Initial Management Flashcards
Commonly used terms to describe major trauma 5
Death after trauma
Admission to ICU for 24hrs w/ mech vent
Serious injury to >2 body systems
Injury severity score >12
Urgent surgery for Inter cranial, intra thoracic or intra abdominal injury. Fixation of pelvic or spinal fractures
Stages of care 4
Pre hospital
ED
Inpatient
Rehabilitation
Goals of ED care of major trauma 3
Seek and treat life threats
Expedite delivery of the patient to the appropriate inpatient service
Minimise morbidity from preventable errors and complications
RAPTOR
Resuscitation with angiography, percutaneous techniques and operative repair
Disposition major trauma patient 4+2
Radiology
Theatre
ICU
Ward
Inter hospital transfer
Hybrid Suite RAPTOR
Roles of ED in major trauma
Receive pre notification activate trauma system
Receive patient
Commence the initial assessment and resuscitation
Coordinate initial management and investigation
Refer to the appropriate inpatient services or external trauma centre
Arrange disposition of the patient: admission or transfer
IMIST
Identification
Mechanism
Injuries
Signs vitals
Treatment
Exposure and control of life threatening haemorrhage
All dressings must be removed
Tourniquets should be assessed and optimised
Not over clothing
Endotracheal tube check 6
Confirm end tidal CO2
Confirm current insertion distance at lips/teeth matches that documented by pre-hospital team
Check cuff pressure
Auscultate for breath sounds
Perform chest XR by assessment doctor
NG tube placement
Anterior neck examination - life threatening conditions not to miss
TWELVEC
Tracheal deviation - tension PTX
Wounds and swelling - vascular injury or haematoma which can cause compression/obstruction of airway
Emphysema - subcutaneous emphysema can be caused by an injury to the airway or tracking from PTX/Pmediastinum
Laryngeal crepitus - laryngeal fracture*
Veins - distended neck veins may indicate cardiac tamponade or tension PTX
Oesophagus - ability to swallow
Carotids - assess for bruising, swelling and bruits over the carotids
Mechanisms and signs of laryngeal fracture 3+4
Cautions
Hanging
Clothesline injuries
Direct blow to neck
Ligature marks
Anterior neck bruising and swelling
Throat pain swelling
Voice change
Do not palpate
Disrupting laryngeal anatomy and obstructing airway
Breathing and chest trauma
Aims 3
To optimise oxygenation and effective ventilation
To rapidly identify and tear TensPTX with pleural decompression and intercostal catheter
Seek and treat other life threats in the chest
Immediate life threats in the chest
ATOM-FC
Aortic transection - shearing, different from dissection
Tension PTX/Tracheo-bronchial injury - non re-inflating lungs despite decompression: large hole or defect in airway or lung
Open PTX -air drawn through wound on insp and expelled on exp
Massive haemothorax
Flail segment - paradoxical inspiration. Not all are visible
Cardiac tamponade - eFAST. Becks triad not sensitive or specific but academic!
Absence of Tension PTX on initial assessment - when is there a risk of it developing
Absence initially does not exclude.
Can occur over minutes to hours
Risk - after intubation, +ve pressure as air is forced through a defect
Universal, Common, Inconsistent and rare findings in tension PTX
Universal - chest pain, respiratory distress
Common findings (50-75%) - tachycardia, ipsilateral decreased AE
Inconsistent (<25%) - low SpO2, hypotension, tracheal deviation
Rare findings (~10%) - cyanosis, hyper resonance, decreased LOC, ipsilater hyper expansion/hypo mobility
Classically taught signs of tension PTX
Tracheal deviation
Increased JVP or distended neck veins
Impossible to ascertain in acute trauma setting and limited/no practical use
Signs of tension PTX in ventilated patients
Most to least common
Universal - rapid onset, immediate and progressive hypoxia, immediate reduction in cardiac output/BP
Common findings - tachycardia, high ventilation pressure, ipsilateral chest hyper expansion, hypo mobility decreased air entry
Inconsistent findings - surgical emphysema, venous distension
Recommendations for immediate chest decompression with awake pts with suspected Tension PTX in abcence of XR
(5)
SpO2 <92% on O2
Systolic BP <90mmHg
Respiratory rate <10 (agonal)
Decreased level of consciousness despite oxygen therapy
Cardiac arrest -> bilateral finger or tube thoracostomy
Obstructive shock mantra
Seek and treat obstructive shock, only give blood if bleeding
Open PTX management
Small+Large
Sml - Occlusive dressing
Lrge- sutured close then occlusive dressing.
