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CHAPTER 7
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Trauma
1. A trauma patient arrives following a stab wound to the left chest with systolic blood pressure (SBP) 85 mm Hg, which improves slightly with intravenous (IV) fluid resuscitation. Chest X-ray demonstrates clear lung fields. What is the most appropriate next step? A. Computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest B. Pelvic X-ray C. Focused abdominal sonography for trauma (FAST)
examination
D. Tube thoracostomy of the left chest
2. In which of the following patients is emergency depart­ment (ED) thoracotomy contraindicated? A. Motor vehicle accident victim, cardiac tamponade
seen on ultrasound, systolic blood pressure (SBP) decreasing to 50 mm Hg
B. Motor vehicle accident victim, became asystolic dur-
ing transport with 5 minutes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with no signs of life
C. Patient with chest stab wound, SBP decreasing to
50 mm Hg
D. Patient with chest stab wound, became asystolic dur-
ing transport with 20 minutes of CPR with no signs of life
Answer: C
During the circulation section of the primary survey, four life­threatening injuries must be identified promptly: (1) massive hemothorax, (2) cardiac tamponade, (3) massive hemoperi­toneum, and (4) mechanically unstable pelvic fractures with bleeding. In this patient, hemothorax is unlikely given normal chest X-ray; thus, hemoperitoneum and cardiac tamponade should be suspected. Cardiac tamponade occurs most com­monly after penetrating thoracic wounds, although occa­sionally blunt rupture of the heart, particularly the atrial appendage, is seen. Acutely, <100 mL of pericardial blood may cause pericardial tamponade. The classic Beck’s triad— dilated neck veins, muffled heart tones, and a decline in arterial pressure—is usually not appreciated in the trauma bay because of the noisy environment and associated hypo­volemia. Diagnosis is best achieved by bedside ultrasound of the pericardium, which is one of the four views of the FAST examination. (See Schwartz 11th ed., Ch. 7, p. 188.)
Answer: D
The utility of resuscitative thoracotomy (RT) has been debated for decades. Current indications are based on 30 years of prospective data, supported by a recent multicenter pro­spective study. RT is associated with the highest survival rate after isolated cardiac injury; 35% of patients presenting in shock and 20% without vital signs (ie, no pulse or obtainable BP) are salvaged after isolated penetrating injury to the heart. For all penetrating wounds, survival rate is 15%. Conversely, patient outcome is poor when RT is done for blunt trauma, with 2% survival among patients in shock and <1% survival among those with no vital signs. Thus, patients undergoing CPR upon arrival to the ED should undergo RT selectively based on injury and transport time. (See Schwartz 11th ed., Ch. 7, p. 189.)
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3. After an automobile accident, a 30-year-old woman is
CHAPTER 7
Trauma
discovered to have a posterior pelvic fracture. Hypo­tension and tachycardia respond marginally to volume replacement. Once it is evident that her major problem is free intraperitoneal bleeding and a pelvic hematoma in association with the fracture, appropriate management would be: A. Application of medical antishock trousers with infla-
tion of the extremity and abdominal sections. B. Arterial embolization of the pelvic vessels. C. Celiotomy and ligation of the internal iliac arteries
bilaterally. D. Celiotomy and pelvic packing. E. External fixation application to stabilize the pelvis.
4. An 18-year-old man is admitted to the emergency department (ED) shortly after being involved in an auto­mobile accident. His Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) is 7. His pulse is barely palpable at a rate of 140 beats per minute, and BP is 60/0. Breathing is rapid and shallow, aerating both lung fields. His abdomen is moderately distended with no audible peristalsis. There are closed fractures of the right forearm and the left lower leg. After rapid intravenous (IV) administration of 2 L of lactated Ringer solution in the upper extremities, his pulse is 130 and BP 70/0. The next immediate step should be to: A. Obtain cross-table lateral X-rays of the cervical spine. B. Obtain head and abdominal CT scans. C. Obtain supine and lateral decubitus X-rays of the
abdomen. D. Obtain an arch aortogram. E. Intubate and proceed to the operating room (OR) to
explore the abdomen.
