title: Resuscitation of subdiaphragmatic exsanguination.
abstract: Subdiaphragmatic exsanguination is a major cause of death in civilian trauma. In a 1-year review of 867 consecutive admissions to a Level I Trauma Center, a 4.3 per cent incidence (37 patients) of infradiaphragmatic exsanguination was found. Eleven per cent of all abdominal injuries and 35 per cent of pelvic fractures sustained massive hemorrhage. A treatment protocol incorporating immediate airway control, MAST device, super-large bore venous access, warming rapid infusors, immediate type O blood transfusion, emergency department thoracotomy, and emergent operation as required, produced an overall mortality of 54 per cent. Mortality was higher for pelvic fracture (59%) than abdominal injury (43%). No patient survived ED thoracotomy. Continued developments in resuscitation techniques, as well as prehospital, and operative care are required to reduce mortality from exsanguinating hemorrhage.
authors: Department of Surgery, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Camden.
authors: S E
authors: SE
authors: Ross
authors: C W
authors: CW
authors: Schwab
mesh_terms: D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003964:Diaphragm; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012151:Resuscitation