Clinical experience with the medical anti-shock trousers (MAST) treatment of hemorrhage, especially from compound pelvic fracture.
The experience and results of treatment with external counterpressure for uncontrollable bleeding in 11 patients with compound pelvic fractures and 7 other patients with various subdiaphragmatic bleeding sites are reported. In 11 cases (61%) the bleeding could be arrested with medical anti-shock trousers (MAST). 9 patients died: 5 due to hemorrhagic shock and 4 of related disorders. Treatment with MAST was unsuccessful in 7 cases of major arterial tears. In patients with compound pelvic fractures the acute blood loss may necessitate further treatment by either arterial embolization, an operation for concomitant traumata, or both. Complications of the use of MAST were minor. The (clinical) use of this garment can therefore be strongly advised in patients with otherwise intractable bleeding.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001158:Arteries / Q000293:injuries; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic; D005260:Female; D005597:Fractures, Open / Q000150:complications; D005676:Gravity Suits / Q000009:adverse effects; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007813:Laparotomy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010384:Pelvic Bones / Q000293:injuries