Answer: D
Severe pelvic bleeding is a major problem in the trauma patient. Neither external fixation nor the use of medical anti­shock trousers control free intra-abdominal hemorrhage regardless of its source. In the unstable patient, celiotomy is mandatory. If there is a ruptured retroperitoneal hematoma bleeding into the peritoneal cavity, control is a major prob­lem. Internal iliac artery ligation has been abandoned as it is rarely effective. Angiography and arterial embolization may be effective with an arterial bleeding problem, but most severe pelvic hemorrhage is venous in origin. If the hema­toma is stable, it is best to leave it undisturbed. However, if the hematoma has ruptured into the peritoneal cavity, pelvic packing offers the best hope of control. (See Schwartz 11th ed., Ch. 7, p. 234.)
Answer: E
Ideally, a patient seriously injured in an automobile accident should undergo X-rays of the cervical spine, the chest, and the abdomen. When he has a GCS of 7, CT scans of the head are certainly desirable. If the chest X-ray shows a widened mediastinum, arch aortograms are indicated. However, this patient has had no response to a rapid fluid challenge, and if he is to survive, bleeding must be controlled immediately. The head injury, although severe, is not responsible for his hypotension and tachycardia. The most likely problem is uncontrolled abdominal hemorrhage. Immediate abdominal exploration offers the best chance for survival. (See Schwartz 11th ed., Ch. 7, p. 193.)
5. After sustaining a gunshot wound to the right upper quadrant of the abdomen, the patient has no signs of peritonitis. Her vital signs are stable, and CT scan shows a grade III liver injury. What is the next step in management? A. Exploratory laparotomy with control of hepatic
parenchymal hemorrhage
B. Admission to surgical intensive care unit (SICU) with
serial complete blood count C. Admission to SICU with repeat CT in 24 hours D. Hepatic angiography
Answer: B
The liver’s large size makes it the organ most susceptible to blunt trauma, and it is frequently involved in upper torso pen­etrating wounds. Nonoperative management of solid organ injuries is pursued in hemodynamically stable patients who do not have overt peritonitis or other indications for laparotomy. Patients with more than grade II injuries should be admitted to the SICU with frequent hemodynamic monitoring, deter­mination of hemoglobin, and abdominal examination. The only absolute contraindication to nonoperative management is hemodynamic instability. Factors such as high injury grade, large hemoperitoneum, contrast extravasation, or pseudoan­eurysms may predict complications or failure of nonoperative management. Angioembolization and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) are useful adjuncts that can improve the success rate of nonoperative management. The indication for angiography to control hepatic hemor­rhage is transfusion of 4 units of RBCs in 6 hours or 6 units of RBCs in 24 hours without hemodynamic instability. (See Schwartz 11th ed., Ch. 7, p. 225.)
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6. Which of the following statements is correct regarding traumatic spleen injury? A. An elevation in WBC to 20,000/mm3 and platelets to
300,000/mm3 on postoperative day 7 is a common benign finding in postsplenectomy patients.
B. Delayed rebleeding or rupture will typically occur
within 48 hours of injury.
C. Common complications after splenectomy include
subdiaphragmatic abscess, pancreatic tail injury, and gastric perforation.
D. Postsplenectomy vaccines against encapsulated bac-
teria are optimally administered preoperatively or immediately postoperative.
Answer: C
After splenectomy or splenorrhaphy, postoperative hemor­rhage may be due to an improperly ligated or unrecognized short gastric artery, or recurrent bleeding from the splenic parenchyma if splenic repair was used. An immediate post­splenectomy increase in platelets and WBCs is normal; however, beyond postoperative day 5, a WBC count above 15,000/mm3 and a platelet/WBC ratio of <20 are associated with sepsis and should prompt a thorough search for underly­ing infection. A common infectious complication after sple­nectomy is a subphrenic abscess, which should be managed with percutaneous drainage. Additional sources of morbidity include a concurrent or unrecognized iatrogenic injury to the pancreatic tail during rapid splenectomy resulting in pancre­atic ascites or fistula, or gastric perforation during short gas­tric vessel ligation. Enthusiasm for splenic salvage was driven by the rare, but often fatal, complication of overwhelming postsplenectomy sepsis. Overwhelming postsplenectomy sepsis is caused by encapsulated bacteria, Streptococcus pneu- moniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Neisseria meningitidis, which are resistant to antimicrobial treatment. In patients undergoing splenectomy, prophylaxis against these bacteria is provided via vaccines administered optimally at >14 days postinjury. (See Schwartz 11th ed., Ch. 7, p. 227.)
