial imaging demonstrated a sternal body fracture with minimal retrosternal hematoma.

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Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been shown to affect outcomes among surgical patients. We hypothesized that COVID-19 would be linked to higher mortality and longer length of stay of trauma patients regardless of the injury severity score (ISS).

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of trauma registries from two level 1 trauma centers (suburban and urban) from March 1, 2019, to June 30, 2019, and March 1, 2020, to June 30, 2020, comparing baseline characteristics and cumulative adverse events.

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Trauma injuries to the neck account for 5-10% of all trauma injuries and carry a high rate of morbidity and mortality, as several vital structures can be damaged. Currently, there are several treatment approaches based on initial management by zones, initial management not based on zones and conservative management of selected patients. The objective of this systematic review is to describe the management of neck trauma.

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Background: Obesity can have a tremendous impact on the psychosocial, physical, and economic health of those afflicted by it. We hypothesized that if surgery results in significant weight loss and improves quality of life, those unemployed and disabled as a result of their morbid obesity might be more likely to become gainfully employed after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP).

Methods: We reviewed the medical charts of all patients who underwent RYGBP from April 1998 to December 1999.

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Purpose: Many women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) are overweight. This study investigated the impact of weight loss surgery on the clinical manifestations of this disorder in morbidly obese women with PCOS-a major risk factor for the development of heart disease, stroke, and type II diabetes.

Methods: We reviewed the outcomes of women diagnosed with PCOS who had undergone weight loss surgery at the University of Pittsburgh between July 1997 and November 2001.

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