Chapter 23 Flashcards

1
Q

How is a TBI classified?

A

By the specific parenchymal lesion as well as the pt’s neurological function

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2
Q

What is the clinical classification of a TBI based on?

A

GCS < 8 indicates severe injury
GCS 8-12 indicates moderate injury
GCS >12 indicates mild injury

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3
Q

In the GCS, what is the most important predictor of neurologic severity and recovery?

A

Motor score

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4
Q

How can a TBI be categorized anatomically?

A

Based on CT scan findings

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5
Q

Postconcussive sx

A

HA
Inattention
Short-term memory loss
Mood swings

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6
Q

Parenchymal TBI lesions

A

Include cerebral contusions and intraparenchymal hematomas

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7
Q

Cerebral contusion

A

Essentially a “brain bruise” with localized intracerebral hemorrhage and edema adjacent to an area of impact
Can enlarge and coalesce into intraparenchymal hematomas

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8
Q

Extra-axial hematomas

A

Usually characterized by their relationship to the dural lining and include epidural, subdural, and subarachnoid lesions

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9
Q

Epidural hematomas

A

Most often seen after a direct lateral impact to the temporal region resulting in a skull fx and laceration of the middle meningeal artery

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10
Q

Presentation of epidural hematomas

A

Experience a brief loss of consciousness and a subsequent lucid interval in which they may appear normal, sleepy, or even intoxicated.
After a short interval, they lose consciousness again as the lesion expands and produces cerebral compression

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11
Q

PE of epidural hematomas

A

Ipsilateral pupillary dilation occurs as the result of direct compression of the third cranial nerve and reflects impending uncal herniation

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12
Q

Tx of epidural hematomas

A

Immediate surgical intervention is indicated in any pt with an AMS, a hematoma volume >30 mL, or evidence of midline shift on CT scan

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13
Q

Subdural hematomas

A

Accumulate between the dura and the brain itself

The shearing or tearing of dural bridging veins is the most common underlying cause of hemorrhage

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14
Q

Subarachnoid hemorrhage

A

Often represents a shearing mechanism with local vascular disruption
Typically do not cause mass effect

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15
Q

Diffuse axonal injury (DAI)

A

An axonal shearing injury caused by rapid deceleration, often with little or no evidence of intracerebral trauma on CT scan

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16
Q

Zone I of the neck

A
Extends from the clavicles to the cricoid cartilage
Includes:
Thoracic outlet
Subclavian vessels
Lung apices
Thoracic duct
Spinal cord
Esophagus
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17
Q

Zone II of the neck

A
Includes all structures between the cricoid and the angle of mandible
Including:
Carotid and vertebral arteries
Jugular veins
Trachea
Esophagus
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18
Q

Zone III of the neck

A

The area between the angle of the mandible and the skull base and contains the distal internal carotid artery

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19
Q

Tx of tension pneumo

A

Immediate decompression, which may be accomplished by inserting a 12-or 14-gauge intravenous catheter into the second or third intercostal space in the midclavicular line
Must always be followed immediately by definitive tube thoracostomy

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20
Q

Tx of massive hemothorax

A

Airway control
Large-bore IV access
volume infusion
Large chest tube (36 or 40 French) should be placed expeditiously and ideally should be attached to a collecting system with an auto-transfusion reservoir

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21
Q

When is a thoracotomy indicated for massive hemothorax?