CHAPTER 7
Trauma
7. At what pressure is operative decompression of an extremity compartment mandatory? A. 15 mm Hg B. 25 mm Hg C. 35 mm Hg D. 45 mm Hg
8. Primary repair of the trachea should be carried out with: A. Wire suture. B. Absorbable monofilament suture. C. Nonabsorbable monofilament suture. D. Absorbable braided suture.
Answer: D
In comatose or obtunded patients, the diagnosis is more dif­ficult to secure. A compatible history, firmness of the com­partment to palpation, and diminished mobility of the joint are suggestive. The presence or absence of a pulse distal to the affected compartment is notoriously unreliable in the diagnosis of a compartment syndrome. A frozen joint and myoglobinuria are late signs and suggest a poor prognosis. As in the abdomen, compartment pressure can be measured. The small, hand held Stryker device is a convenient tool for this purpose. Pressures >45 mm Hg usually require operative intervention. Patients with pressures between 30 and 45 mm Hg should be carefully evaluated and closely watched. (See Schwartz 11th ed., Ch. 7, p. 237.)
Answer: B
Injuries of the trachea are repaired with a running 3-0 absorb­able monofilament suture. Tracheostomy is not required in most patients. Esophageal injuries are repaired in a similar fashion. If an esophageal wound is large or if tissue is miss­ing, a sternocleidomastoid muscle pedicle flap is warranted, and a closed suction drain is a reasonable precaution. The drain should be near but not in contact with the esophageal or any other suture line. It can be removed in 7 to 10 days if the suture line remains secure. Care must be taken when explor­ing the trachea and esophagus to avoid iatrogenic injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve. (See Schwartz 11th ed., Ch. 7, p. 224.)
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9. A patient with spontaneous eye opening, who is confused
CHAPTER 7
and localizes pain has a Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) of: A. 9. B. 11. C. 13. D. 15.
Answer: C
The GCS should be determined for all injured patients (Table 7-1). It is calculated by adding the scores of the best motor response, best verbal response, and eye opening. Scores range from 3 (the lowest) to 15 (normal). Scores of 13 to 15 indicate mild head injury, 9 to 12 moderate injury, and <9 severe injury. The GCS is useful for both triage and prognosis.
Trauma
TABLE 7-1 Glasgow Coma Scale
Eye opening 4 Spontaneous Spontaneous
Verbal 5 Oriented Alert, normal vocalization
Motor response 6 Obeys commands Spontaneous, purposeful
a
Score is calculated by adding the scores of the best motor response, best verbal response, and eye opening. Scores range from 3 (the lowest) to 15 (normal).
a
3 To voice To voice
2 To pain To pain
1 None None
4 Confused Cries, but consolable
3 Inappropriate words Persistently irritable
2 Incomprehensible words Restless, agitated, moaning
1 None None
5 Localizes pain Localizes pain
4 Withdraws Withdraws
3 Abnormal flexion Abnormal flexion
2 Abnormal extension Abnormal extension
1 None None
(See Schwartz 11th ed., Ch. 7, p. 192.)
Adults Infants/Children
10. Neck injuries: A. Less than 15% penetrating injuries require neck explo-
ration, a majority can be managed conservatively.
B. Divided into three zones, with zone I above the angle
of the mandible, zone II between the thoracic outlet and angle of mandible, and zone III inferior to the clavicles.
C. All patients with neck injury should receive com-
puted tomography angiogram (CTA) of the neck.
D. Patients with dysphagia, hoarseness, hematoma,
venous bleeding, hemoptysis, or subcutaneous emphysema should undergo neck exploration.