Followed by intercostal catheter inserted.
NB alternatively monitor and place intercostal catheter only if needed.
Open PTX
3 sided dressings -PEARL
Theoretical risk of Tension pneumothorax with 4 sided dressing prevented with 3 sided but no evidence to support this and in reality difficult to make and apply
Aims in circulation and haemorrhage control
(5)
Assess end organ perfusion/signs of shock
To seek and treat obstructive shock Tens PTX,tamponade
Seek and treat haemorrhagic shock
Identify and control source of bleeding
Obtain adequate vascular access and commence appropriate fluid/blood product resuscitation
Goal of circulation in short (3)
Find the bleeding
Stop the bleeding
Correct the deficiencies
Two distinct categories of bleeding
External compressible bleeding
Internal non compressible
Large volume internal bleeding areas 5*
Four and one on the floor
Thighs
Pelvis
Abdomen + retroperitoneal*
Chest
Should you clamp a chest drain if massive haemorrhage occurs?
(3)
No.
This will conceal blood loss, impair ventilation/oxygenation and potentially lead to obstructive shock/tension physiology
Average volume in the pleural space
Circulating volume of blood
3L
5L
Meaning you can bleed more than half your circulating volume into one pleural doace
Seatbelt bruising - what does this indicate and what does it warrant
Indicates significant blunt force, heralding serious intra-abdominal injury
Warrants admission and observation even with normal CT due to risk of delayed complications
Pelvic binder prognosis
No effect on mortality
Benefits reduction in transfusions requirements
Benefit in open book/AP compression, can worsen lateral compression and vertical shear
Palpating the pelvis
How
How if unstable fracture suspected/known already
Single gentle medically directed compression from the iliac crests laterally
Should not be
Never spring or rock the pelvis
Most pelvic injuries that cause haemodynamic instability feel like
Orthopaedically unstable
Feel bones move under your hands
Blood loss from femur, tibia
1000-1500
500-1000
Very general estimate
Haemodynamic compromise and +FAST scan (abdomen)
Other causes of shock have been treated/excluded
Indication for urgent laparotomy
Windows in FAST (4)
RUQ - Posterior right sub hepatic space (hepato-renal fossa/Morrisons pouch)
LUQ - peri splenic space
Suprapubic - pelvic fluid
Pericardium - haemo-pericardium/tamponade
Poiseulle’s law
Flow is proportional to the 4th power of the radius and inversely proportional to the length of the tubing
Double diameter = x16
VBG parameters
(4)
Acid base status and lactate- surrogate markers for shock
Hb
Electrolytes (K before sux and RSI)
Ionised Ca
-stored blood Ca deplete
-lowering Ca negatively impacts coagulation
Target >0.8
Fluid resus take home message
Avoid saline
Only give blood if bleeding
Ideal ratio of blood products
Yet to be defined but many centres use 1:1:1
RBC:FFP:Plts
Permissive hypotension
Targets (2)
Consideration
Systolic BP >80
Or
MAP >65 + palpable radial artery and O2 waveform
Traumatic brain injury
Permissive hypotension in TBI
(2)
50-69 >100
15-49 >110
Indications for PR on log roll
(2)
Proven spinal injury - anal tone helps differentiate complete and incomplete cord injuries
Suspicion of low colonic/rectal injury or perforation
All other patients - peri anal sensation is adequate for spinal cord function
Specific checks Primary survey
(8)
Airway patency
Adequate oxygenation/ventilation/ventilation settings
Volume status
E-fast
Intercostal catheters secured and functioning
IV access is secure
Bloods sent to lab
Complete check of updated vitals
OPA average size adults
2,3,4
NPA adult sizing
Female 6-7mm
Male 7-8mm
Written on flange
Pre oxygenation options and summary
BVM (perfect seal) FiO2~80%. Use if you can maintain seal for 3-5mins or if assistance required with ventilation
NRM+/-NC can’t maintain perfect BVM seal for 3-5mins
What is delayed sequence induction
Use of sedation in agitated, spontaneously breathing patient, prior to RSI to tolerate NIV
Not recommended for trauma patients
