Chest Trauma - Mike Noonan
- 3. Epidemiology and Classification
Chest Injury:
•Common:
– Major chest trauma is 10th
most common injury via DRG classification
for all trauma admissions.
– 58 patients 2010-2011
•Primary cause of mortality in 20-25% of deaths
•Contribute to death in a further 25% of deaths
Classification:
•Blunt
•Penetrating
•Alfred: Major Trauma- 3.6% penetrating
3
- 4. Trauma Service Audit 2010-11
4
Injury Profile by AIS body region – major trauma
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
Head Legs Chest Spine Face Arms Abdomen External Neck
injuries
2009/10 2010/11
- 5. Pathophysiology
Pathophysiologic consequences of chest trauma:
•Hypoventilation
– Mechanical failure of ventilatory mechanism
•Hypoxia
– Secondary to hypoventilation
– Impaired gas exchange
•Shock
– Hypovolemia
– Pump (cardiogenic) failure
– Neurogenic shock due to spinal cord injury
5
Decreased tissue oxygenation
Decreased tissue perfusion
Decreased tissue oxygenation
Decreased tissue perfusion
- 6. Spectrum of Injuries
• Rib fracture(s)
• Simple pneumothorax
• Simple haemothorax
• Tension pneumothorax
• Open pneumothorax
• Massive haemothorax
• Cardiac tamponade
• Flail chest
• Pulmonary contusion
• Ruptured diaphragm
• Aortic Injury
• Oesophageal injury
6
- 7. Scenario 1
51yo male. Fall against table while intoxicated.
PHx:
•Alcohol abuse
•Poorly controlled Insulin-requiring Type II DM
•HPT
•Smoker (20/day; 30 pkt year history)
On arrival:
•A: Speaking in full sentences. Cx collar applied
•B: RR 28. Satn
90% high flow oxygen. Complaining of right chest
pain and ‘unable to catch breath’. Decreased breath sounds on right
with subcutaneous emphysema.
•C: HR 95. BP 178/94. FAST negative.
•D: Agitated E4 V4 M6=14
7
- 9. Scenario 1
Initial Management:
•O2 via Hudson mask, high flow.
•Set up for right ICC
•Intravenous access: warmed crystalloid. 8/24
Adjuncts to Primary Survey:
•CXR PXR
•ABGs:
– Type 1 or Type 2 respiratory failure
– CO2 retention
•Venous blood: Hb/U&E/LFTs/Clotting/EtOH/Glucose
9
- 12. Scenario 1
• Drainage of blood and pneumothorax to maximise ventilation: ICC
• Analgesia – CALL APS
– Systemic
– Local
– Regional
Patient needs to be able to deep breath and cough
• Position and mobility:
– Spine clearance so that the patient can be sat up
• Physiotherapy: chest as well as general mobility
• Optimisation of comorbidities:
– Diabetes
– EtOH withdrawal
– Nutrition
• ? ICU admission
12
- 13. Scenario 2
19yo male. HSP MVA into tree.
At scene:
A: Grunting, obvious facial fractures. Cx collar applied
B: Decreased air entry right chest. Seat belt bruising right upper
chest wall. RR 26.
C: HR 135 with thready pulse. SBP 80/.
D: GCS E1 V2 M4=7
Initial Treatment:
•Cx collar. RSI.
•Right pneumocath.
•Iv access with 1.0 l Nsaline commenced. Pelvic binder applied.
13
- 15. Scenario 2
On arrival (45 minutes post-accident):
•A: Intubated. Cx collar in situ.
•B: Absent air entry right chest. Satn
87% on 100% FIO2. Trachea
midline.
•C: HR 145. SBP 89 after 1.5 litres crystalloid. Cool, clammy, shut
down. Plethoric face(?). Deformed right femur.
•D: GCS E1 VT M1
15
- 17. Scenario 2
Progress:
•Post ICC insertion:
– Improved air entry right chest
– HR 95 BP 115/62
– 200ml blood from right ICC
•FAST negative, PXR normal
•Femur reduced and splinted
•Further 1000ml Nsaline
Key Points:
•Tension Pneumothorax is a cause of shock- easy to treat!
•Do not need tracheal deviation
17
- 18. Scenario 3
35 year old depressed man:
•Penetrating chest wound just above and medial to the left nipple
•Self presented to triage
On arrival:
•A: Speaking in short sentences, very agitated.
•B: Tachypnoeic with RR 34, Sat 89%
•C: HR 130, thready. SBP 90
18
- 19. Scenario 3
Treatment:
• Supplemental Oxygen
• iv access: 500ml Nsaline
Progress:
• Became less agitated though drowsy. Airway maintained.
• B: RR 26. Sat 87%. Air-entry equal bilaterally.
• C: HR 140, thready. SBP80.
• Plethoric face and distended neck veins noted
19
- 23. Scenario 3
23
•Identification of immediately life-threatening situation
(tamponade) via systematic attention to A, B and C.
•Transfer of the patient to theatre in a timely fashion,
or
•Perform emergency room thoracotomy if SBP
remains <70 mmHg despite iv resuscitation
NB: ATLS Guidelines 8th
edition: Treatment of Cardiac
Tamponade
- 25. Summary
• Chest trauma is common
• Most injuries are diagnosed with simple clinical and imaging
techniques
• Most life-threatening injuries can be managed with simple
procedures and attention to analgesia, physiotherapy and nutrition
• Severe chest trauma requires more advanced life support
25