Answer: A
Zone I is inferior to the clavicles encompassing the thoracic outlet structures, zone II is between the thoracic outlet and the angle of the mandible, and zone III is above the angle of the mandible. Patients with symptomatic zone I and III injuries should ideally undergo diagnostic imaging before operation if they remain hemodynamically stable. Specific symptoms which indicate further imaging include dysphagia, hoarseness, hematoma, venous bleeding, minor hemoptysis, and subcutaneous emphysema. Symptomatic patients should undergo CTA with further evaluation or operation based upon the imaging findings; <15% of penetrating cervical trauma requires neck exploration. Asymptomatic patients are typically observed for 6 to 12 hours. The one caveat is asymp­tomatic patients with a transcervical gunshot wound; these patients should undergo CTA to determine the track of the bullet. CTA of the neck and chest determines trajectory of the injury tract; further studies are performed based on proxim­ity to major structures. Angiographic diagnosis, particularly of zone III injuries, can then be managed by selective angio­embolization. (See Schwartz 11th ed., Ch. 7, p. 198.)
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11. The most appropriate treatment for a duodenal hema­toma that occurs from blunt trauma is: A. Exploratory laparotomy and bypass of the duodenum. B. Exploratory laparotomy and evacuation of the
hematoma.
C. Exploratory laparotomy to rule out associated
injuries.
D. Observation.
12. Cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP): A. Equals the systolic blood pressure (SBP) minus
increased intracranial pressure (ICP). B. Should be targeted to be >100 mm Hg. C. Is lowered with sedation, osmotic diuresis, paralysis,
ventricular drainage, and barbiturate coma. D. Can be increased by lowering ICP and avoiding
hypotension.
Answer: D
The spectrum of injuries to the duodenum includes hema­tomas, perforation (blunt blow-outs, lacerations from stab wounds, or blast injury from gunshot wounds), and com­bined pancreaticoduodenal injuries. The majority of duode­nal hematomas are managed nonoperatively with nasogastric suction and parenteral nutrition. Patients with suspected associated perforation, suggested by clinical deterioration or imaging with retroperitoneal free air or contrast extravasa­tion, should undergo operative exploration. A marked drop in nasogastric tube output heralds resolution of the hematoma, which typically occurs within 2 weeks; repeat imaging to con­firm these clinical findings is optional. If the patient shows no clinical or radiographic improvement within 3 weeks, operative evaluation is warranted. (See Schwartz 11th ed., Ch. 7, p. 229.)
Answer: D
The goal of resuscitation and management in patients with head injuries is to avoid hypotension (SBP of <100 mm Hg) and hypoxia (partial pressure of arterial oxygen of <60 or arterial oxygen saturation of <90). Attention, therefore, is focused on maintaining cerebral perfusion rather than merely lowering ICP. Resuscitation efforts aim for a euvolemic state and an SBP of >100 mm Hg. CPP is equal to the mean arterial pressure minus the ICP, with a target range of >50 mm Hg. CPP can be increased by either lowering ICP or raising mean arterial pressure. Sedation, osmotic diuresis, paralysis, ven­tricular drainage, and barbiturate coma are used in sequence, with coma induction being the last resort. (See Schwartz 11th ed., Ch. 7, p. 218.)
CHAPTER 7
Trauma
13. A patient with penetrating injury to the chest should undergo thoracotomy if: A. There is >500 mL of blood which drains from the
chest tube when placed.
B. There is >200 mL/h of blood for 3 hours from the
chest tube. C. There is an air leak that persists for >48 hours. D. There is documented lung injury on CT scan.
