TRAUMA, RETRIEVAL & EMST- B (59) Flashcards
This flashcard deck was created using Flashcardlet's card creator
CLINICAL DIFFERENTIATION OF PNEUMO AND HAEMO THORAX
- Both cause resp distress and decr BS, but PT percusses resonant, and haemothorax dull
THE FIRST RIB YOU CAN FEEL BELOW THE CLAVICLE IS…..
The First Rib
PHYSIOLOGICAL IMPACT OF SIMPLE vs TENSION PT
- the main effect of a SIMPLE PT is hypoxia due to lung collapse and SHUNTING
- TENSION PT adds haemodynamic compromise as well, by raising ITP, which impairs venous return
TREATMENT OF SIMPLE, TENSION AND OPEN PT
- SIMPLE PT = 4*ICSMAL tube
- TENSION PT = 2ICS needle then 4ICSMAL tube (or finger alone if IPPV)
- OPEN PT = seal, then 4ICSMAL tube
* EMST states 4th or 5th, going higher reduces risk of being below diaphragm. The 4th interspace is about the nipple level in males, go higher if anything.
WHAT IS RE-EXPANSION PULMONARY OEDEMA?
- = sudden onset of Ipsilateral, bilateral or even contralateral PULMONARY OEDEMA after drainage of a large PNEUMOTHORAX or EFFUSION
- it is a rare (1%) but life threatening (20%) complication, the risk of which can be reduced by
- limiting initial effusion drainage to 1500mls, and
- not using suction to re-expand PT
TREATMENT OF PULMONARY CONTUSION
Supportive, with:
- Oxygen
- Analgesia
- Judicious IVT
- Ventilatory support as needed
MANAGEMENT OF HAEMOTHORAX
- bleeding in haemothorax is usually self limiting and manageable with a 4ICSMAL tube
- surgery only if:
- large initial drainage (>1500ml*) or
- ongoing loss requiring transfusion
* note: both needles AND CHEST TUBES block easily with clot, so neither reliably estimate loss
MEDSTAR EMERGENCY CLAMSHELL THORACOTOMY: INTENT AND METHOD
INTENT:
- To find and fix a Tamponade in a penetrating chest trauma pt who has been down <10m
METHOD
- do bilateral 4ICSM*AL f_in_ger thoracostomies first (excludes PT)
- join up across the midline with knife & trauma shears in the ICS & GIGLI saw for the sternum**
- spread and look for (dark) blood of tamponade, and if found:
- slit pericardium widely
- plug hole with finger then foley (small holes tend to self seal)
- refill circn
- restart (flick with a finger/ext defib if VF)
- perform 2 handed ICM if indicated
- consider aortic compression above or below the diaphragm
- * go well posterior to maximise chest exposure*
- ** keep the hands well spread so the saw is not describing an acute loop around the bone: this causes jamming*
WHAT IS A RESUSCITATIVE THORACOTOMY
- this is a L anterior thoracotomy performed as part of a trauma resus
- it has modest success (~10%) if performed within 10m of loss of vitals in patients with penetrating chest injury*, esp tamponade from cardiac stab wounds, but is usually futile in blunt trauma
- it has 6 potential benefits:
- find and fix a cardiac tamponade
- control exanguinating upper limb junctional bleeding
- control lung bleeding, eg by hilar twist/clamp
- perform ICM, which is much more effective than ECM
- gain IV access directly into the RA
- Aortic cross clamp to control any bleeding below
* or for exanguinating subdiaphragmatic bleeding from blast/gsw
PERICARDIOCENTESIS LANDMARKS
- insert the needle in subxiphoid space and advance toward tip of L scapula
- NOTE: the myocardium has a tendency to self seal and blood often wont reaccumulate after initial evacuation
EFFICIENCY OF ICM vs ECM
- Internal Cardiac Massage is much more effective, producing outputs of up to 66% of normal, vs 25% for ECM
ICM SHOULD BE DONE HOW?…….
- 2 handed
- gently
- with the flats of the fingers, not the tips: they can perforate the myocardium
BLOOD VOLUMES, ADULT V CHILD
- Adult = 70ml/kg
- Child = 80-90 ml/kg
SHOCK =
- Any condition characterized by inadequate tissue perfusion
TYPES OF SHOCK IN TRAUMA
- is usually HYPOVOLAEMIC, with clear sympathetic responses: pallor and tachycardia
but may also be:
- CARDIOGENIC (includes Contusion, Rupture, Tamponade or Tension)
- NEUROGENIC (warm, slow hypotension)
- SEPTIC (late)
NEUROGENIC v SPINAL SHOCK
- NEUROGENIC SHOCK = warm slow hypotension due to loss of SNS tone after cord injury
- SPINAL SHOCK = widespread flaccid skeletal muscle paralysis seen immediately after cord injury
CARDIAC OUTPUT FORMULA ?
CO = HR X SV where SV is determined by:
- PRELOAD (which is a volume)
- CONTRACTILITY (which is a %)
- AFTERLOAD (which is a resistance)
SIGNIFICANCE OF A NARROW PULSE PRESSURE in TRAUMA?
- = raised diastolic pressure compared to systolic
- in trauma, it indicates significant SNS compensation for Hypovolaemia
DIAGNOSIS OF OESOPHAGEAL RUPTURE?
- Epigastric trauma
- Severe abdominal pain
- Shock
- widened or pneumo-mediastinum
- Left pleural effusion/food in chest drain
5 CAUSES OF RETRO-PERITONEAL HAEMATOMA
BLEEDING FROM:
- Duodenum or pancreas
- Aorta or IVC
- Kidney
- Ascending or Descending Colon
- tracking up from the pelvis
5 MAJOR SITES OF OCCULT BLOOD LOSS IN TRAUMA
- chest
- abdomen
- pelvis
- long bones
- retro-peritoneum
(and, in children, from the scalp)
XRAY SIGNS OF AORTIC INJURY ?
- wide mediastinum
- L pleural effusion/cap
- NGT or trachea displaced to the R
HOW/WHEN TO ASSESS PELVIC STABILITY IN TRAUMA
It should be done:
- once only
- by the most experienced clinician
- by stressing the iliac crests in then out
- and avoided entirely where pelvic injury is obvious (to avoid disrupting the clot)