Brief Psychological Intervention with Traumatized Young Women: The Efficacy of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing

To study the efficacy of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) with traumatized young women, 60 women between the ages of 16 and 25 were randomly assigned to two sessions of either EMDR or an active listening (AL) control. Factorial ANOVA interaction effects and simple main effects for outcome measures (Beck Depression Inventory, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Penn Inventory for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Impact of Event Scale, Tennessee Self-Concept Scale) indicated significant improvement for both groups and significantly greater pre-post change for EMDR-treated participants. Pre-post effect sizes for the EMDR group averaged 1.56 compared to 0.65 for the AL group. Despite treatment brevity, the posttreatment outcome variable means of EMDR-treated participants compared favorably with nonpatient or successfully treated norm groups on all measures.     

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EDMR) Treatment for Combat-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Despite the clinical and social impact of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), there are few controlled studies investigating its treatment. In this investigation, the effectiveness of two psychotherapeutic interventions for PTSD were compared using a randomized controlled outcome group design. Thirty five combat veterans diagnosed with combat-related PTSD were treated with either (a) 12 sessions of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, EMDR (n = 10), (b) 12 sessions of biofeedback-assisted relaxation (n = 13), or (c) routine clinical care, serving as a control (n = 12). Compared with the other conditions, significant treatment effects in the EMDR condition were obtained at posttreatment on a number of self-report, psychometric, and standardized interview measures. Relative to the other treatment group, these effects were generally maintained at 3-month follow-up. Psychophysiological measures reflected an apparent habituation effect from pretreatment to posttreatment but were not differentially affected by treatment condition.     

Prolonged Exposure versus Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for PTSD rape victims

This controlled study evaluated the relative efficacy of Prolonged Exposure (PE) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) compared to a no-treatment wait-list control (WAIT) in the treatment of PTSD in adult female rape victims (n = 74). Improvement in PTSD as assessed by blind independent assessors, depression, dissociation, and state anxiety was significantly greater in both the PE and EMDR group than the WAIT group (n = 20 completers per group). PE and EMDR did not differ significantly for change from baseline to either posttreatment or 6-month follow-up measurement for any quantitative scale.     

The Effectiveness of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy to Treat Symptoms Following Trauma in Timor Leste

The effectiveness of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy for treating trauma symptoms was examined in a postwar/conflict, developing nation, Timor Leste. Participants were 21 Timorese adults with symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), assessed as those who scored ≥2 on the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (HTQ). Participants were treated with EMDR therapy. Depression and anxiety symptoms were assessed using the Hopkins Symptom Checklist. Symptom changes post‐EMDR treatment were compared to a stabilization control intervention period in which participants served as their own waitlist control. Sessions were 60–90 mins. The average number of sessions was 4.15 (SD = 2.06). Despite difficulties providing treatment cross‐culturally (i.e., language barriers), EMDR therapy was followed by significant and large reductions in trauma symptoms (Cohen's d = 2.48), depression (d = 2.09), and anxiety (d = 1.77). At posttreatment, 20 (95.2%) participants scored below the HTQ PTSD cutoff of 2. Reliable reductions in trauma symptoms were reported by 18 participants (85.7%) posttreatment and 16 (76.2%) at 3‐month follow‐up. Symptoms did not improve during the control period. Findings support the use of EMDR therapy for treatment of adults with PTSD in a cross‐cultural, postwar/conflict setting, and suggest that structured trauma treatments can be applied in Timor Leste.     

Prevalence, Characteristics, and Long-Term Sequelae of Natural Disaster Exposure in the General Population

A sample of 935 participants from the general population completed a mail-out questionnaire containing the Trauma Symptom Inventory (J. Briere, 1995) and the Traumatic Events Survey (D. M. Elliott, 1992). The lifetime self-reported prevalence of natural disasters in this sample was 22%. Although time from the last disaster to involvement in the study was an average of 13 years, previous disaster was associated with significantly higher scores on 6 of 10 symptom scales. Disaster characteristics (especially the presence of physical injury, fear of death, and property loss) were better predictors of symptomatology than was disaster type. Disaster exposure continued to predict symptomatology after controlling for interpersonal violence history, although interpersonal violence accounted for more overall symptom variance.     

