conclusions the loss of hrc at the onset of admission may predict mortality in patients with blunt trauma. lower entropy, in recently admitted patients with intra-abdominal bleeding, may indicate laparotomy when the vital signs are stable. background nonlinear analysis of heart rate variability (hrv) has been recently used as a predictor of prognosis in trauma patients. objectives we applied no...

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to describe pelvic fractures and their associated injuries in service members who either died of wounds or were killed in action during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom and define any differences in associated injuries between penetrating versus blunt injury to the pelvis. METHODS A review of all service members who sustained a pe...

Over the past decade, the recognition and subsequent management of blunt cerebrovascular injuries has undergone a marked evolution. Originally thought to be a rare occurrence, blunt cerebrovascular injuries are now diagnosed in approximately 1% of blunt trauma patients. The recognition of a clinically silent period allows for angiographic screening for injuries based upon the mechanism of traum...

Hepatic arterial injury secondary to both blunt and penetrating traumas is well documented in the literature by case reports and articles regarding management. Penetrating injuries to the hepatic arteries are more common than injuries from blunt trauma. Hepatic arterial injuries secondary to blunt traumas are often associated with injuries to other vital organs or vascular structures, resulting...

BACKGROUND Many surgeons believe that early mobilization of patients with blunt solid organ injuries increases the risk of delayed hemorrhage. OBJECTIVE To determine whether there is an association between the day of mobilization and rates of delayed hemorrhage from blunt solid organ injuries. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determin...

CONTEXT Pancreatic injuries after blunt abdominal trauma could result in significant morbidity, and even mortality if missed. OBJECTIVE Our aim was to review our institution's experience with blunt pancreatic trauma. SETTING Our study included all cases of blunt traumatic pancreatic injuries. PATIENTS Sixteen patients (median age 41 years; range: 18-60 years) were treated for blunt pancre...

Isolated duodenal injury after blunt abdominal trauma is a very rare entity. In contrast to penetrating injuries, duodenal injuries after blunt trauma are difficult to diagnose. Early diagnosis and management is required to prevent high morbidity and mortality associated with these injuries. We present three young patients of blunt abdominal trauma with an isolated injury to duodenum in which p...

Injuries to the inferior vena cava (IVC) secondary to blunt trauma are rare and occur in only 1-10% of all blunt trauma patients. Management of these injuries has not been subjected to major studies, but several case reports and small retrospective studies have demonstrated that management can be tailored to the hemodynamic status of the patient; this is similar to the management of blunt liver...

The kidney is the most common genitourinary organ injured from external trauma, occurring in 1-5% of all injuries. The vast majority of kidney injuries can be successfully managed nonoperatively. Blunt traumas are more frequent than penetrating. Penetrating trauma is more common in urban areas, is commonly caused by gunshot or stab wounds, and more commonly requires exploration. Blunt trauma re...