Recently, I reviewed a pediatric spinal trauma case. The recommendation for steroids was the most controversial part of the case. One service recommended it, another didn’t. One service from another hospital where the patient was to be transferred recommended it,…
“Life is tough enough without having someone kick you from the inside.”—Rita Rudner Thankfully, these teeny kicks don’t cause trauma!! Critical illness, including trauma, actually affects less than 1% of all pregnancies in the US. However, this patient population can…
ED thoracotomies were introduced into medicine circa 1900, with endless debate and controversy to follow. It’s a procedure that no doubt can save a patient’s life, as without this “last ditch” effort, mortality would be 100% in a trauma patient…
We’re always talking about reducing health care costs. One of the ways major ways to reduce costs is to stop ordering unnecessary tests. Let’s talk about CT scans for a minute. CT scans can cost anywhere from $300-1500 per scan…
(A Review on Chest Tubes in the Trauma Patient ) Indications for Chest Tube Placement in Trauma Patients Pneumothorax (simple, tension) Hemothorax Esophageal rupture with gastric leak into pleural space Traumatic arrest (bilateral chest tubes) Quick Caveat: Detecting a traumatic pneumothorax…
E-FAST. What do the letters stand for? Extended Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (as opposed to FAST- Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma) How is E-FAST different than the FAST? There are 4 anatomical spaces examined in the FAST:…
Pelvic fracture + Hemodynamic Instability = YIKES…read below. Hemodynamically unstable pelvic fractures have mortality rates upwards of 45-50%. Death in the first 24 hours is generally from acute blood loss. These injuries need to be taken seriously; immediate and urgent…