Trauma Flashcards
Need airway but subcutaneous emphysema in neck? What to do?
Fiberoptic bronchoscope mandatory.
Clinical signs of shock?
Low BP (under 90 mmHg systolic), fast feeble pulse, and low urinary output (
Types of Trauma Shock
Hypovolemic hemorrhagic
- Central venous pressure is low.
Pericardial tamponade, or tension pneumothorax.
- CVP is high.
- Blunt and penetrating trauma to chest.
- Respiratory distress will distinguish these two.
Tx of Hemorrhagic Shock
Surgical intervention and volume replacement.
- 2 L of LR followed by blood until UO is > 0.5 to 2 mL/kg/h, while not exceeding CVP of 15 mmHg.
Preferred Route of Fluid Resuscitation
2 peripheral IV lines, 16 gauge, or femoral or saphenous catheter.
Management of Pericardial Tamponade
Pericardial centesis, tube, pericardial window, or open thoracotomy.
Tension Pneumothorax
Needle into affected space, followed by chest tube connected to underwater seal.
Intrinsic cardiogenic shock
Tx with circulatory support.
Vasomotor Shock
Seen in anaphylactic rxns, high spinal cord transection, high spinal anesthetic.
Tx: Restore peripheral resistance (vasopressors); additional fluids will help.
Linear Skull Fractures
- Left alone if closed.
- Wound closure if open.
- OR if comminuted or depressed.
Head Trauma with Unconsciousness
1) CT scan to look for intracranial hematoma.
2) If none and neurologically intact, can go home as long as someone looks over them for the next 24 hours.
Signs of fractures affecting base of skull
Raccoon eyes, rhinorrhea, otorrhea, or ecchymosis.
Assess integrity of cervical spine.
Nasal endotracheal intubation should be avoided in these patients.
Insertion of Airway Types
Orotracheal via laryngoscope or nasotracheal intubation over fiber optic bronchoscope.
Acute Epidural Hematoma
Trauma, unconsciousness, lucid interval, gradually lapsing into coma again, fixed dilated pupil (on same side of hematoma), and contralateral hemiparesis.
- Biconvex, lens shaped hematoma on CT
- Tx: Emergency craniotomy
Acute Subdural Hematoma
Presents same as acute epidural hematoma. Pt much sicker.
- Semilunar, crescent shaped hematoma.
- Midline structures deviated.
- Prevent increase in ICP by elevating head, hyperventilate, mannitol, furosemide, sedation and hypothermia to reduce oxygen demand on the brain.
Diffuse Axonal Injury
Severe Trauma
- Diffuse blurring of gray-white matter interface and multiple small punctate hemorrhages on CT.
- Prevent increase in ICP.
Chronic Subdural Hematoma
Old and alcoholics; tearing of venous sinus (bridging veins).
- Surgical evacuation of hematoma. Sx worse when hematoma grows.
Can hypovolemic shock happen from intracranial bleeding?
No! Not enough space.
Neck Trauma
- GSW to upper neck: arteriography and management is preferred.
- GSW to base of neck: arteriography, esophagogram, esophascopy, and bronchoscopy to decide surgery approach.
- Blunt trauma to neck: CT to check cervical spine.
Hemisection (Brown-Sequard)
Ipsilateral paralysis and loss of proprioception distal to injury. Contralateral loss of pain perception.
Anterior Cord Syndrome
Seen in burst fractures of vertebral bodies.
Loss of motor function, pain, and temperature sensations bilateral.
Vibratory and positional sense is preserved.
Central Cord Syndrome
In elderly from forced hyperextension of neck.
Paralysis and burning pain in upper extremities.
Best imaging for spinal cord injuries?
MRI
Rib Fracture
Pain, hypoventilation, atelectasis, pneumonia. Tx with local nerve block and epidural catheter.
Plain Pneumothorax
Shortness of breath, no breath sounds on one side, hyperresonant to percussion.
-Tx: Chest Xray and chest tube placement, upper and anterior, and connect to water seal.
Hemothorax
- Chest tube needs to be placed low.
- Lung is usual bleeding source and will stop by itself.
- If systemic vessel, thoracotomy. Surgery needed if
Severe Blunt Trauma to Chest- Need to check for what?
- Blood gases and chest xray to detect pulmonary contusions.
- Cardiac enzymes (tropinins) and EKG to detect myocardial contusions.
- Check for traumatic transection of aorta.
Sucking Chest Wounds
Has flap that sucks air with inspiration and closes during expiration.
Can lead to deadly tension pneumothorax.
Tx: Occlusive dressing that allows air out but not in.