14. A 19-year-old man fell off his skateboard, reporting blunt injury to his upper abdomen. Abdominal CT and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) confirmed he suffered transection of the main pancre­atic duct at the middle of the pancreatic body. Which of the following would be the most appropriate next step in management? A. Nonoperative treatment B. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
(ERCP) with stenting of pancreatic duct C. Distal pancreatectomy with splenic preservation D. Primary repair of pancreatic duct with closed suction
drainage
Answer: B
The most common injuries from both blunt and penetrating thoracic trauma are hemothorax and pneumothorax. More than 85% of patients can be definitively treated with a chest tube. The indications for thoracotomy include significant initial or ongoing hemorrhage from the tube thoracostomy and specific imaging-identified diagnoses. One caveat concerns the patient who presents after a delay. Even when the initial chest tube out­put is 1.5 L, if the output ceases and the lung is re-expanded, the patient may be managed nonoperatively, if hemodynamically stable. (See Schwartz 11th ed., Ch. 7, p. 222.)
Answer: C
Optimal management of pancreatic trauma is determined by where the parenchymal damage is located and whether the intrapancreatic common bile duct and main pancreatic duct remain intact. Patients with pancreatic contusions (defined as injuries that leave the ductal system intact) can be treated nonoperatively or with closed suction drainage if undergo­ing laparotomy for other indications. Patients with proximal pancreatic injuries, defined as those that lie to the right of the superior mesenteric vessels, are also managed with closed suction drainage. In contrast, distal pancreatic injuries are managed based upon ductal integrity. Pancreatic duct dis­ruption can be identified through direct exploration of the parenchymal laceration, operative pancreatography, ERCP, or MRCP. Patients with distal ductal disruption undergo
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CHAPTER 7
Trauma
15. The most appropriate treatment for a gunshot wound to the hepatic flexure of the colon that cannot be repaired primarily is: A. End colostomy and mucous fistula. B. Loop colostomy. C. Exteriorized repair. D. Resection of the right colon with ileocolostomy.
distal pancreatectomy, preferably with splenic preservation. An alternative, which preserves both the spleen and distal transected end of the pancreas, is either a Roux-en-Y pan­creaticojejunostomy or pancreaticogastrostomy. If the patient is physiologically compromised, distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy is the preferred approach. (See Schwartz 11th ed., Ch. 7, p. 229.)
Answer: D
Numerous large retrospective and several prospective stud­ies have now clearly demonstrated that primary repair is safe and effective in the majority of patients with penetrating inju­ries. Colostomy is still appropriate in a few patients, but the current dilemma is how to select them. Exteriorized repair is probably no longer indicated since most patients who were once candidates for this treatment are now successfully man­aged by primary repair. Two methods have been advocated that result in 75% to 90% of penetrating colonic injuries being safely treated by primary repair. The first is to repair all perforations not requiring resection. If resection is required due to the local extent of the injury, and it is proximal to the middle colic artery, the proximal portion of the right colon up to and including the injury is resected and an ileocolostomy performed. If resection is required distal to the middle colic artery, an end colostomy is created and the distal colon over­sewn and left within the abdomen. The theory behind this approach is that an ileocolostomy heals more reliably than colocolostomy, because in the trauma patient who has suf­fered shock and may be hypovolemic, assessing the adequacy of the blood supply of the colon is much less reliable than in elective procedures. The blood supply of the terminal ileum is never a problem. The other approach is to repair all inju­ries regardless of the extent and location (including coloco­lostomy), and reserve colostomy for patients with protracted shock and extensive contamination. The theory used to sup­port this approach is that systemic factors are more impor­tant than local factors in determining whether a suture line will heal. Both of these approaches are reasonable and result in the majority of patients being treated by primary repairs. When a colostomy is required, regardless of the theory used to reach that conclusion, performing a loop colostomy proxi­mal to a distal repair should be avoided because a proximal colostomy does not protect a distal suture line. All suture lines and anastomoses are performed with the running single-layer technique. (See Schwartz 11th ed., Ch. 7, p. 230.)
16. Which of the following statements is true of vascular injuries of the extremities? A. In the absence of hard signs of vascular injury, if the
difference between systolic blood pressure (SBP) in an injured limb is within 15% of the uninjured limb, no further evaluation is needed.
B. Occult profunda femoris injuries can result in com-
partment syndrome and limb loss.
C. All patients with significant hematoma should be
surgically explored.
D. Vascular injury repair should be performed prior to
realignment of bony fractures or dislocations.