Apnoeic oxygenation
Prolonged by NC
Proposed sub atmospheric pressure difference between O2 absorption (250mls/min) and CO2 (10ml/min) generating flow of gas from pharynx to the alveoli
ET intubation indications trauma
(6)
Airway obstruction
Hypoventilation
Persistent hypoxaemia <90% despite O2
Severely impaired GCS<8
Severe haemorrhagic shock
Cardiac arrest
ET intubation indications smoke inhalation
5
Airway obstruction
GCS<8
Major cutaneous burns >40%
Major burns/Smoke inhalation with delayed transport expected
Impending airway obstruction from facial/oropharyngeal burn/airway injury on endoscopy
(Humanitarian
Other reasons to consider intubation in trauma patients (5)
Face/neck injury with potential for airway obstruction
Moderate consciousness impairment GCS 9-12
Persistent combativeness pharm refractory
Resp distress
Preoperative Mx
Waiting period after induction agents
45-60secs
Can be slower in shocked patients and in non depolarising NM blockers (roc)
ET laryngoscopy steps
(11)
- Open mouth
- Insert laryngoscope/epiglottoscopy, secure tongue to midline
- Tip into vallecullae+optimal laryngeal manipulation (ELM)
4.laryngoscope force, up and away, no tilting - Insert bougie, from side
- ETT over bougie handover of bougie. Record distance (20-21f/22-23m)
- Inflate ETT cuff 10-20mls, cuff manometer
- Connect BVM to waveform capnograph. Continuous CO2 trace
- Secure with cotton tube ties or commercial device
- Confirm placement
- OG tube placement
Confirm placement of ETT
(7)
Visualisation of tube through chords
ETCO2 trace present and maintained
Fogging of tube with exhalation
Auscultation of breath sounds L/R chest and axillae
Auscultation of epigastrium - gurgling in stomach implies oesophageal placement
Maintenance of sats/abscence of hypoxia
CXR
Sodium thiopental
Pros (3)
Cautions
Rapid onset and clearance
Reduction of cerebral oxygenation consumption
Anticonvulsant effects
Inhibition of sympathetic response of CNS, therefore reduced myocardial contractility and systemic vascular resistance, potential hypotension
Sodium thiopental
Presentation
Preparation
Final conc
Dose
Presentation: 500mg powder
Preparation: Draw up 20ml NaCl
Final conc: 25mg/ml
Dose: 3mg/kg rapid IV push.
Shocked trauma patients 1-2mg/kg
80kg=210mg=8.4ml
Ketamine
Benefits
Concern?
Significant analgesia - opioid receptor
Anaesthesia
Amnesia - NMDA receptor neuroinhibition
Cardiovascularly stable - catecholamine releasing effect
Raise in ICP
Ketamine
Presentation
Preparation
Final conc
Dose
Presentation: 200mg in 2ml
Prep: Draw up in 20ml NaCl
Final conc: 10mg/ml
Dose: 1.0-2.0mg/kg IV
Propofol (class)
Pros
Cons
Non-barbituate hypnotic agent
Rapid deep sedation
Significant relaxation of laryngeal musculature
Excellent induction agent for stable non emergent patients (elective theatre)
Potential for hypotension
Myocardial depression
Reduction in cerebral perfusion
Propofol
Presentation:
Preparation:
Final conc:
Dose:
Presentation: 200mg in 20ml
Preparation: draw up undiluted
Final conc: 10mg/ml
Dose: titrate to effect ~1.0-1.5mg/kg
Trial 4ml bolis
Dose reduced in shocked patients
Suxamethonium
MOI
Depolarising muscle relaxant
Non competitively at the ACh receptor
Fasciculations then paralysis
Suxamethonium
Presentation:
Preparation:
Final conc:
Dose:
Onset:
Duration:
Presentation: 100mg/2ml
Preparation: draw up undiluted
Final conc: 50mg/ml
Dose: 1.5mg/kg
Onset: 30-60 seconds
Duration: 6-12 mins
Post intubation Hypotension
Pneumonic (7)
AH-SHITE
Anaphylaxis, Acidosis
Heart - tamponade, pulm hypertension
Stacked breaths
Hypovolaemia
Induction agents (sedation)
Tension Pneumothorax
Electrolytes
Needle cricothyroidotomy jet ventilation timing
Maximum maintenence time
4-5 second O2
20 seconds off
2 second jets after when sats drop by 5%
30 minutes
Indications for cricothyroidotomy
Can’t intubate can’t oxygenate
3 attempts at each BVM/ETT/LMA without success
The vortex
Optimisation strategies for difficult airways
(5) things that can be changed
Manipulation
Adjuncts
Size/type of ETT
Suction
Pharyngeal muscle tone