October 15, 2008

Although the emergency department treats most acute trauma, physicians should be familiar with common laceration repair techniques as well as proper follow-up care. Sutures, tissue adhesives, staples, and skin-closure tapes are options in the outpatient setting.

Operative vaginal delivery with forceps or vacuum is a vital skill for family physicians who provide maternity care; however, vacuum is rapidly replacing forceps as the predominant instrument. Operative vaginal delivery should be considered where there is a prolonged second…

Systemic sclerosis is a connective tissue disease associated with autoimmunity, vasculopathy, and fibrosis. Although no disease-modifying therapy has been proven effective, complications are treatable.

Injections can be used for definitive treatment, pain relief, or symptom relief in the management of musculoskeletal conditions. The level of evidence supporting injection and place of injection in the treatment hierarchy vary depending on the diagnosis and patient-specific…

Primary Care Physicians Urge Congress to Repair Broken Medicare Payment System | Presidential Candidates Offer Contrasting Proposals for Reforming Health Care | Retail Health Clinics Provide Acute Care to Patients Without a Primary Care Physician | Onerous PQRI Reporting…

As children return to school, another sometimes unrecognized cycle begins in primary care practices throughout the country. The rate of acute respiratory infections typically reaches its annual nadir in the weeks before schools open, then starts the slow climb to its maximum…

Evidence supports the effectiveness of primary care interventions to improve nutrition, increase physical activity levels, reduce alcohol intake, and stop tobacco use. However, implementing these interventions requires considerable practice expense. If we hope to change…

The personal side of medicine told from the patient's perspective. The patient's story is followed by commentary from a physician and a list of resources.

What are the effects of treatments for unexplained recurrent miscarriage? What are the effects of treatments for recurrent miscarriage caused by antiphospholipid syndrome?

Photo Quiz presents readers with a clinical challenge based on a photograph or other image.

In most cases, patients with hyponatremia can be adequately managed with fluid restriction alone. However, acutely symptomatic patients may require treatment, such as hypertonic saline. In these situations, conivaptan is an expensive alternative.

Guideline source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices

Your doctor may close large cuts, called lacerations, with stitches or staples. Stitches are also called sutures. For smaller cuts, your doctor may use skin glue called tissue adhesive or tape to close the wound.

Scleroderma (sklair-uh-DUR-muh) is a disease that makes your skin harden. It happens when collagen builds up in your body. Collagen is a protein that normally helps connect the tissue in your body. Extra collagen can damage your skin and organs. It is unclear what causes this.

The article “Iron Deficiency Anemia,” (March 1, 2007, page 671) contained incorrect data in Table 1 on page 672. The table that appeared, “Prevalence of Iron Deficiency Anemia in the United States,” actually provided data on the prevalence of iron deficiency in the United…