Pestana - Surgery Flashcards
Indications for intubation in trauma patient?
- Expanding hematoma in neck (nl intub.)
- Air present w/in tissues of lower neck/upper chest (bronchoscope)
- Pt in coma (nl intub.)
- Extensive facial fracture, drowning in blood (open cric, only do in OR)
Reasons for trauma patient to be in shock?
- Hemorrhage
- Pericardial Tamponade
- Tension Pneumothorax
How do you differentiate hemorrhage, pericardial tamponade, or tension pneumothorax in chest trauma?
- Normal/low CVP = hemorrhage
- High CVP + distended neck veins = Tamp or PTX (use difficulty breathing to distinguish)
First rule to treat trauma patient with signs of hemorrhagic shock? Second?
- Find bleeding and stop (exploratory lap, etc.)
2. Fluid resusc. with LR and pRBC
Best way to stop active visible bleeding?
Direct pressure
What is the indication for starting IVF before stopping hemorrhage in traumatic hemorrhagic shock?
If bleeding source is difficult to find and diagnostic studies need to be done
Can intracranial hemorrhage lead to hemorrhagic shock?
Cranial vault can’t accomodate enough blood loss to cause shock, look elsewhere for bleed source
What is vasomotor shock and what can cause it? How do these patient’s appear and how do you treat?
- Loss of peripheral vascular resistance (warm, flushed)
1. Anaphylaxis
2. Spinal Cord interruption at higher level
Tx: Pharmacological treatment, pressors
When/where should foreign bodies in trauma injury be removed?
Always in the OR, because hemorrhage risk
When should skull fractures be taken to OR?
Depressed wound (linear fracture can be cleaned at bedside)
Which trauma patients require head CT?
Any head injury with loss of consciousness
What are signs of skull base fracture? What is the worry with this injury and how can you assess?
- Ecchymoses under eyes, fluid from eyes/ears/nose, hematoma behind ear
- Risk of neck/cspine injury (CT scan of head AND neck)
What can be done to reduce O2 demand in head? When should this be done?
Sedation/hypothermia
Use when medical therapy to decrease ICP fails
What are indications for surgical exploration in neck trauma?
- Penetrating injury below mandible and above sternum (especially anterolateral)
- Coughing/spitting up blood
- expanding hematoma
- signs of hypovolemic shock (must stop bleed!!)
When do you NOT operate immediately for neck trauma? What steps should be taken?
- If penetrating injury above angle of mandible or below cricothyroid cartilage
- do arteriogram/radiographic imaging
- Possible embolization (surgery only if accessible location and after thorough planning)
Best treatment for pain in painful chest trauma in elderly adult?
Topical anesthetic (big risk of resp depression if opioid given)
How do you treat a “sucking” chest wall wound?
Dressing to block opening, to prevent tension PTX
What is a sign of major deceleration injury? What are the risks and what should be done?
- Broken 1st rib, scapula, and sternum (hardest bones to break)
1. Monitor 48 hrs for heart/lung contusion
2. Look for transection of Aorta (CXR, spiral CT)
3. Repair if spiral CT + (aortogram if -)
What are causes of emphysema in the neck?
- Esoph perforation (usually from EGD)
- Tension PTX
- transection/damage to trachea/bronchus
Possible causes of air embolism and how to prevent?
- Subclavian lymph node biopsy (do in trendelenburg)
- Central line catheter disconnect
Causes of pulmonary failure after chest trauma?
- Multiple broken ribs/fractures –> pulm contusion
- Multiple long bone fractures -> fat embo
Indications for ex lap for ab trauma?
- Gunshot wounds below nipple line
- Knife wounds that penetrate peritoneum (viscera hanging out)
- blunt trauma w/ signs of acute abdomen
- Signs of hemorrhage w/ abd as only possible location for bleeding (confirm w/ CT if hemodynamic stable, Abd sonogram for blood if not)
Major complications for ex laps of abdominal trauma?
- Coagulopathy from increased blood transfusions
- Hypothermia
- Abdominal compartment syndrome (which can cause resp failure if not recognized and abdomen forced close)
W/u for pelvic trauma with stable hematoma?
Rule out additional injury to genitals, bladder, urethra, rectum:
do sigmoidoscopy, retrograde cystogram and pelvic exam (female),