A

> 1500 mL blood loss
Ongoing bleeding of >200 mL/h for >4 hrs
Failure of a hemothorax to drain despite at least two functioning and well-positioned chest tubes
If pt remains hemodynamically unstable despite initial resuscitation attempts

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22
Q

Pericardial tamponade tx in extremis

A

An emergent left anterolateral thoracotomy can also be performed to relieve tamponade in the ER or the trauma bay

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23
Q

Pericardial tamponade tx in the unstable pt

A

Urgent sternotomy or thoracotomy should be performed in the OR

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24
Q

Pericardial tamponade tx in stable pts with pericardial fluid evident on FAST

A

Should undergo a diagnostic subxiphoid pericardial window in the OR to confirm the dx

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25
Q

Tx for open pneumothorax

A

Temporarily occlude the chest wall with the gloved hand and close with an occlusive dressing taped on three sides to act as a flutter valve
Pts with large chest wounds should subsequently undergo formal operative thoracotomy to evacuate blood clot, debride devitalized tissue and close the chest wall defect

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26
Q

Tx of chest wall injury

A

Initial care should occur in the ICU with monitoring to detect clinical deterioration, progressive hypoxia, or hypercapnia
Adequate analgesia is paramount for all pts with chest wall trauma in order to facilitate aggressive pulmonary toilet and early immobilization

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27
Q

Tx of lung injury

A

Pain control
Pulmonary toilet
Supplemental oxygen
Occasionally mechanical ventilatory support

28
Q

Tx of diaphragm injury

A

A transabdominal surgical approach should be used in cases of acute rupture to make sure that there are no other intra-abdominal injuries
Laparoscopic repair of the injury may be possible in selected cases
Chronic herniation should be approached via thoracotomy

29
Q

Tx of blunt cardiac injury

A

Dobutamine or epinephrine may be useful in overcoming the impaired contractility experienced after blunt cardiac injury

30
Q

Tx of traumatic aortic injury

A

Continuous infusion of short-acting beta blocker
In the multiply injured pt, management may be complicated by competing interests
Cardiothoracic surgeon should be consulted for possible repair via open thoracotomy or endovascular stent graft.

31
Q

When does a traumatic rupture of the aorta occur?

A

Occurs after rapid deceleration injury, such as a fall from a significant height or high-speed motor vehicle crash

32
Q

What occurs in 85% of pts with traumatic rupture of the aorta?

A

Aortic laceration is located just distal to the ligamentum arteriosum, past the left subclavian artery

33
Q

What are physical findings that increase suspicion of traumatic rupture of the aorta?

A

Asymmetry of upper extremity blood pressures
Chest wall contusion
Intrascapular pain
Intrascapular murmur

34
Q

Radiographic signs suggesting traumatic rupture of the aorta

A
Widened mediastinum (>8 cm)
Obliteration of the aortic knob
Deviation of the trachea to the right
Presence of an apical pleural cap
Depression of the left mainstem bronchus
Obliteration of the aortopulmonary window
Deviation of the esophagus to the right
35
Q

Notable PE findings for blunt abdominal trauma

A
Abdominal distention
Abdominal guarding
Rebound tenderness
Hypotension
Abdominal wall ecchymoses
36
Q

What diagnostic studies should be done for blunt abdominal trauma pts who are hemodynamically unstable or who have considerable ongoing fluid requirements?

A

Should undergo immediate cavitary triage with CXR, pelvis X-ray and either FAST or DPL
Immediate surgery is indicated in if the FAST is positive or the DPL is grossly bloody

37
Q

What should be done in blunt abdominal trauma pts who remain hemodynamically stable and in whom abdominal injury is suspected?

A

Get a contrast-enhanced abdominal-pelvic CT scan

Alternatively, serial FAST exams in conjunction with a UA and serial abdominal exams over 24 hrs

38
Q

Most pts with a penetrating injury to the abdomen will require a _______

A

Laparotomy

39
Q

Stab wounds of the abdomen

A

Plain film of the abdomen should be performed to confirm the absence of a retained foreign body

40
Q

Gunshot wounds of the abdomen

A

A chest, abdominal and pelvic X-ray should be performed in order to identify retained bullets and determine the trajectory

41
Q

Anterior penetrating abdominal wound diagnostics

A

Local wound exploration using sterile technique and local anesthesia
If the anterior fascia is violated, an open laparotomy or diagnostic laparoscopy should be performed
If peritoneal violation is seen on laparoscopy, an open exploratory laparotomy is indicated

42
Q

What is the most commonly injured organ in blunt injury?