Answer: B
Physical examination often identifies arterial injuries, and findings are classified as either hard signs or soft signs of vascular injury (Table 7-2). In general, hard signs constitute indications for operative exploration, whereas soft signs are indications for further testing or observation. Bony fractures or knee dislocations should be realigned before definitive vas­cular examination. In management of vascular trauma, con­troversy exists regarding the treatment of patients with soft signs of injury, particularly those with injuries in proximity to major vessels. It is known that some of these patients will have arterial injuries that require repair. The most common
approach has been to measure SBP using Doppler ultraso-
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nography and compare the value for the injured side with that for the uninjured side, termed the A-A index. If the pressures are within 10% of each other, a significant injury is unlikely and no further evaluation is performed. If the difference is >10%, computed tomography angiogram (CTA) or arteriog­raphy is indicated. Others argue that there are occult injuries, such as pseudoaneurysms or injuries of the profunda femo­ris or peroneal arteries, which may not be detected with this technique. If hemorrhage occurs from these injuries, com­partment syndrome and limb loss may occur. Although busy trauma centers continue to debate this issue, the surgeon who is obliged to treat the occasional injured patient may be bet­ter served by performing CTA in selected patients with soft signs. (See Schwartz 11th ed., Ch. 7, p. 206.)
TABLE 7-2 Signs and symptoms of peripheral arterial
injury
Hard Signs (Operation Mandatory)
Pulsatile hemorrhage Proximity to vasculature
Absent pulses Significant hematoma
Acute ischemia Associated nerve injury
A-A index = systolic blood pressure on the injured side compared with that on the uninjured side.
Soft Signs (Further Evaluation Indicated)
A-A index of <0.9
Thrill or bruit
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CHAPTER 7
Trauma
17. Which of the following is a cause of cardiogenic shock in a trauma patient? A. Hemothorax B. Penetrating injury to the aorta C. Air embolism D. Iatrogenic increased afterload due to pressors
Answer: C
In trauma patients, the differential diagnosis of cardiogenic shock consists of a short list: (1) tension pneumothorax, (2) pericardial tamponade, (3) myocardial contusion or infarction, and (4) air embolism.
Tension pneumothorax is the most frequent cause of car­diac failure. Traumatic pericardial tamponade is most often associated with penetrating injury to the heart. As blood leaks out of the injured heart, it accumulates in the pericar­dial sac. Because the pericardium is not acutely distensible, the pressure in the pericardial sac rises to match that of the injured chamber. Since this pressure is usually greater than that of the right atrium, right atrial filling is impaired and right ventricular preload is reduced. This leads to decreased right ventricular output and increased central venous pres­sure (CVP). Increased intrapericardial pressure also impedes myocardial blood flow, which leads to subendocardial isch­emia and a further reduction in cardiac output. This vicious cycle may progress insidiously with injury of the vena cava or atria, or precipitously with injury of either ventricle. With acute tamponade, as little as 100 mL of blood within the peri­cardial sac can produce life-threatening hemodynamic com­promise. Patients usually present with a penetrating injury in proximity to the heart, and they are hypotensive and have dis­tended neck veins or an elevated CVP. The classic findings of Beck’s triad (hypotension, distended neck, and muffled heart sounds) and pulsus paradoxus are not reliable indicators of acute tamponade. Ultrasonography (US) in the emergency department (ED) using a subxiphoid or parasternal view is extremely helpful if the findings are clearly positive (Fig. 7-1);
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CHAPTER 7
Trauma
however, equivocal findings are common. Early in the course of tamponade, blood pressure (BP) and cardiac output will transiently improve with fluid administration. This may lead the surgeon to question the diagnosis or be lulled into a false sense of security. (See Schwartz 11th ed., Ch. 7, p. 193.)
FIG. 7-1. Subxiphoid pericardial ultrasound reveals a large pericardial
fluid collection. LV = left ventricle; RV = right ventricle.
