Tag: chest trauma
- Flail Chest ()
Introduction Flail chest is a traumatic condition of the thorax. It may occur when 3 or more ribs are broken in at least 2 places. It is considered a clinical diagnosis as everybody with this fracture pattern does not develop a flail chest. A flail chest arises when these injuries cause a segment of the […]
- Aortic Disruption ()
Introduction In the United States, trauma remains the leading cause of death in those less than 44 years of age, and for those older than 45, trauma is one of the top five causes of death. Of all injuries sustained in trauma, the aortic injury is one of the most time-sensitive, life-threatening conditions, second only […]
- Assessment Of Chest Injuries ()
Collect Dots With The Rapid Trauma Assessment and Secondary Survey The rapid trauma assessment is performed anytime there is a significant mechanism of injury or the patient is unresponsive and the medics are unable to pinpoint the cause of the unresponsiveness. The rapid trauma assessment is intended to be performed while the patient is still […]
- Blunt Force Trauma To The Lungs & Heart ()
Paper Bag Syndrome The easiest way to understand what blunt force trauma can do the lungs is paper bag syndrome. A patient is driving and suddenly is involved in a head-on collision. The patient braces for impact by tensing up muscles and breath holding. The impact of the patient’s chest with the steering wheel applies […]
- Chest Wall Related Injuries ()
Trauma is the third leading cause of death in all age groups after cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Although trauma-related injuries can occur in many parts of body, one out of four trauma patients die due to thoracic injury or its complications. Chest trauma remains a serious problem as high-speed vehicle accidents increase. Thoracic trauma occurs […]
- How People Die: Chest Trauma ()
Impaired Cardiac Output As a general rule, chest trauma of any sort increases the pressure in the thoracic cavity. This is evident by the typical finding of jugular vein distention. The jugular veins empty into the vena cava, but when the pressure in the chest is higher than normal it applies pressure to the vena […]
- Chest Trauma ()
Introduction Thoracic trauma accounts for up to 35% of trauma-related deaths in the United States and encompasses a broad range of injuries that can cause significant morbidity and mortality. Prompt evaluation during the primary trauma survey is key to identifying those injuries that are immediately life-threatening and require rapid intervention. Thoracic trauma is broadly categorized by mechanism into blunt or […]
- Impaled Objects ()
It is better to leave impaled objects in place Impaled objects as a general rule should not be removed. Impaled objects are often tricky to remove without causing more damage or blood loss. Whenever possible, the object should be stabilized with bulky dressings and the patient moved as little as possible during transport. Controlling bleeding […]
- Sucking Chest Wounds ()
Pneumothorax is the medical term for a collapsed lung. It occurs when air enters the space around the lungs (the pleural space). This can happen when an open injury in the lung tissue causes air to leak into the pleural space. The resulting increased pressure on the outside of the lung causes it to collapse. […]
- It Takes Negative Pressure To Inhale ()
Inspiration (or inhalation) and expiration (or exhalation) are dependent on the differences in pressure between the atmosphere and the lungs. In a gas, pressure is a force created by the movement of gas molecules that are confined. For example, a certain number of gas molecules in a two-liter container has more room than the same […]