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Biomedical subjects

Ernest L Dunn

Publications and source records attributed to Ernest L Dunn.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

The effects of preinjury clopidogrel use on older trauma patients with head injuries.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to determine whether or not older trauma patients on clopidogrel have an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed on all trauma patients > or =50 years of age between January 1, 2002, and August 31, 2005. The charts of those patients who had documented preinjury use of clopidogrel were further reviewed. A control group of patients with no history of clopidogrel use was matched for age, sex, mechanism of injury, and injury severity score. RESULTS: During this time period, there were 1,020 trauma patients > or =50 years of age admitted, 43 of which had documented preinjury clopidogrel use (P). A higher percentage of patients in the P group underwent cranial surgery, had episodes of rebleeds, and required transfusions of blood products than in the control group. The mortality and length of stay were comparable in both groups. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that the preinjury use of clopidogrel may cause significant morbidity in patients with closed-head injuries. Further studies are needed to suggest specific treatment modalities.

Accidental Falls↗
PubMed2005

Laparoscopic converted to open cholecystectomy minimally prolongs hospitalization.

BACKGROUND: There has been little information about the length of stay (LOS) after laparoscopic converted to open cholecystectomy (CON) in the past few years. The aim of this study was to evaluate the LOS and postoperative complications for elective CON in a more recent time period. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed of all patients admitted to the Day Surgery Unit for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) converted to open cholecystectomy (OC) from January 2000 through December 2003. Indications for CON, operative time, LOS, pain control, and complications were evaluated. RESULTS: The CON rate was 3%, and the reason for CON to open was most commonly cited as inability to identify anatomy. On average, patients were discharged on postoperative day 3 (range 2 to 8). The postoperative complication rate was 17%. CONCLUSIONS: When the dissection is tedious, the surgeon should feel comfortable in converting from laparoscopic to open cholecystectomy. This can be done with the knowledge that it does not add significant length of stay as previously reported.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Are negative appendectomies still acceptable?

BACKGROUND: The goal was to ascertain if there was a significant change in the negative appendectomy (NA) rate in our community hospital with the increased use of computed tomography (CT). METHODS: This was a retrospective chart review of all appendectomies for acute disease performed at our institution from January 2000 to December 2002. There is no established protocol; therefore, CT scans were performed at the discretion of the involved physicians. The results of the physical exams, CT scans and pathology were recorded. RESULTS: Three hundred eighty-nine appendectomies were performed for appendicitis. There was a progressive increase in the use of CT: 52% in 2000, 74% in 2001, and 86% in 2002. There was also a decrease in the NA rate over the 3 years: 17% in 2000, 9% in 2001 and 2% in 2002. The perforated appendicitis rate decreased from 25% in 2000 to 9% in 2002. CONCLUSION: The appropriate utilization of CT scan as an aid in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis should decrease the NA rate to 2%.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2003

Endovascular repair of acute innominate artery injury due to blunt trauma.

The utility of endovascular techniques has expanded greatly over the past decade. Physicians now have choices regarding the treatment of many injuries that have traditionally required open surgical repair. Technological advances in materials as well as improved training and expertise among practitioners has led to increased availability of endovascular procedures that can often provide an effective and less invasive means of management. The following case report describes the successful treatment of a traumatic blunt injury to the innominate artery using endovascular techniques. Also provided is a review of the physical and radiographic findings associated with innominate artery rupture as well as a discussion on the diagnosis and treatment of such an injury. Isolated injuries of the innominate artery are exceedingly rare, and very little has been published about the endovascular repair of this specific injury. An extensive MEDLINE search was conducted to investigate whether or not endovascular repair of this particular injury had yet been described, and we found no published reports in the American medical literature. Although the technical aspects of this case are not particularly unique this case report demonstrates yet another successful application of endovascular intervention in the acute setting of blunt injury.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed2002

Trauma management in the end-stage renal disease patient.

More than 230,000 patients in the United States are being treated for end-stage renal disease (ESRD). This group of patients has not been evaluated for trauma resource use. When these patients are involved in trauma the need for dialysis and awareness of chronic disease processes must be considered in addition to their injuries. There were 4,894 patients admitted to a Level II trauma center over a 4-year period. Fifty-nine of these patients were considered to have ESRD before admission. The charts of these patients were reviewed and compared with those in the general trauma population. The average age of the ESRD patients was 58 years with an average Injury Severity Score of 8 as compared with 31 years of age and Injury Severity Score of 10.9 for the general trauma population. Thirty-four patients required hemodialysis within 48 hours of admission. Ten patients required mechanical ventilation. Eight patients in this study died. The complication and mortality rates among the ESRD patients were 50.8 per cent and 13.5 per cent respectively as compared with 16.3 and 4.7 per cent among the general trauma population. The trauma complication and mortality rates among ESRD patients are approximately three times greater than those in the general trauma population. Because of their coexisting medical problems and the need for dialysis trauma patients with ESRD should be cared for in trauma centers with dialysis capability and access to multidisciplinary services.

Adult↗