Role of Serial Phlebotomy in the Management of Blunt Solid Organ Injury in Adults.

Background: The management of blunt spleen and liver trauma has become increasingly nonoperative. There is no consensus on timing or duration of serial hemoglobin and hematocrit monitoring in this patient population.

Objective: This study examined the clinical utility of serial hemoglobin and hematocrit monitoring.

The Combination of SAT and SBT Protocols May Help Reduce the Incidence of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia in the Burn Intensive Care Unit.

There are few published reports on the unique nature of burn patients using a paired spontaneous awakening and spontaneous breathing protocol. A combined protocol was implemented in our burn intensive care unit (ICU) on January 1, 2012. This study evaluates the impact of this protocol on patient outcomes in a burn ICU.

Rib fractures and their association With solid organ injury: higher rib fractures have greater significance for solid organ injury screening.

Background: The purpose of this study was to identify patients with rib injuries who were at risk for solid organ injury.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed of all blunt trauma patients with rib fractures during the period from July 2007 to July 2012. Data were analyzed for association of rib fractures and solid organ injury.

Controlling intraoperative hemorrhage during burn surgery: A prospective, randomized trial comparing NuStat hemostatic dressing to the historic standard of care.

Introduction: One of the primary intraoperative challenges during burn surgery is to adequately excise the burn while avoiding massive hemorrhage. This has become increasingly important, as we see more burn patients that are older and with more medical comorbidities. While adequate excision down to healthy tissues for deep burns is essential for skin graft to take, it also leads to active bleeding that can be a challenge to control.

Intraoperative management of renal gunshot injuries: is mandatory exploration of Gerota's fascia necessary?

Background: Many trauma surgeons and trauma centers use routine exploration of Gerota's fascia (GE) for renal gunshot wounds (RGSW). The purpose of this study was to assess whether RGSW can be selectively explored for patients who undergo exploratory laparotomy.

Methods: Retrospective 10-year review of all patients who underwent exploratory laparotomy for abdominal gunshot wounds and had RGSW selectively explored.