Trauma Flashcards
Chest injuries - indications for thoracotomy:
- Penetrating thoracic injury w/:
- Prev. witnessed cardiac activity (pre- or in-hospital)
- Unresponsive hypotension (SBP1500ml)
- Unresponsive hypotension (SBP
Etiology of traumatic injuries
- High energy trauma in stable pt
- Imparied consciousness after trauma
- Thoracic wall injuries
- Rupture of large vessels-thoracic aorta
- Rupture of the heart or cardiac wounds
- Pulm injuries or injuries to hilum w/ massive bleeding
- Lung parenchyma hemorrhages
- Traumatic cardiac arrest, internal cardiac massage should be started ASAP following relief of cardiac tamponade or control of cardiac hemorrhage
- Aortic cross-clamping: redistribute flow to heart, lung and brain in case of lower thoracic/abdominal/lower extrem bleeding.
- Rupture of diaphragm
Clinical problems requiring intervention in abdominal trauma victim
- Abdominal wound if peritoneum has been breached
- Penetrating injuries in hemodynamic unstable patient
- GSW
- Perforation of GIT
- Intraabdominal bleeding in hemodynamically instable pt w/ life-threatening hypotension (shock):
- Liver injuries (85%)
- Biliary tree injuries
- Spleen injuries
- Injuries of large vessels
- Injuries to pancreas
- Kidney injuries (55%)
- Peritonitis (pain, N&V, inability to pass flatus/stool, muscle guarding, rebound tenderness) after injury to:
- Stomach
- Small bowel
- Large bowel
- Duodenum
- Pancreas.
- Lower urinary tract injuries:
- Intraperitoneal rupture of the bladder is treated by laparotomy and suturing of the bladder.
- Extraperitoneal rupture is treated conservatively.
- Urethral tears req. specialist urological management.
Evaluation of the patient with blunt abdominal trauma:
- Hx - timing, mechanism, pain characteristics, N&V, inability to pass flatus and stool, concomitant injuries and diseases, allergies, medications, alcohol and drugs
- PE - Puls in all major areas, HR, BP, RR and effor, GCS, other injuries and abnormalities
- Site specific PE - Ext injuries, sings of bleeding, abdominal wall symmetry and mobility, pain and muscle guarding, peristalsis, percussion (free intraperitoneal air - R side), DRE and GU, pulses over femoral AA.
- Blood tests: Type&Screen, Plasma amylase (suspect trauma to pancreas), LFT, Others depending on time and other injuries and diseases
- X-ray: Chest and pelvis (supine and erect): look for free intraperitoneal air, rib Fx, pelvic Fx. Also contrast studies: cystography, urography, angiography
- Imaging: CT=check solid organs, w/IV contrast useful for large vessels. US: FAST, organ injury assessment, monitoring of Tx and complications
- Diagnostic peritoneal lavage: (simple, safe, reliable, time saving, replicable): Dx intraperitoneal bleeding.
- Laparoscopy/endoscopy
- General:
- All pts w/ closed abdominal trauma should be admitted to hospital.
- Compared w/ penetrating trauma there is time for FAST US or CT scanning to diagnose the nature and extent of injury.
- Urgent laparotomy is usually required for hemodynamically unstable patients and those with obvious peritonitis.
- Less urgent laparotomy may be required if investigations reveal injuries surgery or if clinical deterioration occurs (e.g., free air or splenic rupture.)
Initial management of the patient with abdominal trauma:
- IV fluids and ABC
- Hx & PE
- Type&Screen
- If hemodynamically stable
- Full diagnostic workup (CT, USG, X-ray)
- If hemodynamically UNstable
- Minimal diagnostic workup (AMPLE)
- Immediate surgery
- General
- Shock management (fluids, inotropic drugs, catheter, AB?)
- Diagnostic - eFAST
Pt w/ abdominal wound - evaluation and Tx:
- Fluids and ABC
- Hx - eval mechanism of trauma
- PE of the abdomen
- Remove knife, do not check wound before at hospital.