胰腺损伤的临床诊断及治疗(附34例分析)

目的　探讨胰腺损伤的诊断及治疗方法。方法　回顾性分析1994～2005年收治的34例胰腺损伤患者的临床资料。Ⅰ级胰腺损伤11例,Ⅱ级12例,Ⅲ级7例,Ⅳ级3例,Ⅴ级1例,其中27例（79.4%）合并其它腹腔脏器损伤,21例（61.8%）合并休克。结果　全部34例均行手术治疗。全组仅12例（35.3%）术前确诊。治愈32例,治愈率94.1%;2例死亡,死亡率5.9%。结论　胰腺损伤早期诊断困难,应高度警惕。对怀疑或诊断为胰腺损伤者,应尽早手术探查,并根据损伤的部位及严重程度,选择合理的手术方式。     

严重肝外伤的救治(附32例报告)

目的总结严重肝外伤的处理经验。方法对1991年1月～2007年5月经治的32例严重肝外伤患者的临床资料,包括损伤程度、手术方式、疗效及术后并发症进行分析。结果肝外伤Ⅲ级16例,Ⅳ级11例,V级5例。行单纯修补缝合6例;大网膜填塞加缝合9例;明胶海绵填塞加缝合6例;纱布填塞3例;不规则肝段切除7例,规则右半肝切除1例。痊愈25例,死亡7例,其中死于大血管破裂失血性休克4例,死于颅脑外伤、肝创面再出血及多器官功能衰竭各1例。8例发生近期并发症,其中再出血2例,均再次手术止血。膈下感染2例,胆漏1例,肝脓肿1例,应激性溃疡1例,急性肾衰1例。结论尽快救治失血性休克,术中彻底止血,充分引流,预防术后并发症,是治疗严重肝外伤的有效措施。     

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) in a Kidney Donor Associated with Transient Recipient DIC

It has been controversial whether or not to accept kidneys for transplantation from donors with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). We report two recipients who received the kidneys from a donor with DIC following traumatic head injury. Despite evidence of donor kidney glomerular fibrin deposits and ongoing low-grade DIC in the recipients, which resolved after 5–7 days; both recipients did well suggesting that donors with DIC can be successfully used for renal transplantation.     

Desensitization and Subsequent Kidney Transplantation of Patients Using Intravenous Immunoglobulins (IVIg)

Transplantation of patients possessing antibodies against allo-HLA antigens can be delayed for years. We have shown that administration of intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg) can induce a profound and sustained decrease in the titers of anti-HLA antibodies. We report here the first series of patients desensitized, then transplanted using IVIg therapy. Fifteen patients have been included and treated with IVIg, given as 3 monthly courses of 2g/kg body weight. Thirteen of those 15 patients (87%) were effectively desensitized and underwent immediate transplantation. Eleven were transplanted with a cadaveric donor, and two with a living donor against which the pretreatment cross-match was positive. One graft was lost from thrombosis and one from rejection. All other patients had uneventful courses, without any episodes of rejection, with a follow-up of more than 1 year. Thus, IVIg therapy allows safe and prompt kidney transplantation of immunized patients.     

Measurement of Dissociative States with the Clinician-Administered Dissociative States Scale (CADSS)

The purpose of this study was to develop an instrument for the measurement of present-state dissociative symptoms, the Clinician Administered Dissociative States Scale (CADSS). Reported here are interrater reliability and internal consistency of the CADSS, validity as assessed by comparisons with other instruments for the assessment of dissociation, and sensitivity of the CADSS to discriminate patients with dissociative disorders from patients with other psychiatric disorders and healthy subjects. Initial analyses indicated good interrater reliability and construct validity for the CADSS. Scores on the CADSS discriminated patients with dissociative disorders from the other groups.     

Development and psychometric validation of a Domestic Violence Coping Self-efficacy Measure (DV-CSE)

Psychometric properties of a Domestic Violence Coping Self-Efficacy Measure were examined. Two-hundred eighty three women assaulted within the past 6 months were recruited. Internal reliability of the measure was very good (alpha = .97). Principle components factor analysis indicated one primary factor accounting for 56% of the variance. The measure was positively associated with optimism, adaptive coping, and healthy psychological functioning, and negatively associated with trauma-related distress, negative mood, and maladaptive coping. A small positive association with social desirability was found. This measure may have significant clinical utility in helping survivors by indicating areas where individuals feel especially vulnerable or empowered.     

损伤控制性手术治疗严重肝脏创伤(附32例回顾性分析)

目的探讨损伤控制性手术（DCS）治疗严重肝脏创伤的临床价值，以总结手术经验。方法回顾性分析1999年8月至2006年8月，采用DCS原则治疗32例严重肝脏创伤的手术资料和后续治疗的情况。结果32例病人均经损伤控制性手术治疗：SICU复苏后，所有病人均接受相应形式的再次确定性手术。治愈28例（87．5％），再次手术术后出现肝脓肿、胆瘘各1例（各为3．1％），经保守治疗痊愈；死亡4例（12．5％），死亡原因与手术无关。结论符合DCS指征的严重肝脏创伤的病人，应积极选择适宜的手术治疗方式，并应根据损伤的不同部位和程度，分次手术治疗。     