18. In which of the following scenarios is emergent tracheos­tomy indicated? A. Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) 6 and unable to protect
airway B. Complex maxillofacial trauma C. Chemical burn to the larynx D. Laryngeal fractures
19. A 26-year old male patient presents to the emergency department (ED) after being involved in a rollover motor vehicle accident. He is awake and alert with GCS14. He is tachypneic with labored breathing and hypotensive with BP 80/palp. During primary survey you note distended veins on the left neck and decreased breath sounds over the left chest. The best next step in this patient’s care is: A. Needle thoracostomy decompression with a 14-gauge
needle.
B. Obtain a chest X-ray and proceed to secondary
survey. C. Tube thoracostomy in the midaxillary line. D. Orotracheal intubation.
Answer: D
Emergent tracheostomy is indicated in patients who have laryngotracheal separation or in those with laryngeal frac­tures because cricothyroidotomy may cause additional dam­age or result in loss of the airway. The remaining scenarios are appropriately managed with orotracheal intubation or cricothyroidotomy if intubation is unsuccessful. Emergent tracheostomy is most safely accomplished in the operating room. If there is complete tracheal transection, a penetrating towel clip should be placed on the distal segment to prevent retraction into the mediastinum. (See Schwartz 11th ed., Ch. 7, p. 185.)
Answer: C
Tension pneumothorax is presumed in any patient manifest­ing respiratory distress and hypotension in combination with any of the following physical signs: tracheal deviation away from the affected side, lack of or decreased breath sounds on the affected side, and subcutaneous emphysema on the affected side. Patients may have distended neck veins due to impedance of venous return, but the neck veins may be flat due to concurrent systemic hypovolemia. Tension pneumo­thorax and simple pneumothorax have similar signs, symp­toms, and examination findings, but hypotension qualifies the pneumothorax as a tension pneumothorax. Although immediate needle thoracostomy decompression with a 14-gauge angiocatheter may be indicated in the field, tube thoracostomy in the midaxillary line should be performed immediately in the emergency department (ED) before a chest radiograph is obtained (Fig. 7-2). In cases of tension pneumothorax, the parenchymal tear in the lung acts as a one-way valve, with each inhalation allowing additional air to accumulate in the pleural space. The normally negative intrapleural pressure becomes positive, which depresses the
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ipsilateral hemidiaphragm and shifts the mediastinal struc­tures into the contralateral chest. Subsequently, the contra­lateral lung is compressed and the heart rotates about the superior and inferior vena cava; this decreases venous return and ultimately cardiac output, which culminates in cardiovas­cular collapse. (See Schwartz 11th ed., Ch. 7, p. 186.)
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Trauma
20. Patients who are conscious, without tachypnea, and have a normal voice are unlikely to require air intervention. Additional findings that should prompt airway interven­tion include all of the following EXCEPT: A. Penetrating injury to the neck with expanding
hematoma.
B. Evidence of chemical or thermal injury to mouth,
nares, or hypopharynx. C. Extensive subcutaneous air in the neck. D. Right pneumohemothorax. E. Airway bleeding.
FIG. 7-2. A. Tube thoracostomy is performed in the midaxillary
line at the fourth or fifth intercostal space (inframammary crease) to avoid iatrogenic injury to the liver or spleen. B. Heavy scissors are used to cut through the intercostal muscle into the pleural space. This is done on top of the rib to avoid injury to the intercostal bundle located just beneath the rib. C. The incision is digitally explored to confirm intrathoracic location and identify pleural adhesions. D. A 28Fr chest tube is directed superiorly and posteriorly with the aid of a large clamp.
Answer: D
Patients who are conscious, without tachypnea, and have a normal voice are unlikely to require early airway interven­tion. Exceptions are penetrating injuries to the neck with an expanding hematoma; evidence of chemical or thermal injury to the mouth, nares, or hypopharynx; extensive sub­cutaneous air in the neck; complex maxillofacial trauma; or airway bleeding. Although these patients may initially have an adequate airway, it may become compromised if soft tissue swelling, hematoma formation, or edema progresses. In these cases, preemptive intubation should be performed before air­way access becomes challenging. Simple pneumohemotho-
rax is NOT an indication for airway intervention during the primary survey.