15 Trauma Flashcards
when do deaths from trauma occur?
1st, 2nd, 3rd peaks. 0-30 min, 30min to 4hr, days to weeks
what are the causes of deaths during 1st peak?
1st: lacs of heart, aorta, brain, brainstem, spinal cord; cannot save these pts, death is too quick
what are the causes of deaths during 2nd peak?
head injury (#1), hemorrhage (#2), saved w rapid assessment (golden hour)
what are the causes of deaths during 3rd peak?
deaths due to multisystem organ failure and sepsis
what percentage of all traumas are 2/2 blunt injury?
80%.
what organ is the most commonly injured from blunt trauma?
liver. sometimes spleen
for falls, what are the biggest predictors of survival?
age and body orientation
how many stories is LD50 for falls?
4 stories
what is most commonly injured in penetrating injury?
small bowel. some say liver
what is the most commonc ause of death in first hour?
hemorrhage
at what blood volume does BP start to drop?
30% of total blood volume is lost
what do you start resuscitation with? then what?
2L LR, then switch to blood
what is the mcc of death after reaching the ER alive?
head inj
what is the mcc of death in long term after trauma?
infection
what is the mcc of upper airway obstruction? what do you do to treat?
tongue. perform jaw thrust
what injuries do seat belts cause?
small bowel perforations, lumbar spine fx, sternal fxs
what is the best site for cutdown for venous access?
saphenous vein
when do you use DPL?
hypotensive pts w blunt trauma
what is a positive DPL?
>10 cc of blood >100,000 RBC/cc food particles bile bacteria >500 wbc/cc
what do you do if DPL is positive?
laparotomy
where do you do DPL if pelvic fx present?
supraumbilical
where does DPL fall short?
retroperitoneal bleeds, contained hematomas
where is FAST performed?
perihepatic fossa, perisplenic fossa, pelvis, pericardium
what are the limitations of FAST?
operator dependent, obesity obstructs view, may not detect free fluid <50-80 ml, retroperitoneal bleed, hollow viscous injury
what do you do if FAST is positive?
OR
what do you do if a hypotensive pt has neg FAST scan?
find source of bleeding (pelvis, fx, chest, or extremity)
what test is required for blunt trauma pts?
CT
what are the indications for CT in blunt trauma pts?
abd pain, need for general anesthesia, closed head inj, intoxicants on board, paraplegia, distracting inj, hematuria
what does CT miss in trauma?
hollow viscus inj, diaphragm inj
which trauma pts get laparotomies?
peritonitis, evisceration, positive DPL, uncontrolled visceral hemorrhage, free air, diaphragm inj, intraperitoneal bladder inj, contrast extravasation from hollow viscus, specific renal, panc, and biliary tract injuries
what is the algorithm for diagnosis of blunt trauma?
http://cl.ly/image/1e1t3q3r462f
do penetrating injuries need laparotomies?
generally
what do you do if a pt has possible penetrating abd injury?
local exploration and observation if fascia not violated.
what is the algorithm for diagnosis of low velocity penetrating abd trauma?
http://cl.ly/image/0N021n3q071r
when does abd compartment syndrome occur?
after massive fluid resuscitation, trauma, or abd surgery
what test do you get to find out if pt has compartment syndrome?
bladder scan: pressure >25-30
with compartment syndrome, why does pt get dec cardiac output?
IVC compression
what are good indicators of low cardiac output after abd compartment syndrome?
visceral and renal malperfusion (dec urine output)
what do you see on imaging with abd compartment syndrome?
upward displacement of diaphragm, affects ventilation
what is treatment for abd compartment syndrome?
decompressive laparotomy
what does a pneumatic antishock garment do? when do you use it?
releases compartments one at a time after reaching ER. controversial. use in pts with SBP <50 and no thoracic injury
when do you do ED thoracotomy for blunt trauma?
only if pressure/pulse lost in ER
when do you do ED thoracotomy for penetrating trauma?
use only if pressure/pulse lost on way to ER or in ER
what are the steps in thoracotomy?
open pericardium anterior to phrenic nerve, cross clamp aorta, watch for esophagus
is the esophagus anterior or posterior to aorta?
anterior
when do catecholamines peak after trauma?
24-48 hrs after inj
what else increases after trauma?
ADH, ACTH, glucagon (flight or flight response)
who cannot receive Rh-pos blood?
females who are prepubescent or of childbearing age. everyone else can get Rh-pos or Rh-neg blood
is giving only type-specific blood ok?
can be administered safely, but there may be effects for abs to HLA minor antigens in the donated blood.
at what gcs do you do what?
<= 8 icp monitor
what are the indications for head ct?
- suspected skull penetration by foreign body
- discharge of CSF, blood, or both from nose
- hemotympanum or discharge of blood or CSF from ear
- head inj w alcohol or drug intox
- altered state of consciousness at time of exam
- focal neurologic si/sx
- any situation precluding proper surveillance
- head inj plus additional trauma
- protracted unconsciousness
laceration of the middle meningeal artery is the cause of what kind of hematoma?
epidural hematoma
what kind of shape is epidural hematoma on head ct?
lenticular (lens)
what are si/sx of epidural hematoma?