Assessment of the trauma evaluation and management (TEAM) module in Australia

AIM: To assess the immediate effect on trauma-related knowledge of the trauma evaluation and management (TEAM) program applied to medical students in Australia. METHODS: 73 final year medical students from Melbourne were randomly assigned to two experimental groups (E1 and E2 who completed the TEAM program after a 20 item MCQ pre-test on trauma resuscitation and a second MCQ exam after the TEAM program) and two control groups (C1 and C2 who completed the pre- and post-MCQ exams before completing the TEAM module). All 73 students completed an evaluation questionnaire. Paired and unpaired t-tests were used for within and between groups comparisons. RESULTS: Groups C1 and C2 had similar mean scores in pre- and post-tests ranging from 57.2 to 60.5%. Groups E1 and E2 had similar pre-test scores but increased their post-test scores (pre-test range 53.8-57.1% and post-test 68.8-77.4%, P < 0.05). On a scale of 1-5 with five being the highest, a score of four or greater was assigned by over 74% of the students that the objectives were met, over 80% that trauma knowledge was improved, 25-40% that clinical skills were improved with over 74% overall satisfaction. Over 75% assigned a score of four or greater suggesting the module be mandatory. CONCLUSIONS: After the TEAM program there was significant improvement in cognitive skills. The students strongly supported its introduction in the undergraduate curriculum.     

闭合性肾损伤的诊断与治疗(附132例报告)

目的：总结闭合性肾损伤的诊断与治疗。方法：对132例闭合性肾损伤的临床资料性分析。结果：132例闭合性肾损伤中，肾挫伤96例，肾裂伤21例，肾粉碎伤15例，并发伤36例。血尿、腰部疼痛是主要的临床症状。保守治疗87例，超选择性肾动脉栓塞术6例，手术治疗39例。死亡6例。结论：B超和CT检查是诊断肾损伤的有效方法。迅速而准确的伤情评估，严格掌握手术时机是治疗闭合性肾损伤的关键。     

Epidemiology of Foot and Ankle Fractures in the United States: An Analysis of the National Trauma Data Bank (2007 to 2011)

Understanding the epidemiology of foot and ankle trauma could be useful in health services research and for policy makers. It can also define practice patterns. Using the National Trauma Data Bank data set from 2007 to 2011, we analyzed the frequency and proportion of each fracture in the foot and ankle in major trauma hospitals in the United States. A total of 280,933 foot and/or ankle fractures or dislocations were identified. Although oversampling of more severe trauma in younger patients might have occurred owing to the nature of the data set, we found that the most common fractures in the foot and ankle were ankle fractures. Midfoot fractures were the least common among all the foot and ankle fractures when categorized by anatomic location. Approximately 20% of all foot and ankle fractures were open.     

肾损伤450例的诊断和治疗

目的　提高肾损伤的诊疗水平。方法　对450例肾损伤进行了回顾性分析。结果　闭合性损伤423例,开放性损伤27例, 合并伤227例。B超阳性率68.2%,双倍剂量IVU阳性率47.9%,CT阳性率100%。根据病情分别选择手术与保守治疗,非手 术治愈365例,超选择性肾动脉栓塞4例,手术治愈67例,死亡14例。结论　B超检查快捷安全,应作为肾损伤首选检查方法, 在诊断中主要起到筛选作用。CT扫描为肾损伤程度分类和选择治疗方案提供可靠依据,应作为重度肾损伤和术前常规检查方 法。治疗取决于伤情,保守治疗是重要的治疗方法,严格掌握手术和非手术治疗指征是处理肾损伤的关键。     

Evaluation of appropriateness of patient transfers for hand and microsurgery to a level I trauma center

Background

The transfer of patients for hand and microsurgical emergencies to level I trauma centers is a common practice. Many of these transfers do not actually require a hand specialist and could be taken care of at most regional hospitals. In this study, we will evaluate the appropriateness of patient transfers for hand trauma and determine if there is a correlation between inappropriate transfers and undesirable factors, such as insurance status and off-hour’s presentation.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was performed in all patients transferred to a level I trauma center for hand and microsurgical trauma over a 22-month period. Collected data included indication for transfer, mode of transfer, time and day of the week, patient demographics, insurance status, and whether the transferring facilities had surgical coverage available. A synopsis, including treatment details, of each transfer was created, and a survey was sent to a review committee who rated the appropriateness of the transfers. Statistical analysis was performed to determine whether appropriateness of transfers was influenced by nonmedical variables.

Results

Over a 22-month period, a total of 95 hand or microsurgical patients were transferred to a single tertiary referral center. Of these, 66 % of the transfers were considered inappropriate by the surveyed physicians. Inappropriate transfers were statistically more likely to be under insured or transferred during nonbusiness hours.

Conclusion

A large percentage of patients are being transferred to tertiary care centers for reasons other than medical necessity, generating a large burden on already strained medical resources.