Anaesthetic management of the severely injured patient: chest injury.
Life-threatening haemorrhage is common in major chest and abdominal trauma (Figure 1). Management consists of rapid fluid transfusion via large bore intravenous cannulae and early surgical intervention if indicated. Refractory hypoxaemia is frequently present in the chest injured patient (Figure 2). Pneumothorax and haemothorax must be carefully sought, and chest drains used in their management. Hypoxaemia secondary to simple chest injury should be managed with oxygen administration and the provision of analgesia initially. Resistant hypoxaemia may necessitate intubation and ventilation.
Hardman
J G
JG
Department of Anaesthesia, University Hospital, Nottingham.
Mahajan
R P
RP
D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D000698:Analgesia; D000776:Anesthesiology / Q000379:methods*; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003422:Critical Care; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000188:drug therapy; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal; D010100:Oxygen / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000517:prevention & control; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*
D010100:Oxygen