LOC -> lucid interval -> sudden deterioration (vomiting, restlessness, LOC)
when do you operate for an epidural hematoma?
significant neurologic degernation or significant mass effect (shift >5mm)
what is mcc of subdural hematoma?
tearing of venous plexus (bridging veins) that cross between dura and arachnoid
what is finding on head ct for subdural hematoma?
crescent-shaped deformity
when do you operate for SDH?
degeration of mass effect >1cm
who gets chronic SDH?
elderly after minor fall
where are intracerebral hematomas located?
frontal or temporal
can intracerebral hematomas cause mass effect?
yes, can require operation
what kind of injury is coup, contrecoup?
cerebral contusion
what do you need to do for a traumatic intraventricular hemorrhage?
ventriculostomy if causing hydrocephalus
what is the best imaging modality for diffuse axonal injury?
MRI > CT
what is treatment for DAI?
supportive, may need craniectomy if ICP elevated, very poor prognosis
how do you calculate cerebral perfusion pressure?
CPP = MAP - ICP
what are signs of elevated ICP on imaging?
dec ventricular size, loss of sulci, loss of cisterns
when do you place an ICP monitor?
GCS <=8, suspected inc ICP, or pt with moderate to severe head inj and inability to follow clinical exam (intubated)
what is normal ICP? at what ICP requires treatment?
normal is 10. >20 needs treatment
what should CPP be?
> 60
how do you increase CPP?
- sedation and paralysis
- raise HOB
- relative hyperventilation (but do not overhyperventilate) -> can cause too much cerebral ischemia from too much vasoconstriction
what should Na and serum Osms be?
Na: 140-150, Osm 295-310
what can you give to draw cluid out of brain to maintain Na and serum Osms?
hypertonic saline
what is the dosage of mannitol?
load 1g/kg, give 0.25 mg/kg q4h after that
what does mannitol do?
draws fluid out of brain
what do you consider if mannitol or hypertonic saline dont work?
barbiturate coma
how do you reduce ICP?
ventriculostomy to keep ICP <20
when do you do a craniotomy decompression? what else can you do?
if unable to get ICP down medically. can also do Burr hole
what can be given to prevent seizures? who gets it?
fosphenytoin or keppra. give to mod to severe head injury pts
when does ICP peak?
48-72 hours after injury
what is the anatomical cause of dilated pupil?
temporal pressure on same side (CNIII, oculomotor, compression)
what are the si/sx of basal skull fx?
racoon eyes, battle’s sign, hemotympanum and csf rhinorrhea/otorrhea
what does raccoon eyes tell you?
anterior fossa fracture
what does battle’s sign tell you?
middle fossa fracture; can injure facial nerve (CN VII)
what is the most common site of facial nerve injury?
geniculate ganglion
what nerve do temporal skull fractures injure?
CN VII and VIII (vestibulocochlear nerve)
temporal skull fractures are associated with what kind of other injury?
lateral skull or orbital blows
do most skull fxs require surgical treatment?
normal is 10. >20 needs treatment
when do you operate for skull fx?
if significant depression (>1cm)
contaminated
persistent CSF leak not responding to conservative therapy
what do you do about csf leaks?
manage expectantly, can use lumbar CSF drainage if present. if persistent, operate
what is the cause of coagulopathy with traumatic brain injury?
release of tissue factor
what is a c1 fx called?
c1 burst is called jefferson fracture
what causes c1 burst?
axial loading
what is treatment for c1 burst?
rigid collar
what is the cause of c2 hangman’s fracture?
distraction and extension
what is the treatment for c2 fx?
traction and halo
what are the types of c2 odontoid fxs?
type I: above base, stable
type II: at base, unstable
type III: extends into vertebral body
what do you do about type I, II, III c2 fxs?
type I: nothing
type II: fusion or halo
type III: fusion or halo
what is associated w a facet injury or dislocation?
cord injury can be caused by facet injury.
associated with hyperextension and rotation with ligamentous disruption
what is an “unstable” spine?
if more than 1 column is disrupted
what are the columns of the thoracolumbar spine?
anterior
middle
posterior
what makes the anterior thoracolumbar spine?
anterior longitudinal ligament and anterior 1/2 of the vertebral body
what makes the middle thoracolumbar spine?
posterior 1/2 of the vertebral body and posterior longitudinal ligament
what makes the posterior thoracolumbar spine?
facet joints, lamina, spinous processes, interspinous ligament
what kinds of injuries affect the thoracolumbar spine?
compression fracture
burst fracture
what is a compression fracture? what is it also called? is it a stable fx?
wedge fracture. anterior column only. stable
what is a burst fracture? is it stable?
unstable (>1column), need a spinal fusion
what injuries do you find with upright fall?
calcaneus, lumbar, wrist/forearm fx
what do you need to get if pt has neurologic deficits without bony injury?