- Do not reduce intestines into the peritoneal cavity
- Apply sterile dressings
- PE of abdomen in ER
- Type&Screen
- Imaging
- OR if indicated!
- Monitoring and re-evaluation
- If hemodynamic unstable, penetrating injury or positive finding on laparoscopy –> LAPAROTOMY
Evaluation of the trauma victim in shock:
- Shock = Hypovolemia decompensated.
- Loss of >1/3 of blood volume (1,5 L) can cause shock
- Hypovolemic shock = most common type in trauma
- Hypovolemic shock = preload insufficiency
- Preload insuff => decreased dia filling and low CO
- Main causes of fluid loss leading to hypovolemic shock:
1) Revealed hemorrhage
2) Concealed hemorrhage
3) Extensive burns
4) Severe vomiting and diarrhea
5) Sequestration of fluid in bowel (bowel obstruction)
6) 3rd space losses (massive loss into interstitial tissue) - The essential features in shock is fall in BP
- Increase in HR attempt to compensate CO
- Centralization of blood flow
- Sweating
- Hypoxic tissue revert to anaerobic metabolism –> Acidosis
- Oliguria
- Clinical picture: cold, pale, clammy, hypotensive, tachycardia, tachypnea
Management of the trauma victim in shock:
- Identify cause of fluid loss
- FLUIDS
- Immediate surgery and/or:
1) vasopressors
2) Pulmonary support
3) Analgesics
4) Steroids (anaphylactic shock)
5) Positioning - Laparotomy
1) Wide, good access
2) Control bleeding
3) Check all intraabdominal organs
4) Check for presence of blood, intestinal content, bile in peritoneum
5) Dye test of the GI tract
6) Intraoperative X-rays/US
7) Evaluate retroperitoneal space
Open abdomen v. planned relaparotomy - indications
- Severe secondary peritonitis
- Edematous bowel or abdominal tissue
- Necrotic pancreatitis
- Abdominal compartment syndrome
- After a damage control procedure
- Tissue loss - inability to close the wound
Pre and intraoperative symptoms suggesting duodenal injuries:
Pre-op S&Sx:
- Peritonitis (perforation)
1) Unspecific clinical presentation
2) Pain and abdominal distention - Vomiting
- Poor general status not correlating with other injuries
- Jaundice
- Intraperitoneal fluid on US
- Air around the iliopsoas on plain abdominal X-ray
Intraop findings:
- Hematomas
- Biloma
- Seroma/edema
- Crepitations
- Fat necrosis
- Dye leakage
Complications of pelvic Fx:
- Retroperitoneal hematoma
- Hematuria
- Partial/complete tear of membranous urethra
- Intra-/extraperitoneal rupture of the bladder
- Injury of large vessels
COMPLICATIONS OF PELVIC Fx:
Retroperitoneal hematoma: Dx and Tx
Dx: exclusion of other sources of bleeding (DPL, US, laparoscopy
Tx: Conservative, external fixation, rarely embolization of the bleeding vessel
COMPLICATIONS OF PELVIC Fx:
Hematuria: Eval. and management
- PE of abdomen
- IV fluids
- Check for Fx of pelvis
- Type&Screen
- Urinary Catheter
- USG
- Imaging
COMPLICATIONS OF PELVIC Fx:
Tear of membranous urethra and puboprostatic ligament:
Complete and partial.
Evaluation and management:
Partial:
- S&Sx: Hematuria
- Eval: USG, DRE, CT
Complete:
- High riding prostate on DRE
COMPLICATIONS OF PELVIC Fx:
Rupture of the bladder - Intra vs extraperitoneal:
Eval and Tx
Intraperitoneal
- Due to direct blow to a full bladder
- Tx: Laparotomy and suturing
Extraperitoneal: Conservative Tx, with prolonged urethral catheterization or suprapubic catheterization