A

The liver

43
Q

What should raise suspicion for hepatic injury?

A

Pts with a hx of RUQ, right lower chest, or flank trauma

44
Q

Exam of hepatic injury

A

RUQ pain or right shoulder pain secondary to diaphragmatic irritation

45
Q

Tx of hepatic injuries

A

Most isolated hepatic injuries can be managed nonoperatively regardless of injury grade provided the pt is hemodynamically stable
The presence of hepatic contrast extravasation on initial CT scan suggests active hemorrhage and warrants angiography and possible embolization

46
Q

What should be done if signs of peritoneal irritation develop with hepatic injury?

A

Laparotomy is required to explore for hollow visceral injury

47
Q

Tx of massive hemoperitoneum from hepatic hemorrhage

A

The liver should be compressed manually until the anesthesia team can match blood losses with transfusion of red cells, plasma, and platelets
The use of autotransfusion and cell-saving devices is highly recommended

48
Q

Tx of severe liver trauma

A

Occluding the portal triad at eh hepatoduodenal ligament manually or with a Rumel tourniquet (Pringle maneuver)
If that doesn’t work, the liver should be firmly packed supra- and infrahepatically without dividing the hepatic suspensory ligaments
If that doesn’t work, total hepatic vascular isolation with control of both the suprahepatic and infrahepatic venae cavae may be necessary
Sternotomy or thoracotomy may be required

49
Q

Physiologic derangements of hepatic trauma

A

Coagulopathy
Hypothermia
Metabolic acidosis

50
Q

Tx of physiologic derangements of hepatic trauma

A

Hemorrhage should be promptly controlled and the laparotomy abbreviated in favor of subsequent abdominal angioembolization and a second laparotomy when the pt is physiologically more stable

51
Q

What should prompt a concern for splenic trauma?

A

Hx of trauma to the LUQ, flank, or left chest wall

52
Q

Pt complaints in splenic injuries

A

Pain in the LUQ
Left shoulder pain
Left chest wall discomfort
Abdominal tenderness

53
Q

Dx of splenic injuries

A

Contrast-enhanced CT scan

54
Q

Hemodynamically stable splenic pt

A

Nonoperative management

55
Q

Tx of isolated low-grade splenic injuries without a blush sign on CT

A

Bed rest
Serial abdominal examination
Close monitoring of vital signs
Serial hemoglobin evaluation

56
Q

What should be considered for all pts with severe splenic injuries (>grade III) and in those with a contrast blush, moderate hemoperitoneum, or evidence of ongoing bleeding?

A

Angioembolization

57
Q

What is the safest splenectomy approach?

A

Via midline laparotomy

58
Q

What can seat belt sign indicate?

A

Should alert the physician to possible intestinal and mesenteric injury caused by abrupt deceleration

59
Q

What does the presence of an anterior lumbar compression fracture (Chance fx) suggest?

A

Extreme hyperflexion and injuries to the duodenum, proximal jejunum, and pancreas should be suspected

60
Q

What are CT signs suggestive of hollow viscus injury?

A

Bowel wall thickening
Free intra-abdominal fluid (in the absence of solid organ injury)
Mesenteric stranding
Extraluminal air

61
Q

Who should undergo urgent operative exploration in a hollow viscus injury?

A
Pts with:
Fever
Changes in vital signs
Worsening PE findings
New leukocytosi
62
Q

Tx for all victims of penetrating injury to the anterior abdomen with facial violation

A

Exploratory laparotomy

63
Q

When is a colonic resection with colostomy indicated?

A

The presence of shock
Heavy contamination
Destructive injury

64
Q

Management of intraperitoneal rectal injuries

A

Managed as if they were colonic injuries

65
Q

Management of extraperitoneal rectal injuries

A

Diversion
Distal washout
Presacral drainage