MRI to check ligamentous inj
when do you need to emergently decompress a spine surgically?
- fx or dislocation not reducible with distraction
- open fracture
- soft tissue or bony compression of the cord
- progressive neurologic dysfunction
what is the what is the most common cause of facial nerve injury?
fracture of temporal bone
for facial lacerations, what do you try to do when suturing/repairing?
preserve skin, not trim edges
what are the Le Fort fractures?
I: maxillary fracture straight across (-)
II: lateral to nasal bone, underneath eyes, diagonal towards maxilla ( / \ )
III: lateral orbital walls (- -)
what are the treatments for le fort I?
reduction, stabilization, intramaxillary fixation (IMF) +/- circumzygomatic and orbital rim suspension wires
what are the treatments for le fort II?
same as le fort I
what are the treatments for le fort III?
suspension wiring to stable frontal bone; may need ex fix
illustrate the le fort fractures.
http://cl.ly/image/1V2o2U0o2o3z
how often do nasoethmoidal orbital fractures have a CSF leak?
70%
what is the treatment for nasoethmoidal orbital fractures?
- conservative therapy for 2 weeks
- try epidural catheter to dec CSF pressure to help it close CSF leak
- may need surgical closure of dura to stop leak
what are the different types of nosebleeds?
anterior, posterior
how do you treat nosebleeds?
anterior: packing
posterior: difficult. try balloon tamponade. may need angioembolization of internal maxillary artery or ethmoid artery
who needs repair after an orbital blowout fx? what do you do?
impaired upward gaze or diplopia with upward vision. restore orbital floor with bone fragments or bone grafts
how do you diagnose mandibular injury?
fine cut facial CT scan with reconstruction
what is the #1 indicator of mandibular injury?
malocclusion
how do you repair mandibular injury?
IMF (metal arch bars to upper and lower dental arches, 6-8 weeks) or ORIF
what is a tripod fracture and how do you treat?
zygomatic bone fracture. ORIF for cosmesis
what are pts w maxillofacial fractures at high risk for?
cervical spine injuries
what do you do for an asymptomatic blunt neck trauma?
neck CT
what do you do for an asymptomatic penetrating neck trauma in zone I?
angiography, bronchoscopy, esophagoscopy, and barium swallow. pericardial window may be indicated. may need median sternotomy to reach these lesions
what do you do for an asymptomatic penetrating neck trauma in zone II?
need neck exploration in OR
what do you do for an asymptomatic penetrating neck trauma in zone III?
angiography and laryngoscopy. may need jaw subluxation/digastric and sternocleidomastoid muscle release/mastoid sinus resection to reach vascular injuries here
where are zone I, II, III?
I: clavicle to cricoid
II: cricoid to angle of mandible
III: angle of mandible to base of skull
http://cl.ly/image/2G2X1Y451J3H
what is the important implication of zone I injury?
greater potential for intrathoracic great vessel injury
what do you do for symptomatic blunt or penetrating neck trauma?
neck exploration if:
shock, bleeding, expanding hematoma, losing or lost airway, subcutaneous air, stridor, dysphagia, hemoptysis, neurologic deficit
what is the most difficult neck injury to find?
esophageal injury
how do you find an esophageal injury?
esophagoscopy and esophagram together
how often do esophagoscopy and esophagogram together find esophageal injuries?
95%
what do you do about a contained esophageal injury?
observe
what do you do about a small noncontained esophageal injury?
if small and minimal contamination, primary closure
what do you do about an extensive injury or contaminated esophageal injury?
depends on where it is.
neck: just place drains (will heal)
chest: chest tubes to drain injury and place spit fistula in neck (will eventually need esophagectomy)
how often do esophageal and hypopharyngeal repairs leak? what do you need to do for these repairs?
leak 20%. always place a drain
what is the approach to esophageal injuries to the neck?
left side
what is the approach to esophageal injuries to the upper 2/3 of thoracic esophagus?
right thoracotomy
what is the approach to esophageal injuries to the lower 1/3 of thoracic esophagus?
left thoracotomy
does the esophagus lie on the right or left? how does it course?
left to right to left
what do you do about laryngeal fxs and tracheal injuries?
airway emergency. secure airway emergently in ER w cricothyroidotomy usually. primarily repair using strap muscle for airway support. tracheostomy to allow edema to subside, and to check for stricture (convert cricothyroidotomy to tracheostomy)
what are the symptoms of laryngeal fx and tracheal injuries?
crepitus, stridor, resp compromise
what do you do for thyroid gland injuries?
control bleeding, drain. (not thyroidectomy)
what do you do for a recurrent laryngeal nerve injury?
try to repair or can reimplant in cricoarytenoid muscle
what are the sx of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury?
hoarseness
what do you do for a shotgun injury to neck?
angiogram and neck CT; esophagus/trachea evaluation