Burr hole washout versus craniotomy for chronic subdural hematoma: patient outcome and cost analysis.

Chronic subdural hematomas (CSDH), which are frequently encountered in neurosurgical practice, are, in the majority of cases, ideally treated with surgical drainage. Despite this common practice, there is still controversy surrounding the best surgical procedure. With lack of clear evidence of a superior technique, surgeons are free to base the decision on other factors that are not related to patient care.

Experience with 161 cases of anterior exposure of the thoracic and lumbar spine in an acute care surgery model: impact of exposure level and underlying pathology on morbidity.

Study Design: Retrospective chart review.

Objective: To evaluate the outcomes of anterior exposure of the thoracic and lumbar spine by an acute care surgery service.

Summary Of Background Data: Spine surgeons typically require an "approach surgeon" to provide anterior exposure of the thoracic and lumbar spine.

Single-drug sedation with fentanyl for prehospital postintubation sedation in trauma patients.

Background: A fentanyl-only (FO) regimen for prehospital postintubation sedation in trauma patients was compared with the standard protocol (SP) of fentanyl + benzodiazepine.

Methods: Intubated patients transported to a Level I trauma center from December 1, 2005, to April 30, 2009, were retrospectively reviewed. Before 2007, only SP was used; afterward both regimens were used.

Age: is it all in the head? Factors influencing mortality in elderly patients with head injuries.

Background: Elderly patients, an increasing segment of the population, who sustain traumatic brain injury (TBI) are known to have worse outcomes, including higher mortality. This objective of this study was to examine the Crash Injury Research Engineering Network and to determine at what age motor vehicle crash fatalities from head injuries increased.

Methods: The Crash Injury Research Engineering Network database was queried from 1996 to 2009.