The utility of bedside ultrasound and patient perception in detecting soft tissue foreign bodies in children.

Objective: The purpose of the study was to determine if bedside ultrasound (US) and perception of wound foreign bodies (FBs) are useful screening tools for detecting wound FBs in children.

Methods: Prospective consecutive sample of children aged 18 years or younger presenting to a pediatric emergency department with wounds considered by the pediatric emergency department attending physician to be at risk for FBs was enrolled. Patients were asked if they had FB sensation in their wound(s).

Wound irrigation in children: saline solution or tap water?

Study Objective: Irrigation, a critical component of wound management, is commonly performed with sterile normal saline solution. The purpose of this study was to compare the infection rates of wounds irrigated with normal saline solution versus those of wounds irrigated with running tap water.

Methods: A prospective trial was conducted in an urban pediatric emergency department.